renovation – Halfrey Home

kitchen remodel blogs, interior designer in MA, DIY kitchen ideas

10 Steps for a Budget Friendly, DIY Kitchen Renovation.

September 13, 2017June 27, 20181 Comment

I applaud you! Taking on a kitchen renovation is like ripping at the soul of your home. Its the lifeblood that keeps your household working. Even though you aren’t doing a full blown remodel, a simpler renovation can still grind on your nerves. (To quickly distinguish the terms: a renovation is aesthetic changes like cabinetry, flooring and lighting where as a remodel also includes opening up walls and tearing into plumbing and electrical.)

You’re ready to start a DIY kitchen renovation. Now, contact a designer. Better yet, contact me. I would love to help you! Even if its simply to review your floor plan or help you brainstorm ideas and get organized. Across the miles, via email and FaceTime, I can help you save some headaches. If not me and my studio, then find a designer in a kitchen showroom, your local big box home store, at the very least ask your neighbor who just finished theirs. Don’t jump in head first alone, without a plan, a schedule, and a project outline.

So, you’re going rogue and being truly DIY, on your own. I will still help you. I’ve generated a list in the most practical order, however if your project doesn’t include one of these steps, then move onto the next one.

1. Fix ALL Repairs First.

As you plan the path of your renovation, fix the broken items. A leaky faucet, broken window, rattling exhaust hood, even bad wiring. Fixing the repairs is a must before installing new finishes. If you don’t, then down the road when the neglect has exacerbated the problem, you’ll end up tearing out your new kitchen items to fix the old problems, and you’ll kick yourself. Fix them now when its cheaper and easier.

2. Keep Appliance Locations The Same.

Many factors raise the cost of kitchen remodels and renovations with one of the biggest being the relocating of the sink, stove, or refrigerator. If your kitchen was haphazardly put together like it fell from Kansas into Oz in a bygone era, then appliance locations should be reworked to create a layout that’s current with today’s lifestyle and more importantly, building codes. Dedicated and grounded circuits need to be created. If plumbing needs to get reworked, gas lines moved, or electrical panel work is needed, its no longer a DIY job. Unless you or a loved one is a licensed contractor, leave your appliance locations alone. This is not a Do It Yourself part of the project! Hire a professional for this step.

Also, if installing professional grade appliances, these are very heavy units and the floor and support below need to be checked and if necessary reinforced. Again, hire a licensed contractor for this portion.

3. Keep Functional Appliances.

It is very tempting to want to upgrade the appliances, however, if they’re functioning then keep them. If you want to switch from white to black or stainless steel to make them all match and unify the aesthetic of the kitchen, work the numbers out on paper first. If you know that your stove is on the fritz, you should replace it. But wanting to get a new refrigerator simply because its the wrong color will wreck your budget. Creative solutions can be found online for recovering appliance fronts. Work with the color of the newest, most expensive appliance and adjust the others to that one.

4. BE The Labor.

Depending on what part of the country you live, the labor portion of a renovation estimate can run 25-40% of the costs. The DIY method is a no brainer for a job you know you can do, from demolition, re-sanding, painting, and installing new cabinets can all be done by willing and careful homeowners.

Have an expert friend or family help you, watch your how-to videos, and read manufacture’s instructions. Also think about attending workshops available in your area’s home stores and check out books at your local library and bookstore.

Become a task master. This is where your project schedule will come in handy. If you break down the renovation into smaller tasks, you won’t get burnt out nearly as fast. Its when multiple tasks get started all at once, that homeowners quickly get stressed and their project becomes overwhelming.

5. Replace, Refinish, Or Remove The Cabinets.

You’ve created your plan, outlined the project into tasks, and chosen the new direction. You’ve done the repairs, confirmed the appliance locations, now its time to get to the aesthetics. If your cabinets are in good structural shape, keep them. New cabinets are expensive. You can either get them resurfaced, repainted, new doors installed, or keep the upper cabinets open. Give the insides a good scrub and vacuum. Install drawer organizers, slide out racks, and under cabinet lighting if desired.

6. Paint the Walls & Cabinets.

Paint is the cheapest way to redo a room. Layout your color palette and assign locations. Research the proper prep work for the surface you want to paint. Below is a photo of similar profile cabinet doors. Notice the difference a coat of paint and a new counter top can do. Even without a new counter top, the cabinets go from a warm Tuscan vibe to a modern farmhouse feel.

Choose an exciting paint color for the walls and give your painted furniture a touch up. Make sure to check out my next month’s blog regarding color and how to choose the correct one.

