Bakersfield Life

Diligent Home Design

Here’s the decorating fantasy.  You invite Bakersfield’s hottest interior designers to your home, walk them through the rooms and then command them to redecorate the entire place, top to bottom, “money is no object!”  Unfortunately, for most of us money is the object, and can be a real barrier to getting the design look that is your heart’s desire.  But it can be done and without breaking the budget so let’s begin our journey through those places where you can find affordable style in Bakersfield.
Let’s begin by eliminating dollar stores completely.  While dollar stores are just the ticket for cleaning supplies, knick-knacks and holiday decorations, you won’t find substantial decor items there.  Making a true decorating statement will require some imagination and inspiration to provide the right spark.
Tracie Taylor, owner of Passionate Designs, says your design inspiration can come from anything.  “You might see a set of plates that stand out, the color combination grabs you, that can be your inspiration,” she says.
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Julie Hatridge of The French Quarter agrees.  “New color combinations, a piece of jewelry, nature, design magazines.  Be open to all kinds of different sources.”
Inspiration can be as close as your television.  TLC and HGTV have a wealth of do-it-yourself design shows that can get your creative juices flowing and even demonstrate how to do it. While you may not possess the carpentry or sewing skills to turn out the type of work their experts can do, you’ll still get a good grasp on the basics. 
Most designers agree that fabric makes an immediate statement and Taylor feels that the one element you don’t skimp on is window treatments.
If you’re short on dollars, look first in department store clearance bins and always take your window measurements with you. 
Most window coverings are fairly simple to sew and you can save a lot if you go this route.  Bakersfield has several fine fabric stores, where you can expect to pay big for upholstery and drapery fabrics, but there are bargains to be found. 
A good place to start is F & M Fabrics on Niles Street in East Bakersfield.  It has wall-to-wall rolls of fabrics priced from $1 a yard and up.  Upon your first visit, as you wander through the aisles remarking on the variety, a good thing to keep in mind is many local designers are among this store’s best customers.
F & M has a wide variety of fabrics for those opulent window treatments that can make your room more than you had ever imagined. 
Hatridge loves the idea of using paint to change a room and cautions do-it-yourself designers to always buy the best paint you can afford. After all, if you are going to go through all the work, you might as well like the outcome.
“Take the time to do something special: a stencil, a striped wall,” she says. “Spend in time what you can’t spend in money and if you’re going to spend the time, you’ll want it to hold up.”   
Taylor also believes good paint is worth it.  “Time is valuable and using inexpensive paint takes several coats and is time wasted,” she says.  “Quality paint will get you a better outcome, better coverage and truer color.”
Getting a designer look for your home’s floors without spending a fortune can be a little tricky but not impossible.  All you really need is something attractive. Mark Shulman of G & S Carpets says the best buys are always room size remnants available in nearly every color and style.  But he advises against do-it-yourself installation.   
       “Most people don’t find it within their grasp to do it themselves,” he says.  “You need the right supplies and tools which you can rent, but it’s a matter of knowing what you’re doing.”
Shulman recommends hiring a licensed contractor to do the job.  “You have some leverage to go back to them if they don’t do a good job,” he says.  “If they’re not licensed you have no legal recourse but small claims court.”
For those wildly popular hardwood floors, Shulman says be prepared to spend some money. 
“Hardwood is a natural product and if you’re on a budget, you’ll only be able to afford seconds or cabin grade which probably won’t get you the look you’re after.”
For inexpensive furniture, try shopping first at one of the many thrift and resale stores.  Their furniture is usually very nice and with a little sanding, primer and paint, you can turn a wallflower into the star of your room. 
Hatridge recommends find something that needs reupholstering. 
  The reason for the reupholstered piece – it’s fairly inexpensive and can test a new unforeseen talent you may have.
Thrift stores will usually shave a few dollars off the price if you ask and they almost all accept checks, which is a nice bonus.
 These stores are also terrific for accessories and art.  Where else can you find nice sized baskets for a few dollars or a pair of matching lamps for ten bucks? 
But the real treasures are at garage and yard sales. Bring cash and come prepared to negotiate to your heart’s content. But look over each item carefully.  For big decorating items like accent rugs and furniture, yard sales can be your best friend.  And, since some homeowners redecorate as a hobby, you can pick up some pricey items on the cheap. 
  Hatridge asserts, “Good design doesn’t have to be expensive, you can find it at Target,” she says. And you can find it literally anywhere. It’s your vision and your room so it needs to be someplace you want to be.  And the fact that you did it on a budget and can still get a “wow” from your visitors makes it all the sweeter.