Buying to Renovate

Recently, I had the unique opportunity to help my daughter and son-in-law hunt for their 'forever' home.  I was asked, as both an interior designer as well as a licensed contractor, to help decide between two old established homes, looking specifically at which home offered the most potential.

Like many buyers, my daughter and son-in-law were drawn to the traditional larger sized tudor home, which seemingly offered the space needed for their desired open layout.  The second home, a beautiful traditional stone colonial, was marginally smaller in size.  Notwithstanding size, each home offered uniquely different characteristics.  The realization had hit; this was going to be a difficult decision.  It was at this point in the search that my expertise was solicited.

Many prospective homes show nicely, providing the prospective buyer with the romantic, this is the house moment.  The overall style of the home, its facade, property and neighborhood are all a part of the hook.  However, if a house does not function properly, these once-loved characteristics fade quickly.  Determining if that home will function for the residing family is just the beginning.  It's important to assess the home based on a number of criteria:  structure (foundation, basement), mechanical standing (electric, plumbing, HVAC), building's envelope (roof, doors, windows).  If the property proves to have layout potential, it is always worth exploring further.

In the case of my daughter and son-in-law, the traditional stone colonial, not the larger traditional tudor, offered the most upside.  Revealed in a detailed Home Inspection, the colonial was sound both structurally and mechanically, relative to the age of home, showing clear evidence it was well taken care of through the years.  To function properly, however, the floor plan will be updated, admittedly, not inexpensively.  Most importantly, however, the updates made will be within the existing footprint.

In the end, for these reasons (structure, mechanical standing, layout potential, maintenance), the traditional colonial made the most sense to me...and eventually, my daughter and son-in-law.

Tried and True: Design Team

I have been fortunate to have worked with and continue to work with a number of tried and true industry professionals.  This team of associates has been erected over many years.  Each member has proven time and time again that they are committed to providing the upmost of service to my clients.

Whether embarking on a simple redesign or tackling a whole home renovation, it is nice to proceed with confidence, knowing that the professionals you have chosen to work with have a track record of being reliable, trustworthy, skilled, organized, easy to reach and puts care into customer service.

Having worked within the industry for as many years as I have, this first hand information from your interior designer is a definite added value!

Refurbished Bed Sets

Featured are two bed sets incorporated into room designs for children.  The bed sets were pieces handed down from relatives, of quality solid wood construction and in good condition.  Each added an element of mix 'n' match to their respective rooms.

This set was stripped using nontoxic soy gel stripper then resurfaced with nontoxic and eco-friendly pigmented milk paint.

This set was stripped then resurfaced using a multi-colored paint technique to create this unique finish.

Both were dressed in vintage fabric finds that correlate with the larger room designs.

The Window Treatment

The practical purpose of window treatments is two fold; they provide privacy and manage daylight.  In addition to the practical is the aesthetic enhancement of the window architect and the larger room decor.  Window treatments add dimension to a room, create an element of texture/color and offer an upscale touch to any space.

Great attention was paid to the seamless integration of this bedroom's window treatments with the existing tray ceiling.  Important to the room design was maintaining a clean line where the ceiling meets the wall.  Using substantial decorative molding, to hide the treatment hardware, was important in producing this clean, subtle look.  Adding to its overall subtlety - intensifying the monochromatic palette, muted in color - panels were constructed out of the French Linen, offering a touch of luxury.  For practical purposes, automated cellular shades were installed to manage day lighting.  The entire picture framed the room in an understated tone of grandeur.

Making A Statement

An aspect of interior design, an element interwoven into the art of home decor, is the incorporation of a statement piece.  A statement piece does just that, it makes a definite or clear expression, offers a perspective, that enhances a space.  In most cases, this occurs through the use of bold color, unique shape, and/or material.

The Gehry Cross Check Armchair (http://www.dwr.com/product/gehry-cross-check-armchair.do?gclid+CLLviZz_iL0CFaN9OgodUHEA4Q) featured was designed as part of the Gehry Collection by the critically acclaimed, award winning architect Frank Gehry and was commissioned by Knoll - a retail company committed to the philosophy of presenting customers with modern furniture that complements an architectural space, but does not compete with it (http://www.knoll.com/discover-knoll/our-story).  Bold in its form, color, and material this chair easily functions as a piece of art; making it a beautiful statement piece within any room.

Energy Star Rated Home

In 2008, The Repurposed Home was hired to spear head a team of design and professional contractors to convert a three story, four unit, century old apartment building into a one family luxury brownstone.  Working together the team's objective was to incorporate as many energy efficient systems and building materials afforded by the budget to create a home that was not only comfortable but also energy conscience.

"To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features)."  If a home meets these standards - is deemed ENERGY STAR rated - it runs at least 15% more efficiently than a typical home.

"ENERGY STAR certified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution (http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features)."

Specific to the brownstone conversion, close attention was paid to choosing effective/higher standard insulation and air sealing of the home's envelope and ducts, installation of high performance windows, choosing properly sized, high efficiency heating and cooling systems.  Other features that added to the homes efficiency ranged from the inclusion of a programmable thermostat, IC rated lighting fixtures, Solatube - tubular daylighting device, Water Sense rated toilets and plumbing fixtures and an exterior water drip irrigation system for the back yard.

Beginning with the planning and prioritizing and ending with implementation and completion of project, the results clearly illustrate lower ownership cost - tax credits, resource efficiency, supplemental incentive, utility bills quantified to be significantly less than structures of similar size in Northern New Jersey.  However, the larger environmental impact far exceeds the individual gain.

http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features

Repurposing

Inherent in the name, The Repurposed Home incorporates repurposing as part of the design process.  Repurposing, the idea of adapting an object or material to be used in a different capacity or way, is not new to the world of interior design.  Its stronghold is ever more present due to waste reduction awareness, but primarily because it is cost effective.

I like to help my clients reevaluate what they have; looking at the potential in all of their pieces and personal belongings as opportunities for repurposing.  Most clients are more than happy to customize their space with items used in different and unique ways.  Viewing it more as a process of constructing historical art; art and accessories that reflect and are relevant to their life's journey.  This element of creativity is another added value to the simple, practical idea of repurposing.

The Album Occasional Table featured highlights the idea of repurposing or upcycling as a way to create a distinctive invaluable product from items set for collecting dust.  This functionally modern accent table was designed for a client whose LP collection was personally valuable but not in use.  Using the collection as a starting point, a beautiful showcase was created.