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!
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.
   Tracy Lynn |
Watching in horror as October’s wildfires destroyed thousands of homes, Tracy Lynn and the staff at Style On a Shoestring decided to use their expertise to help people get their lives back together. The interior design firm would, for free, help those who lost their homes or suffered severe smoke damage with choosing new paint colors, picking out window treatments and creating design plans for furniture arrangement. One hitch: No takers. While Lynn describes a frustrating struggle to get the word out, she hasn’t given up. “I truly believe that Style on a Shoestring could be a valuable resource for some of these families in need,” she says. “The offer of free assistance is still available and will continue to be so as long as there are people in our county who can use our services.” Call Lynn at (858) 335-7033 or visit styleonashoestring.com for more.
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Based primarily out of Rancho Bernardo, here at Style on a Shoestring we would like to let everyone know that we are always here to help those who have been affected by the recent fires. Many of you may be rebuilding your home or know someone who will be soon. With our experience we would like to provide vital information to those in need:
When hiring a contractor - you need to make sure that there license is current (and covers the scope of work you want to have done) and that they are bonded and insured. The state contractor’s license board has a website www.slb.ca.gov and consumers can log in and just put in the license # and it gives info on whether or not the license is current/complaints filed, bond and worker’s comp info. In addition, contractors should carry extra liability insurance and any good contractor can provide a Certificate of Insurance from their insurance agent directly to the customer to prove coverage. We also highly recommend checking with the Better Business Bureau, they list complaints from customers which are a sure sign of a business you do not want to get involved with.
Always be cautious hiring a contractor that works outside of USA, for example in
Always ask the contractor for a reference of a previous customer, and go to their home to actually see the work they have done. People are usually very welcoming, especially if they have done a great job working on their home. According to CA state law - no contractor can accept more than a 10% PRIOR to work being started or $1000 whichever is less. Once work has begun the contractor can ask for more money. Unfortunately, there is still room for bad guys to thrive - they simply start the work and then once you give them some more money they vanish. It is perfectly acceptable for the customer to hold back the final 10% of the contract until absolutely everything is completed. If you are interested, we can provide you a list of our suggested contractors that we have worked with in the past or currently work with. Each contractor is very reliable and we work with them because we trust them. We wish everyone the best on rebuilding their homes. Just know that we are always here for you with questions or even help with your designs.
The best way to survive a remodel with no hassles is to hire someone else to take care of it and go away on vacation! Unfortunately this is not possible for all homeowners because they either want to be involved or it is not feasible with their job or lifestyle. Even if you cannot get away for a long extravagant vacation, planning to get away even to a friend or family members home is a smart choice. Plan your getaway when your home will be the messiest with dust and debris, or when your water will be turned off, etc. Your kitchen is by far the hardest space to live without, so preparation before the remodel is very important. Here are a few things to remember before the demolition takes place.
1. Make sure you pack up everything in your kitchen because there will be a lot of dust in the air. Don’t pack dish soap or dish towels
2. Set up a temporary kitchen outside of a bathroom or laundry room.
3. Have extra water around for when the water is turned off, which will be often. 4. Purchase paper plates, plastic forks, spoons, cups, etc. (pretend you are shopping for a camping trip).
5. Keep a stash of dry and canned foods- don’t forget the can opener!
6. Set up a coffee station somewhere in your house, the master bathroom is always a nice spot if you have the counter space.
7. If you are not really into Barbequing then have a lot of take out menus handy. You can also purchase a hot plate to use for cooking too.
Make sure you know that problems always arise during a remodel, whether it is large or small. Do not be surprised if the electricians’ car breaks down and needs to reschedule, or if you’re new vanity gets damaged on its route to your house and ordering a new one is out of the questions since it was a “one of a kind”. Just realize that things do happen, and everything can be fixed if it is kept under control.