7. Redo The Floors.

Depending on what kind of flooring you choose determines how much is DIY and whether you’ll need professional installation. If you do choose to do this step yourself, be sure to prepare the underneath properly prior to installation. Also, where specifically on the floor your first piece is placed will determine the look of the final outcome. (Traditionally, planks start at the perimeter and tile products start in the center.) Always read the manufacture’s recommendations thoroughly.

8. Select New Counters & Back Splash.

Beyond the ubiquitous glass mosaic or white subway tile options, there are many choices regarding back splashes. How about brick veneer or tin? In a future blog coming up, I’ll address how to get a knock out look for your back splash for a budget price. Stay tuned.

If you can’t afford the cost of granite or quartz counter and want to upgrade from laminate there is another option: solid surface. Solid surface is a viable budget conscious option, commonly used on counters. Second to quartz and granite lines, it provides a similar look and feel of stone without the hefty price. Don’t know whether to choose gloss or matte finish in the solid surface? Contact me, I can tell you the pros and cons of both finishes.

9. Replace Hardware, Lights, & Faucets.

I consider this the jewelry portion of the renovation outfit. These are the items that add sparkle and character to what otherwise is simply a functional space. If you can only afford one change other than paint, make it this one. As with any work related to water or electricity, shut them off at the main first. Contact me for more information regarding how to choose the best faucet for your sink, the correct lighting for your needs, and to coordinate the cabinet hardware with the rest of your home.

10. Update The Decor, Bar Stools, & Window Coverings.

A finishing touch to all of your hard work is the soft surfaces. With the decor, bar stools, and window coverings I would also add dish towels, oven mitts, place mats and rugs. These items are the “clothes” of your kitchen. They’re also an economical aesthetic option to change compared to replacing cabinet fronts or flooring.

Now, let’s generate some ideas with the following photos. Who doesn’t like looking at kitchen photos, am I right? I’ve included a variety of styles to cover all tastes.

kitchen remodel ideas, kitchen designers in MA, kitchen and bath blogs — Efficient condo sized kitchen with decorative lighting, dark woods and white accents.

kitchen remodel ideas, kitchen designers in MA, kitchen and bath blogs, kitchen designer, interior designer in MA, white kitchen — Simple kitchen with no upper cabinets, all storage is tucked away in base cabinets.

kitchen remodel ideas, kitchen designers in MA, kitchen and bath blogs, modern kitchen, kitchen designer, interior designer in Medway, Franklin MA, Millis, High gloss kitchen cabinets — Sleek and glossy cabinets, high rise condo kitchen.

kitchen remodel ideas, kitchen designers in MA, kitchen and bath blogs, modern kitchen, rustic kitchen, simple kitchen, white kitchen cabinets, interior designers in MA — Quasi modern and rustic styles merge to a hip two tone kitchen.

white traditional kitchen, lantern island light fixtures, brown cabinet islands, interior designers in MA, kitchen remodel ideas, kitchen designers in MA, kitchen and bath blogs — Statement lighting with feature dark color island.

One more bit of advice, before taking down your kitchen for the renovation; set up a temporary one in another room to preserve your sanity. An electric tea kettle, a crock pot, a hot plate, and a toaster oven can fix numerous meals. Create a dish-washing station in the laundry or bathroom and fire up the grill outside. During renovation you need a dust free counter to pour your morning coffee and in the evening to prepare your dinner. Preparation of a temporary kitchen is an absolute must!

God speed and contact me for questions. I can help you through it.

P.S. For additional reference, check out a previous blog of mine Dust & Debris, Surviving Construction specifically the “during construction” portion.

Sincerely,

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Studio Owner & Interior Designer

Daricilar Design Studio – Medway, MA

Join in October: “Knowing & Using Color Well.”

reducing construction costs, how to save money during a renovation, construction expenses, construction help

10 Budget Busters; How to Reduce Construction Costs.

January 2, 2017June 15, 2017Leave a comment

The holiday season is over and the new year has begun. Most of us will now buckle down for 2-3 months of cold weather and inside activities. If you’re already thinking to spring and house projects once the weather gets warm, now is the time to plan and prepare. We’re stuck inside anyway while the snow and wind blow outside so let’s get out the pencil and paper and start brainstorming. Construction projects cost money, its a no brainer. And let’s just put it out there right now and get it over with…there will be additional, hidden costs in any building project. Always and forever, no matter how experienced the construction team, no matter how many times the designer checked & measured, some hidden cost will show up. Now the secret is out, let’s move on to how to reduce them, avoiding as many as possible.

