Inspiration can come from anywhere, anyone, or anything. In the design world, my inspiration comes from all varieties, and is always changing. Detailed, intricate and small precious old items can be looked at in the grand scale to be something completely different and contemporary. I get my design ideas just like I do with my painting ideas. If I see something that catches my eye I rip the picture out of the magazine, or take a picture of it in real life. For example something as simple as a King of Hearts playing card could be a very interesting painting to blow up the scale and hang on the wall in a game room.  

 I also take inspiration from the simple things in life, like the changing of the seasons and the colors that are associated with them. The colors you choose in your home can greatly affect the way you live your life. For example, the color red evokes hunger (which is why Ronald MacDonald has chosen this color for advertising). I just think about what my favorite colors are and what makes me happy to give me a starting point for design in my own home. You always want to choose the actual color last to paint on the wall, but it is good to have an idea of what you are interested in.  

Think about what colors were in the home you grew up in and then look around your home at what you have already decorated with. You will be surprised at how similar you have made your home compared to home you grew up in, and it is because you are comfortable with them and it really makes it “feel like home”. There is a great book that I once read that pinpointed this exact study. The book is called, “House as a Mirror of Self: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Home” by Clare Cooper Marcus. 

Inspiration is everywhere and everyone will be inspired by something different than the next. Try and challenge yourself to sit down and write a list of all the things that inspire you and soon you will find that it is not hard at all.

For those of you who are just stuck at a crossroads and just can’t seem to make your house look like a home. Remember that here at Style on a Shoestring we offer many services including “redesign”. If you are just wanting that fresh look of something different without all the costs of a total remodel we can come in and under a few hours revamp your entire house. With just the costs of our services. We use all of your own stuff to recreate a beautiful home for you. Sometimes you just need a third eye to take a look and see endless possibilities. So give us a call and let us get your home ready just in time for the holidays!

Although paint is often the least expensive way to create a “pulled-together look,” it remains one of the most challenging aspects of design for our clients.  So here are a few tips to make your searching for the perfect colors a bit easier.

First ask yourself how you would like the room to feel.  Do you want it to feel calm or have a big and bold impact?  It is common for people to want to their bedroom to be calming while they would like to make a statement with their entry or living room.  The trick is, how do you combine bold and calming in a color palate that does not feel choppy?

Using unrelated colors in adjoining rooms can make the house feel disjointed, while colors that relate to each other draw the eye from one room to the next and create a pleasing flow.

The trick is to use the same hue and value when choosing your paint colors…for instance if the first color that you are drawn to has a gray undertone than that is the hue that you should continue throughout.  Be careful not to choose too many colors.  Depending on the size of your house, usually three colors are more than enough.

Neutrals can be tricky because they can have green, yellow or pink undertones.  Make sure that you look at your flooring, furniture and fabrics in the room. Try to determine the undertones in the existing neutrals in the room and then choose a paint color with the same undertones…if you need help you can always call in the experts!

Another tip is to paint all the trim and doors the same color throughout the house so that you can create a flow from room to room although the paint color on the walls will be different.

Here are a few popular colors our clients have really enjoyed:  Although these are Dunn Edwards paints we work with and recommend several other brands.

  Dunn Edwards Paints:Some great silver blues:

DEC796- Irogon Blue

DEC794-Salina Springs

DEC798-Taliesin Blue

Great Greens:

DE6262-Glass Tile

DE6263-Pistachio Shell

Mustard yellow anyone??? 

DEC731-Highlight Gold

DEC 732-Aspen Yellow

The smell of peppermint, the taste of hot chocolate, or the excitement of standing under the mistletoe… Holiday Decorating is all about creating an environment that brings back memories and traditions. Creating a decorated and cheerful atmosphere throughout your work space is important especially during the Holidays; as it brings out the happiness in all of us.

At Style on a Shoestring we specialize in interior design on YOUR budget. We especially love to decorate for the holidays whether it is for your office or your holiday party. We understand it can be overwhelming to pull out those dusty boxes full of décor and not quite know where to start, or maybe you do not have much to decorate with. We take the headache out of preparing for the holidays, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your time with your co-workers and friends. We offer many holiday decorating services to fit your needs, keeping your budget in mind. We offer a complimentary initial design meeting to go over your ideas in detail and provide you with an estimate on the spot. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and we understand your need for efficiency.

Style on a Shoestring works closely with Interior Plant Services to exceed the warm and inviting atmosphere in your work space. Working together we will design your holiday wreath, Christmas tree décor, garland placement, etc. We have a very creative team of designers who enjoy thinking outside the box, especially when it comes to holiday décor. If you would like to WOW your company and co-workers this year at your holiday party, we can get the job done!