Home renovation that give you’re the best return on your investment

If you’ve made a new year’s resolution to be wiser with your money for your home here’s a few things to consider for the best return on your dollar.


• Universal Design - One of the best investments you can make to your home today is Universal Design. So what is universal design? It is a design principle that makes a home or business functional for all people including, all handicaps and the elderly. With baby boomers grower older homes designed to accommodate the handicap and aging population are in a higher and higher in demand. When the front steps need to be replace change them out to a nicely designed ramp. Make open spaces for easier wheelchair access. These renovations are easy to do little by little over time. If you don’t plan on moving when you retire your house will be useable if you should be come unable to handle stairs which allows you to stay in your home longer depending on your health.

• Kitchens-Kitchen updates are an important to maintain top dollar for your home. How we cook and prepare food has changed drastically, along with the tools we use to prepare them. New technology in the kitchen often can save us in both time and energy cost. Not to mention making our everyday life more convenient. Remember when remodeling a kitchen it is good to make universal changes for your future use. Sinks can be plumbed for accessibility with removable cabinet front for a more stand look till you may need it. This is a very minimal cost that will allow you to be independent at home for a much longer period of time.

• Bathrooms- Bathrooms are much like kitchens have changed drastically upgrade are both good to save on energy cost and conservation efforts. Similar accessibility items can be added for your bathroom for universal design. Planning for future grab bars when renovating will make save lots of money in the future for a modest amount of money.

• Changing non bearing walls- This is a great way to make a home feel more spacious without a large investment. If a house is small, but you can’t remove walls add window openings so you can see through parts of the wall to make the space feel larger.

• Exterior Space- Creating rooms to enjoy outside is a great way to expand your living space and can be created for almost no money.

Talk to your designer and contractor for your specific on the cost to insure you don’t over invest in your home. Make your home into your dream home not a nightmare. Know your home’s value before you start so you don’t over invest.

Educating business owner on the benefits of good interior design practices.

I am writing you today to let you know with this New Year I’m making some changes in my business. The first as many of you already know is I am now working under my own name, LaRochelle Interior Design so it’s out with InEx Interior Design.

Another change is I hope to educate as many business’s as possible on how good design can save you money.

• Did you know your business’s interior reflects your brand and shows your clientele what is important to you? If brand marketing is important to your business so is your interior.

• Maybe your inefficient use of space is requiring you to lease more or less space than you need for optimal efficiency and cost per square foot?

• Or the color of your facility is under stimulating your employees or worse over stimulating them creating an adverse work environment.

• Did you know color can affect your appetite; does your business serve food?

Stay tune for more details and blogs to come on this subject and much more. If you know a business that could use a bit of educating please forward this information to them as well! And as always if you have design questions feel free to post them in your comments and I’ll be sure to answer them.

Out with the Old and In with the New

InEx Interior Design has a new Name, LaRochelle Interior Design. Every business needs the occasional shake up. This year I plan on shaking up something new each month. The economy is on a path to improvement and now it's time for the rest of us to add some improvements to our lives. May be it will be making our home or office a bit healthier place to live or just a colorful face lift. What every it might be I will be here to help you solve your design issues all year long. If you have an interior design issue you'd like to ask about, post your question here in the comments and I will be sure to give you my recommendation. If you have a problem there is bound to be others with the same questions answered. So let's shake up this new year and get the ball rolling on this year new years resolution to improve our home and work environments! I'm looking forward to hearing from you all soon!

Happy New Year!
Lori

A Dressing Room Closet Built For Two

With master bedroom closets being all the rage. I thought I would share this article with you by Lori Glider.

Planning the perfect closet is never an easy task particularly when you have to share with your spouse.  Often one partner has more "inventory" shall we say than the other and rarely are they willing to give up an inch of linear space. 

In one of my projects the layout of the master bedroom - simply said just doesn't make sense.  Currently the original dark, dingy and window-less walk-in closet is located on an exterior wall, which faces the beautiful lush back yard. The single windowed master bath looks directly onto the neighbor's house.  From a planning perspective it only makes sense to flip the master bath/closet layout in order to maximize the lovely view to the lush yard from a new master bath - and plan for the new closet/dressing room where the old bath was located. 

Gutting and shifting the walls to create a bright and spacious master bath and his-and-her closet and dressing area will take this master suite from the ordinary to the extraordinary.  It's about creating a perfect blend of practicality and luxury in the master bedroom suite.

