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Practical reworking – Ideas for mom and dad from a pro (and a mother)

Inez Caron April 6, 2024

You excursion over a bookbag as you walk in the front door. The kitchen area cupboards have stacks of, perfectly, almost everything. That baseball uniform or research or dance shoes have disappeared into the void. Possibly it is time for a little – or a huge – house renovation. But before you start, consider these guidelines from a builder who is also a mother.

Sarah Sain and her partner very own Sain Homes. She bought her first renovation career from her dad when she was 13, so she understands the ins and outs of remodeling on price range and in a way that operates for all those who will use the place.

“First of all, you actually need to have to prevent and consider before you remodel,” she mentioned. “Think via practically, how do you want to dwell in your home? How do you truly live? And how do you want to reside? For the reason that I imagine so numerous folks consider, ‘Oh, I am likely to have Carrara marble countertops in this beautiful, fantastic white kitchen area.’ And you know, that's wonderful and achievable, but you will need to assume about that every working day use. Do you require place to have your espresso maker due to the fact you appreciate generating a latte in the early morning? Do the kids come in and dump their backpacks on the island every single day? Feel via the points that generate you mad, and then consider by means of how you dwell. Then imagine as a result of what you want, and see the place some of those people things can marry.”

The kitchen area

It is wherever we invest our time, so perform certainly matters in the kitchen.

“I come to feel like they are the heart of the dwelling,” Sain reported. “Even my individual kids when they come through the door right after university, that is in which every little thing will get dumped – on the kitchen island. I am a major fan of obtaining as big of a kitchen island as your area will allow.”

Sain reported family members often take in all-around the island and prep meals there.

“I will not like to have a sink in the island, if I can support it, when we are doing remodels,” she claimed. “We like to be all open up and alongside one another and you can find coloring webpages traveling while I am chopping veggies for evening meal and my partner is on his laptop, next up with email.”

Sain also prefers to skip the in-island stove or cooktop, in particular for family members with young ones.

“The most realistic factors you can quite possibly have for a kitchen would be a kitchen area island, preferably without the need of a sink and definitely not a stove,” she mentioned.“Snack storage – and I would recommend that be accessible to the children, whether or not you have a pantry, irrespective of whether you have drawers in your island that the young ones have all their treats in, something that is going to conserve you time and effort and hard work. Allow them do what they can to be unbiased in that way.”

And occasionally the modest matters are the significant points.

“I am actually picky about cabinet hardware,” she claimed. “I know it can be in all probability a extremely dumb hill to die on, but you want to be actually cautious with what type of cabinet components you might be putting on since you really don't want your jeans to get trapped when you're strolling by. You can find minor matters like that for the reason that the kitchen will get so substantially use and tear.”

Room for artwork and resourceful participate in (doubles for research also)

The complete household can get overrun with toys and art materials, so getting a designated space just tends to make feeling. Sain claimed a piece of home furnishings or a constructed-in desk can enable hold all the things together. If there is a home to dedicate to the children, that is even greater.

“Any time you can have a selected position for the young ones which is a minor ‘out of sight, out of mind’ for the parents’ sanity,” she stated. “When you have organization, it is not like you've got got this mountain of toys to clear up right before all people will come above. We just experienced a birthday bash for me at my house with my two very best mates and their husbands, their little ones. We have a large playroom downstairs, so virtually all the young ones just went downstairs and played all night.”

If you can cultivate that area, regardless of whether it’s a corner or a space, it can grow to be the place that belongs to the young children.

“My hope is that our dwelling will one particular working day be the house that all teens want to cling out at,” Sain explained. “And I will have a fridge with beverages and snacks that everyone and all people is welcome to and they get to enjoy so that absolutely everyone can hang out at our dwelling for many years and decades to occur.

Mudroom or laundry room

If house permits, obtaining a “drop zone” for backpacks, jackets, lunchboxes, sporting activities gear and the like would make lifetime easier for everybody. Sain mentioned it is also a fantastic place for the “random items that moms need to have and use on a random but necessary foundation, like birthday banners or further wrapping paper.”

