Tag Archives: Interior Design St. Paul MN

What Is The Best Way To Add Color to Your Home?

Some people are hesitant of adding color to their homes, some want it but are scared they will make a mistake they will regret.

There are many ways to add color. I am a big believer that the best way to add color to a home is through artwork and accessories. The reason I like doing this is that it is easy and inexpensive. Keep the large items neutral and bring the pizazz with the small items.

 

It is easy to buy some colorful throw pillows, baskets, and knick-knacks. Keep them inexpensive and when you get tired of that color, donate them and move to another fresh color. Or change out the colors with the seasons!

 

 

For those more daring here are more ideas:

Paint an Entire Room: Paint is a great way to add color. Maybe a a soft color in a master bedroom or bath. Or a fun color in a kid’s room.

 

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Wallpaper an Entire Room:

Wallpaper is so popular again and with all the fun patterns now available in Peel-N-Stick its a DIY project for many.  A subtle pattern will keep it from seeming too overwhelming,

 

Wallpaper an Accent Wall:

A bathroom wall, fireplace wall, or a dining room wall can be the perfect place for an accent for a bold colorful wallpaper.      

Two Toned Kitchen Cabinetry:

This is a big commitment especially if you are adding a color to the cabinets other than white or a wood stain. Kitchens are the most important room in the home so don’t make it so taste specific that it may be difficult to sell.

 

Kitchen Island:

If you want color in your kitchen cabinets, I think the kitchen island is the best place to do so. Much easier to change just the island down the road versus all the cabinets if you get tired of the color or it becomes dated.

 

Furniture:

Furniture is a great and easy way to add color. I was just at a client’s home that had a yellow sofa in the sun room. So fun!! A bold colorful chair is also a great way to brighten up a space.  

Which color idea are you thinking of trying?

 

 

 

 

 

A Laundry Room Makeover

In my previous post I showed the incredible transformation of a mudroom. Check out “A Mudroom Makeover” if you missed it. Now I want to show the transformation of the laundry room right next door that was done at the same time.

Laundry rooms do not need to be boring and just for function.  In fact, in home sales buyers are loving having a laundry room that doesn’t feel like a dungeon and can make laundry time not seem like such a chore.

The mudroom looking into the laundry before:

 

 

The entrance alone makes a statement now!

 

 

A very dated and underwhelming laundry room was the starting point.

 

 

Not many words are needed to explain this after shot!

 

 

The basic footprint was kept so moving the plumbing was not an issue and saved a lot of money.

 

 

Who says a laundry room light fixture has to be boring??

 

 

Cabinets were added to not only hide clutter but to give the homeowner so much storage!

 

 

The floating shelves added charm and character so there just wasn’t two walls of cabinets.

 

 

Check out the rolling utility cart for the dirty laundry! The homeowner found that online at ULine and it is perfect.

 

 

 

 

The decor items add warmth and personality to the space, especially by adding family photos.

 

 

 

And shall I just say “that paint color!!” I am so happy the homeowner’s were open to a something different. The color is Drizzle by Sherwin Williams and is one of my favorites. It’s such a happy color and what better place for a little cheer than in the laundry room!

If you are selling your home in the next few months a renovation like this is not something you want to do. (But you will want to remove the wallpaper and paint). If you are staying in your home for a couple years then go ahead and update it now, enjoy it and then bowl over the buyers when you put it on the market. This laundry room will be a huge selling feature!

Always get expert advice from a Home Stager or Designer whenever making updates to your home for the best return on your investment.

 

 

A Mudroom Makeover!

I know the kitchen is the most important room in the house but the mudroom and laundry room get so much traffic and use that most people don’t want them to be dingy.

Renovating these rooms may not be on the top of a homeowner’s list but I have to say that it can not only make you happy as a homeowner but make a potential buyer do a little happy dance!

I have been working with these homeowner’s for quite a while, first assisting them with the sale of their home and then room by room in renovating their dream home. You can check out a previous blog post to see the first phases in “A Dream Home in the Country Comes True”.

This next phase may not have felt as glamorous but let me say that it turned out that way. I am going to share the before and after photos of the mudroom and then you will need to wait until my next post to see the laundry room. But, I will say ‘Hold On To Your Hats Folks!’

This mudroom was not only dated but extremely small. It was tight quarters and dark, not to mention containing some very outdated wallpaper. With four doors coming into this mudroom it also saw a lot of traffic.

 

 

 

 

The first phase was to rip out the existing closet that had doors banging into each other. You may wonder why you would ever want to lose a closet but in this instance the garage right outside will be holding locker systems so no storage was harmed in the transforming of this room. Well…it was harmed but not lost. LOL

 

 

 

Once the closet was removed a larger French door to the outside deck and gazebo area was added which really opened up the space and brought some much needed light. Then the pretty stuff started. Shiplap walls and ceiling painted white, luxury vinyl tile with a wood plank look put on the floors, and barn doors built by the homeowner. I’m going to add that he forged his own barn door hardware but DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. 🙂

Okay I can’t wait any longer…..here is the big reveal!!! Yes it is the same room…..the photos are in order and same angle as the before photos above. Yes it is the same room, or did I mention that already?

 

 

 

I just happened upon the steel bench when I was looking for accessories for the space and it worked perfectly with the mirror they had already found.

A couple cool metal signs and a some throw pillows in a vintage style fabric and it’s done. It probably didn’t seem quite that quick to the homeowners doing almost all the work themselves but it seemed pretty quick and flawless to me.

 

 

 

Although this remodel and update was done to enjoy…..which one do you think will bring more money and a faster sale when they go to sell? Take a look at some of the spaces in your home and determine if perhaps it makes sense to do some improvements now to enjoy yourself and then reap the rewards come selling time.

If you need assistance in making decision on which rooms to renovate or making selections for the best return on your investment, always call a professional Home Stager that also does Design work.

You won’t want to miss the next post when you see the reveal of the laundry room. You caught a little glimpse of it in these photos but just wait……..