I think it’s safe to say that life can be quite stressful these days.  Between work, children, finances, carpools and all your other daily activities, it only makes sense that your home should be a place of refuge and provide you with a great sense of calm the moment you walk through the door.

We yearn for order and serenity at the end of each day – a place that neutralizes the daily chaos of life and allows you to unplug from the external stresses of the day.

• Does your home provide you with that haven?
• Is it peaceful and relaxing?
• Is it systematized and well organized?
• Is your home well appointed and aesthetically pleasing?  Or do you still feel some stress– even when you’re trying to relax?

Living in a cluttered and disorganized environment tends to create stress, anxiety and drains your energy without even realizing it.  That is why providing well-designed storage is fundamental.  Analyze, prioritize and maximize your home by eliminating the clutter – and provide some special places to conceal, organize and display the items you really want and need.

Here are 10 simple storage solutions to help eliminate the clutter and get you to a peaceful place.

1. Utilize the void space beneath your stairs and design a storage closet, built in shelving unit or even add a sleek powder room.
2. Maximize every inch of your kitchen with organized cabinet interiors.  From pull out spice racks to built in pantries. Everything should have its place.
3. Provide a pantry system complete with shelving, door racks and pullout drawers all concealed behind the integrated kitchen cabinetry.
4. Design a beautiful and highly functional banquette with large spacious drawers.  It’s perfect for cozy meals and storing all kinds of supplies.
5. Add recessed shelving anywhere there is ample wall space to do so.  Always keep your home’s architecture in mind when designing those living room niches, bathroom shelving or floor to ceiling bookshelves in the family room.
6. Built-in storage is perfect for every room of your home and allows you to display all your favorite collections, and conceal the everyday mess.
7. Bedroom or living room window seats with storage drawers below will provide you with ample space and create a cozy and inviting reading corner.
8. In your home office/library wrap the entire room (even around the windows and doors) with custom cabinetry to store books, binders and your favorite objects d’art.  Remember you only need 12” deep shelving.
9. In the master bedroom build in a wall-to-wall headboard complete with lighting, shelving and night tables for that integral look.
10. Schedule a closet company to inventory of all your clothes, shoes, belts and handbags and to layout each and every bedroom closet throughout your home.  It will be the most liberating exercise of your life and you’ll maximize every inch of space at the same time.

Implement some of these de-cluttering principles and you’ll be coming to home to a peaceful refuge.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Whether you call it a beach house, summer cottage or weekend pied-a-terre – who says you can’t create your own coastal look at home.

• Beach house style living gives you the luxury of living more casually but with great sophistication and style.
• White tends to be the most used color in interior design. Is white a true color or rather the lack of it?  Regardless, it’s extremely malleable, easily transitional and highly reflective creating a bright and cheery atmosphere even on the gloomiest days.
• Using white walls, ceilings, floors, moldings as the dominant color in a home might seem a like a recipe for disaster to some, but the reality is it enlarges small spaces at the same time acting as the ideal backdrop for making every day practical items pop like works of art.  The space feels lighter and airier.
• Treat your ceiling to some volume if at all possible with exposed beams and truss work, and add some 8” tongue and grooved paneling to your ceilings and/or
• Everyone loves the dark deep rich tones of wood floors over the past few years, but to achieve that lighter and brighter “beachy” environment consider going blonde.   Sand your floorboards and refinish them in a myriad of ways by using natural linseed oils, white wax oils, lyes or white soaps to get the latest look.  A lighter looking floor allows the wood’s character to show through, which tends to create a more rustic feel.  Top it off with a natural area rug for added texture and comfort.
• Incorporating a host of organic materials such as bamboos, rattans and natural woods creates a sense of both casual and natural living – perfect for achieving that summer-like cottage environment.
• Maximize your outdoor views whether it’s your pool, patio, deck or lake, with bi-fold or sliding doors – that tuck neatly away – to extend the interior out to the exterior.
• Grab inspiration from your home’s natural environment – so when it comes time to select your color palette – let your outdoor property help guide your color inspiration.
• Use slipcovers on seating – and provide yourself with multiple sets in alternating fabrics and colors for the changing seasons.  Do the same with your accessories – shifting from spring/summer and fall/winter without ever having to leave your vacation home.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

EXTERIOR
This speaks to knowing your neighborhood, the style of your home and its architecture and what colors will enhance your piece of property.

Take a look around your neighborhood and see which color palettes appeal to you and what the trends are.  Are the exterior colors gravitating to more neutral colors?

