bathroom renovation Archives - Hanover Mortgages

March 12, 2021

How to Make a Budget for Home Improvement Projects

Budget for home improvement

Before you dive into renovating your family room or kitchen, you’ll need to know which projects give the best return on investment. That helps you make better choices for the biggest increase in your home’s value.

Kitchen renovations and finished basements and attics are the big winners here, accounting for as much as 10% to 15% of the total value of your home, according to CNN Money. Bathrooms lag behind slightly, accounting for 5% to 15% of property value, but smaller baths such as powder rooms or half baths contribute less.

Use these percentages, and any others that you can find, as guidelines when planning for home improvement projects. If your living room or bedroom is so sad and dated that you can’t imagine living with it for one more day, personal satisfaction can trump ROI to a certain extent.

Costs Related to Typical Projects

Americans love their kitchen renovations. So much so, the Huffington Post says four out of ten renovation dollars has been spent on kitchens in recent years. The trend is expected to continue. On average, kitchen makeovers cost just under $30,000. This includes flooring, new appliances, lighting, cabinetry, countertops, and labor for anything that you can replace without a full alteration of the room’s footprint.

Consumer Reports says the average bathroom renovation comes in at about $16,000, including labor. The big-ticket considerations are cabinets, plumbing and plumbing fixtures, and flooring.

The median costs of some other home-improvement projects are listed by Remodeling Magazine as follows:

New roof — $18,488
New vinyl siding — $11,192
Basement remodel — $61,303
Deck addition — $9,327
Attic bedroom — $47,919

Where to Cut Back and Save

There are places to splurge, and places you can pinch pennies without losing much quality. One big way to save is to perform as much of the labor yourself as possible. You can paint and hang wallpaper, more than likely, but brave DIY folks are also learning to set tile, install new light and plumbing fixtures, and lay hardwood and laminate floors.

Areas where you’ll want to hire out labor might be major plumbing and electrical, structural changes, replacing windows, installing cabinets, and replacing siding or the roof.

A surprising way to save money is by hiring an interior designer, even if it’s only for an hour or two. A designer offers professional home improvement advice, which can save money since you’ll make the best choices the first time. Even the wrong color of paint can add up if you have to paint a room twice.

If you really want to be frugal, consider a few of these options:

Shop for clearance-item floor and wall tile
Replace cabinet doors instead of buying new cabinets
Consider vinyl flooring instead of tile
Rethink laminate countertops, or opt for composites instead of granite or marble
Replace appliances with white, as pricey stainless steel won’t remain popular forever

Fitting Everything into Your Budget

Once you know what you want, start a goal account in your budget to avoid putting anything on credit. The benefit of this method is twofold. You’ll avoid costly interest payments, and the time it takes to save lets you shop for the best bargains. When you buy on credit, it’s tempting to buy the first thing that strikes your fancy.

The bigger your goal, the more time you’ll need to save for it. Start making budget adjustments now, and you’ll reach that goal sooner. Turn down the thermostat, cut out unnecessary spending, and hold off on buying that new car. Any areas of your budget where you can trim off the fat will beef up your eventual renovation.

Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ve got, and you owe it to yourself to make improvements that will increase its value as well as your enjoyment. Take your time. Instead of opening a new credit card account at your local big box store, squirrel away money and make smart purchases.

Mint.com can help you reach your home-improvement goals. With budget software that lets you track spending as well as savings, you can redirect money to where it has the biggest effect.

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Source: mint.intuit.com

March 10, 2021

10 Best Bathroom Improvement Projects, Based on How Much Time You Have

Of all the high-traffic rooms in a house, the bathroom is one of the most popular targets for homeowners hoping to make renovations that they will enjoy and that will impress potential buyers.

A recent study from HomeAdvisor showed that Americans spent an average of $13,138 on home improvements in 2020, up 45% year over year. About one-third of those renovations went into bathroom revamps, making them the second most popular upgrade. (Painting interior walls came out on top.)

Whether you’re putting your house on the market or planning to stay put, making your bathroom more user-friendly and stylish should be at the top of your to-do list.

Luckily, updating your loo doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune or undertake a multiweek renovation. You can make an impact in just five minutes!

We spoke with design and home-selling experts to assess which bathroom tweaks you should tackle, based on how much time you have to dedicate to the project. Here are some of their suggestions.

