Special thanks to Alison, Mary and all the “behind -the- scene helpers.”  I still can’t believe how warm and beautiful my home feels. You ladies created something far better than what I magined. I can’t believe this is my home. I feel like I’m
away at some luxury vacation house! I love it, love it, love it! You are
a very talented group, please feel free to use me as a reference.
Kimberly

Kitchen Lighting:  

Layout requirements are affected by the size and complexity of the area. This tells the designer how many lights are needed and where they should be placed for the perfect setup. A small kitchen might only need a central 2 x 4 fluorescent cloud fixture and some under cabinet lighting. A larger kitchen may need recessed fixtures, lighting over the sink, breakfast table, kitchen island, and pantry. Task and accent lighting also become more important with bigger areas to cover. Taller kitchen ceilings require brighter light bulbs. Cove lighting above kitchen cabinets provides an interesting touch to the space.
If the kitchen opens into a living or dining area the lighting should be able to integrate with the adjacent spaces. Light dimmers and lighting controls allow for a smooth transition between different rooms with contiguous spaces.

Also, the color of kitchen counter top surfaces should be taken into account. Dark surfaces, such as dark marble, might need additional illumination.

Lighting for the kitchen normally consists of three layers:

1. General lighting – overall illumination.
2. Task lighting – helps perform specific tasks.
3. Accent lighting Рadd drama, visual interest, part of the d̩cor.

Different Patio Design Ideas:

There are no steadfast rules to follow when it comes to the type of outdoor patio design you can have. Many people consider their patio to be an extension of  their home and try to keep similar themes both inside and outside the house. Listed below are some of the more commong types of patio plans: 

Open Patios — Open patios are a sun worshiper’s dream. They are designed to take in the maximum amount of sunlight and air because they are built with the fewest obstructions. That means your patio area is often free from things that create shadows such as overhangs and large trees.

Patio Room – Patio rooms are better known as sunrooms. These types of patios can be used all year long because you don’t have to go outside to enjoy the sun.

Covered Patio –  A covered patio is very similar to a porch, apart from the fact that a patio’s flooring is normally masonry that is laid directly onto grade. Covered patios are often built next to a home, where extended eaves, shade or overhang protects it from weather related issues. Sometimes a part of the patio base stretches from beyond its coverage so that a portion of the patio can access the sun fully. You can add a patio screen to the patio to keep out bugs, too. But covered patios aren’t typically used all year long.

Poolside Patio – Poolside patios are like having a resort in your very own backyard. They have open areas for catching the sun after a dip in the pool and plenty of waterproof and slip-resistant surfaces for safety.

Retreat Patios – Retreat (aka getaway) patios are usually small, intimate outdoor spaces that offer the best privacy. They are normally nestled in a thick enclave of trees and other shrubbery located away from the house. Often your secret getaway patio spot is connected to your home by a little path. Retreat patios can be open-air or have a sheltered roof.

Entry Patios – Entry patios are built at the front of your home. Entry patios are open spaces with wide, paved areas that are great places to relax, visit with neighbors, and for displaying built-in planters and causal patio furniture.

If you’ve decided on a theme or a particular look but just don’t know quite how to make it come alive, try creating a color board. It’s really easy. You start by gathering anything that catches your eye.  These can include magazine cutouts, fabric and floor samples and paint chips. Make sure to look at everything in a different light and at different times of the day. Some colors can look dramatically different throughout the day. 

The internet is also a great place to find and print out  color images of furniture, artwork and accessories. Try to stick to the items that reflect the theme you’re already leaning toward. Pay attention to textures, finishes and intricate details as those will play a significant role in the finished design. Once you’ve gathered your pieces, attach them to ribbon board or piece of foam core board (available at art supply stores). Keep it somewhere where you’ll see it everyday and add or remove pieces as the spirit moves you. Live with this board until you’re ready to start shopping and carry it with you when you do. This will aid you in making both color, and design choices as you’re shopping for your new look.

Stylish seating is just a stone’s throw away.

Trying to figure out how to make an attractive seat for two in the yard without breaking the bank? Take a second look at that slab of rock laying around in the backyard. The idea originated with landscape designer, Michael Glassman while he was shopping for stone at a rock yard. Glassman used stone to make loose-stacked stone benches and tables.Stone is more durable than wood and other materials garden furniture is usually made of. Stone benches and tables are virtually maintenance free. Plus, the ones you construct using separate pieces of stone can often cost less than most pre-made wood, iron or concrete benches at the garden center.

Hi Vanessa and Tracy,

I meant to email you both Thursday night, but honestly my husband and I were walking around the house admiring all the new décor! He must have said “Oh my God� 15 times! All he kept saying is how incredible the house looks.Thanks again to both of you for making my house look and feel like “a castle� as my daughter now calls it. I will continue to refer my friends and neighbors to you.

Michelle

Mother’s Day is coming soon.

Treat your mother to a paint consultation or design plan with Style on a Shoestring! She will be the happiest mother in the world. Everyone could use a little design help here and there. Our team of designers is ready to assist with all design styles. Please contact Style on a Shoestring for more info.

  

Craft rooms can be very fun to design and to spend time in. If you are a crafter and would like to have a room turned into the perfect sewing room or scrapbooking room Style On a Shoestring can help. I myself am a fellow crafter and to me this is the most important room in my home.

The most important part of a craft room is that it is organized and STAYS organized. The key to organization success for most people is to hire a professional organizer. We work with many great organizer that we would love to refer. Here are some great organizational tips for room:

Group like items, throw out anything that is trash, give away items you know you will never use (even though it is so hard to do!), then decide what items are most important to you. If you like to sew then probably need a nice comfortable chair and sewing table that is easy to use with your sewing accessories close by and not hidden away in the back of the closet.

If you tend to have multiple craft projects that are in the works then create a storage system that is easy to use. This way you will not forget about these projects and they will actually get done.

There are so many great muralist and faux finish artists in San Diego. Here are a few that we enjoy. Marcelino is gret at faux finishing any space.

   

Ryn Smith Studios is another great choice. This artist specializes in Murals and Trompe L’Oeil.

If you would like to find out more about these artists contact us at Style on a Shoestring. We would be more than happy to assist you with designing the perfect mural or faux finish for your home.

It is hard to narrow down my ultimate favorite designer because there are a lot of great designers out there to take inspiration from. One of my favorites is Jonathan Adler www.jonathanadler.com, a contemporary designer best known for his pottery collection. Above is an example of his pottery.

         Another favorite of mine would have to be Tricia Guild from Designers Guild http://www.designersguild.com/.

Her patterns are out of this world with fun and exciting bright colors. It takes the right person to design like her but she has soon very interesting ideas.