I met with a wonderful couple last week to discuss their home renovation plans.  Their home, which is nestled in the hills of a lush canyon, has a view that is nothing short of spectacular.  The house itself – is quite the opposite – as they inherited all kinds of issues from the previous owners.   This project will require a tremendous amount of re-planning, renovation work and TLC to create the indoor/outdoor living environment the homeowners want to achieve.  One of the areas in dire need of help is their kitchen.  I first had to convince them that existing space needed much more than simply a new countertop and backsplash.

So when is the best time to upgrade your kitchen?

1. Poor Kitchen Layout.

Analyze the overall space and identify your daily struggles and challenges – then devise a plan that accommodates your lifestyle. Are you constantly running back and forth while preparing meals?  Are you single, a couple, a family of five, or are you the next Iron Chef?  If you’re that gourmet chef then you’ll need to ensure that you have plenty of surface area, storage and power in your appliances.  If your kitchen needs to be multi-functional for your busy family and overall layout is no longer working for you – then it is time to upgrade your kitchen!

2. Antiquated Appliances.

If your oven needs twice as much time to cook that brisket than the recipe recommends, your old leaky dishwasher with the rusted base is cooking the food onto your dishes rather than cleaning them, or the ultra deep refrigerator is leaking Freon and very outdated in color and style, then it’s time to replace them!

The best solution is to update all of your appliances at the same time to give it a cohesive look.  Consider incorporating stainless steel into your updated kitchen, as that is now the new standard in kitchen appliances.

3. Cabinetry That’s Falling Apart.

Do the doors on your cabinets refuse to stay closed and are they completely wonky and uneven when they are?  Is the paint chipping or the finish rubbing off?  Or maybe the drawers are sticking and unable to open or close anymore.  If you’re constantly frustrated with the condition of your cabinetry and your constant frustration then do yourself a favor and commit to a new cabinet design and style.  Do your research and find the cabinet style that speaks to you.

4. Cracked Countertops And Flooring.

Take a good look around your kitchen.  If you have any type of chipped countertop tiles, cracks in your porcelain sink, worn finishes, and burns on your countertop surfaces, then it is time to re-think the overall design and finishes of your kitchen.  Don’t forget your flooring as well.  Is it hardwood that can be re-finished or another material that is definitely showing its years of wear and tear? Are there gashes in the flooring or any broken tiles or splitting seams?  These are signs of materials needing to be replaced and updated.

5. Increasing The Value Of Your Home.

In the US we spend $15 billion on kitchen renovations alone.  This space tends to be the one room in the house that speaks to buyers on an emotional level.   You could typically recoup 80%-90% of your investment when you go to sell your home with a remodeled kitchen.  But beware: If you have done some minor kitchen updating and the space still has an inefficient floor plan and layout, simple quick fixes will not camouflage the problem.  Always update before selling.

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 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.

If Country Casual, Traditional Elegance, Contemporary Cool or Transitional Chic doesn’t float your boat – then maybe this interior design style does.  Whether you’re a world traveler or a weekend flea market junkie, this multi-cultural style allows for great versatility at the same time speaking loud and clear depicting your personality.

Does this describe your personality?

• Your risk taking personality speaks loud and clear in your spirited design style.
• You just love mixing furniture and details from multiple sources, creating globally inspired spaces.   However the main color palette is quite subtle and neutral.
• A classic neutral background setting highlights all your ethnic objects.
• Your inspiration is gathered from different design periods, but your planning is deliberate, as shared themes tend to tie all the elements together.
• There’s a method to your madness as these elements somehow relate to each other either in pattern, texture, shape or color.
• You may have collected some of your most precious pieces and accessories while on exotic vacations from around the world, or just visiting your local flea markets and antique shops.
• Your favorite colors white, cream, brown, taupe and black are quite neutral and act as an ideal backdrop to showcase some of your favorite rough fabrics and bold textiles and worn surfaces.
• Your home reflects your artsy and spirited design style at every turn and is a true reflection of your playful and trendy personality.
• Seating and furniture can range from a contemporary leather sofa to a fabulous wooden framed lounge chair upholstered in a rich brown, black or red.

So get a solid handle on your unique interior design style before you begin you home renovation or decorating project so your home reflects you and your family’s personality.

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.

Introducing particular interior design styles into your home makes a strong statement about your personality and lifestyle.  That’s why selecting your perfect design style – one that truly reflects the way you really want to live – is so important.

Here is number 4 on the list of Interior Design Styles.

Will this style give your home the distinctive look you’re after?

