Design elements that can come back to haunt you

 If you are planning a remodel, renovation or just a little refresh of spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, be very careful in your choice of finishes. How design elements need to work together and that can be a challenge if you are doing your first project. There are some design choices that can and will bite you. Take heed and choose wisely. Here's a few risky design choices and why they could bite you in the end.

The Power of Patterns

Now most backsplash design choices are lovely and will add a lot to your space, but some will give you an endless headache and harken back to what I call the channel 13 aesthetic. What do I mean, well, if you look at some designs in glass tile you will see they have a ton of vary colors. This creates a visual pattern. As a rule, you want to limit visual patterns, as they rarely work together with other visual patterns, thus creating that busy, channel 13 on your old tv look. (Hopefully some of you may be old enough to recall this, for the rest of you, google it lol.)

So if your backsplash is going to be patterned, keep other large design elements simple. If your heart is set on glass tile backsplash, consider one that is easy to partner with other patterns like this example:

If you notice, the backsplash in the photograph  is not competing with the pattern in the counter tops and this is easy on the eye and creates no design conflict. 

Pick your statement element, and let that shine, without competition.  A statement design element can be the flooring, the walls or the counter tops, but patterns too strong on every surface  will give you that jigsaw puzzle scrambled look. Patterns are powerful. What looks nice at the home improvement store that seems pretty tame can be overwhelming en masse in your space. 

The same applies to bathrooms, where you want the surfaces to compliment each other but never be in a battle. 

Trends : New and Old

I can't stress this enough, but be careful following trends! We can trace back through the decades and see exactly what was on trend and what cost a lot of money to erase as time passes. It is better to stick with classic design elements that have stood the test of time. If you love a current trend, use them in ways that are not permanent. Study the past 3 decades and see how many of those common features are possibly present in your home or someone that you know. Everyone jumped on these trends, and now there's regret. This will not be the end of the regret, and you become aware of it, especially if you try to sell your home only to realize that trend is dating your home and lowering its appeal the the buyers. Old trends are bad, but new trends will also fade. Look at how quickly everyone jumped on the "farm house" look and now its not as popular and again will date your space. 

That being said, if you love your trendy space and you're happy, more power to you. Always do what you love, but know that its likely to fall out of vogue with the next big thing, and you have to be ok with that. Some old trends are bad, and sadly not all new trends are any better. Pick things you love, find common ground between those things you love so they marry well together and don't over do it. Remember function needs to be incorporated into everything. Remember, design that you truly love, never goes out of style. 

Five Things I hate About Tiny Kitchens

 

Ahhh the small kitchen. How many I have run across since my home search.  I have seen large older homes with tiny kitchens, and small homes with large kitchens. Sometimes there seems to be no logic to the design, and it makes it hard either way, for one to access what they can live with and what is a deal breaker.

I have moved 5 times in my adult life and each home had a decent sized kitchen, well, with a few tweaks. My kitchen at home number 5 is by far the tiniest of all and I have wondered often, can I make do? If money were no object, I'd gut the whole thing and start anew. I find most kitchens are poorly designed and I often wonder who designs them. 

The issues I have discovered and how I intend on remedying the problem. 

1. Not enough storage

This probably comes as no surprise. However, one thing I am thankful for is the 42 inch cabinet. They typically have 3 to 4 shelves and room to add more. Some even had corresponding holes to allow for rearranging shelves that you have to maximize the space. I like this. If you are in the process of renovating, or looking at homes that have tiny kitchens, I recommend these larger cabinets. They cost more but they will make use of the vertical space and offer a lot more storage for your money.

2. Tiny Pantries

I have seen this quite a few times in homes, and this is the second home I have bought with this affliction. Tiny closet pantries, with no interior lighting, wire bracket shelving and extremely small. In part because of their construction. When you add up the finished wall, both inside and out, you are actually consuming valuable real estate that simply goes to structure. 5 inches of wall on two sides, 3 if you count the opening and if you do the math, that's actually a lot of unusable space. 

My solution, at some point will be to tear the built in coffin, I mean closet they call a pantry, and add in storage of my own. Cabinets can be purchased from floor to ceiling and they are a better use of the space.  Like this one: Pull Out drawer Cabinet

3. Invasive hardware

One thing I have learned is that in small spaces anything that sticks out is a bad idea. Kitchen hardware is usually something we all like to update to add a little pizazz and sparkle to a kitchen. However, not all ideas are good ones.  In the picture below the bar handled style is great in a larger kitchen but in a small confined one causes problems. If you bump up against them they will no doubt snag a pocket, a blouse, a sleeve etc and that is an aggravation you don't need. Opt for something blunt that wont snag on those lower cabinets.

4. Poor layout 

So often we see tiny kitchens with bad layouts. They do not make the best use of space and we end up paying the cost to make them work for us. In my kitchen, there's a lot of space allocated to the kitchen sink. There's more counterspace on either side of the sink than there is by the stove where I truly need it. 

I have an open concept home, which is nice, but I am having a hard time understanding why designers haven't figured out we don't need really large sinks any more. Consuming a lot of counter space is not ideal in small kitchens. Since everyone has dishwashers less people are washing and drying dishes by hand so really, why large sinks? 

Another issue is making the sink area face the living and dining areas. When you are hosting dinners and cooking, its ideal to be able to face your company and chat while you are preparing the meal. People love to stand around and watch meals being prepared and it is nice to be a part of the conversation. Many times the sink is where the stove should be and the stove is where the sink would work best. 

Also consider prep space when designing a small kitchen. Wherever the stove/oven is going to be, it needs to have adequate prep space. I have had large kitchens with precious little prep space by the stove and it makes literally no sense. This is not a deal breaker if you cook very little, but if you host family dinners etc having a small area to chop and drop is definitely a bad design. If you are building or buying, make sure you take a good look at this, if it is important to you.

5. Lacking a proper broom closet

Another annoyance of mine is a small ineffective broom closet. Often times this space can barely house a broom much less anything else. Like the pantry, my broom closet is a tiny cramped area that has to also house my trash can, which I really don't like seeing out in the open especially in a kitchen, a tiny kitchen at that.  So I will be adding hooks and possibly more shelving as I go to help store things I need to keep a tidy space. The only thing that makes a tiny kitchen feel smaller is a kitchen that is messy. 

