New Homes & Lifestyles
See With a Designer's Eye - By Kerri Foreman
The search for a new home can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. So can selling your existing residence. You may struggle with seeing the hidden potential of a home and look purely at its cosmetic features. To see beyond the superficial flaws and make wise choices, try approaching each home (and your own) with the eyes and attitude of an interior designer.
Interior designers look at potential houses with a list of pros and cons. They listen to the homeowner's wish list, and assess the best way to achieve the dream-while also considering value and function. There should be an overall balance between perceived value and price, and splurging in key areas to create memory points.
Missing the big picture is a major mistake. Some homeowners build an environment that's so personal and specific to their tastes, it won't appeal to most buyers. You've doubtless walked into a potential home or even a friend's house and been taken aback by their décor. This is why real estate professionals instruct their clients to de-clutter and put away personal effects. If the assets of the home are hidden, it's more difficult to get a timely sale and the best price.
<strong>Bone Structure</strong>
The most important feature of a house is layout and function. The bones of a house can be difficult and costly to alter, so carefully consider your options.
Small changes such as enlarging and updating bathrooms or the kitchen could bring a 90 percent to 95 percent return on your investment. On the other hand, switching bedrooms to offices and family rooms can hurt your future resale unless they easily can be converted back.
If you're looking at a house with floor plan issues that don't support your lifestyle, you need to ask yourself whether changes would be a wise investment. Your personal preferences may not be economically feasible.
Keep in mind, most people can't see past the cosmetic details of a home to its true potential. When I purchased my own house, the walls were pink, pale blue and grass green. My husband wanted to walk out immediately. I stopped him with four simple words: "It is just paint." The floor plan of the home was very open and the yard had potential. Looking past the tarnished brass towel bars and the rainbow paint colors, the bones of the home were what I sought to understand.
Needless to say, we were able to purchase the home at a reduced rate because most homeowners saw the home the way my husband did. The same weekend we received the keys, we painted everything white. With a blank slate, the home's features became the focus. As the home evolved, the white walls were covered with color and our house came together.
<strong>Architectural Flourish</strong>
Use the same approach when you're walking through a potential home or planning to update. If it lacks architectural elements, notice areas where you could add some interest. For example, a long narrow living room with a flat ceiling may be reminiscent of a bowling alley. Try introducing two painted perpendicular boxed beams and wrapping everything with crown molding. By splitting up the space, you create a better-proportioned room and the architectural feature adds value to the property.
Interior designers have access to a multitude of sources for molding and architectural elements. Some Valley homes have vaulted ceilings that make rooms feel cold and cavernous. Foam beams such as those manufactured by Nesco can be added and stained to make the ceiling more intimate and give it an architectural presence. Guests will never guess the beams aren't real wood, but you'll know you saved a bundle on a cost-effective alternative.
<strong>Where to Invest</strong>
Updated kitchens and bathrooms are two of the big-ticket items people crave when home shopping. A lot of money can be tied up in these areas, so your selections need to appeal to a broad range of future buyers. You may want to rely on an interior designer to guide you.
Let's say you're faced with a kitchen with excellent function but cosmetic challenges. Should you tear it all out and start fresh? If the cabinet interiors are in good shape and function well, consider simply resurfacing them. This will lower your overall cost, freeing up budget to upgrade appliances, plumbing, fixtures, countertop and custom backsplash. Sometimes the bones are there, and you just need some help seeing their promise.
<strong>Basic Design Principles</strong>
No house is ever at its true potential without the touches that make it a home. Follow basic design principles to introduce your personal style. Paint is the best way to add personality without permanently tying you to a scheme.
I walk into so many houses painted "Builders' Beige" that lack warmth and life. Don't be afraid to experiment and show your personality. Go ahead and take a bed wall and add a deep color, or paint your office a rich red. The most user-friendly colors have a brown base. Brown bases in deep colors make them softer and help them blend into the environment. If you choose furniture in more neutral textures, add color with your paint, accessories, art and pillows.
When a home is on the market, basic rules of neutralizing apply-and that doesn't always mean beige. If the home lacks architectural features, a couple well-placed color accents can give it interest and make the home feel updated and current. For inspiration, visit some of the Valley's master planned communities. Model homes are put in place to showcase floor plans and potential designs. Notice that it's not just the individual details or features that make a space, but how they interact and work together. Sometimes changing just one element can create a space that is warm and inviting.
<strong>Home as Sanctuary</strong>
Your home is more than an investment-it's your sanctuary. Look to create an environment that makes you feel comfortable, and functions for your family's lifestyle. If you are tackling a large remodel, or just need help identifying your home's potential, a designer can be a wise investment. How do you find the right design professional? Make sure you feel comfortable and confident they have you and your home's best interest in mind.
Kim Schapiro, a senior designer with Est Est Inc., sees home design as a reflection of the client not of the designer. "We can guide the client with our knowledge and experience, but we also need to understand their wants and needs in order to create a space that truly reflects their personality," Schapiro says.
The key to the purchase or sale of a home is to look at the home as a complete package. Highlight the best features and downplay the shortcomings. View it from a fresh, professional prospective and not just from your own personal taste. Looking at things with a new frame of mind-and interior designer visioning-can reveal the hidden potential you may have otherwise passed by.
Kerri Foreman is director of design for Est Est Inc., the oldest interior design firm in Scottsdale, Ariz. Established in 1959, it has enjoyed distinguished recognition in the local residential and commercial fields, as well as with private clients and contract projects throughout the United States. Est Est's creative staff is under the direction of owner and head designer Tony Sutton.
