March 27, 2019 BathroomsKitchensOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

6 Bright Ideas for Using Bold Colors at Home

No matter how confident you are, if you’ve ever considered remodeling or redesigning your home it’s inevitable that you’ve considered a bold color palette asked yourself, will I still like what I choose today, ten years from now? The truth is, trends will continue to change as product lines and designers continue to innovate. Sure, the classics will continue to repeat themselves as they are reinvented in some shape or form indefinitely (think white kitchens and black and white bathrooms), but overall, styles evolve, and yours likely will too.

Bold Color Palette: Paradox of Choice

We live in a society of instant gratification and constant comparison. The paradox of choice is a very real phenomenon – we sometimes see it with our clients as they’re going through the design phase after months of Pinterest addiction. Quite simply there are too many options, and the fear of finding something better paralyzes them into indecision. But here’s the thing – there will ALWAYS be something better. When we make a suggestion for a material or product it’s because we know it will get you the result you’re looking for, even if you can’t see how it relates to the big picture. If you’re one of those people that’s drawn to a bold color palette or designs — as designers, we can totally relate —choose one thing and truly make it your own. Everything else will fall into place.

Consider Your Long-Term Plans

If you’re still worried about committing to a bold design, it’s important to consider which phase of life you’re in and how much longer your family intends to stay in your current home. If you know you’ll be moving in the next 3-5 years, erring on the more conservative side would be wise. You don’t want to deter a potential buyer by choosing something highly trendy that’s difficult or incredibly costly to replace. Nothing is truly permanent, but purple kitchen cabinets are going to be much more difficult to change than kitchen faucets or decorative lighting.

Sticking around for ten years or more? Do what makes you happy. Ten years is a long time to live with something you don’t absolutely love. You can tone it down when it’s time to put your house on the market after years of enjoyment.

Bring On All the Colors

As a design-build remodeling company, our design team loves any opportunity to flex our creative muscles to create something you’ll love. At the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), colors were huge for 2019. We’ve been seeing a resurgence of bold color slowly creeping back into the market for a couple of years now. As consumers get exposed to new trends, and let go of the fear of avocado green trauma from the 1970’s, we’ll be seeing more and more color introduced into the home.

Whether you’re a classicist, or a trend-setter, we thought you’d like to see some of our favorite new products from KBIS and how you could work them into your kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Kitchen Faucet

You know we love mixing metals, so it may come as no surprise that we are absolutely smitten with the new ombré finish on Kohler’s Sensate Touchless kitchen faucet. Your kitchen faucet is the most used fixture in your house, so choosing one that’s made of high-quality materials is always worth the cost. In addition to the innovative two-tone finish that transitions from rose gold to polished nickel (or titanium to rose gold) we also love the touchless technology. The last thing you want to do when you have raw chicken juice all over your hands is touch anything. Touchless technologies ensure you can wash your hands without spreading grease or bacteria, saving you clean-up time and creating peace of mind for you and your family.

Add Some Personality to Your Kids’ Bath

It’s not uncommon to want to choose more cost-effective materials for your kids’ bathroom in order to splurge on your master suite. But cost-effective doesn’t have to be boring. Why not introduce a colorful stripe pattern in the shower using the new Color Wheel Collection from Daltile?

Classic stripes are synonymous with laughter-filled summer afternoons by the pool – who doesn’t want that feeling year-round? If navy is the new black, then emerald is the new navy. We’d love to see an emerald and white stripe paired with a black painted vanity, white quartz counter for easy maintenance, and brushed brass plumbing fixtures. Anyone ready to remodel their kids’ bathroom?

Add Some Flair to Your Front Entry

Not ready to commit to bringing a bold color palette indoors? How about setting your house apart from the neighbors with some colorful exterior door hardware. While we are huge proponents of a colorful front door, this is an either-or situation. Turquoise hardware on a red door is probably not going to give you the look you were after, but turquoise hardware on a black, mid-century, modern style door may be just the thing to make you say, Welcome home, at the end of a long day. While we don’t expect anyone to rush right out and buy this hardware, we thought it was a clever way to introduce a bold color in an unexpected place. This could easily be repeated around the front door by adding matching, colorful planters.

Whether you’re on board with the bold color trend or you think that neutral is always the way to go, don’t be afraid to stretch your limits — especially if you’re planning on staying in your home for a long time. Unsure of where to start? Our design team would love to help guide you through the home remodel of your dreams. Give us a call today to start a conversation.

February 20, 2019 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

5 Modern Kitchen Design Must Haves

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” As cliché as it sounds, we couldn’t agree more. We’d argue it’s the most important room in the house, so we’ve compiled a list of five kitchen design must haves for a successful remodel. As a residential design-build remodeling firm, we see more requests for kitchen remodeling projects than any other room of the house. It’s where you spend time with your family, it’s where you nourish your body, it’s where you live.

