It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here and the holiday season is about to explode.  Many of us will be hosts – welcoming our family and friends into our homes to share in this American holiday tradition!

As a Canadian transplant I have to confess that it didn’t take me long after moving to LA to acclimate to the spicy flavors, sweet tastes and savory aromas of the Traditional Thanksgiving Feast. This is by far my favorite meal – guaranteed to put my into my annual “food coma”.

So, just like I do every year, I spent some time last week flipping through a few recipe books, gourmet magazines and even tuned in to the Food Network to grab some Thanksgiving recipe inspiration. And last night I made the most delicious “Chicken with 40 Garlic Cloves” (I only used 20) which produced the most o-u-t-r-a-g-e-o-u-s gravy!  Try this recipe and see for yourself.  So needless to say that sauce will be making its way back on to our  Thanksgiving table on Thursday.

Watching those celebrity chefs on the Food Network create the most delectable Thanksgiving meals in 30 mins. is beyond intimidating. Yet for me it’s simply a matter of playing “Mr. Potato Head” with these recipes to see how I can attempt to design a menu that I can actually pull off.

Then I’ll drag the kids through the neighborhood to hunt and gather all the twigs, leaves, branches and pinecones we can find in the neighborhood to dress the table in a very chic yet eco-friendly sort of way.

Here are just a few of my favorite Thanksgiving Table Designs.

Image via Country Living Magazine

Image via House Beautiful

Image via Martha Stewart

Image via HGTV.com

Image via Lonny Magazine

Simply Beautiful

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the day with those you love.

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. © 2011 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 2010-11 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.

If you are a voracious reader with a book collection to prove it – then it’s time to create a retreat within your home where you can “unplug” from the daily grind – and decompress and relax among your favorite books.   And what better place to do this than in a home library.

Decorating a room with books never gets old.  It provides warmth and character to the space instantly drawing you in.  Relaxing among books  somehow warms our souls as we surround ourselves with longtime friends and curious adventures.

Whether your home is spacious enough for a dedicated “library”, a mini- library or a transformed  corner of a room– there are a few key elements to keep in mind:

• Designate a quiet area within your home where traffic is at a minimum.
• Take inventory of your collection and assess whether the newly designated wall space is able to house them all – if not pick those in the best condition and donate the rest.
• Make sure that this space is able to tolerate floor to ceiling bookshelves and the excessive weight of the books it will hold.
• Prevent the shelves from bowing by increasing their thickness to 1 ½” thick.
• Design the shelving to reflect the style and integrity of the home and have them fastened together and scribed to the wall for greater strength.
• Select a material and finish that best showcases your collection. (Shelves painted a dark blue or black allows for the books to pop)!
• Provide a functional floor plan/layout. Have the shelves easily accessible with ample seating to curl up in.  A simple furniture arrangement such as a pair of oversized chairs, sidetables and lamps may be all you’ll need.
• The proper lighting in your “library” will have a great impact over the space – and highlight your gorgeous collection. The combination of natural, general  (overheads, preferably on dimmers), task  (lamps with tri-light bulbs) and accent lighting (lighting shelves, plants, art etc.) will provide you with the best overall result.

Home libraries can be implemented anywhere.  So take a good look around your house – and see if any of these locations work for you.

• Beneath the stairs
• In a hallway
• Around doorways and windows
• Within the living room
• An unused corner of a room
• Loft or upper mezzanine landing
• Bedroom
• Family room
• Home Office
• Dedicated library retreat (its own space)

These deep dark shelves highlight the colorful collection – and the table and chairs vignette functions perfectly!

Photo: Cote de Texas

Incorporating window seats and bookshelves into this hallway immediately transforms it into a highly functional and beautiful space.

Photo via Patricia Gray Blog

This ideal home library nestled directly beneath the stairs fits in seamlessly with the overall design of the home – creating a multi-functional living space.

Photo via Apartment Therapy

Here is a clever use of space in a very quaint room.  The shelving wrapping around the entrance frames the doorway, highlights the neighboring space and creates a focal point within the room.

