Mike Sherrer

Village Design Group, Raleigh

919-889-0549 or villagedesigngroup.com

Five words that describe your design philosophy: Creative, colorful, bold, eclectic and honest.

Your favorite recycling/repurposing/craft projects:Using old stained glass windows as wall hangings or as “sun catchers” in front of a window. I also like using slipcovers on furniture, painting older pieces of furniture, putting new frames on old pictures, rearranging the furniture and using an old buffet as a dresser in a bedroom.

Best way to spend $100 for maximum décor impact: Paint.

Favorite design blog: apartmenttherapy.com. It shows so much on so many different topics, including how-tos, budget living, decor styles, small spaces and more.

Fun design twist for a teen’s bedroom: Here are a few: Paint two walls a different color. Stripe the walls. Paint sayings on the wall. Use bold colors, abstract art or some of the teen’s artwork.

Your favorite window treatment: Inverted box-pleat valance. It’s simple, something you don’t see every day, and you can liven it up by using a different fabric to line the pleats. Plus, it can be formal or informal.

Best way to dress a window over the kitchen sink: Soften the window with a valance, such as a Savannah valance, balloon valance or even a rod-pocket valance. If privacy is needed, use shutters on the lower half of the window. I also like a woven wood shade over the sink.

Your rule of thumb for mixing old and new: Don’t be afraid to to do it. Once you have them together in a room, you may be able to tell what’s old and what’s new, but they’ll blend together and provide a great bit of nostalgia.

Biggest design no-no: Leaving the walls white.

My best tip for do-it-yourself designers: Don’t be afraid to use color.