• Don’t scrimp on the quality of paint or the job itself! (Interior or Exterior)
• A professional quality paint job will instantly boost the resale value of a home.
• You want your house to be similar but NOT identical to others around you.
• Choose a color scheme that enhances your curb appeal and accentuates your homes character and charm!
• For a Spanish Style Home:  You’ll want to introduce a palette of more neutral desert inspired colors such as tans/sandy whites/clay/browns.
• On a Victorian Home: Use rich subtle shades of historic colors, with  4 –5 different coordinating colors.
• Variations of greens/golds,  blues/grays, or greens/tans/peach.
• Full of handsome color combinations.

Every paint company will have sample palettes that are interchangeable for your exterior and interior, which works for walls, trims, doors etc.

INTERIOR
When it’s time to re-paint your interior for re-sale it’s probably best to use softer, less stressful colors.  Introduce a neutral palette for the interior – keep it on the safe side leaning to the lighter tones.

• Prospective buyers have an easier time envisioning their furniture, accessories and personality in a more neutral color palette.
• Don’t be afraid to use a few different calm and soothing colors that coordinate and compliment each other from room to room, for an easy transition.
• Offset those soft neutral wall colors with painting out all the trims, baseboards and moldings in a nice crisp white semi-gloss. It will make those mellow colors pop and create some elegance and sophistication throughout the entire home.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

In today’s super competitive real estate market its more important than ever to impress potential buyers within the first 5 minutes and do whatever you can to make that first impression unforgettable.

1. Create A Welcoming Entrance/Foyer

• Impress buyers by leading them in from the street through a fabulous grand entrance and beautiful new front door. Introduce glass either in the door itself or transoms above. Natural light will flood in and brighten up the foyer.
• Line the pathway with garden lights and install wall sconces flanking your new front door. This will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for buyers and lead them right into your home.
• Inside, dress this foyer for success and glam it up to entice the buyer.
• A console table or chest and chair with a beautiful piece of art positioned above will evoke a welcoming and positive feeling every time a prospective buyer walks through the door.
• Hang a large beautifully framed mirror on the sidewall of the entry to reflect another view of what lies beyond (expanding the space) and don’t forget to add some beautiful fresh flowers.

2. Maximize the Lighting Inside And Out

• Lighting of all kinds is incredibly important in both the interior and exterior of the home.
• Everyone loves a bright cheerful space, so address each room individually.
• If your home is dark, dingy and compartmentalized (small rooms that block natural light coming in) then you really might need to consider removing some walls to open up the floor plan in order to flood more natural daylight into the house.
• Sometimes that means integrating the kitchen/dining and family rooms together for an open floor plan
• Add skylights to maximize natural lighting as well.
• If you need to upgrade your lighting throughout:  Add general lighting in the form of recessed pot lights on dimmers. Task lighting in the form of tri-lite lamps, and accent lighting in shelving, plants and highlighting art

• Tip: Before you show your home, replace EVERY bulb throughout your house for a brighter, cleaner and crisp light so they all burn at the same intensity.

3.  Make It A Turnkey Home

• Buyers love a home that’s in Move-In –Condition!  A home that doesn’t require a litany of projects to get it up to speed.  Wouldn’t that be music to your ears?
• In booming markets people are more willing to invest in customizing.
• In leaner markets if a house isn’t well maintained it will likely take more time to sell or be passed by entirely.
• Instant gratification doesn’t happen fast enough these days, so do what you can to make it EASY to move in.
• Buyers want to instantly know that this home FEELS right.
• Do everything in your power to show the potential buyers that your home has been well maintained, nurtured and very much loved.  They’ll be able to envision themselves there.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

When it comes to renovating your home for re-sale there are a few major renovations that top the list.

1.  Major Kitchen Remodels. (ROI 75-85%)

The function of the kitchen has evolved over the years and now more than ever the kitchen must meet those needs.

• Buyers want to envision themselves in a gorgeous newly renovated kitchen where they can actually see themselves – preparing meals for their friends and family –where the kids nestle into a cozy banquette doing their homework, or their guests mingling around that gorgeous island.  Buyers want to see this in their minds eye and know that it’s attainable.
• A major kitchen remodel may need to include a new floor plan to improve on a poorly designed work triangle.
• If the kitchen is completely dated, isolated and compartmentalized with an inefficient floor plan and layout – don’t think that replacing the cabinets and appliances will camouflage the problem.  It won’t!
• If at all possible add an island into those plans. Everyone loves them!
• Replacing all cabinetry, appliances, lighting, flooring, finishes and fixtures and new French doors and windows will grab the buyers’ attention.
• Since kitchens and baths are the costliest rooms to renovate, the buyer will be thrilled that the work is already done for them.