Photo via House Beautiful

I just love the dark cabinetry offset with rich bursts of red.  The lower base cabinets visually anchor the tall shelving unit.

Photo via Southern Accents

A stunning two-story library showcases the owner’s extensive book collection and the home’s spectacular architectural styling as well.

So where is the best place for your library space?

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. © 2011 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Space can be at a premium these days and maximizing every square inch can really make a big difference.

I love to incorporate “niches” of all kinds into my design projects. These recessed nooks, crannies, cubbies and alcoves (or whatever else you’d like to call them) can be integrated anywhere in your home and instantly adds a charming detail and focal point in whichever room it occupies.  A niche simply defined – could be a recess within a wall (which is ideal for extra storage and/or highlighting your collections) – or a recess, angle or obscure nook within the architecture of a room itself.

So take a look around your home to see how you can make the most of your space by creating that ideal niche or nook to fit into the favorite room of your house.

• Could you utilize the space beneath your stairs for display shelving, a bar area or reading nook?
• Is there ample wall space in your foyer or hallways to create that niche to showcase or highlight your favorite object or piece of art?
• Do you have a window alcove (a projected bay or bow window) in your living room, dining room, kitchen or bedroom for that ideal banquette or window seat? If so make sure to provide large storage drawers below the seat for easy access to your supplies.
• Is there sufficient space within your living room or family room walls to recess bookshelves?
• If you’re renovating your kitchen have you considered incorporating a recessed niche with shelves over your stainless stove to create a unique focal point?
• How about some beautiful display niches within the decking of your bath tub or vertically within the walls located at the head and foot of the bath?
• Does your laundry room/mudroom provide you with enough storage?  This would be the ideal area to introduce niches and cubbies for sports equipment, backpacks, heavy outerwear and dog supplies.

Here are some fabulous ideas in all design styles to inspire you!

Photo: via Southern Living Magazine

The crisp white walls enveloping this reading nook clad in bead board – and the simple molding of the seat’s base compliments this cottage’s casual and style.

Photo: via Cococozy                Designer: Vanessa de Vargas

This integrated wall niche becomes more of an architectural element in this modern home and simply showcases the pure elegance of the glass vase.

Photo: via House Beautiful

This very charming window seat/banquette spans wall to wall and is tucked into the recess of the gorgeous garden window.

Photo: via Elle Décor                           Photographer: Simon Upton

Here the formal living room maintains its sophistication and elegance by keeping it simple.  Painting the interior of the display niches a deeper color – provides instant drama and allows the objects to pop – which ultimately creates a striking focal point within the space.

Photo via Remodelista

Here a series of uniform niches to store various sundries is both practical and attractive in this pristine bathroom.

The design possibilities are endless – so next time you’re looking for a little extra space, include a niche into your room or better utilize those nooks and crannies!

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. © 2011 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

With the temperatures plummeting and blizzards pounding the Midwest, now is the best time to escape indoors to your own private winter hide-away.  It’s easy to cozy up your home with some chic and affordable finds to suit your family’s lifestyle and your design style.

1.  Fireplace
Nothing makes you feel more comfortable and cozy than a roaring fire on a cold winter day.  A fireplace instantly infuses character and charm into any room and gives the space its personality.  But to give it the winter makeover you’re after – pack up the old accessories adorning the mantle and swap them out for some new seasonal ones.

• Be your own photographer, bundle up and head outside to capture some black and white photos of some winter scenes.  Blow up your favorite image and frame it in a simple black, metal or white frame and set it on the mantle.
• To one side of your new winter scene, cluster a collection of three antiqued or vintage silver urns (or similar) in varying heights – and include some eucalyptus, feathers or other greens to give the composition added volume.
• On the other end situate some natural elements like a birch vase, pinecones, candles or dull greens to flank that artwork as well.
• Keep the accessories in the center to a minimum and very low. Perhaps a metallic framed photo or two.  Either way, make sure there is some height on each side of the wintery photograph.

