Remodeling: A Gift You'll Love for Years to Come
Are you considering remodeling in 2016? We've found that the holidays provide a unique opportunity to do some very creative dreaming about everything you'd like your home to be.
That's because the holidays really put your home to the test, from how well the kitchen works to how easily you can entertain friends and family or host overnight guests. With such a bright spotlight on how your home looks, feels and functions, you'll find you'll be absolutely brimming with remodeling ideas. The secret is to find time during this busy season to capture all those ideas. Here's how!
Find the perfect “gift” for each room
First things first: pour yourself a cup of coffee (or maybe glass of wine). Then, stroll through your home and think of each room as a special person on your holiday gift list. As you enter each area, imagine you're seeing the space for the very first time. What's the first thing you notice? What's the light like? Is the space welcoming? Does it feel cozy, or cramped and cold? Most of all, does the room make you smile?
Then ask yourself, "What 'gifts' would I give this room to make it more beautiful, functional and fun?"
Remember, today you're just dreaming! At this point the ideas you come up with are just your "Wish List," but sharing them with us will give us a wonderful starting point for planning what you want to achieve.
A few ideas to get you started
Entry: What's the first thing you see when you come in the front door? How well does the space handle coats, boots and packages? Does it set a warm tone to welcome your guests, or send a blast of cold air through the whole first floor?
Kitchen: How well do your appliances and cabinets function? Would it be fun to have a fireplace, more natural light, or more seating areas? How is the traffic flow? Do you need more counter space? Would you love to have "specialty" areas like a baking counter, breakfast bar or beverage station? What about storage? What if the kitchen were bigger...?
Powder Room: Is it beautiful and gracious enough for guests, with luxurious touches and plenty of space for hand towels, extra toilet paper, lovely soaps and other amenities? Is the powder room also used on a daily basis by the family – and what would make it function better for guests and everyday use?
Family Room: Think about your idea of a perfect evening in this room. Do you have enough storage options and charging stations for your family's devices? Does your new flat screen TV cry out for a built-in entertainment center or a larger room configuration? What about expanding the room by opening it up to the kitchen or an addition, or integrating it more with the outdoors by adding a sunroom, deck, or more windows?
Guest Room: Do you have one? Does it have its own bath? Don't worry about your home's existing layout or where you might put a guest room – just imagine what kind of space you'd be proud to see as you welcome guests, in-laws, or your grown kids (and their kids) when they visit for the holidays.
Master Bedroom and Bathroom: Would you love a cozy, private getaway from the stress of a long day? What would it take to make your master bath feel like a luxury spa? A luxurious steam shower or a large soaking tub and a heated floor? Wouldn't it be nice to carve out a nook with a mini fridge, bar sink and a single-serve coffee maker for indulging in a relaxed breakfast on lazy mornings?
When your stroll is done, you'll have your home's gift list. But now, instead of tucking it away for "someday," send it along to us! We love a challenge and will enjoy finding creative ways to turn your remodeling ideas into the gift of a "new" home that fits your dreams and your budget.
Maintenance Tip: Don't Overload Electrical Circuits
If your holiday décor includes lots of lights (or other electronics), don't create a fire hazard by overloading your circuits or using too many extension cords or power strips. Also, make sure you have a fire extinguisher that is easily accessible and never blocked by coats, boxes, or other objects. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when dealing with fire extinguishers.
Thank You for the Referrals and Repeat Business!
We'd like to thank the Rudin's of Falls Church for referring the Price's of Arlington to us to help them with a remodeling project. We'd also like to thank the Crumpler's of McLean, previous Winn Design + Build clients, for asking us to do an additional project for them.
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See you next month!
Michael Winn
and the WINN Design+Build team |