Keep these ideas in mind when planning the perfect closet for two:

• Don't feel you need to use up every inch of wall space by sacrificing natural light.  Adding windows or skylights will display your wardrobe clearly.
• Strategically position full-length mirrors to reflect some of that natural light - and to catch a good glimpse of yourself.
• Keep as much inventory as possible in plain sight.  Make sure it's well organized, color coded and easily accessible.
• Separate the his from hers - and provide enough space to meander through the shelves and racks.
• If space allows provide an island for plenty of extra storage.  It's also a terrific surface area for changing out your handbags and organizing accessories.
• Provide a make-up vanity area preferably near a window for natural lighting.
• Don't forget good general lighting coupled with recessed lighting to highlight your hanging wardrobe.  Using dimmers will add that extra touch of ambiance as well.

Whether you're planning a closet/dressing room that takes your breath away or a highly practical well-organized closet for two - use these principles to help guide you through the planning process.  

 

Lori Gilder, is an Award winning Interior Designer specializing in high-end residential renovations and additions. Lori is the CEO and Founder of Interior Makeovers Inc. and LoriGilder.com. She is dedicated to providing accessible design expertise and guidance, tailored to fit each individual homeowners lifestyle.  Sign Up Now to receive your FREE copy of "15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation" LoriGilder.com  

©2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Designing Maine: I found this photo of a cute bathroom. I am a tru...

Designing Maine: I found this photo of a cute bathroom. I am a tru...: "I found this photo of a cute bathroom on HGTV. I am a true lover of the use of wood and all things natural they bring warmth warmth to any ..."

I found this photo of a cute bathroom. I am a true lover of the use of wood and the natural warmth it bring to any room. But when it comes to bath rooms it’s a no go for me. Life today is crazy enough; we don’t need to be introducing material in a room that adds to our workload. Teak is one of a few woods that can handle the moisture, but to keeping it looking like it does in this picture will take a lot of work. One of my many goals when working with my clients to design their space to be low maintenance so they can enjoy it after a hard day at work, not come to see more work! So when choosing materials for a project make sure that they enhance the space without add to you stress pool!

I found this photo of a cute bathroom on HGTV.  I am a true lover of the use of wood and all things natural they bring warmth warmth to any room. But when it comes to bathrooms it’s a no go for me. Life today is crazy enough; we don’t need to be introducing material in a room that adds to our workload. Teak is one of a few woods that can handle the moisture, but to keeping it looking like it does in this picture will take a lot of work and each year as the finish wears it will take more time. One of my many goals when working with a client is to design their space to be low maintenance so they can enjoy it after a hard day at work, not come to see more work!

So when choosing materials for a project make sure that they enhance the space without add to you stress pool! 

Hello All,
It seems like every week someone ask me what an interior design does or assumes it's just a decorator. Yes I'm a decorator and much more this is a nice over view of what I do for a living written in the Princeton Review. I hope you enjoy it. Feel to let me know if you have any questions or pass this along.
Lori

 A Day in the life of a Interior Designer
An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both. The position is a combination of engineer and artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interior designers have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space. They also have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators. Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors and clients alike, planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpeting —and all this usually must be done within a fixed budget. Interior designers are hired for their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely their own personal vision. Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes and their clients’ tastes—and be willing to put their clients’ tastes first. This requirement can be frustrating at first for many who enter the profession. Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of a space is finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable reading blueprints. This element of the job comes as a surprise to many new interior designers, who expect to have less of an administrative and technical role and more of a role in influencing the overall feel and appearance of a space. Those who thrive in the industry say this ability to balance the practical with the aesthetic is crucial to being a successful interior designer. Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work very satisfying.
Paying Your Dues
The academic and professional requirements for most areas of design are fairly general, with the emphasis on portfolio development and professional experience. Interior design, however, has nationally–standardized requirements. Interior designers must have a bachelor’s degree. Employers look favorably on those who have studied engineering, design, and art. Those who want more specific study complete interior design programs. Across the United States and Canada, there are 105 colleges and universities accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research. Interior designers must also be familiar with federal, state, and local interior design codes (involving such issues as capacity, flammability, and stress levels). To be federally licensed, prospective interior designers must pass the qualification exam given by the National Council for Interior Design. Professional organizations are significant in this field, and many interior designers find it helpful to join one or more of them. To become eligible for membership, one must have completed two to three years of graduate work, worked in the field for two to three years, and passed the federal licensing exam.


Original Post by the Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx?cid=82