Including cabinetry to that house suggests it can be a put to stash gifts and treats too.

A space that grows with your boy or girl

“I think it is definitely vital to design and style kids’ rooms that suit their interests suitable now, but not in a childish way, so that you're not possessing to constantly update their spaces,” Sain mentioned. “I think there is a way to pick out a seriously experienced color palette for a home, and all you have to do is adjust out bedding or a pair of pieces of art on the wall and let it improve with the kids no matter their age.”

House pro Andrew Winter’s major renovation guidelines

Inez Caron January 21, 2024

Eager to spruce up your residence this 12 months? You are not the only one particular, with new investigation locating all over 50 % of house owners are scheduling to do renovations or make home advancements in 2024.

Andrew Wintertime, actual estate skilled and host of Promoting Properties and Really like It or Record It Australia has witnessed his fair share of house makeovers. Regardless of whether you are hunting to renovate your household for sale, or you’re just eager for a change, here are his major tips and the traps to stay away from.

Andrew Winter, property expert on home renovation tips. — Andrew Wintertime is the new house skilled for Assess the Industry, who located 52 for every cent of homeowners had been arranging a renovation this year. *(Resource: Assess the Sector)*

Do you have a tale to share? Make contact with [email protected]

1. Increase ‘tangible value’ to your home

If you are renovating with the intention to provide your residence in the close to potential, Wintertime reported it was significant to make certain the renovations in fact added “tangible value”.

“The key ones are just about anything that requires adding rooms,” Wintertime instructed Yahoo Finance. “That’s not generally the circumstance of owning to extend. Some men and women transform a garage into a home but then you shed the garage. So, as extensive as you have a driveway or the potential to set up a carport or a framework to compensate for that loss.”

An additional choice could be to make an added room out of a massive open up-plan living space, which may well not be as sensible for your working day-to-working day lifetime.

“If you have a significant plenty of area, you can produce rooms inside of rooms and I have witnessed that function really productively,” Winter stated. “You can literally portion a space off and out of the blue you’ve gained a study or a relatives room. That can be a real price add and it is no more than the value of walling and flooring.”

Linked

2. Feel about your style and design selections

If you are hoping to offer in the in close proximity to future, Winter also advisable currently being aware of the design decisions you built for your house.

“I’d dislike for people today not to pick style possibilities they like mainly because it is their house,” he explained. “But bear in brain that, if you assume you are likely to promote it in the near long run, if you go for nearly anything really distinct or really offbeat or controversial, make certain you do that in something that is changeable.

“So, not in lavatory tiles but it's possible a characteristic wall below or there, or kitchen cabinetry - some of the doors could be a robust colour that you really enjoy, which is fine.”

Winter season reported you could let your unique flavor shine by means of in locations like materials, wall colors and flooring - items that could simply be removed or transformed.

“Even with faucet wear, there are plenty of different selections,” Wintertime advised Yahoo Finance. “It was only a little although ago that all people desired rose gold, and that lasted about a week.”

3. Do it yourself what you can

If you’re seeking for means to lower down prices, Winter season suggests undertaking what you can yourself - or enlisting the aid of a buddy or spouse and children member - to conserve on labour prices.

“Electrical fittings, fuel fittings, plumbing troubles or something like that definitely demands to be performed by a registered experienced,” Winter claimed.

“[But] if you are owning your bathroom accomplished, stripping out your rest room completely ready for the contractors will help save you numerous days’ worth of labour.

“Likewise, any portray or tiling or sourcing of making supplies you can do. There is nothing stopping you likely and sourcing on-line and examining the stores out and receiving [everything] prepared to go.”

4. Never overlook about concealed charges

When location your price range, really do not ignore about the concealed expenditures - like council approvals, legal costs and insurance policies.

