decorating

Family Room vs Great Room: What’s The Difference?

April 13, 2018

While the general structure of a western home – floor, roof walls – haven’t changed much in the past several hundred years, the internal spaces continue to morph and evolve over time.

From one- and two-room structures, to homes that had formal parlors or outdoor kitchens, the living spaces included between a home’s four walls are directly related to the period in which it is designed and built. Leaving some to wonder, family room vs great room, what’s the difference and which do I have?

Open floor plans affect the way we think about our living spaces

In an era where energy efficiency and automated heating and cooling are the norm, we no longer need to divide houses up into small, easily heated or shut off spaces. Instead, we have the opportunity to open things up, build bigger for cheaper and have access to other conveniences that free up our home’s interiors.

The open floor plan is a prime example of this. Within the open floor plan concept, you may notice that living spaces are noted, or named, differently on different sets of plans or in various real estate listings. Knowing the difference will assist you as you design – or re-design – your living spaces, and especially if you plan to list your home in the near future.

Is there a difference: family room vs great room?

Yes, there is a difference when it comes to a family room vs great room. One is very specific, and the other is a more all-encompassing space, often comprising the totality of the communal living spaces in a home.

A family room is a casual space designed for the family who lives there

Before we had the addition of “great room,” larger floor plans started dividing common area living spaces into two different spaces: living rooms and family rooms.

The former is a more formal space, one that has the newest, nicest and highest-quality furniture and furnishings, and where important or less familiar guests are directed upon their arrival. The idea of a formal living room is a luxury because it offers a place that is always clean and “put to rights,” since – in most cases – kids and pets aren’t allowed in there as often.

Family rooms, on the other hand, are designed to be casual. Perhaps the family uses the old couch from the living room in the family room. The television lives in the family room, as do some toys and the scuffed coffee table that can handle spilled snacks or the inevitable art projects. Kids and guests alike are a little less reserved in the family room, which makes is a more comfortable space overall if you’re going to spend any amount of time there.

Often, the family room is located adjacent to the kitchen because it provides close proximity to refreshments and allows parents to keep an eye on the kids while adults prepare for, or clean up after, mealtimes. In an open floor plan where a kitchen connects to the family room (a common design feature), homeowners need to be thoughtful about their kitchen colors and finishes, likewise with the family room’s, because there are clean lines of sight from one to the other.

A great room is all encompassing

And that brings us to the great room. The great room is the heart of a home built with an open floor plan, where a single space contains the living room/family room as well as the dining room. Obviously, there will be free-flow and continuity between the various living areas, so you’re relying on furniture pieces and area rugs to define spatial boundaries.

Also, as you can imagine, the formal living room area (if there even is one) will not be quite as formal in a great room belonging to a family with three kids because it’s nearly impossible to isolate it from the other living areas. Other features you may find – or choose to include – in a great room include a home office space, the household library or a child-friendly play corner that houses the children’s favorite toys or arts and craft supplies.

Of course, the entire great room is exposed to itself, so the overall backdrop is typically more neutral, with different, complementary colors and patterns being used in the various sections within the whole. Accent walls can come in handy here to create more definition between spaces, as do thoughtful furniture arrangements.

When Remodeling Is A Bad Idea

April 11, 2018

As a professional interior designer, I’m always happy to talk you into remodeling. It can prevent the sale of a home you love, add usable square footage to a small space and will re-energize an outdated or bland home design. At the same time, I am the first one to admit that remodeling or renovating a home should only take place when the owners have a clear set of goals or a vision for what is about to take place.

3 Examples of When Remodeling Your Home is NOT a Good Idea

Believe it or not, there are times when my recommendation to clients is,”take a pass on the remodel this time around.” While creating beautiful and functional living spaces is a passion of mine, so too is leaving behind a design that is truly suited to my clients’ needs and will serve them well in the long-term. The following are three examples of when that simply isn’t possible.

You simply don’t have the budget for it. A cheap or poorly executed remodel is akin to a cheap or poorly executed cosmetic procedure. It’s so worth it to save a little longer so you can afford the professional who can do the best and most lasting work for you. If you want a $50,000 kitchen remodel but you only have $25,000 to spend, you will wind up going cheap in all the wrong places, which leads to a kitchen that is frustrating and can’t hold up to daily wear-and-tear. Instead, I am happy to consult with you in order to design temporary fixes that will help you enjoy your current design a little longer while you prepare to save and/or finance a remodel that brings 100% satisfaction.

