5 Designer Secrets for Decorating on a Budget

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.

"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 inexpensive sisal for the living room. Starburst mirror from William-Wayne. Sconces from the Brighton Collection. Pouf from West Elm.

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.

"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.

For a small master bedroom, Braff didn't want to do long curtains. Instead, she opted for balloon shades. "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.

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. Bijou end tables from Hickory Chair.