“Often, for basic renovations, they are only a number of hundred,” Winter season said. “But if you start getting into progress programs and building approvals, then you can get started to get into the countless numbers and it can suddenly be a bit of a unpleasant surprise.”

You can ring your nearby council to see how a great deal approvals would established you back again.

Adhere to Yahoo Finance on Fb, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our cost-free everyday publication.

Residence pro shares 7 inside design and style selections producing your residence appear ‘cheap’ and ‘tacky’

Inez Caron May 3, 2023

House decor is all about particular decision, and what one particular person may perhaps like, a further person may possibly hate. Nonetheless, to avoid your house searching “cheap”, Britons really should steer very clear of specific enhancements which could affect a home’s aesthetic and could even lower the price of it, in accordance to house professional Thomas Goodman from MyJobQuote.co.united kingdom.

1. Using matching flatpack home furniture

The professional said: “Filling a area with matching flatpack household furniture is a guaranteed-fireplace way to make a home look tacky. Flatpack furniture is immediately recognisable because of to its lack of structure and flimsy building.

“These items of home furnishings provide a intent but do practically nothing for interior style and design. If you might be on a limited funds, check out opting for second-hand home furniture that has some character instead than immediately turning to flatpack home furniture for an beautiful cost.

“Second-hand items are usually even cheaper than flatpack parts and will provide some character to your indoor house.

“Plus, next-hand furnishings tends to be considerably sturdier and far more resilient than flatpack furnishings, which can frequently be extremely flimsy and may commence to fall apart following a couple quick months of use.”

Browse Additional: ‘Attractive’ yard characteristic which could reduce your home’s price

2. Rattan furnishings

Rattan furnishings has been particularly common above the earlier few a long time, and there are quite a few distinctive sorts of it which include sofas and beds.

On the other hand, in accordance to the specialist, the reputation of this content for inside structure has “finally” attained its peak, with far too considerably wanting “overwhelming and tacky”.

Thomas claimed: “While rattan hasn’t disappeared altogether, 2023 is looking at rattan items becoming utilized as much more of an accent piece alternatively than a focal stage. Keep this in thoughts when earning future household furniture buys.”

3. Chevron designs

The property skilled continued: “Chevron designs grew to become very common in United kingdom properties all over five many years in the past. Though this design and style works brilliantly in smaller doses, it can effortlessly grow to be really too much to handle and can shift the emphasis from other wonderful accents in a place.

“Although it was the moment common, it’s time to assume about ditching this layout if it’s existing everywhere in your household. As a substitute, choose some considerably less distracting designs and designs, or just go for a minimalistic, sleek glance without the need of incorporating any patterns.”

4. Previous windows

The windows are the eyes of the residence, and can assist insert to kerb attraction and benefit of a house. By updating them, Britons can adjust the overall character of their property.

Thomas stated if you’re wanting to avert your house from on the lookout cheap, it could be worth taking into consideration new windows. He pointed out: “One significant matter to maintain in head when fitting new windows is that they should really healthy in with the total style and design of your dwelling, in any other case you could risk earning your dwelling search even additional inexpensive.

“For illustration, if you have a standard design and style of household, opt for conventional windows that will in good shape in properly with the styling of the relaxation of your property.”

Study A lot more: DIYer transforms ‘tired’ patio adhering to YouTube video clips

5. Far too much Do-it-yourself furniture

According to the specialist, a singular piece of Diy furnishings, these kinds of as a handmade table is a wonderful way to invoke conversation with guests, and it can usually function actually properly with other furnishings items.

However, Britons should really keep away from adding too lots of Do-it-yourself home furniture things to any a single area in the household as it can conclude up looking affordable.

6. Damaged driveway

The home pro mentioned: “If the driveway major up to your dwelling is old, broken, or notably dirty, this could make your dwelling search low-cost.

“If you want to improve the visual appeal of your driveway, you could commence by cleansing the driveway and filling in any cracks.

