Design on a Dime

Asian-Themed Bachelor Pad

30 min

Newlyweds Doug Wilson and Weni Chang want to transform their white room that's filled with Weni's old furniture into a romantic getaway reminiscent of their European honeymoon. Sam Kivett meets with the couple to discuss their issues, which include a need to add color, storage, draperies, drama to an undressed window seat and updated furniture. Kivett meets with his design coordinators to discuss his plan for a romantic European-inspired space. Designer Summer Baltzer shops for fabric while designer Charles Burbridge updates the existing furniture with stain and stencils. The team is pleased when the project is completed for under the $1,000 budget and the couple is thrilled with their new bedroom full of Old World charm.

Multipurpose Asian-Style Space

30 min

Mark Dragin is living in the first place he can call his own. With no one to help decorate and a tight budget, his living room is empty and bland. He wants an Asian-themed room in which he can be proud to entertain guests. Sam Kivett arrives to outline the problems: a need for additional seating, deep green carpeting, insufficient lighting, a lack of color and missing window treatments. Kivett meets with his design team to discuss an Asian-inspired design plan for Mark's room. Summer Balzer hits an import furniture store, while Charles Burbridge stocks up at a cane and basket supply store to build a unique room divider. With the addition of rich color, creative lighting and Asian accents, the team succeeds in turning a blank space into a stylish bachelor pad all for under $1,000.

Cozy Cottage Bedroom

30 min

Ande Richards needs to use her large, open living room for multiple purposes: as an office, a place to eat and a place to entertain, and she envisions the room in an exotic Asian style. Host Sam Kivett outlines the design dilemmas then heads to his office to discuss an Asian-style room with his team, Summer Baltzer and Charles Burbridge. They visit an Indian import store where they find much of what they need for the room, including fabric for the dramatic wall-mounted canopies that will section off the space. When finished, the new plan allows for privacy when working, intimate dining and an exotic space for entertaining.

Classic, Comfortable Living Room

30 min

Jim Bird recently purchased his first home and is ready to add some personality to his bland bedroom. He has several contemporary pieces that he likes, but also wants to match the Spanish style of his home. Host and designer Sam Kivett meets with Bird and decides to update the room with a Spanish look with a modern twist featuring wrought-iron accessories, new furniture and colorful fabric.

Modern Spanish Master Bedroom

30 min

Larry Weissman's new town home is contemporary in style and the interior is blaringly white. He wants his dining room to be exotic and to stand out as a showpiece in his home. Host Sam Kivett decides a Moroccan-style room with a jewel-tone palette is best for Weissman's dining room and he and his design team set out to turn the bland and empty room into a fully furnished space full of drama and mystery, all for under the $1,000 budget.

Functional and Funky Loft

30 min

Ogie and Alyssa Zulueta are in a quandary over their adjoining living and dining room. They want the space to be relaxing, free of clutter and suitable for entertaining. Host Sam Kivett arrives to outline their issues: the absence of a dining table and chairs, proper lighting, sufficient storage and a cohesive style--and the makeover must be complete on a $1,000 budget! Kivett meets with design coordinators Summer Baltzer and Charles Burbridge to discuss the specifics of his design plan and then takes the couple shopping to get a sense of their style. When completed, the combination living and dining room is both clutter free and a place in which the couple can proudly entertain.

Sophisticated Shabby Chic Living Room

30 min

Amy Grant and Rob Ahlers recently moved into a large loft and want to have defined spaces for the living room, dining room and office. Host and interior designer Sam Kivett arrives to address their dilemma and after meeting with his design team, comes up with colorful and functional design to suit their needs--all on a $1,000 budget.

Mission-Inspired Living Room

30 min

Jeanette Cass has a classic style and a taste for antiques but as a single mother she also has a very tight budget. She wants her living room to be suitable for entertaining adults as well as comfortable for her 10-month-old daughter to play in. Host and designer Sam Kivett comes up with a plan that'll meet all of her needs.

Art Deco Studio Apartment

30 min

Expectant parents James and Anne Saxenmeyer need to convert a crowded office into a stimulating and eclectic nursery. Our design team will need to replace the office furniture with baby furniture, add color to the dull white walls and keep in mind the eclectic Asian style the couple has in the rest of their home. As the transformation gets underway, Charles paints abstract blades of grass and geometric dragonflies over the purplish-blue backdrop Sam chose, creating a magical garden. Sam strings an origami butterfly mobile across the ceiling. The team fills the room with Danish modern furniture and functional lighting. Our team transforms a dull office into a bright and stimulating nursery for a new baby boy for their goal of $1,000.