I’ve listed the top ten reasons why I believe construction budgets get blown or surprise cost increases occur. There are others, but these are the biggies to anticipate and avoid. They’re not listed in a weighted order as each one can cause large headaches depending on the project. In addition, many items can cause others creating a ripple effect.

1. Making decisions incorrectly – This directly ties in with not having formal plans. Whenever decisions need to be made, its best to decide them at the beginning and with the entire project in mind. Delaying a decision, rushing a choice, spreading out finish selections, or changing your mind on a selection causes problems. Also spending money inappropriately falls into this category. Your milk and eggs don’t need luxury. Don’t break the bank on dreamy appliances. All fridges stay cold and all stoves get hot, so you’re spending several thousand dollars more for a little metal logo with a good marketing campaign to store bottled water and soda? Walk away, don’t do it. While you’re at it, skip the cabinet fronted appliances or secret drawers. We all know kitchens have appliances, they’re not embarrassing so save the money and stop hiding them.

When making decisions in your project, take a step back and ask yourself how important that item really is and establish a want vs. need list.

2. Informal plans – When there is no formal plan, decisions get made on the fly, without notice. Then situations and outcomes arise and there is no damage control. Miscommunication occurs constantly as different people interpret discussions differently and everyone remembers conversations in a slightly different way. When you have a professionally drawn plan, more details get discussed and written down prior to any construction. Always work the problems out on paper first before swinging a hammer. With professional plans, you’ll get more accurate quotes, avoid miscommunication, and make cohesive design decisions. Yes, you’ll spend money on the designer themselves in fees, however, the gain is work clarification, a professional eye on your side, and an adviser. Just like lawyers, physicians or dentists; architects and interior designers provide a professional service when people need something so use them.

3. Loose budget & scope creep – From the first moment you begin your project you should have a budget in mind. Partnering a firm budget with complete plans greatly reduces the potential for scope creep, or increasing the size of the project by adding additional work. Paint the hall, refinish the doors, tile the fireplace surround all on top of the kitchen remodel and suddenly your house is a mess, your project is never ending and your budget has walked out. Pull back the reins on the project that you initially started and stick with it. If you want to add additional phases discuss that at the planning stage not during construction.

4. Updating & relocating major utilities & fixtures – Additional costs in this category is almost unavoidable. Partnering it with #5, opening walls, the unknown Pandora’s box will be released. The building’s past life is buried in the walls, ceiling, and floors and almost always has to be dealt with for code reasons. Swapping out older infrastructure and modernizing to current code standards can bring financial headaches. Project priorities will be challenged and allocation of funds will be necessary. With aesthetic creativity however, the same outcome can be achieved, no matter what utilities have to remain.

5. Opening up walls/removing walls – In addition to opening up walls for utility access, removing walls for floor plan changes and space expansion usually involves structural additions. Lintels, headers, columns and beams are costly but necessary parts of the building. Reframing openings sometimes require a change in design particularly the ceiling. Many people have aversions to beams as they feel it breaks up the space into segments. Treated correctly they can either enhance and create character or made to blend into the ceiling. Don’t sweat the structural changes, they’re necessary. Concentrate on them being done correctly and then aesthetically.

6. Historic details – When dealing with replicating and restoring historic details, often times it requires hand tools and meticulous labor. This is one area where specialty and experience comes into play. Custom molds may need to be created, relics restored, and layers of history removed or stripped away to reveal original beauty. All of this meticulous work requires additional funds, but many times necessary for historic properties. Particular attention needs to be made when working with the local SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) and the National Registry of Landmarks in order to register your building. Original building features need to be preserved and considered during design and construction.

7. Mother nature & uncontrollable factors – Weather can wreck havoc on an addition that has yet to be enclosed. Storms can delay delivery, rain can postpone crews, and ice can snap power lines. In addition to the weather, other items out of our control is processes and paperwork. By this I mean applications for financing, grants, historic preservation registration, ordinance waivers, code reviews, permits, inspections, and so forth. The submission and approval process is frustrating and slow going, but necessary. Simply do your part and go with the flow. Get copies of documents and ask ALL your questions.

8. Hiring cheap labor – There’s a reason you should always get at least 3 bids/estimates for your project. If your choice is to go with the cheap one, there’s a reason they’re cheapest especially if it’s by a lot. Again I mention this, in a previous blog about surviving construction, see the link at the end of this post. In public funded jobs the lowest bidder usually has to be accepted, but in private funds, the owner can choose, so do so cautiously.

