With the right plan and remodel team, you can have a dream bathroom like this in just a few weeks.

As we enter into the new year, you might be thinking about doing a little remodeling of your home. Remodeling was our most popular service at Style on a Shoestring in 2011, and for good reason: you can reinvent your home much more economically than selling and buying a new one.

What I’ve found in consulting on remodels is that a lot of people think remodeling has only one path: Hire a contractor, write a check and wait for the room(s) to be finished.

Not only is that not true, it’s probably the worst mistake you could make with your home. Contractors are wonderful and they never cease to amaze me with their work, but they’re typically not designers. So unless you are an extremely educated consumer who knows every detail of your home remodel project, you will need a designer. I cannot tell you the number of clients who have contacted me too late – after they realize the kitchen they thought would be perfect is far from it, or the furniture doesn’t fit in the new room, or the carpet is making the paint give off an undesirable peach hue.

Although you shouldn’t rely solely on your contractor, the remodeling process does typically start there. Make sure your contractor is license and insured, and that you feel comfortable in your relationship with him or her. The contractor should understand what you want, and provide you a quote in writing. Once you select your contractor, do some shopping for materials and note what they cost so you have a better idea of your budget.

Next is the designer. If you go with a full-service firm, they will have a designer on staff who can help you. Conversely, some design firms employ contractors. But if you use a contractor who works alone, you should still consider hiring a designer, not necessarily throughout the project but perhaps for just a few hours to help you choose materials and select colors. That little extra expenditure could very well save your entire remodeling project.

For example, before hiring us one of our now-happy clients tried to manage her remodel on her own. Guess what? The painter she selected didn’t know recessed lights were going to be installed in her ceiling, so not only did she overpay since he bid on painting the entire ceiling, but he had to return to patch and paint around the lights, adding to the project’s cost. And that’s just one small example of how a designer’s guidance can save time and money.

Seemingly simple decisions such as where to place lighting can cause problems if you don't work with a designer on your remodel.

At Style on a Shoestring, we do all levels of remodel design work, from one-time consultation to complete project management. If we manage the project for you, we are there from start to finish to make sure your blue wall is the right shade, your cabinets are hung properly, and your new sectional doesn’t overpower your room. We help you stay in budget, and we double-check everything throughout the process to give you the best possible results. Because that’s what really matters to us: your happiness.

If we can help you with any aspect of design for your remodel, please contact us.

This stacked-stone fireplace with floating mantel is traditional but updated.

Baby, it’s cold outside – time to light the fireplace! This often overlooked accessory is actually a centerpiece in most rooms, so it’s important that it has the look you want, especially since it is a focal point during the chilly months. Here are a few ways you can update your fireplace.

Unlike most parts of your house, a fireplace can get a fresh look relatively inexpensively. For example, simply re-facing the front of the fireplace with stacked stone (see photo) can really make it pop and give it new life.

Large tile is a popular choice for fireplaces but I generally avoid it for a couple of reasons. One, the wide grout is difficult to clean, and it does get dirty from the fire smoke. And two, tile is tricky to cut around the fireplace opening, which means it doesn’t arrange correctly on the space. That leaves half-tiles and a cluttered look. Instead, choose from cultured or natural stone, or small tile.

If your fireplace has a floor-to-ceiling surround, you can remove all of it and then add new facing just to the bottom. Then drywall and paint the top, which will provide space for artwork, a mirror or a flat-screen TV.

Some fireplaces have no design – they’re more like a hole in the wall. If that’s your situation, we can have our custom woodworker make a mantel with columns that extend to the floor, framing your fireplace. I just did this for a client and it took their fireplace from dull to elegant in one step.

If you are only replacing the mantel, be sure it balances with the fireplace size, meaning your mantel shouldn’t be significantly smaller or larger than the fireplace itself. A floating mantel (see photo) is a contemporary option that works well with more rustic styles too depending on the wood you choose for the mantel itself.

A new mantel makes gives this fireplace presence and adds a decorative touch.

