To my friends who are on a budget and say they can't afford a full service design firm yet they want their home to look great, my advice is always this: don't buy cheap junk that will fall apart or be thrown out in two or three years just for the sake of furnishing a room. It's better to live in a clean sparse space and slowly fill it with fun, great pieces that you love looking at. There are great deals to be had at resale stores and small antique shops. And for those willing to do a little work, flea markets are filled with great finds that just need a little love and care to bring them back to life. Also, look into buying showroom samples, and ask sales people in stores to show you the best deals. --Sandra Espinet