Small spaces can be big on style. You just need to know how to implement some tricks of the trade to give it that look of grandeur.

Older homes can be loaded with detail and charm, but many tend to be quite compartmentalized – with one small room after another.  Creating that extra space doesn’t have to be that costly if you creatively repurpose and reconfigure some of those existing rooms to gain that extra square footage – where you really need it.

Here are some great tips for living large in a small space.

Space Planning.

• Know how your room must function for you now and later.  The more flexible the space the greater the longevity of having it work for you through the years.
• Plan traffic flow to increase convenience from room to room.
• Have your spaces relate to each other by creating a sense of flow, visually and spatially.
• Expand your room by creating an opening in a wall adjoining two spaces or add new and more expansive windows flooding the interior with natural light and inviting the outdoors in.
• Recognize the circulation patterns within your small space and make sure you can move about without obstacles blocking you.
• Circulate the traffic off to one side of your room – not through the space.
• Use every inch of space have – don’t waste any!

Maximize Storage.

• Use the storage beneath your stairs to build in a closet, shelving unit or bar area.

• Add recessed shelving and niches anywhere you have ample wall space to do so – always keeping the architecture of your home in mind.  Built-in china cabinets in the dining room or a stone ledge over your pedestal sink in the main bath will provide added storage and surfaces for those tighter spaces.
• Add window seats or banquettes nestled into the corners of your bedrooms, living rooms or kitchens with easily accessible drawers for storage.
• Use an archway for additional book storage and build in additional shallow floating shelves for added detail and storage.

Add Detail and Character.

• A small space doesn’t need to be a bland one!
• Define it by introducing some architectural elements such as arches, columns, new moldings, wainscoting, and even chair rails to your walls – and beams or molding to your ceiling.
• Adding crown moldings to your ceilings will add a greater sense of volume and depth to your space.
• Mirrored wall panels framed with architectural moldings will provide a brighter and more expansive feel and create some sparkle.
• It’s all about creating a warm and beautiful environment – no matter the size of the room.

Minimize and Categorize Accessories.

• Purchase larger scaled, more substantial pieces to create a stronger impact in your cozy space rather than displaying dozens of little knickknacks.

• To really highlight your favorites, gather similar pieces together and cluster them in odd numbers, e.g., sets of three or five, to create a collection.  Whether they are placed on side tables or in shelving or display cases, rotate your collections throughout the seasons.
• To achieve a sense of balance, place the largest piece in the center and have the smaller ones radiate around it.
• Re-frame all your family photos in similar finishes so the photos pop, rather than the frames.

Highlight With Lighting.

• Overlapping pools of light can create drama and provide an amazing effect over the entire space.
• Not only will decorative lamps and wall sconces add a decorative touch to a room, they can enhance the design and provide a sense of sophistication to the elements you’d like to highlight.
• For general lighting in every room, I like to specify dimmers to control the mood and transform the space.
• In built- in cabinetry and shelving, small halogen puck lights create a sense of drama and accent accessories.
• Install your gorgeous dining room chandelier no more than 36” to 42” inches from the top of your table to the underside of the fixture.

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.

I’m really thrilled to have one of my design projects featured as one of the “Best Looks For 2010” in the current fall issue of Distinctive Kitchen Solutions.  It’s a fabulous magazine full of inspirational ideas for your kitchen and bath remodeling projects.

It’s so important to educate yourself on the materials, finishes, and appliances available to you whether you’re planning a full-blown kitchen remodel or a simple upgrade. Spend some time now thinking about what inspires you, what moves you, and what speaks to you?

Do your research, grab some magazines and focus on the styles of homes and interiors you’re drawn to. It doesn’t matter if it’s a window style, a cabinet detail, or a paint color you’re in love with. Just tear out the pages and make notes indicating what you love about it. Be specific. Is it the 6-burner stainless steel stove, those gorgeous entry doors, or the overall kitchen layout?

Distinctive Kitchen Solutions magazine will not only inspire you – it will help educate you so that you’ll make the best choices – before you buy.

