Archive for June, 2010

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Whole Home Remodel

June 30th, 2010
Posted in Additions, Design, Design and Build, Whole Home Remodel | 1 Comment »

WholeHome_BlogRemodeling your entire home is a big decision. Careful preparation and planning help to make the process smooth and the end result satisfying. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are considering a whole home remodel:

1. What is my current lifestyle like and how would I like to change my home to adapt to it?
Life transitions, such as children leaving home for college or new babies on the way are often the impetus for a whole home remodel. Empty nesters may want to consider simplifying their homes by streamlining space planning, or they may decide to add some small luxuries to their environment, such as wine coolers, beer dispensers, or other kitchen and dining upgrades to enhance a higher level of entertaining. Expanding families obviously need more room and may want to think about ways to transform their space to be more child-friendly.

2. What are my short and long term goals and needs for the space?
This is a consideration particularly for those who may be buying a home as an investment and do not plan to stay in the house for a long time. It’s important to plan for both the increase in retail value of your home’s eventual sale and for the enjoyment of the space while you live there.

3. What do I wish I had in my home?
A visit to a friend’s or neighbor’s home can sometimes set us to day dreaming about how our own environment could change. As you consider your own home remodel, think about visits to other people’s homes, especially those that were recently remodeled, and make notes about what you liked and didn’t like about those spaces.

4. What do I absolutely hate about my current home?
Well, “hate” is a strong word, but sometimes it needs to be said! Are you living with a decades-old kitchen that isn’t even ironically stylish? Is your closet space about half what it needs to be? Have you been tolerating a fluorescent recess from the seventies? Remember to catalog these annoyances as you plan for the new home you will love.

5. Do I need more space? If so, how much?
This is where a design professional can really be helpful. Space planning is an essential aspect of a successful whole home remodel. Maybe you need more space, but maybe you just need a better configuration of the space you already have. Working together with a professional designer, you can assess and plan accordingly.

6. How much do I plan to invest?
It is important to be realistic about how much a whole home remodel will cost. Have your checklist prepared from considering and answering the questions above and then talk to your contractor. Together, you can determine if your desires match up realistically with your budget.

A whole home remodel is an exciting project to undertake! Being prepared leads to the best end result.

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Remodeling a Home Away from Home

June 18th, 2010
Posted in Custom Homes, Design, Design and Build, Second Homes | No Comments »

Second HomeIs your second home everything you want it to be? With summer just around the corner, chances are you will be spending more time at your second home than at any other time of the year. If your visits are spent thinking about ways your second home could be more satisfying, here are some ideas for ways to make a significant difference:

1. Make it Work for You. Some people revel in downtime, taking the opportunity to catch up on summer reading or take afternoon naps in the backyard. Some prefer to garden. Others enjoy inviting friends for a visit to cook gourmet meals and drink wine together. For some second home owners, total retreat from everyday distractions is a must – such as a no television rule. For others, a small home office in their second home is a necessity. Spend some time reflecting about how you use your home now and how you would ideally enjoy spending time there. This will inform the majority of your decisions about remodeling your second home.

2. Create a Relaxing Retreat. A second home represents a place to “get away from it all.” The design of your home should reflect that feeling of relaxation in a way that is very personal. A favorite vacation spot can be a wonderful design inspiration, using cultural influences from another locale to reflect on treasured memories. Another idea is to make your second home a sanctuary for a relaxing hobby such as reading or gardening with an expansive library or lush landscaping. A spa-like bathroom is a popular option in a second home, where there is more time to linger and luxuriate.

3. Choose an Easy Process. Homeowners sometimes think that they must be present during the remodel of their second home to monitor each step. This should not be necessary if you choose a design and build firm with the experience and systems in place to make your remodel an enjoyable experience. Be sure to choose a company that has demonstrated skills with project management and communication during a second home remodel. You don’t want the remodel of your vacation home to cause extra stress!

Your home away from home should be a place you can retreat to and leave behind the worries of the world. Choose the right remodeler to make that happen and your second home will always be hard to leave!

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How to Love Your Small Kitchen Design

June 15th, 2010
Posted in Design, Kitchens | No Comments »

JDR_SmallLimited space doesn’t have to mean limited functionality and beauty in your kitchen. Using design principles and careful planning, your small space can make a memorable visual statement and efficiently serve your day-to-day needs. Here’s how to love your small kitchen design:

1. Space Planning: While space planning is always one of the most important elements of any room design, smaller areas call for creative, sometimes unconventional thinking. Every square foot of the room must be used efficiently and effectively. Sometimes, “borrowing” space from a nearby room is the best option, by knocking down a wall to open the kitchen to another area of your home. Often, the free space is already in the room but hidden by poor planning – the rearrangement of the key elements in the kitchen can make the room seem significantly larger.

2. Colors, Materials and Lighting: Everything you put in a small space will be noticeable, so you want it to be beautiful. Choose a focal point for the room, such as a beautiful back splash or an unusual finish for your countertops or flooring. Conventional wisdom dictates white or light colors in a small space – these can work, but a higher priority should be choosing a color scheme that fits with the overall aesthetic and character of your home. Just as important as color is lighting – in a small space it becomes a primary element in the design. If more or bigger windows are an option, they can transform limited space dramatically. If not, a mixture of natural and ambient light should be carefully planned throughout the space, with special attention paid to areas that are typically dark, such as under cabinets and counters.

3. Appliances and Storage: Manufacturers offer many appliance options that are perfect for a smaller kitchen, such as compact refrigerators, space-saving microwaves, built-in stovetops, or extra deep sinks. Once again space planning is essential when it comes to deciding where to place appliances in the room and what you need to find storage for, as is a healthy dose of practicality. Think carefully about how you use your kitchen every day and whether or not you really need that espresso machine or bread maker readily at hand. In a small space, a clutter-free environment is essential.

Give careful thought to the details of space planning and functionality and your small San Diego kitchen design can be just as memorable as one twice its size. Take a look at this cool video on our Facebook page about an ingenious home design in Hong Kong for inspiration and see a small apartment transformed into 24 rooms!

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