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.

UPDATE - Powder Rooms!

Powder rooms are one of the best places to express your creativity; go deep and rich in color, add bright fabrics and accessories, have fabulous mood lighting, and add character with an interesting mirror or unique artwork. It's not a room that you spend much time in so you don't need bright lights for make up and dressing. It's easy to make it a room where your personality takes center stage. 

ADD  COLOR
Add a fresh coat of a seasonally or personally inspired paint color. I encouraged  my client to paint the walls a rich eggplant because it was her favorite color and didn't fit in any other space in the house. Even her husband loved the result. If you don't have a vanity but a pedestal or basin on a stand, consider adding a sink skirt in a fabric that you thoroughly enjoy. For Beth, we created our own sink skirt from napkins for a warm country style. Attaching a band of Velcro to the base of the pedestal add to the back of the fabric made it very easy to install. It now covers all of the pipes under the sink and creates a wonderful storage space. A bold pattern and color tile on the walls is exciting and less costly to do than in a full bath.

USE FABULOUS WALL ART
From spectacularly framed mirrors to interesting artwork, this is a space where you can add drama and creativity. Lynda & Richard love architectural elements and we hung some antique saw blades that look dynamite with their newly repainted black vanity. 

USE BOLD LIGHTING
You don't need bright light in the powder room so you can have fabulous mood lighting, deep amber glass or fabric shades, and even colored bulbs. Don't forget candles. With all of the flameless versions with timers and remotes, they're are simple to use and safe in wall candelabras. Their realistic wax makes them appealing and the flickering glow of warm yellow candlelight is pleasing to almost everyone.

MAKE UNIQUE CHOICES
Use colored towels. Add a fabulous ceramic accessory to an over-toilet shelf. Paint your vanity in a color that complements your wall, and  use this as an opportunity for creative distressing, stencil embellishments, and very decorative or ornamental hardware.  If you have room, consider adding a small table. 

ADD DRAMA

A Spectacular floor tile or a unique sink will make the space dramatic and personal. The small scale of a powder room often makes a dynamic update affordable.

Don't forget bargain-hunting. Many of the big box stores, and discount home furnishings shops have fabulous items at reasonable prices. Oops paint is typically available at the big hardware stores. For about five dollars you can get a gallon of paint and experiment with color. Lamps Plus.com has wonderful pricing on light fixtures if you have a bit of time and our creative, you can wire your own fixture from unique findings.

Enjoy!

Update A Bedroom In Ten Minutes

The bedroom is a space where you begin and end  every day. It should be relaxing, enjoyable, serene, and designed just the way you like it. Here are a few tips that with advanced planning you can make a shopping trip to a big box hardware store, a discount home goods store, IKEA, a thrift/consignment shop a success.  Some of the easiest changes are a walk-through of your own home taking inventory of what you have. You can gather some fabulous items and install a new bedroom in about 10 minutes. Take a look at these ideas. 

First change one of the largest surfaces. Add an area rug. Yes, you can also place one on top of carpeting if that's what you have. Select the right pile height, position it correctly and it will not be a trip hazard. You can do it for no cost if you simply swap one from another room.  Are the bedroom colors not the same as the living room so you're not sure of the swap? An accent color could be fab and allow you to add more of the same color in pillows and accessories to pull it all together.  You can get fabulous 8' x 10' wool or sisal area rugs at big box import stores for approximately $200. I've even found some at www.rugsdirect.com that are wool! 

Next, improve your lighting.  It can be as easy as moving a fixture from a room that you don't use much to the bedroom. Since we always gather in the family room, my living room lamps were unused. They're a bit formal but add sophistication in the bedroom. What a great change. You can certainly find attractive lamps for under $100 at big box stores, discount stores, or simply refresh the one you have with a new shade. Some styles of pleated shades are dated, and if your hardback shade has a yellow interior, replace it. Have only six dollars? Head over to your local Home Depot store, select a spray color from Rustoleum, and refinish the fixture you already have.   Even swapping a light bulb from an incandescent to a soft white LED makes a wonderful lighting change. Put your overhead lighting on a dimmer and save energy while you create precisely the right moods. Even table lamps can be dimmed with an inexpensive cord control.  For a more sophisticated system you can install Lutron Caseta  which is available in my local showroom WWW.TOT-home.com.  