Develop a Vision for Your Kitchen

When we meet with a new client for the first time, we like to get a feel for how they use their current kitchen, what – if anything – is working well, and what’s making their lives harder or causing frustration. We listen to their vision to get a better understanding of their ideal kitchen, and how we can make it a reality. Some clients know exactly what they want the end result to look like and what needs to be rearranged to make the space work best for them, while others rely more heavily on our expertise to make suggestions and guide them through the best options. They know they don’t want what they have because it’s not working, but they may not know how best to solve those problems and that’s completely normal.

Pull & Replace

Sometimes the overall layout functions well, but the appliances are failing, and the cabinets are showing their age, but there’s no need to redesign half of the house to make improvements — we refer to these projects as “Pull and Replace” kitchens. We pull everything out down to the studs, make a few adjustments in the design and replace everything with new, higher quality materials so you’re no longer embarrassed when your mother-in-law shows up unannounced. The locations of major appliances and plumbing fixtures don’t move much, if at all, but we’re able to breathe new life into the kitchen by rethinking the storage or the counter space to make it a more functional, modern kitchen design.

A Modern Kitchen Design that Fits Your Needs

Often we know we aren’t going to meet the clients’ goals without completely redesigning the space and opening the kitchen up to other areas of the house. It may be that we’re improving traffic flow, or we may be creating additional gathering areas to connect with friends and family. Eliminating unnecessary walls, installing cohesive flooring throughout, relocating windows, doors, and major electrical, mechanical and plumbing lines is more involved, but isn’t usually difficult so long as there’s room in the budget and the timeline.

5 Must Haves in Your New Kitchen Design

Regardless of the approach, each kitchen we design is a unique interpretation of a dream that comes together through the hands of our designers and craftsmen alike. Your designer will take your input to develop the best layout, and then curate materials schemes that best suit your aesthetic and budget. Kitchens have become a fashion industry, so the choices are endless (and completely customize-able) ensuring your kitchen doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s unless you want it to. While you get the last word when it comes to the redesign of your kitchen, and incorporating what’s most important to you, we have a list of modern kitchen design must-haves we’d urge you to consider:

Think of Storage as a Verb – You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t fantasize about more storage space, but when we constantly think of storage as a thing we always need more of, that’s when our houses become overrun with junk and clutter. Instead, think of storage as an action plan. Establish a designated place for everything, and then stick to it. You’ll be more organized and less stressed, not to mention the envy of your neighbors. We’re particularly fond of roll-out shelves, deep drawers and utensil and spice organizers to keep your new custom kitchen organized and accessible.

Lighting is Everything – Poor lighting will render even the prettiest kitchen dysfunctional. Advancements in modern LED fixtures have made them accessible to every purpose and every budget. We recommend utilizing three levels of lighting whenever possible: Ambient (recessed cans), task (under-cabinet lights) and decorative (pendants, sconces, etc.). Dimmers are a great way to customize your lighting even further, and they can be used in conjunction with LEDs, so long as the lamp is compatible.

Pick One Thing – Every kitchen needs a focal point. It could be a custom floating hood, or a unique backsplash tile that goes all the way up to the ceiling like wallpaper; maybe it’s an unexpected paint color on the island, a really fabulous light fixture or floating walnut shelves to display your Le Creuset collection. Whatever it is, make it yours and use it as inspiration for the rest of the design.

Don’t Air Your Dirty… Trash – If you have a dog or a toddler (and even if you don’t) you probably understand the appeal behind a hidden spot for the trash and recycling. Waste is going to happen, but it doesn’t need to be front and center. In fact, it should be right next to your sink, opposite the dishwasher and it should pull out in one easy motion.

Scale Your Appliances to Your Home – Your appliance package should absolutely fit your needs, but don’t discount the expectations of potential future buyers either. The appliances appropriate for a two-bedroom bungalow are going to vary greatly to that of a five-bedroom custom home. Do you need a little help narrowing down which kitchen appliances to shop for before heading to a busy showroom? Download our free Kitchen Appliance Shopping Guide and save yourself a ton of time and frustration!

Are you ready to take the next step toward creating your dream kitchen? Let’s discuss how we can help; fill out the form down below to get started!

January 17, 2019 KitchensBathrooms by Chelsea Allard

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Trends For 2019

Kitchen and bath remodeling are consistently among the most requested projects for remodeling firms after the New Year. Your kitchen is the heart of the home. It serves as the launchpad for just about every activity in your home: meals, game nights, homework, and social gatherings with loved ones. Your master bathroom is a place to relax, refresh and rejuvenate yourself, whether starting your day or ending it. In highly used spaces such as these, style is no doubt important, but it comes secondary to how each room serves you and your family. You need a space that works for how you live.

Choosing a reputable remodeling team with experienced kitchen and bath designers will ensure that your kitchen or bath remodel serves as more than just a touch up — it’s an investment in your home and your quality of life. Let’s take a look at what’s trending in kitchen and bath remodeling for 2019, and see how you can get inspiration for your next home remodeling project.