So grab your copy at the newsstands, Borders, Barnes & Nobles or your local supermarket and get started on planning your kitchen renovation today.

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.

Back in February of this year I wrote an article entitled: The Top 10 “Must Have” Features In Today’s Homes. The results were based on a survey taken by Market Watch a consumer group at the Las Vegas Home Builder’s Show.  Number one on the “Must Have” list was Large Kitchens With Islands.

No matter how many islands I have incorporated into my kitchen designs over the years– no two are ever alike.  It’s my job to ensure that each one takes on a personality of its own and compliments the kitchen and the overall architecture of the space.  Depending on the overall floor plan the island can be designed in a multitude of shapes, sizes, levels, and finishes making it truly unique to your home.

A Kitchen island is a valuable asset in today’s homes.  It acts as the central meeting place within the kitchen itself, which we all recognize to be – the heart of the home.  This multi-functional piece of furniture wears several hats over the course of the day.  It can act as a food prep zone, family gathering spot, homework center and mobile office, just to name a few.

Typically my clients expect these islands to meet a specific set of criteria.

Here are the most common requests.

• Uninterrupted surface area for food prep space.
• An additional sink with disposal.
• Extra storage drawers and doors.
• Location for warming drawers.
• Double sided storage accessible from both sides.
• Comfortable seating/stools for 4.

Kitchen Islands can be successfully incorporated into many types of layouts – of course depending on your overall space.  Islands tend to work best in these 3 types of kitchen plans:

• A Galley Kitchen. In a smaller galley-type kitchen, removing a wall and opening it up to a neighboring space will allow for a perfect island application.
• An L-Shaped Kitchen. A very popular layout for the work triangle and is a perfect layout for adding an island to your kitchen plans (If you have the luxury of space).
• A U-Shaped Kitchen. Again providing you have the space between counter tops and is open to another room, the U shape kitchen is a very efficient layout and an island would only enhance the overall function of your kitchen.

I want to leave you with a few last minute tips when re-designing your kitchen and incorporating an island into the plans.

• Utilize different materials, surfaces and cabinetry on your island – creating a more unique piece of furniture and focal point within the space.  It keeps the eye interested.
• Island sizes range from +36” wide x +72” long – depending on the space you have.
• If possible allow for at least 42” between countertop and island counter top.  (36” is minimal – but work-able if you’re tight on space).
• Also allow 42” clearance for aisles and traffic patterns.
• Island heights can vary as well and be multi-leveled.  They can be designed at counter top height of 36” with a dropped eating area of 30” in height, or an elevated bar area of 44” high.  The choice is yours.

Renovating your kitchen and implementing an island into your space will undoubtedly increase your home’s value and could yield you a return on investment of 75% – 90%.

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.

Dining spaces can be formal, casual, or a combination of both. Many traditional homes have both a formal dining room and an informal eat-in kitchen.

When planning for a remodel of this area, whether you’re converting an existing space or adding on, consider:

• The size of your family
• The number of guests you typically invite to dinner parties
• The types of occasions when you’ll use the room.

These facts will help guide you in planning the size of your dining space, the layout, and the furniture you’ll ultimately choose. Also consider traffic flow and especially the proximity to the kitchen for serving meals.

Your dining room is also a great space to store extra-large serving pieces that don’t typically fit in your kitchen. Whether you incorporate built-in cabinetry or individual storage pieces, make sure to provide enough clearance for cabinet doors to open fully. When planning lighting, consider all the uses: dramatic enough for elegant dinner parties and bright enough for your kids’ birthday parties.

