Get that remodel you ALWAYS wanted designed!!

Right now many of us are held up at home looking at our tired kitchens and wishing for a remodel.  Even though having a designer physically come into your home is impossible right now, what if it could be done virtually?  NW Home Designers has come up with a design plan where we can meet and talk via a video conference, then decide on what level of design you would like to go with.

The first portion is Level 1 at $600.00.  To start things off we have a free 20 minute video conference for a meet and greet to see if we are a good fit and to decide on which Design Level you would like to choose.   Once that is determined, you will be given a Step-by-Step tutorial on how to measure the space in question.  These measurements allows us to create an As Built Plan/Existing Plan of the space you plan on remodeling.  This along with pictures or online idea books (Houzz, Pinterest, etc.) shared by you, gets the ball rolling and a design plan is created based on your likes, priorities, and budget. To ensure that the design plan is properly explained, a 30 minute design review is included in this level where we can look at the space in a 3D format in an online shared screen meeting.  During this meeting, we can makes changes, update materials and work together as a team to perfect the design.  Once the design is complete, a scaled working plan (that also includes proper cabinet call outs) is created and emailed.  This plan is a great base and will have enough detail so that you can obtain a cabinet bid or talk with the contractor about next steps.  This entire portion will be completed in 2 weeks once the dimensions are received.

Next is Level 2, add another $600, takes the above and adds more detailed drawings to the mix.  To complete this comprehensive Drawing Package an Electrical Plan along with Elevations are included.  Any details such as cabinet trim or installation of an apron front sink would also be included.  To tie it all together, a Fixture and Finish Schedule listing all of the items used in the space is pulled together based on the pictures and likes shared by you along with items that NWHD recommends.  This portion would be another week or two after Level 1 is completed.

Together, Level 1 and 2 creates a detailed drawing package that any contractor or DIY’er can work from.  Any additional changes are $300 each, depending on the complexity of the change/addition.  Email communication or conversations of 15 minutes or less, are part of the package.  We want to ensure that you feel comfortable reaching out with any changes or adjustments.

We want you to have the Dream Kitchen or Master Bathroom!  We also want to be sure that this design experience is fun and interactive leaving you with a detailed set of drawings ready to get that project started.  Contact us today. We look forward to working with you!

 

All white cabinet kitchens are great, because you can change them in so many ways, just with the use of color. The question is, how.

First, is with paint. Paint is great as you can change it if you decide later on you like orange hues rather than blue. The walls are the obvious place to paint a color. The ceiling can also be a point of interest. Maybe the walls are a darker or lighter version of what the ceiling is painted. I’ve also had a client who kept the walls a “quiet” color and painted the ceiling teal. One not so obvious place is the back of a glass door cabinet. It’s like the little sneaky glimpse of color peaking past your dishes.

Second, is with accessories. These items can be towels or that red mixer on your counter. I’ve often had clients who place colorful items in glass door cabinets that are lit. Maybe it is main cabinet that acts as a dish storage in your kitchen or that second stack of cabinets that draws your eyes up to see that special pottery you purchased on your vacation.

Third, is your tile backsplash. Depending on how adventurous you are, you can have the entire backsplash as a source of your color display. If you like things a bit more quiet it could be a detailed liner or an alternating special tile amidst a neutral field tile. You can also use the area above your sink or cooking area as your featured visual element.

Forth, can be your appliances. See example above) There are many manufacturers who offer several colors to choose from. This can include your range, ovens, refrigerators, hoods, and neutral colored sinks. Some of these manufacturers even offer replaceable panels for their ranges. So, if you grow tired of that fire engine red range you can change it to a deep dark blue.

Lastly, could be your countertops. Maybe they have a bit of color in them like what terrazzo counters offer or it is the island that is a dark wood material adding some warmth to the whiteness of the cabinets.

I’m sure I could be missing a few other ideas, but these are the ones I come across the most often. The possibilities can be limitless. Just remember what your budget is and whether or not you can live with that “pop” of color for longer than a few months.

Sometimes when I am hired the homeowner plans on selling in 5 years but needs to update prior to putting it on the market. So the first thing I am asked is to design something that the next homeowner will like. There is a huge problem with that because I do not know WHO the next homeowner is going to be, so how can I design for someone I have never met? I don’t know what colors they like or what style they prefer. Where do we go from here?

My suggestion is to create a design keeping with the style of the house but still design with YOUR likes. I don’t mean use red stained cabinets but use materials you find appealing and will enjoy for the remaining time you live in your home. Lean on your designer and their experience to ensure you are still designing something that others find appealing. You can also look in magazines and online places like Houzz that shows what has been most popular with their viewers.

I do want to note that there is no guarantee the next homeowner will love what you did and may still remodel once they are the new owners. That is something no one can predict which is why I stress to design something that YOU like. Enjoy your home for the time you are there. Who knows, maybe you might just stay.