This living space shows how a Mid-Century modern can be updated but still have that same funky 60s flavor.

If you have a period home—such as a Spanish or a Craftsman, both prevalent in Southern California—it can be a challenge to remodel and retain the house’s character. At Style on a Shoestring, we’ve found it really takes a creative approach to establish the right balance between honoring the home’s original detail and upgrading it to current standards.

For example, I’ve been working recently on a 1960s Mid-Century modern ranch-style home. This is the new owners’ dream house, so we wanted to maintain the integrity of the design while bringing it into 2011. Fortunately these clients work in the arts, so they are willing to take imaginative design leaps with me.

One of the home’s centerpieces is an original atomic-look light fixture, somewhat common for that time but still a bold feature. So we kept that in the living room (we managed to keep all of the house’s original light fixtures!), and we also retained the vaulted wood ceilings. Launching from a green and white color palette—fresh and simple—we chose a low-pile green carpeting that is almost like felt. We also removed the original rock around the fireplace and used white modern tile instead. And I can’t overlook telling you about the fireplace hearth, which is magenta solid-surface quartz. It’s quite a statement!

All of those changes kept within the house’s style but brought it up to speed.

White glossy cabinets and globe lights give this kitchen a modern look without sacrificing utility.

Then we gutted the original kitchen because it just wasn’t functional any longer. To keep it modern, we installed IKEA cabinets in a high-gloss white finish with low-profile chrome hardware. We paired those with sleek white quartz countertops. To warm up the space, we used dark, large-plank cork flooring. For a pop of color, we added hand-fired turquoise and white tile in an elongated diamond shape—a classic 60s pattern with a modern take.

Are you starting to see how our strategy played out in this remodel? So while we kept the living room’s wood ceiling, we painted it white. We allowed the fireplace to continue its footprint around two walls but we improved the materials. And we kept the kitchen’s clean lines but we made it more practical for today’s cooks. The result of our “modernizing a modern” is a home that clearly reflects its original design but with current sensibilities. And it’s just a really fun space too!

If we can help you design your period home—or help with any decorating or remodel ideas—please contact us.

This budget-conscious kitchen remodel had terrific results using modern IKEA cabinets.

Most people assume that hiring an interior designer must mean you need $50,000 minimum. While it certainly is fun to do a project based on a dazzling budget, our mission at Style on a Shoestring is to show how you can get great results working with a modest amount of money too.

Case in point: We recently completed two kitchen remodels using IKEA cabinets. For one (pictured) we used an espresso-colored cabinet; the other is white. Both turned out really nice, and the clients saved at least a third and perhaps half off of what custom cabinets would have cost for their kitchens.

There are a few things you should know before you jump on the IKEA kitchen bandwagon, however. First, don’t try to order the cabinets yourself at the store—designing a kitchen is a complicated process that will not be made easier if your cabinets are the wrong shapes and sizes. IKEA employees are friendly and helpful but they’re not trained interior designers.

That said, IKEA’s kitchen planner tool (found here) is a user-friendly way for you to play around with different designs you might like. Once you decide on the basic feel you want, we can flesh out the design and show you how different accessories enhance that look. Note: IKEA cabinets really only complement modern, contemporary and coastal looks, so if you have your heart set on a Tuscan kitchen, for example, this approach won’t work for you.

IKEA cabinets are sold flat, meaning they have to be assembled. At Style on a Shoestring we work with a contractor who specializes in putting these pieces together, and since they do it frequently they are knowledgeable about the frequent quirks we find in these cabinets. They also order and deliver everything for the project.

Even with our experts constructing the cabinets, though, we do run into some issues with the quality of IKEA cabinets as far as fit goes. Both of our recent kitchen projects required some extra attention to get the cabinets to align properly. This wouldn’t happen with custom cabinets, of course, because they would be made to fit the space exactly, even if your vintage home has an uneven ceiling or floor. So just be prepared to have patience with IKEA cabinets if they need to be adjusted.

Overall, IKEA cabinets can be a terrific solution if they fit your style and you are willing to forego some quality and variety deficiencies to satisfy limited resources. As always, we are happy to help you with IKEA cabinets or any design needs—just contact us for a consultation.

We recently completed a kitchen renovation (below) in a coastal style. This approach is particularly popular right now across the country, but it’s especially appropriate for San Diego homes that really are influenced by coastal living. Some people here seem to shy away from this theme because they fear it will come off cheesy – too much of a beach house look – but coastal can be just as tasteful as any other design if you use the right touches.

Our recent coastal kitchen design shows the beauty of this crisp approach.

When I begin with a client I always look through design books with them to get a feel for what appeals to them. The kitchen client above liked the blue and white combination that is a cornerstone to the coastal theme. Building on that, we chose crisp, white cabinets and a lot of clean lines set off by the dark wood flooring. Shiny white subway tile was used for the backsplash, which makes a terrific backdrop for the kitchen’s blue and white accessories.

Coastal doesn’t necessarily need to be blue and white, though. Your color palette can include anything reminiscent of the beach or even sunsets, such as reds and corals. Accents can include beautiful seashells, sailboat pictures or old pieces of driftwood. Just don’t get too kitschy with it – you don’t want your space to turn into a beachy tourist shop. A hand-painted, distressed end table is one thing but a room full of starfish can be overwhelming.

For coastal-friendly fabrics, stick with cotton and linen, perhaps in a washed look. Lighting can have a nautical flavor too – consider table lamps with glass bases you can fill with shells. Chrome, pewter, stainless steel and white should be your goal for lighting fixture finishes.