• Your design style combines a little traditional with a contemporary flair – which evokes a comfortable and classic embience.
• The union of these two styles creates a classic and timeless design for your entire family to enjoy.
• The focus here is on comfort and practicality while at the same time combining both a masculine and feminine vibe.
• The blending of curves and straight lines in your furniture creates a great sense of balance. 
• You love texture and are partial to leathers, ultra-suedes and nubby chenilles –anything soft to the touch. (Visit www.glamorousfabrics.com for some extraordinary fabrics at unbelievable savings).
• A monochromatic color scheme is often punched up with the introduction of warm browns and chocolate wood tones. 
• You tend to keep accessories to a minimum yet love to display your photos and artwork framed in silver or nickel finishes for that crisp clean look. This adds a little added sparkle to your space. 
• Neutral wood flooring and muted colored sisals and Berber carpeting in warmer tones tend to anchor the overall space.

If this style speaks to you – then consider your overall design style – Transitional Chic.

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.

Impressions are everything and you don’t have to be a real estate agent to know that a home with immense curb appeal is what makes potential buyers bite and at the same time gives us homeowners a deep sense of pride in our most valued possession.

Whether you’re planning to sell, or live there for years to come – if you want your home noticed, here are some projects that will provide a good return on investment at any time.

1.   Define A Clear Pathway.
Clearly define a path to your front door, which leads into your home.  Make sure to rid your pathway of any weeds poking through the cracks and line your path with some natural elements to draw people in.

2.  Upgrade Your Front Door.
Installing a new front door will instantly enhance your home’s façade and sets a tone for what lies beyond.  Make sure the new door compliments your home’s architecture, and if at all possible introduce some glass either within the door itself, a transom above or sidelights to the side.  Consider painting the new door red or black for some added drama – and to draw some positive energy in.

3.  Update Old Windows.
If your windows are single pane energy wasters it’s time to replace them with new energy efficient ones. Windows associated with the Energy Star label will save you money throughout the year and keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  Dress up these new windows by adding some elegant window boxes with your favorite plants and flowers for a burst of color.

4.   Replace Your Siding.
If your siding is dated or damaged then it’s time to update it.  Replacing your siding is among the least costly upgrades you can make to your home and immediately boosts your home’s appeal.  It’s available in a variety of colors and styles and will complement any home style.

5.  Add a Porch or Deck.
Those charming front porches from years ago are back in vogue and decks, which have remained popular throughout the years, have evolved into multi-leveled outdoor living spaces complete with kitchens, spas and fire-pits.  So whether you’re adding a porch, patio or deck onto your existing home, for a seamless transition make sure to get professional design help.

6.  Architectural Details.
If the front of your home is void of details, then create some!  Draw attention to your entryway by adding some chunky moldings.  Create some visual interest by installing new window trims and shutters. You may even consider incorporating a charming new fence, trellis, or water feature.

7.  Landscaping.
Adding shrubs, flowers or container gardens add instant impact to your front yard.  Create an inviting entrance by investing in a pair of architectural pots, fill them with flowering plants, and place them on the landing flanking the front door.  Dig a new planting bed for flowers along the driveway or in front of your house.

8.  Roofing.
Your roof could potentially cover anywhere from 40%-60% of your home’s overall visual appearance, so you want to make sure it’s in good condition.  If any of the shingles need to be replaced then do so.  If you’re replacing the roof select a new roofing material that compliments the style of your home.

9.  Lighting.
Design a sense of drama by adding some energy efficient low LED or solar powered garden lights along your pathway and driveway, and highlight your home by accenting the façade with multiple layers of lighting. Include a pair of wall sconces flanking the front door and invest in quality finishes.  Creating a welcoming glow throughout your property will draw your guests (or potential buyers) in.

10.  Fresh Paint.
If the paint on your house looks gray, cracked and weathered then it’s time for a fresh coat of paint.  Either tackle it yourself, or hire a professional to help.    If cost and time are factors simply paint out the front door, window trims, shutters and any fencing in a fresh new color.

Oh and don’t forget to adorn your revamped exterior with some fabulous new jewelry!  New house numbers, door handles and a mailbox will give your exterior that finished and cohesive look.

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.

With everyone’s hectic lifestyle, the bathroom is the one place to escape from it all to retreat and relax. Whether you’re renovating a main floor powder room, the kids’ Jack and Jill, or your master bath, you want to make sure you create that sanctuary that provides you with a sense of peace you crave at the beginning and end of the day.