If you have 5 minutes

With just a few minutes, homeowners can transform their bathroom’s aesthetic.

Replacing ratty or plain towels with nice hand towels is fast and easy, and adds a touch of luxury for buyers, says Sydney Brisco, a home improvement specialist and founder of Just a Homeowner in Springfield, OR.

Older shower-heads can also quickly be replaced with something sleek and modern, she adds.

Cost: Each fix is $15 and up.

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One of the biggest issues in this high-traffic zone is odor. Nip that issue in the bud—and improve the look of the space—with fresh flowers, says Marina Vaamonde, a commercial real estate investor and founder of PropertyCashin in Bellaire, TX.

“Fresh, aromatic flowers add a natural floral scent and provide an elegant visual welcome,” she says. “I tell clients to arrange jasmine, lavender, or ylang-ylang in a classic vase that complements the bathroom’s colors and overall design.”

Cost: $4 and up

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If you have 30 minutes

Spending just a half-hour on a few tweaks will seriously rev up your bathroom’s cachet.

Simple framed photos or a few classic art prints can instantly add sophistication and appeal, says Kelly Marohl of Baltimore, a home design expert at The Greenspring Home blog.

Order high-resolution prints of your photos or works of art from CVS, Walmart, Shutterfly, or other online sources. Purchase matching frames, assemble your new artwork, and hang it in the bathroom.

Cost: Prints start at around 20 cents per print. Simple picture frames start at around $10.

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If you have 1 hour

Most homes come with generic hardware that tends to age quickly. If you have an hour, it’s feasible to replace cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, or a sink faucet, even for the DIY-challenged.

It will take about an hour for non-pros to do, says Jenna Shaughnessy, an interior designer at Jenna Kate at Home in Boston.

“Get rid of the old satin nickel, and upgrade to matte black, polished chrome, or satin brass,” she recommends.

Cost: $40 and up

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This one isn’t fun, but it can make a world of difference. It’s human nature to notice other people’s messes more than our own, so put yourself in the place of a potential home buyer, and prepare to do a deep and thorough cleaning of your bathroom.

“Use a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and blue toilet cleaner on bathroom tile grout,” says Sarah Renard, a real estate broker with Windermere Realty Trust in Portland, OR. “Just mix it up, let it sit for 10 minutes, and scrub out the gunk with a toothbrush. It can also be used on problem stains in the tub and toilet.”

Cost: About $10

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If you have 3 hours

An afternoon’s worth of time will deliver a serious bathroom upgrade.

Shaughnessy recommends starting with the walls and adding texture by applying wainscoting panels.

“Wainscoting is a beautiful choice for any style of bathroom, and will instantly add elegance and brightness to a space,” she says.

It’s prefabricated, easy to mount, and disguises signs of wear and tear.

Cost: Wainscoting ranges from $1 to $40 per square foot, depending on the material (whether medium-density fiberboard, plywood, or luxury solid wood).

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If you’re looking to go all out with a new wall treatment, try some chic peel-and-stick wallpaper.

“It can really add a punch, and the paper isn’t permanent like traditional wallpaper, making it an easy tweak,” says Renard.

Cost: More expensive peel-and-stick wallpaper goes for $175-plus per roll. Less expensive options cost around $10 to $30.

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If you have a weekend

When was your bathroom last updated? If the answer is 10 years ago or more, it probably looks outdated compared with other homes on the market.

“Often, homeowners don’t want to do a lot of work before they put their home on the market. But if you have an outdated bathroom, replacing the vanity and flooring will be the best thing you can do to sell your home,” says Jennifer Petreccia, an associate at Re/Max Advantage Group in Warwick, RI.

New flooring can also do wonders to modernize your bathroom, so look into installing new waterproof-vinyl plank flooring (to provide the appearance of hardwood) or tile.

Cost: $500 and up for a new vanity and flooring (based on the size of your bathroom and the materials you choose). Unless you are handy and can do it yourself, you’ll also have to factor in the cost of labor.

Source: realtor.com

February 12, 2021

Ty Pennington Organizes an Area of the House That Even Organized Homeowners Overlook

Ty Pennington has renovated many homes to accommodate families who’ve suddenly grown in size, but the latest episode of HGTV’s “Ty Breaker” brings us into a particularly tough challenge because it involves a blended family with a teenager who really needs her own space.

