There are many options out there for countertops, but which one is the best for you?

Corian: is very durable, stain-resistant, has solid color and comes in many colors, patterns and finishes, although matte is the best to avoid scratches. But be careful because it can be damaged by hot pans.

Laminate: is also very durable and stain-resistant and comes in numerous colors, patterns and textures. This product has many downsides: it can be damaged by hot surfaces; it tends to show dirt easily and will scratch over time; it can mildew and is not repairable. Although this may be one of the cheaper options, in the long run it will not be the smartest investment for your money.

Silestone: This product is very hard and durable and resists stains, scratches, burns and even bacteria. There are many different color options and it is very easy to clean. The only downside is that the seams are visible.  It is very affordable so if you have a small space to fill then this is a great option.

Soapstone: This product is very dense, durable and resists stains, water, heat and overall wear. The greatest part is that each piece is very unique. The only downsides are that you many need to occasionally oil it and that is can be scratched.

Simplicity: Not many people know about this product. It is extremely hard, durable with very little maintenance. It resists stains, scratches, heat and bacteria and does come in many different colors. The downside is that the seams are visible, so again it would be best in small areas.

Granite: This is the most well known product used for countertops. It is very hard, durable, and resistant to stains, scratches and heat. Each piece is completely unique. The downsides to this product are that sometimes some finishes are hard to clean, the seams can be visible. It may stain or mildew if not treated properly, and does need to be polished regularly.

Butcher Block: This is a very inexpensive option with a great warm wood look, but can be damaged by hot surfaces. It needs to be cleaned and oiled often. It is also can be dented, scratched and damaged by water.  

Stainless Steel: A very contemporary option. This product is very durable and easy to clean with resistance to heat and stains. This product does scratch easily and shoes spots. Some say that it can be a noisier option but sleek and clean looking at the same time. It is a great option for that contemporary look.

Concrete: A new product out on the market is cast concrete. It is very durable, heat resistant and comes in many colors and textures. You can even have seashells or any other object embedded in the countertop. This product must be sealed often and can typically be expensive. It is important to make sure the person or company installing this product has had experience. Concrete can give a very contemporary, urban or industrial look to your space. It is becoming extremely popular.

These are all great options, all with their pros and cons- think about what you want out of your countertop as well as how much you can afford. If you are having trouble deciding on a material to choose for your bathroom or kitchen renovation, Style on a Shoestring can always help you make that choice. 

If you are tired of the color on your walls and need a way to spruce them up, then try adding texture. There are countless ways to add texture and interest to your walls:

Color Washing is a popular technique to create a casual appearance with a very translucent texture.

A Crackle finish is great if you are trying to create an aged or antique look. Try this on the bottom half of a wall with trim separating the top and bottom. It will give it a finished look.

Combing is a fancy way to create the look of silk on your walls. You can create any pattern with this technique such as, stripes, checkers or swirls.

 A Suede finish is very popular these days. It is a great finish to use in a room that you want to feel cozy and comfortable. Try this in a bright color to give a totally different feel than the typical tan color.

If you want to create an intimate atmosphere in your space then Ragging is the perfect option. It gives the feeling on fabric on your walls and goes perfect with candlelight.

If you are more into the natural look then give Sponging a try. You can create patterns that mimic leaves or any other natural material. This technique gives your walls depth with a very interesting texture.

Metallic paint can be beautiful but bold. Choose wisely when using this technique as you do not want to over-do it. This type of paint is best used to spotlight architectural features throughout your home. It can be elegant and classic or when used in a bigger scale can be very contemporary.

Murals can be a very interesting way to make a change in your space. There are endless ideas for murals. Murals are not just for children’s rooms these days. It is very popular to have a mural painted over your bed or in your dining room or entry.

Make sure you test out the technique before you paint a whole wall because it may look different than you imagine it in your head. At Style on a Shoestring we love to give advice to clients about which technique works best in their space. We offer paint consultations to help you make the right decision. We also offer referrals for great mural artists, painters and more if you are interested. 