Neutral Kitchens Re-Imagined

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All-white kitchens have maintained popularity in kitchen remodeling for years because they’re often the most adaptable to various interiors, and they’re classic, they never really go out of style. But, over the past year there has been a considerable shift to include more color. Navy, ever the neutral blue, has been increasingly popular, especially paired with white. If blue and white conjures up images of cluttered shelves full of ginger jars, rest assured that bringing this classic color combination together in new and less traditional ways will make the space feel more modern and fresh.

Go Bold, but Never Underestimate a Classic Countertop

Although creative combinations of cabinetry and metal finishes are all the rage, we’re still seeing a high demand for classic countertops. Natural marble countertops will forever be another classic. The unique pattern of each slab makes every installation one-of-a-kind. That being said, engineered quartz is still dominating the kitchen remodeling market in Charlotte because it doesn’t require special attention or maintenance. While not for everyone, we find families with young children or grandchildren, or couples who really love to entertain, tend to gravitate toward quartz because it just makes life easier.

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Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Metals

Mixing metals tends to give a space a more curated and intentional look. When the plumbing, appliances, light fixtures and cabinet hardware are all variations on brushed or stainless steel, it tends to look like there wasn’t much thought put into it. Homeowners have a tendency to stress over making sure everything matches, but it’s just not possible. When you’re combining similar finishes across half a dozen brands, they’re all going to be slightly different — especially anything gold or brass. We prefer to mix finishes, but not just for the sake of being different. When it’s intentional, mixing metals really adds another layer of detail making the kitchen that much more unique. In the navy and white kitchen above, we used chrome, stainless steel, aluminum and varying shades of brass.

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Simple Still Reigns in the Master Bath

In contrast to the bolder features that work well in kitchens, the master bath remains a retreat-inspired space, where less is almost always more. The bathroom is likely the first room you visit when you wake up in the morning and the last right before bed. During those transition times, when you’re inevitably tired, it’s calming not to be surrounded by lots of visually stimulating colors and patterns. Often we’ll choose one thing to make the bathroom a little more personal and less like your neighbors’ house – a custom cabinet color, an accent tile such as the 8 x 8 in the shower above, or a really sculptural light fixture or freestanding tub – and that’s all you need. Otherwise, we tend to stay more monochromatic and introduce some interest with varying textures.
This eclectic master bath remodel pulls inspiration from a few different styles, but the homeowners’ primary goal is consistent with what’s trending for 2019 — a master retreat that’s clean and bright, feels spacious, and is easy for both to use when schedules overlap.

kitchen and bath remodeling trends for 2019

Must Haves for the Master Bathroom in 2019!

Frameless glass shower enclosures are easy to clean, and they provide clean sight lines which helps even the smallest bathrooms feel larger. Solid surface tops, whether quartz or natural stone, are a must for pony walls and curb caps, shower benches and even small foot rests for shaving. They create a more finished look and make cleaning much more effective. Hand held shower heads are also a must. Even if you don’t think you’d ever use it to bathe, you will be so happy it’s there when it’s time to clean the shower. They’re also really handy for washing the dog. And finally, accessible and sensible storage saves you so much time when you don’t have to search for things. Cabinet drawers are much more effective for storing most toiletries, and a wall mounted cabinet in the water closet is the perfect place to stash extra toilet paper so you’re never stuck.

Whatever your specific kitchen and bath remodeling needs are, we’ve got your covered. Are you looking to remodel your home this summer? Now is the time to start planning! Fill out the form below to schedule a conversation.

January 2, 2019 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

Design Tips for an Open Concept Kitchen

Open concept kitchens are part of a popular remodeling trend that shows no signs of slowing down in Charlotte, despite what some people are speculating. In the past, homes were built with a specific purpose in mind for each room. Modern lifestyles now appreciate multi-purpose spaces that are open to one another for more casual living. Many homeowners with older homes are tearing down interior walls around the kitchen to open it up to other parts of the house, in particular, family and dining rooms.

Open spaces offer some benefits. You may feel like you have more living space when you can still see, and connect with family and from separate rooms and entertaining becomes more natural since guests can flow from one area to the next without feeling like they’re encroaching on the host in the kitchen. But often people wonder how to design one space that’s essentially three or four rooms in one? How do you make each room feel separate and unique while still communicating with the rest of the space? We have a few suggestions below:

Choose a Contemporary Aesthetic

Fewer walls aren’t the only thing that makes your space feel more spacious. De-cluttering will do it every time. Packing up your home in preparation for a kitchen remodel is a great opportunity to sort though things and determine what’s special enough to come back into the new space, and what needs to move out. As people tend to gravitate more and more toward a contemporary or contemporary-light aesthetic, we’re seeing an emphasis on simpler lines, cleaner materials and form.

