photo by Cooper and O’Hara
“Always use the right tools. Projects take 10 times longer and never go smoothly when you are working around a tool you don’t have. Rent it if necessary, especially if you don’t think you’ll need it again in the future.”
“If you plan to DIY, do as much research as possible, and don’t be scared! Even the most experienced renovators have hiccups and learn new things with every project.”
“Know how to save, but splurge a little too. To get that WOW! factor, you need a couple of splurges, but they don’t have to be extravagant. A single cool light fixture, faucet or custom trim detail can elevate the whole room.”
“Think about the bigger picture. Most of us don’t renovate our homes all in one big reno – often it is done over years, or as budget and life allows – but keep in mind that you want your spaces to all feel cohesive in the end. Don’t let a current trend take over your latest reno, or you risk having that room feel disjointed from the rest of your home. Plus homes feel more spacious and pulled together when a theme runs throughout.”
“Use tools like Pinterest and Houzz to not just find inspiration, but to decipher what exactly you want your house to say about yourself. I try to find the common theme that runs through many of the spaces I pin or bookmark because, of course, they are always inspirational, but most of them are not realistic to recreate. I prefer to focus on what it is about the spaces that draw me to them and how I can interpret that in my own home.”
