Click here to download our Home Inspection Checklist

What to look for when hiring a home inspector:

• Relevant Professional Background
• Professional Affiliations
• Licensed and Bonded
• No Conflict of Interest
• Professional Reporting
• Turnaround Time

You may have noticed that the list of requirements did not include the cost of the inspection. There’s a good reason for that.

Cost of Home Inspection

A standard home inspection costs anywhere from $250 to $750. While it may be tempting to select the cheapest quote, you may not be getting your money’s worth. A professional home inspector has the experience and ability to identify problems that could cost thousands of dollars to fix. If you make the mistake of hiring someone that’s under qualified to inspect for serious problems it could easily come back to bite you months or years down the road.

That being said, you should start your search with the goal of hiring the most knowledgeable inspector in your area. Ideally they should have a great deal of experience as an inspector but also a background in engineering, construction or even architecture.

Find a Home Inspector

When researching home inspectors it is always preferable to hire someone with a professional affiliation. The two most common certifications are provided by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).

Keep in mind that even if a home inspector has a certification it doesn’t guarantee that they’re a great choice. Always use your judgement.

One area that homeowners need to be careful with is avoiding home inspectors that may have a conflict of interest. Be very careful not to hire an inspector that is also a contractor or works within a remodeling company.

Home inspectors are not supposed to give recommendations on how to fix the problems they discover, but you may encounter one that does. Be wary of any recommendations you receive as they may create a conflict of interest between the inspector and their intentions.
ƒ

Home Inspection Checklist

Depending on the condition of the home that’s being inspected, the format of the inspection report may be important. For example, some inspection reports are simple checklists that are completed by hand. Others include photos and more detailed descriptions of the condition of the home and its components. If you’re looking for a detailed report be sure to ask for examples before hiring your next home inspector.

Curious about what’s included in your home inspection? Download our free home inspection checklist.

ƒSince home inspections usually occur during a pending sale, the turnaround time is often very important. If you need the report by a specific day or on a short deadline be sure to ask about the expected turnaround time. Communicating your needs and deadline beforehand will ensure that there are no misunderstandings about when the inspection report needs to be completed.

As you can see there are many elements to consider when choosing a home inspector. Start by asking for referrals from family, friends and of course your Realtor. The inspector’s job is to identify existing problems and they are typically the bearer of bad news.

Every home will have hidden problems that have yet to be resolved (even new homes). Use this information to your advantage. Keep in mind that the more you can find out about the condition of the home, the more informed decision you’ll be able to make when putting together an offer.

The post How to Choose a Home Inspector appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Can you spot the design mistakes? / Photo

What happened? During my last kitchen remodeling project there were a few last minute changes made by the homeowners that seemed innocent enough. But, apparently the contractor did not see it the same way. They never do.

These small design changes ended up costing my clients over $2,200 in labor and materials beyond their initial budget after the dust had settled. To make things worse, they were already stretched to their financial limit and this put them over the edge. Hence the anger.

If you think this won’t happen during your next kitchen remodelling project, you’d be mistaken. According to a study by Consumer Reports the most expensive kitchen design mistake was making changes after work had started. On average, late changes cost homeowners an additional $1,500!

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

What Contractors Don’t Want You to Know About Kitchen Remodeling

The key to DIY kitchen design projects is to understand how contractors think. I’ve fought battles on the contractors side, trying to take advantage every change order that came across our desk. From here I saw how a low-bid project can make millions in profit appear from out of thin air.

This happened all in the face of professional construction management companies, corporate owners, architects and legal teams. If this can happen to well-educated teams, imagine what contractors are pulling over on unsuspecting homeowners.

The problem is that once construction has started on your kitchen remodeling project any changes will beyond your original contractor bid. Good news for the contractor, bad news for your budget.

To you it may seem like an easy way to make changes along the way. The contractor is there working already, why would it cost so much to make a minor change?

To the contractor these small changes mean big profit.

When work must be completed that varies from the original bid a contractor will require a change order.