9. Failing at the DIY method first – When a home project goes well, it can be a money saving success, however when work needs to be redone, torn out, corrected, or recalculated the price adds up quickly. Kuddos goes out to those who try first but know your limits then call in the pros.

10. Custom orders – Many people think custom is better and implies quality and they’re wrong. Custom simply means someone made it especially for you and you’re paying for it, dearly. As a designer the term “custom kitchen” drives me crazy. I was trained that unless the dimension is obscure and aesthetic is unique, use standard issue cabinets. The worst is when I see a generic kitchen that has standard dimensions and the client or realtor says “it’s custom!”. I’m thinking, no it’s a rip off. Do not equate custom with better. It might very well be better constructed or highly personalized, but if you’re simply looking for white or basic maple kitchen cabs buy quality store ready ones As long as the doors close correctly, the joints are sound and the boxes stay on the wall go with store bought and splurge on the granite or quartz counters that you really want, your dishes won’t care! This also pertains to custom made furniture too. I once had an upholsterer tell me that he was making a custom sofa for a designer that cost $5,000 to make and that with the retail markup she was going to bill her client $11,000! Let me tell you, I had a physical reaction in my gut. Even he admitted it was a rip off and it was his sofa. When ordering furniture from a retail store, you may get offered custom fabric or COM (Customer’s own material) where you can choose any fabric under the sun. Three questions always to ask when deciding whether to do this 1. How much more does it cost? 2.How much time will it add to the order? 3. Is it necessary?

Someone will always be willing to sell you something more expensive, you as the consumer/buyer need to know when its not necessary.

Juggling these 10 construction balls can challenge any project’s budget. Some are unavoidable but some can be managed. I may rant on some hot buttons, but money and resources get wasted so easily in construction. I try to educate and provide pros and cons to my clients for them to make the right choice for themselves and their project. Everyone comes with their own priorities and we all value different things. You may enjoy luxury line items and that’s OK, however those items should fall by the wayside when new drainage lines or wiring updates need to suddenly be made. People only like spending money on the pretty finishes as those are what you can see, however what’s on the inside of the walls is vital for success. Then, feeling good on the cash you saved, bank the money and apply it to the mortgage.

Check out my past blog on Dust & Debris, Surviving Construction for additional construction survival tips. Don’t be afraid of construction, design well and build smart!

Sincerely,

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Studio Owner & Interior Designer

Daricilar Design Studio – Medway, MA

Join in February: “Housing Alternatives”

Favorite Finishes; a designer’s choice.

October 4, 2016February 14, 2018Leave a comment

I have been looking forward to writing this month’s entry ever since I created my annual list of topics during the summer. The following is a culmination of all the finishes that I love to use as an interior designer. Obviously, not all would make it into every project as the owner/users, project budget and function of a space dictate what’s appropriate. Also, trying to be a well rounded designer, all interior styles and materials are workable and feasible. HOWEVER, if I had to pick signature items for myself, these would be it…

I’ve grouped my favorite picks into categories. Many overlap and work in other groups like the texture helps depict the style or color scheme. But I’ve tried to group them into cohesive ideas.

Please also check out my curated style boards on Pinterest: DDS Style Boards. I have boards for interior finishes, decor ideas, historic preservation, and mid century modern, as well as plain/simple, modern for the modern shy and a new tiny house board.

Now back to my list… let’s take a look at some examples of my favorite materials assembled together:

When you layer different elements you create depth and richness, both physical and visual. Using complimentary colors and a diversity of materials you create a balanced environment. If you’re like me you enjoy the beauty and richness that can be found in older pieces too. The trick when using vintage pieces is to mix them with new up to date materials around them bringing the interior to present day. If using all vintage pieces, the interior will appear just that, dated.

Now, to briefly address items I don’t like: paisley, chevron, and herringbone patterns. I don’t like polka dots much either, but for the right room I could squeeze a few in here and there. For reproductions, I’m not a fan of digitally printed or vinyl imitation of materials, it always looks flat and too perfect. Real authenticity brings dents and dings, scratches and scars, patina and dirt. However if your budget does not afford all of the real things, don’t worry. To quote from my July’s blog post Decorator, Designer, Architect…which one to choose? :

“Never let a designer tell you that you need a bigger budget for a better impact. Creativity and imagination can go a long way for a limited budget.”