Wide drawers, pulls, tip-up doors and a linear backsplash all place an emphasis on horizontal lines. The concrete floor reflects light bouncing off Lake Norman.

Casual Dining

Traditionally it was essential to have a kitchen (perhaps with a breakfast nook) separate from the dining room. The kitchen was for working and the dining room was for gathering. But many of today’s families don’t feel the need for a formal dining room and instead have a kitchen that truly opens up to the dining room—often with the dining table directly opposite the food prep area. Not only does this create a more casual atmosphere, where families can interact, it also creates a great flow for entertaining. Guests can converse with the host or hostess while staying out of the immediate work zone of the kitchen.

Natural Light

Opening up spaces will always invite more natural light to filter into your home. Window placement is key in the design of any remodeling project, in order to maximize the amount of natural light, but especially when that light will need to penetrate further into the house.

Delineating Spaces

In a multi-purpose space, it’s helpful to create some distinction between each space even if it’s a suggestion more than a hard line. Architectural details such as wide cased openings or turn boards can help to distinguish sections of a larger area. Furniture and rug placement will also aid in defining each space as a separate, yet connected room. Area rugs are a great way to define smaller sub sections such as sitting areas and breakfast nooks.

The wide cased opening creates a subtle suggestion of separation, even though the kitchen and family room are mostly open to one another.

Uniting Spaces

With an open concept plan, your designer will create separate zones within the larger room, while maintaining a sense of cohesion. The décor choices from one room to another should complement each other and coordinate. Using a similar color palette from one space to another or repeating accent colors or materials will help unify the two spaces. The flooring should remain consistent to prevent the eye from building a visual wall where one stops and another begins. When there isn’t a defined transition point, both spaces feel larger.

Removing the wall between this kitchen and family room brings the kitchen, breakfast area and family room together to form one long gathering space.

Connecting to the Outside

When kitchens are situated at the back of the house, it’s a great opportunity to provide views and access to the backyard, as long as it won’t impede the traffic flow. French doors in a breakfast room may offer easy access and great views to the garden all year long. If your kitchen opens to a sunroom or screened porch, marry the two spaces by using similar materials and colors.

Think of how your family lives and how your current kitchen is or is not serving you. Making the right choice for your lifestyle is always the best idea, regardless of whether or not that includes an open floor plan.

December 7, 2018 Additions & ExteriorsOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

So You’ve Found a Remodeling Company. What’s Next?

If you’re like most of our clients you’ve spent months, maybe even years dreaming about how remodeling your home will improve your life and bring your family and friends closer together. You’ve gathered up the courage and the funds to finally get started, and your Pinterest board and Houzz Ideabooks are full of inspiration that you can’t wait to share with your designer. You’ve talked to numerous friends and family about their remodeling experiences to get advice, and you’ve met with several remodeling companies that provide the all-in-one service you’re looking for, and narrowed it down the team you trust the most. The days of living in your old space are coming to an end, and you’re finally ready! Your whole family is excited! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s get started now!!

Having that sense of urgency is understandable. When we finally gather the courage to take on a huge change, it’s natural to want it to happen quickly – especially when we know it’ll be disruptive and uncomfortable for a little while. The same is true for home remodeling, but unfortunately even the best remodeling companies can’t turn around a renovation in a week. Planning, staging and executing any remodeling project is an involved process with a series of necessary steps before the first hammer ever swings.

Here’s an overview of the design-build remodeling process:

Conceptual and Construction Plans

It all starts with scaled conceptual 3D renderings to establish a general direction towards a final design. After meeting with you in your home to take detailed as-built measurements and listen to your goals for the project, your designer will work with you to present the best layout to meet your specific needs. After a few tweaks, conceptual plans then get converted to detailed construction-ready documents.

Existing Site Evaluations

Remodeling means transforming an existing space, so before estimates can be finalized, a team of trade professionals needs to comb the existing structure to see what will be required to transform it from its current state into your dream home. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, and structural engineers are just a few of the trades we team up with during this process.

Fixture and Finish Selection

While it is not uncommon for some remodeling companies to present a contract full of allowances for fixtures and finishes, we always prefer to minimize the unknowns by making those decisions well before contract signing. It helps us control the budget and the timeline since we are able to order and stage all materials well in advance, and who doesn’t want to save time and money? Don’t worry, our designers will guide you through the selections process and present materials and finishes that meet your functional and aesthetic needs. We utilize a series of spreadsheets to keep track of everything from cabinetry details to plumbing fixtures, light switch style to countertop edge profiles, because we know firsthand that the details can make or break a project, so we make sure to keep a close eye on them.

Pre-Construction Staging

With a detailed contract and construction plans in place, permits can be applied for, custom materials can be ordered, and crews can be scheduled. One final walk-through with the construction and design team ensures we’re all are on the same page before work begins. This is also the time we discuss detailed information about construction logistics and disruptions (parking, dust control, work hours, debris, etc.), especially if you plan to remain in the home while the project is underway, as most of our clients do.

