Ten Ways To Add Style For Under $100

It's not hard to add style or freshen up your home even if you're on a budget. Just like with your wardrobe, you can refresh your style with a new accessory, adding color, and mixing things up a bit.

1. Freshen up with a pattern. You can do this with draperies, an ottoman, pillows, accessories, and so much more.  Do you have solid colors? Bring in florals, stripes, and prints. Got stripes? Add a vine pattern. A rule of thumb in pattern matching is to watch the scale; mix a small pattern with the large and vice versa instead of keeping everything the same size. Keep the colors similar to make it easy or use complementary colors - opposites on the color wheel - for drama.

2. Bring in a new accessory in a different color or shape and make it a focal point. Blue and white is classic and timeless. Most discount stores have bowls, candlesticks and canisters for under $25. It will truly make a statement and add a bit of glamour. How about a fabulous mercury glass vase? Take a look at Target, HomeGoods, and Marshalls for pieces under $20. Come check out our San Diego showroom. 

3. Update a light fixture. If you can't stand what you have - bath bar fixtures are easy to DIY -  and refinishing with spray paint - as in an old brass chandelier transformed to bold red -  is not a good option, you can find nice fixtures in any style at www.LampsPlus.com

4. Bring in some new pillows.  This alone could completely change the look of your living room or bedroom. Almost all of the big-box stores have great selections for  $17-$25 each. I went shopping with my client at IKEA and found fabulous options for under $15. You can purchase just the pillow cover and use the fill that you already have.

5. Add to throw to your bed, sofa, or your favorite lounge chair. For about $25, a wonderful textured throw will keep you cozy and make a chair or bed more inviting. I found some fabulous faux furs at www.Amazon.com and know that they'll make a great gift.

6. Paint an accent wall or a piece of furniture in a new color. You can buy 'oops' paint for five dollars a gallon at Home Depot. Whether you already have the chair, nightstand, or find from a garage sale, changing just one piece will make a style statement.  

7. Set your dining table. Having your favorite dishes on display will make you feel wonderful. Mix them up for a creative and personal style. Place seasonal greens or findings – like acorns, pine boughs, leaves or pinecones - in a bowl or tray in the center. Add a candle or two and you'll create a beautiful display. 

8. Add candles to table tops, your credenza, the mantle and even bookshelves. There's just something about a candle that provides terrific ambiance. Use flameless candles since they don't need a candleholder, they're safe, and the realistic waxes look good by themselves. There always seem to be good options at www.Amazon.com.

9. Bring in something metallic.  I love mercury glass, and the new votive holders in my shop are under $5. Pillows with beading are a fabulous way to add silver or gold and be festive for the holidays. One of my favorite ways to add sparkle is with a bowl full of silver or gold ornaments. For about $6 you can get a pack at a craft store like Michaels. Mix in potpourri, greenery, to create a pleasing and seasonal display.

10.  Rearranging your furniture is a freebie. Reposition the largest piece of furniture first work in your other pieces. That alone should make a big difference in how your room feels. Even swapping tables or nightstand from living room to bedroom and vice versa can create a totally different style.

Fabulous Country Decor

Start your country decor collection with these 10 fabulous items. As you'll see from the images, you can use them decoratively or for storage. The add such a warm, comfortable touch. If you're handy, you can buy new items and distress them to make them look rustic and well worn. Swing by the showroom, our Etsy Shop, or Ebay to see what we're featuring.

Pewter trays. You can gather collectibles on a cocktail table, use them in a tablescape, gather toiletries together in your bath, and so much more.

Natural elements like these balls, are great to fill a basket, bowl, glass apothecary canister or just position on a shelf or table. The texture and neutral colors are ideal for county and coastal decor.

Ladders can be used as decor on walls, and as shelves in nearly any room. Find the oldest most paint encrusted that you can, and enjoy the patina. Create one from a new wooden ladder if you have time!  Vinegar and steel wool mixed in a ball jar and then wiped onto bare wood, creates a gorgeous blue-gray hue.