“Pressure washing the driveway is 1 of the most effective methods to clean it. If your driveway is particularly old or unappealing, it may be time for you to imagine about receiving a new driveway.

“A new driveway can completely improve the physical appearance of your property. Be confident to choose a driveway that ties in properly with the design and style of your household.”

7. A messy back garden

Gardens are very significant when it arrives to the home value, and a garden which is overgrown or lifeless can reflect negatively on this and make it seem low-priced far too.

Irrespective of how gorgeous a property is, if the backyard is not up to scratch, Thomas claimed it will have an outcome on the over-all appearance.

If you are into gardening, it could also assistance the look of a house by fitting the backyard in with the style of your assets to aid it seem high-priced.

The expert stated: “For example, if your home’s exterior is pretty regular, you will want to opt for common crops and opt for official pruning if you can.

“This will let your house to have a great deal of character from the outside the house. If your residence is a modern type, go for a far more minimalistic approach to produce an inviting entrance to your residence.

“If you have a front garden, be positive to maintain this hunting neat and tidy. Outside lights can assist to make improvements to the visual appearance of the front backyard at night time.”

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Store Architectural Salvage Shops Like a Pro: 5 Tips to Get You There

Inez Caron March 25, 2023

Architectural salvage stores—venues that specialize in reselling hardware, home windows, doors, and other residence information you will not generally uncover in big-box property improvement stores—are regarded for peddling historical past. Contrary to antiques stores and flea marketplaces, these shops and warehouses focus on making supplies as opposed to property decor items like vintage lamps (however you will possible discover some of individuals much too.)

If you’re making a dwelling or restoring a historic household, searching at an architectural salvage keep is a no-brainer, as the items you are going to locate will have a surplus of character when in comparison to basic builder-grade solutions. Some items could have even originated in grand properties overseas. “The ways of incorporating architectural salvage in your residence are really unlimited, from salvaged knobs on dressers to putting in complete wooden paneled partitions or refurbished wooden planks for a flooring,” says Kate Reggev, an architect and preservationist primarily based in New York City. “The greatest section is that each and every item is unique, has a background, and is staying out of a landfill thanks to you and your job.”

Right here is every thing you will need to know before you action foot into the treasure trove that is an architectural salvage hub.

1. Go early and focus

While most architectural salvage merchants never publicize, there is probable one in your area. To search, form in “your city + architectural salvage” into the research bar. Now you can begin your hunt. Get started early (and it's possible even eat a fantastic breakfast) as these areas can be a little bit overwhelming. It allows if you have some products that you want to zero in on, but if not, break up the keep into sections and peruse cautiously. It will help to snap photographs of the “maybe” items as you browse, then loop back for the final selection.

If you are restoring a historic household, deliver pics of what you have to have to exchange. “Do some investigate about your dwelling to see what would have been the unique aspects for the 12 months and design and style of property you have,” suggests Wendy Chambers of Pasadena Architectural Salvage, which specializes in vintage and copy setting up materials from 1880 to 1960. “Bring shots of initial components you may possibly want to match,” Chambers suggests.

2. Provide specs

To get the most out of your procuring trip, appear organized. On the lookout to switch a very simple door with a Craftsman-style oak doorway, or seeking a claw-foot tub for your bathroom? You are going to need to have to have the measurements to make guaranteed the solution of your deciding on will basically fit in your household. This is particularly vital with doorways, as older houses applied larger sized or a lot more narrow doorways than most present day properties. And don’t ignore to evaluate your home’s entrances so you can basically get the goods inside of. For this purchasing journey, measuring tape is a have to-have merchandise to have on hand.

3. Spend attention to the materials

Just before you obtain an previous doorway or window, find out what it is made of. Some items like these could have guide paint, specifically doors painted in advance of the 1970s, and other individuals may well be manufactured of wood, these as yellow pine, that can be interesting to termites. If you’re shopping for a lock, make absolutely sure you have the key or that it can be tailored to in shape a regular vital.