2.  Furniture Layout
If you’re lucky enough to gather around your living room or family room fireplace this winter you may want to consider a quick change to the furniture layout or floor plan – cozying things up a bit.

• If your fireplace is centrally located within a wall and is flanked by windows or bookcases that are the same dimensions on each side, then you’re dealing with a more traditional space and personality – which speaks to a more traditional furniture layout.
• Pairs are important here. To take advantage of the roaring fire flank a pair of comfortable and inviting chairs on either side of the fireplace which will keep you and your guests warm and cozy.

• Place your sofa directly facing the fireplace for a comfortable conversation area and a great view of that crackling fire.  After all it’s the focal point of the room.

3.  Flooring
Whether your home has carpeting, hardwood, stone or tiled flooring there are some quick and easy solutions to cozy up your space.

• Add more layers for warmth.  Right on top of your existing flooring material don’t be afraid to layer one or even two area rugs for texture and color.
• Incorporate a deep striped pattern, textured sisal or even a faux animal hide rug on top of the original flooring.
• Relax the formality and potential stiffness with some colorful patterns and textures.

4.  Draperies
Again it’s all about layering and adding weight to the walls particularly if your window treatments are sheer, billowy and romantic.

• If your window coverings are sheer or simple blinds, add heavier fabrics overtop those fabrics for an entirely new treatment.
• Find some ready made panels to attach over top your windows in a velvet or brocade fabric.
• Remember if you love the look of winter white install some off-white or cream velvet panels for the ultimate in winter chic.

5.  Accessories
This is a simple quick fix.  Remove all your existing accessories, store them and re-visit them again for another season.

• Look for vintage blankets, throws and pillows and blend textures.
• Mix and match your blankets from plaids to knits, to faux fir and drape them over sofas, chairs and ottomans throughout your home.  They will keep you all warm and cozy during those frigid nights.
• Replace your old sofa pillows with knit sweater pillows, tea towels and even printed burlaps for added interest pattern and texture.
• Natural elements are all around us.  Bring the outdoors in – even now by incorporating, birch trunks, light green foliage, pine cones and candles and sprinkle these elements in with family photos, framed in metals or whites for that monochromatic sophistication.

So light that fire, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy cozying up in your winter chic 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.

As a Designer it’s so important to be well versed on all upcoming home design and renovation trends – from building trends to paint colors and everything in between.  Benjamin Moore’s 2011 Color Forecast was released to Architects and Designers last month – and I wanted to share their findings with you.

Each year the color expert team at Benjamin Moore declares their predictions for the upcoming year by tracking the more recent social, cultural and political conditions and how they directly impact fashion and design trends.  What they discovered was an overwhelming desire for a sense of balance coupled with four underlying themes: The Farm, Order, Escape and Tribe.

1.  The Farm
There is a major focus on hearth and home for obvious reasons and most are anchoring themselves within a new reality.  Earthy colors straight from the farm will be dominating interiors this year.  Just take a look at your local Farmers Market for inspiration.  From earthy browns, buttery yellows and milky whites – to tomatoes, pumpkins and greens.

Also look for handcrafted fabrics, burlaps, tea-stained materials, and all types of petrified, bleached and natural woods – which suggests a return to life’s simpler things.

2.  Order
We are craving a sense of balance and order from the chaos of the past couple of years.  This is interpreted by infusing red, blues, yellows and greens to juxtapose with more monochromatic variations of black, white and gray.  Geometric patterns with crisp stripes, dots and spirals uplift our spirit and improve our mood.  These days it’s all about making ourselves feel happy.

3.  Escape
The world has been a little harsh lately so escaping into a dream world full of hope and optimism for the future– is extremely appealing at the moment. The dreamy glamour of sheer draped fabrics, metallic finishes and softened textures coupled with a more pale, frosted and opalescent color palette can be just the remedy for overcoming adversity.

