Bright, colourful and fun this 70s beach home in Balnarring on the Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula was given a very modern update by Melbourne-based interior design studio Alexander Pollock. A playful and enchanting home that turns the beach house cliché on its head.
Photography by Nicole England
Neutral doesn’t mean flat and boring. No not at all as this Santa Barbara Spanish Mission style house by Joyce Downing Pickens of JDP Interiors cleverly illustrates. Texture is the hero as is the use of light and shadow. A mix of old and new brings depth and style.
Photography by Michael Clifford
Nothing tugs at my heart strings more than a home that looks lived in, that has maintained original architectural details worthy of another 100 years of adoration. This 1920’s hacienda-style house in Pasadena, California is home to designer Todd Nickey of Nickey Kehoe (and once was the home of his husband’s grandparents). It is filled with character and whimsy and has such a cozy, welcoming quality. I could not love this more.
Contrasting styles and eras is what I live for. That tension and unexpectedness is so very welcome in a see of trends and lack of imagination I find so prevalent these days. Ryan Lawson created magic with a combination of traditional Sag Harbour architecture and his clients’ appreciation for contemporary art and vintage furniture. That juxtaposition is captivating. Also, his taste in lighting is unmatched. Photography: Chris Mottalini; Stying: Colin King.
Did you know that Kitchen remodeling ranks as the number one most popular renovation space in the USA and Canada? So when you decide to renovate your home, and you’re not quite sure where to begin – the kitchen is it. It will create an enhanced lifestyle and uplift the asset value simultaneously.
Kitchen renovations can range from around $50,000 to over a hundred thousand, depending on your vision, location, and complexity. Indeed, numerous enticing options embrace space-age metals, exotic marbles, startlingly beautiful synthetic materials, sleek cabinetry, and appliances from built-in coffee makers to sub-zero refrigerators. And that’s only half of it.
The architecture of the space enters the equation in a significant way. For example, do you knock down walls, shift things around, steal footage from an adjacent area? Or are you okay with the structure as is? These decisions are vital because they inevitably impact electricals, plumbing, and lifestyle disruption.
This article aims at helping you navigate this project seamlessly, with minimum hassle and maximum final satisfaction.
What are the primary kitchen remodeling considerations?
The best way of tackling any renovation, most notably the kitchen, is to focus on three things:
The above three factors integrate because one influences the others, and vice versa. For example, contracting the wrong construction partner can quickly jettison the budget you had in mind and create a showpiece that may look amazing but is overpriced for the neighborhood. So, it’s a balancing act, and choosing a skilled kitchen remodeler near you to partner with your family in this venture can make all the difference.
The right kitchen remodeling contractor for you
We want to start with this because it can pave the way for everything else. Renovation professionals should be licensed and insured as a minimum qualification. Unfortunately, that’s not nearly enough. There’s no substitute for doing your due diligence, and the best place to begin is by scanning reviews of the company’s past clients. When you hire someone for a project reflecting many options, it’s imperative to ensure that experience and undoubted competence are in the mix.
Here’s the checklist for your shortlist
The quotes should come rolling once you press the start button. Then, you have to select the one to take you on the remodeling journey. Here are some pointers to assist in settling on your ideal renovation partner:
The important thing about interviewing recommended contractors is letting them know you’re not a pushover or ill-informed. Any building project is a two-way thing, balancing the views of the client and the artisan without unnecessary conflict to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions.
All the good stuff
The steps outlined above shouldn’t detract from your vision of a modern kitchen with all the latest innovations on the market. Of course, budget plays into this, but once agreed, request an overview of the fixtures, appliances, and materials that qualify. There’s no point in wasting time visiting supplier showrooms if their inventory is too expensive.
Sometimes you have to stay with existing appliances or repaint cabinets instead of replacement. On the other hand, some fantastic synthetics upgrade the kitchen at a fraction of the price of imported exotics. Even the very wealthy are opting for the latter these days. Here are the main categories that come under the spotlight, offering alternatives across a broad spectrum:
Appliances and conveniences
Materials
Conclusion
To reiterate, your remodeling partner should be by your side every step of the way in this journey. Experienced pros have seen it all and dealt with reputable supply sources. If you have an architect involved, they should fit in like a hand in a glove. Still, many renovators have enough architectural skills to cover all the bases as a one-stop solution. Start with a credible marketplace as the best avenue to get referrals that resonate with you in an arrangement embracing all the above.