Staged to Sell

The Renovation Generation

Just as the baby boomers are getting older and the millennials are getting techier, our homes are facing the renovation generation! For many of us, we purchased our homes over a decade ago. Time has passed quickly and right before our eyes, our used-to-be brand new homes are in desperate need of a face lift. While the structure is still fit, the cosmetics need some work.

The two rooms that see the most traffic in your home are most likely your kitchen and your bathroom. That is why it is so important to keep those spaces up-to-date and fresh. However, if that isn’t enough reason, it is a well known fact that updating your kitchen and bath will bring you the highest rate of return for your decorating dollar.

If your home is relatively new, say the past 8 to 10 years, then you may only have some minor updates to make. These improvements could include new appliances, new cabinet hardware or perhaps a new backsplash. But if your home is over 10 years old and had relatively few updates, an overhaul may be necessary.

The single biggest improvement you can make in a kitchen or bath is the addition of a new window or door. Natural light and an open floor plan are on everyone’s wish list. Also consider new countertops and cabinets. Textures and materials that look expensive usually are expensive. However, a consultation with an interior designer or other design professional can inform you of various options that can provide that custom look at a reasonable price.

Don’t forget about lighting! The use of light is one of the most dramatic yet underused tricks up a homeowner’s sleeve. Lighting can provide the illusion of space where there is none, or serve to highlight noteworthy places in your home.

No matter what age you are, if you find yourself in the renovation generation, it’s time to give your home the attention it deserves.

The goal of any seller is to maximize the dollar they will receive for the sale of their home – as it should be! The goal of any Realtor is to help that home owner sell as quickly and successfully as possible.

We put so much love and care (and time and money!) into our homes that we want to see the best come from it. So what is the best way to maximize? It is to neutralize! As counter intuitive as it seems, we need to remove all that love and care we invested. We need to remove the personal touches and the individual tastes that have built up over the years. By neutralizing, or making your home appealing to the masses, you will find yourself getting top dollar at a much quicker pace than the competition.

  Neutral, simple, and sophisticated Sells!

I want to share with you my most recent commercial project – a complete corridor renovation on a 45-story Gold Coast condominium. I was honored to be awarded the project amongst 10 competing designers based not only on my designs but also on my personalized service and construction management skills.

For the past 30 years as an interior designer, I have successfully created commercial and residential environments that reflect my clients’ personality and lifestyle. As a former realtor, I understand the real estate market and how to add value to any property. I distinguish myself as an interior designer not only by creatively transforming spaces, but by managing the entire construction process including vendors and budgets. As sole proprietor of my interior design and construction management firm, Refind Interiors, I have developed the business and project management skills that are crucial to the success of any space renovation. I personally oversee the construction process which includes: designing, purchasing, installing, negotiating, monitoring and reporting.

Many people often ask where I get my creativity from or how I am inspired for each room. That is an easy question to answer. It is from my client – the homeowner. I take a look at their space and a million ideas instantly race through my mind. But it is not until I sit down and listen to the person who lives in that space each and every day, do I come to my conclusion as to how that space should look and feel. My clients talk to me about their lifestyle, what they are looking for practically and logistically, and whether the prefer blues or greens. I gather all of this information and present them with options. Who doesn’t like options! From that initial collaboration and ongoing dialogue, together with my client, I create spaces that transform the ordinary into something extraordinary – whatever that means for you.

My client was looking for a fresh approach to his existing space. Through our conversations I learned he loved the original concept but wanted to bring his look to 2010. We stayed with the same color scheme but just made some modern updates. Extraordinary for this client meant subtle changes.

The spring air is blowing in – which means it’s time to clean the house out. But spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean just rolling up your sleeves and shampooing those carpets. Spring cleaning can be a time to reevaluate the space in which you live. Maybe you received a vase as a gift that is now in your living room, or grandma passed down a dresser that you couldn’t pass up, or your friend was moving and you couldn’t stand to see her throw away that beautiful ottoman. Whatever the reason may be, we seem to acquire bits and pieces of furniture and accessories and before we know it we have a house that doesn’t fit our personality. Well the time is here to spring clean your home and your life. Before you get out those kitchen gloves, start by assessing what you want your home to look and feel like. If you are a busy couple with kids, your home probably looks more like a children’s playhouse than a relaxing haven for 30-somethings.

At first this task may seem too much to handle. But with the help of an interior designer, you can find your voice and get your home aligned with your personality. While your kids may play in every room of your home, it’s important to have rooms that feel adult too. Easier said than done! That’s a great reason why an outside, objective point of view can be helpful. A few simple steps such as decluttering and organizing can make a huge difference. Then think about how certain paint colors make you feel -  if a relaxed, slouchy couch fits your mood more than a sleek, modern one – or if a patterned rug distracts more than it adds.

Just remember, spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean just dishes and dust – it can also be about refreshing your house to feel like your home.

Art, Design and the Environment

Art, Design and the Environment. This was a topic of our recent event held at the Jean Albano Gallery  in downtown Chicago. Ron Goldstein, Broker Associate, with Prudential Rubloff Real Estate and I spoke briefly about how all three affect our moods, our lives and our future. As an interior designer, I like to incorporate both art and the environment into my designs. I always take into account my client’s personality and lifestyle to customize their design needs; however there are a few standard items I always try and incorporate.

Sustainable Materials.

Designing an interior with sustainability in mind really boils down to choosing the right materials. Sustainable materials can be found in almost anything these days – from flooring to fabrics to the art pieces you hang on your wall. Using bamboo versus oak flooring is a perfect example. It takes 120 years to harvest oak versus the 3 years it takes to harvest bamboo. For fabrics and upholstery one could use organic cotton, hemp or modal. Today’s artists are using recycled and found materials more than ever to create interesting, earth-friendly art.

Color.

An eco-friendly technique you can use is to paint the walls a lighter color which will lighten the room and reflect more of the natural light that comes into the space during the day. But that doesn’t mean your home should be plain and boring. Light colors don’t mean off white and beige. Vanilla is out! Make sure to pair your lighter colored walls with bold colors and interesting patterns. Plan your color relationships in a systematic way. Look into the psychological impact of color, how to use color in a functional space and how to best choose color for your accessories.

Lighting.

We all know we should be using CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) now instead of the old fashioned bulbs, but to add even more energy efficiency put motion sensors and/or dimmer switches on all light fixtures throughout the house. Not only does this create a warm ambiance, it saves on the electric bills too.                     

                                                                                                                                          
Water.

Water efficiency is another major factor to consider when you are creating a sustainable interior. Thankfully high-style and luxury does not have to be abandoned for the sake of water efficiency. Faucets and toilets are now being seen as artistic pieces in your home.  

Local.

In addition, always search for locally sourced and manufactured materials. This can save a lot of embodied energy used in the manufacturing, shipping and packaging of products and it supports your local eco-culture.

For the past 30 years as an interior designer, Jill has successfully created environments that reflect her clients’ personality and lifestyle. As a former realtor, she understands the real estate market and how to add value to any property. Jill distinguishes herself as an interior designer not only by creatively transforming spaces, but by managing the entire construction process including vendors and budgets. 
 

To learn more about Refind Interiors comprehensive services, go to www.refindinteriors.com Please email us at info@refindinteriors.com or call us at 773.348.7796.