• Have specific goals for your space

  Interior Designer’s can not accurately predict the cost of a vaguely defined project. To avoid delays, false starts and costly changes, plan the job thoroughly with your designer. Your designer will research products, pricing and collect samples of finishing’s you may choose from.

• Give your contractor specific list of your goals

To ensure your remodeling project’s final price tag is as close as possible to your bid price, give detailed information. House plans, pictures showing what you want. Price estimates will depend on materials you want for counter tops, hard wood floors, and window treatment.

• Be wise with the “WOW” features

Including everything you think is cool gets expensive and creates a visually overactive space. Treat yourself to just two or three outstanding elements. Consider look-alike or faux materials to boost stylewith out breaking the bank.

• Be realistic about potential project problems

  Once you’ve open walls and work begins, unrelated hidden problems may have to be addressed before other work begins. Ex-sample Rotted floor board with carpenter ants under sub flooring.

• Make timely product decisions.

Some appliance and fireplaces require special hookups. To prevent costly modification late in the process, pick these large items before electrical. Plumbing and drywall work begins.

Reduce Remodeling Stress

Every remodeling project has the potential for problems along the way. However, designers and homeowners can make the project go smoothly and easestress by planning carefully and observing these guidelines:

• Carefully file documents and receipts.
  
• Designer will help you create an idea board to help see things finished and with color.
  
• Hold a pre-job meeting with your contractor and designer.
  
• Get a weekly work schedule from you designers and contractor when they will be on site to over see project
  
• Devise a plan for surviving without a kitchen if this is one of you remodeling projects.
• Try to create a dust-control plan for construction.
  
• Establish a job-site communication center.
  
• Keep your paints carefully recorded for new colors.
  
• Expect to be upset! At some point the excitement of planning starts to ware off, especially when strangers are in your house tearing up things. Remember the result will be worth the efforts.

Renovations Photo Gallery

Home Renovations Gallery 1 - Photos below are before and after shots of a 200 year old log cabin on the waters of Kezar lake. The owner did NOT want a new looking kitchen. He asked if Lorraine could design a kitchen with an older look with a modern functionality. She was asked to design something with old world charm. Lorraine used old barn board mill for the kitchen cabinets. The cabinets were hand made one by one to fit the space and needs of this kitchen. A soap stone farmer sink worked perfect with this style. As an end result new does not always have to mean shiny to look beautiful! View our featured article in Lake Living.

Click on the thumbnail below to view larger images of this cabin transformation.

Kezar Lake Kitchen Before	Kezar Lake Kitchen Before	Kezar Lake Kitchen Before
Kezar Lake Kitchen After	Kezar Lake Kitchen After	Kezar Lake Kitchen After	Kezar Lake Kitchen After