From the time you choose ReVision Design/Remodeling to the moment the construction begins, we’ll be here to help. Following the necessary steps will take time, but the end result will be well worth the wait!

When you’re ready to schedule a conversation with one of our Project Developers to discuss your project, we’d love to hear from you!

October 22, 2018 Additions & ExteriorsKitchens by Chelsea Allard

Here’s How an Addition as Part of a Remodel Can Change Your Life

House hunting can be a stressful process. The picture in your head and the picture on the brochure almost never match up, and finding what you need — not to mention, where you need it to be — can be just as much of a challenge. As a list of “must-haves” turns into “maybe-somedays”, you start to realize that with a few adjustments, the house you’re already in could be the one you’ve been searching for all along.

Homeowners seek out additions because they’re custom-designed to fit the everyday needs of their particular household, but it really comes down to location. If you love your neighborhood and school district, remodeling or building on to your existing home can often meet your needs more effectively than relocating. The most common home additions in the Charlotte area include screened porches or sunrooms to increase leisure and family space and master suite additions — particularly in older homes that never had a proper master suite to begin with.

Keep reading to see how we helped these homeowners turn their cramped L-shaped kitchen into a stunning open concept.

Goodbye, Tiny Kitchen

Small and segregated kitchens are common in many older homes, such as this 1950’s ranch. Lifestyles were different then, so plans like this are missing out on the flexibility and casual nature that a more open concept can bring. Since the needs of a growing family often involve maximizing available living space or creating new space altogether, a home remodel or home addition is always top of mind, especially when relocation isn’t desirable.

By bumping out the back wall of the house and converting the small dining room space into what’s now part of the kitchen, we were able to double the width of the new addition. Increased built-in storage, in the way of roll-out shelves and pantry cabinets, made use of some of the existing space, while the light and minimal shaker-style cabinets created even more of that sense of openness that the homeowners hoped for with this kitchen addition.

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A light gray, ceramic tile backsplash adds a bit of visual interest that blends well with the rest of the space. Cream walls and increased natural lighting from the newly installed craftsman style windows counter the dark gray island and hardwood floors, to create additional warmth and that sense of depth that was missing from the original kitchen.

Colonial White granite tops off the counter space, providing the client with more than enough space to prepare meals, entertain larger family gatherings, and clean-up afterwards.

Should You Build Up or Out?

While homeowners often debate whether they should build up or out when considering an addition, both are structurally significant endeavors. The most important consideration is the site plan. Building up is usually much more complex than building out. It involves the removal of the roof, the addition of a staircase and therefore the temporary relocation of your family. The only time you’d build-up is if you couldn’t get the desired square footage due to setback restrictions.

Building out does require the sacrifice of at least part of your yard, but more square footage means an increase in the value of your home — especially if you’re adding a bedroom or bathroom. Anytime you’re adding square footage you’re adding framing, foundation work, additional HVAC requirements, electricity, and often plumbing.

These systems are required regardless of the size of your addition, but the first foot is always the most expensive. Due to economies of scale, the larger you go, the less expensive it will be per square foot.

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Add-On or Remodel?

A remodel is confined to the existing footprint of a home when adding square footage isn’t necessary or possible. It may be focused on one room such as a kitchen or bath, or it may be a whole home remodel. Adding square footage will increase the value of your home, more so than an updated kitchen or master suite remodel alone. The appropriate level of investment depends on your long-term goals, but we always recommend remodeling or adding-on while you still have time to enjoy the new space before you sell. Not only will the space feel more like home, it will be designed to meet the needs of your family.

There’s no place like home, especially when it feels like new! Check out some of the projects we’ve worked on in the greater Charlotte area, then chat with us about a project consultation.

June 8, 2018 Other SpacesAdditions & ExteriorsWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

5 Questions to Ask Before You Remodel

The first question any homeowner should ask him/herself is: Should I remodel? Figuring out the answer can be more difficult than you might expect. You might be dying to update your house, but that doesn’t mean it makes sense in terms of your family’s lifestyle or budget. And many other considerations come into play. Below are five questions to ask yourself to help you figure out if you need to embark on a remodeling project.

1. Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?

If you’re frustrated with your house, it’s important to consider why. Maybe you want to entertain, but the house doesn’t have good spaces for people to gather. Or maybe you really need a home office. Or perhaps adding a bathroom will add harmony to your family life. Maybe it’s a combination of outdated features: a too small kitchen, a too pink bathroom, and inadequate storage options. Perhaps you simply might need to bring an older house in line with the needs of a contemporary family. If there are many different ways in which the house doesn’t meet your needs, then a remodeling project might be the way to address the problems.