As you plan your fireplace redesign, stick with neutral colors. It can be fun to use colorful tile, for example, but if you want to change your décor later, the tile might have become dated. Instead, go for clean and classic, and add color through other room accessories. Also consider converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas. It will be easier and less expensive to operate, and it eliminates flying embers that could end up on your beautiful rugs and furniture.

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

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.

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.

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.

Recycled glass countertops are a colorful way to help the environment.

Remodeling might best be described as a few weeks of chaos that are well worth the stunning results. But even though you are likely to endure dust and clutter during your remodel, that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace some aspects of environmentally friendly planning and construction.

Perhaps the easiest way to go green is through your paint choice. At Style on a Shoestring we prefer the Dunn Edwards brand of paint, which includes options for zero VOC (chemicals). However, also be aware that all of Dunn Edwards paints are labeled “zero toxic.” Many other paint manufacturers still use ethylene glycol, a toxic compound.

A second way to keep the environment in mind as you remodel is to use recycled materials. For example, many manufacturers offer recycled glass transformed into countertops, vanity tops, bar tops and fireplace surrounds. Reclaimed wood—such as from barns, old mantels or timbers—can become a beautiful feature in your home.

Oftentimes remodels include removal of operable fixtures such as tubs and sinks, and construction materials such as doors, windows, tiles and plumbing. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to donate those items to people who can use them? Well, you can. Habitat for Humanity operates a chain of shops across the country called ReStore that accept donated items for resale. Fortunately we have a ReStore in San Diego, just east of Qualcomm Stadium. For more information, click here.

Finally, I just wanted to mention that being environmentally conscious also means thinking ahead to how we can use fewer resources. Although it is costly, a system such as Crestron offers you automation of all your home’s lighting, heating and air conditioning and audio-visual components. An integrated system such as this allows you to control your energy consumption. Plus you can even operate it from your smartphone – wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a cool (or warm) house with soothing music playing in the background?

A Crestron system allows you to operate your home's heat and air from your smartphone.

Please contact us at Style on a Shoestring if we can help in showing you how to remodel your home in an environmentally friendly way, or with any of your design needs.

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.

Popped Nails and Screws

This problem occurs if the drywall isn’t fully fastened tightly against the framing, when the framing lumber shrinks or twists, or when an object strikes the wall or ceiling. This causes the joint compound to become loose and pop off the fastener.

Before any drywall repairs are made, concerning popped nails or screws, make sure the drywall is fully fastened to the framing. Apply hand pressure next to the popped nail or screw. The pressure will verify if the drywall panel is loose. Now apply a new screw 1-1/2 inches away and reset the existing screw. As you install the new screw apply hand pressure to the area.

If the drywall paper surface isn’t damaged apply 2 coats of light weight spackle or heavy joint compound. After the patch has fully dried lightly sand the area.

If the paper has torn or the core of the wallboard is damaged the area will need a small piece of paper drywall tape and 3 thin coats of joint compound. After final sanding apply texture to match the existing finish.

Patching Nail Holes and Small Cracks

Some walls can be like a pin cushion with dozens of small nails or thumb tacks. After removal, all these holes must be filled with a suitable compound; don’t rely on the paint to fill these small holes.

The best patching compound for small holes and cracks is light weight spackle.

Use your finger to fill the nail hole with spackle. After application lightly rub the surface to distribute the spackle and blend it with the surrounding surface. The same technique works for small cracks. A light sanding is recommended after the spackle has dried, typically 1 hour.

For larger nail holes or small dents use a putty knife to fill the area. After allowing the spackle to completely dry, lightly sand the area and blend the patch with its surroundings. A second coat can be applied after the first has completely dried.

Kohler has come out with a new bath tub that is heavenly. Have you seen the new style of swimming pools that just drop off on the edge, “infinity edge pools”? Well this new bathtub is exactly like that. This bathtub even comes with adjustable colored lights that you can turn on while you soak. If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom and want to add that special something, or are looking for a relaxing, spa feel- this is the tub for you!