Any changes to the project during construction put you in a position of weakness and the contractor has all of the leverage. How are you going to dispute how much it will cost to make a small change after they have already tore apart your kitchen? This is not the best place for you to practice your negotiation skills. The contractor already has your deposit and is in the middle of demolishing your kitchen cabinets. There’s no turning back now.

What most homeowners fail to realize until it’s too late is the hidden complexity of a kitchen remodel. All elements in a kitchen are connected. The flooring, cabinets, countertops, and appliances must live together as a happy family. Changes to one means changes to others as well. A change of cabinets means changes to countertops. These changes take time and cost money, lots of money.

Afraid you’ll get scammed by a remodeling contractor? Get insider information on how to tackle your next project and save thousands with our Complete Remodeling Playbook. We show you how to beat contractors at their own game!

How Do You Avoid These Costly Kitchen Design Mistakes?

The solution is in detailed preparation. A successful kitchen remodeling project always begins with careful planning.

If you’re the type of person that likes to improvise as you go, that’s fine. Hey, you only live once! But, if you want to make the most of your kitchen remodeling budget (which is probably smaller than you’d like) and avoid costly mistakes, then there’s a proven system already available to you. I’ll show you the way.

Planning the perfect kitchen can take weeks, if not months. From choosing materials, appliances, cabinets, color palettes, drawing kitchen floor plans and getting permits, it can all be overwhelming. There’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time and the financial consequences are often significant. The average kitchen remodeling project costs about $30,000!

Before starting your kitchen remodel, begin by creating an inspiration notebook. Collect photos, brochures and all of your favorite kitchen design ideas in one place. Use this as a starting point.

Most DIY homeowners love to ride this wave of inspiration all the way through the design phase, doing it all on their own. But without a professional to help interpret and translate your design ideas into a gourmet kitchen, you will be a lost ball in high weeds. Trust me, I’ve seen some well-meaning design disasters.

As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Sure, you could stop by your favorite cabinet maker and get your kitchen designed for “free” by the staff designer. But, you’ll end up with their dream kitchen, not yours. In fact, the cabinet designers dream kitchen is the one where they sell you the most cabinets at the highest price.

I passionately believe that professional designers offer incredible value to homeowners, but it is far more fun to design your own kitchen and get your hands dirty. That’s why I’m here.

Let me show you the road map that will help you design your dream kitchen and save money along the way.

Think of me as your design tutor. When you need help, stop by. Otherwise continue on your own.

The best part is that you can tell all of your friends that you designed your kitchen all by yourself. You could even offer to design their kitchen with everything you learned.

How do you get this personalized kitchen design advice?

Well, the good news is that you’re in the right place at the right time. I’m opening up my Kitchen Design Academy to a select group of students that want to design their own kitchen. But, it will be open for a limited time only.

If you’re interested in learning more I would encourage you to hop on the waiting list: click here to sign up for free.

Do you have any kitchen remodeling advice to share with our community? If so, please sign up below to join in on the conversation with other homeowners just like you!

The post The Kitchen Design Mistake That Could Cost You $1500 appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Modern Kitchen Designs and Ideas / Photo

In a way, we’re already there. High-tech security systems with web cams are already mainstream, as well as integrated home entertainment centers with touch-screen capability.

But what I’m really excited about is the future of kitchen design and technology. So you might imagine my surprise when a study by the CABA revealed that the most desired high-tech kitchen gadgets are not completely out of this world.

What Will Kitchen Gadgets of the Future Look Like?

Kitchen Gadgets from the Future – The Jetsons House

Among all of the kitchen gadgets, these were the preferred choice of the majority of homeowners that were considering a kitchen remodel. How do these gadgets match up with your futuristic dream kitchen?

Digital Calendar

It should be no surprise that the study found that the primary kitchen user was also the household scheduler. Today, kitchens are becoming the center of household activity for the majority of tasks beyond cooking. To help improve communication in the kitchen, the most desired kitchen gadget was a digital calendar.

Survey respondents said they wanted a calendar on a large screen that allows family members to add appointments and notes from in the kitchen or via the Internet. Coordinating our digital lives has never been easier with our current technology, but homeowners say they want a central location to keep track of notes, tasks and appointments.