THE Property DEPOT COUNTS DOWN TO SPRING WITH Day-to-day Deals, Pro Guidelines AND NEW INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

Inez Caron March 15, 2023

ATLANTA, Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Property Depot^® officially started the countdown to spring, launching new Specific Buys of the Working day, interactive workshops for DIYers of all ages, like in-keep workshops for young ones, and a new Countdown to Spring Hub to encourage spring projects inside of and outside the house the property with the hottest traits of the time.

The Household Depot brand. (PRNewsFoto/The Residence Depot) (PRNewsFoto/)

No subject when the spring period begins for clients across the place, experts in back garden, landscape, outdoor ability, cleansing, grilling and patio are prepared to make the transition effortless and enjoyable.

"Spring is officially listed here at The Dwelling Depot, and we are prepared to assistance our shoppers deal with their household assignments, no matter whether they're staining a deck, spring cleansing or sprucing up their home's suppress appeal," mentioned Jeff Kinnaird, executive vice president of merchandising for The House Depot. "Some of our clients decide on a new patio set or backyard bed when the 1st sunny working day comes, but we put together 12 months-spherical to make sure that when it is time to roll up your sleeves, The Residence Depot is the spot for all things spring."

Here's how The Residence Depot is celebrating the busiest house advancement season of the 12 months:

Special Purchase of the Working day: Clients can help you save day by day on top products and solutions from out of doors energy tools brands like Ryobi to patio household furniture from manufacturers like House Decorators Selection, Hampton Bay and StyleWell. These one-day, on-line-only revenue are a fantastic way to stock up on seasonal must-haves inside of and out, and for great values. Owners can be part of the everyday specials publication to be the to start with to know about the Particular Purchase of the Working day and get deals despatched straight to their inboxes.
Countdown to Spring Hub: Each individual week, The Property Depot will introduce new merchandise groups and showcase themes to encourage spring projects inside of and outside the house the home – from building vegetable gardens to mastering about the positive aspects of cordless energy equipment. Householders can check out the Countdown to Spring Hub to look through guides for thoughts on reworking spring inspiration into assignments, see what is trending in household improvement this time and even obtain distinct goods instantly from the hub.
Workshops: For all those hunting to amount up Do-it-yourself initiatives this spring, The Household Depot will present no cost, interactive livestream Digital Workshops. From boosting curb enchantment and spring lawn prep, to how to stain a deck, how to put in a self-importance and a lot more, professional associates can enable consumers get on assignments and care for unique spots of their properties. Cost-free, in-person Little ones Workshops will be accessible in-keep on the initially Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. Young children Workshops fluctuate by place, and registration is out there on the web.

ABOUT THE Home DEPOT
The Home Depot is the world's greatest property enhancement specialty retailer. At the conclusion of fiscal yr 2022, the organization operated a full of 2,322 retail outlets in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The business employs around 475,000 associates. The Home Depot's inventory is traded on the New York Inventory Exchange (NYSE: High definition) and is provided in the Dow Jones industrial average and Normal & Poor's 500 index. The Residence Depot is #17 on the 2022 Fortune 500.

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Watch primary articles to down load multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-dwelling-depot-counts-down-to-spring-with-day-to-day-bargains-professional-recommendations-and-new-interactive-workshops-301753616.html

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10 Helpful Home Renovation Tips, From a Pro Who’s Been There

Inez Caron July 8, 2022

We’re all drawn to novelty—it’s human nature. The shiny and new all present opportunities for innovation, growth, and progress along the path forward. Of course, change doesn’t come without challenge, and when design experts are doling out home renovation tips, they’re quick to express caution. But Jamie Haller, an interior designer and founder of Jamie Haller Shoes, knows a thing or two about avoiding the biggest and most common pitfalls of remodeling a fixer-upper.

