As the new year commences, people are full of optimism, invigorated and determined to make 2017 a great year. Many people make resolutions about losing weight, getting fit, or improving their financial situation, but the new year also presents the perfect opportunity to transform your home.

Listed below are some interior design ideas that will hopefully inspire and give you the motivation to make some changes to your home. The beauty of interior design is that little tweaks can make a huge difference, so without further ado let’s look at some easy to implement ideas.

Three Inspirational Interior Design Ideas

Out with the old, and in with the new. As the new year begins, you have the perfect opportunity to declutter and free up some much-needed space. Over the course of the year, we all accumulate unnecessary items, which end up making your home look untidy and gathering dirt and dust. You will be surprised at how much difference it can bring to any room when you get rid of the excess baggage. Once you have completed this task, maintain the new look, by preventing further clutter and unwanted items from being brought into the home throughout the year.

Make Better Use Of Available Space – As our families continue to grow, and property costs show no sign of slowing down, it becomes even more necessary to make full use of any available space. If you live in a house, then the area under the stairs is often not utilized properly. With a little creative thinking, you can transform that space into an extra “closet” with shelves, and rods, to provide a brand new mini closet.

Add An Aquarium To Invite Nature Into Your Home – It is a well-known fact that watching fish swimming is both relaxing and therapeutic. In recent years, aquarium designs have been transformed from the old rectangular tanks; you might recall, to innovative and exciting pieces of furniture. Whether you decide on an aquarium shaped table or wash basin, these beautiful designs will easily fit into your home, look stunning and help you and your family to relax after a long hard day.

None of these ideas are particularly expensive to implement but can change any room or space quickly and easily. The new year is about to start, to embrace some of these ideas, and fall in love with your home all over again. 

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Four Simple and Cost Effective Interior Design Ideas

Books

In the modern era of smartphones and Kindles, people are buying fewer books, but books can add a certain decorum and focal point to any room. If you have an unused fireplace, or shelf wrap some of your old books in crisp, clean paper, and stack them creatively inside the fireplace, or on the shelf. Depending on the look you are aiming for, you could either go with white paper on everything or mix it up to create a colorful center-piece. If you already have the books at home, then the cost of this new center-piece will only be a few sheets of paper.

Music

Many couples have a special song that means a lot to both partners; perhaps it is your wedding song for instance. If you have a plain wall somewhere, an excellent idea would be to write the words of that song in either your personal handwriting or by using a unique calligraphic font. This will provide a perfect centerpiece, which will spark conversation amongst visitors while remaining deeply personal to your family.

Nature

Creating memories is a lot of fun, and paramount for a family. Why not arrange a fun nature trip for the household, to the beach of the forest, and give every member the task of finding something special on the journey to bring back with them. Once back at home, design a collage or display commemorating your trip. Seashells, Rocks and other pieces of nature can look beautiful if displayed correctly, and in turn, those pieces will help the memory of your fun family trip last much longer.

Declutter and Rearrange

One of the biggest myths about interior design is that you always have to add things to the room, to change the look and feel. If you take a step back and look at any room in your home with a critical eye, you will be surprised at how many excess items are taking up space and making the room feel cluttered. Invest some time and be decisive in your decisions, if there are things in the room that don’t add anything to the look, and are only taking up space then get rid of them. Once you have completed this task, which can be very therapeutic, evaluate the furniture, and consider changing the seating plan. You will be shocked at how different any room can look, once it has been decluttered, and rearranged. What’s more, the total cost of this interior renovation is precisely zero.

The above ideas are both simple and inexpensive to execute but can change the look and feel of your home. There are dozens of ways to achieve change, and they don’t have to cost a lot of money. With people becoming more environmentally friendly, these ideas are not only inexpensive but make use of items you already own. We hope that some of these ideas have struck a chord and will encourage you to make some quick, easy and hopefully personal changes in your home. If you need any help with executing some of these ideas, please click here to contact us.

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How To Construct Your Budget

The first thing you need to decide on is your absolute top of the range budget and then subtract ten percent. This is important because however carefully you plan a project, there will always be unforeseen circumstances or issues that crop up. If you have fully pushed yourself to your financial limit, and then some problem arises, you leave yourself exposed, and potentially unable to complete the project.

By budgeting properly, and having a ten percent emergency fund, you ensure that barring disaster you can be totally confident in being able to finish the job you started. This may sound a little conservative, but the peace of mind this emergency budget brings is priceless.

