(More) BEFORE and AFTER

A renovation can be as simple or complex as you and your budget require. We've said it before, but it always bears repeating:  new paint and color changes can make a world of difference.

Restaging/replacing furniture and accessories can breathe new life into any space.

BEFORE:  

 

AFTER:

(More) BEFORE and AFTER

It's amazing what wonderful changes occur after a minimal remodel! Kitchen renovations provide a big investment advantage, and even small changes can yield a large return.

BEFORE:

 

AFTER:

BEFORE and AFTER - Case Studies

They say a photo speaks a thousand words, and in this case study, it also speaks a huge - but simple - change!

A dated master bedroom becomes new again with fresh paint, updated window treatments, modern accessories and luxurious bedding. In this example, note how the mirror behind the lamp provides a connecting (and recycled!) element between the old and new designs.

BEFORE:

 

AFTER: 

ROF: Your Blueprint For Any Home Project

We like to suggest a simple blueprint for any project from new construction to the smallest of home renovations:  ROF  (Research, Organize, Finalize Budget).  

For example, with a kitchen remodel, this is how it would go:

R (Research):

Check out the latest kitchen designs. Visit model homes in your area, page through design magazines and books, and visit web sites, such as Houzz or Pinterest. Pinterest or Evernote, just to name a few, can also be very useful tools to help you save clips of ideas or designs you find on the internet. 

O (Organize): 

All the research you do will produce tons of ideas, inspirations and thoughts. Sift through these and organize them to determine your style, what is possible in your space, and your budget. 

F (Finalize Budget):
Determine the extent of your renovation and set a budget. It's good to build a little flex into your final budget to accommodate the unexpected.

Stay tuned for more building and design tips next time when we talk about more kitchen renovation projects!

Specialty Lighting

Want to take your home from Wonderful to WOW! ? Different techniques in specialty lighting can do just that. Area ambiance can go from being just another part of the home to a conversation piece.

For example, we built an onyx-topped bar for a client (see photos below) in an area that divides two rooms, then lit the onyx from underneath. That surely says WOW!

LED can lighting in ceilings and LED tape lighting under cabinets is also becoming more popular - and energy efficient!

The onxy-topped bar (middle of the photo) that spans two living spaces

Close-up of the onyx-topped bar

What Is Important In Good Kitchen Design?

Today’s kitchens are the heart and soul of the home. Good design means the room must be both functional and a pleasure to be in, while still reflecting the feel of the rest of the house.

The kitchen layout has to have a balance between storage, function and aesthetics. We like to sit down with a client to find out what their needs are and how they use the kitchen.

We also work with their style and taste, blending it with the style of the house, to make the final product the envy of those who have not yet updated their kitchen.

How Do You Choose Finishes and Color Palettes?

Making color palette and finish choices is always a process. We take time to get to know our clients and their tastes. Sometimes, we can have one meeting and immediately envision what they want to accomplish, but more often it takes a few conversations before we reach a point where the selections process can begin. 

Our clients can be involved as much as they choose. Many of our clients prefer we do the legwork and present a color palette and samples for their review. 

We make the selection process as easy as possible, making sure the selections guarantee our client a beautiful environment that matches their vision.

What Does Refreshing A Home's Interior Entail?

Kitchen BEFORE refreshing, showing dark cabinets

Refreshing a home's interior can range from simple paint and color changes to a total redo. Sometimes, just removing heavy draperies and decluttering the accessories is all that is needed.

Lately, we have been changing a lot of dark faux paint (Gothic style) to lighter paints. Kitchens are being transformed by painting dark wood cabinets a pretty white, as seen in the before (above) and after (below) photos shown here.

A refreshed home is updated so it feels new and charming!

Kitchen AFTER refreshing, showing cabinets painted a light color

Kitchen & Bath Remodels - A Strong Investment!

Want instant gratification? Consider remodeling your kitchen and baths.  The finished project will bring immediate enjoyment and future resale value.

Both kitchen and bath remodeling offer strong value. If you are doing the remodel to help sell your home right now, you might not get full value for what you invested, but it sure helps sell the house. In today’s market, it’s well worth it.  If you are remodeling to bring more function and enjoyment into your home, a kitchen and bath remodeling  project will definitely do that. 

There are new features in cabinetry, plumbing fixtures and appliances that can make your kitchen and baths more functional and enjoyable. Rain heads and steam shower in baths, kitchen sinks with built-in drainers, colanders, cutting boards and pot fillers, convection microwaves and ovens - the list goes on forever!

If you think your kitchen or bath cabinets have to remain in the same foot print - think again! We recently changed the entire cabinet layout in a 1998 kitchen, removing the raised bar (typical 1998 style) and adding a sleek one level, large bar that accommodates the sink, dishwasher, base cabinetry and allows for 4-6 bar stools.  The client wondered where we got all the room to do this.  That‘s where your remodeler will think outside of the box and come up with ideas that might surprise you!

Now is a good time to improve the quality of your life and the value of your home by remodeling your kitchen or bath. This is a type of project that can be done in all price points.  We can think of no better investment for updating and improving your home.