2.  Family Room Additions. (75% ROI)

The family room is the second most popular space in the home after the kitchen.

• Adding 400 sq. ft. of bright and cheery living space (if your neighborhood will bare it), will definitely improve the value of the home.
• Increase the overall height of your space and introduce a vaulted ceiling.  Creating a sense of volume instantly makes a room feel more spacious.
• Consider the details and add beautiful French doors, floor to ceiling windows or even skylights to flood this new space with light and maximizes a view.  Take it one step further and add the deck.

3.  Deck Addition. (72-95% ROI)

Deck additions are quite possibly the best investments these days. They naturally transition the interior to the exterior – instantly expanding your living space.

And who doesn’t love that?

• It’s a vacation-at-home experience, as it expands your living space and extends the summer season – forcing you to live more outdoors before the winter season sets in.
• Its design can be as simple or elaborate as the home it’s attached to.
• Multi-leveled or single, built in seating or casual seating areas, hot tubs, and outdoor kitchens – all of which add to the vacation home atmosphere.
• Decks are more popular than pools and relatively easy to build.
• Design the deck to compliment the character of your home’s exterior architecture.  Give it some thought in planning – it should be proportionate to the size of your yard.
• Incorporate energy efficient solar or led lighting.

4.  Main Floor Master Bedroom Addition (73% ROI)

Adding a 400 sq.ft. master bedroom suite and spa-like bath provides a private retreat and appeals to many home buyers.

• Access to main floor is gaining in popularity.
• Empty nesters and others, who no longer want to tackle stairs, prefer to have the master bedroom and bath retreat on the main floor level of the home.
• Immediate access to a gorgeous deck or patio outdoors also adds to the return.

5.  Two-Story Addition (77% ROI)

• A two-story addition of 800 square feet could include a new main floor family room and an upper level master suite complete with a full bath.
• Or utilizing that extra space and designating it, as the home office, is very appealing to home- buyers.
• Homeowners are spending more time working from home and with the homepreneur trend growing, buyers are attracted to the extra space dedicated solely to operating their home based business.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

1.  BEGIN A PROJECT WITHOUT PREPLANNING

• More people begin their home renovation projects without much pre-planning and believe they’ll just work out the details and figure it out as they move along.
• For a successful home renovation project you need to follow a plan! Literally and figuratively.
• For larger projects, you’ll need to invest in a set of detailed construction drawings with plans, elevations and details.
• If you’re simply updating a bathroom and introducing new materials have a list that covers the scope of what your project entails. Without planning – rest assured, you will experience one delay after another and throw good money after bad.
• Don’t demolish anything unless you have a documented plan.
• Planning ahead will save you valuable time and money..

2.  OVER-UPGRADING OR SCRIMPING ON THE RENOVATION

• When the scope of the project and the final result is incongruent or disproportionate with the home’s market value and the standards of the neighborhood, then there’s a problem.
• Whether you live in a more modest community, middle class or very affluent neighborhood renovate and update your home according to what your neighborhood will tolerate.
• It should be congruent with what your neighborhood will allow.
• Don’t scrimp in the high-end market and don’t overspend on the lower end market.
• You definitely won’t recoup your money when you go to sell.

3.  DIY PROJECTS GONE AWRY

The reality is that DIY projects typically take three to four times longer than it would take for a skilled contractor to do it. Do you have the luxury of time on your side?

• Many DIY projects become even more complicated than expected. Approximately 20% of ambitious home remodelers eventually have to call in a professional to not only complete the work, but fix that damage that the homeowner caused. And truthfully, it can be difficult at times to find someone to come to the rescue to repair the botched job.
• Stick to painting, cabinet staining, re-facing and clean up.
• A poor substandard job will show like a flashing beacon and no one will be willing to pay top dollar for that.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

This year the more popular home renovations tend to be smaller in scale – where function trumps flash.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010 cost vs. value report, the smaller tweaks and midrange interior and exterior projects are yielding the biggest bang for the buck. In other words the more moderate home improvement projects prove to be the most cost effective.

So if you’re thinking of selling your home now or in the near future, consider these top 5 home remodeling projects to help turn your current house into someone else’s home.