Recipe Projection

Even in our busy and chaotic lives, the survey found that eight out of ten homeowners said they cook for enjoyment. Among those that cook, 64 percent do so at least several times per week. One of the most requested kitchen gadgets was a high-tech system that would make cooking easier and more enjoyable.

To help with their cooking tasks, consumers reported wanting a wireless recipe projection system the most. One that would allow them to look up recipes online and project them onto a surface in the kitchen. Keeping their precious workspace free of clutter and their hands free.

Homeowners said they would prefer a gadget that would allow them to use voice commands as well. Imagine having Siri in your kitchen! (Siri is the now ubiquitous voice recognition technology that is available in the new iPhone)

Thankfully, this recipe projection technology already exists and has been featured in the Microsoft “House of the Future” currently on display at the Redmond, WA headquarters.

What is keeping this technology from popping into homes nationwide? Currently cost and accessibility. While consumers are eager for kitchen gadgets to help them manage their cooking tasks, few are jumping up and purchasing high-tech gadgets. As the housing market begins to improve, we will see how kitchen gadget technology trends change.

Home Control Station

Beyond cooking features, homeowners strongly responded to the need for a larger central control system. They indicated that they wanted energy management and HVAC controls in addition to security features. Included in this was the idea of having web camera feeds that showed live video of the front door and activity in the backyard.

Surprisingly, the study found that the security system was appealing to homeowners with and without children.

Ideally the home control station would have a touch screen to manage each of the functions. This station could also display the temperature inside and outside of their home with the ability to adjust the thermostat.

Overall the results of the study found that homeowners want to use technology as the central means for control in their home.

Although you might imagine the kitchen of the future to have screens and projectors everywhere, surprisingly homeowners did not want to use technology for entertainment purposes in the kitchen. Once computers become more mainstream in the kitchen, opinions might change on the role of digital entertainment in the kitchen. But for now, homeowners say they prefer function and control.

What kitchen gadgets do you want in your home?

The post America’s Most Wanted Kitchen Gadgets appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors – Podesta Construction

I was there to talk to the previous homeowners about their next home design project now that they had a new surge of cash, but first I had to ask about the kitchen. How’d they do it?

Paint.

The best part? This kitchen makeover cost almost nothing and it took only a few hours to complete.

I realize I’m entering dangerous territory here. There’s a dedicated group of homeowners that are religiously against painting kitchen cabinets. And they’re not afraid to voice their opinion. But for the rest of you that need to give your kitchen a facelift without spending a fortune? A small amount of paint just might be the answer.

Green Kitchen Cabinets – Greg Natale

These are extremely important questions as thousands of dollars are spent each year to cover up the mistakes of Purple Periwinkle or Totally Teal colored kitchen cabinets.

Below are a few color palettes that are designed to be timeless and help you get the most out of your kitchen remodel when you put your home on the market.

When you decide to update your kitchen, choosing the right kitchen cabinet colors is essential to building home equity and improving your home value.

[ Editor's Note: Looking for a little help to get your home renovation project started? Consider a home improvement loan. No equity required. Click here to apply online now!]

You should know that I’m a big supporter of do-it-yourself-ers worldwide. But, as an architectural consultant I also know the value of professional designers and their experience. So, if you decide to paint your kitchen cabinets, consider these professional-quality kitchen cabinet colors first, before applying your first gallon of paint.

Classic Kitchen Cabinet Colors

White Kitchen Cabinets – Martha O’Hara Interiors

White kitchen cabinets are a great example of a design choice that will last for decades without going out of style or appearing outdated. Today white kitchen cabinets can be found in the most contemporary homes as well as in traditional country cottages. And they both look stunning.

Not only are white kitchen cabinets timeless, but they also make small kitchens look larger and brighter. A neutral base also allows for more opportunity to highlight colors on the walls, experiment with new countertop materials and use accents or highlights.

Traditional kitchens can get the same benefits of white cabinets while softening their look by using an off-white or eggshell color. This will give your cabinets an antique look while maintaining a solid finish that’s guaranteed to last a long time.

Fresh Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Green Kitchen Cabinets (Montana Reclaimed Lumber Co.)

