Last month, I listed my 5 tips for a Successful Interior Renovation Project.
This month I’ll go in-depth on each key area with some insights based on my 15 years of experience in the Residential Design world.
THE GOAL(S)
Ask yourself: what areas of your home are not working for you (your family)? What is lacking? Do you need better flow, function, or use? Is your and/or your family life evolving and things are no longer supporting it? Has it been 10, 15, or 20 years since the last improvement and its time for an update? Is this a new home and needs a transformation to match your style and needs? Get clear on what projects are needed and what you’d like to take on at this time.
PLANNING
BUDGET
How much can you spend on the project at hand? (and always add 10% for the unexpected/unknown)
HIRING A TEAM
Depending on the size and level of your project a team of professionals will be needed and will help the process go smoother. An Architect, Interior Design, and Contractor to start. Add on Structural and Mechanical Consultants as needed. Landscapers, AV Consultants, and Lighting Designers can play a big role as well.
DOCUMENTATION
Obtaining the appropriate approvals and permits from local authorities is a must! There are Home Owner Associations, Building, and Zoning Departments with protocols that need to be adhered to. Your Team will also play an important part assisting with this.
TIMELINE
There are many factors that create the timeline for a project:
The scale and scope of your project and its complexity.
Design and planning phase - the pace between you and your Architect / Interior Designer.
Permit process - the time needed to obtain the necessary approvals.
Construction / Renovation Schedule - this is gauged by your Contractor and how many decisions have been made upfront as well as how quickly decisions can be made on site.
THE TEAM
We’ve all heard the old saying that “Team Work Makes The Dream Work” and it couldn’t be truer in Design. Getting a great team together is what really turns a project into a work of art. Think about it: a renovation from beginning to end will take from as little as 6 months to as long as 2 years. You will be spending a lot of time with your Team bringing this project to fruition. Choosing a Team that you are comfortable with, trust, and can rely on is key and possibly the most important aspect!
THE PROCESS
I always tell my clients that renovating your home is a Labor of Love. Home is the utmost special place! Allowing people into your home is major! You are giving other people a glimpse into your world. Trust the process. It could be nerve-wracking and exhilarating all at the same time. But YOU have assembled a Team of Professionals that have your best intentions at heart and will steer you in the right direction.
BREATHE
With all that being said, have fun! This is still a creative undertaking. We are creating art on your walls, floors, ceilings - entire space. There are no right or wrong answers. There are “what is right for you” answers. YES, there are some standards and guidelines created by industry professionals but then there are personal, subjective expressions of what your space needs to become.
Remember when I said renovations are like humans - shiny and messy all at the same time? Do not forget this. There are parts that will go smoothly and then there will be some hiccups along the way. Its a natural occurrence in all things in life. Problem-solving and critical thinking are a few of the many great skills you and your Team possess.
Pause…Breathe…and Lean In to the Art of Renovations.
by, Cynthia
Residential Interior Designer