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Is Modern Design Making a Comeback?
My visit to the Big Apple led me to getting an invitation to a book signing at Archivia Book store in NYC on Lexington.
Amy Lau released her book, Expressive Modern, The Interiors of Amy Lau, and chose Archivia to help her. The crowd was mostly New Yorkers in the design business, but there were those who travelled, like me, from the other coast to see Amy’s labor of her love. Design.
Even stylists with more traditional tastes for English Country, Ecclectic, Mediterranean or even Mid Century, Traditional, Tuscan, or even Southwestern, can’t deny an appreciation for Amy’s insight to Expressive Modern. It’s delightful, interteresting and clean as far as a book design…but the contents, the photography, the description are expressive in itself and truly inspiring.
As a Real Estate Consultant in San Diego, La Jolla, and downtown condo market, I see many different interiors, and use a stager when I need to enhance the property for sale. As I browse this beautiful book my mouth waters thinking how I could sell more homes if I could stage properties with this type of design. In my opinion, this is a beautiful coffee table tablet that anyone will want to pick up and study. It will tantalize your senses and quite possibly open your mind to Modern and it simplicity….as well as it’s minimalistic scape.
REMODEL YOUR KITCHEN/BATH WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
It’s not surprising that two of the most popular rooms for home makeowvers are the kitchen and bathroom. When potential homebuyers are searching for homes, they generally are more attracted to homes with updated kitchens and baths. These same rooms rank high in return on remodeling investment at resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost-vs-Value 2008-09 Study.
However, both can be pricey ventures. According to the same study, the nationalal average for minor kitchen remodel was $21,246. A sample remodel at this cost includes replacing cabinet fronts, flooring, laminate countertops and oven and cooktop; installing mid-priced sink and faucet, adding wall cover and repainting trim.
The national average for mid-range bathroom remodel was $15,899, which included replacing fixtures, installing a porcelain-on-steel tub, new shower and ceramic tile flooring.
If you’re like many consumers today, you are more budget conscious and may not be able to afford thousands of dollars on a remodeling project. Here are some alternatives that will give your kitchen and bathroom a fresh, modern look without breaking your piggy bank.
Remodeled Kitchen
1. KITCHEN
Cabinets- Give your cabinets a fresh look by either refinishing or refacing the fronts at a more economical cost than buying new ones. You can even take the center face out and install a glass front.
Paint-A fresh coat of paint is always a sure bet. And it is one of the least expensive ways to give a room a makeover. To further transform the room, choose more modern hues, such as a warm yellow or deep red.
Countertops-The price of a natural quartz or stone countertop can quickly eat away your kitchen remodeling budget. Less expensive, yet still attractive alternatives are solid surface materials such as Silestone or granite an ceramic tiles. An even more affordable choice is laminate, which is easy to install yourself and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Faucets and Sinks-Add a fresh new look by replacing your sink and faucet with a high-arched spout in an updated finish, such as brushed nickel, brushed chrome or stainless steel.
Backsplash-Another option to modernize you kitchen’s look is adding a backsplash. But rather than having ceramic tiles, consider creating a mosaic with ceramic or glass, or install a faux backsplash panel.
Window treatments-Switch out old valances with options that let the natural light in.
Lighting-By adding under cabinet lights or even track lighting, you can create a dramatic look to your kitchen.
BATHROOM
Paint-As with the kitchen, a new coat of paint is a low-cost way to renew a room’s look. Chose a warm color to give the room an intimate feel
Showerheads-Change out old showerheads with a new rain showerhead.
Shower Doors-If you still use shower curtains for your bathtub, you can update the look by installing glass doors. Frameless doors are preferable. However, if the walls aren’t flush to the tub area, framed doors will still give you the moderized look you’re seeking.
Hardware-Just as with the kitchen, replacing the knobs and handles can give your vanity a fresh new appearance.
Lighting and Mirors-In addition to the vanity, the lighting and mirrors above that area can combine to make the perfect focal piece for your bathroom. If changing the vanity is not in your budget, consider swapping out your unframed glass for a more decorative mirror and add a new lighting fixture.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add pizzazz to your kitchen or bath. Just changing one or two elements can make a huge difference in its appeal to you and a potential buyer down the road.
5 WAYS TO CREATE CURB APPEAL
As January fast approaches, more sellers will want to list their home for sale. But how can you make your home stand out from the others in your neighborhood?
A sale can be made or lost as a direct result of your home’s curb appeal. When it comes to selling your home, the first impression is probably the most important impression. If the outside of the property doesn’t create interest or appear well-maintained, a buyer may choose to not even come inside the home. Here are five ways to create curb appeal.
#1. PAINT AND POLISH. A fresh coat of paint breathes new life into a tired-looking home. If your home looks dull or suffers from peeling, cracked or chipped surfaces, a paint job is a great investment. Polish the doorknocker and mail slot on the front door, as well as any light fixtures by the entry. Re-condition your deck. Consider renting a power washer to clean dirt and mildew from the wood, and then apply an all-weather sealer or stain.
#2. MANICURE THE GROUNDS. Mow and edge the grass, and trim the trees and bushes. Also clear away dead leaves and flowers, and mulch and weed the beds. Check to see that branches are not touching th home’s roof or outer walls. Add some color to your landscape by planting annuals and placing planters of flowers in strategic spots. You even spruce up the property by hanging flowering baskets. Add flowering plants in the back yard, too.
#3. MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS. See if anything in unhunged, loose or just an eyesore. Fix everything including broken fencing, windows and screens. Make sure winter’s cold wether didn’t leave any gutters sagging or loose. Replace any missing shingles from the roof. Try the doorbell. Check stairs and railings. Test doors for squeaks and rusted hinges. Don’t forget to take a critical look at the property at night. Make sure the lights work and replace dim and burned-out bulbs.
#4. UNCLUTTER. Tidy up the deck, patio and back yad. Rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools and toys. Clean up the barbecue area. Eliminate any “evidence” of pets, and restrict them to the back yard when showing the home. Move extra vehicles from the view of passerbys.
#5. CLEAN. Clean the windows, inside and out, wash down the walks and driveway, and hose down the siding. Clean outdoor funiture and cushions. Check for oil spots on cement surfaces, especially the garage floor.
The old saying about making a good first impression couldn’t be truer than when you are selling your home Even the smallest enhancements can make a big difference in in creating love at first sight.
8 TIPS ON PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER
Preparing your home for winter will help save money in the long run. Take care of these things now and you will be preserving your equity and create Pride of Ownership.
If you live in “hard winter” states, you will want to add insulation to the attic and sweep the chimney. Winter in Southern California is like Spring in Minnesota. We complain a lot here in San Diego, but we actually have it easy. Homeowners still need to maintain the important parts to the house to continue the functionality without major breakdowns.
In Southern California we consider our winterization as continued maintenance. Continuously checking on the maintenance of the following areas will keep your home operating year round.
1. Clean your gutters (unless you live in a condo). Make sure you remove all debris.
2. Change your batteries in your smoke alarms (unless they are hard-wired). Smoke detectors should be checked twice a year….Spring and Winter
3. Change your air filters (in both condos and single family homes)
4. While you’re at it….check your furnace.
5. Check your Gas and Electric appliances. Your utility company will come out and check your appliances for free.
6. Even in California it gets cold, so weather strip your windows and doors. This will help keep the heat in during those cold nights.
7. Have a Termite Report done. Rodents love to find cozy, warm places to stay…usually the attic. An inspection will locate them.
8. Inspect your roof for (1) holes, (2) missing tiles (3) bare spots. Once it starts raining, you’ll be happy you did.