2. What are Your Remodeling Objectives?

Make a list of everything you would like to change, from the size of the kitchen to the color of the walls and the style of the light fixtures. Then prioritize the list. Which things are must-haves and which things can you do without? Before you embark on any planning, you need to have clear goals in mind. Whether you need a more up-to-date kitchen, bigger closets, or a more attractive entryway, you should have specific ideas of what you want to accomplish. If you’re not sure what you want, you’re more likely to end up with a result that’s less than satisfactory.

3. Have You Experienced Any Life Changes?

The answer to this question influences your remodeling decisions in a couple different ways. You might have a new addition to the family—a baby, adult child, or elderly relative. Or you might be anticipating such an addition and need to plan with that contingency in mind. Multi-generational homes are more and more common, making homes more crowded, but remodeling can give everyone more breathing room. Similarly, if you’re retired or planning to retire in this home, you should consider remodeling with the principles of universal design in mind. Universal design can make your home safer and more accessible if you ever experience limited mobility.

4. What’s the Return on Investment?

This is a particularly important question if you’re planning to sell the house in the next five years. You don’t want to invest a lot of money on remodeling projects that don’t increase the value of your house. Do some research to understand the average return for the kind of remodeling project you’re considering. Some projects recoup 75-100% of their costs, depending on the area, while others have a lower return on investment. But don’t get fooled by the size of the project; sometimes small projects can pay off handsomely. Cost vs. value considerations can also impact the choices you make as you plan your remodeling project. You might love the idea of making your home theater hot pink or adding cherry red counters to the kitchen but consider whether those choices might make the house harder to sell.

5. What is Your Budget?

This is a delicate subject. Nobody likes to talk about money but figuring out a budget is an essential part of the process. You need to know what you can realistically afford and what can be achieved on that budget. Research your options—from hardware to appliances to flooring—so you know what you can expect to spend on each item and which things you can afford to splurge on. Remember that a lot of remodeling projects run over budget, so don’t stretch it the max when signing the contract; you’ll probably need a contingency fund. And, when devising a budget, don’t forget the costs of dislocating your family. If you will need to move out of the house, take rent into consideration. If you will lose access to your kitchen for a month or more, remember that it will have an impact on your food budget.

Considering a remodeling project? Schedule a call with one of our Project Developers.

April 20, 2018 Additions & ExteriorsOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

Why Curb Appeal is a Big Deal

Curb appeal is all about creating that first impression of your home. It tells visitors what kind of people you are and creates a welcoming environment. If you’re trying to sell your house, curb appeal is essential to creating a positive impression.

What Is Curb Appeal?

Curb appeal refers to the visual attractiveness of a property when viewed from the street or sidewalk. It is the first impression that a passerby or potential buyer will have of a home, and is an important factor in the overall value and marketability of a property.

Curb appeal can encompass a wide range of factors, including the appearance and condition of the exterior of the home, the landscaping and hardscaping features, the condition of the driveway and walkways, and the overall cleanliness and upkeep of the property.

Where Did the Term “Curb Appeal” Originate?

The term “curb appeal” is believed to have originated in the United States during the early 1970s, a time when suburban housing developments were becoming increasingly popular. The phrase is derived from the concept of the “curb,” which refers to the edge of the street or sidewalk where a property is located.

The idea of curb appeal was introduced as a way to promote and enhance the visual appeal of homes and encourage people to invest in their properties. The concept quickly caught on and has since become a common term in the real estate industry, with many homeowners and sellers striving to improve the curb appeal of their properties to attract potential buyers and increase their value.

Reasons Curb Appeal Matters

Curb appeal can greatly impact the property’s overall value, attractiveness, and desirability. Here are some key reasons why curb appeal is a big deal:

Increases Property Value

Good curb appeal can significantly increase a property’s value. It’s a smart investment to spend time and money on improving the exterior because it can pay off in the long run. When a property’s exterior is visually appealing and well-maintained, it creates a positive first impression that can greatly influence the perceived value of the property. Homes with good curb appeal often sell for a higher price than similar properties with a less attractive exterior.

Additionally, potential buyers are more likely to make an offer on a property with good curb appeal, which can create a bidding war and drive the price up. A well-landscaped and maintained exterior can also indicate that the property has been well-cared-for, which can give buyers the confidence to invest in the property.

Improves Safety and Security

A property with good curb appeal can also be safer and more secure. A well-maintained exterior, including trimmed shrubs, proper lighting, and visible address numbers, can deter potential burglars and intruders. The presence of outdoor lighting, in particular, can make a property less vulnerable to break-ins by providing visibility at night.

Additionally, the presence of well-maintained landscaping and hardscaping can help prevent accidents and injuries. For example, a clear walkway and a well-maintained driveway can reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.

Moreover, visible address numbers can help emergency responders find a property quickly in the event of an emergency.

Lowers Energy Costs

Landscaping and exterior upgrades can be strategically planned to provide shade during the hot summer months, reducing the need for air conditioning. For example, the addition of a tree or large shrub on the west side of a house can block direct sunlight and reduce the interior temperature by several degrees.

