In preparation for her debut on Mike Landry's 950 AM KPRC radio show (the segment is called "Purchase Like the Pros") in Houston on Saturday, August 14, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (CDST), Interior Designer Beverly Vosko shares now, with us, some of her insights and tips -- below -- on when, where and how to tackle remodeling projects. First, a look at her own project:
Here's Beverly in her remodeled kitchen:
Beverly is a remodeler who works within the footprint of the home. . . . She took a few questions and provided some great answers:
1. When does it make sense to remodel?
"I think remodeling makes sense for anyone happy with the bones
of their existing space but not certain aspects of it. Or, they love their
location and don’t want to move, yet can afford to change their space to
the way they want it to look! Some of the best remodeling projects are
kitchen and bathroom upgrades . . . which add value to any home."
2. How much money should I allocate?
"In my opinion, try not to be the least expensive or the most
expensive house on your block or in your area. Many people purchase a home
in a good area that needs work, remodel it by updating it, and add
necessary upgrades such as granite, butcher-block or quartz countertops, a
central island, a fashionable backsplash, new flooring, higher end
appliances and plumbing fixtures -- and get every bit of their money back.
However, do not spend so much money that you will never re-coop it when you
sell your home. People usually are able to re-coop 75% of the money that
they spend on Kitchens and bathrooms – - especially if they work with an
Interior Designer to make it to look fabulous. Don't spend $100,000 on
a kitchen in a $200,000 home."
A Before Shot of Beverly's Own Kitchen
3. I want a colorful kitchen, but I don't want to offend potential
buyers in a couple of years?
"Many people are afraid to use color for a variety of reasons and end up
creating boring beige spaces. I believe that as long as one is tasteful,
color is an essential ingredient in a room to make it look interesting.
That is one reason to use a designer. Select someone who can help choose colors that will look great or blend together well but not in a garish way. There are
smart ways to use color. If you are planning on moving in a few years and
are concerned with resale, don’t purchase a red AGA stove; instead purchase
stainless steel appliances or use wood fronts that match your cabinets,
that have mass appeal. Permanent fixtures in the kitchen that are expensive
to replace, such as kitchen countertops and flooring, could be designed in
relatively neutral colors. Color can be used in areas not so expensive to replace, such as walls that can be easily painted, backsplashes, furniture, accessories, drapes, rugs, etc. You can always take those items with you when it's time to move."
4. What materials do you like now and why?
"Because I teach continuing education classes to designers nationwide, I get to see what is new and popular all across the U.S. and then introduce these new items to my clients. There are so many new exciting items on the market today.
From a remodeling perspective:
For countertops: I saw Honey Onyx for the first time in a showroom in San Diego and immediately sent my client a picture of it from my blackberry. I love Honey Onyx as a bathroom countertop because it is new, light and translucent; so, it can be back-lit for an amazing look. I love the new look of using White Statuary Marble as a kitchen countertop, especially in one area such as the island –- it looks fresh and clean.
I love Ice Stone and Vetrazzo –- a new “Green”countertop that
combines recycled concrete and the gorgeous royal blue glass from Sky
Vodka bottles. They look wonderful and are great for the environment.
For tile:
I love floors laid in what they call “Versailles Pattern” that is comprised of different sized tile pieces that create an old world yet new look. I love
the new linear 1” by 6” staggered glass mosaic tiles that are either all
glass or a mixture of glass and natural stone. They make great
backsplashes. I love laying traditional subway natural stone tumbled marble
in a herringbone pattern, which creates a new look and mixing them will
other mosaics, borders, chair rails and pencil rails –- all for an wonderful
overall effect.
From a design perspective: Nowadays people want a great look that is
maintenance free. There are some wonderful new maintenance free fabrics
that look fabulous and work for on-the-go families who do not have time to
worry about maintaining their fabrics and furniture on a regular basis.
I love the new Sunbrella fabrics that are indoor/outdoor, can be cleaned
with bleach, are almost maintenance free and come in a wide variety of
colors and textures so you would never believe that they were indoor/outdoor
unless someone told you that they were. I love crypton, a fabric
originally used in Health Care facilities, but I have used it in off-white on a sofa
for a 21-year-old who liked to entertain. That sofa still looks great five years later!"
Beverly's Kitchen, which she finished a couple of years ago.
5. If I want to do just one thing to my kitchen, what would you
suggest?
"If you can only afford to do just one thing to your kitchen and you have
ugly countertops, change them to either granite, butcher block, soap stone
or marble. If you can do 3 things . . . consider these: change the countertops, the appliances,plumbing fixtures and the backsplash. If the kitchen is an ugly color,
the easiest thing you can do to update it, is paint it!
"
6. How do I work with a kitchen remodeler and contractor?
"I am usually the kitchen remodeler on my projects – but when I work with a
general contractor, which is usually on new construction, I first sit down
with the client and find out what style they like, be it contemporary,
Mediterranean or Country French -- or whatever. I want to know how they intend to use their kitchen. Then I go with the client and help them choose all the “fixtures and fittings,” as I call it, to help them achieve and create that
style. The builder usually needs the plumbing fixtures first, so I help
them 1st choose the plumbing fixtures and write them up in a spread sheet so
that they are clear and easily understandable and give the spreadsheet to
both the client and the builder – to approve. Once that spreadsheet is
approved, it becomes the 'bible' for our job. This is a very important tool for
both the builder and the client -- and prevents arguments later in the job.
With paint colors, I always say to choose two or three colors and put them on the walls in several spots –- both light and dark -- throughout the room or the home, and stare at them for several days to insure that you like them. If you only put up one color, you have nothing to compare it to. And everything gets written down in spreadsheets in the same fashion to be verifiable written documentation for the rest of the job."
Thank you, Beverly, for sharing! Please visit her Web site for more information about her and her blog.