5 times you should ignore Interior Design Pros

 If you're like many homeowners and you're struggling to find a cohesive well thought design for your home, you often seek out information from, well sites like this, youtube, television etc.  The problem is, more often than not you're deluged with a ton of suggestions that just don't work with your lifestyle, nor your budget. This can leave you feeling like the time and effort you invest in your space is a complete waste. Don't fret, we all have to start somewhere and sometimes interior designers forget about the budget friendly middle America point of view. Here's a few things on when  you should absolutely ignore the pros and their advice:

1. Design Pros- "Never buy all your furniture from one place and/or in a set..."

Many interior designers espouse this as some sort of cardinal rule of thumb as it pertains to their viewers. Seldom do they realize that most people buy these sets because it is economical and regardless of what they think, assures a look that is in fact cohesive and easier for the average homeowner to design around. When you're just starting out, have yet to fully understand your own tastes and how to pull a room together with mismatched pieces, buying sets of furniture make sense.

2.Design Pros- " Only purchase all natural fibers in textiles.."

Yes, on first glance this may seem like wonderful advice, as all natural fibers in textiles are often softer and are usually handwoven pieces and can be very sustainable over time. They look better and create visual texture and interest while offering optimal comfort. However, many textiles, like toss pillows, throws, area rugs, drapes etc that are natural fibers can be expensive, and even if you find a good sale you absolutely must factor in your lifestyle. You have to determine if its a practical choice for your family. Families with children or pets may find making these investments can backfire as not all natural handwoven pieces can be easily cleaned, aren't always stain resistant, child or pet friendly.  Proceed with caution when making this investment and factor in these things.

3. Design Pros- "Feel free to mix metals and different wood tones"

If done right mixing various metal fixtures and wood finishes can be a really cool design  in your space. Contrast always creates interest. However,  many designers fail to educate  on how to do this correctly, or they give a brief explanation with little context. Mixing different finishes so that it looks cohesive is not an easy task if you are a new homeowner and are still figuring out your design style. It is better to stick with the tried and true until you have time to establish the right way to blend woods and metals. If you aren't sure how to do this, take your time, avoid major investments and wait until you have had time to live in a space. Rome wasn't built in a day. 

5. Do" this not that" advice

Again this boils down to the expert making assumptions that may not be in line with what their viewers or readers need. Many of the suggestions pros give are not factoring in personal tastes, affordability, or long standing design value. Trends are going to come and go and you can spend a lot of time and money trying to keep up. Think practicality vs affordability and do what will work for you at this time in your life. Choices that make sense for you at 30 with three kids may demand you look for things that are durable and affordable. Design options tend to expand with time and you may be able to go high end or develop a broader sense of what your design aesthetic later on as your lifestyle and family needs change. Until then, get the basics, and don't worry about following designer advice to the utmost. Do what works for you!

Interior design trends in 2021

 So we've seen a lot of surprises along the way in home design. We saw brass, aka gold make a comeback, I know I didn't see that coming. Farmhouse design suddenly dominated design across America, with the popular show Fixer Uppers leading the charge.  Trends, like all good and not so good things almost always have a beginning and an end, but some are just growing, and transforming.

Gray was the new  Beige

Ahhhh gray so calming, so peaceful, and so not beige, yet, not a big leap of faith either. While gray is still showing up in newly constructed homes, modular and mobile homes, it is not as dominant as it was. When gray made the scene we saw it popping up everywhere, and covering every surface in home design, walls, carpets, tiles, and textiles. It almost seemed as if the world was stuck on an old tv movie, in black and white.  However design trends showing up in 2021 suggest gray is fading out, and guess what's creeping back in? Beige. Now we arent necessarily talking about all walls, all furniture, all floors going beige, proper, but we are seeing softer warmer neutrals ie: beige, taupe, warm gray, off whites coming back. The difference this time is we are seeing it in smaller doses, and its being paired with natural elements and accents. Think farmhouse, but with more of an earthy elegance.

Farmhouse Design

Farmhouse design took off like a bullet. Dominating interior design for quite a while, all thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines and their extremely popular show Fixer Uppers.
Suddenly everyone wanted the look and it did not take long before we saw across home improvement venues nationwide all the farmhouse decor fodder possible. Americans seemed to crave that charming, homespun shiplap dream which easily incorporated the gray and white paint paint scheme that came prior.  Barndoors were going up, and suburbia was playing dress up. Farmhouse design, is slowly transforming. We are seeing a more refined version emerging, but I suspect it will eventually phase out but do not worry, the refined version is an easy fix, just needing tweaks here and there and will likely give this trend some extended life.  

Proper Scale is key to great design

So many times we shop online and we see just the right lamp, chair or ? We rush and buy it for fear it will not come our way again, only to discover once we get it home, its either too small for the space, or too big. This can be a big issue because you have to then send it back and usually that means paying shipping and handling. Here's a few things to consider when you order anything online.
Dimensions
I can't stress this enough but if you don't check out dimensions ahead of time you could be in for a lot of heartache and disappointment. Remember that great buy may very well be because the item you've fallen in love with was meant for a doll house. Just Kidding but you get my meaning. On the flip side, the size may not translate in photos either so it could be much larger than you anticipate, and may end up being the focal point over all other focal points and maybe that is not the objective.

Dimension X's ?
How many you buy of a certain item may also have to be factored in. Case and point, say you're like my friend and you're buying pendant lights, you check out the dimensions of the pendant and you say, we'll this isn't that bad and should be nice. Aha! Not so fast, now remember how many you need and times that by the dimensions and realize all together it could be too much, too large. On the flip side, if the lights are smaller than you'd like buying multiple ones may offset the individual size and may make sense once up. It's your call but its something to think about.

Still not sure?
The key thing to remember is you've got to decide what is the objective and function. Objective is ? Do you want this item to compliment existing decor or be the focal point? If its the focal point going a little larger or with more than one may be any effective way to establish the item(s) as a focal point in the space.  Function? Are you relying on these items to be functional? Does the item pull double duty and provide something in addition to being decorative or as a focal point? If the answer is yes, consider the role it plays in the space and make sure to prioritize what is most important to you. Is it more important that it provide a function than carefully consider its placement and make sure it is fully capable of being useful to you. Its not a good choice if it costs a lot and is basically an fancy bobble or space consuming, dust catching item.