In the episode “When Two Families Merge,” Grace Mitchell, star of “One of a Kind,” joins Pennington in Atlanta as he helps Courtney, a mom of three girls, and Spencer, a dad of two boys, merge their lives, “Brady Bunch”-style!

However, Courtney’s oldest daughter, 19-year-old Stormy, needs extra privacy if she’s going to enjoy living there. So it’s up to Pennington and Mitchell to turn the dirty garage attic into a great spot for this teen to get away. Plus, they have to pull double duty by updating the main house so that it works better for this big family, all for just $110,000.

Read on to find out how Pennington and Mitchell update these two spaces, which might inspire some changes around your own home, too.

Use light colors to make a space feel bigger

This dusty attic didn't look livable. — This dusty attic didn’t look livable.

HGTV

One of the biggest challenges in this attic renovation is making the space feel big enough for Stormy. While Pennington lifts up part of the roof to make more space, this room is still a tight fit.

So they decide to use lots of light colors in the design to make the space feel bright and open.

When it comes time to choose a backsplash, they choose a very light blue—almost white—to keep the space feeling bright. Plus, they arrange the tile vertically, bringing the eye up and giving the illusion of a higher ceiling.

The subtle backsplash brings some gentle color to the kitchen.

HGTV

“Running the tile like this will give some great verticality,” says Mitchell. “I mean you worked so hard to get that roof up.”

Give a bathroom extra color for a youthful look

With some extra color, this bathroom looks great.

HGTV

Mitchell and Pennington don’t want to use a lot of color in Stormy’s apartment, but they also don’t want the space to look too plain.

So, after they install some white tile in the bathroom, Mitchell decides the space needs some youthful paint to brighten it up.

“I love how this tile turned out, but it was feeling a little bit sterile,” Mitchell tells Pennington. “So I thought, what if when you walk in here, it’s like an art piece on the wall?”

She adds some green, yellow, and peach to the wall, and Pennington loves it so much that he decides to add a stripe of coral in the middle as well.

With all the colors, this bathroom looks beautiful. It’s a perfect bathroom design for this teenage hideaway.

Make custom storage for your favorite items

This drawer is an organized gamer's dream! — This drawer is an organized gamer’s dream!

HGTV

Pennington wants to make sure Stormy feels comfortable in her new apartment, so he wants to customize this space to her tastes. As it turns out, Stormy loves video games, so Pennington decides to create a custom storage solution for her gaming gear.

“I’m going to make these custom sort of, like, cushion inlays,” he says. “They’ll all be, like, set right inside their own molds, like when you open a camera case and the items just fit exactly where the shape is.”

Having a personalized, organized space for video gaming is something that even the most organized homeowner might overlook. This may explain why it really makes an impression on Mitchell.

“I love how personalized this gaming drawer is,” Mitchell says, adding that it’s “not only going to be practical but really beautiful.”

Update a fireplace to freshen up a space

This living room needed an update.

HGTV

While Stormy gets a fabulous new apartment, Mitchell and Pennington know that the rest of the family deserve a little home refresh. So they plan to give the main living room a new look, starting with the fireplace.

“One project that packs a punch is refreshing the fireplace façade. It’s the focal point of the living room, so a little upgrade here goes a long way,” Pennington says.

With a new fireplace, this living room looks like a brand-new space.

HGTV

Mitchell and Pennington choose an elegant blue tile to replace the brown tile, then they replace the mantel.

“We took out the old mantel because, to be honest with you, it was just a little dated,” Pennington explains.

Give the ceiling a makeover with grass cloth

Grace Mitchell thought this ceiling could use some texture.

HGTV

While the new fireplace and some new furniture help make this living room look brand-new, Mitchell also wants to add some grass-cloth wallpaper to the coffered ceiling.

Grass-cloth wallpaper may have been a style staple in the 1960s and ’70s, but it’s making a comeback now for its unique look.

“Grass cloth, it has a really natural organic feel, but it brings a lot of warmth and texture to a room, which I feel like, with all the slick paneling, would really be a great contrast,” Mitchell says. “And putting wallpaper on the ceiling is something I love to do. It makes a room really unique.”