Today, she’s taking us through the ins and outs of remodeling and flipping—all through the lens of one of her recent projects: a gorgeous Los Angeles Koreatown Craftsman remodel. Her primary piece of advice: “Be discerning about the characteristics of a home you cannot change.” When asked to share renovation red flags to look out for, she emphasized that while “bad foundations and cracks in the wall” don’t phase her (in fact, she sees them as an opportunity!), it’s the physical details of location, community, and environment that call for considered reflection.

Photo above by Belathee, all other photographs by Jenna Peffley

But first, if you haven’t ever flipped a home before and are looking to enter a hot market, Haller recommends taking a little time to reflect and question if it’s a good option for you. “I actually see flips as a red flag. But for every good flipper, there are 10 terrible ones and the work I see done most of the time is usually of bad quality, bad taste, and is sometimes unsafe.”

A few key things to consider before deciding whether or not to flip:

Check the permit history while in escrow. “It’s easily available information and it would be a tell-tale sign or red flag if work was done the right way or the wrong way,” says Haller.
Hire a good agent. Ask around—it might take a little time to connect with the right agent, but the effort you put in upfront will pay dividends. Haller emphasizes: “Be thoughtful in who you work with. It matters.”
Find character. “Look for inherent charm,” says Haller. By this, she means original windows, moldings, and floors. Once you find character, she concludes, you’re well on your way to a good flip.

Let’s dive deeper into the red flags to look out for. What questions should homeowners ask themselves before purchasing a fixer-upper?

Haller shares a laundry list of questions that every future homeowner would be wise to ask themselves when purchasing—fixer-upper or otherwise.

How close does it sit to the street?
What are the views like out of the window?
Are there trees? Can you plant some?
How busy is the street?
Are you near anything unhealthy or unsafe like a freeway?
Are you too close to a commercial area or a gas station?

“These are the things that will cap your spirit and you cannot do anything about it. They will also limit the financial upside of your project,” notes Haller.

On the flip side, once you’ve considered all potential red flags, remember this truth: “You can change anything about a house if you want to,” says Haller. Foundations are fixable problems, she wisely adds. Of course, there will likely be some added expense and time to your project, but seeing the potential and knowing the challenge can be solved will likely be to your benefit.

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As far as home renovation tips go, what projects and tasks should be prioritized first?

It might come as a surprise (it did to this writer), but Haller advises approaching your renovation from the inside out, beginning with the home’s structural elements. Foundation, framing, then rough plumbing and electrical, roof, doors, and windows. Last but not least, she says to address the finish work (tile paint, cabinetry) at the end of your renovation.

Haller notes that many people go into a project wanting to see where they’re spending their money—but that can lead you astray. “I know a lot of people want to immediately update their bathrooms and kitchens without addressing the structural issues that exist in a home. However, your big investment is at risk if the structure of the home is not sound,” she warns.

The easiest (well, most streamlined) way of making this happen? Prioritize getting good inspections with people you trust. It’s one of the hardest parts of any remodel, Haller says: “finding good partners you can trust.”

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So we have the home’s structure secured. How do you approach your design plan?

Haller lets emotion lead the way, asking herself the following:

What do I want to feel in this room?
Where is the gravity in the room?
Is it going to come from a color or some element in the room?
Where am I going to fall in love in this house?

The process of reflecting upon and answering these questions provides you with a strong framework to begin. From there, Haller will take out anything that she feels doesn’t support that vision. “If I am working with a Craftsman house and there are built-ins and carpet from the 80s, I rip it out. If there are textured ceilings from the 60s I scrape them off.”

This is one of her favorite parts of the remodeling process because inspiration abounds beneath old floors and opportunity can be found at every turn. and opportunity abound beneath old floors or behind any door. “I go back to 0 and get a sense of who the house was before adding to her.”

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We Love that process and approach to a project! But If You had to pinpoint any one tip that can transform a renovation or flip, what would it be?

