iMag Slide Show

For Lauren Liess, founder of Pure Style Home, designing a home is understanding the wear and tear it must withstand. With two small children of her own, she appreciates materials for their durability, products for their safeness and designs for their overall efficiency. She gave us some tips based off of her signature looks:

Liess is a big proponent of reupholstering. And while you’ll need some extra money in your budget, covering an old couch in a fabulous fabric will usually cost less than buying a new one. For instance, the sofa in Liess’ living room is a reupholstered Craigslist find.

Liess and her husband put a lot of work into their split-level home, just outside of Washington, D.C. The kitchen needed a complete overhaul. "We put beadboard on the wall and put in open shelving, which made the space larger."

Tip: Open shelving is great for small kitchens. Make sure the majority of tableware matches, but mix in vintage or patterned plates to add color and personality. Lauren's tableware is the "Great White Collection" from Pottery Barn. 

If you like white furniture and have young children, Liess says slipcovers are the way to go. Upholstery is expensive and difficult to clean, whereas slipcovers are easy to remove and run through the washing machine. 

"If you can splurge on anything, spend on good quality lighting," Liess says. "Above anything else it can really create an expensive, tasteful look."

In terms of paint color, one of Liess' favorites is "Mountain Haze" by Behr. "It has greens, grays and blues in it. It was one of my go-to's for a while."

When it comes to storing toys, Liess likes to adhere to a sophisticated look. "Keep kids' stuff accessible, but hidden," says Liess. "I'm a big fan of baskets. I like mixing in adult items in with the kids' stuff."

For more, go back to the At Home section.