Wooden spoons are practical and pretty in the kitchen. These are stunning, handmade spoons and look fabulous mounted on a kitchen wall.

Wicker baskets go with everything!  There are so many styles, materials and shapes, that you're sure to find one that you adore.

As a shelf, decor, for storage or display, Wooden crates are the perfect country element!

Wire accessories are for every room. Collect natural elements in a few for your family room, use one for laundry, tuck one under a desk as a trash can, and gather your cooking utensils ans fruits in a wire basket or cannister in the kitchen.

I love wooden cutting boards. You can find them in nearly every wood species, fabulous shapes, and stand them upright to display, or leave flat on the counter for cooking.

My go-to planters are terra-cotta pots. They're classic indoors or out.  An aged pot with a stencil, makes a beautiful herb pot on a dining room or kitchen windowsill.

White Ironstone is a favorite collectible and graces the shelves of many country dining room curios, and kitchen displays.

You CAN afford design advice.

When you're doing a remodel  can you afford not to hire a designer? Whether it's a small project that you want done right or quickly, or an overhaul that affects your lifestyle - and even the equity in your home -  turning to a design professional is saavy and budget conscious.  We work daily with vendors, contractors, architects and anyone who provides a product or service  for your home.   Our extensive knowledge is learned, developed, and executed and we know the possible pitfalls and wrong turns that happen. Take advantage of that before you end up making costly mistakes. 

Avoid these problems:

• A good idea was found after the project was done
• You're overwhelmed by the choices and don't know the right one to make 
• The best solution wasn't discussed since you didn't know about it
• You don't know how to solve a problem that's come up
• You forgot to add a feature that would make your bathroom better 
• The job drags on since no one can coordinate properly 
• You are experiencing delays since you weren't told when products needed to be ordered 
• The contractor didn't know about a better product
• Costs escalate as changes are made on the fly
• Using the space was not considered as highly as "getting it done" and there are problems 
• There isn't good light or control of too much light 
• Room wasnt left for things you need to store or display
• Door swings go in the wrong direction
• There isn't enough storage space
• The paint colors aren't  right
• Your layout "could have been" spot on 
• Some furniture doesn't fit 

The best use of your time and budget is for everything to be right the first time.  If you plan for things to go well they will. 

Bring a designer in to give you ideas, 

Use a designer to review your plans

Get help selecting the right products 

Glass vases for flowers and more!

If you're like me, you've received flowers and kept the container. Some of them are nice enough to use again so you store them. Now, they're in the garage, the kitchen and the closets...here's help! 

Flowers with a twist. If a favorite flower is in season, get some. Rather than fill the base with water, add full lemons, sliced lemons, plastic grapes (to re-use), polished stones and other items that complement the flower.  I use some of the ideas below and mine become a centerpiece. With a few in differing sizes and colors you can create a unique centerpiece whether they are filled or not.

Get creative with contents. I have several large glass cylinders filled with sea shells. I add ornaments at Christmas, but they stay that way nearly year round.  It's easy to drop in timed votive or tealight candles; they go on and off at the same time every day.  4 months and counting till battery replacement.... Fill yours with favorite small items for a unique display.

Embellish them. If you want to spice up your vases, don't hesitate to make a few additions. Use acrylic paints to add that final touch to an art glass or glue ceramic beads or shells to the outside of floor vases. Etching is one of the easiest ways to transform a plain glass vase into a custom piece. Wrap with twine, ribbons or even living vines.

Glass cylinders tied with raffia and 'lined'
with twigs and bamboo.

Etch a design onto a glass
vase using a stencil pattern.
See "Etch" How -to blog from Feb.

Fill glass cylinders with rocks and
leave as is, or top with candles.

My favorite in a seaside home
year-round. Seashells!

Cabbage leaves surround the base
of cut flowers for a clean look.