If one is nice two is better...
You may hear designers on television say "don't be too matchy matchy." But if you're new to the whole decorating your home idea, say its your first home or you've never been very good at pulling together a look in a room, then "matchy matchy" can be your safest way to get a nice look without it coming across as too random, or eclectic. So if you find the scale is  right and you like it and you use it in your space, consider when purchasing if there are more than one style of the item in say different shapes, or styles or functions. If so carrying a theme through open spaces can make your room look pulled together, well thought out and cohesive. Don't listen to designers in every instance. They speak as if everyone has had their training and know all the tricks of the trade. For the individual that is just learning and experimenting, trust me, your money will be well spent to practice caution and better to be "matchy-matchy" than to look like you went crazy at a bunch of yard sales and brought back everything you found. You may like the random, eclectic effect but if you do it wrong, your home will just come off looking like an antique mall or yard sale on the inside. Stick to safe bets.

Whats the new trend heading our way in home design color? White!

We've seen the neutral wall shades come and go, we've seen beige, taupe, and grays galore...some will be here for some time yet, like gray, but the new kid on the block is the oldest yet, and we're seeing it popping up everywhere in home design. White walls are the new fad and there's good reason, white is a classic and classic design has real staying power.
Now for those that are mystified by this, well don't be. Years ago, every new home built back "in the day" was done in flat white paint on every wall. Builders left paint colors up to the home owner and many either left them white or painted them in the colors popular for the time.
Going all white might seem simple but there are things to consider if you choose to go this route:
If you're going to follow this trend here's things to consider, both positive and negative:

Pros:

White floods out small imperfections and even stains/marks
White will bring your colorful accessories out from hiding and let them take center stage.
Works with almost every color scheme and allows you the freedom to change design schemes often with no real painting needed
Ideal for zen styles
Gives small collections and design elements more importance because white offers no visual competition
Brightens dark spaces-especially if you use semi or high gloss paint which lets light bounce around the space via reflection


Cons:

White highlights big flaws and marks
White and eccentric tastes in color can work against each other.  White makes everything that has a color stand out but too many conflicting colors can cause the eye to jump around the space and leave  disconcerted feeling.
White makes clutter more prominent
White makes less attractive things stand out as well as attractive
Many think white lacks warmth. This is not true nearly as much as what you pair white with in colorful accessories etc. Stark contrasts can create a colder feel than warm colors and interesting textures.

Happy home deocrating!!

Glass Tile Backsplashes

There are some important things to consider before you invest in a glass tile backsplash for your kitchen or bathroom. Many people consider glass tile to be an upgrade to their overall kitchen design but glass tile backsplashes do have a few drawbacks. Here's some thoughts on the subject. 

Glass Tile-

 Over the last ten years we've seen a lot of home renovations, specifically kitchen renovations go through some design changes. We've seen the waves of popularity for certain materials ebb and flow and we've seen some come and go and stay gone. Some are almost off the map now..while others linger. Glass tile has lingered for a while.  Is this because they are so popular? Not necessarily. Glass tiles are still readily available and a lot of people still find them to be an ideal upgrade to their kitchen remodeling efforts. Are they? Well not so fast. 

Pros- Glass tiles are easy to install-or relatively so, and easy to maintain once installed. They are easy to clean and can be an attractive way to tie in various colors and elements in the kitchen. Large selection of colors, and styles available. They typically come in different sizes from small cubed patterns to elongated rectangular stacked patterns. You can find various colors and color combinations that will work with many paint schemes you have on your kitchen and bathroom walls and cabinets. Glass tiles are still readily available.

Cons- Not the most inexpensive option, depending on how much wall you have behind your counters. Can look dated. Yes I know this seems hard to believe but glass tile has been around for a while.  It's a trend, and trends tend to come and go with each decade. Extremely taste specific. It is hard to believe something you spent so much time picking out and paying for would not be loved by all, but of all the kitchen renovation choices you can make, glass tile is the most taste specific choice next to counter top choice. What does this mean? Well it means it is less neutral in appearance and therefore may not appeal to the broader masses. Now this is only an issue if you're planning on selling one day, but still its important.  Busy patterns. Glass tiles can be very busy and can clash with many counter tops. Especially granite that also tends to have a pattern involved. Putting the two next to each other can result in something that looks like a bad channel on your television.  We really don't want something so busy it should come with an epilepsy warning do we?

The bottom line is this, while glass tile backsplashes are still available they are indeed a trend and all trends come to an end, right after to you spend. Remember that. Chose carefully what pattern or design to go with because you're not only stuck with it, but in many cases if it is too taste specific may be off-putting to a future potential buyer and in some cases can be a deal breaker. I have seen people refuse to buy homes over the design choices involving granite and tile choices. If at all possible try to get an idea what your kitchen will look like with glass tile by either creating the look on photoshop or buying interior design software to explore what the end results will yield. 

My advice is to always pick where to spend your big dollars. I'd rather invest in a nice patterned counter top and an complimentary toned down backsplash. Let one be the show stopper, but don't let both compete for that title. It will only come off as disconcerting.

First Time Home Renovation: Questions you must ask yourself before you decide

When it comes to buying a home we are often caught in the net of whether we buy new, and pay a higher price or buy a less expensive home and do renovations. For some this may be an easy answer, for others they may struggle with the best decision for their finances and family. Let's take a look at things to consider before we decide.

If you're open to renovations but also budget minded you have to weigh the pros and cons of buying a new construction vs. one you can renovate. There are pros and cons to either decision. The first few questions we must answer for ourselves are as follows:

1. Is the home I want to renovate in an area that will allow it? Some homes are in neighborhoods where you have a homeowners associations also know as HOA. These homes typically cost a little more upfront because they have rules and regulations with regards to the appearance of each home in that neighborhood as well as offering amenities such as pools, playgrounds etc.  Interior renovations are usually not the issue, but exterior changes will need to meet with the Home Owners Associations approval. They have to agree and sign off on all plans you have including but not limited to exterior paint color, certain landscaping plans, structural changes etc. This means you have to hire not only a licensed contractor, get all necessary permits, but also have the work inspected routinely and shut down if there is any infractions or work not done to code. Once a building inspector comes to the property, if he finds something with the existing home that is not to code you will be required to bring it to code before you can even begin any new renovations. That can all get very costly because that is an unforeseen expense that will have little to do with your new plans for the home. If renovations appeal to you, steer clear of homes that have HOA fees. You will not be allowed the same freedom to do what you want with your home.

