A balanced yet interesting room like this can be achieved through a combination of custom-made and store-bought items.

People often ask us where we get our ideas for interior design and how we stay on top of trends. Here are some of the tips and tricks we use that you can adopt for freshening up your own décor.

One of the reasons our business is called Style on a Shoestring is we do just that – we give your home great style but we also watch your budget. Our approach typically is to do some custom-made pieces for a room and pair them with items purchased at stores such as Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and West Elm. We love these stores because they carry items that work with many different design themes, and they have terrific return policies that allow us to make sure we have just the right pieces for the room we’re designing. But the trick with this strategy is to limit what you buy “off the rack” so your room doesn’t look like it was copied straight from the Pottery Barn catalog, for example. A balance of custom and store-bought is best.

We get a lot of our ideas from magazines that showcase “the best of the best” in design. My favorite publication is Veranda Home, but I also find inspiration from Elle Décor (mostly modern and contemporary), Better Homes and Gardens and any of the Martha Stewart magazines. I’ve also consulted Country Home and Coastal Home on occasion.

When I’m starting a new room design, I usually select the furniture first. For example, if I’m doing a bedroom, I will look at practically every bed available until something catches my eye. Then I might move to the nightstands and dressers, and from there I will choose the bedding and other fabrics. Even before everything is actually in the room, my mind’s eye has made sure it all comes together and meets the client’s expectations.

Speaking of clients, we don’t expect our clients to know exactly what they want when they call on us to decorate their homes (although some do!). So we’ve created design books of favorite looks we’ve gathered from magazines, websites and our finished projects. When we flip through these with our clients, we get a better idea of what they like and don’t like, which allows us to anticipate not only what will look fabulous in their room but what will make them comfortable and satisfied too.

Ready to talk about redecorating your home? Click here to contact us.

A variety of natural, soft and textured accessories gives this room a balanced look.

You’ve probably heard a designer say that the most pleasing room to the eye is one that incorporates a variety of textures and finishes – and it’s true. In every room, you should try to include items that are shiny, flat, textured and natural. You should also vary the height and placement of accessories, layering some as you go along.

My own home is very neutral, but it includes all of those characteristics so it’s interesting and comfortable. Here are some examples of how I’ve achieved that:

• For bits of nature, I placed pieces of coral around my living room.

• The coral also works for texture but in addition to that I hung flat baskets on a wall to bring more texture.

• Shining silver candlesticks provide the shine, as does a silver tray that holds colorful magazines.

• Stacked design books (layers) are also on the table, topped by a candle.

• Nearby is a glass cloche with antique postcards.

• Two small oil seascapes sit on silver stands, one on the buffet and the other on an end table by the sofa.

Texture and height give an otherwise bland room some design pizzazz.

• Throws add softness to the sitting area.

I also mixed styles in the room. An antique buffet in dark wood tones serves as my media center, while my coffee table has a contemporary metal base and glass top.

The idea is to include a counter-effect for everything you use. If you have several shiny items, for example, include several flat (matte) items. If you have hard surfaces, blend soft upholstered surfaces too.

No matter what style you are doing – whether it’s transitional, French or super-modern – you should strive to include as many of these styles as possible. Not only does it give your room more depth, it makes it less predictable and more attractive.

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

In a previous post

A home command center organizes your family's day-to-day needs.

I gave you some ideas for how to put together a family home office. But not everyone has an extra room for a dedicated office – so that’s where the “home command center” comes in.

Although it sounds like something from “Star Trek,” a home command center is simply a space where you organize your family’s day-to-day needs. The best spot for this is usually the kitchen, laundry room or a nearby area because that’s where we tend to congregate at home. It’s also the place where we tend to drop our purses, briefcases and backpacks as we come home, so having an organized area to do that will help you avoid kitchen clutter.

As you can see from these pictures, a home command center can take on a variety of forms, from basic to practically a work of art. The important thing is to design it in the way that best helps your family get and stay organized. Here are some items you might want to put in your home command center:

Create your own blackboard using specialty wall paint.

• Colorful jar with pens, pencils and other tools

• Basic office supplies such as paper clips, stapler, sticky notes, and stationery for writing quick thank-you notes

• Phone with a list of important or most-used numbers nearby

• Calendar

• Whiteboard or chalkboard you can write on and wash off (you can also you special paint to create a whiteboard or chalkboard on an empty wall)

• Colored markers or chalk to write in a different color for each family member on your calendar or whiteboard

Your home command center can be colorful and inviting.

• Bulletin boards and/or magnetic paint to hang up reminders and notes

• Cell phone charger for all phones and MP3 players

• Computer or place for laptop

• Cubbies labeled for each child

• Hooks and shelves for outerwear and backpacks.