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of  color. Pillows will do the trick. Yes, I know, pillows have to be taken off to sleep in the bed, but they make a difference in how soft and inviting your bed is. With all of the discount retail shops available, you can purchase 4 pillows for approximately $50. If you can sew, check out the discount section of your local fabric shop and you can make a pillow for under $10.  Have a little more time?  Make or buy a pillow headboard. Soft and inviting, use any color you like to make a statement. It'll be something soft and colorful to lean up against when you're reading or TV watching in bed.

Add color and texture with seating.  I always like to have a place for people to sit when I design bedrooms. It's amazing how many people don't have a chair. It can create a soft corner filler.  If you have the room depth, add a bench at the foot of the bed.  Both benches and chairs are functional since while you don't want them to be cluttered with clothing, but you can put your bed pillows on a bench, lay your clothes out for the next morning on your chair, even sit down easily put on shoes. With a bench, you gain added storage when you tuck baskets underneath.  I've placed shoes, cat toys and even my small weight set in mine.  If your room is particularly small, tuck an ottoman or pouf under and next to other furniture.

One of the easier things is swapping art from room to room.  How about creating a feature wall? Layout and hang a new vignette.  Have only one piece? Move it to a new wall.  As with lighting, discount shops have a good collections of canvas art for under $25.

If you really want to dress your room up, bring in some new fabrics. Get a new comforter or duvet, add a throw, and if those two things are out of the budget,  put on a bed skirt. I often scour the local fabric shops for fabric remnants and hang them over simple curtain rods as decorative art.

Improve your storage. This is a simple as having baskets to throw shoes into, have a place for pillows, clear the clutter of paperwork and newspapers next your bed, and even stack the books you love to read inside. 

Don't have a dime to spend? Then simply rearrange what you have. Place the bed on a different wall, even in a small room that can be done. Try angling furniture - like a chair, small shelf, or a plant in the corner. Do you need a dresser opposite the bed or can it become a nightstand? There are so many creative ideas, if you need a little assistance check out my blog archives and Pinterest boards.

Weekend Update!

When you only have a few stolen hours on a Saturday or Sunday to get things done around the house, pick the top 3!  Mine usually involves clearing clutter, freshening up, and giving my room a new look...quickly.

Clutter:  The entry points - garage, porch, front door, or mud room - always seem to be the messiest. Backpacks, dog leashes, jackets and more, make that space cluttered. A quick fix is to hang or corral as much as possible. When the floor is clear, it seems cleaner!!  So...add a shelf or hooks and see what happens.  Make your clutter deliberate. I love baskets, so I corral shoes, leashes, mail, books and more. Even if you don't have room for a deep piece of furniture, hooks work.  Shelves at Home Goods are $15-30. Hooks are usually $3-4 at Pier I, Marshall's or WalMart.













Freshening up: This should be as simple as adding color with flowers and spritzing fragrance for a fabulous and relaxing scent. My local Trader Joe's has fabulous tulips and lilies for $2.99. You can use simple terra cotta pots (about $3 each) and get live greens too!  These pots are sprayed with a $3.97 can of white Rustoleum so they can do outdoors in the summer! I love Mrs. Meyers room sprays, and I am liberal with essential oil sprays that I make myself.












Update: I do three things.... rearrange or simplify the collectibles on my end tables, move the furniture around, and swap pillows.  These are swapped from bed to sofa but I also sometimes spring for a new pillow (under $20 at Home Goods). I do have a necessary rule with pillows since forms are bulky...donate the new forms and keep just the covers or "get one give one" so you don't add but replace old with improved.  If I have more time I'll make a pillow cover!    Furniture moving doesn't need to be major to have a great effect.  Taking one end table from the family room upstairs and the one in the bedroom into the living room works really well.  If I have more time and need more of an impact, I'll look for new hardware for dressers and chests (kitchen might be too much to change)!

