LULU DESIGNS shares inspirational decor items for under $100 on Plum District

6 Inspirational Items for Under $100 to Add Character to Any Room

Lindsay Espinoza of LULU DESIGNS shares her picks for adding inspiration to any space



Visit LULU DESIGNS to see more of Lindsay’s inspirations!

LULU DESIGNS in the news... Daily Pilot

Daily Pilot by Sarah Peters:
Local designer's work hits HGTV airwaves -
Costa Mesa businesswoman Lindsay Espinoza of LULU DESIGNS, designed five rooms in a Newport Beach home, which will be featured on a reality-TV series.


Interior designer Lindsay Espinoza aims to make beautiful homes available to the masses, but she never envisioned that her audience would be comprised of thousands of viewers tuning into reality TV.

The 1995 Newport Harbor High School alumna will be featured in a new HGTV series that was scheduled to premiere Monday evening. "Showhouse Showdown" puts interior designers in competition, leaving the judging up to the viewing public.

"It's a full design show packed with design knowledge," said Executive Producer Dawn Stroupe. "It has humor and some drama, but true to the HGTV brand, it's based in teaching."

For those who love the "big reveal" at the end of makeover shows, "Showhouse Showdown" offers a reveal every three minutes, Stroupe said.

Espinoza designed five rooms, including a bedroom, bath and kitchen, in a new house in Newport Beach built by Waterpointe Homes. The episode in which she competes against Los Angeles designer Charles Neal airs Nov. 21.

Espinoza is under contract with HGTV and can't reveal details about the home or the episode until its airs, but described her design style as "industrial chic." She said she pairs functionality with glamour and high-end items with low-cost accessories.

"I'm a big believer in that interior design is not just for affluent people," Espinoza said. "Everyone should be able to enjoy the effects of good design in their daily life. When you wake up in a place you love, it affects your whole outlook — good interior design evokes emotion."

Espinoza isn't opposed to shopping at vintage shops, HomeGoods or Target when searching for the perfect piece of furniture or accessory.

As owner of LULU DESIGNS, a Costa Mesa-based residential and commercial interior design business, Espinoza's goal is to bring the benefits of her craft to as many people as possible.

One such method is the "room in a box" personalized design plan. For $2,500 to $5,500, Espinoza will create a complete room plan — from chairs to window treatments, fabric and paint swatches, all available in local stores or online — from measurements and taste preferences clients submit via the website.

Another way Espinoza shares her design skills, honed at the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, is through her blog linked to her company's website, luludesignsonline.com.

On the blog, she gives free fun tips, such as "Men's feet are more sensitive than women's so make sure to never put a coir natural rug where a man would most likely be barefoot." And then there's, "If and when you feel you need to fluff a synthetic-fill duvet, then it's just time for a new one."

More tips from Espinoza will be packed into the November episode, which was filmed over five weeks from the start to finish of the design process.

As part of the show, both fully decorated homes were put of for sale following the audience judging.

Espinoza said her home received an offer within 24 hours.

Although Espinoza knows how the episode will end — and she can't say who wins — she will not see the final edited cut before the episodes airs.

"It's very hard to put your stuff out there on TV," she said. "But the house came out well, and I'm not concerned. In my personal life, I'm pretty shy and reserved. But, when it comes to design, I'm confident in my skills as an interior designer."


Daily Pilot by Sarah Peters

LULU DESIGNS... Keeping It Chic While Raising a Family

Lindsay Espinoza of LULU DESIGNS shares her tips to Plum District on creating a stylish (and functional) space!

LULU DESIGNS ramps up for expansion into custom furnishings

LULU DESIGNS, an Orange County-based interior design firm announced today their expansion into custom-designed, a la carte, couture furniture. While this is a service that has always been available upon request, it is now an option LULU DESIGNS is offering in an expanded capacity to the public, whether a client contracts consultation for an entire design project or one piece of customized furniture.

No stranger to one-of-a-kind pieces, LULU DESIGNS features entire collections unique to this design firm, many of which can be viewed at www.luludesignsonline.com or by appointment. Founder and lead designer, Lindsay Espinoza, begins with a template drawn on the needs and desires of the client. She then works with individual vendors to select high quality materials, carefully supervising the construction process. Requested revisions are made along the way to craft the perfect solution to any furnishing challenge. The result is an artisan-quality, stand-alone piece of furniture which might include such eclectic touches as crystal nailheads or high-gloss paint. In addition to excelling in custom projects, LULU DESIGNS also can create impressive replications of any piece.

To make the mix irresistible, Espinoza’s designs are tailored to the individual budget. “I understand that with every project comes a push and pull between function and aesthetics, practicality and beauty and, most importantly, carte blanche and budget,” she emphasizes. In fact, LULU DESIGNS is extremely competitive with major retailers. For instance, an overstuffed, wingback chair starts at $375, while a sofa with top-grade materials might be as little as $1200. Similar styles offered by retailers such as Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel go for easily twice that amount.

Here are a few of our fav's...