• Wrapping paper station. I have a bolt of brown kraft paper that I keep on a wall spindle with a spool of colorful ribbon so I can quickly wrap a gift.

• Envelopes and stamps

• Cash box with low bills and coins for kids and delivery tips

• Make-up stash for mom

• Dog supplies (your pedestal drawers under your washer and dryer are great storage for dog food!)

• Hooks to hang house keys and car keys

If we can help you plan a home command center – or with any of your design or remodel needs – please contact us.

Shiny and sparkly accessories provide the "glam" in vintage glam.

My favorite design style is “vintage glam,” which combines vintage items with the glamour of bright fabrics and/or shiny accessories. Instead of pairing vintage with the more traditional French country look, which creates a shabby chic feel, vintage glam uses a modern approach.

I recently decorated for a client who also loves vintage glam. Her overall taste leans toward furnishings you might find at Z Gallerie. Yet she also appreciates French provincial with its frills and florals.

The wallpaper was my inspiration for this room (see photo above) since it was bursting with yellow and chocolate brown – not what you would typically find in a French design because these colors would be too bright and deep. But with vintage glam you can get away with that combination.

My first selection for the room’s furniture was the gray velvet sofa – contemporary in its lines, but with the curved arms and tufting, and in that luxurious fabric. To bring in the more rustic French side of the room, I added a reclaimed wood coffee table with iron legs. We went for more of the glam side in the accessories, such as the gold-mirrored accent table.

A mirrored coffee table gives this space its glam effect.

Another home I decorated used a touch of vintage glam in their family room’s color palette. While the sofa was gray and cream, we paired it with a bright blue ottoman. This allowed us to feature some of the homeowner’s vintage accessories without the room becoming dated or too traditional.

Vintage glam is a rather unique style that’s not for everyone. Especially in San Diego, where homes are more Spanish or Mediterranean, the design can be difficult to achieve without a complete renovation, removing flooring and other details. So if you’d like to give vintage glam a try or feature it in a smaller part of your home, I recommend painting your bedroom a soft blue, adding a few mirrored nightstands and then choosing an all-white or soft-color bedding. Hang a small chandelier and place a few sparkly accessories around the room, and you have vintage glam!

If we can help transform your home into vintage glam or assist in any of your design needs, please contact us.

Asian Eclectic style results in an exotic, distinctive space.

Being in San Diego we talk a lot about coastal and Mediterranean design styles, but Asian is more rare. I’ve recently had the opportunity to assist two different clients with incorporating Asian design into their homes, and it’s given me a new appreciation for this exotic look that some people call “Asian Eclectic.”

One of those clients just moved into a Spanish house with an extensive collection of beautiful Asian accessories purchased for a previous home. So I was charged with trying to blend those pieces with the home’s architectural style. Our first task was deciding which of the client’s Asian items were absolutes for the house and which could be set aside. For example, her master bedroom nightstands were particularly Asian in style and would have been too prominent to blend well. But her other bedroom furniture – such as her black rattan chairs – were less so, and we were able to incorporate those into a gorgeous ink-blue palette with cream and paprika accents. Carved wood nightstands and bench add to the look. Her three-foot-by-six-foot gold-lacquered panels provide another dramatic Asian influence on one wall.

What I found is that the room could successfully combine diverse styles if I allowed some pieces to relate to each other, such as the woods. We clearly kept several of the Asian pieces, but then we balanced them with Spanish touches, such as tile work around the bedroom’s fireplace and an iron chandelier and sconce in the sitting area. The overall effect is reminiscent of Moroccan, which tends to bring a variety of cultural themes together in one space.

My other client just moved here from Seattle and brought along a beloved collection of Asian art and artifacts that have been passed down through her family generations. Her furniture, however, is more transitional and not Asian, such as her Ethan Allen sectional sofa. So to create a balanced space where the homeowner’s Asian pieces could shine, we chose a neutral yet warm color scheme. Floors for the main living area were darkened from light maple to a rich brown, and grasscloth wallpaper was hung on most walls to give a textural accent. Light wall colors allow the distinctive statues and large Buddhas to take center stage without being overwhelming since the background is so simple. I liken it to a spa feel – striking, but in a livable way that complements the art.

By mixing different textures with Asian pieces, everything in the room is complementary.

I’ll admit when we began both of these projects I was concerned about how we could integrate Asian pieces into rooms that lent themselves to other styles. But as we moved forward, I saw again how the right combination not only makes an eclectic style “work,” but it gives the homeowner a strikingly unique space. I love these rooms and how they turned out, as do the clients.

If we can help you integrate Asian influences into your design – or with any of your redecorating needs – please contact us

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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!

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.