If you frequently visit model homes or spend hours watching HGTV for decorating inspiration, only to be stumped when it comes to your own home, perhaps it's time for design intervention.

And that may mean a visit to At Home With Laurie Ann, one of two design shops in North County owned by Laurie Ann Ray, an interior designer with 23 years' experience.

"Everyone thinks having a designer is for the rich and famous and it isn't; it's for everyone," said Poway resident Connie Buffington. "I've spent so much time buying accessories for my house, things that didn't work. You have no idea how many accessories I've taken to the Goodwill."

When Buffington decided to redecorate the living room of her Rancho Arbolitos home, the retired grandmother of four turned to Laurie Ann Ray.

Ray got her start in the building industry at age 15 when she worked at the company owned by her father, home builder Corky McMillin of the Corky McMillin Companies. She started her own design company at age 26, and in 2001, after taking some time off to raise her three children, she opened At Home With Laurie Ann.

Two stores, one in Solana Beach and another that is relocating from Poway to Rancho Bernardo, carry a selection of home accessories, linens, birdhouses, wrought-iron garden art and custom-made furniture. While some hutches, tables and chests are hand-painted and distressed to look old, others are vintage pieces from Louisiana and Texas that have been refashioned. Both stores hold a comfortable, happy mixture of old and new.

Ray still decorates model homes for the Corky McMillin Companies, but recent clients also include the clubhouse at Sail Ho Golf Club (the renovated nine-hole golf course in San Diego) and the home of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

Ray's goal is to help her clients make their homes the best they can be. "It's about what works for you and your family and your lifestyle," she said. "It's all about you -- what you like, how you feel, what's comfortable for you, and what you want to look at."

At Home With Laurie Ann has three interior designers, two accessory designers and a drapery specialist on staff. Beyond the items displayed in the stores, design clients have access to hundreds of manufacturers of lamps, fabrics, furniture sets, accessories and other furnishings. Clients are matched with the designer whose style aligns closely with their own.

Buffington's style is traditional, so Ray paired her with designer Janilee Pratt. The living room was furnished in early American antiques and upholstered in blue, gold and beige, but nobody ever used the room. Buffington wanted a cozy, inviting place to relax that was suitable for her grandchildren, too.

When Pratt steered Buffington toward cranberry and gold, Buffington was reluctant. "It felt too wild for my taste, but the cranberry-covered Pompidou chair is the most beautiful chair," said Buffington. "It says, 'Come sit on me.' "

Since the living room flowed into the dining room, Pratt also re-covered the dining room chairs and chandelier shades in the fabric used on the living room settee.

Buffington had such a good experience, she asked Pratt to redo her master bedroom next.

Dione Rubio hired Ray because she didn't know what do with the new La Jolla Craftsman-style home that she and her husband, Ralph (of the Rubio's Fish Tacos restaurants), bought in 2004.

"I wanted a welcome, relaxed beach-type environment," said Rubio, who describes her style as "tropical plantation."

The project started with her 15-year-old daughter's room, which was completely redone from drapes to towels to custom-made furniture. "It's funky, funky, funky. My daughter absolutely loves it," she said.

Ray mixed contemporary with vintage pieces throughout to achieve the beach house comfort the Rubios wanted. "It makes you want to take your shoes off and put your feet up. It's light, airy and welcoming," said Rubio.

The project isn't finished yet. New furniture for an outdoor loft is being made and the office is being done. "It is truly a one-stop shop -- reconstruction, painting, the furniture is handpicked, and organizationally they know what you want better than you do."

Ray is in the throes of her own big project. Her Poway store closed this week in preparation for a move in March to an 8,000-square-foot space in Rancho Bernardo.

"The new store will be an unbelievable showcase for what At Home With Laurie Ann is all about," said Ray.

The new location will hold a full design center, home furnishings boutique, and the countryside barn -- where the shabby-chic wares, birdhouses, and old furniture are custom-painted by artisans. The large space will also allow Ray to cater black-tie events and host seasonally inspired classes, such as fabric coordinating and holiday table settings, for her clients.

Cameron Leigh James is a freelance writer. To suggest a Design Finds story, e-mail to features@nctimes.com.

Design Finds

WHAT: At Home With Laurie Ann

WHERE: 214 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, (858) 847-3007; opening soon, 16779 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, (858) 679-4663

HOURS (for both stores): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues-Sat, noon to 5 p.m. Sun

ON THE WEB: www.laurieann.com