As with most things in life, you reap the most reward when you approach anything with patience. “Take the time to really think about it and have a plan,” Haller advises. If you can, she says it’s best to work with an architect, draftsman, or designer. And—while she hates to add this—she cautions against making choices based on what your contractor shows you.

A key distinction: “Contractors are not designers,” says Haller. “Do your own research and find your own materials or hire someone to help.”

When you approach anything with patience, you give yourself the added benefit of time to conduct research. This, Haller says, is key. “Bad choices covering up more bad choices isn’t a good fix. I would suggest saving a little money and hiring someone to help. It’s important to be thoughtful, even on a budget.”

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What are your favorite ways to create maximum impact while still keeping costs low?

Of course, staying within budget is the goal—and coming under is the dream. Haller’s favorite ways to make that happen? She shares her secrets on the areas of focus that can create the most significant upgrade for the lowest cost.

Paint is #1. An entire home can change with a strong paint palette.
New flooring. There are good options at all price points and bad flooring sets the tone for everything.
Bathroom fixtures and hardware. These can change and be swapped out easily.
Drapes and lighting. Both are easy ways to completely turn a room around. Custom drapery is lovely, but really beautiful drapery can be found off the shelf as well.
Opt for wallpaper. Wallpaper is one of my favorite transformational materials. It offers emotion and inspiration and goes up quickly. It isn’t that expensive to buy, and if you want to you could do it yourself. Wallpaper in combination with new paint is a HUGE transformation.

With good taste and the right eye, Haller says, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. “So many of the lights in my home were something I found at a reuse or salvage sale for $10 and I just loved them.”

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With the budget settled, what’s your favorite way to save time on a project?

Haller is all about the mini makeover. Reflected in her list above, she lauds wallpaper, paint, and lights for their transformational effect. “If you aren’t working with a designer, do the research to pick colors that work. Try lots of options, putting two colors on a wall to select from isn’t going to work. I often put 10 options on a wall.”

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What are your favorite sources for affordable renovation materials and décor?

Haller steers clear of big box renovation stores and instead finds more inspiration in local tile shops. “If you need to buy electrical tape and lightbulbs and HVAC filters, by all means, go.” But, she says, smaller, more specialized stores can be more helpful. “They’re experts. They have options at all price points and are usually very happy to help you come up with a story for your home.”

Keep small businesses in business, Haller emphasizes.

Below, Haller details more of her favorites.

Etsy. It’s filled with makers. You can buy wonderful lights as well as authentic vintage.

Olde Good Things and Pasadena Architectural Salvage. I LOVE an architectural salvage. I buy windows and doors here, lights, and hardware. Most towns have one.
Habitat for Humanity. I have bought plenty from second-hand building stores. You have to get lucky, but the hunt is fun.
Village Lagoon Tile, Heath Tile, and Arto Brick. Lots of lovely tile brands have outlet areas where they sell second quality. Follow your favorite suppliers on Instagram and pay attention to what they’re offering.

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Which projects would you give homeowners the green light to DIY?

“I think it all depends on your ability to overlook mistakes you might make,” says Haller. She suggests sitting down and reflecting on what you value most: Time, saving money, or a final result that looks good and that you’re confident was done correctly. From there, you can decide what is and isn’t worth the effort.

She illustrates this further: “Sometimes, time is more valuable. The truth is you can do anything, you just have to learn it.”

YouTube is one of her go-to resources—but know that it can lead you astray. “I’ve changed lights and outlets by watching YouTube videos,” admits Haller. “I’ve also electrocuted myself doing it.”

Below, Haller shares her cheat-sheet for what should be left to the pros:

Anything involving gas or electrical work.
Stripping paint and wood.
Height.
Drywall mud. (Don’t kill yourself—this is hard!)
Demo. TV shows make it look fun to swing a hammer into a wall, but demoing is hard and dirty work.

But even when you leave a project in the hand of professionals, Haller can’t emphasize this enough: “No one will care as much as you do. Stay engaged in the process, watch the work being done, and ask questions.”

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