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Flat Rate Outdoor Patio Design via Online Design for anyone, anywhere.
Looking for ideas on how to design an outdoor backyard, deck, patio, courtyard, or balcony? Want help with accessory & furniture selections? Get a complete outdoor room design for just $450 with online design. Email dimensions along with pictures of the space along with any existing furnishings you would like to incorporate and receive a complete design package which will consist of:
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- a concept board featuring the overall look & selections
- & a list of resources - all within your budget, which you can implement and purchase as your time & budget allow
Please email JSInteriorDes@aol.com for more info, questions, or to forward photos and measurements. Payable via Venmo: @jillseidnerinteriordesign
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When you’re someone that really loves the idea of working on your home, or you’re looking to move, you may be thinking more and more about renovating your home. This is something that can often seem like a lot of work. And in some cases it can be. But when you’re thinking about adding value to your property, it’s often always worth it.
As much as the idea of living in a construction site or with different rooms all up in the air isn’t that appealing, it can be a great thing to do. But the thing is, if you are looking to renovate so that you can increase the value of your home, you have to be smart about this.
You’ll want to make sure that you approach this in the right way so that you don’t overspend and that you do actually add value in the end. Here’s what you need to bear in mind.
Sort The Finances First
The very first thing you need to do is sort the finances. Be sure to know what your home is worth now and then also what the ceiling is too. That way, you can look at your financial situation, set a budget, then get to work. But you have to be very objective and practical here if you want to make sure that there is profit left in your home.
Make Wise Choices
Then, when it comes to the fittings, you will want to be thinking about what will add value and what will appeal to others – not just yourself. The idea of improving your home means it should appeal to the market and not necessarily be your personal taste. So keep this in mind and see what options will and won’t add value.
Get Expert Help
But then also, you may find that you need to bring in experts to help you with some or all of the work. Whether that’s a general contractor for most jobs or just an electrician to help with the electrics. Think about whether you have the skill to do the work or whether it’s much better to leave it to the experts so that the job is done well.
Be Patient
Finally, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re being as patient as possible with the process. Adding value to your property might not be something that you can do overnight. It may take months or years for you to be able to get all of the renovations done. But that’s okay. The idea here is for you to add value – not do it quickly. And you may also have to wait for market conditions to approve too. So really, playing the waiting game is best.
Looking to add value to a property is always a good thing to look to do. You can gain so much more to add to your next property purchase just by investing a little bit. So really try to do what you can here to make your current home worth so much more.
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Know The Industry
You might not be liaising too much with mortgage brokers, surveyors, estate agents etc but it’s really important that you know the industry as best possible. This is especially the case if you’re working to deadlines and trying to get homes designed before people move in, or if you’ve landed a contract to help out with apartments that haven’t been built yet, you need to know how they’re going to look and be formed. It’s worth knowing how everything is tied together, Mercury Network is a good place to start. Each country operates to different laws and speeds too, sometimes different places in each country differ widely in terms of rules and governance, let alone the country. Read up on the industry. It’ll help you get some of those bigger commercial clients and ensure that you can put your best foot forward in terms of your business.
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Work On Your Brand
You want to be known for something. Whether it’s futuristic interiors or those with a rustic traditional feel. Becoming known for something is important...it’s like the voice of an author. If a developer likes it they’ll use you again. The trick is in being able to use your brand in a way that fits into a customer’s requirements. Sure, sometimes you may not be able to use your branding at all and have to fit it into their wants, but being able to show them unique matchings and styles will set you aside from your competitors. A lot of design work is quite similar so you’ll find it difficult to come up with something totally unique. However, putting your own spin on a design element is what it's all about. Look at some of the leading designers in your field for inspiration.
Your Website Must Be Majestic
It has to showcase your best design. This means you need good photos, but more importantly you need a great website theme. There are a lot to choose from, some are free, some are not. If you’re using Wordpress you can customize your theme really easily. Go for one which leans heavily on photo based posts. The landing page has to of course be inviting but also showcase what you do best. You need to tell people what you do, including your services, along with key contact information. Price lists are usually used but design jobs can vary dramatically so it’s important to be open ended with these. You can hire a website developer for you if you’ve got the funds, otherwise there’s no harm in putting it together yourself, it’s easier to do these days than it used to. Then you need to work on bringing people to your website. A blog is necessary, imparting all of your design wisdom to those who have decided to read what you have to say.