The careful use of green can help give your kitchen a timeless look without the risk of going out of style. However, now we’re entering dangerous territory where a slight color miscalculation could send you into the lime green abyss.

Green cabinets are a great addition to a traditional kitchen or craftsman style home with intricate wood detailing and butcher block countertops.

Bold Kitchen Cabinet Colors

When venturing beyond conservative kitchen colors there are a few bold pallettes that will satisfy the adventurer in you while still remaining timeless.

Black Kitchen Cabinets (Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.)

The benefits of bold kitchen cabinet colors is that it allows for creativity when choosing your accessories and accent colors. Future homeowners will have the ability to update or change the accent colors while still enjoying the timeless design of dark kitchen cabinets.

Energetic Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Bright, Yet Timeless Kitchen Cabinets / Adeeni Design Group

While light yellow cabinets could work in just about any style home, they are most successful in country cottages, and traditional kitchen designs. Yellow base cabinets can be used in combination with white upper cabinets to give a touch of color without becoming overwhelming.

How can you incorporate colors that fill you with energy at the end of the day? Consider adding a touch of yellow.

Upscale Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Gray Kitchen Cabinets (valerie pasquiou interiors + design, inc)

Not only can you get a designer kitchen but it may also improve your home value at the fraction of the cost of a traditional remodel. Gray kitchen cabinets work well in modern homes as well as traditional style houses that are looking for a more conservative look.

Transforming your kitchen and increasing your home value may be as simple as a quick coat of paint.

Do-it-yourself homeowners love painting projects because it doesn’t take the help of a professional or expensive contractors. Although painting your kitchen cabinets may be a straightforward project, you should take care to choose a color that will remain timeless. When it comes time to sell your home in 1 year or even 20 years down the road, these colors are guaranteed to help your kitchen retain its value.

Want more kitchen design ideas delivered straight to your inbox? Join our community to receive exclusive content and videos by email.

The post 5 Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Almost 5 years after the housing bubble burst in 2007, home values have yet to recover and millions of homeowners are wondering when the market will turnaround. Good news is finally here. Experts are saying that home values are on the rise and new home construction is expected to pick up in the next few years.

A report from Barclays Capital suggests that home values could return to previous levels by 2015. They believe that the effects of the housing bubble created a “dramatic over-correction” in the market. Potential homeowners have held back on purchasing new homes for fear of what might happen in the market. As these families move back into the market, housing starts are expected to increase to meet this demand.

Housing experts are closely watching how this increase in home values will affect the construction industry. Many believe that a surge in new home construction will be powerful enough to lift the entire U.S. economy as it could add up to 4 million jobs over the next 5 years.

According to CNNMoney, home builder stocks are up 162% in the last 12 months. If this is any indication of the future of the housing industry we may see a turnaround sooner than experts are predicting. In fact, home builder PulteGroup saw a 250% increase in stock prices over the same period.

Prior to the housing bubble, home builders added about 1.5 million new homes to the market every year. Currently they’re only expected to add 750,000 homes this year. However, construction is estimated to be back at pre-bubble levels by 2016.

Home Values Threatened by Shadow Inventory

While these statistics are encouraging for homeowners many others are skeptical of the experts’ predictions. One of the most common objections to another housing boom is the massive shadow inventory that’s lingering on the market.

Shadow inventory includes homes that are seriously delinquent, in foreclosure or held as real estate owned (REO) by mortgage servicers but are not currently listed on multiple listing services (MLSs).

It’s estimated that about 4 million units are currently in shadow inventory. While this inventory is down from it’s highest point of 6 million units in 2010, it still remains a threat to a dramatic surge in the housing market. When these properties are released into the market, the increased supply could drive home values down again.

According to CoreLogic, a data and analytics company, the dollar volume of shadow inventory was $382 billion as of July 2012. This figure is down from $397 billion a year ago and $385 billion last month.

Underwater Mortgages

Another threat to the housing boom is the number of homeowners that currently have negative equity in their homes. Today about 28% of homeowners have underwater mortgages.

As home values rise this percentage is expected to keep declining. That’s great news for homeowners.