2. Have I ever renovated before? If the answer is "no" you need to be aware that renovations typically take longer and cost more than any time or cost estimate you're likely to receive even by the best builder or contractor you can find. That being said, you do end up with a custom home well suited to your tastes and families needs. Just be aware that renovations and estimates are not set in stone. If the home is extremely old or has not been well maintained, there could be hidden issues that must be fixed way before you can start the fun things like picking out paint color and choosing decorations.  Be realistic with your expectations, Rome was not built in a day, homes don't get in bad condition over night and thus to restore them to their best condition does not happen in a blink of an eye either. Too many times those who have never gone through renovations tend to believe all fixes are simple. "Oh you just need to put in a door, or window that should be easy and quick." Not necessarily. If new frame work must be done, bigger openings have to be made or rotten wood is present, what seems simple and fast can be time consuming. Be realistic, especially if you know your home has some of these issues beforehand. It gets ugly before it gets pretty. That is how all renovations are. Even when you're not dealing with rotten wood or custom fitting, tools can break or malfunction, someone could get hurt during the work, there's endless hold ups and snags along the way. Some will only affect your timeline, others may affect your budget.

3. Can I afford renovation? Renovations as stated above, can often cost more than the estimate because there are many variables that come into play that just can't be known to the contractor or builder ahead of time. You have to set aside or allow in your budget a certain amount of contingency funds for the unforeseen. Ideally, mark up 10 percent of the budget estimate just for the unknowns. No one likes to spend money on things they can't see, however, rotten wood, bad plumbing, etc if left unchecked and un-repaired can come back to bite you later on and cost far more to fix. Better to spend while you have the money than to wait until it hits you at a time when funds might be low or non existent. If you have limited funds, the type of home your want to look for is one that is not very old and only needs cosmetic improvements. These tend to be fairly straight forward and offer the easiest in renovation work.

4. Can my life handle a renovation? Renovations can be stressful. Shaky marriage, kids, new jobs, new schools, new area, new neighbors all can wreak havoc on your design dreams for your new home. The home as mentioned in previous paragraphs will be ugly and in disarray for a time before you actually get to enjoy the beauty of your creation. Things must be torn down, ripped apart and rebuilt to create new space, new appearances and new functions and this means, eternal messes, noise, dust, dirt and distractions. Big renovations are usually the worst to live with and in some cases you may want to not move into the home until the renovations are complete. If you can't carry the mortgage and rent at the same time you'll need to factor that into your decision. Smaller renovations say $10,000.00 or less, usually are a minor inconvenience but still something you can live through.  Make sure you can handle the temporary changes a renovation will thrust into your life, your routines and your relationships. Only the strong can survive. That being said, if you end up purchasing a home for $130,000.00 and make the right investments in the renovations, you could very well end up with a home worth $200,000.00 or more depending on what homes in the area are ranging in price wise. This means equity and equity is like money in the bank.

5. What are the existing values of the homes in the neighborhood? Let's say you've got big ideas and big dreams of creating the perfect home and you've caught the renovation bug. Great! Now you've found a home you just know you can make a show place. Wait! Before you sign on the dotted line, what are the homes worth in the area you're buying in? Have you checked what other homes in the area are selling for? These are called "comps/comparables" and they are the indicators used to determine your homes value. What you want to look for in your home is the ability to increase square footage first and foremost. Why? Well lets say you bought your home and it is 1500 square feet and sells for $130,000.00. The largest home in the neighborhood is 3000 square feet and completely updated and is selling for 330,000.00. This tells you that you can increase your home up to double its size and expect to gain in equity several hundred grand. Now most of us aren't going to buy a home and double the size, but the idea is, you've bought a small home in a neighborhood with big  homes in it. This gives you the best chance of gaining significant equity in your home for your renovation dollar.  If this same 1500 square foot home for $130,000.00 is in a neighborhood with other similar sized homes and values, and you increase the size by 1000 square feet you are not likely to see a huge return on your investment because the comparables dictate your homes value. Comps that are only going for $130 grand are not going to boost your homes value. Buyers are not expecting a large home for $230 grand in that neighborhood. Those who can afford that are going to be shopping in neighborhoods where all the homes are in that range. Not many want the biggest home in a small home neighborhood because the base price of those small homes is low and will affect their home's appraisal. However a small home in a big home neighborhood will be expected to be larger and go for more so it allows the renovator the latitude to gain equity. High comps raise your homes value by association. So you'll be able to get back some of your investment by renovating. Buyers will expect an updated larger home so you'll be free to expand and improve and get a higher appraisal should you wish to do a cash out refinance or sell in the future. Something to think about.

The bottom line is never go into any venture with your money without doing some research. Being smart always pays off in the long run.

How to make a kitchen island from old cabinetry

©Dawn Gagnon Photography 2017

If you remodeled your older kitchen and did so on a shoe string budget, you may have realized that the new cabinets you bought, let's say from a home center near you, were not solid wood, but mostly comprised of some MDF for the body and only the front facade of the cabinets were actual wood. There's nothing wrong with that. Newer cabinets are still nice to have, offer ease of use, are clean and usually bright on the inside and easy to install. That being said, what you may have noticed is your old site built cabinets were solid wood, strong and difficult to remove.

When we remodeled our kitchen I saved all the good usable wood and some of the cabinetry. It's a complete mystery to me when watching renovation shows how often they throw away all the old cabinetry. I understand in some cases why new cabinetry is needed. In my case my old  cabinets were dark, had an old old smell to them..and when I opened up a wall, I was unable to match the newer cabinets with the existing cabinets. So I had no choice but to buy all new. One cabinet in particular I had a vision for, and it was a mobile island. It had three good drawers and I could not see throwing it away.

Here's the solution:
For the top, no need to go all crazy trying to find a fancy granite top, (not that it wouldn't be amazing..) But the simple 2 X 4 top made this project super inexpensive and allowed me to use it the same day!

