Living Room Plan

This 700-square-foot apartment is a slightly Bohemian, utterly romantic trophy case of prized finds. In the living room, there's a glass coffee table from a clearance center, a 1980s sofa, and at the windows, iridescent gold sheers made from free fabric samples and pulled back with thrift-store tiebacks.

Anchoring the mix is a shaggy flokati rug from an Indian bazaar's closing sale. Asian textiles and accessories gathered from distant travels and nearby resources like Pier 1, World Market, and San Francisco's Chinatown give the home an exotic, collected flavor.

• Embrace an eclectic style -- shop discount stores, thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets.
• Buy discount fabric -- you can sew your own simple pillows, or use hem tape to make flowing, no-sew drapes for a lot less than custom window treatments.
• Shop locally -- search tiny neighborhood shops for unique accessories.