Cut limes thin, add a second
cylinder inside. Line between & fill
with water & flowers.

Wind ribbon around cylinders for
the right look. These were for a shower.

Strips of leftover fabrics can  make
a unique filler!

Handpaint a vine - freehand is OK.

Free and Easy Updates

I love to refresh my rooms.  Small things work well, so I like to start that way first....otherwise

it can get out of control!  My favorite way is to create a new look by moving furniture in the room to new positions. If I can't set the largest piece - like a sofa - on a new wall, I try 'floating' it in the room. Angled pieces work nicely to create the illusion of more space. Moving a large piece to a different wall can change a room's character.  What about taking a piece from another room?  I swapped my guest room dresser - since it's not used all the time - for an end table. Loved the result!   Even changing the art on the walls is free, easy and will give you a new look!

Adding an area rug is also easy, fast and usually around $100. You can usually move rugs from room to room if your colors are cohesive, so that purchase will get lots of mileage and update many rooms! It's nice to use  area rugs in your outdoor spaces too -  warm it up for early evening dinners - with an outdoor rug (be SURE it is rated for outdoor use or it could mold or disintegrate).

My third favorite way to make big changes is to swap accessories from room to room or season to season.  It can really change a room. Using baskets from your kitchen in the living room will make it casual and warm.  I like ceramic vases and shaped containers since I find it more interesting to move them around than to buy new ones.  Sometimes finding an inexpensive new accessory is what works for you. Mix it up then. Instead of traditional vases and candles, try statuary. In lieu of ceramic or porcelain, experiment with glass. Change the color scheme of accessories. Remember that fewer and large pieces will create impact.  Yep, pillows are an accessory and with so many discount store (Marshalls, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Ross) you can find interesting patterns and colors for under $20.  I sometimes buy one nice form and then swap only the cover.

De-clutter and Organize

It's a new year and a great time to purge, organize and make the whole year easier. Like everyone else, I have lots of 'stuff'. Some collected, some gifted, some purchased.  I think I have more than I need and certainly more than I want to take care of. My solution?  Make a New Year's Resolution that I WILL keep; organize and purge. Sure, I can create more storage. I can build my own cabinets, buy shelves and add a closet system in my guest room.  Is the cost to do that worth the items?  I think not. 

So..... what to do and how can it help you out?  Here are my ideas!

1. Clothes  Do you hold onto things in case it comes back in style one day? Don't. When it comes back you'll likely need new accessories, pieces to complete the look, and maybe even tailoring. Try starting with items you haven’t worn in the past year; I donate most everything but there are many places to sell designer items. While you're getting things in and out of the closet, reach for those things first and put them aside until you have a small collection....then away it goes.

2. Papers If you haven't read a newsletter or magazine before the next issue is out, you likely won't so give it away or recycle it.  Today, publications keep archived issues on line so you can refer back to and digitally save an article.  While you do need tax-related materials you likely don't need the monthly credit card statements. How about going paperless and get statements and receipts emailed to you?  

3. Electronics I have power cords and adapters for things I don't own anymore. You might too. Recycle them as E waste and clear out that drawer.  Do the same with old monitors, cell phones and other electronic gadgets. 

4. Unpaired items  My husband has socks that have lost their pairing partner.  They, along with plastic storage lids without their matching storage containers (and vice versa) and bed linens that don’t belong to a set are all candidates for removal!

5. Pantry Items. Believe it or not, cereal, cake mixes and pasta DO expire. I had vitamins and supplements with expired dates.  Same with cake mixes and canned goods.  One thing we rarely look at are herbs and spices which, like mine,  probably had time to go bad since you never really used them anyway.











6. Makeup Makeup does expire and mascara collects bacteria over time. Same with lipstick and eye pencils. Ditch colors you don't use. Its a good way to update too; I love to add one new color for every three I toss and it really does de-clutter my bathroom drawer. 