We could typically spend up to 7 hours a week lounging in the bath, steaming in our showers, grooming, cleansing and applying makeup.  This is a room to be lived in rather than just pass through and that’s why it requires such careful attention.

These spaces tend to be among the costliest rooms to renovate. That’s why it’s important to realize it’s less about trends and more about style. Whether remodeling or adding on a new bath, think about all those amenities you might have wanted in your bathroom but never had. Now’s your chance. Read the magazines, search online, and visit your bath supply showrooms for wonderful inspirational ideas.

Ideally bedrooms and baths should be separated visually from the main working areas of your house. At least one guest bath or powder room should be easily accessible from the kitchen and family room area of your home.

The master bath should be large enough to fit an oversized tub, generously sized shower, and double vanity sinks—and as many other bells and whistles to provide you with the Zen-like atmosphere you crave.

If you’re faced with any of these issues in your own home then maybe it’s time to think about correcting these old problems by creating new solutions.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

• Are you short a powder room, and right now your guests use your main bath?
• Is your tiny main bath too cramped and cluttered for a family of four?
• Does your sink and combination bath/shower drip and leak and just doesn’t work well anymore?
• When your bathroom door is kept open, can you see the toilet from down the hallway? (Yuck)
• Can you hear everything in your current powder room—there’s no privacy or sound insulation?
• Are you still in love with the pink tub, toilet and sink – or is it time to let it go?
• Are you struggling with insufficient storage and unable to organize all your products and supplies?
• Is the moisture level is too high and the overwhelming scent of mildew proving to be more than you can handle?

Are you now ready to create new solutions?

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.

Last week was the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day.  Honestly it came and went without much fanfare – and I’m not sure why.  The green movement is here to stay and hopefully inspires all of us to realize that the choices we make inside our homes impact everything around us. We have a responsibility to our kids to set the example and encourage them to live a more environmentally responsible and healthful lifestyle.

I’m making a concerted effort to live more responsibly and to design my projects more efficiently.  Building and designing green is really an exercise in sensibility – where newly built and renovated homes are designed to be more energy and water efficient, durable, longer lasting and healthy to live in due to high indoor air quality – free of radon moisture and mold.

So if you are thinking about renovating, remodeling or retrofitting, which simple “green” improvements would add the most value to your home?

• Kitchen remodels traditionally give you the best ROI in your home.  Sure you can renovate and repurpose existing space, but just replacing your old laminate countertops with a new recycled glass counter surface, or changing out that old cracked ceramic floor tile with a highly sustainable bamboo material, will instantly add value to your home and improve your air quality at the same time.

• Bathroom upgrades typically run a close second to kitchen improvements and their return on investment.  By repainting with low or zero paints, re-grouting your tiles, or replacing all your old plumbing fixtures that conserve water will not only add value but save money as well.

• Increasing your energy efficiency by improving the R-values in your attic insulation or basement and crawlspaces will help reduce your energy costs – which in turn improves the overall value of your home.

• Adding solar panels or geothermal heat pumps are a costlier commitment than a traditional HVAC system – yet add high value to a home.  If nothing else schedule regular maintenance at least twice a year to ensure that your current system is operating efficiently.
• Old single pane windows are a portal for allowing cold air in, and warm air out.  Replacing leaky windows with double paned ones will instantly improve your insulation and save energy.  But keep in mind, replacing the windows on an old historic home would actually decrease its value by changing the integrity of the structure.  In that scenario adding storm windows on the outside of those old single pane windows instantly improve your home’s insulation value.

Stay Inspired!

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.

Brown Residence, Week 18
Why is it that even the smallest remodeling project can take 3 times longer than originally quoted?  We are finally converting a den area in our home into our “Tween” daughter’s new bedroom.

No matter how small the project, planning the space to scale on paper first with a written scope of the work, allows you to budget for the necessary materials, furniture, fabrics and lighting you’ll need to makeover your tween’s space.

The drawing doesn’t need to be anything fancy – in fact here’s a quick sketch (to scale) of Andie’s bedroom floor plan which includes a furniture layout and construction notes.

Scaling the plan immediately lets me know the furniture sizes that best fit the space.  Knowing this in advance saves me valuable time and money allowing me to purchase the right pieces the first time.

After assessing my tween’s needs, we can then define scope of this remodeling project – which goes something like this:

Furniture Needs List:

• Full size bed with headboard and footboard.
• New bedding.
• Night stands or tables on each side of bed.
• 24”x48” desk with chair.
• 16”x 36” chest of drawers.
• Chair and lamp.
• Desk lamp.
• Bedside lamps.
• Area rugs.
• New window coverings.