The Obama Administration reported in its October Housing Scorecard that the increase in home values lifted more than 1.3 million homeowners out of their underwater status.

With home values rising, homeowners are now able to look at new opportunities to improve their situation. Among these include mortgage refinancing or even selling their home.

For homeowners that are looking for additional ways to increase their home value we’re here to help. For a limited time we are giving away our complimentary guide titled “7 Proven Ways to Increase Your Home Value” to our readers. To grab your copy, click here.

There’s no telling how long we will keep it online for free. Don’t hesitate. Download it now!

Now it’s your turn to tell us your opinion on the next housing boom? Have home values in your neighborhood started going up? Let us know!

The post Has the Next Housing Boom Started? appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott

Their show on HGTV has become a major hit with DIY homeowners. It’s simple to see why. They have a proven record for taking homes that need substantial work and giving them a facelift in record time and on a budget. Most of their projects are completed within four to six weeks and often for under $50,000. How do they do it?

Below we outline 5 extreme home renovation tips from the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott.

Use Your Creative License

The key to turning an average house into your dream home is using creativity and looking beyond the basics.

The Property Brothers are known for using 3D renderings to show homeowners their remodeling plans. Although homeowners might not be able to use high-tech tools to plan and design their improvement projects, there are options available.

New Terrazzo tile floors and a custom vanity with his & hers sinks

For DIY designers looking to not spend a fortune on professional help there are a few creative solutions available online. For example, the Autodesk Homestyler is an online home design application that brings your interior design plans and remodeling dreams to life. It allows you to create floor plans and generate 3D renderings that you can save, print or share online.

Don’t Over-Renovate

Property Brothers Kitchen Renovation

[ Editor's Note: Looking for a little help to get your home renovation project started? Consider a home improvement loan. No equity required. Click here to apply online now!]

In this market it’s important to begin with the end in mind. If it’s going to cost more to renovate than you will ever get back after the sale maybe it’s time to rethink your plans.

“Don’t get in over your head. It’s very easy to say ‘Oh well, what’s an additional 30 or 50 grand?’ But don’t do it. It’s all about the numbers.” -Jonathan Scott

While there are many home improvement projects that can turn a quick buck for smart homeowners, others can make money disappear into thin air. Make smart decisions when starting a remodeling project by looking at popular home features in your neighborhood and current home prices. These elements can keep your design choices in check and prevent you from over-renovating and spending a fortune only to regret it later.

Don’t Be Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

Property Brothers Living Room Renovation

With a wealth of design information available more couples are jumping into ambitious remodeling projects than ever before, often with little or no experience. Although undertaking any home design project can be fun and rewarding, it’s usually not an ideal use of your resources to do it yourself.

“People want to DIY, which is fine, but they’re not valuing their time and money on the project. It might have taken a person a week to put in a tile floor that it took a professional one day to do.” -Drew Scott

The high upfront cost of hiring a professional usually scares many homeowners into doing it themselves. But, the help of a professional will usually provide long-term value and save you countless hours of frustration and headaches. Not to mention, if you make a mistake or take a shortcut the project could end up costing you thousands of dollars down the road to redo or fix.

When undertaking an ambitious remodeling project be smart about which tasks you tackle yourself and let someone else handle the rest.

Hire a Quality Contractor

Property Brothers Kitchen Renovation

“Do your research, get three contractors to give you estimates and get it all in writing. Confirm that they’re associated with reputable organizations. Make sure that they’re licensed, but remember that just because they’re licensed, does not mean they are good at what they do. If you get that red-flag feeling at all, there’s a reason for that.” -Jonathan Scott

Also consider asking for testimonials from previous clients. If possible, try and contact a few of their local clients to get a real feel for their quality of work. These homeowners may be able to share valuable insights from their experience that can improve your chance of success.

Enjoy the Process

The most important takeaway from the Property Brothers is to have fun and enjoy the process. Home improvement projects usually take a substantial amount of time and money to complete. If you’re not having fun along the way it can be a miserable process, if not a complete nightmare.