It won’t add enough value to your home. If you plan to age-in-place, remaining in your home for the next several decades, resale value is less of an issue. However, if there is any chance you will be selling your home in the next decade, you want to think very carefully about your remodeling plans. While its a rare remodeling project that will recoup 100% of the investment, the right interior design will definitely add value to your home. However, if the scope of your project can’t come close to being returned to you via a future home sale, I highly advise scaling your design back a bit so it makes financial sense.

You’ve remodeled your home more than once in the past 10 years. Just like the shopaholic is convinced that world peace is possible if he or she can just find the right wardrobe combination, I have met a few serial remodelers in my time. Sometimes, clients approach me to remodel their homes and, when I arrive for the consultation, I’m greeted by a beautiful, obviously fresh remodel or renovation that completely suits their needs. This raises a red flag for me. Are you just trying to keep up or compete with neighbors or friends? Do you find yourself bored and remodeling or redecorating is something to fill the space? Either scenario can result in an empty or vapid design experience, which is unsatisfying and always a challenge for the designer-client relationship. If you have invested in multiple remodels in a relatively short period of time, it might be time to meet with a designer who can implement a timeless design that you can redecorate more frequently and easily as your tastes and current trends continue to cycle.

Creating Space In Your Bedroom Closet

April 5, 2018

Is your bedroom closet beginning to look like one of those Sunday morning cartoons – you open the door and a pile of stuff comes crashing down on your head? Or, maybe you’re just tired of standing in front of a cramped, crowded hodge-podge of “stuff” that prevents you from being able to see the forest for the trees. In either case, finding a way to create more space in your bedroom closet can pave the way for a more functional and organized space.

Tips for Organizing and Creating More Space in Your Closet

The following tips can help you to cleanse, organize and create more space so your bedroom closet is actually useful again.

Take everything out. Forget about flipping through item by item. If your closet is a jumble, it’s time to take everything out and re-think how your closet is organized. It’s also an opportunity to remember that you haven’t worn that particular outfit in more than five years (dump it) or that as much as you loved those maternity items, you really aren’t going to have another baby (it’s probably time to donate them to someone who will use them)…and so on. Cleansing the closet of unused stuff, and the clothing and accessories that no longer suit you, can be an immediate space-gainer.
Be ruthless. When it comes to cleansing, it’s easiest to be ruthless. The one-year rule is the best one; if you haven’t used it or worn it in a year, you don’t need it. If this is hard for you, create a small “3-month” section and put a reminder in your calendar. If you use an item from the “3-month” section before the calendar reminder, add it back to the main closet area. If you haven’t, bag what’s left in there and donate it.
Contact a contractor or design professional. There may be available space via soffits or interior wall recesses that can be gained with a minimal amount of construction work. If you want a larger closet, contact a professional contractor or designer and begin exploring your options. This might literally gain you more space.
Think about your closet proportions. Most professional closet design companies use no more than two-thirds of a closet space for stacked, hanging rods. The rest should be dedicated to shelving for folded clothing, organizer baskets, shoe holders and accessory drawers. You can replicate this model on your own. Closet rods should be mounted at least 12-inches away from the wall and the bottom rod should be just over three-feet from the ground. Limit shelf heights to no more than 10-inches so things can’t get jumbled up.
Move seasonal items elsewhere. If you don’t already have an extra-large suitcase available, purchase a cheap version. A large, plastic storage bin will also work. Start rotating seasonal clothing, like sweaters, most of your sweatshirts, heavy pants, boots, etc. with their opposites. Throw in some lavender sachets to keep things smelling fresh. Then store the out-of-season clothes elsewhere – in the rafters of your garage, under the bed, in a guest room closet etc. Your closet space will open up considerably.
Use a professional closet organizer. DIY closet organization is an affordable option but nothing beats the use of a professional closet organizing company who can come in, evaluate what you have and then design specific storage spaces to accommodate it. It’s a design modification that will make a major impact and will continue to be useful years down the road.

How Long Will The Project Last?

March 23, 2018

One of the first questions clients typically ask is, “How long will my interior design project take to complete?” Of course, as you may have guessed, there is no straightforward answer to this because there are so many variables to contend with . There are project averages, however, as well as a few guidelines I can provide so you can plan for the road ahead.

Basic timelines for typical remodels are:

Bathrooms: 2 – 4 months
Kitchens: 4 – 6 months
Living rooms or bedrooms (not including the bathroom): 2 – 3 months

These times are all based on the idea that your design, order/lead times and installation move forward in a timely manner and that there aren’t any unforeseen complications or changes made midstream.