Some people like to manage their remodel on their own and keep tabs on all of their sub-contractors; others are too busy to deal these things. At Style on a Shoestring we are more than happy to help with all aspects of a remodel. We can manage the entire project for you and be there to make sure all the work is completed on time or we can help you make the right design choices and you can manage everything. We can also give you referrals to professionals in the industry for all aspects of your remodel. The possibilities are endless.
Most importantly, remember that you home is going to look spectacular when everything is finished and all the hard work will pay off in the end.
There are many options out there for countertops, but which one is the best for you?
Corian: is very durable, stain-resistant, has solid color and comes in many colors, patterns and finishes, although matte is the best to avoid scratches. But be careful because it can be damaged by hot pans.
Laminate: is also very durable and stain-resistant and comes in numerous colors, patterns and textures. This product has many downsides: it can be damaged by hot surfaces; it tends to show dirt easily and will scratch over time; it can mildew and is not repairable. Although this may be one of the cheaper options, in the long run it will not be the smartest investment for your money.
Silestone: This product is very hard and durable and resists stains, scratches, burns and even bacteria. There are many different color options and it is very easy to clean. The only downside is that the seams are visible. It is very affordable so if you have a small space to fill then this is a great option.
Soapstone: This product is very dense, durable and resists stains, water, heat and overall wear. The greatest part is that each piece is very unique. The only downsides are that you many need to occasionally oil it and that is can be scratched.
Simplicity: Not many people know about this product. It is extremely hard, durable with very little maintenance. It resists stains, scratches, heat and bacteria and does come in many different colors. The downside is that the seams are visible, so again it would be best in small areas.
Granite: This is the most well known product used for countertops. It is very hard, durable, and resistant to stains, scratches and heat. Each piece is completely unique. The downsides to this product are that sometimes some finishes are hard to clean, the seams can be visible. It may stain or mildew if not treated properly, and does need to be polished regularly.
Butcher Block: This is a very inexpensive option with a great warm wood look, but can be damaged by hot surfaces. It needs to be cleaned and oiled often. It is also can be dented, scratched and damaged by water.
Stainless Steel: A very contemporary option. This product is very durable and easy to clean with resistance to heat and stains. This product does scratch easily and shoes spots. Some say that it can be a noisier option but sleek and clean looking at the same time. It is a great option for that contemporary look.
Concrete: A new product out on the market is cast concrete. It is very durable, heat resistant and comes in many colors and textures. You can even have seashells or any other object embedded in the countertop. This product must be sealed often and can typically be expensive. It is important to make sure the person or company installing this product has had experience. Concrete can give a very contemporary, urban or industrial look to your space. It is becoming extremely popular.
These are all great options, all with their pros and cons- think about what you want out of your countertop as well as how much you can afford. If you are having trouble deciding on a material to choose for your bathroom or kitchen renovation, Style on a Shoestring can always help you make that choice.
We recently had the fantastic opportunity of working with a wonderful family while remodling their entire home. The Johnson remodel consisted of an entire kitchen design, three baths, electrical throughout, flooring throughout, extensive tile work, etc. We began the process with the all important budget, including an extensive walkthrough with contractors who accurately provided estimates to be included in the overall budget. The key to a successful project is starting with a budget and continuing to monitor it throughout the entire process. After a preliminary budget had been established we continued with the next step in the design process and selected each and every material to be inlcuded in the remodel. The budget was updated again and we were on our way to a great home remodel. To make their dream home come true, we used a host of sub contractors such as Martin Electric, Colosseum Marble & Granite, Bonita Valley Plumbing, K.D. Cha Painting, and Hegle Tile. These men worked hard and long to make the Johonson’s house a place that they could call home. I was proud to be associated with them. A big thank you from the team at Style On a Shoestring for their efforts. We began the design process in March and on July 20th the family moved out for two weeks while we sprung into action. We followed our timeline to the letter and in two weeks, the Johnson’s had moved back into their entirely new remodeled, Tuscan style home!
