I noticed a very minimal interest in the first part of this series. Why so few would be interested in the most boring parts of my job, I have no idea. LOL. Nevertheless, I promised a Part 2, so here goes. I will see if I can make the boringness a bit more compelling. ;)   1.        Selecting Grout Tile selection is the fun part. But it doesn’t end there. When coordinating a project that requires tile work, you need to be prepared to specify not only the tile itself, but also

I’m seeing folks all over the internet talking about new years resolutions and goals, and was inspired to write this. In design, rules are often made to be broken, but here are some things that are consistent. I’ll keep my list down to 3 golden rules.   1.        Don’t buy it if you’re not sure I’m sure most folks can identify with this one on some level. Even when you are about to score a serious bargain, sometimes you just need to take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I su

1. Returns Just because a designer has a better chance of selecting a suitable product for a given project doesn’t mean that mistakes or issues don’t happen. Sometimes, we buy more than we need, select from the candidates, and then return the unwanted items. Returns are certainly part of the job, no matter what a designer’s niche is. We personally need to pack up the unused items, transport them to the designated shipping office, and ensure that the money is refunded. This is

My brief and and candid opinions on some trends that either are greatly misinterpreted, misused, or just plain wrong.

Over 15 years in business, I have found that most homeowners really don’t understand how a healthy designer-client relationship is...

Over several years in business, I have observed a troubling pattern: clients often call a designer too late in the game. If you’re considering a remodel of any size for any part of your home, you need to call a designer before you start reaching out to contractors. I promise this isn’t just a sales pitch; I’m here to share three specific reasons why having a designer on your team before choosing a contractor is essential. Please note that not all contractors operate in this

How long does it take to get nice furniture? In this quick read we address typical lead times for higher quality furniture and hacks to get around that extensive wait time when you're in a rush.

1.        YOU HAVE NO TIME It’s interesting how many super busy homeowners decide to renovate their home, assuming the GC will handle all...

1.        Putting new countertops on old builder grade cabinets Depending on how old/new your home is, you may be able to get away with...

Over 20 years in the industry, I’ve identified some specific variables in clients that ultimately lead to a lack of efficiency on a project. In this quick article, I will share these and hopefully give a little clarity on how a functional designer-client relationship works.   1.        “I know what I want” It's funny how anytime I hear this now, I inwardly groan. Many seem to have the impression that a designer will delight in hearing these words. This is a key difference bet

Over 15 years in business, I’ve worked with every kind of budget. And it seems like the tightest budgeted clients really had the most work to do. When advising these clients, I really needed to get good at picking my battles, and showing them how they could pack the most punch with little to no money to invest in their home. So without further ado, here are my top 3 low budget hacks to improve your space on the cheap! 1.        DE-CLUTTER Ugh, I know! Why couldn’t the first o

I’ve noticed when I walk through the homes of clients who have already been through a remodel process, there are consistent flaws that...

I receive many calls from folks who have recently purchased a home, or are looking to update their home, and they want a paint color...