From construction to remodeling to design - Kingon Homes and Southern Showcase Design is here to help each step of the way. Call us for a consultation and let us help you make your house a dream home AND a perfect investment!

Get Creative With Applied Wood Molding

Applied wood moldings allow for all kinds of creativity in your home. Trim molding can be added to walls to create a frame or frames for design elements, such as mirrors or art.

For instance, if you have a wall that is 16 feet long and 12 feet high, you might want to want to add three frames  (each section would be 3 feet wide x 5 feet high) evenly spaced on the wall.  You then have the option to install mirrors, paint a contrast color, add tile or art inside the frame.  Great look! 

To get started, begin with  a pencil with an eraser and 1/4" graph paper.  Each 1/4" equals one foot. Draw your wall area, then sketch out shapes you would like to see on your wall.  This allows you to envision what the moldings will look like on your wall.

A headboard wall would be a fun project.  If you have a low ceilings trim can be added to give a coffered ceiling effect. Limitless options are possible with moldings! 

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Mirrors (on left) open the room and reflect the gorgeous view!

Mirrors - the decor miracle worker! 

Want to enlarge your space visually?  A mirror can give the allusion of width or depth, and can create a longer line of vision. 

Mirrors can draw attention away from a problem area.  For instance, perhaps a bathroom or kitchen opening off of a formal room is an element you want to hide. Mirrors on both sides of the opening diminish the attention of the opening and can reflect a pretty view from another part the room or the outside.

Naturally dark rooms can be made lighter with the use of mirrors.  Concave or convex mirrors become interesting art. A client recently installed a large mirror with a series of small convex pyramid shaped mirrors on a wall in her beach condo.  Wow! What a look!  It created a larger feeling of space and also acts as the featured art.

DESIGN TIPS: Architectural Detailing

Ceiling Details Can Change A Room

Maybe you have high flat ceilings and you'd like to add some interest to your ceilings.  

You can frame a detailed ceiling.  This will probably require the assist of an expert, unless you are really handy.  The more elaborate the design the more costly to have framed and drywalled.

You could  frame a 6"x6" soffit around the perimeter of the room, and add cross section 6"x6" wide, creating 4 recesses in the ceiling, this would be the most economical. Framed circles  in the middle of the room are gorgeous but are much more costly to build.

ENTERTAINING 101: Focal Points

This tip continues our series on getting your home ready for entertaining.

Focal Points

Have a focal point that establishes your theme in your main room. This will anchor your theme.  Decorating around this featured item will help the flow from room to room.  

Art & Accessories

What you hang on your walls and what you showcase as accessories will have an impact.  One of my clients likes to tell stories about an over-sized tribal necklace that hangs in a focal spot of their home. The story changes regularly, depending on the gullibility and sense of humor of their guest.

Lighting

Lighting is crucial, as it establishes the rooms ambiance.  Put dimmer switches on overhead can lights. The dining room, foyer and outdoor lights are a good place to start to create your desired effect.  

At different times in your evening you may want to adjust your lighting. Candles can be lovely, but watch out for breezes from fans, a/c vents, or opened windows. There are whole house lighting systems that can create scenes from romantic to super bowl party with just a flick of a switch.

Take a good look at your space. Step back with a critical eye and ask yourself,  "Is my home comfortable, guest friendly, tasteful, and do I like the way it lives and feels?"  If you answer yes to all , then you have done a great job of getting your home ready for entertaining.  If not, remember, simple changes can work wonders! 

Good luck in creating a lovely home environment.

ENTERTAINING 101: Get your home ready!

Have you noticed that Southwest Florida just might be the home entertainment capital of the world? It is!  Our beautiful climate and friendly people blend together to create the perfect environment for getting together, and what better place than in our homes. 

Is your home ready for entertaining?  We want our house to look as good as possible when we invite our friends to spend an evening or afternoon.  Your home says a lot about you.  You invest a lot of your time and energy to make your home as comfortable and as appealing as possible. 

A large or very small decorating budget shouldn't make a difference if you follow some simple suggestions:

Sometimes just re-arranging or eliminating furniture pieces can make a dramatic difference.  An overly crowded room doesn't do you one bit of good.  You should be able to move around freely, if not make a change.  Sometimes moving furniture from one room to another makes a nice difference.  If your dining room is small, buffet dinners will work just fine.

Formal or casual rooms should look comfortable and not haphazard.  Too many colors,  textures, sizes and scales create chaos making your room feel unfriendly.  Formal arrangements should be symmetrical in your furniture and accessory arrangements with the use of muted or deeper colors.  A casual look is usually asymmetrical and playful with the use of textures and color (but not too many).

A theme will help you unify your decor.  The theme should flow from room to room.  Examples of themes are beach, tropical, country French, Tuscan, Asian, or world traveler,  just to name a few.  If you can't decide on a theme tear pages of pictures of homes you like from decorating and home magazines.  More than likely they will have a similar look or theme, and this will help you develop your theme and style.