©Dawn Gagnon Photography 2017

By placing the cabinet on metal casters and adding a simple top made of 2 X 4's we were able to salvage a super functional piece of cabinetry and give it new life. Next time you're doing a renovation, remember the value in those old solid wood cabinets. Don't be so quick to throw them away. Have a vision, there's lots of solutions for your salvaged wood and cabinets.

© Dawn Gagnon Photography 2017

Adding some decorative touches made it feel like a part of the kitchen design as well with these wooden scrolled brackets;

©Dawn Gagnon Photography

Ways to cover, renovate and fix your ugly damaged ceilings

One of the single more important updates you can do to your home is dealing with popcorn ceilings. No one likes them and if you neglect to update them in major living spaces, whatever updates you do make will be tempered by this oversight.

Popcorn ceilings have been around for a long time and aside from the fact that cob webs and dust cling to it, they also date the home. The best renovations occur when you have a home that is 30-40 years old that can stand up to and surpass new construction.

Whether you're planning on selling your home or not, it is really unimportant. Your home is still your investment and unless you can see well into your future financial needs with your crystal ball, you should always invest in updates that make sense for your home's value.

Ceilings often get overlooked in renovations by do it yourself types. Why? Well its the un-fun part of the cosmetic aspect. However, if you don't address it, it will actually take away from all the hard work you put elsewhere.

If you're doing a full from top to bottom renovation, you'll want to tackle your popcorn ceiling first. It's messy..and no matter what you read or research, there is no exceptionally "easy" pain free way to tackle it. If you're lucky and it has not been painted over, it should come off a little easier, but it will be very messy and if your home is an older home you will want to have windows opened, everything removed from the room possible, and what stays must be covered, and covered well. The dust and debris get everywhere, even in places you haven't thought of. Keep a dust mask on and protective eye wear. If you forego the dust mask..and I don't recommend it, keep your mouth closed.  You'd be surprised how many of us have our mouths open when we are looking up and scraping..its weird but true.
Now there are some work around ideas you may want to do if you absolutely want to avoid scraping a popcorn ceiling.  Research these:
Ceiling Tins- expensive if your kitchen is large, but they do come in a variety of textures, and colors. You can also find them in pvc form.
Styrofoam ceiling tiles- These are far less expensive than the aforementioned and can give you a very nice look. I would suggest researching online images of projects done by others to see if it is something you can do.
Panels- You can use bead board paneling and tongue and groove wood on your ceilings. It is very expensive to go this route as well depending on the size of your kitchen.
All of these ideas will likely still require some sanding of the popcorn, especially if it is very textured. I would try an inconspicuous place in a closet or hallway ceiling to test out which idea works.

Wall Paper- I know a few years back wall paper was considered the scourge of the renovation world. However today, textured wall paper that can be painted can be your best friend. If you add in faux beams like in the photographs to this post, you can cut them shorter and have an easier time.  Don't dip and drip, use wall paper paste, it really is far easier.

How to Decorate a small or odd space in your home

Many times it is asked how to achieve a comfortable and spacious feeling in a room that is small. Though a challenge, the ability to maximize on the limited space can be achieved if you follow certain common sense rules. Most people will tell you the problem room in their home is often odd shaped, small and low light. These issues will be addressed to help you reverse that feeling, since the space isn't always possible to enlarge.

Odd shaped rooms-

Odd shaped rooms are particularly challenging when a homeowner tries to decorate and furnish it. One key thing here to remember is the actual definition of the room. Rooms should always be defined by primary use. This doesn't mean it can't function as other things but the primary function of the room should be evident and prioritized. That being said, odd shaped rooms have to be treated like any room. For example, an "L" shaped room needs to be decorated as if it is a rectangular shape, since the predominating shape is still rectangular. The odd remaining space could be sectioned off, partitioned, or used for the secondary function the room may serve. By defining the primary shape of the room, you can focus on the positives and give the room a personality that overcomes the odd shape.

Rooms with little light-

Most all rooms have at least one window. If the window affords little light it is a real challenge to bring the feeling of natural light into the space. Even in low light conditions, there is always usually one source of light occurring in the room. To find the direction of this light, look for items in the room that cast a shadow, the light source will be coming from the opposite side. This is best done in an empty room during the day with no lights turned on. Once you have determined where the source of light does emanate from, there are a few things you can do to capitalize on it. If your walls are in good condition, choosing warm semi gloss creams on the wall will bounce what available light there is. Placement of mirrors in the rooms where they may reflect and bounce light is a good strategy as well. Don't think just because an area of a room is darker that a mirror won't work, in fact many times this is just what it needs. Mirrors and semi gloss paints bounce light around, forming criss cross patterns throughout the room. If your ceiling is smooth, paint in a high gloss paint, which affords the most reflective ability. This will cast light downward into a dark space and also work with the other light that is bouncing around, real and artificial. If your ceiling is the standard "popcorn" ceiling, if possible, scrape smooth as this is well worth the trouble.

Small rooms-

All the above plus this- always consider function, comfort and scale with small spaces. Once you have the function of the space defined the next question to address is the comfort needed to use the space. For rooms that are used only occasionally, comfort can be sacrificed a little in the name of visual appeal. If the room will be used daily, comfort takes the lead in the priorities and therefore, scale of the pieces need to be considered. With all cases of small spaces, you have to have the right scale of furniture to make the room comfortable and livable. Consider love seats instead of sofas, ottomans (with storage) instead of coffee tables,nice trunks are also smaller in scale and work nicely in a small space. Consider floor lamps instead of end tables, and keep clutter to a minimum. Keep in mind that even if the floor space is limited, you can always maximize the vertical spaces in the room with shelves and shelving units. Sometimes the best way to maximize floor space is to look "up". The walls are also an important way to get storage. Just be careful not to cause too much visual clutter. One way to reduce visual clutter is to disguise it by storing them in similar items like matching baskets, canisters, etc. The eye sweeps across "like" items and always seeks out things that stand out. By minimizing what "stands out" in a room, you literally give the impression of more space.

Kitschy Design

One sort of interior design aesthetic you don't hear a lot about online or on television is "Kitschy" design. Interior designers and decorators alike usually will not address this design look because it goes beyond retro and into an area that may or may not reflect (good taste).

