
Lori’s Renovation Realities: What Happens If You Don’t Preplan

Architect: Amy Gardner: Gardner/Mohr Architects
Investing in Your Home: Yes the economy remains unpredictable but more and more homeowners are finally “ready” to enhance their quality of life at home. “Nesting” is here to stay and re-thinking the way we really want to live is now a reality. Implementing high quality sustainable, recycled and renewable materials and products into our homes – is an investment worth making and will withstand the test of time. It’s smarter, healthier and greener!
Photo via: Leslie Goodwin Photography
Multi-Functional Spaces: Maximizing every inch of space – within the existing footprint – and providing creative and integrated storage solutions throughout your entire home is more important now than ever. Less clutter and greater organization will contain your “stuff” and still allow your home to feel more spacious, uncluttered and inviting.Photo via: Neuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.
Re-Interpretation of Design Styles: From coast to coast the design showrooms are displaying a distinct softening and refinement of the modern interior with a departure from the harsher lines and minimalist trends of the past few years. Introducing a mixture of many design genres into your room creates an immediate personality and lifestyle – something many design savvy homeowners are craving these days. With fewer rules than ever before, re-interpreting the past and blending it with the new creates a more authentic and personal interior design style. Infusing character which has evolved over time – creates that “Timeless” interior.Photo via: LUX Design Inc.
The New “It” Color: Each season the color forecasters share the new colors of the moment. This fall it’s the color – purple! It defines elegance and refined luxury at the same time represents royalty (and who doesn’t NEED to feel regal from time to time!) This spiritual color also works beautifully with various shades of grey, cream, yellows, rich woods and metallics. Contact us at Interior Makeovers Inc. 310-788-0990 to discuss your home design visions. Stay Inspired!You aways hear that if you DIY you’ll save a lot of M-O-N-E-Y. But the reality is that DIY projects typically take 3 to 4 times longer than a highly trained contractor to do the job – and eventually 20% of ambitious home re-modelers will need to call for some professional back up – not just to complete the work, but repair the damage that the homeowners themselves have caused.
So before you pick up a hammer do some DIY homework to learn what you’re truly able to tackle on your own! In this video I give you some very important advice on DIY – doing it yourself. Would love to hear about some of your own projects! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzn2tYyJ8F0[/youtube] Stay Inspired!Photo via Eldorado Stone
This is my favorite talking point in design. Integrating fixed details like, arches, niches, columns, ceiling details or interesting surface materials into the architecture of the home, instantly transforms a boring space and provides an eye-popping framework for the rest of the décor within. These days the size of the room is foreshadowed by the well-appointed space – and higher quality finishes speak volumes! Dramatic Walls:Photo via Elle Decor
Designer Liza Bruce’s Moroccan bathroom is based on an eight-pointed star theme. What is so impactful in this space is the traditional Islamic mirrored wall design. The dramatic texture, color, pattern and reflection create that immediate wow factor. Grab some inspiration from this concept and create some drama with mirrors and moldings on a wall in your home. Eye-popping Area Rugs:Photo via Elle Decor
A boldly striped rug provides an ideal foundation and anchor for this room, as it gives instant “oomph” to this monochromatic space. The eye-catching rug tends to unify all the classic elements within – and gives it the spirit and vitality it needs to create that “Wow Factor”. Elegant Light Fixture:Photo via Lori Gilder Interior Makeovers Inc.
For instant sophistication and sparkle introduce the unexpected and add a crystal chandelier into your kitchen. It works brilliantly within a classic kitchen style and becomes the true focal point. Nothing says wow like shimmery crystal! Salvage and Reinvention:Photo via Lori Gilder Interior Makeovers Inc.
Using an exotic Indian screen creates a visually striking headboard in this master bedroom. This very distinctive design element integrates beautifully within this eclectic bedroom retreat. What are some of your ideas in creating your “Wow Factor” at home? Stay Inspired!If you want to spend your money wisely and make your renovation dollars work the best for you, having a home renovation strategy could potentially save you thousands. Determining how much to spend on those home improvement projects—or at least which ones will provide you with the greatest ROI—will require a little research on your part.
To really take a sneak peak into the renovation market, I highly recommend checking out Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report. It’s a fabulous resource where homeowners can compare national and regional averages for about 33 home remodeling and renovation projects in about 80 cities.
It provides you with a description of the average projects in your area of the country, which allows you to gauge where your project falls within your neck of the woods and what kind of ROI you could expect.
Stay informed about what buyers in your area are looking for is key to any renovation.
In this video I explain how you get the biggest ROI on your renovations. This is always a concern with many of my clients. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Sq2oWUSPQ[/youtube] Stay Inspired!