When the TV returns to inside the cabinet, the top surface is another useable space.

Even with compact flat screens, sometimes TVs are problematic to decorating. Perhaps you don’t have enough wall space in your bedroom for a TV. Or maybe you want a TV in a more formal room but you don’t want it to conflict with your décor. If you are trying to reduce TV watching in your home – but don’t want to eliminate the TV completely – you might be looking for a complete storage solution.

I have the answer for you: a cabinet or console with a TV lift installed.

These are perfect for anyone who wants occasional use of a TV because the TV actually drops into the cabinet, giving you a smooth surface on top. When you’re ready to watch the TV, you simply punch a remote control and it rises from the cabinet. When you’re finished, hit the button and it returns to its hiding place.

I recently had one of these installed for a client who wanted a TV but the walkways in her living space made a wall-hung or tabletop TV impossible. We placed the lifted TV inside a console table, and now she can access it when her family is ready for TV yet it’s not in the way at other times.

Components for your lifted TV can also be hidden in the cabinet so they don't distract from your decor.

Another client only had adequate wall space for a dresser mirror but also wanted a TV. Our technician mounted the TV inside her dresser, so now it can be raised to watch TV from the bed or lowered for full access to the mirror above it. The dresser’s drawers remain useable, although they are shallower to make room for the lift mechanism.

This concept works especially well for rooms full of windows, such as a high-rise where the focus is on the view. Plus we can add a 360-degree swivel base to make the TV visible from any angle in the room. And since lifted TVs can be added to virtually any type of cabinet or console, you don’t sacrifice function for beauty. You can also hide your media components inside the unit, providing a clean look.

If we can help with creating a TV lift cabinet for you, or with any of your design needs, please contact us.

Reclaimed wood works well as a rustic dining room table.

If you’ve shopped for furniture at any of the popular furnishings stores lately, you’ve probably seen a surge in reclaimed woods paired with metals such as factory zinc and cast iron. Restoration Hardware has been particularly fond of this style, but you’ll also find it at places such as Pottery Barn, Cost Plus and West Elm.

I’m a big fan of this look and used it when I recently redecorated my own home. Because the materials are reclaimed, they have a lot of durability, which is great for those of us who have kids. Since they already have a “lived in” look, another knick in the wood just adds to the character.

For some people, though, this is a little too rustic. For example, reclaimed wood can be difficult to clean – if you drop a glass of red wine on it, you won’t be able to wipe it up. If you think about an old French farmhouse, a little more red wine would just add to the table’s character. But if that’s not your style, you could still feature reclaimed wood by perhaps using a glass or metal top with a wood stand, or having the wood top sanded and refinished with a cleanable polyurethane.

Another consideration is the color. Some reclaimed wood is more of a gray while other types are a little warmer. Deciding on the look you want – more or less neutral – is an important first step to using reclaimed wood. If you lean toward more neutral, you can add interest to the room with black and white framed photos, and textures such as jutes, mohairs, and leathers to avoid creating a “flat” room with no character.

Reclaimed wood can also be part of a more contemporary look, depending on how it is styled.

If you prefer a little more color, add colorful rugs or throw pillows, upholster chairs in bright prints, and include potted plants. (Reupholstering chairs doesn’t have to be expensive – if you’re buying new, just order them in the most affordable fabric and then take them to an upholsterer who can customize them for you at less than $75 per chair.)

Don’t forget to add accessories to your new room. Antiques and vintage-style pieces go well with the reclaimed wood look. Shop around and you might find an old toolbox, for instance, that can serve as a storage spot for TV remotes. Or hang a large metal clock on the wall. The idea is to provide warmth through fun and interesting pieces, whatever that might mean to you and your family, so you can enjoy your home.

If we can help you blend reclaimed woods with your décor, or with any of your design needs, please contact us.

A sectional sofa can be customized to your room's size and your color preferences.

A few weeks ago, Mary told you about our custom woodworker and ironworker in Mexico. Today I’d like to share some thoughts with you on custom upholstered furniture, another important aspect of our design strategy.

When most people hear “custom furniture” they imagine handing over stacks of cash. Sure, customizing furniture can be expensive – but it doesn’t have to be. And most often you get what you pay for, whether that’s in durability, size or design. After all, not every living room is the same size, and not every client likes the same shade of green – that’s what makes custom furniture so important.