4.  Tribe
A focus back to our ethnic communities and much like the farm, we are aching to return to the simpler things in life yet in a more soulful way. The spicy color palette of the land such as rich berry, cinnamon, saffron and fire orange are anchored with bronzes and charcoals.  There is a huge focus on patterns, stencils, hand embroidery and beading,

So how will you seek that order and balance in your life?  Will you be returning to the hearth, escaping into your dreams or focusing on your community when gathering your home design inspiration for this year?

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’ve been in the throws of re-designing a 2800 square foot home to accommodate all the needs of a growing family of four.  The main criteria for this new and improved home, is to ensure it is highly functional, extremely comfortable and impeccably styled.  In other words – create a family friendly and welcoming home environment for everyone who passes through the door.

The scope of the project and my client’s wish list goes something like this:

The First Floor:

• Enlarge the kitchen by bumping outward thereby changing the roofline and adding new windows.
• Create a more open floor plan by opening up the kitchen to the dining room to improve the flow and allow for ease in entertaining.
• Add floor to ceiling windows in the front and back to allow in much more light.
• Adding on to create a new front entrance.
• Transform an office for one into a family friendly workspace for four.
• Expand the existing living room and family room by integrating the interior with the new exterior living space.
• Incorporate a service/bar area under the stairwell.
• Re-design a family friendly family room for children and adults by borrowing some extra space from the adjacent bathroom.
• Reduce the existing full bath into a sleek new powder room.

The Second Floor:

• Change out stairwell and railing design.
• Renovate and re-plan the boys’ bath by providing a stall shower and second sink.
• Create a master bedroom/bath spa environment by re-planning the entire master suite.
• Add a full balcony off the master bedroom overlooking the back yard and outdoor living space.
• Add ample storage throughout the entire home.

Practicality and style can reign supreme in a family friendly home – all the while keeping connected to family and friends while cooking, working online or paying some bills. This is the underlying theme in this home renovation project.

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.

Week 1
Clients of mine have been living in a 2800 square foot 4 bedroom, 4 bath home in a beautiful area of Los Angeles for the past 9 years. They are both in the Entertainment business, lead very active lives and just love to entertain.  They have two very busy boys ages 9 and 6 and currently their house just doesn’t function well enough for them – as it no longer meeting their needs.

The home built in 1949 (updated and renovated 25 years ago) is dark, dated and in need of upgrading as the wear and tear is really beginning to show.  Doors and drawers are falling off the hinges, kitchen appliances and bath fixtures are no longer reliable and the entire family is in dire need of increasing the function of every room to keep up with their changing needs of this growing family.

Here is a list of just a few of the problems they are dealing with:

What No Longer Works.

• My client Mrs. R is an avid cook and loves to entertain. The existing kitchen is slightly cramped and somewhat inefficient – as it can only accommodate dinner for four – wedged into a cramped corner.  Not to mention the antiquated appliances only work when they want to.
• There is no formal foyer or entrance to speak of. Currently the front door opens within feet of the stairs leading up to the second floor.
• A main floor bedroom, now used as an office for Mrs. R, needs to accommodate four different workstations for four different people.
• A dingy and uncomfortable den where Mr. R works in the evenings is cluttered with uncomfortable seating, inefficient audio/video storage and poor lighting.
• At the moment, the family room at the rear of the home is functioning as a play room rather than the intended function – so it needs to be completely re-designed and the neighboring full bath reduced in size so that we can borrow some of that extra space in order to improve the plan and layout of the family room.
• The kids’ bedrooms are very tight.  The bulky furniture needs to be replaced with built-ins by borrowing some of the existing sloped ceiling/roof space within the rooms themselves.
• Sharing one sink and an antiquated bath/shower for these brothers can be challenging at times.
• The Master Bedroom has many charming elements that need to be restored and updated. The cathedral ceiling/beams and fireplace just to name a few.
• The master bath and walk-in closet are poorly planned, oriented incorrectly with wasted space at every turn and need to be re-planned entirely.

It’s my job to look, listen and learn from my clients.  We need to identify the past successes and current failures and build upon those in order to design and create the dream home of their future.  Over the next several months I’ll share the trials and tribulations of this home renovation project with you – the good, the bad and the ugly!

