Budgeting for Style

As I walk through what is about to be my dear friend's new home, I take a look around and give her a quick furniture plan that I'd layed out in my head.  As she takes me through the kitchen and 2 1/2 bathrooms she discusses her budget and asks me for the wisest way to cut corners but yet add a punch with great style. She talked about the look she is trying to achieve and the "feel" she'd like her surfaces to portray.  I'd suggested the following:

When it comes to countertops and backsplashes, consider the beautiful choices that ceramic and porcelain now have to offer and add your punch with accent pieces of tile that can be used to create beautiful designs.  Their are glass and metal choices that are stunning and with a strategically designed decorative tile layout you can achieve a great look without blowing your budget.  In other words, spend your money on the accent pieces that will add the character to your home and let the backdrop such as the countertops and backsplash be a more cost effective choice. 

With budget conscious clients I guide them toward focusing their money on the following which can add a great punch to an overall look:

• Decorative Light Fixutres

• Decorative framed mirrors in vanity areas and replacing faucets and hardware rather than the expense of replacing countertops and sink basins unless it is necessary 

• Decorative pillows on humdrum sofas and chairs

• Beautiful lamps or replacing a lampshade with a beautiful option

Contact me for creative and recessionista decor ideas:

Your Interior Design Specialist,
Laura Zazueta

619.395.1003
laura.interiors@gmail.com

Holiday Entertaining

I like to ensure every detail when hosting a party at home.  I like to make my guests feel special.  I have hosted dinner parties with name cards for each of my guests.  I use table decor that is not too grandiose so that my guests can see each other from across the table and they are the center of attention at the table. 

Flowers should be simple surprises that you stumble upon.  Arrangements do not need to be purchased and expensive.  A few elements from your yard are perfect such as branches and these can even be spray painted red, white or gold or any color choice.  Fruit from your yard (sliced or whole) such as oranges, lemons, accompanied with vibrant cranberries can fill vases.

I like to weave fabric and/or a simple organic garland around the platters of food on the buffet table and elevate my platters at various heights adding pine cones and mistle toe here and there for a special touch.  Fabric with a sheen or sheers are perfect this. 

Appropriate illumination is very important.  Don't forget candles and votives where ever possible; small lamps in unexpected areas such as bathroom counters, kitchen and bartops.  Do not use overhead lighting unless it is a beautiful chandlier or pendent and illuminates in a warm manner and makes guests...well....look attractive.  Therefore, no overhead fluorescents is my preference. Illuminate with table lamps, small unexpected lamps, white or colored holidays lights on indoor and outdoor trees and plants.  I have often welcomed guests into my patio or garden in which case my trees and plants are adorned with holiday lights as well.

I always have music playing.  Depending on the crowd and the level of energy, my music choices vary from Chill Lounge or pop culture choices. 

Give a Cosmopolitan Holiday Sparkle by dipping the edge of the glass in lime juice and coating the rim with sugar.  Then float a few cranberries on top.

Happy Holiday Entertaining.

The Secretary

The Secretary is a piece historically called escritoire that started as a writing surface in 17th century Europe.  It became popular in the 1800's and 1900's in England, France and the U.S. with a bookcase or cabinet on top.

The Secretary is one of my personal favorite pieces of furniture.  The writing surface folds up and conceals storage and the work area. It doubles as a bookcase and writing surface in compact areas and can be placed in living rooms, libraries or almost anywhere because it is simply a beautiful and historical piece.

I also love it for it's versatility in use.  In addition to using for its historical desk purposes consider using it in one of the following ways:

•  In a dining or breakfast area as a buffet and china cabinet.  Use it for displaying desserts or beverages and the storage on top for china or treasured pieces and table linen in the drawers below.  

•  It can also be used as an accent piece in an entry of a home and doubles as a writing surface/mail station and/or storage for keys, etc. 

• In a bedroom or guest room as a bedside table.  Store books on top; store blankets and throws in the bottom drawers; leave it open and have a reading lamp on the writing surface; and of course doubles as a desk.

• In a bedroom or vanity area as a vanity or dressing area.  Include a vanity mirror and lamp and you've got yourself a perfect vignette.

Consider adding an unexpected spin by putting a lamp on the surface, a vase with flowers, decorative bookends, the possibilities are almost endless.  Enjoy the images below:

San Diego Shutters & Blinds

Dress your windows in time for the holidays. Add drapes over shutters for drama or enjoy the simple elegance that shutters provide.

Print or simply mention this Promo and Call Me for a Free In-Home Consultation.   

Your Interior Design Specialist,

Laura Zazueta

Ph. 619.395.1003

Wallpaper

Wallpaper can make much more of a statement than paint alone. With so many beautiful choices, why not play up a dining room or powder with more personality.

Bold wallpaper works well in rooms not used to often such as powder rooms or guest quarters. Some choices are a large scale damask or metallic.

In rooms you spend more time in like a master bedroom, consider more understated choices. Consider metallic on a ceiling. The light is reflected and gives the room a beautiful glow.

Consider playing up your guest room and bath to welcome overnight holiday guests.  Contact me for a consultation.

Your Interior Design Specialist,

Laura Zazueta

619.395.1003

laura.interiors@gmail.com

Say Good Bye to Boring Vertical Blinds

And Hello to Stylish Sliding Panels

Panel Accents are ideal for sliding doors and wide windows. They can also be mounted on a ceiling to make the perfect room divider or closet door alternative. Plus it's easy to create a personalized look by matching different styles and colors on one track.

The come in rollar shade fabrics, solar shade fabrics, roller shade fabric and natural woven shade material.

Elegant Roman Shade Fabric

Natural Shade Material (Mixed and Matched for Personalized Style)

 

Solar Shade Fabric (As a chic Room Divider)

 

Call me for a Free Design Consultation for adding a Stylish touch to your sliding door, closet door or simply adding a room divider.


Laura Zazueta Ferratt
Ph 619.395.1003

San Diego Window Coverings - Great Savings

There is still time to Spruce Up Your Home before the Holidays

Give Me a Call for a Free Estimate

Laura Zazueta Ferratt

Ph. 619.395.1003