The ABC's of Home Improvement Projects: Starting At Point A

Access to inspirations for home improvements projects has come a long way from the earlier days of Bob Villa and This Old House programing that offered insight into the complicated forum of "How-To" complete a home project, a home renovation, or a restoration of an old home. As one of the largest investments the average person will make in their lifetime, limited information was the norm with only a handful of network programs, home magazines, and the local trusted contractors with their list of trade people to assist in the repair or improvement.

Today, information is everywhere and some homeowners and professionals wonder if it is too much of a good thing with access to the Internet, television, and organizations that specialize in the home improvement field. Media - whether on-line, through television programming, or via print swing in opposite directions by a) creating a point of view that projects are easy with their before and after pictures, b) television thirty minute programming, or c) feature programs and news reports of contractor nightmares, rip-offs, and projects gone bad.

The professionals that successfully move a project from point A to point C is fascinating and certainly captures our attention. The short pieces of information, news, and entertainment inspire a homeowner to get started. But, what about point B? Teachers taught us to follow our ABC's for a reason. Getting a home project started may be challenging, but if you follow the ABC's of home improvement, you'll be much happier with the end result.



Before & After Kitchen Renovation
Before Photo By: Jeanne At Gallo Rosso Kitchens    After Photo By: True Identity Concepts

Remodeling Your Home - What About Pet-Friendly Spaces?

In preparing for a home improvement project, the majority of concerns for homeowners are the aesthetic and cost of the project. But as a design professional, I like to dig deeper into the details to uncover the functional and family lifestyle that should be included.  Questions and answers are exchanged, pieces of the puzzle begin to fit into place, and design solutions start to emerge.  

Once the Q&A has finished and I get ready to take a look around, my attention often shifts to the furry family members who undoubtedly makes their presence known.  I sit back down and start to ask some additional questions that include the family pet since they were missing from all the notes, pictures, and bulging folder that contains the wish-list of ideas.


Photo Source:  Pinterest

Studio Design Dilemma

A real estate friend asked me to take a look at a space she listed here in Westchester County, NY, via a few pictures through the eyes of the buyer.  Listed as a studio condominium with a small kitchen and bath, the poor space needed a little help in the main space that combined the living room and the bedroom. As you can see, the space clearly needs some assistance with a bit of space planning to showcase this little gem.

Combined Living Room & Bedroom Studio Space



Fiddling with Decor - A Chic Indoor Guest

Hilary Swank's Downtown Apartment via Elle Decor

Every time I browse through magazines or do a little research via the web, I get a glimpse of a house guest that seems to make the rounds.  Popping up in many decorating shots with their violin-shaped leaves, these chic indoor guests always capture my attention as they sit in the background waiting for a little acknowledgement.  It reminds me of some of those funny celebrity shots when someone in the background pops their head into the picture and grabs your attention.  Do you remember Bill Clinton when he photo bombed Kelly Clarkson during the inauguration? (See Photo via ABC News). Yes, it did make me laugh!