Source: realtor.com

February 10, 2021

Chip and Jo Premiere the Most Daunting Renovation Show to Date: ‘Home Work’

Chip and Joanna Gaines‘ Magnolia Network has just released yet another new show on Discovery+: “Home Work,” which features a family even larger than their own, with seven kids! (Chip and Jo, you may recall, are at five kids and counting.)

In “Home Work,” Andy and Candis Meredith work together with their brood to turn a 113-year-old, 20,000-square-foot schoolhouse in Utah into their dream home. It’s a massive renovation project that makes you wonder if they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.

But their smart upgrades prove these two know what they’re doing, and have a style all their own.

In the premiere episode, “Old-World Kitchen,” Candis and Andy work on renovating their cooking and dining area. Here’s how they pull it together, which might inspire some changes around your own abode, too.

Make a kitchen look classic with plate racks

This kitchen has a definitive old-world vibe—thanks in part to the plate racks.

Discovery+

Candis and Andy need to make a kitchen that will be big enough to cook huge meals for their jumbo-size family.

The couple love the history and simplicity of old working kitchens, so they want to give their kitchen a similar old-world look. To do this, Candis installs simple hardware with an aged appearance and brings in a custom 13-foot island with lots of antique style.

Still, there’s one more detail that Candis knows will help bring that old-world vibe to life.

“The biggest thing I think will make it feel like an old kitchen is plate racks versus upper cabinets,” Candis says.

These plate racks add the perfect touch.

Discovery+

She installs two rows of plate racks on either side of the stove, creating a focal point as well as a unique alternative to cabinets. They’re the perfect choice for this new kitchen with a vintage look.

Use dark colors for a cozy feel

These fabulous cabinets definitely look custom.

Discovery+

Lots of people want light, bright, and white kitchens, but Candis and Andy want to go in a different direction. While this old-world kitchen already has a lot of personality, Candis’ paint choices really make the space stand out.

She decides to paint the kitchen gray, with some accents of deep green. She knows these colors will give the space a moody look—and a surprisingly cozy feel.

“I like painting dark colors because it feels like it adds this little layer of drama,” Candis says. “Dark colors can make small spaces feel bigger, and it can even make really big spaces feel more cozy.”

Go big with lighting

The dark colors make this room look elegant.

Discovery+

To finish this massive kitchen, Candis and Andy add a dining table large enough for their family of nine, build a massive frame for a landscape portrait, and install a 7-foot chandelier.

The chandelier is a showstopper, but this formal piece is certainly unconventional for a family dining space. Still, Candis isn’t worried about the style or the size.

This is “one of those things that I thought was just too big but when you put it in the space, you actually find out, no, it really did have to be 7 feet tall,” she explains.

While not everyone would want this chandelier in their house, this choice has a lesson for us all.

“One of my biggest things I tell people is if you can’t afford to do a lot in your room, spend the money on new paint and a new light,” Candis says. “Because lights really make the whole space feel awesome.”

Go bold with bathroom tile

This bathroom had a forgettable design.

Discovery+

When not tackling their own home renovation project, the Merediths also renovate other people’s homes in the area. And with Candis giving her own kitchen such a larger-than-life look, it’s no surprise that she gives her clients Anna and Alan a unique bathroom, too.

“They’re really bold clients, so it’s allowing me to make some bold design choices,” Candis explains.

This black and white tile is bold, and it looks great.

Discovery+

She chooses a black and white checkered tile for the bathroom wall, a look that wouldn’t work in every house. Still, Anna and Alan think the bathroom looks great. Plus, it fits just fine when combined with other bold features, like a brass bathtub and a stone lion’s head facet.

Use an old table for an elegant bathroom vanity

This vanity is old, but the sink is new.

Discovery+

While Anna and Alan’s bathroom is already memorable, Candis wants to make it feel classic by using an antique table as a vanity. Still, she has to get creative when it comes to actually turning the table into a sink, choosing a sink and fixtures that are new but will still work with an antique.

“The main focus, right when you walk in, is that antique vanity,” says Candis.

“With a brand-new sink on it, [it] feels weird to have plumbing on such an antique piece,” she admits. Nonetheless, “when it gives new life to an antique and we know that sink is going to0 be there for a long, long time, I think it’s worth making a change.”