At the end of the project you should have some great memories in your new home. The pride that comes from completing a home improvement project on your own is a unique and almost addicting sensation. However, not all projects go as planned. It’s the obstacles and challenges that make your renovation projects memorable. So enjoy the process and have fun along the way.

More Property Brothers Advice

We outlined a few of the most important remodeling tips from the Property Brothers that homeowners can use to improve their chance of success.

From using your creative license to hiring a quality contractor and enjoying the process, we touched on the basics of starting an extreme remodeling project.

What have you learned from the Property Brothers that you can use on your next home improvement project? Let us know one tip we’re missing. Share your ideas with our community!

Room Transformation Photos via HGTV

The post 5 Extreme Renovation Tips from the Property Brothers appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Exterior Paint Colors Are More Important Than Ever

Our suburban landscape is littered with regrettable house colors and poor design choices.

So, before we get started I have one small request, actually it’s a demand.

I’m asking you to throw away any and all paint ideas you currently have.

Do it now and don’t look back. You’ll thank me later.

As an Architectural consultant, my job is to help you make the best possible decisions when it comes to designing and improving your dream home. In our current real estate market every design decision matters. Even the most subtle changes to exterior paint colors can improve the perceived value of your home, making it stand out from your neighbors.

This is why the home design advice here should not be taken lightly. And why choosing the wrong exterior paint colors could cost you thousands of dollars in lost equity down the road.

Choosing Exterior House Colors

How can choosing exterior paint colors make a home look bigger and improve curb appeal?

Light Colors Will Always Make Your House Look Larger

It’s no secret that today curb appeal is at a premium.

With an overwhelming number of homes on the market and many of them available at extremely low prices, anything you can do to maintain or improve home value is critical. Even if you don’t plan to sell within the next year or two, planning ahead will save you countless headaches down the road and potentially put thousands of dollars.

For some families the house painting process seems to be a very personal decision. With thousands of paint colors to choose from, it appears that anything is possible. But it’s not. Let’s be honest, there are only a few colors that are suited for your home.

My goal is to give you the best return on your home painting investment. Creating an outcome that you will look back on 10 years down the road and be thankful you didn’t choose that awful aquamarine color. This will be a decision that makes your neighbors wonder if you hired a pro, and will continue to turn heads for years to come.

Evaluate Surrounding Elements

Evaluate Surrounding Elements and Features for Contrast

How does your home fit into the neighborhood? How is your home influenced by the landscape and other surrounding elements? First take a wide-angle approach on your color selection before focusing on any specific colors.

Homes in a suburban neighborhood, often built close to one another, will need to carefully evaluate their surrounding house colors. If homes around yours are painted in dark or subdued colors, a light or neutral pallete will make your house stand out from the rest. Lighter colors also have a more clean and timeless appearance.

This same strategy must be applied to homes on property or those with elaborate landscaping. How can you use color to pull the house out from its surroundings and make it stand out? Typically, white or off-white will provide contrast to the other elements making it look larger than it really is.

Determine Base, Trim and Accent Colors

Use Base, Trim and Accent Colors to Bring All Elements Together

After deciding on a base color the rest of your design decisions will be based on this first choice. The trim must be neutral and complimentary of the base. Although it’s common for naive homeowners to choose a contrasting trim color, this is a decision you must avoid.

A contrasting color will emphasize design elements that are better left unnoticed. Garage doors, poorly placed windows and unattractive rooflines are usually outfitted in trim. A neutral color will help expand the surface area of the home, allowing the base color extend to the edges of the house envelope.

Complementary colors are to be used for accents as well. For example, a well selected accent color for the shutters can help accentuate the architectural features of a home. The accent colors will help draw attention to the well designed features. These are the areas that will be noticed and appreciated by your neighbors.

Pick the Correct Sheen

After selecting the appropriate main body, accent and trim colors the next step is to decide on the correct sheen. Sheen is the term used to describe the degree of light reflection paint has. A flat paint will reflect almost no light, whereas a high-gloss paint will have high-reflectivity giving it a shiny appearance.