Real materials can cost more, but can still be showcased just in smaller quantities. Also, function often requires something more durable, such as vinyls and polyesters, this is not a problem either. Today’s commercial materials can deliver a similar desired aesthetic and meet the building code requirements and durability standards for the location.

When choosing materials and finishes, create depth and interest. Interiors are to be experienced and enjoyed. The physical environment provides a visual energy, make sure its amazing!

Sincerely,

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Studio Owner & Interior Designer

Daricilar Design Studio – Medway, MA

Join in November: “Making room in your rooms”

Dust & Debris, Surviving Construction

September 15, 2016October 7, 2019Leave a comment

NEED & PURGE

So you want to change your space, you believe you need different space or you will burst at the seams if you don’t build or remodel. PAUSE- did you purge all the unnecessary junk from your space? If not, read my last month’s blog about flexible and evolving rooms. (Blog) There’s a motivating section about sorting out your stuff. Constructing new space just to fill it with unused stuff is pointless and expensive. If you’ve already purged, please have a seat. Let’s talk…

ESTABLISH the PROJECT

The most helpful step in a construction job is to know exactly what are you wanting in the outcome. Are you painting and buying new fixtures or are you redoing the whole bathroom? Are you tearing out empty offices to pave way for an open office layout or just removing cubicles? It’s important to clearly define the boundaries of the project from the start. If you don’t, the project will “grow legs” and run away from you making your timeline unrealistic and the budget blown. The phrase “while we’re at it, why don’t we just…” is a very alluring statement. Yes it is more economical to have the work done all at once, but you don’t want to renovate the whole building if it’s just one room that really needs the work. Also, consider phasing the work, especially if you are occupying the space during construction. Enough unknowns will be uncovered while remodeling as it is to delay the project. If there is additional desired work, it’s best to discuss it with the designer and contractor to figure out when and how to add it to the original scope.

HIRING the PROFESSIONALS

In the beginning stages of contacting professionals it is important to familiarize yourself first with the correct terminology regarding construction. Below are some words that are often times confused. The subtle differences can greatly affect the impression the professional forms regarding the scope and depth of the project.

Preservation: respecting the historic property in its entirety and efforts are focused on maintaining current conditions without making modifications.

Restoration: returning a property to a specific previous time period using the original materials that are present. Other items not matching the chosen time period are removed.

Rehabilitation: similar to restoration however originals in poor condition may need to be recreated in order to complete the work.

Renovation: aesthetic updates to dated interior finishes such as flooring or wall finishes. Can also include plumbing fixtures, lighting, and appliances.

Remodel: changing physical characteristics like doors and walls as well as finishes mentioned in renovations.

New Construction: either constructing an addition to the existing structure or a new building altogether.

Once familiar with the specific term defining your project, meet with an interior designer. They will know who you need for a project, what plans need to be drawn and help you solidify your ideas. Refer to my article about hiring a professional. (Blog) Unless you are a seasoned DIY veteran many construction jobs will require professional design help. Review their portfolios, discuss past projects, and have them view your space to brainstorm ideas prior to signing a contract. This will also allow piece of mind that your ideas are aligned. Items also important to discuss when hiring a designer are your style inspirations, historic preservation items, environment/sustainability concerns, allergies/health and age range of occupants (infants and elderly specifically). The designer won’t just help design your space but also assist in managing the construction site and working with you and your contractor. Specific notes can be written into the plans to address necessary concerns for your project.

In general, you want to get as much work done on paper first before bringing in the sledgehammer. You may be anxious to get the work started, but it will always be cheaper and more beneficial to work it out on paper first. Plans, details, schematics, finish schedules, custom orders, contracts, deposits/payments, permits & insurance, workshop space, tool storage, dust mitigation and garbage removal are all items that need to be addressed prior to any hammer getting swung. A word of caution when reviewing quotes from contractors: Always get at least three different quotes. Look for the outlier (extremely high or low). If one is drastically different than the other two, don’t accept it. They’re either missing part of the scope, desperate for work, or misunderstanding the project.

SCHEDULE & BUDGET

You may have established an end date in your mind prior to meeting with your designer and contractor, however they well help fill in the details and make adjustments as necessary. What may feel like a quick job, may indeed need more time because of unconsidered factors such as plumbing or electrical updates or needing increased structural support for wall openings. If there’s a big event that the work needs to be completed by that needs to be communicated in the planning stage to have the most impact.

