This George Kovacs chandelier I used on a water-front property is outstanding!
I love the modern feel of this light and the way it works in perfectly to this transitional space.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The dreaded R Word
With our tight economy and the dreaded R word, that doesn’t mean we should ignore the look of our homes. Don’t be afraid to put some money into renovating your house, take charge and become a Recessionista. Remember any renovation, re-design, even decorating, will add equity to your home. This is not frivolous spending but a smart investment.
There are so many ways to upgrade your home on a budget, you just need to know and determine where to splurge and where to save. Having an interior designer is key to achieving this with little effort. A designer can save you money in the end by executing a design plan, knowing where to shop, and where they can get an even better discount for their clients. This will also be your insurance that the design is done to perfection with no “oh no what did we do” mistakes. Also reinforcing that the room you are renovating will work with the rest of your home, for a beautiful cohesive look.
The re-design of this family is the perfect example of a complete make-over on a budget, we splurged, we saved and came out with something great. As you can see from the before picture it was a pretty lifeless family room for an active family of 5. The space never felt cozy or homey, not a great place to relax and watch movies. Top on the client’s wish list was an extremely comfortable sofa. I had a sofa in mind and ended up as the final decision. This wonderful 10 foot sofa & chaise was the winner and our splurge for the room. Our next find was also our big steel - the area rug was marked down twice and was our jumping off point for the rest of the color choices.
Warming the room up with a great paint color and a more fierce feature wall color was also vital. Instead of adding a huge cost in built-in bookcases beside the fireplace, I opted for inexpensive wood shelves with decorative brackets. These shelves give the same feel as built-ins with minimal cost. The very best way to cozy up a room is add personality and accessories, so I bought quite a few in-expensive accessories, art work and found things around there home that would work. Using pieces that you wouldn’t usually expect is a great way to save as well, I found this great end table but there was only 1, and that’s all I needed. I used a small rough wood stool as a second end table, it adds a bit of whimsy to the room.
Don’t look at the recession as an end to your design plans. Think of it as the beginning to a more creative, personal and well planned home.
There are so many ways to upgrade your home on a budget, you just need to know and determine where to splurge and where to save. Having an interior designer is key to achieving this with little effort. A designer can save you money in the end by executing a design plan, knowing where to shop, and where they can get an even better discount for their clients. This will also be your insurance that the design is done to perfection with no “oh no what did we do” mistakes. Also reinforcing that the room you are renovating will work with the rest of your home, for a beautiful cohesive look.
The re-design of this family is the perfect example of a complete make-over on a budget, we splurged, we saved and came out with something great. As you can see from the before picture it was a pretty lifeless family room for an active family of 5. The space never felt cozy or homey, not a great place to relax and watch movies. Top on the client’s wish list was an extremely comfortable sofa. I had a sofa in mind and ended up as the final decision. This wonderful 10 foot sofa & chaise was the winner and our splurge for the room. Our next find was also our big steel - the area rug was marked down twice and was our jumping off point for the rest of the color choices.
Warming the room up with a great paint color and a more fierce feature wall color was also vital. Instead of adding a huge cost in built-in bookcases beside the fireplace, I opted for inexpensive wood shelves with decorative brackets. These shelves give the same feel as built-ins with minimal cost. The very best way to cozy up a room is add personality and accessories, so I bought quite a few in-expensive accessories, art work and found things around there home that would work. Using pieces that you wouldn’t usually expect is a great way to save as well, I found this great end table but there was only 1, and that’s all I needed. I used a small rough wood stool as a second end table, it adds a bit of whimsy to the room.
Don’t look at the recession as an end to your design plans. Think of it as the beginning to a more creative, personal and well planned home.
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