Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Looking for some quick tips and general ideas about how to make your house feel a little more Today? Interior and Set Designer Greg Wolfson shares some ideas on converting your place into a modern living experience.

Greg's set design background in television and movies has given him the ability to imagine any space as any other space a director, writer, or even a homeowner would like it to be. With timely color choices and using current trends in furniture design to assist him, he has his finger on the pulse of modern design.

Here are some easy steps Greg has shared with us that contain a fast-to-execute and easy-to-understand system for any modern home makeover.

10 Steps to Modernize Any Home:

1. Modern is “about to happen,” that is what makes it cutting edge! Discover it all around you in new fashion, wallpaper, cars and architecture, and fashion and design. Identify what you are attracted to; and why.

2. Make a radical change in your artwork. Find local art shows, and buy from young, exciting new artists. Don't let someone else tell you what is good, buy what you love.

3. Pare down your tchotchkes: too many family photos, snowies, last year's Christmas Deocrations, and things that are overly personal. The overly personal should be saved for a special place in your bedroom.

4. Find one accent color to contrast with neutrals, and incorporate it into your new accessories and art.

5. Choose less often used colors combos like taupe & maroon, or grey & burgundy, that are both modern and unique.

6. Use bold prints, and contrast them with simple woven fabrics. Go ahead and paint a room bright yellow and use zebra as your pattern!

7. Avoid micro-fibers and vinyl because they are contemporary and common but not modern, and while durable, and not comfortable and never give you a custom or high end feel.

8. If possible, furnish with low, deep and wide sofas, nothing overstuffed. This is today's feel, and I see it all over Europe. Slip covered furniture is OUT.

9. Proudly display your electronics, but do not display DVD or CD collections – put them in binders. Armoires are passe!

10. Anticipate the next modern movement by researching upcoming commercial products and building materials that provide a window to where manufacturing might lead; such as, an increase in green wood used from sustainable forestry.

Budgets Large or Small:

On a Budget: Use classical elements such as modern, deco or French provincial as the basic design to keep your space in fashion so that it never feels trendy, out of date or as if everything was purchased yesterday! Accentuate the preferred style.

No Budget Restrictions: Strictly European because they are five years ahead of everyone! Go to Milan or Rome to purchase new furniture. Find manufacturers with brand new designs before they hit the market and then mix them in with your genre.

Extra Greg Wolfson Tips:

• Purchase works from emerging artists, matching the furniture to the art and not the other way around!

• Keep your personal items (mementos) in the bedroom, as you would not wear your lingerie outside - don’t broadcast what’s private.

Trends: Like fashion, trends come and go and return. The 70’s is back in with paisley fabrics, boho is all the rage; durable and recycled materials that are modern-green are new classics that will remain trendy.

The Art of It:

Imbue your personality into the way you design your dwelling. Greg says, “It should feel as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans, but not your fat jeans! Your home should reflect the true you as any outfit would!”

Feel free to send any and all your design questions and dilemmas to Greg(at)gregwolfson.com.