Look After Yourself
It’s a busy business, but you have to remember to look after yourself throughout it all. Especially if you’re taking multiple jobs with competing timelines. Focus on what makes you money. Your eyes. You use your eyes to see colour matches and to design tweaks etc. It doesn’t matter if it's dry eyes, cataracts, or degrading vision, you need to get it seen right away by a medical professional. If you don’t it’ll only inhibit your ability to work. Amongst all of this you need to ensure you get the right levels of sleep. Take time away from your desk and the materials so you can get refreshed, it often works wonders. Building up an all important network helps too. People you can ask for help and bounce ideas off of. It’s probably the most important thing you can do, because if you don’t look after yourself and something happens a sa result, you won’t have a business at all.
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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You may love your home but know that it requires some attention. A little refresher and updating can go a long way but you may not know where to start or how to go about completing these types of projects.
The following advice will outline what you should be doing and how you can begin to tackle these important enhancements. Be patient and take your time because while you want to get it done in a timely fashion you also want to do it right.
Create A Project List
Start by creating a project list of what you want to tackle and get done. Getting organized will help you stay on track and ensure you’re taking care of the most important to-dos first and foremost. Go around your home and take inventory of what needs your attention the most. Do your homework and figure out which of the ideas you come up with will revitalize your home and give you the best return on your investment so your efforts pay off.
Research Ideas
Once you know what you want to do to your home then you should conduct some research regarding trends and possibilities. Learn more about the different material options and styles and looks that are out there. Not only think about what other homeowners are doing but also your own taste and what you believe will be the most attractive and right elements for your home style.
Set A Budget
You should never dive into house projects without first setting a budget. Review your finances and figure out how much you have to spend and want to spend on each project. You may discover that you want to address a few of the smaller tasks right away and take some time to save up your money for the larger updates so you can pay straight cash for them instead of using a credit card.
Determine What You Can DIY
Another step in the process of updating your home is to determine what you can DIY and what projects you want help with from a pro. There are many projects that you can likely handle and will do just fine at completing once you watch a few How-to-videos. It’s not only fun to learn and challenge yourself but you can save some money by doing it yourself too. However, it’s also important to know your limits and areas you may want to avoid such as plumbing or electrical.
Interview Multiple Contractors
For the projects that you decide you want help with from a pro then it’s wise to interview multiple contractors for the job. Avoid hiring the first person you meet or think of and have a few different options to explore. Get recommendations from friends and family members and read reviews online to understand better who might be the best fit for your home updates. Be sure to have a contract in place and read the fine print before you begin any work. Confirm the contractor is fully licensed and insured and that you both agree to a timeline in advance.
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Home curb appeal and structure
If you’ve been working on your home exterior to improve its curb appeal, you’ve probably taken a good look at the paint on y our exterior walls. A fresh coat of paint can make your home look clean and new again. It can also bring the decor together, making the door and the garden stand out a little more. However, before you call a professional painter, you want to inspect the walls. If you spot a crack running along the exterior façade, it could be the result of damage to your foundation. When the foundation is affected, the house structure becomes weakened. In the long term, the structure will deteriorate further if you don’t book professional services that offer the best foundation repair for your needs.
Cracks in the paint
A small crack in the exterior paint, however, is no sign of foundation deterioration. Hairline cracks in the paint tend to occur when the paint is damaged. The good news is that it is easy to fix and less unsettling than a deep crack in the wall. The most likely causes for damaged paint relate to the paint itself and the job quality. It is a recurring issue when homeowners choose to paint their exterior walls themselves without preparing the surface or owning the appropriate tools. You might want to upgrade your exterior with the professional services of a local painter.
Discolored crack in the ceiling or wall
Are small discolored cracks appearing on your ceiling? These can have an unpleasant look as they resemble a stain. Sometimes, they are even wet to the touch. A discolored crack indicates a moisture issue. More often than not, this happens underneath plumbing zones inside your home. For instance, if the room above the ceiling is a bathroom, you might want to investigate your tub or shower for leaks. If the ceiling is underneath the roof, you should make sure to get your roof checked for water infiltration.