1.  CURB APPEAL
First impressions are everything and you don’t have to be a real estate agent to know that. If your house is unappealing from the outside those potential buyers may never make it through the front door.  A great first impression could add a good 10% to the value of your home.

• Define a clear pathway.
• Upgrade your front door.
• Update old windows with energy efficient products.
• Replace your siding, as it tends to be the least costly upgrade.
• Add a porch or deck. (any extension to the outdoors)
• Add Architectural Details such as trims, shutters and moldings.
• Add a new fence, trellis or gate.
• Landscaping.
• Roofing – replace or repair shingles if damaged.
• Exterior Lighting.
• Fresh Paint.

2.  MINOR or MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL
Just to give you an idea how important kitchens are to a home’s value – Here in the US we spend almost $200 billion a year on home renovation projects and $15 billion of that are spent on kitchen renovations. If your kitchen’s layout works perfectly well, just making some simple updates will appeal to the perfect buyer.

Either way when you go to sell your house – keep in mind that you’re essentially selling your kitchen and the emotions attached!

• Upgrade the appliances to stainless, as it has become the new standard finish in kitchen appliances.
• Countertops and Sinks.  Consider Quartz surfaces, which are available in a multitude of colors, and finishes for its wonderful properties.  They are highly durable, non porous and easily maintained.
• Kitchen sinks are available in all shapes and sizes to compliment and fit within your kitchen – from under mount, top mount and integral seamless sinks.
• Cabinets and Hardware: repaint, re-stain or reface all door and drawer fronts if the layout still works – otherwise plan for new and improved cabinetry.
• Replace and update old flooring with vinyl, ceramic, hardwood, concrete or stone.

3.  MINOR BATH REMODEL
Just simple upgrading of sinks faucets and fixtures will add value, style and sophistication.

• If your master bath has one sink only and you have a 6’long space, add two new under mount sinks.
• New countertops and cabinetry really set the stage for the space and are critical elements in creating a beautiful spa like environment. Consider certain marbles, soapstone, bluestone or limestone to create a sense of luxury.
• Furniture-like cabinetry in deep warm woods evokes richness.
• Flooring such as ceramic, stone, concrete and woods.
• Frameless glass shower enclosures undoubtedly add to a spa-like atmosphere.

4.  CONVERTING UNFINISHED ATTICS INTO BEDROOMS

• Increasing the amount of livable space is still very important to homeowners and potential buyers – and repurposing existing space is the most cost effective way to achieve that.  It’s much more cost effective than adding on, as well as being the green thing to do.
• If you have the attic space you could develop a 15’ x15’ bedroom c/w a 5×7 bath and shower.   Or utilize that finished attic space as a home office/guest suite.  Allocate this new square footage to appeal to you as well as the buyer.

5. DEVELOPING BASEMENTS INTO AN ADDED LIVING SPACE.

• Developing the basement into a finished and livable entertainment space.
• Create an added bedroom and bath, office, laundry or game room.
• Provide ample built-in storage, playroom and finished bedroom.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

If you want to spend your money wisely and make your renovation dollars work the best for you – having a home renovation strategy could potentially save you thousands.

When determining how much to spend on your home improvement projects, it requires some research on your part, as there are a few variables that come into play here.

Know Your Neighborhood

• Setting a realistic budget is very important when renovating your home whether you plan on living there for years or if you’re planning to sell.
• Research your area and learn what your neighborhood standard will tolerate.
• This will help you set a realistic budget for your projects and then you can make an informed decision as to where your renovation dollars will be best served.
• A good rule of thumb in determining how much you should spend on renovating your home is to base it on a percentage of your home’s value.

Learn The Value of Your Own Home

• You could hire a realtor or appraiser to assess your property and provide you with a current appraisal and how your home relates to the comps in your neighborhood.
• There is also a great online source www.zillow.com where you enter your address and compare your home with others in your neighborhood on an interactive map.
• It shows you the range of the property values in your community.  Once you have an idea of your home’s current value you could then start budgeting and planning for your remodeling projects.
• If you’re renovating your home and plan to stay for 10 years then typically a range of 20%-30% of your home’s value is an acceptable amount to invest.
• If you’re remodeling it to sell – then a more conservative number to invest might be15% – 20% of your home’s value.  Again, it depends on what your neighborhood can bare – and whether you live in a more modest, middle class or affluent community.

For example – If your home is valued at 350, 000 and your plans are to gut your kitchen space (without any structural changes) by replacing all cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, flooring, countertops and supplementing electrical – and your plans are to move in a couple of years then I’d suggest keeping the cost of the project within 20%. (So spending 70K would be a reasonable investment) And typically a kitchen remodel will have a return on investment of anywhere from 75%-100%.

