(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

Question: What are some of the most interesting projects your firm has completed?

All of our projects are interesting, but a couple of our larger projects involved tearing down an existing home and building a new home, and totally gutting the interior of a home that had a living room and family room, and converting it to a great room plan.

Choice lots are getting harder to find, so tear downs and total renovations are becoming more common.

When you go into an established community and tear down a home, it presents special challenges. The main challenge is protecting adjoining property and keeping the neighbors happy.

During the design process we work especially hard to be sensitive to the character of the neighborhood.

Take a peek at a floor plan BEFORE tear down and AFTER.

Floorplan BEFORE Tear-down

Floorplan AFTER Tear-down

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

A Design Process: breathing new life into an outdated space!

We're often asked how to start a renovation project. Where do you begin? How do you breathe new life into an outdated space?

Follow us on a recent project:

BEFORE

We begin by evaluating your spaces and understanding your style and budget. How deep does the renovation or design change need to go? 

Then we prepare a sketch: 

 And finally - a whole new look!

AFTER

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: Drywall Detailing

Everyday, ordinary drywall can become a glorious design element with just a little bit of detailing and inspiration! 

For instance, by adding a top layer of drywall to  the  bottom third of an existing wall, you can cut in 2 foot by 2 foot squares the depth of the drywall layer. Add chair rail inside each square and to the top of the newly added drywall.

Bingo! You have created a wainscot. 

This is a great look in a dining room or study.  The wainscot can be painted with wall paint any color of your choice, or even enameled to look like wood. It can also be fauxed it to look like wood, which is much cheaper than real wood.

Let your imagination fly with drywall!

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.

RENOVATION TIPS: Top Remodeling Tips for 2013

#1 TIP:  KITCHEN MAKEOVERS
Kitchen makeovers are the most requested remodel projects. Kitchens are no longer just a place to prepare food - they are an area for entertaining.

Because of it's broadening role, an outfitted kitchen can be the most valuable asset in your home.

#2 TIP:  BATHROOM MAKEOVERS
Bathroom makeovers come in a very strong second.  Homeowners want a spa-like environment.  Remodeling can change a cramped bathroom into a luxurious spa.

#3 TIP:  OPEN FLOOR PLANS
No more small separated rooms in the main living area!  Removing an interior wall or two between the kitchen and living room, family room or dining room can make your space feel  more spacious and more user friendly for entertaining. 

#4 TIP:  FLOORING
Removing carpet and installing hardwoods, bamboo, tile, stone, reclaimed flooring or cork make one of the largest impacts on a home. Bare floors are great for people who have pets or suffer allergies.

#5 TIP:  OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES
From outdoor kitchens and arbors to outdoor living rooms with fireplaces and TV areas to draped dining rooms....only our imagination can hold us back.  Aluminum screen enclosures around pools are being replaced with concrete and stucco columns and arches with screens inserted between the columns.  Pool houses with fireplaces and or restrooms and storage areas for pool supplies are growing in popularity.

#6 TIP:  ADDITIONS
Adding a room is one of the most valuable improvements you can make to raise the market value of your home.  A master bedroom can be made larger, a study can be eased into an unused outdoor space, adding a room above your garage can provide many uses from guest quarters to game rooms or a study, exercise areas, hobby space or a combination of uses.

#7 TIP:  ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Most homeowners want to save money on their electric bill.  The best way to save on utilities is to upgrade your HVAC equipment, to include new ducting.

Adding additional insulation to your attic, replacing windows with energy efficient and impact resistant windows as well as caulking and sealing around windows and doors will also help you save your utility bills.  Check with utility companies about the possibility of rebates for these improvements.

Most of our homes are one of our largest investments.  General maintenance and quality improvements to your home will make every inch of your home a valuable investment.

Be sure to read all our other tips and news in the archive located on the right sidebar.