Source: realtor.com

February 2, 2021

Ty Penningtonâs Top Tricks To Try If Youâre Craving More Space at Home

Sometimes a house is just way too small. At least, that’s what Ty Pennington and his guest designer, Grace Mitchell of “One of a Kind,” decide on the latest episode of “Ty Breaker.”

In this Season 1 episode, “Small Home, Big Family Dilemma,” Pennington and Mitchell meet Katie, B.J., and their four kids.

While Katie and B.J. love their Atlanta house, they’ve clearly outgrown this starter home.

In addition to needing another bedroom, so that their three boys don’t have to share one cramped room, they’d also love another bathroom, while Katie is hoping for a home office.

Pennington and Mitchell know that they won’t be able to find space in this family’s house as it is, so they decide to simply build an addition to it.

With a tight budget of only $150,000, they’ll need to think smart, so as not to overspend. Read on to find out how they pull it off, which might inspire some space-expanding changes around your own abode, too.

Don’t be afraid of dark, moody colors

Before: This blue bedroom had a bold, moody look.

HGTV

When Pennington and Mitchell first see Katie and B.J.’s bedroom, it’s not only cramped, but painted a surprisingly bold, dark navy blue. So when they start building and designing this couple’s new bedroom, they decide of using another intense hue: green.

They know green will bring the same fun pop of color, while also connecting to the greenery in the beautiful backyard. However, they run into trouble when picking a shade.

After: The green paint is still bold, but now this room has a more natural vibe.

HGTV

While Mitchell likes the idea of using a brighter green, Ty wants to use a darker shade.

“I think it’s this one, because it’s a little more sophisticated,” Ty says, pointing to a mossy green color swatch.

He also chooses a black trim, which Mitchell warns may be too bold. However, when Katie and B.J. finally see their new bedroom, they love the paint color. This black and green look is chic and moody, and while it might not be the right style for everyone, this couple loves it.

Give a home office style by substituting suitcases for drawers

Having an office space is more important now than ever.

HGTV

One of the most important things on Katie and B.J.’s wish list is a spot for Katie to work. While they don’t have enough rooms to give Katie a dedicated office, they do have the space to add a built-in desk in the bedroom.

The built-ins look great, but Mitchell wants to make sure B.J. and Katie love the desk space, since it’ll be in their bedroom.

Since this family loves traveling together, Mitchell comes up with the idea to use vintage suitcases instead of drawers.

“I think they would really love something that was created with them in mind, but that’s still practical,” she says.

The six suitcases add color to the space, and give the room personality. It’s a creative choice that looks great.

Paint isn’t the only way to bring color to walls

The whiteboard makes this room fun and functional.

HGTV

With a beautiful master bedroom built, Pennington and Mitchell focus their attention on creating a new room for B.J. and Katie’s son Eli.

Eli is getting upgraded from sleeping in a bunk bed to getting his own room, so Pennington and Mitchell want to make sure he feels special in his new space.

While a fun paint color would make this room feel more homey, these designers decide to get more creative with the space.

“That’s not only a dry-erase wall,” Pennington says, when Katie and B.J. spot writing on their son’s new bedroom wall. “But it’s also a magnet wall, so he can hang up his art after he’s done.”

It’s a great idea. Not only does this give the room a youthful vibe, it also gives Eli the opportunity to personalize his room as he grows.

When picking tile, take inspiration from the rest of the house

This tile has a midcentury feel, which complements the rest of the house.

HGTV

Pennington and Mitchell work hard to make both bedrooms feel homey, but the real challenge comes when they design the new master bathroom.

They want to be careful to make the new bathroom look as if it flows with the rest of the house, so they let the home’s existing style dictate their tile choices.

“In their house, they have some sort of midcentury feel,” Mitchell says when looking at a retro-inspired tile sample, “and I feel like this is sort of that, you know, midcentury starburst kind of pattern.”

They use the starburst tile on the backsplash, and pair it with some midcentury-inspired gold wall sconces. Once completed, the bathroom is beautiful, fitting right in with the rest of the house.

A skylight adds light to a room without windows

Pennington is able to create a skylight easily.

HGTV

Pennington and Mitchell realize that the new bathroom doesn’t have any space for windows, so to add some light to the space, they add a skylight.

“I think people get nervous about adding skylights, because they’re worried that they’re going to leak or they’re going to have problems,” Mitchell says.

“But really, they’ve come a long way in the past 10 years. And it is a terrific way to bring natural light into a space that doesn’t have it.”

