Delays Delays Delays
If you have heard the news on "Renovation Street," it's that COVID has slowed down the home improvement industry profoundly.
In some instances, getting projects completed in a remotely timely fashion has become impossible.
For those of us in the "biz," we are constantly forced to change our design game on a dime, time and time again.
So, the moral of the story right now is-- if you think you want to redo your kitchen next fall-- the time to find your contractor and designer is TODAY.
Actually it was two months ago, but there may still be contractors or designers able to fit you in somewhere, so it's worth a try. Just don't delay any further!
Here's the upside to the state of the renovation: the extra time will give you a chance to wait for bonuses or paychecks to come in to help build up your renovation funds.
As for REFRESH?
Take a peek at my design notebook, and meet four of my client's who all have entirely different projects, styles, and are at very different phases of their lives.
Despite their differences, there is much we can learn from all their projects, so come along for the ride!
From a lake house kitchen reno to a tween girl's new "grown up" bedroom-- 2022 is going to be another REFRESHing year!
Deirdre is ready to bring her custom lake house kitchen and great room into 2022 for her, and her teenaged boys!
LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN AND GREAT ROOM REFRESH
With three growing boys, this working mom has a full house and is ready for her home to change with her busy life. The style of her home is a touch of modern farmhouse on a lake, and it's BURSTING with possibility.
Banks of huge windows overlooking the water, a backyard ready to entertain, a giant master bedroom and bath, and a kitchen that was a major design standout in the 90's. What a dream home!
Only, it's... just not the 90's anymore.
So Deirdre is getting a REFRESH that will:
open up the two rooms and break down an extra large divider
update the color scheme and woodwork with some white washing and cabinet color
reinvent the kitchen island for three hungry boys to eat around
add a fire feature that will warm up the space when New England winter winds blow off the lake.
embrace and focus on the view, while still allowing her the privacy she wants at night, or the ability to watch a movie during the day
A good old New England snowstorm kept us from meeting in person, but Nick and Jen were able to Facetime by candlelight to talk with us about plans for their master bath
NICK AND JEN'S MASTER BATH REFRESH
Newlywed's Nick and Jen are fresh back from their honeymoon in Jamaica, and they have jumped in with two feet on the renovation of a charming historic Connecticut home, in a VERY coveted area.
They have done such a great job, from the new infrastructure to the recently curated furniture pieces.
But it's the "feel"they wanted REFRESH to help with.
N and J asked us to turn their home into a warm, inviting, finished space.
Their priority: the master bath.
These two have fantastic taste, and I have to say I love the energy of our younger client's who are just starting their lives together. Nick and Jen have great ideas, lots of energy, and they are a delight to work with.
So-- we are fine tuning some pieces this week for these newlyweds, and soon we can show you (and them!) the "AFTER" of this beautiful full bath.
Our plan features:
a preserved original brick wall
a dream standing tub
a double sized vanity with a rattan "z" chair for Jen's lotions and potions
some vintage art work that pays homage to Jamaica, where their life together officially began
some greenery in both plants, and a fiddle leaf fig
rustic floating shelving for apothecary toiletries and bath accessories
MARY'S ELEGANT STONE HOME REFRESH
Our office is in the center of a charming New England town, on the walking path of Mary's morning exercise regiment. Her home is gorgeous, elegant, and stately; it feels like an old estate.
But she says it wasn't always that way.
Mary has magic. You can just feel it. She's active and involved in, well, everything! She spends her time living life to the fullest while contributing and giving back to her family and community.
Mary's house already reads like something straight out of a Nancy Myer's movie set (think: "It's Complicated" or "Somethings Gotta Give"). The home made soup on the stove, the fireplaces everywhere, the cozy inviting seating areas, the cheeky art mixed in with gorgeous statement pieces, and tasteful art everywhere.
Mary knows how to make you want to come over, and never leave.
And I haven't even seen her gardens free of snow yet.
Mary is asking for:
a new game plan to carry her through the next 10 years or so
if she sells or downsizes, she wants to have been able to enjoy new changes now
update and brighten pieces she is tired of looking at
bring in some new accessories, maybe fewer and larger, restyle some of her bookshelves and display pieces and create new vignettes
come up with a slightly more grand, stately master bedroom vibe
reupholster some of her favorite antique chairs in the sitting room that her knitting club loves to meet in
bring in some new life to floor plans
maintain the vibe her family enjoys in this grand historic house, that is home
Liz working in her attic home office after a REFRESH in 2020... but she's back for more. This time we are reimagining her master bedroom into an "adulting" luxurious escape
LIZ' MASTER BEDROOM REFRESH
To say we love Liz doesn't even begin to describe it.
She is a client that we drop everything for, so when she said she needed a master bedroom REFRESH we were all ears.
Liz very UNaffectionately calls her current bedroom-- "THE BEIGE BLOB."
We have room for improvement ;)
Liz is ready for:
a pulled together grown up bedroom, that is a retreat
maybe a bit of a "hotel suite" vibe
replace side tables (painted at a "paint and sip" party)
luxurious bedding with layers and throw pillows
a seating nook for reading and relaxing with a cup of coffee or glass of wine
tie in the espresso wood from the bathroom and closet into the new design
do an interesting accent wall or featured behind the bed
ground the TV with a unique storage cabinet
heave ho the old dresser and create a sideboard, table lamp, wall mirror space for clothes to live, but also a spot to "check your look" before you leave for the day
a large rug that layers the carpet on the floor, pulls the colors together and adds another bit of interest to the overall room
contemplate painting the ceiling a different color for more detail
LET'S "GO REFRESH" ON THESE PROJECTS!
This is when I hit it hard and let the ideas flow.
The designs come from inspiration color, a styling piece, a dream (no, seriously), really anything!
By going, "REFRESH," on a project means to dig in, get into the client's head and start to plan the design while having so much fun and learning along the way.
This is how I can eventually make decisions on a client's behalf, knowing exactly what they like.
That's the most challenging part of the process, it also takes the longest but eventually it becomes the most rewarding.
OK!
Off I go to turn these spaces into our client's dreams come true!
I can't wait to show you the AFTER pictures really soon!
But in the meantime, based on what goals we are trying to reach, what are some ideas YOU might have for these REFRESHes?
Let's make the world beautiful!
XX Kerri-Lee