Similarly, a well-insulated and sealed exterior can prevent heat from escaping during the colder months, reducing the need for heating. Properly placed landscaping can also serve as a windbreak, protecting the property from cold winter winds.

Consequences of Bad Curb Appeal

There are several consequences of bad curb appeal for a property.

Firstly, it can negatively impact the overall value of the property, making it less attractive to potential buyers and reducing the amount that sellers can command for it.

Secondly, it can discourage people from even considering the property, as a poor first impression can be difficult to overcome. In some cases, bad curb appeal may even deter potential tenants or renters from leasing the property.

Additionally, if a property is not well-maintained on the outside, it can signal to others that the property may not be well-maintained on the inside as well, potentially leading to further issues down the line.

Finally, poor curb appeal can also reflect poorly on the surrounding neighborhood or community, contributing to a negative perception of the area and further decreasing property values.

Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

1. Enhance the Front Door

The front door is the focal point of the front of your house. Make sure it’s appealing. It might just need a coat of paint, but it also might need to be replaced. If it looks dated, you might want to replace it with something more up-to-date or something that fits your home’s architecture. Replacing the front door has one of the highest returns on investment for any home improvement project since it’s easy and relatively inexpensive, but it has a big impact. Don’t forget to address the elements around the front door as well. The right trim can make a front door pop.

2. Focus on the Walkway

Your front walkway is the visitor’s path into your home and can make it feel warmer and more inviting. If parts are cracked or broken — or weeds are growing through — you should repair or replace it. Consider alternatives to straight concrete paths. A brick or stone path with some curves adds visual interest, or you can edge an existing walkway with brick or stone.

3. Add Landscaping

Homes without landscaping can look bare and forbidding. The right landscaping can soften the straight edges of your house and make it more inviting. Don’t limit yourself to landscaping near the house either; you can add a bed of flowers or plantings anywhere in the yard. Be sure to take a critical look at your existing landscaping as well. Maybe you need to replace some overgrown bushes or do some basic weeding and pruning. You might want to sharpen up the borders of your planting beds or add concrete borders. You can also consider adding some decorative elements such as a sculpture, birdbath, or fountain.

4. Install a Portico

If your doorway is flush with the front of the house, it may give a bland, one-dimensional appearance from the street. Similarly, if you have a recessed doorway, the entrance can feel hidden in shadows. Adding a portico will give depth and character to the front of your home but be sure to choose a portico style that harmonizes with your home’s architecture. An added benefit of a portico is that it can keep you—and your visitors—dry as you enter the house.

5. Give Your House a Facelift

This can be as simple as a new coat of paint, or it could include new trim, different finishes on the home’s exterior, new siding, fresh shingles, and adding shutters. While you’re at it, think about whether you want to replace your exterior light fixtures. Maybe it’s time that your lamppost and entrance lights look more up-to-date. Consider adding a splash of color with a bold new shade for your front door, a bed of colorful new flowers, or some eye-catching porch furniture.

6. Do Your Maintenance

You don’t want visitors’ first impressions to be that you neglect your house. Putting off maintenance can reduce your home’s value. Here are some things to look for:

Peeling paint
Cracks in the driveway
Sagging, detached gutters
Cracked windows
Unkempt landscaping
Crooked or broken shutters
Bare or brown patches in the lawn

7. Don’t Forget These Details:

Lighting: For the sake of security and to beautify the house at night make sure you have lighting in the right places.
Stone choice: The stone in your walkways, planters, etc. should harmonize with any stone on the façade on your house.
House numbers: Make sure your house numbers are visible from the street and that the style harmonizes with your home’s design.
Mailbox: You can elevate your home’s look at a relatively low cost with a fancy die-cast or painted mailbox.
Clean the House: Washing the windows, siding, porch, garage doors, and walkway can make your house look newer and more appealing.

Trying to add some curb appeal to your home? Schedule a complimentary consultation with us today! Our designers can go over ideas, big and small, to transform the look of your home’s exterior.

March 14, 2018 Additions & ExteriorsWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

Telltale Signs of a Quality Remodeling Job

The internet is full of checklists of potential mistakes you can make when remodeling and articles about what to avoid. But what are the things homeowners should be striving for? What are the characteristics of a well-thought-out and high-quality remodel? Here are some signs to look for, whether you’re evaluating someone else’s remodeling project or planning your own:

1. Harmonizing with the home’s style

Whatever the style of your existing home, the remodeling project should fit into it. If your home’s design is traditional, you don’t want to do an ultra-modern remodel. If you chose a craftsman-style house, you probably like that architectural style so a good remodeling project will have the same craftsman elements. It’s particularly important to keep the style in mind if you’re doing exterior remodeling. Whether you’re adding a portico or a two-story addition, the project’s style needs to work with the rest of the house—in addition to fitting into the architecture in the neighborhood.