Picking The Perfect Interior Designer Is Key

The real secret to getting the perfect result is to choose the right interior designer, but not necessarily for the reasons you might think. Obviously, you want someone with skills, talent and that artistic eye which will successfully transform your home into the vision you have for it. But a great interior designer will also respect your budget and stick to it rigidly. In the same way that you are committing your trust to them, a great designer will also work within your budget, and not try to push you to spend extra money that you don’t have. When choosing your interior designer, have an in-depth chat with them, and see if they are someone that you could form a relationship with. While you may end up as best friends for life, there needs to be an element of trust and friendship. Part of your designer’s job is to come in on or below budget, so in your initial interview, you need to draw a line in the sand and make it clear what the budget is. A good designer will not have any issue with this, as everyone likes to have a firm basis within which to work. This is where Jill shines. Refind Interiors truly cares about all of our clients and will never pressure anyone to do anything they simply cannot afford. Jill works one on one with all of our clients to make sure that anything presented fits within the budget that is placed prior to starting the project.

Use Your Carefully Prepared Budget To Your Advantage

If you have ever been in the situation where money is unusually short at the end of the month, you may have been forced to come up with innovative and intelligent ways to make the budget stretch. Because your budget is tight, you are obliged to make brave and challenging decisions, which in the long term can be beneficial to you. When it comes to interior design, the same methodology can apply. Once you have set your budget, it forces you to become more creative and inventive, and on many occasions that extra focus and attention to detail, can result in a far superior and attractive interior design project.

Interior design does not necessarily have to be exceedingly expensive, but without a firm eye on the budget, the cost has the potential to spiral out of control. By planning ahead properly, forcing yourself to have reasonable expectations and sticking to your limits, you will find the process easier and less stressful. Ironically setting a budget can be much more refreshing and empowering than burying your head in the sand. We hope you are delighted with the final result, but use a budget system properly and you might find you enjoy the entire process more than you ever thought possible.

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If you need help setting up your apartment in Chicago, please Call us today at 773.348.7796.

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Just as the baby boomers are getting older and the millennials are getting techier, our homes are facing the renovation generation! For many of us, we purchased our homes over a decade ago. Time has passed quickly and right before our eyes, our used-to-be brand new homes are in desperate need of a face lift. While the structure is still fit, the cosmetics need some work.

The two rooms that see the most traffic in your home are most likely your kitchen and your bathroom. That is why it is so important to keep those spaces up-to-date and fresh. However, if that isn’t enough reason, it is a well known fact that updating your kitchen and bath will bring you the highest rate of return for your decorating dollar.

If your home is relatively new, say the past 8 to 10 years, then you may only have some minor updates to make. These improvements could include new appliances, new cabinet hardware or perhaps a new backsplash. But if your home is over 10 years old and had relatively few updates, an overhaul may be necessary.

The single biggest improvement you can make in a kitchen or bath is the addition of a new window or door. Natural light and an open floor plan are on everyone’s wish list. Also consider new countertops and cabinets. Textures and materials that look expensive usually are expensive. However, a consultation with an interior designer or other design professional can inform you of various options that can provide that custom look at a reasonable price.

Don’t forget about lighting! The use of light is one of the most dramatic yet underused tricks up a homeowner’s sleeve. Lighting can provide the illusion of space where there is none, or serve to highlight noteworthy places in your home.

No matter what age you are, if you find yourself in the renovation generation, it’s time to give your home the attention it deserves.

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Imagine this.

You sit down with your contractor and he’ll give you a rough idea of what to expect. You are, of course, excited because you have wanted to renovate your house for a long time and now that dream is really happening!

Or so you thought!

You discuss plans, pick out finishes, and daydream about your next dinner party (in your fabulous new home) while the contractor is talking about details you don’t understand. You feel rushed!

But then the work begins and your house is a disaster area – you have to squeeze into other rooms to live – and you have no idea what is really going on.

Scenarios could include: contractors not showing up on time, materials not delivered…wrong materials ordered, and the list goes on! And what’s worse – there never seems to be anyone in charge who can make the job run faster or smoother. You dread getting those phone calls that something might not be right, or they need to do “B” in order to finish “A”.

In other words, they need more money and time!

What you need is an expert.

Renovation projects don’t have to be this way. In fact, the process – when done well – can be a fun and enjoyable project that will leave you wanting more.

Thanks to more than 30 years of experience as a design professional, I have a real understanding for the needs of my clients. Having endured several renovations in my own home, I am extremely sensitive to the concerns of homeowners throughout the process.

I have also learned a thing or two along the way.

Read on to discover the basics of working with a designer. Knowing how it’s supposed to be done will let you know what to expect from your design professional – and tip you off if the designer you’re talking to is not savvy and experienced!

When your renovation project follows these steps – I promise the project is one that you will enjoy!

Total Project Management
The simple fact is- the more initial planning and understanding that happens before so much as a hammer is lifted, the more smoothly and cost effective the whole project will be. And hiring the right interior designer to design and manage your project is the most efficient way to get the results you desire! What’s more, by working with your designer, you are actually working with a professional staff of experts, and don’t need to worry about the overwhelming details of the project.