Update an old dresser yourself!

It's the time of year we all like to update and refresh...SPRING!  Me too. Rather than shopping and spending money on something new, I like to find pieces I have or thrift shop finds, and spend time getting precisely what I want. Here's my formula.  Give it a try and let me know if you like it!


Materials

1. Flat latex paint in contrasting shades - one will be the base coat and one the top coat
2. Primer
3. Crackle medium
4. Buckets
5. Paint brushes 
6. Top coat of urethane or wax- optional

Start by lightly sanding your piece - unless you want bumps and blemishes for character.  Prime it and let dry fully. Paint the first coat of color that will be the one to show through your final color coat. This one is a deep rust color.  Let dry 24 hours.  Pour the crackle medium into a bucket and stir gently.  Using a clean brush, apply a thick layer but do not overwork it. Let this coat dry 1-2 hours (if you go too long the mixture will cure and the next coat will not crackle. Use another clean, dry brush for your topcoat - this one is a creamy beige. As it dries, the crackles appear.  For a worn look, you can lightly sand the edges of doors, drawers, and the box. I like to apply a light coat of Briwax rather than urethane, so I can enrich the sheen many times with ease.

Favorite updates for winter.

These are some of my favorite design elements to warm up rooms during the winter months. They are also great year-round when the proper materials, textures and colors are used.

1) Panel Draperies.  The addition of panels drapes to large windows creates a wonderful ambiance. Whether you use them to frame, for softness, or for full function, fabric panels dress a window like no other treatment.They can add opulence to a casual room and warm a minimalist space. Fabric options are nearly endless and the header style - pleats, grommets, tabs, etc. - can easily accent your style.

2) Plants:  Even if you don't have a green thumb you can bring greenery into your spaces. My favorite plants are flowering orchids whose care is as simple as a placing in bright light and monthly watering. They are inexpensive but elegant and gorgeous. Philodendrons are a very easy care plant; check with your local big box store or nursery for a variety that suits your home. Dried arrangements work well, and some faux plants ARE beautiful. 

3) Hurricanes. One of the most versatile accessories is a glass hurricane lamp. They have so many uses; they're not just for candles and not only for traditional spaces...although that is their most oft-used style. Despite the cold weather, a shell-filled hurricane on the table is refreshing.  I often add gold and silver balls to mine and use them in the bathroom, porch and kitchen for a wonderful ambiance. Coastal and cottage style homes can use this idea year-round.

4) Books: While I love open space on tables, books add a lived in feel, an architectural element, and sophistication to consoles, end tables and coffee tables.  Placing them underneath the tops is both practical and attractive; they can be read but don't clutter the surface. For a clean look, cover unattractive but often read books with decorative wrapping paper, interesting wallpaper, or simple brown or white papers; use what suits your style!  

5) Rugs: Area rugs instantly warm up a room define the space.  They add visual interest, scale, pattern and texture to any room. There are a variety of materials, but get the BEST you can afford since you want durability as well as aesthetics.  For neutral style add a solid color rug with texture.

Need a headboard? Try these ideas.

Adding a headboard to a bed can create a terrific focal point, add storage, and add a finishing element to a room. Gaining storage is a plus for small bedrooms and adding architectural detail often completes a large one.  My advice on this project - some are DIY - use the best quality materials you can. Hire a pro if you cannot fabricate a high-quality product. Since you'll look at it daily, you want it to be the best it can.

1) Shelf headboard. This is a very quick idea that adds storage as well as architectural detail. This custom shelf is painted yellow for a cottage style room. Purchasing free-standing shelves from a big box store works well but be sure the shelves are affixed together; you can even add doors to the shelves.  Adding moldings creates a built-in look. 

2) Fabric headboard.  A very standard idea that has many variations. Soft, attractive, a place to add color and texture, this option is less expensive than a four poster or sleigh style bed. Make it a high quality fabric like Sunbrella or Ultra-Suede so it is durable, cleanable and safe.