When creating a budget, know your financial limits firmly. Is there a loan or grant getting used or a fixed cash amount that needs to be maintained? Yes you’ll sign a quote from a contractor but contingency is there for a reason, make sure it’s part of the quote. Allocate 8-15% of your budget for contingencies as unknowns are always discovered. Remember if you “rob Peter to pay Paul” then your budget will need to be adjusted. Meaning your big ticket items need to be covered if they’re necessary and scrapped if they’re not. For an in depth remodel imagine a $100 pie; roughly a third should be for the interior work including finishes, non structural wall alterations, and windows. $5 is allocated for furnishings. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC take another $33 of the pie. The remaining third should be roughly divided into $25 for the structure itself, and the remaining $10 of the pie for contingent expenses discovered along the way. If its just an aesthetic interior renovation the $25 for the structure can be allocated into other pie portions as needed.

DURING CONSTRUCTION

A careful decision is whether to attempt to continue to use the space vs vacate during construction. Demolition is brutal, especially if nothing is being salvaged and the walls or floors need to be opened up for electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. If you must remain in the space consider construction phases or scheduled time for excessively noisy work. Dust partitions and walk off mats should be installed regardless to help reduce tracking dirt elsewhere in the property. Otherwise, set up a temporary location elsewhere, it will move the work along faster and help you keep your sanity.

Also during construction material samples should be available to select remaining finishes such as flooring or paint colors. With technology 3D models and color renderings are standard practice as well as example photos. If not possible, ask to visit a showroom or view past projects to visualize an item prior to installation. The schedule and timeline is very important to continue work progression. The construction trades follow each other in work sequence so delaying a tile decision, for example, can hold up plumbers and painters. Decisions need to be made as early as possible as lead times for many items can be 6-12 weeks if not readily available as a stock item. A single order needs to be placed for finishes to prevent different color batches to occur. If special orders or back orders occur, a faster alternate should be suggested if the delay will cause significant schedule setback.

It is best to discuss frustrations and problems as they occur to keep the aggravations at a minimum. Update meetings should occur twice a week for a project that is less than 12 weeks in duration and once a week for jobs longer than 12 weeks. Once daily phone calls and email exchanges should suffice for quick clarifications but bombarding contractors and designers with hourly issues will complicate matters and can cause more confusion in the back and forth transactions. When walking through the job site, dress appropriately especially footwear. Sturdy, closed toe shoes should always be worn to avoid tripping and injury. A dust mask and safety glasses are always wise to have on hand. A hardhat during heavy demolition and structural construction will be required by the contractor and should be announced ahead of time.

During construction feel free to document the progress with photos. Also, city inspections reports/sign-offs and permits should be posted. As the owner, copies of these should be provided to you if desired. When all work is said to be completed a final walk through should be performed. The site should appear finished, cleared of all leftover debris and professionally cleaned. Have your designer perform a “punch list” during the walk through. This list should only include small items such as paint touch ups and receiving manuals. If any major issues are evident, consider the work incomplete. Final payment to the contractor and owner occupancy shall occur after punch list items are completed.

AFTER CONSTRUCTION

The project is finally completed and hopefully successful. You are excited to move into the space and are pleased with the finished product. The contractor and designer aren’t finished yet. Post occupancy surveys, portfolio photos and client references are the last steps to completing your project. These are the venues to air your exaltation or grievances. Please complete the surveys, write the references/reviews, and let the photographers take the photos.

As the old adage goes, “only experience brings true confidence”. However, with the help of a qualified designer and seasoned contractor you should feel comfortable tackling any construction job. Don’t be afraid, make the jump and improve your life. After the dust settles it will be awesome!

Sincerely,

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Studio Owner & Interior Designer

Daricilar Design Studio – Medway, MA

Tag: renovation

10 Steps for a Budget Friendly, DIY Kitchen Renovation.

1. Fix ALL Repairs First.

2. Keep Appliance Locations The Same.

3. Keep Functional Appliances.

4. BE The Labor.

5. Replace, Refinish, Or Remove The Cabinets.

6. Paint the Walls & Cabinets.

7. Redo The Floors.

8. Select New Counters & Back Splash.

9. Replace Hardware, Lights, & Faucets.

10. Update The Decor, Bar Stools, & Window Coverings.

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Join in October: “Knowing & Using Color Well.”

10 Budget Busters; How to Reduce Construction Costs.

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Join in February: “Housing Alternatives”

Favorite Finishes; a designer’s choice.

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Join in November: “Making room in your rooms”

Dust & Debris, Surviving Construction

Sarah Daricilar, NCIDQ

Join in October: “Favorite Finishes, A Designer’s Choice.”