The Cost vs. Value Report

To really take a peak into the renovation market I highly recommend checking out:

• Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report is a fabulous resource where homeowners can compare national and regional averages for about 33 home remodeling and renovation projects in about 80 cities.
• It provides you with a description of the average projects in your area of the country – which allows you to gage where your project falls within your area – and what kind of ROI you could expect. www.costvsvalue.com.   Click on 2009/10 cost vs. value report and zero in on your corner of the country.  It will list the renovation trends of both mid-range and upscale projects.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

1.  ANALYZE THE SPACE

• Walk through your home and look at each room in the context of the overall property.
• Is your kitchen very dark and compartmentalized with an inefficient floor plan and layout?
• Are the cabinets just worn out and refused to stay closed?
• Do your appliances only work when they want to?

OR – on the flip side:

• If you’ve maintained your home beautifully over the years and renovated your kitchen recently – added a new patio and landscaping – and updated the overall décor – but you’re still living with that green and pink guest bathroom down the hall, now would be the time to remodel it!  It will look extremely dated and tired compared to the upgrades you’ve already made.  So by refreshing it now will present a more cohesive piece of property to show later.

2.  IDENTIFY THE NEGATIVES – AND FIX THEM!

• Before you invest any time and money into any home renovation projects it’s so important to first evaluate the structural elements of your home.
• Do a walk through, and be really honest with what you find.  What weaknesses did you discover?  If YOU can see the problems  – so will the potential buyers!
• Be on the lookout for anything and everything from cracks in the foundation / rotting, bulging or splitting around doors and windows,
• Is the electrical wiring antiquated?
• Do you have a termite problem? These issues can’t be hidden or camouflaged.
• So be proactive and hire a home inspector before you sell.  They will help you uncover problems and looming issues that you may have over looked.
• A typical home inspection analyzes the home’s structural integrity, all major mechanical systems and provides you with a thorough assessment of your home’s structure and property.
• Use this information to repair the necessary areas of the home and give it the TLC it deserves.
• Set goals and decide what you NEED to do and the compromises you’ll willing to make to turn your home into someone else’s dream home.

3.  ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES – AND ENHANCE THEM

• Highlight your home’s Best features:  Every home should have some.  If they don’t then create some!
• Is it a canyon view from the hillside?
• The ocean view from the kitchen?
• The spectacular double-sided fireplace or the fabulous gourmet kitchen you’ve loved for years.  Or the deck and outdoor kitchen off the family room?
• Whatever the asset –  dress it, enhance it, show it – AND CREATE THAT WOW FACTOR!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Dwell On Design – the West Coast’s largest design event took place over the weekend at the LA Convention Center.  I hope you had a chance to visit this great event.  This 3-day modern design show featured over 200 design forward product lines involving all aspects of the modern home – from indoor and outdoor furniture, landscape architecture and design, windows and doors – to laundry detergent.

So for your next home remodel or renovation project here are just a few of the great products that caught my attention – and will hopefully inspire you.

Daniel Ogassian: A master tile maker, designs the most beautiful concrete and ceramic floor and wall tiles.  The naturally inspired organic and geometric shapes are highly textured and can be applied to any interior or exterior project.  Specify these materials for your master bath, kitchen, foyer, family room or anywhere, and set your home apart from the rest.  www.DanielOgassian.com.

Boca Do Lobo: This modern luxury furniture collection took my breath away.  Designed and crafted in Portugal, the limited edition pieces of the “Emotion Collection” can’t help but stir those emotions in you!  The very exclusive furniture collection is crafted from the highest quality materials and speaks to its ingenuity and creativity, thereby producing a true work of art – every time.  Their website alone is spectacular.  www.BocaDoLobo.com.

Modernus: This Company manufacturers modern swing, sliding, pivot and pocket interior doors.  These custom doors can be specified in a wide variety of materials – from wood and glass, to lacquer and aluminum at factory direct pricing.  These interior doors will enhance any modern home with grace, sophistication and style. www.Modernus.com.

Arrigoni Woods: This is the first engineered wide-plank wood flooring product that provides a truly unique and custom quality European finish.  Choose from wire-brushing, aging, hand-scraping and custom oiled surfaces to take your oak, ash, walnut, and mahogany wood flooring to an entirely new level.  www.ArrigoniWood.com.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.