3) Upholstered wall. Rather than defining the area just above the bed, use fabric and batting to pad the entire floor-to-ceiling space behind the bed for a great look.

4) Floating Shelves.  While not the best alternative for a child's room, floating shelves are a sleek way to add detail above a bed. Great for guest rooms when books, lighting, toiletries and other items are within reach for guests. This affords you the opportunity to change the decor and re-position the shelves as needed.

5) Recessed shelve haves. If you have a large niche - common in California tract homes, flanking the bed with recessed shelves looks nice and functions well. In a large room, you can create this on one wall and add depth to the space. The shelves are perfect for books, photo frames and collectibles; be sure to tuck in some lighting.


6) Panels.  Any type of panel, whether it's wood or fabric or a found object, can be hung as a headboard and add an artistic element. Ideas include mirror frames, Asian artifacts and even plywood painted or stained to complement the room decor.

7) Architectural salvage. Windows, shutters, doors, old mantles and other elements salvaged from prior use, make wonderful headboards. How about an old gate, a wrought iron fence, and even the mirror from an old bedroom set? For simplicity hang a wooden curtain rod above the bed and drape an old quilt or decorative fabric over it so it becomes the headboard.

Beautiful bedroom update ideas.

Need to refresh your bedroom? With so many products and options available which do you choose?  Here are three bedrooms with directions for making the changes.  

  

    

Some simple changes transform this casual bedroom into a sophisticated guest retreat. The walls, once a pastel green, were refreshed with a light blue hue, and the white ceiling became a soft blue. Crown, base and doors moldings remained white. Adding a transitionally styled iron bed frame was the most significant change.  Draping inexpensive sheer fabric (less than $15 per yard) over the frame creates a soft, inviting place to sleep. Instead of the two-drawer nightstand, an end table - the same height as the mattress - provides a landing space, shelving for books and a clock, and its new open style fills the void next to the bed with just the right element. Adding a deeper toned area rug beside the bed rather than in the center of the room makes the room seem more open, and is better underfoot for guests. White big box store bedding, a yellow throw and brightly colored pillows in blue and complementary orange, finish the bed. Lighter artwork, all in the same transitional versus cottage style, refreshes the space and provides the finishing touch.

While this room looks significantly different, there are some shortcuts to be considered.  Purchasing ready-made shelves from a discount store, and tying them together with molding, is the largest change. They create a headboard with storage, end table function and additional space for lighting. Warm tones of beige on the wall and an area rug in the same hue, provide a warm backdrop for the new white trim and doors.  The doors, while hinged French doors instead of sliding wooden doors, can be created without the expensive price tag. Using reclaimed doors from a salvage yard is one solution, sustainable and cost-effective.  Another is to apply molding over inexpensive mirror squares to a slab door. Hinges are required here since the added dimension would not allow the doors to slide. Bedding remains white, but as with the accessories, the addition of blue accents, is the ideal contrast to the beige and white. A simple wooden bench completes the transformation.

Re positioning the bed in this space was key to the change. In front of the window, the bed took up less space in the room and the open weave headboard does not restrict light from entering.  The walls went from pale yellow to a deep ivory. Blue was the accent color in the 'before' space and became the feature color in bedding, bed drapes and pillows. An inexpensive "found" headboard separates the window and bed and enables pillows to be propped up, adding dimension and texture to the bed.  A Roman Shade lets more light in than the prior sheers and is tailored and neat.  The bed drape was constructed by nailing MDF trim to the ceiling, and applying the fabric at all four corners.  The large scale damask fabric contains the ivory wall color and a soft blue that is used again in the tailored bed skirt. Ivory bedding is ideal for many spaces, and maintains the neutral backdrop to keep the small bedroom from looking crowded.  Adding a bolster pillow in a solid blue with ribbon trim, and a patterned blue lampshade, completes the transformation.

The benefits of using an interior designer.