Are you working with an experienced interior designer?

One of the most important steps you can take to streamline the design and build process for your remodel is to choose an experienced interior designer. She will be instrumental in facilitating the progress of your design and should be able to give you a fairly accurate timeline once you’ve signed off on the final design.

Do you have a clear idea of what you want?

This is one of the most important factors that will affect the duration of your project. The first step with any remodel or interior design project is to hire your interior designer and get to work on the plans. The more specific you are in what you want, the easier it will be to put the plans together. That being said, you also want to be flexible enough that you can be open to any changes that might need to be made due to structural limitations or budget.

Also, if you change your mind back and forth throughout the process, this can also affect timing because it can take longer to return products and re-order new ones, a process that causes delays with construction and/or furnishing installation.

Will there be construction or structural changes involved in the process?

Not surprisingly, the more construction or structural changes that have to be made, the longer the project will take to complete. If construction is involved, it also involves more entities. You may require an engineer to evaluate whether or not the desired structural changes are possible. Then your architect will draw up the plans and the contractor and subs can start the build-out.

Sometimes, structural changes are very straightforward and you don’t need the assistance of an engineer or architect. In these cases, construction moves forward more quickly, assuming there are no unforeseen issue when they break into interior wall spaces. Of course, any complications that come up – interior plumbing or electrical work that wasn’t to code, mold or mildew damage, a beam that turns out to be load bearing and can’t be removed – all need to be dealt with before the project can continue.

Do you already know what materials and finishes you want?

Usually, the answer to this is, “No.” Perhaps you know what sink you want, or you have an idea of which kitchen cabinets you want, but most of the materials and furnishing selection happens with your interior designer. Once you’ve made your selection, items need to be ordered and delivered – this process takes time. For instance, the average lead time for cabinets is anywhere from 10 to 14 weeks, and it can take longer for certain custom items.

While a living room remodel may only take a few weeks to a month to actually design and install, the lead times for certain custom furniture or art pieces can be much longer.

Easy Dorm Room Decor Ideas

March 17, 2018

The first year your child moves into his or her own dorm room is a biggie. It’s like an emotional roller coaster for everyone; the highs a new adult learning to make his/her way in the world and the terrifying fears that can accompany that! Decorating a dorm room can make all the difference for both parents and their college freshman.

As a parent, you’ll be able to feel a part of things and your child will be able to combine his/her favorite things from home along with new decorations, bedding and accessories that will help them to claim their own space in the world, literally and figuratively.

Easy DIY Dorm Room Decor Ideas to Make the Space Their Own

What stays and what goes. The first step is to sit down and see what they’re taking and what they’re leaving. Are they bringing their favorite quilt that grandma made for them? If so, you can cross bedding off the list. Did they get a cool batik from a college-savvy cousin as a graduation present? Envision it on the wall and then select additional decorations and accents that will complement it.

What dimensions are you working with? Depending on where your child will be going to school, the dorms may be impressively sized (usually the case at older colleges) or more like a micro-housing unit (often the case in newer dorms). See if you can get the room’s dimensions ahead of time so you don’t over-buy.

Invest in an area rug. I highly suggest investing in an area rug. Dorm floors are usually covered with either industrial tile or a neutrally colored, flat berber carpet that does nothing to add to the room’s appeal. If you’re in contact with your future roommate, you might want to check in on style preferences to make sure the color or pattern will work for him/her too. Otherwise, buy a smaller size that can be used under a desk or peeking out from the bed to help hide the boring stuff.

Make a faux-headboard. You can make your own faux-headboard (or daybed-style side wall version) Using heavy cardboard or foam board, a little cotton batting and a glue gun. Cut it any shape you like and then choose an attractive fabric to cover it. This will hide boring wall space and add visual interest.

Accent pillows galore. It’s nearly impossible to have too many pillows because the dorm room bed serves as both your couch and hang out space. Buy a half a dozen pillows in different shapes and sizes. They’ll come in handy when two or three friends are hanging out and need a little extra back support against the wall.

Loft one or both beds if you can. Talk to the maintenance department to see if they have any extra bed frames laying around. Often, they’ll let you use one or two to loft the beds. You sleep on the top and gain the extra square footage below for your desk, a couch, fridge, storage containers, etc.

Use wall decals. While you can’t paint or do anything permanent to the blank dorm walls, you can use temporary wall decals that can be removed when you move out. There are all kinds of decals from maps and murals to fun shapes and designs. They’re unique, visually interesting and – if you’re careful when removing them – they can be re-used.