Pennington is able to install the skylight himself, showing how easy it can be to add some light to this new addition. It’s a great solution, which really helps the new bathroom feel brighter.

With all these great upgrades, B.J. and Katie are thrilled to finally move back into their house. Their home is now larger and more functional, which means that their family is able to stay in the house they love.

Source: realtor.com

January 30, 2021

We Paid Cash: Our Boys’ Bathroom Renovation

A testimony from Jennifer who blogs at A Healthy Mix

My husband and I purchased our home in July, 2012.

We paid $21,000 for an 1800 square foot home and 2-acres of land. It needed a lot of work, but we made the decision to remodel our home debt-free. It has been a work in progress ever since.

At the beginning of the year my husband received a $1,000 bonus and we knew we wanted to use that money for our latest renovation project — our boys’ bathroom.

We weren’t sure how we were going to remodel an entire bathroom on less than $1,000, because normally, bathroom remodels are expensive. We began by searching Pinterest for a look we desired and set out to achieve it on a small budget.

Getting Started

We knew we would have to refurbish as many items as we could.

We were able to salvage:

the shower
the toilet
a large mirror
the shower fixtures
other bathroom fixtures

We searched the internet for hidden treasures. We found a brand new pedestal sink ($25) on a yard sale page. Then we went to Lowe’s to match our wants with the right price.

Transformation

Shower:

We were able to totally transform the old shower by using CLR and a lot of elbow grease. We decided to change the look of the shower by adding sheets of galvanized tin ($12 each) for the walls.

We used wood trim ($3 each) to finish the look. We soaked the old shower fixtures in bleach overnight, and they looked brand new. We did purchase a replacement shower faucet ($10).

Floors and Walls:

We installed the tile floors ($0.62 each). We painted the walls ($25). We used floor molding for both the floor and ceiling. We purchased the contractor pack ($72) since it actually cost less per unit and the leftover pieces could be used elsewhere in our home.

Accessories:

We purchased a glass cutter and cut the large mirror in half. We used left over pieces of the shower trim to trim out the mirror that was placed over the pedestal sink.

We splurged on a curved shower curtain rod ($42) since our kids were not getting a new shower. This was an inexpensive way to make their shower feel larger. We also purchased a new shower curtain ($30).

Since our boys had a pedestal sink instead of a vanity, we made holders that attached to the walls out of wood and mason jars that would hold their toothbrushes, hand soap, etc. We used jars we already had and scrap wood so it only cost $2 to create extra storage.

We changed the light fixture in the bathroom by screwing in a Mason jar into the old fixture. It completed the country look and cost us nothing.

We were actually able to complete the project for less than $500! It was amazing to see what was once the worst room in our home be transformed into a nice space on such a small amount of money.

Jennifer is a wife, mother to three handsome boys, a lover of homesteading on a smaller scale, and an aspiring writer. She loves sharing what she learns with each passing day and encouraging others to chase their dreams while she is busy chasing her own. You are invited to come along on this journey with her at A Healthy Mix.

Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.

Source: moneysavingmom.com

January 22, 2021

‘Dream Home Makeover’ Will Inspire You To Drop Everything and Decorate

Utah couple Shea and Syd McGee are back with Season 2 of Netflix’s “Dream Home Makeover”—and their new projects will make you want to drop everything on your plate and decorate.

In this new season, they show off renovations in every room of the house, from the kitchen to the bathroom to the bedroom, doling out style inspiration for the whole house. And while Shea’s signature style is still as clean and calming as ever, she focuses on creative designs like imperfect tile, wallpaper accents, and, yes, even carpet!

Read on to get the best tips from “Dream Home Makeover.” You’ll find some unexpected design choices that will inspire many weekends of fun projects to keep you happy at home through 2021.

Use imperfect tile to bring character to a new kitchen

These imperfect tiles give the kitchen some character.

HGTV

In the episode “Luxury Estate,” Shea and Syd meet up with LaRee and Travis Hansen, who are just about ready to move in to their new home. This new build has been a work in progress for over two years, and now Shea is able to add the final touches, like a stylish kitchen backsplash.

Since this kitchen is so new, Shea chooses a handmade tile. But after it’s installed, the special texture makes the tile look at first like it’s not sitting perfectly flat.