Construction Needs List:

• Close over foyer entrance and match existing board siding.
• Add 2 extra outlets.
• Add new door from the hallway side to match existing.
• Repair random hardwood floorboards where necessary.
• Convert old TV unit to closet c/w new paint grade doors.
• Prime and paint throughout with low VOC paints.

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: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

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

Brown Residence, Week 18
I’ve been in the middle of a small remodeling project of my own over the past couple of weeks, and I’m happy to say my client has been a blast to work with!  Helping my “Tween” daughter design her new bedroom has been a real trip.

Spending more quality time together with my 10 year old lets me catch of glimpse of another facet of her personality – discovering her of her sense of style. I’ve been able to help guide her on how to research design trends, online and off and most importantly to notice what approach best appeals to her personality, ultimately creating a room that defines her personality (all with my approval of course).

There are 44 million tweens and teens from the ages 8 to 18 here in the U.S, and after scouring all the sources available to this market, the one that speaks to my tween the most is www.pbteen.com.  While the themes and trends they offer are limitless, I’m attempting to teach her that good design is less about trends and more about style – and to pull inspiration from multiple sources.  It keeps things interesting.

Re-designing a tween’s bedroom doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.  Sometimes it can be as simple as painting out the room in a vibrant new color, incorporating some new bedding and/or adding an extra lamp or two.

Keep in mind that even though tweens are growing and maturing, they can still be hard on their things.  Doing homework on their beds with permanent markers and the constant slamming of doors and drawers, consider durable fabrics and furniture to ensure they withstand years of use and abuse.

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: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

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

Are You Ready For Your Houseguests? Here’s How to Turn Your Home Office Into A Guestroom.

Let’s face it. Space can be at a premium these days so creating rooms in your home that provide more than a single function is becoming the norm. With some slight modifications and implementing a few key pieces of furniture, your home office could easily be transformed into an inviting guest room.

But before tackling this project, consider these design tips to help you increase the room’s function and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your guests. Let’s show them how much we really love them!

1. Assess Your Needs. Ask yourself: How many guests do you typically have at any given time? Do you need a single or queen sized sleeper? How long do they plan to stay? What type of office equipment do you have that needs to be stored or concealed? Will you need access to your computer during the day? The answers to these questions will help you determine the type of furniture you’ll need to buy (if any).
2. Proportion And Layout. Be aware of the size of your room and scale the pieces accordingly. Keep everything sleek and stylized and don’t over clutter. Introduce a combination of open and closed shelves to display your family photos or collections, and to hide some of the bulkier office equipment. You may want to consider a simple desktop just deep enough for your laptop, a few floating shelves above, and some file drawers on casters below. Keep the bedding simple and throw pillows to a minimum. Providing just a splash of color and texture will go a long way. Finally make sure to have ample open floor space for easy traffic flow.
3. Flexibility. Have some fun here, since there are some fabulous and very innovative products on the market right now. A big space saver is the desk/bed. It transforms from a desk into a bed while keeping all your computer and office equipment in its place when the bed is lowered into position………very ingenious! Another one to consider is the new and improved version of the Murphy bed. With a little twist and turn it accommodates storage, shelving, a desk surface and bed. If you’re really tight on space the sleeper sofa or armchair is the perfect space saving solution. Be sure to test it out first to see how easy it is to open, and how comfortable the bed is. Also be on the lookout for some interesting trunks or barrels with either hinged or removable lids that provide storage for bedding and other supplies. You can always use them as side tables or extra seating. Remember, flexibility here is key.
4. Lighting. The proper lighting in your guest room/home office can have a great impact over both your mood and productivity. Overlapping pools of light such as general lighting (overheads, preferably on dimmers), task lighting (lamps with tri-light bulbs) and accent lighting (lighting shelves, plants, art etc.) will ultimately provide you and your houseguest with the best result all around.
5. Details. Always provide your guests with the coziest bedding possible. When crawling into bed at the end of the day, nothing says Ahhhhh, like fine Egyptian cotton linens and a luxurious down comforter. Add a little extra touch by leaving a few of your favorite magazines – and even some decadent chocolates next to the bed. Arrange some deliciously scented toiletries in a basket along with some guest towels. And don’t forget a few stems of flowers on the bedside table.

These special treats will undoubtedly make your guest’s feel warm and welcome and give them a vacation to remember. Enjoy, and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

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: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca.
© 2009 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc