Your Remodeling Project

Step 2: The Design Process

After putting thought into Step 1 of your remodeling project that was discussed in our last blog posts, you should be more prepared to proceed with the rest of the design process.  Step 2 gets into the nitty-gritty details of your project, and encompasses everything from determining specific door styles and finishes to signing off on labor contracts and beginning to make payments.  This part of the process can be one of the most meticulous, but here are the main steps to be aware of.

1. Review plans and drawings.  After listening to your project scope, ideas, wants, and needs, your designer will prepare a preliminary drawing for you to review.  Remember that nothing is set in stone at this point, although it will usually give you a general direction in terms of design and layout.  When reviewing these plans with your designer, keep in mind the way that you intend to use the space, and make changes accordingly.  Don't be shy if you have questions or changes that you would like to see.
2. Make first payment(s).  Step 2 of the process also involves collecting the first payments for the project.  This is often in the form of a design retainer in the early stages, and later will require a down payment to begin ordering materials and scheduling project labor.  Your designer will better educate you on the timing and amount of these payments.
3. Choose materials.  Begin to think about the specifics of your project.  Now is the time to make selections regarding finishes, wood species, countertop material and color, door hardware, and tile.  Keep the design style and priorities you set during Step 1 of this process in mind.  Making these choices helps to further set your vision for the space and helps your designer to give you the most accurate drawings and quotes possible.
4. Revise plans and drawings.  More often than not there will be changes to the original design.  Your designer will help you think about accessories and other options that are right for your lifestyle.  Think about how you want to store certain items: pots and pans, knives and other cutlery, even kitchen towels and linens. 
5. Sign off and release drawings.  Usually when making the down payment you will also be asked to sign off on the quote, drawings, and other paperwork.  At this point, most decisions have been made, and the order is ready to be placed.  Your designer will also release the drawings to you, which you can take home and show off to all of your friends and family! 

Keep in mind that the timeline for the above steps depends on how quickly decisions are being made and when meetings can be scheduled.  Being decisive is to your benefit if you have a specific project timeline in mind.  Also remember that the more prep work you can do during Step 1 is to your benefit, as it should continue to influence your design and decisions during this phase of the process.

Your Remodeling Project

Step 1: Getting Started

One of the things I hear most often from people who walk through the doors of our showroom is "I don't even know where to start!" True- a designer's dream can be everyone else's nightmare! Trying to begin a building or remodeling project is a daunting task, which is why breaking it down into baby steps helps make everything more manageable. Here are a few ways to prepare for your next project today, so you don't have to put it off any longer.

1. Determine project scope. Chances are that there are a few- or many- things you would like to change about your home. However, for most people an entire home remodel isn't feasible, either financially, logistically, or both. Try starting with the more public areas of your home: the kitchen, main living area, and even bathrooms. These are the areas that guests will typically see, and the ones that you will be the most excited to show off! These are also the spaces that you will be using most often yourself, so being happy and comfortable in these areas is crucial. 
2. Figure out your design style. Gather ideas and images from a variety of sources: magazines, television shows, and websites. One of my favorite resources is Houzz.com, which has a treasure-trove of photos from real-life projects done by designers, remodelers, and builders. Once you have a collection of images, you will often notice a common theme. This will help you determine what to look for in furnishings and materials. These images are also invaluable to your designer when you begin discussing your wants, needs, and overall vision.
3. Set priorities. Most people don't have the luxury of an empty, clean-slate of a room to work with. View the space with a critical eye for what can and can't be re-used. Maybe your cabinets are in great shape, and your kitchen just needs a face lift with new countertops, hardware, and fresh paint. Or maybe your kitchen needs a complete overhaul now, while your bathroom can wait a few years. 
4. Create a budget. Too often a budget isn't even considered, and ends up either draining your bank account or stalling the project altogether. Determining a reasonable budget is helpful to everyone involved- you know what kind of investment you are willing to make and so does your designer. This helps your designer further in steering you to the right kinds of products and materials for your specific project. When a budget isn't specified, it often ends up wasting time and resources for everyone involved. 

While your designer can help you with the above steps, these are great things to have considered before your first meeting. It's always helpful to have a general idea and project scope in mind from the beginning, while the details will be worked out later.

Want to take the first step with your design project? Call us at (608) 271-8241 or stop by our showroom to get started!

What I Would Change

As a designer currently living in a rented apartment, there are lots of things I would change about my living space if given the chance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of these things are in the kitchen. My guess is that it's the same for a lot of people out there-whether renting or not. And, being a designer, I get to see the possibilities for what could be on a daily basis. Here are five, fairly basic things that I would change about my current space if my lease (and budget!) allowed:

Drop-in on the left, undermount on the right

1. The sink. Our current sink is a drop-in, stainless steel sink. Nothing fancy. I would love to be able to make the switch to an undermount sink. We would gain precious counter space (even inches matter in a small space!), and not have to deal with cleaning the unsightly top lip of stainless steel. An undermount sink also provides a cleaner, seamless look.
2. Soft-close drawer glides and door hinges. No more rattling drawers and banging doors? Yes, please.
3. More drawers. Speaking of drawers... I could use more of them! I only have 3 measly drawers right now, which is hardly enough to hold all of my dish towels, flatware and miscellaneous cooking utensils. Plus, I would much rather pull open a drawer than be digging in the depths of a cabinet every time I need a pot, pan or mixing bowl. 
4. The layout. Okay, this is not actually a minor change. However one of my biggest frustrations is not being able to open the refrigerator door when the dishwasher is open (or vice versa). Why? The appliances are located directly across from each other, with minimal clearance between. It's impossible to have both appliance doors fully open at the same time. This would be a big change that would save myself and my husband a lot of time and irritation. 
5. The hardware. The knobs on all of the doors and drawers are a bright, shiny brass. While I don't personally care for brass, what's more annoying is that they show every fingerprint, mark, and drip they come in contact with. Switching out the existing knobs would give the kitchen space a little more personality, and be easier to take care of, too. 

Ready to make some changes to your own kitchen? Call us at (608) 271-8241 or stop in our showroom to set up your consultation today!

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis leads to the need for wheelchair accessible features for a Madison area cooking fanatic. "Hammer with a Heart" comes through with the help from Bella Domicile and others.

Project Home started "Hammer with a Heart" 11 years ago and was able to help 8 families this year with home repairs. Bella Domicile was happy to donate the kitchen cabinetry for the home owned by Zanne Gray.

Zanne, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is only able to move about with a wheelchair. Her home was not wheelchair accessible, which made even cooking a hard task. Because cooking was such a big part of Zanne's life before the diagnosis, we wanted to get her into a kitchen she could use. We worked with one of our manufacturers, Cardell Cabinetry, to donate handicap access cabinets for the whole kitchen. This included a custom cabinet and raised dishwasher for easier access.

For individual who find themselves facing difficult health crisis or a tough financial situation, their home is often the last thing they can think about. "Hammer with a Heart" by Project Home fills this void for area families. Bella Domicile is honored to be a part of it.

We hope to post before and after photos soon.

Cabinet finishes: Follow the trend, or follow your tastes?

In the past couple of weeks, many clients have asked, “What is the color trend in kitchen cabinetry these days?” 

Although many publications are announcing trends for 2012, I’m never sure how to answer this question. I believe that you should decorate or remodel your home based on what makes you feel good, not on what is trendy. 

So my usual response is, “How long do you see yourself living in the house?” If the answer is 10, 15, 20 or more years, I advise them to choose a color they like and feel comfortable with rather than what a magazine dictates. Unless you’re really crazy about what’s “hot” now, you might regret following a trend.

On the other hand, if someone expects to live in a house 5 years or less, it won’t hurt to consider today’s trends, as cabinet finishes generally take a few years to evolve to something new. With good care, your cabinets will still impress homebuyers shopping for the latest thing.

I recently read a great blog post about how to incorporate color trends while keeping classic cabinetry choices top of mind. Karen Wistrom from Dura Supreme cabinetry does a great job explaining how home owners achieve the best of both words. See Full Story >>