Planning a Renovation

If you are planning a renovation, here are a few things you might want to consider before you start!

• What condition are your doors and windows in?
• Are you needing any structural work?
• What are your choices for:
• Flooring
• Paint
• Millwork
• Hardware
• Lighting
• Backsplashes
• Plumbing fixtures
• Pulling permits
• Hiring a designer
• Hiring a contractor
• Setting up a garbage bin to haul out all the old stuff     

As you can see there is a lot to think about before starting your renovation. In order for your project to run smoothly, you need to have a plan. Get your drawings done, make your selections for your new goodies and make sure they are all ordered on time.

Having the right people for the job is the key to having a renovation run smoothly and on time. If you think its just an easy job that can be thrown together with no planning, you might be in for a renovation disaster, and end up spending more money then you originally budgeted for.

Make Your Backyard Exciting!

With Spring in the air, don't forget to make your backyard exciting! It's just as important to have color outside as much as it is to have it inside. Color can make any space feel vibrant and alive. You can always paint your current pots and flower boxes to make changes without breaking the bank! Get your kids involved, let them paint rocks, and get them to plant their own seeds and watch them grow. They will be so proud and so grateful you included them!

Want some more peace and tranquility? Bring your own Zen home with crystals, fountains and Buddha. When you are sitting outside, you will hear the soft water trickle, and enjoy the warm feeling you get while having your own oasis right in your own backyard.

And  don't forget to accessorize. Citronella candles, vases with pussy willows, and more flowers will add so much excitement to your yard, you won't ever want to leave. Get yourself a storage box that you can load all the kids toys into so you can keep your yard clean and free from clutter.

Now let's talk about lighting!!!! Nothing sets the mood like lighting. Add some ambiant lighting to any space to add a warm inviting feeling all around. You can light your trees up, light candles, have lights in your fountain and even buy some garden accessories that light up by solar power!

Fun and Chic Color Pallets for Spring!

If you are looking for a change here are a few fun and chic color pallets for Spring.

If you are having trouble bringing color into your home, why not try something a little fun and daring. Design doesn't have to be complicated, but it sure should be interesting.

Start out small using the color of your choice for smaller accent pieces around your home, and see how much of a difference color can do to your entire space. 

3 Things You Need to Consider Before You Renovate

If you are thinking about a renovation because you need a change, then keep reading! Here are 3 things you need to consider before you renovate.

1. BUDGET: As with all big purchases, you really need to have a budget in mind before you start your renovation project. With all the choices and different price ranges, its best to have an idea of what you are comfortable spending before your start.You may be tempted to jump in with both feet and just try and get your renovation done, but to be honest its best to have a game plan because renovations can be very expensive, and a lack of planning on your part can leave your wallet empty and your home a mess.
2. TIME LINE: We all want everything done NOW or YESTERDAY and in today's world, we are all busy, and getting things done NOW isn't realistic. Planning ahead is your best bet. When you are setting up your renovation, lining up contractors, painters etc, make sure that everybody is on the same page. Make sure things are ordered on time, and that there is enough time for all the lead hands to get their jobs done, and done right. You don't want your workers, working on top of each other.
3. QUOTES: Shop around for the best prices. Its okay to want quality work for the best price. When you are spending money on a renovation, you want to make sure that you aren't getting "ripped off". Get quotes from reputable places and then make a decision. Choose people that you feel comfortable with, you will be seeing them a lot in your home during the renovation process. 

One more suggestion would be to leave your home during the renovation process if you can. Have someone you trust look over or run the job for you. It'll keep your mind at ease, and you out of the mess! 

Before Renovation

After Renovation