Kitschy is defined by Merriam Webster in simple terms as anything that is low brow or tacky, cheesy or of low quality. 

That being said, it does have its own following and fan base of those that remember seeing examples of Kitschy fashion, decor etc. In fact you may have seen examples through out your childhood in your grandmothers home. The way I would describe this design aesthetic as it relates to home decor is to say it's retro meets shabby chic at the flea market in 1945. Hows that for painting a picture?

Kitschy has an appeal all its own, those that gravitate towards it find the retro flare, the colors, all to be nostalgic and somehow familiar and heartwarming. When we channel our inner Betty Page, we find Kitschy decor and art not far away.. it was a time of scandalous colors, and behaviors, but a time most of us look at today and go, "ahhhhhhh....those were the good old days.."

Kitschy is a look for those that simply will not conform to norms. Can it be done in a home successfully? Well you'd have to decide what that means. Anyone can design and decorate in Kitschy fashion, simply by googling images of what "kitschy" is.  Will it be easy? You would think so, because the line between being eclectic and kitschy is blurry at times, but easy? Well yes and no. Retro furniture is pricey. Not to say you can't find a similar metal rimmed formica table in green, red or yellow can't be found, but it will either be money for a replica or a great score at an antique mall or flea market. Either way, it will require some effort to achieve. Black and white floor tiles can still be found easily, and if done on the diagonal will certainly add to the flair. Getting retro appliances will also cost a pretty penny. Check out this adorable but pricey refrigerator:
https://bigchill.com/shop/refrigerators/original-big-chill-retro-refrigerator/
or a compact version: http://amzn.to/2eysldP

You get the idea, it will be costly to get the cheap and tacky look today. However, if this is what you love and I can see why, it may be worth all the effort. Decorate and design what you love, the way you want it, life is too short to do otherwise. Kitschy is for those that love to live by their own set of rules. One thing we can certainly say, its not cheap and tacky? Well its adventurous, colorful and fun..if that is what tacky is, sign me up! I want to meet these people that love this style because I know already I'm gonna enjoy their company!

Ceiling Medallions

You've no doubt heard that every room has more than just "four" walls in the realm of interior design. This is very true. To truly give any space a complete transformation, we have to look at all surface areas and that includes the walls, floor and ceiling. Many people tend to over look the ceiling unless it has some huge cosmetic or structural flaw, like the dreaded "popcorn" finish for instance. However, when we look at our  ceiling we can find  an opportunity to enhance the beauty of whatever lighting fixture you go with, and that is where a ceiling medallion makes a great impact.

What are they for?
Ceiling Medallions are often seen in older homes and usually are an accent to chandeliers and lighting fixtures. If you're purchasing them today, they are typically made of Urethane, however you can find them in plaster and also wood.

Cost?
Prices vary depending on size, material used, and detail. The larger, detailed pieces made of wood are going to be far more expensive. You can get some that are simple and smaller from around $15.00 and up. Again, size, material and level of detail play a big role in the costs. Are they worth it? Well, that is up to the individual. However you can also make one yourself. See below.

Dual purpose
While they are lovely to look at, they also are helpful at covering up unsightly holes where one may have had to cut a raw opening to install a fixture where none formerly existed. Sometimes this leaves a larger than needed hole and in some cases the lighting fixture base is not big enough to cover the hole. In that scenario a medallion can not only make the light fixture lovely but cover up a less than ideal installation.  Ceiling Medallions have not escaped the imagination of home owners and home decorators though, as they have turned up in a lot of creative ways too, just as wall decor, and small ones have even been used to flank door knobs.

So lets say you have a specific look in mind and you don't want to pay an arm and a leg. Let's say for instance you have some mill work left over, and some handy items like a miter box. You can create your own. Now you may not find it easy necessarily to make a "round" medallion, however this octagon shaped one was not difficult and it cost very little to make.

The next time you're doing a renovation, don't over look the possibilities for interest and beauty that can be found when you look up!

Problem: Tiny 80's kitchen, Solution: Mr. Gagnon, Tear Down that Wall

Ronald Reagan had the right idea. Walls sometimes need to go. Walls can define a space, walls can offer opportunities for storage, or help display art. Generally walls are a good and functional thing. Sometimes though, walls can be a hindrance, a physical block between spaces that keeps energy, air flow and traffic sidestepping, redirecting and congested. In walks this kitchen from circa 1984.

A tight space, and heavily lacquered wooden cabinets. Even though there's a huge bay window, this room and the tiny formal dining room beyond felt dark, and did not flow well. In mid transition, we decided to take the least expensive measures and see what paint would do for this space:

 The paint really helped freshen the whole feel of the space up and brightened things considerably. However the square footage was still a big issue..

One space saving idea was to build storage seating in the eating area. Still tight, but it was a nice little project.

Now the big ideas started coming into play and we realized, while all of these ideas were good ones, they still didn't solve the issue of space to the degree needed. While I was on this journey of changes, I did discover an awesome way to reface cabinets and if  you're interested check out this post:

Easy Cabinet Refacing Idea.

You'll love this easy technique and you wont believe how durable and lovely it is! It's a great refacing hack that you will want to do on all of your cabinets including in your bathrooms!

Now back to our program. You'll notice in the photographs there is a doorway opening on the far wall leading into a dark room. This was formerly a tiny formal dining room with only one window. It was stuffy, with no flow, and under used. No one wanted to go into this space. The good news was the wall between the kitchen and this tiny dark room was not load bearing. The solution: Tear down the wall and open up the space to create one large bright eat in kitchen.
Result:

Chip and Joanna Gaines Release a Statement on "Fixer Upper" Homes For Rent - HGTV Vacation Homes

This seems a little lame to me.. It seems like these clients are just hopping on the cash cow and trying to make an easy fast buck off the "Chip and Joanna/Fixer Upper" cash cow..



Chip and Joanna Gaines Release a Statement on "Fixer Upper" Homes For Rent - HGTV Vacation Homes

Home Staging 101: Bed Making

Home staging is an integral part of selling your home. While some rooms in your home may only need a little nudge, many rooms may simply need a little more. When staging a home, one area I see falling short is in bedrooms. Where is the problem most of the time? It's in the owners lack of  bed making know how. It's not simply selling a house, you truly are selling to the potential buyer a lifestyle.