The decision on which sheen to choose will also be influenced by the condition of the existing surface as well as the desired durability. For example, flat paints are best for use on large areas. Due to the nature of flat paints they are perfect for hiding any surface imperfections that occur on exterior wood or metal surfaces.

Semi-gloss and gloss paints are prefered for accent and trim applications. The higher sheen makes window frames and doors easier to clean. Glossy paints also tend to give trim and accents a professional, finished look.

With all of these elements in mind, the key to choosing the best exterior paint colors is simply not to go overboard.

If you take anything away from this, I hope that you choose a light base color in addition to neutral trim and accent colors. This is the key to using the right colors to make your house look bigger and create lasting home value.

Photo Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The post What Exterior Paint Colors Make Your Home Look Bigger? appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.

Portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright

He’s a prime example of the great lengths a devoted Architect will go to see his vision come to reality.

I remember the story of when, during construction of Fallingwater, a house in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, engineers loudly voiced their opinion about the structural integrity of the home. The structural engineers discovered that the cantilevered overhangs were not strong enough to support the weight above.

Wright insisted that they pour the concrete and continue with construction.

After the concrete had set, he walked out to the edge of the surface over the creek and jumped up and down to make his case. Nothing budged. Case closed.

That house continues to this day to be one of the most famous homes in America. But the bitter taste of “I told you so” might be making Wright turn in his grave. The sad truth is that only a few months after construction was complete it was discovered that the overhangs were in fact not designed correctly and began to sag horribly.

That story about Frank Lloyd Wright has stuck with me many years later for several reasons. I think it demonstrates the commitment it takes to design and build your dream home. The unflinching vision you must maintain throughout the process. But more importantly, it leads me to the first step in designing your dream home: be stubborn.

Be Stubborn

Fallingwater, One of Wright’s Greatest Masterpieces / Photo

If we can learn anything from Frank Lloyd Wright, it’s the importance of being stubborn on vision. On countless occasions he found himself on the brink of financial collapse and risked his career in order to see his now famous designs come to life.

In the end it worked out for him, and it will work for you too.

Designing not just a home, but your dream home, requires more than just a set of plans and a stack of wood. It takes a vision and a dream. You must be committed and stubborn about seeing this vision to the end. So, what’s your dream?

Look to Nature for Inspiration

Robie House, Classic Example of Prairie Style Architecture / Photo

Even before you start designing your dream home, the initial inspiration must come from nature. The way a home connects with the landscape around it will change not only the function of the home, but also the spirit of the interior spaces.

How a home is situated on the site is absolutely critical to get right from the very beginning. Not only does it affect the way spaces are used but it will cause changes in your energy and heating expenses, views, property value and available natural light.

Looking to nature for inspiration begins by visiting your property and looking for clues. What natural elements are currently there? How can your house be designed to make the best use of these resources?

Create Interior Unity

Sitting Area inside Fallingwater / Photo

With today’s modern living requirements, it’s more important than ever to develop unity between spaces. Make connections between the kitchen, living and dining areas to improve function and maximize space.

Understand how hallways or transitions between spaces can be designed to better utilize the space and create new opportunities.

Obsess Over the Details

All of the pieces in your house must come together perfectly. Design is all about the details. Nothing else.

Wright became one of the most famous Architects in America by obsessing over the details. From where the house was built, to the materials, and method of construction – it was all important to Wright. Your dream house is no exception.

From the direction of your bedroom window to the finish on your kitchen cabinets, all of the details matter. Because if they don’t matter to you, then it’s just another house – not your dream house.

What details are most important to you?

Don’t Forget the Furniture

Wright was interested in furniture design as much as he was Architecture. Often believing that you could not have one without the other. He gave careful consideration to how the furniture would be placed within a room and frequently designed custom built-in pieces.

Furniture should not be an afterthought. It should match the architectural style and design of the home. Your furniture must reflect the detail and materials used in the overall house design.

Designing your dream home requires putting many pieces of a complex architectural puzzle together carefully. As you can see there are many aspects to consider.

The home design process is fun and exciting. Take your time, be stubborn and do the Wright thing.

The post The Frank Lloyd Wright Guide to Designing Your Dream Home appeared first on Neighborhood Envy.