Overall, go for a light and breezy feeling. Coastal design should make you feel happy – as if you are bringing a little bit of vacation into your home. Don’t hesitate to experiment with what feels right for you and your family.

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

The kitchen is the first area in any home to start organizing. The kitchen is a center of activity in morning and evening when everyone is at home. Everyone loves food and wants it prepared quickly. But a kitchen is often the most used room in the house and  a place where bacteria can develop easily. Below are some tips to help minimize bacteria and improve the look and feel of your kitchen area.

Clean the refrigerator and deep freezer if you have one. Remove everything in freezer and fridge. Clean the inside and defrost it. If you prefer clean it with soap or vinegar as a deodorizer. Anything that is not needed should be discarded.

1. If possible, move the deep freezer to the garage or to the basement. This will increase the available space in kitchen.
2. Clean all the drawers of kitchen cabinet. It may be time to put down new shelf paper.
3. Keep your kitchen clean by cleaning as you go. This is most difficult part of organizing your kitchen, but if you develop this habit, it saves you time in long run.
4. Remove anything you have not used in last 2 years to some other area of your house or throw it away.
5. Remove every thing from the Kitchen countertop and sink area to clean thoroughly. Throw away clutter (or things you haven’t used in 2 years) as you put everything back.

With the creation of bigger and bigger kitchens, lighting the spaces above and below the cabinets has become more important than ever. Available in slim, energy-efficient designs such as miniature track lights or low-voltage linear systems, under- and overcabinet lighting quickly and easily lights up counter tops and accents ceilings. Halogens offer consumers a whiter, more accentuating light. Used undercabinet, it compliments  the look of granite and marble countertops.

Every kitchen is individual and task lighting here depends on cabinet layout and computer location. Too much light can wash out the screen. Consider a fluorescent task light for the computer. Be sure to cover the key board and work materials.Halogen undercabinet lighting offers another option. If space is limited a small halogen desk lamp might work well, putting the light where you need it.

                      

No matter how many lights you install in your kitchen, the experts recommend circuiting them separately so the lighting is zoned. This allows you to create ambience by mixing the various lights you turn on. Lights above the cabinets should be soft and low-voltage. The light over the sink should have its own switch. Same with the lights over the island and those over counters.

Marvel Industries has come up with a fantastic idea for your kitchen sink.

 

This new kitchen sink design with a butcher block is shaped to make cooking and cleaning up as simple as ever. Here at Style on a Shoestring we are always looking out for new and innovative ideas to incorporate into your home.

Vetrazzo Countertops are the newest rage in Green Design. It is a product made from recycled glass bottles, windshields, glass windows and also decommisioned traffic lights! This product is very durable and easy to maintain. Many compare it’s strength to granite, as well as it’s scratch and heat resistance.  85% of the surface is glass which cannot stain, however certain types of liquids like red wine, lemon juice or vinegar may etch away the surface if not cleaned promptly.  Other types of countertops such as butcher block or marble have an aged look over time, but Vetrazzo will not age and will stay beautiful and new forever if taken proper care. Vetrazzo cleans up with simple soap and water since it is mostly glass.

Vetrazzo countertops are the new trend in the design world today. If you would like more information Style on a Shoestring would be more than happy to provide that for you.

Custom cabinets are cabinets specially made to meet the space and design specifications of your kitchen. While they do cost more than stock or semi-stock cabinets, they are generally well worth the extra money and the longer waiting period between placing and receiving your order. Because they are manufactured by experienced cabinetry craftsmen using superior methods and materials, they look better and hold up longer than other cabinetry options in the long run.

What’s the Difference Between Custom and Stock Cabinetry?
Most stock cabinets are made of inferior materials which wear quicker, fall apart faster, and may not be manufactured very soundly in the first place. The goal of a stock cabinet maker is to mass produce  cabinets at a breakneck pace, ensuring customers a generic product that arrives at their home in a minimum amount of time (usually less than 4 weeks).

Stock. Most stock cabinets are made of particle board materials covered with veneer or imitation plastic wood, presenting a number of problems. For starters, particle board cabinetry tends to flake with use, causing the veneer (often held on by cheap glues) to come off the cabinets as the subsurface degrades. On top of that, particle board is notorious for coming apart. Because it is a less dense material, fasteners tend to pull out and shelving bows under the weight of dishes. Considering your cabinets hold some of your most prized and fragile possessions, it’s important to ask yourself whether you’re willing to risk your dining set in order to save a few bucks.

Custom. Custom cabinets, on the other hand, are almost always constructed of solid hardwood, eliminating the flaking, sagging and eventual degradation that is part of cheaper materials. Add to that the natural beauty of properly stained hardwoods, and it’s clear that custom cabinets are the way to go. Also, with the amount of competition out there, these custom cabinets may be more affordable than you think. It’s definitely worth looking into when you decide to add new cabinets to your kitchen or anywhere else in the house.

Concrete counter tops can be a good choice if you have counters that are unusual in shape. These designer counters are often cast right in your kitchen for a custom look. However, the price tag for these unique counters is high and may be beyond most people’s budget.

Pros: These counters are heat and scratch resistant and can be color-tinted. They can be finished to look exotic and unusual. And there are new treatments  available to eliminate cracking and additives to reduce porosity.
Cons:  Cost is mid -to -high range due to custom work; cracking is possible if not treated properly. These counters can look somewhat industrial ; and if not sealed they can be porous.