So what is involved in the process of working with a designer?

It is important to understand the entire process, and to be informed so that you can make the right choices. The number one skill to look for when hiring an interior designer is excellent project management skills. This is what guarantees all the players are in the right place at the right time.

Discuss the entire scope of the project.
Your designer will listen to your needs and wants – your “wish list” – and will help you refine the plan according to your lifestyle; ensuring that the project fits you to a tee, and that it’s done within your budget. Your designer will also help you understand what will happen during all the phases of construction, so you know what to expect while the various contractors are in your home.

It is important that you feel completely comfortable with your designer/project manager! You want someone who understands not only your need for the space, but your needs overall as an individual or family. Someone you can feel comfortable talking to and someone who is there when you need them.

These upfront discussions are an opportunity for you and your designer to get to know each other, and will give your designer an opportunity to really understand your specific goals.

If I’ve learned anything from the hundreds of projects we’ve done over the years, it is this:

Everyone’s set of circumstances is different, and no two projects are identical.

Your designer must get the full picture in order to achieve the desired outcome!

Plan the work
Planning is simply the most critical phase of the project, where the knowledge of an expert project manager is priceless! This is when your designer takes your initial vision and really brings it to life! At this time a design and budget proposal will be presented for your approval.

Professional Designers have extensive knowledge of the products, from both the practical and functional sides. Want bamboo flooring? Your designer will be able to tell you if you need a sub floor or sound insulation, to help you pick the best flooring manufacturer based on aesthetics, installation and maintenance issues.

They cover all of the things that you might not think (or know) to ask, or might not know about that particular flooring. That way you are not wasting money on something you might not like once installed, or that requires extensive maintenance down the road.

Also, your designer can help you facilitate unique design solutions for your vision. Perhaps there is an unusual water feature that you would like to install. The designer will figure out all the logistics and cost of that feature, while giving you a clear idea of whether or not you really want the feature after all!

Furthermore, your designer will select finishes and features that fit your budget, while giving you the aesthetic you want. It is their job to know all the different elements of your interior renovation- from construction to final finishes.

In addition to the actual design – the plan should include precisely what materials are to be ordered, each contractor’s responsibility, and a comprehensive budget proposal. The schedule should include the ETA (estimated time of arrival) for all materials, and the commencement dates of all contractors.

Work the plan
Once the plan is in place, you have one important job – relax! The job is now in the capable hands of your designer. The designer will see the entire project through to completion.

It’s your designer’s responsibility to prioritize the work flow, making sure the project runs smoothly throughout, and keeping the costs down. Again, when you hire an interior designer, you are really hiring a team of experts. They will work with an architect, contractors, and various contacts in both the state and local agencies, when a permit is required. They are able to address code issues and association rules, so that unnecessary mistakes are avoided.

Besides that peace of mind, you are also saving time and money. Having a solid plan in place before the work begins will reduce any unforeseen trouble. Your designer will know what steps need to be finished, and in what order, so that no one has to “double back” and change something.

Rolling with the punches
Another thing we’ve learned is that there is almost always something unexpected. This is where an experienced, professional team makes all the difference between a great project and an over budget, behind schedule disappointment.

We work in a lot of old buildings, and let me tell you, there is no end to the surprises hidden within those walls!

We were working with a client who was doing a major renovation – converting two condo units into one. Early on, we understood the complexity of the project, and while it was extensive, with the right team in place we knew we could handle anything that might come up!

What complicated matters however, was the fact that no one could locate the original architectural and mechanical drawings. So when it came time to knock the dividing wall down, we had no idea what was in the middle! Sometimes, despite all the initial planning and design work, you still need to plan for the worst case scenario.

And that worst case scenario is exactly what we found. The mechanicals that were there were not what we expected. The problem here was that our client wanted to move the kitchen to a different location, and that now meant that all the kitchen plumbing, gas and electric for the units would have to be moved.

Problem!

At this point, we had two choices. Go back to the way things were, or move forward and deal with the problem.

The clients had their heart’s set on the original concept and so my team and I worked tirelessly to get that done!

The first step was a revision of the plans to work around the actual building plan. Because we had established a relationship with the association, and were familiar with the city protocol, new permits and plans were approved in no time at all.

In the end, our solution was successfully implemented and the project was completed to the Clients’ delight!

Refind Interiors
Having gone through the renovation process myself at my own home, I know what homeowners endure during this process. Because of my “hands on” approach, and personal involvement with all of my projects, most projects take less time to complete than you would think.

• Are you ready to dive in and re-find your dream home within your current home?
• Not happy with some aspect of your home, but just don’t know what can be done?
• Need to make your new home your own?

Let’s talk. Contact me today for a no-cost, no-strings, no-obligation consultation.

773-348-7796
jill@refindinteriors.com
www.refindinteriors.com

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