remodel

12 Ways To Pretty Up Your Patio

June 27, 2019

In the past, a bistro table and chair set with a few hanging plants was enough to call your patio complete. Now, patios are being designed as social centers, extra living space and retreat spaces where residents and guests can make the most of the outdoors.

12 Ways to Make Your Patio a Perfect Oasis

This trend was partially started when the economy crashed, gas prices went up and “staycations” became more popular. Now, everyone realizes what a treat it is to have an outdoor space that is inviting, comfortable and attractive. The following are 12 ideas for creating the perfect patio.

Get comfortable furniture. If you’re on a budget, blow the bulk of it on comfortable patio furniture. Everything else can be pulled together on a dime. However, if your furniture isn’t comfortable, the patio will sit unoccupied and there is no point in that.
Invest in at least one space heater. Spend the money on at least one outdoor space heater so your patio – or an area of it – can be used year-round.
Learn to be a container gardener. Container gardening is a simple way to adorn your patio with life and color. Visit your local nursery and discuss which plants do well in containers, which season they bloom (so you can divvy them up to gain year-round interest) and which ones attract bees, birds and other pollinators that will make your patio come alive and provide hours of contemplative entertainment.
Think about privacy. As long as you’re at the nursery, talk to them about the hedges, plants, trees and shrubs that will help you create privacy from the neighbors. Even a simple lattice screen can suffice.
Get in indoor/outdoor area rug. Area rugs help to anchor a seating area or designate a certain area for a specific task. They also add color and style. Placing an area rug or two on your patio will give it a more homey feel.
Consider your theme. Approach the outdoor realm with similar consideration to the way you think about your interior spaces. Think of a theme, vibe or color scheme you want to create and then build on that.
Think about lighting. Just as your heater(s) will allow your patio to be used year-round, the right lighting plan will make your patio as inviting in the evening hours as it is during the day. Include task lighting as well as ambient lights – dimmers are always a bonus – so you can control the mood.
Add a water feature. The sound of running water is soothing but it also helps to mitigate ambient sounds like the neighbor’s music or traffic on a busy street. There are water features of all sizes and types or you can easily build your own.
Hang some art. I love when clients have art hanging outside. It’s unexpected but so appreciated. It helps to provide that indoor-outdoor feeling in addition to adding style and color.
Create different seating areas. If your patio is large enough, I recommend creating different areas – one for dining, one for lounging or napping, a conversation corner, etc. Create focal points for each one.
Include an outdoor bed. There are many different versions of outdoor beds. If you don’t have space for the full-size version, look for porch swings that have outdoor mattresses as the seat so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Let there be shade. Provide shade coverage of some sort so you and your guests will have a reprieve on hot summer days.

The Perfect Guest Bedroom

June 10, 2019

Isn’t it a treat when you stay in the home of a friend or family member who has a wonderful guest bedroom? There is such a difference between a trundle bed that has been wheeled out into the home office and a bona fide guest bedroom that takes your comfort and needs into consideration.

7 Tips for Creating the Perfect Guest Bedroom

Perhaps this is the year you can begin focusing on transforming the “spare bedroom” into a haven where guests can relax, sleep well and feel honored in the luxurious space you have created for them.

Provide a comfortable bed. Let’s face it, the bulk of guest beds out there are really just the cast-off mattresses from other bedrooms in the house when the residents purchased new ones. Ditch the old mattress and invest in the most comfortable bed you can afford. Consider it a bonus space for your own sleep needs when a spouse is ill and needs the bed to him/herself or when a night of obnoxious snoring is making you a crazy person. It’s a win-win situation for both you and your guests.
Make it clutter-free. The guest room is often the “Catch All” when you de-clutter the rest of your home. Now, it’s time to de-clutter your guest space. Spend a few hours clearing out everything that isn’t used frequently enough to justify keeping it and donate what you can. Purchase a small desk, an armoire, or a beautiful dresser. These furnishings will help to keep the things you do need to store out of the line of sight.
Choose a soothing color palette. Odds are, this space will be used most often for sleeping, preparing for outings or for those few hours here and there that guests may want to have a bit of quiet time or reading time to themselves. Choose a soothing color palette, but don’t be afraid to throw in a fun print or a colorful accent wall for interest.
Create spaces for guest storage. Odds are your guests will have their own things to store, and the more usable space you have for them the better. Consider spaces for them to store clothing, including ample closet space for dresses, pants and jackets so they don’t have to remain folded and wrinkled in the luggage. Purchase a luggage rack or clear enough space in the closet for them to store emptied luggage pieces. Include room for shoes, spaces for jewelry and other what-not items, all will be appreciated for your guests and will keep the space tidy during their stay.
Toiletry items. Don’t forget to leave out the toiletry basics so they don’t have to hunt. A basket filled with a towel set, robe and extra personal care items is always welcome.
Do a test run. You don’t want your guests to find out their bedside lamp bulb is burned out or the space heater doesn’t work after you’ve already retired for the evening. Do a test run to make sure everything works well and consider the little extras, like a backup bulb in the nightstand drawer, fresh remote control batteries, etc., so guests don’t have to disturb you once the lights are out.
Provide entertainment. You don’t have to offer a television (although a small flat screen that can be tucked away won’t go unappreciated), but do offer some interesting reading material, artwork, cards or games that might get used when they are left to their own devices. These come in handy when time differences make for early rising times or later sleeping times until internal clocks have adjusted.

