by Jonona on July 28, 2010
Do the words “luxury” and “budget” seam diametrically opposed to each other? If you equate luxury with a high price tag or you can only be surrounded by objects with designer labels, then this article is not for you. If you define luxury as a lifestyle that perfectly blends comfort, glamor, and excitement, then you have come to the right place. The four keys to creating a luxurious environment without blowing your budget are Function, Layering, Smart Shopping, and and Careful Planning.
Function is the most important element because it builds the foundation for how you can maximize the comfort and ease of using your space. A cluttered and disorganized home is NEVER glamorous. Make sure there is a place for every thing, and that your storage systems are attractive and complement your overall design scheme. The internet is a great resource to compare storage products and also to find informative product reviews. If an item scores high in QUALITY and VALUE, then you can feel confident in your purchase.
Layering is the second key and this involves paint, fabrics, lighting, and accessories. Paint is the easiest and most economical way to add drama to your space. You can also give found furniture a whole new life with a high gloss paint or interesting treatment. Fabrics are essential to the layering process and can add color, texture, pattern, and sheen to your design. Many fabric stores have sale tables where you can find sumptuous and elegant materials at a fraction of the cost. Lighting is an element that is often overlooked. You can create a special ambiance by mixing mood and task lighting and installing dimmers. Candles are also a cheap and easy way to add romance and atmosphere. Controlling the mood of your environment can make you feel like master of your domain.
To Be Continued…..
The following rooms are good examples low-budget luxury.
by Jonona on June 23, 2010
Who says that you have to be Joan Rivers to get a face lift? Many people’s rooms deserve the same treatment. I have recently been performing face-lifts on some historic Los Angeles apartments for clients with limited budgets. It can be quite an expensive and ardous task to try and repair what 50 to 100 years of changing hands has done to an interior. You have to evaluate the reality of what your budget will allow for in a space that will someday return to it’s owner.
Our bathroom became the afterthought of our apartment. We have been living with it, but is was time to complete our home by doing it the way we wanted. I wanted to pay homage to my unique Art Deco apartment by creating a room of contrasts and drama, while retaining a bright and sunny atmosphere. I stripped 70 years of paint off of our beautiful green tile border that creates a base molding around our bathroom. Some “bright” person long ago made this decision and everyone else then followed suit. My color palette was inspired by Deco and the Viennese Seccession. I was originally going to use black, yellow, and aqua(the tile color). I decided to use a dark brown instead of black to warm up the palette. I alternated my colors to create impact as well as showcase the Art Deco architectural features. If you have a special period home, take inventory of what elements are original and important to the integrity of the structure.
Isn’t that paint over the beautiful tile just awful? The crevices created by all the paint also made it difficult to clean. Ick!
This kind of stripping is not fun or sexy. Luckily, we used an eco-friendly product with a nice citrus scent.
The step pattern over the bathtub was enhanced by the alternating colors.
The fantastic trio of pieces to the right of the mirror were created by Portland artist and DIY lounge host, Richard Fox.
This cabinet needed lots a TLC and some new pulls. What was once generic is now a glamorous focal point.
