Hi, Mary:

I was thrilled with how my chair pads and piano bench turned out – could not be more pleased!  Excellent job and I love the fabrics we chose – today at lunch I get my window treatments! I am sure I will love them as well.  It is so worth it to have custom-made cushions and window treatments – a world of difference – and I love the snaps on my chair cushions – very clean look, which is just what I was looking for! 

You guys are simply the best … I will recommend you to anyone else who might need assistance.   

Thanks again so much!!!

Melodie

You’d probably be surprised to know that interior-decorating your office space can be just as important as designing the rest of your house, maybe even more important. A well laid out office space can improve your productivity and your happiness.

 Your home office should be some place where you will have privacy. A spare bedroom or an out of the way alcove will work great. You still want to be part of the house, but you also need your privacy for those phone calls and business client visits.

Natural lighting also should be a significant part of your design plan. A window gives you something to look at when you get stressed out and some fresh air when you feel cramped. Speaking of lighting, try to avoid glaring overhead lights like you find in a regular office. Go for more diffused lighting. A good lamp may be all you need.

 You shouldn’t paint your office in drab gray or black nor should it be too gaudy. You want your new office to be a pleasant and comfortable place to be.Neutral colors work best. But, if you really want to add some personality to your walls, add artwork.

Plants also are wonderful additions to home offices. They, too, will add color and personality to your space. When they bloom, it’s like adding a whole different element to the room.

While you may not think of storage as an “design element”, it’s actually a very critical part of your home-office design plan. Storage can be anything: a built-in wall unit, unique shelving or even something your own creation. Be artistic. It’s your space.  Make sure you do account for storage. A cluttered desk and work area can be distracting. Another item that can greatly reduce clutter is a multifuction printer. As a home office worker, you have necessities: printer, fax and copier. Yet, these can come in one neat package.   

December 2008: After spending an entire Saturday at the studio trying to make it look nice, Leslie goes home totally disheartened. She googles “interior designers” and finds Style On A Shoestring. The owner, Tracy, answers her call for help at 11 pm on a Saturday. How’s that for customer service? They have the place looking fabulous by opening day. Thank you Style on a Shoestring!

The Recreational Music Center

Point Loma

The following are some tips to help you get your home cleaned quickly and a few shortcuts to “fix” some minor problems until you can spend more time on them.

1. Musty Curtains: freshen curtains by tossing them into the dryer on the no-heat of air-fluff setting. The tumbling will loosen dirt and dust and transfer it to the dryer’s filter. Remember to clean the lint screen afterwards.

2. Dusty Blinds: clean dusty blinds by submerging them, fully extended, in a bathtub filled with warm water and one to two cups of powdered dishwashing detergent. Dip them, then wipe with a cloth. Rest them on towels to dry. This is easier and quicker than cleaning them slat-by-slat.

3. Banish build-up in the bathroom: keep soap scum and mineral deposits off shower walls by applying a thin coat of clear furniture wax or car polish to the tiles. The slippery finish will make water bead and roll off quickly, before leaving behind any hard-to-clean residue. Be careful not to get any of the wax on the bottom of your tub to avoid a potential fall.

4. Redecorating repair: small holes in walls where old photos used to hand can be filled with a dab of white toothpaste until you have time to spackle.

Furnishing your home can be an exciting task. But buying furniture can be expensive and most pieces, if properly constructed, will last for many years. You want to choose wisely for your investment. You want to select pieces that fit your lifestyle and reflect your sense of style. Below are tips to help you achieve this.

1. Know what you want — What style best fits with the rest of your home? Do you need a sleeper sofa to accomodate overnight guests? Also, important to consider, is do you need durable fabrics and soft edges for a kid-friendly home?

2. Be prepared — Carefully measure the dimensions of the room you want to furnish. Keep in mind window placement, doors and other architectural features of the room.

3. Determine your budget – Knowing what you can afford before you hit the stores will give you a much better idea of what and where you should be looking to purchase your new items.

4. Try it out – Why buy a beautiful sofa that looks great in your living room but is so uncomfortable that it never gets used? Make sure you like both the look and the feel of an item you are considering buying.

5. Talk to a salesperson – A knowledgeable salesperson should be able to answer any questions you may have, offer options you may not have considered and show you pieces that fit both your needs and your budget. Beware of anyone who pressures you to buy before you’re ready. If you find an upholstered piece that you like, ask for a fabric sample to take home to see how it fits with the rest of your decor.