Bear that in mind and let it be the guide point for your inspiration when staging especially in the Master bedroom which should be the epitome of a lifestyle richly deserved. Knowing how to make up a beautiful bed can go a long way in how well your house shows, and what lifestyle the buyer can have if they purchase your home.  Here's a few tips for the home owner on how to address their beds, especially the Master Bedroom which is the star of all bedrooms.

1. Buy good quality bedding. I wont lie, I am a huge fan of Pottery Barn bedding. I love the feel, weight and quality of the bedding they offer and most of what Pottery Barn offers is wonderful with regards to organic materials.
2. Don't just one stop shop. I like to mix up things a bit. You don't have to get everything from one place to have a pulled together look. Look for bedding ensembles that offer you the ability to mix and match, and the option to purchase as many of a particular item as you need. We've all seen King size bedding ensembles that only offer ( 2 ) Euro Shams, and we all know three is needed for King sized beds. Why is the bedding industry not picking up on this? Luckily, Pottery Barn does offer you this option on most of their bedding products. When will the rest of the world catch up? In the photograph, the bed has a Paisley print duvet, solid sheets, and a matelasse coverlet. This keeps things interesting, but I did purchase the matelasse from JCPenney. It's a great way to add soft texture and break up a strong pattern like Paisley.
3. The 3 plus rule works well for King size bedding. What is the 3 plus rule? Simple, Starting at the headboard, 3 Euro Pillows as the background "plus"  2 King Pillows "plus"  2 accents, plus one final accent pillow in the front.  Bear in mind this is one suggestion, you can do others too, its just a good starting place.
4. Keep it simple if you're new at this. If you're a little worried about going all out, just remember to keep it simple. That means, simple colors, simple layers and simple accents. A well made bed does not have to have tons of pillows or lots of textures, but it does need to follow a simple formula. Look on websites, and see how the pros do it and then see if you can find a happy medium. Good luck with your house staging~

Open Concept Floor Plans: Is this always a one size fits all deal?

Why Open floor plans aren't always the best option

Open floor plans are no doubt something you've heard many times over. You've heard it when house shopping, you've heard it on renovation shows and you've likely seen examples of it in magazines. You've likely heard a lot of chatter about how desirable it is if you're selling your home or want to renovate. So there is no doubt this current trend is in full force and chances are it is going to be a permanent fixture in the world of home construction and architecture. 

You've heard the good. Have you considered the bad? Well, in spite of precious few articles and information on why it's not always the best choice, it really needs to be considered fully before you sign the dotted line or jump and make a quick decision. Here's some things to think about before you decide what you'd like versus what will work for your life, now and in the future.

In magazines, open floor plans look spectacular. In reality, open floor plans can make furniture placement, and decorating a nightmare. Walls not only provide you with a great place to display artwork or add storage via shelves, but they also help with placement of furniture. If you have the typical six piece set up for furniture, such as sofa/love-seat/end tables/coffee table, walls can give you more identifiable placement options. Usually big walls are ideal for sofas, mid-size for love-seats and so on. No walls means furniture must float in the room and this isn't always easy to do. Defining a focal point can be a challenge if you purchase a home that doesn't have a fireplace or some other obvious feature. One thing to also remember is open concept doesn't always equal large spaces. To "float" furniture adequately you must have enough space to navigate around each piece. Open concept smaller homes could possibly mean eliminating some of your existing furniture. Unless a home has electrical outlets in the floor you may find it challenging to have lighting from lamps as well.

Open floor plans can make it harder to keep little ones out of the kitchen. While you may want to be able to "keep an eye" on little Billy, having him underneath you while you're cooking could be an issue too. Falling, bumping and tripping over little ones can be a real safety hazard. Think you're off the hook if you're an “empty nester”? Not necessarily. Grandchildren will be running throughout your home as well which means constantly policing invisible borders between living spaces and kitchen areas and that can be exhausting as well. Don't forget, stoves with front knobs are easy to turn on for little ones and oven doors can get hot and hurt at that level too.

Open floor plans demand you be a little tidier than you may want to be. If you're not the tidiest of people, open floor plans are either going to make you step up your game and clean more diligently, or you're going to find yourself struggling to hide your mess.

 Something to think about as well. If you're an excellent housekeeper this would not be an issue, but if you're a busy mom or dad, this might be something to think about. 

The bottom line is this, don't be fooled by what may be the latest fad and assume this will be the best solution for you. There are no “one size fits all” floor plans and careful consideration of both now and future should be factored into any decision you make.

Why white is a timeless home design color choice

New color trends are emerging in interior design every day. One color that always shows up as a color choice in design is "white." In fact "white" is becoming the primary color in not only kitchens but throughout the home. No longer is "white" being designated as the go to "accent" color in spaces, but taking center stage. Thanks to home improvement shows like "Fixer Uppers" and others we're seeing an increased desire to use white with rustic overtones to create warm, yet timeless design.

Photography by Dawn Gagnon

 While it's being called a trend right now, it's always been a classic and that means its typically safe on all sides of the coin in design. White, is not a new color in design or decor by any means, but today we're seeing more of it than in recent times and that suggests a desire for tranquil simple aesthetics. 

What makes this trend so popular and workable is that it has many advantages over traditional neutrals. Once you start looking at examples where white takes center stage in a space in homes, you'll see why.

Granted "white" may not be a good fit for everyone. Families with children may shudder at the idea of having too much white in any space. Visions of little hand prints, smudges and mystery smears may frighten many of us from such a color. However, white should not be excluded entirely. For example, contrary to popular belief white flushes out stains, streaks and smudges quite well in kitchens. If you use the right type of paint, clean up can be considerably easier as well.

 

The kitchen in the photo had cabinets painted in high gloss white. High gloss paints are usually ideal for kitchens and bathrooms for their ability to resist moisture, as well as better adherence to surfaces compared to semi-gloss paints. Clean up is usually superior as well since most any stains and smudges can be wiped off readily with a damp cloth.