7. Kid stuff   As precious as your children's arts and crafts projects are, consider saving only the very special ones. When the art is whimsical and fun it can be framed and hung in a playroom or hallway; multiple boxes stored in closets aren't useful and visible.  A fabulous way to display drawings is to decoupage onto a dresser, stair riser,s or the back of a bookshelf. 










8. Books  If you’ve made the switch to a Kindle, Nook, tablet or Ipad, you may have books you won't read. Even if you don't have a device, consider eliminating books you've already read. Sort through your favorite ones, then donate the rest to your local library, charity or shelter,   The chance that you'll read those books again are slim to none, so give someone else the pleasure of a good read.

9. Holiday Decor  If you collect items for holidays, it's a good idea to sort through periodically to remove broken or damaged things, be sure you still love them, and pare down to what you really need.  Storing seasonal items is always a challenge.  I found that I don't do themed Christmas decor, so keep a clear glass and two colors to mix or to rotate.  It was such a pleasure to give away what I didn't really need as gift tags, to Goodwill, to the local Senior Center, or to young couples who are just starting out. 

10. Bedding and towels  Having switched to white towels so I don't have to worry about which bathroom they are for, I sometimes have to ditch a towel that simply doesn't come clean, is threadbare, or that no longer has hand towels or washcloths. There are many places to recycle them.  Even bed linens get worn over time. If you change your color scheme you really don't need the old ones hanging around. As I can afford, I switch to high thread count and all cotton - organic is soft and durable - that my older bedding gets donated

. 

Spring Color

When it comes to bold color, Spring is the high season for fabulous finds to update your home. Take a look at these favorite items:

From Ballard Designs. A more creative way to hang plants. Fill with
flame-less candles for a unique ambiance.

Fun floral plates from Horchow.

Love these outdoor glasses (BPA free) by Pottery Barn.

A bright yellow that can work outdoors too by Crate & Barrel

Pottery Barn kilim area rugs...great to update your entry or kitchen.

Brights from West Elm.  For indoors or out!

Enter here!

Does your entry say what you want about the rest of your home?  This is one space, indoors and out, that sets the tone for the rest of your home. These are my top quick fixes for the inside space.

1) Flooring.  It often creates nice separation, not to mention a practical way to keep the entry clean, to have a different floor surface in the entry.  If your entry merges with the living area this is a perfect time to create separation.   Even a small area rug, provides delineation from the rest of your home. Be sure to secure area rugs with pads or tape. 

2) Stash space.  It's smart to keep your entry neat. I recommend using a console, bench or other area where you can drop mail, keys and more.  Affixing a small board to the wall and adding front legs, creates a perfect stash space in an apartment or condo where there is no obvious entry area. Using a small wall-hung shelf or a bookshelf to divide the entry from the rest of the space, work well for organization and separation.   Once you've got the surface, you can add baskets, containers and bowls to collect what you drop, making a design statement as well as containing clutter.

3) Mirrors. Reflect light into the space by adding a mirror.  A unique, framed mirror can make an artistic statement. It also serves as a place for guests to check themselves before entering, and you to take a last look before you go out!  

4) Lighting. The best way to change the apparent space is with lighting. Brighten a narrow space with wall sconces, hang a chandelier to dramatize a grand space, bring a dark corner into play with up-lights, and if you can,  hang picture lights over your art. 

5) Artwork.  Personalize your entry to reflects you and the style of your home. Whether that translates to a sculpture, a mobile, pottery, or wall art, an item you love can be worked into your entryway. This is a ideal time to use travel collectibles, your favorite ceramics, a fabric you love (framed or as a bench cover) to add color, texture, pattern and personalization.

6) Color. Bold or neutral, soft or dramatic, color sets the stage. In an entry, you can often find a space for a unique wall treatment. In this tiny apartment entry, a bold vase, stair runner and scarf hanging on a grand hook, say enough!