Normal settling cracks
Every property settles over time as the house ages. As part of normal wear and tear, you can expect minor hairline cracks around your windows or doors. This occurs as the ground shifts slightly with the weather or as the building materials dry out. These tiny cracks don’t cause structural damage. They only appear in the weakest spots of your walls. They will disappear under a fresh coat of paint!
Is the crack on your wall normal? There is more than one type of crack, and consequently, more than one answer to the question. However, one thing is for you: As a homeowner, your priority is to understand your property. There is nothing to gain in painting over a crack if you don’t know its origin!
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
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Looking for a unique gift idea? A Mother’s Day gift? Currently offering online or on-site (LA/OC areas) interior design consulting in hourly increments. A great gift for the person who might need ideas and feedback for any of their design dilemmas. (Works online for anyone, anywhere by emailing photos and questions of a room and in return they’ll be provided design ideas, solutions, links, photos, etc.)
Gift Cards are available in hourly increments starting at 1 Hour for $100. Can be purchased via Venmo @jillseidnerinteriordesign
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If you’ve purchased your first commercial property, or are considering adding commercial property to your real estate portfolio, there are plenty of transferable homeownership skills and tips you can use. Here are the top 3 situations where your homeowner’s brain will help you navigate the purchase and management of commercial buildings.
Funding your acquisition
Does your bank always have the best deal for your financial situation? Homeowners are the first to agree that it doesn’t hurt to shop and compare mortgage loans. More often than not, they will be able to get a better deal from a mortgage broker. The same principle applies to commercial property investors. Comparatively speaking, commercial property tends to come at a higher price tag than the typical home. Therefore, if you found your bank loan too constrictive, you’re unlikely to be satisfied with their commercial loan offers. On the other hand, reaching out to independent commercial lending platforms can help you unlock new possibilities to purchase your dream commercial property. Unlike banking institutions, lending money organizations that are specifically designed to assist individuals in your situation are more likely to understand your financial challenges and create a more meaningful deal.
Making the space usable and appealing
When it comes to home decor, bigger is big. While homeowners don’t always purchase huge XXL properties, they are always keen on creating a spacious interior. Space means luxury and comfort. So, it’s always helpful to know a few tricks such as how to maximize lights and use smart color palettes. Combined, these two can create a bright and roomy space, even if you’re working with a tiny room. Prioritizing open-plan layouts will also reduce unnecessary space waste. But here again what works for homeowners also applies to commercial real estate. Whether you own an office building, a hotel, or a shopping mall, enhancing space usage through colors, light, and open layouts can make your property more appealing to tenants and their audience.
Use social media to elevate visibility
You only need to take a quick stroll through Instagram or Facebook to find a bunch of real estate photos. Homeowners are proud to share their decor and properties online. Making your property social media friendly is a no-brainer when it comes to promoting your vacant spaces to tenants. Unsurprisingly, following inspiring home decor profiles can be the key to boost your digital brand too. Indeed, you can learn how to reach out to relevant neighbors on social media, how to create a relevant hashtag, and even how to frame your pictures for best effect.
In conclusion, property owners can learn from each other whether they side on the residential or commercial side of real estate investments. If you’re already a homeowner, you can leverage some of your knowledge and skills to find the best funding options, interior design, and digital visibility. It’s in your interest to make your future tenants feel at home in their new lease. So you want to apply the same level of care to both your home and your commercial property!
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A New Color
When it comes to houses or apartments, the same kind of principles apply. The first thing that you should think about doing is giving the space a new color. This really gives it a new lease of life that you didn’t know it needed until you looked at the walls and saw nothing but bland. Try to go in the opposite direction of whatever you want in originally, as this will make the biggest change to your home. So, if you have something like magnolia now, try and go for something that is warm and dark. It might not be your typical choice, but who cares about typical? Do something daring that makes your home feel fantastic.
Furniture You Love
You should also think about the furniture that you love when you are trying to create something beautiful. How is it going to be positioned? What is the best order for things to sit in? Does that table look better in the living room or another room? It’s not just one room that you’re sorting out, so there is nothing wrong with moving things about from room to room where necessary. Sometimes, something that you have in another room would look perfect in your living room and vice versa.
Essentially though, as long as you have the pieces that you love, this is the main thing. If you want to purchase some more furniture, check out online stores to get some fantastic deals.
