New Years Rules To Live By

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 sure, absolutely positive that this will work in my space?” If you are one of the lucky few to always pick winners, then cool. More power to you. But most people I cross paths with are prone to impulse buying, then tossing. More and more clients are concerned about their carbon footprint, and poor design choices are one of the arch nemeses of Mother Earth. Ultimately, if you’re not sure, put it back on the shelf, and if you’re never sure about anything, call a designer to handle your home design tasks for you. And if you're not budgeted for a designer, check out my article on budget friendly design hacks-- Click here to read article.

2.        Make your remodel COUNT

In the Bay Area where I operate, people are more motivated than ever to keep their homes updated. But their budget often doesn’t line up with what it actually costs to do a good job. Any number of different contractors can do the same work, so shop around as your schedule allows, but understand this, you can splurge on the pricier contractor, but it won’t necessarily get you nicer results, just results done faster and more efficiently (and not always that, definitely get references). And you can save money on the cheaper contractor but run the risk of having to pay to do the job twice. What really counts is having a solid plan to begin with and making changes that will deliver IMPACT and get you a noticeable return on your investment. Sometimes what a home needs is not new countertops or flooring, but rather a major decluttering and some new furnishings. It’s different for everyone, but much easier to formulate when you have the talent to visualize.

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3.        You get what you pay for

I know, how original. But if I’m gonna keep this list down to 3, this is a really good one. Not everyone has a multi-million dollar budget (or home) so NO, not everything on the list can be premium quality and no one gets that more than me. This is where having an experienced designer on your project is key. They know where to find good deals, where it makes SENSE to cut corners, and where you need to invest. And they know what it costs to do the job right. Finding the right designer to handle your home improvement project is like having a counselor slash personal assistant slash money manager slash psychic. They somehow magically know what you want, where to find it, how to deliver it, and all while having your best interests at heart. That service is not free. But for clients who work full time and crave that perfect home that is customized to their needs, it can be a life changing investment.

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