8 Ways to Create a Warm and Snuggly Living Room

April 19, 2019

While it’s true that spring is on the horizon, most of the country will benefit from a warm and snuggly living room for months to come. That’s certainly true for those of us in the Bay Area. Modern and transitional designs often need a little boost in that direction since the tenets of these design principles can lead to cooler design motifs.

8 Ways to Make Your Living Room and Little Warmer

The following items can help to soften the edges and add warmth and comfort to your living room space. Don’t forget you can always consult with a professional interior designer to get a few extra ideas or to provide approval of your design ideas.

Add a fireplace. If your home wasn’t built with a fireplace, you may want to look into a modern fireplace insert. Fireplaces have long been the heart of the home and while the kitchen may have transcended that in some ways, it’s hard to pull yourself away from a beautifully lit fire. Modern inserts are easy to install and an efficient way to add warmth and ambiance to your room.
An abundance of throws. Have at least one or two throw blankets at the ready. With the simple addition of a chest or an ottoman that includes storage you can house an abundance of soft, colorful throws that can be changed from season to season.
Implement natural wood finishes. Natural wood finishes add instant aesthetic warmth. This home was created from an old fire house. What could have been a cold and austere interior, due to exceptionally high ceilings and open living space, is instantly warmed with the addition of natural wood.
Make a slight change in color. Did you know there are warm whites and cool whites? Warm whites have undertones of yellow or pink – just enough to add a warmer element to its finished appearance. Other whites have blue, green or gray undertones, which add a cool aesthetic. Revisit paint samples and see if your walls couldn’t be warmed up with a slightly warmer shade of the same color.
Change your window coverings. Windows are a major source of heat loss in the home, regardless of how efficient they are. They just can’t compete with solid, well-insulated walls when it comes to keeping the heat in. Use honeycomb blinds for extra insulation and consider using drapes made from a heavier material to prevent heat loss.
Throw a slip cover on your leather couch. Leather couches are gorgeous but they can also be quite cool to the touch. Consider adding a stylish slip cover on your leather couch during the coolest months so it will feel softer and warmer when you first sit down.
Go natural with your design. Over-designing is often the biggest mistake homeowners can make. In an effort to get that magazine-worthy look, you can mistakenly design a room or home that nobody feels comfortable in. Yikes! To prevent this, make sure there are elements of home occupants’ personalities in the space. Shy away from entire furniture sets that have that matchy-matchy feel and find ways to incorporate family heirlooms, antiques and the occasional kitschy piece you love anyway. These simple additions can ensure your well-decorated space balances the Wow! factor with homey comfort that welcomes your guests.
Throw another area rug on the floor. Hard surface floors can be absolutely freezing on bare or socked feet. Use area rugs alone or in layers for a fresh look and extra warmth.

Remodel or Relocate?

February 9, 2018

Almost every homeowner will face this decision at one point in their lives: remodel or relocate? Whether your house is a recently empty nest, is outdated, or you desire to make the house fit your aesthetic taste and lifestyle a little better the decision to remodel or relocate should be evaluated very carefully so you make the wisest choice for you and your family – both financially and emotionally.

Should We Remodel or Relocate?

Here are some of the things to consider when deciding whether or not to remodel or relocate.

Know You’ll Rarely Make Your Money Back. There is rarely a remodel that will earn 100% of your money back. In fact, Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2014 cites energy efficient front doors as the wisest replacement item, gaining just shy of 97% of their value back in resale. Hm. Front doors are important when it comes to curb appeal, but they certainly aren’t the reason why you’re remodeling, right?

After the front door, the average ROI on typical remodeling and renovation projects are as follows:

Wood Deck Addition: 87%
Attic Bedroom Addition: 84%
Minor Kitchen Remodel: 83%
Master Suite Addition: 66%
Bathroom Addition: 60%

So, there are some of the official numbers. However, what those ROI figures don’t take into consideration is the enjoyment a remodel provides while you’re living in the home – those factors are priceless. Plus, homes that are updated with timeless design elements are much quicker to sell, another major bonus.

Are You Looking to Downsize? If your home is simply too big for you, a common occurrence when the last of your little birds flees the nest, you may be better off relocating and using a remodel to make your new home more decidedly yours. There is nothing that remodeling can do to shrink your home. However, I will say that with the rising costs of long-term healthcare for seniors, many couples are starting to think about remodeling an area of their home into a studio or one-bedroom suite. These make wonderful guest spaces when family and friends come to visit and can transition into a caregiver’s living space down the road so couples can affordably age in place.

Remodels Are Typically More Affordable Than Buying a New Home. If you are simply exasperated with your current home and feel like moving is the only way to get what you want, consider that moving is more expensive when you analyze dollars spent per square foot. It can be hard for homeowners to see the potential in a home they have lived in for years – or decades. I recommend scheduling a consultation with an interior designer or three to see what they have to say. You may find your “Wish List” is largely attainable with a well-designed and executed remodel.

Moving Often Means Remodeling Anyway. Keep in mind that it’s very rare that you’ll find a home that is completely turn-key. In most cases, you are going to need some new coats of paint, new flooring in all or some of the house or there will be bathroom and/or kitchen fixtures you’ll want to replace. If you decide not to remodel your own home, going through the hassle of selling or renting your house, buying a home and then remodeling anyway may mean you were better off staying put in the first place.