Consider safer shades, like antique white if you find bright whites to be too stark. They are softer and warmer and still do a lot to brighten up a space. The chief advantage to all white pallets is the way the highlight your colorful accessories. Nothing will draw attention to your love of color artwork, accessories, and fabrics like white will. It can transition between contemporary and rustic very well too and that makes it extremely versatile for a design choice. 

Next time you're about to re-imagine a space, check out examples of these spaces where white is the primary color and see if it doesn't inspire you to give it a try.

Related articles

• Family Room Before and After
• Trends:The Good, the Bad and the Down Right Ugly
• Interior Design Advice: Beware of one size fits all suggestions - Columbia home and living | Examiner.com
• Easy cabinet refacing idea

Renovation Reality Check

So often we become inspired by the renovation shows we see on television and we gather up motivation to do the same in our homes. More often than not we are faced with the brutal reality of the renovation world, and that is it is much harder, more costly, and more time consuming than what is portrayed on television.  There are other concerns as well. This is a renovation reality check.

High end finishes in a low end area-
Concern one is make sure you understand your home and its market value! Not planning on selling? Doesn't matter, you still need to know. Why? Because not knowing what your local housing market is doing with regards to improvements and finishes can come back later on to bite you. Always, always do what you love, but understand what you love may not always pay off later, even if you aren't trying to sell. High end finishes are beautiful and seem like the way to go provided you have the budget for it but if no one else in your area are doing high end finishes don't assume your high end finishes will necessarily command top dollar.  The bathroom photograph to your left shows improvements made to a starter home. No high end finishes were needed, just an improvement in this homes function and pleasing to look at was all it took to get this little starter home sold after three showings. Incidentally this bath renovation was done under the assumption that the homeowner was not moving any time soon. However, as this post states, life can change on a dime, and this renovation was done in keeping with what the market in the area would bear, and thus paid off.


Your home's "potential price point "-
Your potential price point may suggest that most buyers will not necessarily expect nor want to pay for high end custom cabinets, etc. Still think you don't need to -concern yourself with what a buyer may want?  Remember the future is the great unknown. Life changes on a dime, sometimes we're forced to sell due to illness, changes in lifestyle, jobs, etc. So even if you don't think you're in the market, design and plan your renovation as if you were, it's just smart thinking.

Your home's "potential buyers" -
Know your potential buyer. Again, regardless of whether you think you are going to sell or not this is a good guide in place for your renovation reality check. Ask yourself if your home would likely sell to well established large families, couples just starting out, or something downsizing retirees would gravitate towards. Why is this necessary? Well a big home with 3 or more bedrooms would likely appeal to a family with teens, and middle aged parents, a smaller home with 2 or more bedrooms would appeal to young first time buyers, a home with 2 or less bedrooms and on the small side might appeal to downsizing retirees. All ages will have different expectations with regards to form, function, layout and finishes. Young first time buyers may want modern looking upgrades, but not necessarily expensive high end. Chances are if it looks modern, even if it isn't expensive they will appreciate it.  Middle aged established families will notice the size and bedrooms of your home and  no doubt expect a little better quality in the design and finishes. Not necessarily high end, but cheap will get passed by.

Don't go on  a sentimental journey-
Knowing your homes market value is tricky. Do not let sentimental value effect your judgement. This can mean loss of money not a gain. Check online realty sites like Zillow.com, Trulia, etc. and look up homes in your area. Many that are for sale have multiple pictures. Focus on the homes in your area that are same size square footage and are similar with regards to bedrooms, etc. Study the photographs, what sort of finishes are they using in their homes for the price they're asking. Try to be analytical, not critical.  Notice what selling features are mentioned in the listings. Does your home fall inline with these features? Whether you go high end or not, as a homeowner you can not afford to make costly errors in judgement.

Private Mortgage Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, and Home Warranties Oh My..

So you've bought your home and can't wait to start designing and decorating it to make it truly feel like home.  Owning a home is a huge undertaking and responsibility, so in this article I'd like to talk about something a little different but important to know as you start living in your dream home.

There are three things you are probably becoming aware of and they are the following:  Home owners insurance, PMI insurance and Home Warranties. If you purchased a home recently you've no doubt been required to not only have PMI insurance and  Homeowner's Insurance on your new home. PMI is for Private Mortgage Insurance and it is added to your mortgage payment and is required by your lender to protect them and their held interest in your home in the event you should default on your mortgage.

Sadly enough it does very little for you in return. If you default your credit will not be protected nor will the insurance make good on your default loan amount. It is simply money you will pay to get the Mortgage company to assume the risk involved with loaning you the necessary funds you need. That is it. In a nutshell. So for new home owners do not assume it will protect you in any way. It is typically required for loans where a less than 20 percent down payment is offered toward the purchase of the home.

Home Owners Insurance is paid to cover damage to your property from various occurrences like fire, storm damage, etc. The key thing to remember here there is a deductible involved that will come off the top of any claim you may have, not to mention once a claim is filed, if the amount is high, there is a very good chance you will see a hike in your mortgage payment at some point as a result. You'll want to think long and hard before going this route should your home suffer damage. Especially damage that you may be able to pay for and repair yourself.

The other caveat is that your Mortgage company controls the claim funds. In almost every case your Home owners insurance company will make the insurance check out to both yourself and your mortgage company. Here's the issue, you can't cash the check without the Mortgage Companies endorsement, which means you have to endorse it and send to them. Think they'll endorse and send right back? No. Your mortgage company will want to make sure that any damage the property has sustained was in fact repaired before they send you all of your funds. Typically speaking they will require loads of paper work from both your insurance company and your contractor. They will then send you a portion of the check to begin work and withhold any funds until they've inspected the completed job. This will not happen over night either.

Does it end there? Not necessarily. If you're behind on your mortgage while they have the insurance claim funds in their possession, they can apply the money to your loan and not send you the remaining money. Be sure to stay current during the entire process. Sounds frustrating and potentially not worth it? Well it is something to consider beforehand.

An option to filing a homeowners insurance claim is to find a reputable Home Warranty company and consider going that route for home repairs. Be mindful, most of the Home Warranty programs out there do not become effective immediately and they all range in price but do offer flexible coverage options and monthly payment plans. This may be a better route to go, but be prepared to wait out that period before your policy becomes active. Read the fine print too to make sure of exactly what your coverage includes and does not include.