Our go-to custom upholstered furniture manufacturer in San Diego is Comfort Furniture Galleries. What I like about this store is they really do create what you want, and they usually do it in less than two weeks. So if you have a large family room wall that needs a longer-than-usual sofa, for example, Comfort Furniture Galleries can simply add as many inches (or feet!) as you need. Or maybe you want a super-durable fabric that can withstand your toddler’s jumping – they do that. Even better, you can select the softness or firmness you want in your cushions. They customize it all – right down to the leg style.

Customize your bedroom with an upholstered headboard in your choice of size, shape, and fabric.

We often see a piece of furniture we love but that is outside our clients’ budget. So it’s not unusual for us to take them a picture of, say, a $9000 designer chair, and walk out the door a few weeks later with an identical version for $900. Of course, $900 is still an investment, but at 10 percent of the original cost it is a comparable “steal” for a stylish, sturdy chair.

Not only do we order chairs and sofas there, we get beds and tufted headboards too, plus bar stools and ottomans. Basically anything that needs upholstery can be created at Comfort Furniture Galleries. And since we handle all the design and delivery for you, all you have to do is write the check– a much lower check due to the value we can provide using our quality supplier. Plus you gain a special room personalized just for you.

If we can assist you with custom furniture or any of your design needs, please contact us.

The dramatic art-like tub is the focal point of this luxurious modern bathroom.

In San Diego, it’s pretty common to find Mediterranean types of interior design styles since they pair so well with our Spanish and coastal homes. But even if your taste leans a little toward contemporary or modern, you can easily mix that theme into your existing décor.

A lot of people shy away from contemporary because they think it’s all about cold steel, hard plastic, and stark white. While that palette can be appropriate in the right home, you can incorporate some contemporary touches without losing your home’s warmth.

For example, I recently remodeled a fireplace in a Scripps Ranch tract home using contemporary aesthetics. We removed the 16-inch travertine surround and replaced it with 12×24 dark brown tiles that almost give the surround a wood effect. Laid in a brick pattern, they convey an angular, modern look. For another traditional-style home’s fireplace, we removed the cast-stone hearth and natural surround and installed rectangular tile from floor to ceiling.

Another way to tweak your home toward contemporary is through furniture choices. Perhaps just one large piece of furniture – such as a modern coffee table in an interesting shape – would give your family room just the touch you want. I really like Room and Board for this because much of their product is contemporary yet they use warmer colors and woods rather than chrome and glass. West Elm is another source for design-friendly contemporary furniture, although it is a bit more basic in design.

You can achieve a warm yet modern look with furniture such as this dining set from Room and Board.

If you love contemporary but can’t seem to make it work in your main rooms, consider doing a modern bathroom as in the photo above. For that remodel we removed the built-in tub and replaced it with that amazing work-of-art tub in the corner. The shower features contrasting cream and dark brown tile. And true to our name, to save the client money we retained the existing vanities but refaced them and stained them in a dark espresso.

Our private store, The Style Marketplace, is a great resource for contemporary pieces, as is the website All Modern.

Please let us know if we can help add a contemporary look to your home, or assist with any of your design needs. And Happy New Year!

Our custom furniture maker in Mexico can create a multi-use unit that fits your entertainment niche perfectly.

A few years ago we were shopping in Baja – we’re always looking for unique items for our clients – and we met a woman who owns a custom furniture store. She is a designer herself, and she has a whole crew of woodworkers on staff who can make anything, she said.

Of course we were a little cautious because we wanted to make sure these items would be up to par with our requirements (yes, we’re picky!). So we asked Sandra to make some iron and wood wall art for us. It turned out amazing! We soon discovered this little shop could produce anything – any piece of furniture, and even banisters or staircases. All we had to do was show her a picture or sketch, and the next thing we knew we were picking up furniture or accessories that were exactly what we had envisioned.

So what does this mean to you? Savings! To be sure, Sandra and her team don’t do “cheap” work – they are true artists – but we do save our clients about 30 percent over retail by using her services. And there’s no worry about going to Mexico – we handle all the delivery so you don’t have to.

If your home is Spanish style, our custom designer can make decorative iron grates like these for your vents.

My favorite way to use this resource is for built-in entertainment centers. Many San Diego homes have those family room niches that are supposed to hold your TV and audio equipment. But good luck finding furniture to fit that space perfectly, right? When we call on Sandra, she has her workers make a unit that does slide seamlessly into the space we need. Plus we can customize it to the client’s preferences, such as including various sized drawers, a tray for the DVD player, slats to organize movies, glass doors, or whatever we want.

With custom furniture – whether it’s a TV console, a sideboard, or a coffee table – you get a uniquely sized and styled item just for you. It looks complete and clean, and gives your whole room that “I spent a fortune” look for a lot less money. And who wouldn’t love that?