Happy Memories
Finally, you might want to make sure that there are some happy memories scattered around the home. This could be something that someone has made for you, pictures of you and your family and friends from occasions that made you smile, and so on. There are plenty of ways to display happy memories in your home, and there is nothing more beautiful than that. When you walk through the home, you get to see all those times where you were happier than you ever have been, which will make you feel good at seeing these memories. It’s well worth it.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do in order to create something beautiful in your home. Of course, this is going to be subjective, and you should never listen to what someone else has to say about your home. What is important is that you love what you have created, so enjoy it!
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Take a look at some of your options for building your dream home.
Renovate and extend an existing property
While you might not find everything you’re looking for in a dream home, some properties could have some elements of what you want, with room for improvement. Being able to renovate and extend an existing property can be a very rewarding thing to do, helping you create a home that’s exactly to your taste and needs.
Renovating a home can be a long, difficult and costly process, but the end results are worth it. Research renovating a home to help you prepare for what lies ahead.
Build your own
If you truly want to create your dream home, then a great option is to build your own. This gives you complete flexibility over how your home looks and what it contains, provided you have the budget to make it happen. The first challenge is to research buying land to build a house and finding an available plot. From there you can bring in the necessary professionals to then turn your dreams into a reality.
Rebuild on an existing plot of land
Buying land to build a home can cost a lot of money, so another option could be to rebuild an existing house. Perhaps you want to turn a single story into a double story, or even completely demolish a property to build again! Building your home from scratch can be tough, but if there are existing foundations there, you could get your project off to a much easier start.
Find ways to transform your existing home
Could your dream home be right under your nose? Don’t rule out staying in your current home just yet. Making changes to your existing property such as an addition or converting some of the rooms could help you achieve exactly what you’re looking for, without having to move! A large home renovation can be a lot of work, especially if you’re living in the property at the same time, but if it saves you having to move, it could be the right move for you and your family.
With a lot of options to help you build your dream home, it could be more within your reach than you realize. Explore the different options that are available to you, do the calculations and choose the right option for you and your circumstances. There may be a lot of work ahead for you, but it will all be worth it when you finally cross the threshold into your dream home.
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There is no denying that building a home from scratch can be an extremely exciting project. It is something that a lot of people dream about! They want to make sure that they have a property that is perfectly tailored to them. However, there is no denying that the journey to becoming a property owner of a home you have built yourself can be a difficult one. There are often a lot of hurdles along the way. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some top tips that can help you to navigate the process.
Never cut corners when it comes to quality - There is only one palace to begin, and this is with making sure that you do not cut corners when it comes to quality. Whether it is a service you require in the early stages, like hydro excavation, or it is something that is going to be important to you during the latter process, like painting the exterior of the building, it is always important that quality is put first. After all, if you compromise quality in just one area of your new build, it can end up compromising the entire project. - Design with the future in mind - A dream home is a home for life. You should therefore think about features that will benefit you not just now, but in the long run. Consider different ways to insulate your home to reduce energy bills - when looking into custom window installations it could be worth choosing materials that minimize heat loss. You could even add solar panels to reduce the need for mains electricity. You should also consider your future plans such as having kids - make sure that your home has space for raising kids.
- Expect delays - If you speak to anyone who has built their own home, you can be sure that they will tell you that the project was not finished on time. This is a recurring theme when it comes to new-build properties. After all, if there is one little problem along the way, it can end up putting the entire project off-track. For example, if you have a period of bad weather, making it impossible for people to work, this can result in delays. Delays can also arise if you have a problem getting your materials on time. There are a lot of different variables at play here, and they all have a knock-on impact, so it is critical to keep this in mind.
Make sure you have a contingency budget - When you build a property from scratch, you’re going to need to budget effectively. Not only should you have your strict budget, to begin with, but an emergency fund is critical as well. After all, projects can often end up being more expensive than people expect them to be. The last thing you want to do is end up running out of money halfway during the build. That would be a nightmare. Don’t leave yourself short.
So there you have it: some of the different tips that you can follow to make sure that your new build is a success. We hope that the advice and tips that we have mentioned above will help to make sure that your new build dream is a big success. It can be a stressful yet exciting project for anyone. However, one of the best things you can do is make sure you enter the process with your eyes wide open, making the most of all of the advice and tips that come your way!
Stuck on your own room? I'll design it for you. See my online design services →