No other material surpasses natural stone for its beauty, durability, practicality and elegance. Ever improving technology has made the cost of natural stone comparable to many synthetic products, yet the quality of natural stone far surpasses any synthetic material. There are so many different types of natural stones to choose from such as granite probably one of the most popular. Limestone, marble, quartz and finally soapstone. All are so beautiful in their own unique way. You can create endless looks using natural stones. So don’t be afraid and get creative and chose the never ending beauty of a natural stone.

If you can’t make it to the fall show, the San Diego Spring Home and Garden Show is coming up on Feb 29th, March 1, & 2 2008 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

 It is a great place to get ideas!

For more information: http://www.springhomegardenshow.com/

The San Diego Fall Home and Garden Show is this weekend Sept 14th, 15th and 16th 2007 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds!

Friday 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm

For more information  on exhibitors and tickets: http://www.fallhomegardenshow.com/

 I hope everyone can make it!

We recently had the fantastic opportunity of working with a wonderful family while remodling their entire home.  The Johnson remodel consisted of an entire kitchen design, three baths, electrical throughout, flooring throughout, extensive tile work, etc.  We began the process with the all important budget, including an extensive walkthrough with contractors who accurately provided estimates to be included in the overall budget.  The key to a successful project is starting with a budget and continuing to monitor it throughout the entire process.  After a preliminary budget had been established we continued with the next step in the design process and selected each and every material to be inlcuded in the remodel.  The budget was updated again and we were on our way to a great home remodel.  To make their dream home come true, we used a host of sub contractors such as Martin Electric, Colosseum Marble & Granite, Bonita Valley Plumbing, K.D. Cha Painting, and Hegle Tile.  These men worked hard and long to make the Johonson’s house a place that they could call home.  I was proud to be associated with them.  A big thank you from the team at Style On a Shoestring for their efforts.   We began the design process in March and on July 20th the family moved out for two weeks while we sprung into action.  We followed our timeline to the letter and in two weeks, the Johnson’s had moved back into their entirely new remodeled, Tuscan style home! 

When someone asks you “What’s your style?” and you can’t quite pin point what to say, don’t worry because it is very common. To help define your style first rip photos out of your favorite magazines and catalogs, anything that appeals to you. Then put them all together, sit down with some coffee, and write down descriptive reasons why you were attracted to each photo. Believe it or not this will help you start to make sense of your style. Another way to find your style would be to think of your favorite vacation destination or place where you love to go and either read a book, dine out or even ride a rollercoaster. Write down all things associated with this favorite place of yours and your style will soon start to be much more apparent. Keep a small notebook in your purse and when you are out and about just jot down ideas when you see something you like, or better yet- take a picture of it! Remember to have fun with this process and know that we are always here to help…

Windows are so fun to decorate.  There are so many styles that are beautiful, cute and fun.  Just adding a little fabric next to a window will change the look of an entire room.  We do some great custom treatments at unbelievable prices….for custom…..it’s usually cheaper to buy them off the rack but most of the time they are pretty plain or simple.  So if you’re feeling like you want to do something a little special custom windows will really warm up and make a space look great.  It’s important to realize what makes all those catalog and magazine pictures look so great is not necessarily the pieces of furniture (although there are some great pieces) but all the little “extras” like window treatments, paint, fabrics, decor.  Do a room at a time and watch it trasform. In time your entire house will be done.  It could be the missing piece to your room.

Choosing paint can make a room.  Getting it right is not that easy.  Many people think that choosing paint is one of the first things to do when decorating a new area.  Actually it is the last thing that we do in our design process.  There are a million colors or close to that anyway out there and they can really make or break a room.  This is an area worth getting some help no matter who you are.  We as designers know how important it is to get objective eyes on our “own” projects and even in our “own” homes.  Remember paint last if you can after you’ve done all your designing…..if you can’t wait go neutral and add some splashes of color later. 

Does it feel challenging sometimes to any of you to find bedding you love at the stores out there?  I definitely feel challenged by that alot.  I am so excited about a company I have found who makes custom bedding at a great price.  It’s fun to pick out fabrics of all kinds and create a one of a kind look in the bedroom.  If you’re careful and choose some inexpensive fabrics you can create a great look and it’s not out of this world.  There are really some great fabrics out there.