5 Tricks an Interior Designer Uses to Save Money

You'd never know designer Meg Braff was working with a tight budget when she decorated this Palm Beach house for a snappy, 'with it' mom of three. The decorator shares the affordable design ideas she used to stretch her budget.

1. Going with an Inexpensive Carpet.
"The quickest way to blow a budget is on a carpet. Unless you're doing something really special, keep it simple," designer Meg Braff says. She chose affordable sisal for the living room. Starburst mirror from William-Wayne. Sconces from the Brighton Collection. Pouf from West Elm.

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2. Upgrading Basic Pieces with Trim.
Braff added a bullion fringe to the sofa to bring in more blue. "You could do the same thing with a sofa off the floor at Crate & Barrel - just add a trim to personalize it," she says. The same idea also elevates plain lampshades or curtains.

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3. Opting for Balloon Shades.
For a small master bedroom, Braff chose balloon shades rather than long curtains. "That's three yards of fabric per window, instead of 10, so they're less expensive," she says. Talavera by Brunschwig & FIls fabric. Willa bed by Oly.

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4. Hanging Art in a Group.
Those glamorous, mirrored frames in the previous slide? "They came with the prints, bought online," says the decorator. Braff used the to-trade-only web site trowbridgegallery.com, but easyart.com or 20x200.com are two other reasonably priced options. And for maximum impact, hang artwork in a group - like she did here in the family room - rather than scattering it around a room. It makes much more of an impression. Bijou end tables from Hickory Chair.

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5. Pulling it All Together with Affordable Accessories.
"Before I finish a job, I'll go to places like West Elm, William Wayne, Macox Gardens, and Pearl River or check out their Web sites to look for accessories - inexpensive Chinese porcelain, trays, place mats, table settings," she says, "You can really stretch a budget and still get the last layer of personality." Fretwork side chairs from Hickory Chair. Sea Island Trellis wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils.

Related: Tour the rest of this Palm Beach Home

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Photo credit: Thibault Jeanson. Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.