AFTER

As the senior designer for Touch of Tradition, I see many people facing design dilemmas. I serve as a sounding board and provider of advice and this is what I've found to be true over the years: Interior designers add value in many ways than simply through aesthetics. When you make a decision to remodel or update your home, and bring in a designer, it WILL change your life in the best ways. Making an investment in your home should be done wisely.  Even if you just spend a few hours of time with a professional interior designer, the results will be years of satisfaction and  enjoyment of the spaces you change. With the plethora of materials, products, advertisements and samples available for home remodels and updates, the choices need to be made wisely. Rather than struggle through agonizing weeks with plans, surface materials, fabrics, dimensions and "what-if's", using a professional designer will bring timely satisfaction, creativity, and perfection to your project. Don't make a mistake! We will help solve your design and construction issues so everything runs smoothly.

BEFORE

I've rescued clients from bad furniture purchases, the "nightmare" they lived through with a bad contractor, the poor selections of  floor coverings and paint colors that they made, and throwing their hands up at a poorly designed kitchen or bath. Don't waste your money or your time. We know codes, space-planning, color, products, technology and more. Our expertise is having the experience, resources and knowledge to recommend everything to finish and furnish your home. Keep what you can and update it, re-purpose, and re-new.  With access to new products, technology, trends and creative ideas, your time with us will be well-spent. 

When want to you love the results, meet your budget, and nail your style, the decision to hire a designer is always right. At Touch of Tradition, you can browse the fabric and furniture collections, purchase from what's in stock, or order a custom piece with the right dimensions and finish for your home. From July 1  to August 1, 2012, purchases from the shop or on-line will be supplemented with a gift certificate to use or give to someone special.  Come by and bring your home decor and design questions.

Ideas for small spaces.

Whether your small space is a bedroom, apartment, or home, here are five ideas to help you maximize the space you have:

One wall of shelves adds storage and opens the floor space.

1) Raise the heights of storage. Keep things off the floor and use taller pieces to make a small room appear larger. For example, a bookcase that spans the entire floor-to-ceiling distance makes a ceiling seem higher. Dedicating one wall to bookshelves that takes advantage of every inch, or using a large armoire or storage piece on only one wall, will make a room look bigger and eliminates the feeling of a cluttered space. Close off a few shelves with doors for neatness.  Stack file cabinets or chests (safety first) on top of one another rather than lining them up along the wall. Left a bed off the floor to add storage drawers, and if the ceiling is high enough, perhaps making a space underneath for a desk, lounge area or reading nook.

 

Loveseats make a narrow apartment comfy but not crowded

2) Use furniture wisely & make every piece count.  For a small living room use a backless chaise or daybed to divide adjoining space or functional areas; for example, separate the kitchen area from the family room or the living room from the dining room. Downscale your seating and even tables so you have the function you need while retaining an open feel. Try using a storage bench instead of dining or desk chairs to serve a dual purpose. Open backed shelves make great room dividers but look nice from either side. 

White works in this tiny bedroom with stacked storage.

3) Keep it light. While you don't have to use white paint, a lighter color background (floors, walls and even shelving) will help make a small room feel more open. Monochromatic color schemes are great for small spaces since they blur the boundaries between walls and furniture to make a space feel expansive. Don't hide windows, rather make them appear larger by placing window coverings above or to the sides. Position a mirror to capture light and reflect it back into the space.








4) Take it off.  If you can remove doors to rooms that don't need privacy...do.  Opening a small bedroom to a hallway makes the room seem more connected to the other spaces, may add light, and there are many uses for the doors so they don't need to be stored ( a desk top, a panel for an appliance, a new back to a bookshelf).  Hanging a curtain or beads instead provides a more open divider but eliminates door swings and maintains a more open feel.

5) Glass (or other transparent material :)) is your friend. Need a privacy divider but it blocks light? Tempered glass walls and door inserts allow light to pass through rooms but create privacy. New resin and plastic products with embedded designs are also available. Can't do a whole wall? Create a small interior 'window' or even an over-door transom to allow light in.  Glass tabletops help a room feel more open than wooden tops.