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 you live in a home long enough, eventually some neglected areas will beg to be repaired, upgraded or completely remodeled – the basic wear and tear of the property.  I met with a woman this week who had uncovered some mold in her master bath and since she’s now faced with correcting that problem, feels it would be the right time to finally update and gut her tired and very dated master bath.

But something else factors in to the equation here.  She’s on the fence about whether to stay in her home or sell.  Her husband passed a couple of years ago and she’s now faced with a decision as to whether or not she wants to continue living in this spacious home.  She is seriously considering a move.

Obviously she’ll want to spend her money wisely – and in this particular situation a new master bath design should appeal not only to her, but the potential buyer as well.

So when considering a bathroom remodel of this kind it’s imperative to resist the urge to spend money on expensive fixtures, fittings and flashy trends that won’t appeal to the demographic you or your agent will be targeting.

Here are a few tips to consider when renovating your bath for a maximum return on investment.

• Know your buyer and renovate with that demographic in mind.
• Commit to timeless and classic materials and finishes, which are beautiful and appealing to that particular target.
• Be aware that homes are typically purchased on emotions and the reality is when it comes to many home improvements – women tend to be the nesters and the ones that will be most impressed with the kitchen and bath designs.
• Design a frameless glass shower enclosure to visually expand the space.
• Select an easy to clean neutral toned stone or quartz for the countertops and complementary floor and wall tile.  To make a more sophisticated statement, tile the entire wall surfaces from floor to ceiling.
• Don’t over design the space for the current market – at the same time give it a special touch with accessories.
• Lighting is everything.  Bright cheery baths flooded with light will perk up anyone’s spirit!

Whether you ultimately decide to stay or move, plan for a well-designed bathroom renovation which includes high quality materials and finishes.  If the space appeals to you, it will more than likely appeal to the potential buyer as well.  And that’s more cash in your pocket.

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 just left a friend’s most charming home.   It was overflowing with character and graced by an incredible French antique furniture collection.  Each piece was highlighted by an inordinate amount of natural light flooding through each space.

This quaint home didn’t overlook a spacious piece of property with large expansive walls of glass, or sport any of the “typical” window features we are all familiar with. Interestingly this charming two-bedroom home was anchored by two small courtyards – one situated at the front entry and the other located in the rear of the home each accessible by French doors and windows.

So what made the interior of this home so bright and inviting?

Skylights – strategically positioned in the kitchen, living room, bathrooms and master bedroom all in an effort to maximize the daylight.  And it worked!  What could have felt like a dark and dingy home (due to a long/narrow site), was a bright, lively and incredibly inviting home.

So here’s some food for thought when incorporating skylights into your next home renovation project.

Design Tips:

• Skylights can be fixed or operable depending on your needs.
• Skylights create an open/airy ambiance to any room.
• If compared with traditional windows of the same size, skylights allow in almost five times more natural light into your space.
• Natural lighting floods the space and immediately enhances the room and your mood as well.
• Consider its size and placement and the attic space above.  A shallow well will wash more light throughout the space.  I like splaying (angling it outward from the rough opening) the well to distribute more light.

Energy Efficiency:

• The right quality skylight (wood, vinyl or fiberglass frames) when positioned strategically could potentially increase the energy efficiency in your home and keep your heating costs down.
• If installed with a southern exposure, over the winter months it will provide you with passive solar heating – which could reduce your heating costs. If possible install it in a shaded area under a deciduous tree to avoid some of the summer heat.
• When positioned on an east-facing roof – you’ll get a maximum amount of natural light and heat in the morning hours.
• Research the options and specify a low e coating for better insulation value.  It reduces the loss of heat in the winter and keeps your home cooler in the summer.
• Saves on electricity as it maximizes natural lighting – reducing the need to turn lights on during the day.

So consider implementing a skylight or two into your next home renovation project. Not only will they add architectural style, detail and natural light to your home – they are also an excellent way to increase the overall value of your 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.