HOME STYLERS BLOG

Before - this was all the homeowners were able to do themselves, and they wanted more

After - with the help of a professional decorator, the walls looked great, and the curtains and headboard were made by professionals too

Before - this project highlights why you need a contingency for professionals "just in case"

After - when removing these wardrobes, we discovered the walls were a real mess behind them, so had to call in the plasterers.

Before - remember this photo from an earlier blog? These homeowners fully expected to have to change their sofas, just to help to sell the house in a competitive local market

After - as a professional, I saved them over a thousand pounds on this room alone! Our advice doesn't always cost money!

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Next - TIMESCALE - what can you realistically achieve in the time you have available?

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Low Cost Home Makeovers - 11 handy tips. Number 7. Increase value.

I was recently invited to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham, to talk about home makeovers and how to keep costs down, whether you're selling your home or want to enjoy living in it. To follow is a summary of the suggestions I made, with lots of 'Before' and 'After' photos as illustrations.

INCREASE VALUE - how important is it that the makeover increases the value of your house?
• This always needs to be considered, even if you don’t plan to move for a while. Unforseen circumstances could force you to sell your house unexpectedly, so to make changes to it that may devalue it can never be a good idea
If the makeover is for selling purposes...
• Every decision must increase the perceived value of the property - and preferably the actual value too

Before - a huge dining hall, interesting, but not in keeping with the rest of the house. No-one could imagine what to do with it if they bought the house. And it was situated next to a lovely dining room.

After - a welcoming living room that now added value to the house

Before - the vehicles were usually parked outside the living room window

Before - an increased perception of the size of the house added value instantly

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Before - even small jobs like cleaning mould and replacing sealant can increase the perceived value of the home

After - a cleaner appearance makes such a difference

Before - the budget for this room was limited, but we still decided the carpet had to go!

After - changing the carpet meant that the room didn't need decorating, and the only other cost was changing the curtains

CLICK HERE to see the other rooms in this house

Next - SKILLS - what skills are you or your family able to use in a makeover and when should you call the professionals?

Friday, 19 October 2012

Low Cost Home Makeovers - 11 handy tips. Number 5. Accessories.

I was recently invited to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham, to talk about home makeovers and how to keep costs down, whether you're selling your home or want to enjoy living in it. To follow is a summary of the suggestions I made, with some 'Before' and 'After' photos as illustrations.

ACCESSORIES - where do you add the finishing touches, and how far should you go?
• Use accessories to draw attention to focal points
• Accessorise with items that are meaningful whenever possible, for example, choose a piece of art that you all like, so it feels special when you look at it
• Use what you already have, then fill the gaps
• Be organised when shopping, know what spaces you are trying to fill, including measurements, and stick to your list!
If the makeover is for selling purposes...
• Buy low cost high impact accessories - larger items have more impact than several small ones
• Consider the photo angles your Estate Agent will use, and place accessories accordingly

Before - this room had a student-feel to it, but was in a beautiful house

After - we only added a headboard, valence, cushions and two ornaments

Before - the homeowners already knew the colours they wanted...

After - so we finished it off for them!

Before - an outdated bathroom

After - a change in paint colour and some accessories brought it up to date

Next - INCREASED VALUE - how important is is that your makeover increases the value of your home?

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Low Cost Home Makeovers - 11 handy tips. Number 4. Style.

I was recently invited to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham, to talk about home makeovers and how to keep costs down, whether you're selling your home or want to enjoy living in it. To follow is a summary of the suggestions I made, with lots of 'Before' and 'After' photos as illustrations.

STYLE - can you work with the current style, or do you need to change it?
•Use the opportunity to change if budget allows - it's always good to update at least a few pieces of furniture for example
•Don’t follow fashion too closely, it will soon appear dated
•Ensure the style suits the house. You can mix old and new, but very carefully
If the makeover is for selling. purposes..
•Use as many existing furnishings as you can, in order to keep the budget down

Before - This bank of wardrobes was too overpowering

After - Just moving the furniture around made all the difference

Click here to see all the above house

Before - the budget was low, so we just needed to pull the style together

After - this was more in keeping with the whole house

Exterior of house below

Before - this wasn't the right style for the above house, especially for the second bedroom

After - so, on a low budget, we just calmed it down to appeal to adults

Before - The style of these wardrobes was too outdated

After - so we removed them and borrowed furniture from another bedroom

Before - this room was dressed in a basic style that didn't suit the house

After - this was much more in keeping

Next - ACCESSORIES - where do you add the finishing touches and how far do you go?

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Low Cost Home Makeovers - 11 handy tips. Number 3. Room Use.

I was recently invited to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham, to talk about home makeovers and how to keep costs down, whether you're selling your home or want to enjoy living in it. To follow is a summary of the suggestions I made, with lots of 'Before' and 'After' photos as illustrations.

ROOM USE - how do you use each room and do you need to make any changes before the makeover?
• Make each room work for you and your family at this point in time and keep adapting as things change
• Balance the house. If there are a couple of rooms that are never used, but the whole family competes for space in the remaining rooms, you've got it wrong.
If the makeover is for selling. purposes..
• Carefully consider what your buyers need - ask your Estate Agent. Maybe a dining room, not a playroom? Maybe a third bedroom, not a study?

Before - a large room - sitting room or dining room?

After - as it should be

Before - An office, a snug?

After... a Dining Room

Before... a dining room? A utility? A playroom?

After - an office

Before - use every room

After - now it won't be a forgotten space

Before... Name that room?

After - the second bedroom

Before - name that room?

After - a dining room

Before - balance the house - this bedroom was in place of a dining room, so what was then a four bedroom house only had a living room and kitchen. Very unbalanced.

After - a dining room

Before - an unused guest room, but the homeowner needed a dressing room more urgently

After - a dressing room with guest room potential, not the other way round

Before - this room was never used...

After - we turned it into the most sought-after room in the house! Very sociable!