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What advice do you have for homeowners on how to juggle budget constraints and design selections? How is it possible not to sacrifice style for budget?

I recommend that homeowners put the majority of their budgets into what I call “hardscapes.” Hardscapes are selections that you often leave behind when you sell your home, such as flooring, appliances and fixtures. If these are high-quality products, then you have an advantage at selling time. I also encourage homeowners to reserve some of their budget for furniture and accessories that will express their individuality. These more mobile items are less expensive and can be changed easily to update a home’s décor.

What has been one of your favorite transformations for Design on a Dime?

My recent favorite was a master suite that we designed for an older couple. The gentleman was a surfer, and both he and his wife loved the islands of Fiji and Tahiti. We wanted to bring their vacation home to them. We used a dark cinnamon color for the walls and wonderful teak furniture. We also built a canopy for their bed. To further personalize the space, I made an art piece for them. I took a great piece of birch plywood and cut palm leafs out of it. We then mounted the wood on the wall so that the wall color showed through the cut-outs. The final design looked great, and we were very pleased with the results.