Dreaming of upgrading your backyard space? You wouldn’t be alone. Recent data from realtors around the country shows that homeowners who added outdoor kitchens to their properties saw an increase of between 100% and 200% on their investments. Real estate professionals say even a simple addition, like an outdoor gas firepit, can yield a 67% return.*
Years ago I lived in a studio apartment in New York City on a super-quaint West Village street. I loved the location — the actual apartment not so much — and imagined, due to my love of the immediate neighborhood, I might live there, for maybe the rest of my life. A major drawback to my fantasy was the apartment, which boasted wonderful exposed brick walls (I was the one who exposed them) and attractively battered hardwood floors (they came to me pre-battered) was just too small, no matter how many times I arranged and rearranged the furniture. I spent an irrational amount of time daydreaming how the apartment could become larger, to the point where my daydreams infiltrated my sleeping dream life and I began dreaming about a secret room I hadn’t noticed before that could be accessed through the apartment’s only closet.
We’ve seen a surge of investments in home improvements over the last few years that is expected to continue in the future. We’ve seen people reimagine and rework their spaces during the covid era as they spent more time at home. And, as the housing market has provided its own challenges, more and more homeowners are opting to find a way to improve the space they have. For some, that may mean putting on an addition to find more square footage. For others, who don’t want to lose functionality of their existing kitchens, or need to move out, or live in a construction zone, tapping into already existing square footage in their basement can be a goldmine.
We’ve taken lots of photos to document the process of this Total Basement Renovation project over the last year. You may have even seen some videos on our social media! Here is the ultimate recap, from start to finish.
The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, and I’m not the only one noticing the festive decor showing up left and right on store shelves. This can only mean one thing, the holidays are just around the corner!
Whether you’re strictly a no-twinkle lights-until-after-Thanksgiving person or already planning cocoa-fueled viewings of It’s a Wonderful Life, a little advanced home preparation and organizing can keep holiday stress to a minimum.
You might have noticed all the little tedious items on your home to-do list pile up. Somehow “I’ll get to it tomorrow” has turned into months, possibly years. Maybe it’s due to financial or time constraints. Whether it’s a squeaky door, loose floorboard, or peeling paint, you figure you’ll get to it someday, right? Well, let’s turn “someday” into today. Grab a notepad and pen, take a tour around your home, and let’s get started. Why? Because small deferred home maintenance can quickly turn into something big and expensive.
Time after time, neutral color palettes remain classic, timeless, and a homeowner’s go-to for home design, architecture, and decor. While it doesn’t seem to be slowing down, I think it’s time to add some color to our everyday lives- why not start with your home? Let’s get creative and check out how to add a pop of color to your home.
Cooler temperatures, the color-changing leaves, and the smell of pumpkin spice, reminds me that fall is knocking at the door. Which means, as the seasons change, so do our day-to-day activities and our home needs. It’s the right time to do seasonal maintenance so your home can keep up with you and run smoothly. Following these maintenance tips below, with a little attention now, can help save you costly repairs and aggravation later.
In the blink of an eye, back-to-school commercials have taken over television which can only mean we have to face the inevitable, summer is coming to an end. While I am certainly no fan of the cold weather, I believe fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. So just like the seasons changing, it’s time to shift gears and start to say “sayonara!” to summer. That means now is when to consider cleaning up and preparing to start seasonal protection and maintenance around your home. Check out some of the following ideas to get you started.
I remember buying my first home. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. From excitement to anxiety and then relief. Now it was finally time to move in. I got some great advice that in hindsight, really helped start me off on the right foot. It boils down to patience and planning. Before you jump in, if you can take a step back and focus on setting yourself up for success as a new homeowner first, you’ll thank yourself later.
Temperatures are rising, the days are getting longer, and you’re officially packed and ready to enjoy some well-deserved R&R. As a homeowner, going away for any length of time can be stressful. Your mind instantly creates the worst-case scenarios.