If we can help you with custom furniture or any of your design needs, please contact us.

Since I often sing "You Are My Sunshine" to my girls, I added wall art similar to this one from sugarboodesigns.com as a personal touch for our family room.

I love helping clients design their houses but it’s also fun to bring what I’ve learned to my own home.

Nine years ago I extensively remodeled our Rancho Penasquitos tract home, all the way down to plumbing, electrical and even landscaping. Back then, my older daughter was only nine months old and we knew we would be adding to our family (our younger daughter arrived a few years later). So I installed carpet that would be gentle for crawling babies and bought inexpensive furniture that could withstand wear and tear from toddlers.

Now that my girls are older, our family can enjoy a little bit nicer décor. But now instead of babies and toddlers, we often host a houseful of elementary-age kids, playing video games and running around. So we still need durable finishes that look good but hold up to romping kids. I’m sure you can relate.

This Restoration Hardware dining table is similar to what I had custom-made for us in Mexico with a few alterations to give it more of a farmhouse feel.

Fortunately, I really enjoy distressed-look furniture because I like vintage. It also fits well into our lifestyle since it’s already “beat up.” In addition to swapping out furniture in our main living areas with the distressed pieces, I replaced all the carpet in our house – every room but the girls’ bedrooms – with white-washed walnut hardwood. It’s been such a relief to have something easier to clean with so many kids coming in and out.

In the great room I had the TV installed over the fireplace (read more about that here) as I’m doing in most of my clients’ remodels. All of the components were moved to a closet and I installed a RedEye system with a wireless remote to reduce clutter. A 4-foot-by-4-foot ottoman sits at the center of our new custom-made sectional sofa, allowing me to set a tray there with food or it can be used as a play table for the kids. New, inventive wall art with favorite photos and sayings adds a touch of whimsy to the room and really makes it a personal space for my family.

I'm using these Aidan Gray chests as dual-purpose nightstands and mini-dressers in our master bedroom.

Our family room and dining room are designed in an open concept, so I decided to go casual with our dining room and use a distressed set that has chairs on one side and a bench on the other. The bench makes it easy for kids to climb in and out. I hung two chalkboards over the bench, adding Chalkpensto go with them so no dust is created — a fun way to keep score on family game night! And not having to worry about a fancy table makes me feel good about letting the kids use the table for homework or to do crafts.

In our master bedroom, I replaced all the furniture and added wallpaper (see more about the exciting return of wallpaper here) and new bedding. Other walls in the house got a fresh coat of paint too. A few throw pillows and some new accessories here and there – and we have an (almost) new house!

Whether you’re looking to freshen up or do a complete remodel, we are happy to help you at Style on a Shoestring.

We reupholstered this ottoman and added colorful throw pillows to give more punch to this great room.

One of the things customers have told us sets Style on a Shoestring apart from other design firms is we live out our name—we really do try to save you money. That doesn’t mean we resort to cheap, inferior products. Instead, we are experts at combining high-quality items with less expensive accents we find at area department stores and specialty stores. That allows clients to complement their timeless pieces with changing trends in colors and styles.

A home’s established or heirloom furniture tends to be larger, costlier articles such as the dining room table and hutch, side tables and even sofas depending on how much use they get. I usually advise against choosing high-use sofas and chairs with the idea that you will reupholster in a few years. Typically, reupholstering is as much or even more than buying new upholstered furniture. So it’s best to plan on replacing your heavily used upholstered furniture every eight to ten years, as opposed to a sofa in a formal sitting room, for example, which might last for many years. In either case, choose a neutral color and pattern for your longer-term items to allow for design accents elsewhere.

That said, it can be fun and cost-effective to reupholster one piece—such as an ottoman (see photo above)—to add that pop of trendy color. Another way to do this is swapping out throw pillows or lampshades, or repotting houseplants.

Combining bright color with a French influence is a 2011 trend.

This year, color is big! Think about adding pops of hot pink, lime green and purple to your rooms. Other popular trends are French-influenced pieces, distressed woods and mixing industrial design with other styles. All of this makes for a terrific combination because sticking just to an industrial style or to distressed woods, for instance, can feel bland, but when you add that bit of color it gives the whole room a fresh look.

You can pick up these less pricey pieces at places such as Restoration Hardware, Cost Plus World Market and Pottery Barn. We also have an extraordinary alternative we are almost ready to reveal to you where you will be able to get amazing, distinctive furniture and accessories. Watch this space for our announcement soon!

Please contact us at Style on a Shoestring if we can help with decorating your home or any of your design needs.

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.