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Guest ready renovations for Homeowners
by Jane Muller
Nothing motivates homeowners to renovate and decorate like special house guests
Invite guests for a dinner party and before they arrive, your home is in ship shape. Having overnight guests or a special celebration is also motivation to have your home looking its best and is often the inspiration for renovations and a décor update.
Wayne Graham of Graham's and Son Interiors in Cambridge is often involved in getting homes guest ready. Clients have everything from new window treatments, paint, linens and accessories in the guest room to a bathroom or kitchen renovation to a total update of the home's décor done in preparation for opening their home to guests.
Bathroom renovations add value to a home and make a big impact both in both fashion and function. A complex redesign could be in the plans or a simple update of fixtures, tile, paint and hardware could be all that's required to have big impact. Choose a low flush toilet and low flow faucets and shower head and the renovation will be environmentally friendly and save the homeowner money on water bills.
When welcoming guests, be sure to provide a set of fluffy towels and a basket with toiletries in case they've forgotten something. Bathrobes take up a lot of space in luggage so it's nice have a hotel-style robe available.
In the bedroom, Graham suggests a décor update begins with window treatments then moves onto the furnishings. Reupholstering furniture like a bedside chair gives the room new life and carries the theme of the window coverings into the room. Paint colour and fabrics set the tone. Graham recommends that client consults magazines for ideas but a professional designer will be able to help come up with a scheme that suits the client's tastes and the room. Based on his 35 years of experience, Graham says that natural light is a big consideration in choosing window treatments.
Make sure your guest has a pitcher of water and a glass on the bedside table as well as an alarm clock and perhaps a magazine or a great little novel that he or she might enjoy. Make some closet space available as well as a couple of drawers so guests don't have to live out of their suitcase.
If a kitchen renovation has been on a "to do" list for months or years, the impending arrival of extended family and friends for a special celebration is often what's needed to set plans in motion. Graham notes that it's important to work with an experienced project manager that can ensure a job will be completed on time and to the homeowner's satisfaction.
His company's project management service allows from four to six weeks for a bathroom, while a major kitchen renovation would take longer depending on what the job entails, he explains. The delivery date of cabinetry generally sets up the delivery date of the completed renovation. To be sure a deadline is met, Graham's tends to "under promise and over-achieve". Interior decorating jobs are usually completed within two weeks, the seasoned decorator says, adding that clients like projects to be finished quickly.
{Article courtesy of DailyWebTV.com}
Home décor dilemma?
How a professional designer could save you from a DIY redesign project
by Carla white
If you're sick of looking at the shag carpet and floral wallpaper your house has been sporting since it was built in the '70s, then it may be time for a redesign. But if you've been out of the design loop and have no idea where to start, there are some things you should consider before plunging in head first.
First, do your research on what's hot in design, what's classic, what are design no-no's and figure out what looks you like best. Find inspiration from any source - photos online, luxury hotels, friends' homes, and decorating magazines or television programs.
Once you've found the inspiration and ideas, it's time to turn the ideas into a reality within your home. But before you start any major project you should always establish a realistic budget of what you can afford. This will also help you decide whether you should seek professional help from an interior designer or if you're going to do it yourself.
The benefit of hiring a designer is that you can trust that they know what they're doing, whereas you may not be as knowledgeable in that area. You could always start by inquiring whether the designer offers complimentary consultations so you can get a feel for how they work and if they'll jive with you and your style. And vice versa, it gives the professional a chance to check out your style and come up with some potential ideas for the redesign.
The experts at Graham's and Son Interiors in Cambridge add that including a designer from the beginning allows him or her to assess the natural light in the room you're looking to redesign and see how it affects the space and any existing décor that will be used in the new design.
The biggest thing to keep in mind when looking at sprucing up your home décor is ensuring that the room is balanced. Make sure that no part of the room appears too heavy. Balance the colours and patterns throughout the room while ensuring that they all mesh well. This may mean that you use the same fabric for a tall drape, a chair and some throw cushions with complementing colours throughout other areas of the room.
But whatever you do, don't forget about the budget.