2. Up-to-date but not too trendy

One of the major reasons homeowners remodel is to make their home’s design more up-to-date and functional for today’s lifestyles. For example, homeowners might be replacing dark paneling, shag rugs, and pink bathrooms with light-colored walls, hardwood floors, and neutral tiles. Design choices in line with contemporary tastes ensure that the project will add to your home’s value. However, you don’t want to the design to become too trendy. That bright blue countertop might look great in the kitchen showroom, but will it look outdated in five or ten years when you’re trying to sell the house?

3. High-quality materials

One of the hallmarks of a good remodeling job is the use of high-quality materials—which impact both the appearance and the functioning of the house. Cheap cabinets look…well, cheap. And they won’t stand the test of time as well as ones that are well made. They are also less likely to come with pull-out shelves, lazy susans, and other conveniences that a lot of today’s homeowner’s treasure. Similarly, you might be tempted to save money on windows, which can be a big remodeling expense. But investing in high-quality windows can save you money on energy costs and can really improve the appearance of your home—from the inside and the outside. Invest your money wisely. Good designs prioritize high-value design elements like hardwood floors rather than putting a lot of the budget into a fancy chandelier.

4. Spaciousness.

Many homeowners want to remodel to add space to their home—whether by reconfiguring the existing floorplan or by adding an addition. Your designer should be considering how to remodel your home without making any part of it feel cramped or overly cozy. Even when doing a relatively modest remodeling project, you should consider how roomy the newly designed space will feel. This is particularly true in high-traffic areas: wide doorways and halls can make your home feel more comfortable. A good design will consider how to open up the existing space: taking down walls, raising ceilings, enlarging windows, and using many other tricks to create a sense of spaciousness.

5. Letting in the Light.

Lighting can completely change the feeling and ambiance of your home, so a good remodeling project will take light into careful consideration. Designs should consider the house’s position vis a vis the sun and place windows accordingly. More natural light makes a space feel roomier and more pleasant, and so you may want a design that maximizes windows and skylights—at least in the public areas. But don’t neglect artificial lighting. Too often remodeling projects place electric lights as an afterthought, but they should be an integral part of the plan. If you’re remodeling a kitchen, for example, you will probably want overhead, task, and under cabinet lighting in different locations.

Considering a remodeling project and want to know you’re getting unparalleled quality and craftsmanship in the Charlotte area? Get in touch with us today.

January 26, 2018 Additions & ExteriorsOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

Home Additions: Matching Goals with Design

Each house addition is different—just as each family building a house addition is different from all other families. House additions can be a small project that only takes a couple of weeks or an enormous production that is nearly as big as the main house. It all depends on the needs of your family and your home’s situation. How do you know what kind of addition is right for you? Here are a few house addition ideas about which additions best suit particular needs:

Bump-Outs: When you need more living space on the main floor.

A bump-out hangs new space off of the existing house, usually in the back. Because you don’t need to dig a foundation, bump-outs can be more economical than many other types of additions, although they’re more costly on a per-square-foot basis. You’re limited as to how much space you can add; bump outs can usually only be three feet wide and 10-12 feet long.

What can you do with that space? This kind of addition is ideally suited to adding a tub or shower to a master bathroom, installing a walk-in closet, creating an eat-in area in a kitchen, adding space for a kitchen island, converting a spare bedroom into a family room—or expanding just about any room in the house that could use some more square footage.

Garage Conversions: Flexibility for more storage or hobby spaces.

Converting your garage into living space can be cost effective. The structure already exists, so you just need to add HVAC, sheetrock, and flooring. But garages are often located in out of the way corners of houses—not conveniently close to living space or bedrooms. So, what can you do with a garage conversion? A two-car garage can make a nice studio apartment with its own entrance. Garages are also well-suited to becoming a children’s playroom, home theater, or home office.

Sunrooms: Comfortably enjoy the beauty of nature.

Providing a lot of light and offering plenty of versatility, sunrooms can be added to various parts of your house and can be used for different purposes. Many people see sunrooms as a way to enclose a patio, so they can comfortably enjoy the beauty of nature and the feeling of being outside all year long. Sunrooms also make great playrooms or game rooms for children, home offices, or studios for artists or crafters (who like a lot of light). Alternatively, homeowners can fill them with plants to create a conservatory or install a hot tub for a home spa. You can also use them to extend the living area to create family rooms or spaces for entertaining guests.

House Additions: A blank slate for your unique needs.

A home addition can be just about any addition that doesn’t fit into one of the previous categories. You can enlarge a room, add one or more rooms, or even build a two-story addition. Thus, you can use them for almost any purpose, helping you keep up with your family’s changing needs in your own home— without needing to move. Home additions are frequently used to add a bathroom, master bedroom suite, family room, or home office. Many homeowners add two rooms at a time: for example, a master bedroom and bathroom or a family room and bathroom. Ultimately, the uses of a home addition are limited only by your imagination.

Ready to start a conversation about your house addition? Schedule a no-obligation consultation with us today.

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