From our experience at CHD Interiors, every client is working within an established budget. Without the help of a design professional, most people find a complete renovation a daunting task! Not only can it be extremely stressful, but it can be quite costly. Through our many years of experience, we have learned how to give our clients the look they desire by focusing their money to areas that will make the biggest impact. A remodel doesn’t have to mean a total “re-do.” With the assistance of our professional design team, we can help you get the most bang for your buck! The following are 10 tips from CHD Interiors, used in a recent design remodel, that you can also apply in your own home to make a statement! For this project, the client wanted to update their treasured family beach home that has been a part of their family vacations for several generations.
Tip #1: Hide the imperfection of old walls by using a commercial grade vinyl wallpaper. A faux vinyl grasscloth masked the warping and aging that had accumulated on the walls of this charming, fun, family-owned vacation house. Not only does it conceal any imperfections, it also has extremely durable qualities that will allow a long-lasting look.
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Tip #2: For architectural purposes, sometimes when doing a remodel, there are things you just can’t change; such as unsightly structural supports. When this is the case, our design staff has learned to make unwanted focal points more attractive. In this recent project, we wrapped the existing, unpleasant sheet rock columns in faux finished wood to make them appear like a solid stately antique beam. To add to the dramatic effect, we continued the same treatment on the ceiling.
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Tip #3: In many older homes, the kitchen area can feel small and confined. A quick and easy way to make your kitchen feel more spacious is to make every effort to maximize the potential in every location. In this case, we were able to relocate the refrigerator into an unused pantry. This gained both cabinet and counter storage. And, it is much more aesthetically pleasing!
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Tip #4: When you have an oversized table, try using two smaller chandeliers instead of one. You always want the scale to be appropriate, and it gives your diners ample lighting regardless of where they choose to sit. It also creates a unique look and an unexpected design center piece.
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Tip #5: A fresh coat of paint can bring old cabinetry to new life. By updating the paint finish and adding modern hardware, this once dated wet bar now fits with the new design scheme. We also replaced the existing glass doors with clutter-concealing, antiqued mirror.
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Tip #6: To soften the harsh angles of this family room, we installed simple, sheer net-like window treatment panels. These side panels simply frame the windows and do not function or block the beautiful beach view.
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Tip #7: In this ocean front home, using real hardwood flooring wasn’t the best option for both climate and budget. We recommended using a thick, commercial grade vinyl plank flooring that gives the look of weathered driftwood. This particular product provides durable qualities and is almost impervious to the environment. Keep in mind that minimal transitions are most ideal when selecting flooring for smaller spaces.
Tip #8: When selecting tile for your shower, an inexpensive design recommendation is to use a low cost white subway tile as the predominate material. To add some visual interest, accent with a smaller more decorative glass tile. By using the decorative tile in smaller quantities, it will be low on cost but not low on style!
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Tip #9: You may be able to fit more seating into a small area than you realize if you are creative with your furniture selection and placement. For example, two three-seater sofas were selected for this tight family room. However, one sofa is slightly larger than the other to aid in additional seating if needed. A multi-piece cocktail table allows you to customize the size and shape of your furniture piece to fit your constricted room.
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Tip #10: Selecting a color palette for an open floor plan home can be difficult. But, by using predominately neutral shades, accented with pops of brighter tones, you can get the color you desire without it being oversaturated. It also creates a more calming feel and allows your eye to be drawn to the million dollar view!
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These clients were overjoyed with the end result, as were we! These tips may not work in every situation, so, let the trained design staff at CHD Interiors help you take some of these suggestions and make them your own.
