One of the biggest questions I get from clients, or those considering working with a designer, is when is the right time to bring in expert advice? Many people seek out reputable contractors to get their home renovation underway, but are unsure of whether and when to bring in a designer to help with the big decisions.
Kristina Hibbs and Amanda Severson, the senior designers behind local firm Marie Joy Design, are hitting the Urban Barn Main Stage at this year’s Vancouver Home + Design Show (Oct. 27-30) to chat with homeowners about the importance of working with professional designers, and where design experts can be most useful in the home décor process.
For this week’s Designer Files, I chatted with Kristina and Amanda about their top tips for renovations; if you love their advice, don’t miss this design duo on stage Oct. 30 at 4pm. Tickets and show info are available at VancouverHomeAndDesignShow.com.
1. The number one tip we always tell our clients is to be aware of your budget – you need to know what you can and are willing to spend. From there you will have a base to start building the foundation of your project, and won’t overspend in the end.
2. Everyone loves hardwood, and at the moment larger, wide-plank style is very popular. You will see it in every design publication and store, but one thing to be aware of, especially in a small space, is that the larger the plank the smaller it can make a space feel! Choosing smaller planks running the longest length of the room will give you the illusion of a longer, and wider space.
3. While we love pops of colour, we also love a fresh white (who doesn’t right now?!). With that being said, it’s always a great idea to paint your space in a lighter, more neutral tone and add pops of colour and contrast through bold artwork, accents and wallpaper. Another one of our favourite tips is that drapery is always a good idea!
4. The number one item on everyone’s list to renovate is normally the kitchen: it is the heart of the home, and in Vancouver condos, it is the centre of the whole space. When looking where to spend money in the kitchen reno, we would say always spend money on good cabinet and countertops, as these are the items that get the most wear and tear.
5. Backsplash! The amount of styles and replicas of high end tiles that we have available now are amazing. It’s the perfect finishing touch to any kitchen without breaking the bank, even if you keep the kitchen the same, backsplash can really create that pop!
6. Lighting truly can make or break a space: we love adding that contrast and pop to a space with lighting. Depending on if you want to splurge or stay conservative there are so many options that you can go either way. Its always a nice idea to anchor the dining area in an open floor plan with lighting, this way even though there are no physical walls diving the space, the lights create the overall feeling of dining, kitchen, work space, and everything in between.