“In new homes you kind of have to pick a few things that are maybe older or have some imperfections so that the home has a little bit of soul even when you move in to it,” Shea says.

At first, LaRee is unsure about this imperfect backsplash, but once it’s installed, it’s clear this tile is the right choice. It gives this clean kitchen a little personality. With this unique backsplash, the kitchen feels less like a hotel and more like a home.

For a midcentury look, use the right lighting

This guesthouse already had lighting fixtures, but Shea McGee wanted to update the look.

HGTV

In the episode “Midcentury Makeover,” Shea and Syd meet Omar Poole and Josh Newbury for a midcentury makeover of their guesthouse. Poole knows that his mother will need to move in to this guesthouse eventually, so they want to fix it up for her with a fun midcentury modern design, which will match the main house.

However, this guesthouse was built in 1956, so Shea is forced to make some era-appropriate lighting choices.

Shea installed new lights and a fun, midcentury pendant light.

HGTV

“Homes of this era don’t typically have attics,” Shea explains. “We can’t crawl into the attic space to install can lights. We have to do all fixtures.”

She removes the original fixtures and replaces them with new, white alternatives that have the midcentury look. Plus, she installs a midcentury-inspired pendant light over the kitchen island, which adds even more retro style to the space. These new lights really set the mood.

Make sure different flooring types complement each other

The tile in the bathroom and the carpeting in the closet work together to create an elegant look.

HGTV

The episode “Bath Hideaway” is all about Shea’s clients Mandi and Bryce Winkelman, and their fabulous primary bathroom. Mandi explains that she wants a peaceful, spa bathroom where she can take a break from the kids, so Shea focuses on finding a spa-inspired flooring choice.

She decides that gray herringbone with light grout is the perfect look for this bathroom because it’s elegant and gives the space some color. However, Shea runs into a challenge when it’s time to install carpet in the adjoining closet. She can’t match the carpet color to the tile or else it would look too matchy-matchy. So instead, she brings in an entirely new pattern with familiar colors.

“We did this kind of warm, gray grout with the dark stone herringbone floor, and then we flip-flopped the color palette in the closet, where we get the plaid that’s a warm gray with the dark accents,” Shea explains.

In the end, the closet carpet ends up looking great. The light plaid brightens up the space without seeming too stark next to the gray bathroom floors.

Use wallpaper as a classic accent

This old kitchen needed a period-appropriate update.

HGTV

In the episode “Restoring History,” Madison and Nick Panos show Shea around their historic home, which was built in 1908. Madison knows that it’s time to update the old kitchen, but she still wants to keep the home’s classic look.

So, to keep some 1908 style, Shea brings in wallpaper.

A little wallpaper can go a long way in a classic kitchen.

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“Our days of wallpapering every single room has passed, but when we have a dedicated area like this desk, where you have easy places to stop the wallpaper, it’s a perfect place to use it as an accent,” Shea explains.

She uses some subtle blue and white paper to dress up the built-in desk area. It gives the space a classic style without seeming dated.

Give stone an updated look by brightening the color

This wood-burning stove brought some cabin charm to the house, but it needed an update.

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In the episode “Mountain Retreat Makeover,” Shea meets with Shazia and Taylor Chiu, who live in a cozy cabin.

These two want to give their cabin an updated look, but they also hope to keep the old-fashioned stove in the living room, which they still use to heat the house in winter.

To update this feature, Shea uses mortar to turn the stone behind the stove white.

The white finish makes the whole room look brighter.

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“The cement mortar looks amazing on the stone,” Shea says.

Indeed, this small change to the stove area brightens the space and transforms the entire room.

The right window dressings can make all the difference in a bedroom.

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In the episode “Bedroom Oasis,” Shea works with client Jessica Stone to surprise her husband, Tyler, with a bedroom rehab. Jessica wants the room to feel like Hawaii, so Shea uses lots of soft colors and materials to get that island feel. She even uses those soft materials on the windows.

“When it comes to picking window treatments, you could pick shades, or you could pick drapes, but I often like to do both together because the more textures and textiles you have, the cozier a room feels. And blending the two together makes a home feel homier,” Shea explains.

So she installs long, light gray drapes, plus a woven shade. Together, these materials and textures give the room a relaxing vibe that’s reminiscent of the coast.

Source: realtor.com

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