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It's a Colorful Life (continued)

Vintage pillow fabric.Drake proved adept at supplying high style on a shoestring, choosing many of the furnishings at retailers such as Room & Board and Pier 1 Imports. "Good aesthetics can be achieved at any price point," he says. "Mixing in mass-produced pieces with a few custom, vintage, or very individual ones makes it all work." Made-to-order items include a 10-foot-long sofa at one end of the living room that, when paired with a small Art Deco tea table, creates a spot for intimate dining, and at other times offers seating for a cocktail-party throng. "The furnishings are flexible, so the living room is just as comfortable for two as it is for 20," says Drake. "And for kids and visitors, I was challenged to choose lowmaintenance, wipeable, nonstainable surfaces—nothing precious." That includes molded plastic Eames chairs in the kitchen, a striped woven cotton stair runner, and even the cowhide rug in the living room: "It's virtually indestructible," he says.

The decor achieves a rare hybrid of brains and beauty on a budget—an affordable design with more than a touch of class.

HIGH STYLE, LOW BUDGET

New York designer Jamie Drake is known for his high-end elegance—for example, check out Jamie Drake's New American Glamour (Bulfinch), where you'll find pictures of the Manhattan loft he designed for Noel Berk and Liz Omedes. But he also loves a good bargain and doesn't turn up his nose at shopping at Pier One or Room & Board. Here are his tips for creating style on a shoestring:

Choose simple, classic pieces from mass-market retailers. "It's all about having a judicious eye when selecting pieces, and then putting them together with impact," says Drake. Stick with neutral colors, natural fabrics, and clean lines. Don't overlook hand-me-downs that can be reinvented with new fabric or a coat of paint.

Introduce some more unusual, one-of-a-kind pieces from vintage or custom sources. These don't necessarily have to be expensive. Peruse flea markets, secondhand stores, or your parents' attic for midcentury pieces, for example, to add a touch of flair. Mixing in one or two dramatic patterns, shapes, or colors will keep catalog purchases from looking too cookie-cutterish.

Customize lighting imaginatively. Drake loves to buy vases, whether new or vintage, and have them made into interesting lamps, which is often a less expensive solution than traditional fixtures.

Go for the cheapest makeover there is: A great new color can have huge impact, and all it costs (if you do it yourself) is the price of a gallon of paint.

Splurge where it will do the most good. A high-quality mattress will reward you with peaceful sleep; a well-built sofa (old or new) can last for decades with occasional reupholstering.

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