10 Tips To Consider When Designing A More Formal Dining Room

1. Add character in your dining room by adding simple wood panels, moldings, or beams on your ceiling.
2. For a more traditional feel and layered look, install some paneled wainscoting and beefy crown molding around the perimeter of your room.
3. Increase the size of your baseboard by adding another piece of molding to the existing material to make it look chunkier and more substantial.
4. If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood flooring beneath that old green carpeting, then simply re-finish and stain it in a deep rich tone.
5. When renovating your dining room, check the plans to make sure your existing furniture will fit back in to the new space.
6. Rectangular dining tables are best suited for rectangular dining rooms. If you need to seat 8 to 10 people, the recommended room size is a minimum of 10’6” x 15’.
7. Square dining spaces look fantastic with either square or round tables. Rounds are my personal favorite as they provide for a much more intimate dining experience. For 8 to 10 people, the recommended room size for an 8 ft. diameter table typically is an 18’6” square space.
8. Provide a focal point in the dining room either by enhancing an existing fireplace or creating a new vignette by introducing a beautiful hutch for storage, and flank your favorite piece of art above with a pair of colorful lamps.
9. Use a combination of light sources. In addition to a central fixture or chandelier, it’s tremendously effective to add some recessed halogen light fixtures to highlight artwork, or any other key pieces—and your crystal and silverware will sparkle like diamonds.
10. Hang your chandelier anywhere from 36” to 42” from the tabletop (from the top of the table to the underside of the fixture). Keep the diameter of the fixture 9”- 12” smaller than the width of your table.

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.

Would you say your overall design style sleek and chic?  Do you enjoy the true architecture of a space with its linear simplicity rather that an overly adorned and accessorized space?  If you’d like to translate your modern vision into your Master Bath here are a few design ideas to help get you started.
1.  Cabinetry

• When it comes time to selecting the design of your cabinetry lean toward clean, crisp and streamlined furniture.
• To create a lighter and sleek bathroom environment consider cantilevered cabinetry secured to the wall creating a minimal look to the vanity piece.  Create some drama with strip lighting added to the bottom side of the cabinet – which will cast a warm glow to the floor below.
• Provide additional built in wall-to-wall storage elsewhere in the bathroom to compensate for the reduced storage in the vanity area.
• Deep dark rich woods evoke a sense of warmth to the clean lines of contemporary design.

2.  Fixtures

• Crisp clean and sleek white fixtures speak to the contemporary/modern design.
• If space allows introduce one of the hottest trends – a free- standing bathtub.  They are available in all shapes and sizes and nothing creates a more dramatic focal point in the bathroom than an exquisite free-standing tub. Simply position it in front of a spectacular picture window with a breathtaking view as the backdrop.

3.  Surfaces and Materials

• Utilize solid surfaces for countertops, whether quartz, limestone, granite, concrete or glass to give it a clean contemporary look.  Keep the edges simple and square for easy maintenance and sophisticated style.
• Always introduce an interesting backsplash material in contrast to the counter top color and material.  Whatever the surface I like to apply it on all walls from floor to ceiling.  It creates instant architecture and adds great detail and drama to the space.
• Glass tile, mosaic, stone or ceramic details are just a few of the highly decorative backsplash products out on the market today that create a sense of modern style.
• Keep geometry in mind when selecting the material for your contemporary backsplash.  Consider tile shapes that are rectangular, oversized, or small mosaics to create detail in the pattern of the application.  If the tile is oversized and rectilinear install it in a brick pattern. If it’s shape is longer and thinner then stacking the tile creates a very interesting modern vibe.  Stay away from the common square tile in any size.

4.  Luxurious Shower

• Create a steam shower with multiple rain heads, and body sprays.  If your budget allows, add chromatherapy and aromatherapy to your master bath wish list as well.  These fittings represent the epitome of modern luxury design.  Don’t forget a built in bench and access panel to hide the steam system.
• Design a full seamless glass enclosure from floor to ceiling and finish the interior with complimentary mosaics or stone tile to set it apart from the rest of the space.  This glass enclosure creates a more visually open space within the overall space.

5.  Accessories

• Remember to keep clutter and display to a minimum.
• Accessorize with towels in a bright color for punch or stainless steel and woods. Keep everything to a minimum and clutter free.
• Select chrome, nickel or silver toned drawer/door pulls, towel bars, towel hooks and paper holders for sparkle.
• Frame vanity mirrors in woods or silver tones – in similar finishes to the other accessories adorning your modern bath.

Draw the bath and enjoy the modern luxuries of your new space.

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.

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.