The Pointed Renovation: Reasons to Remodel
We’ve all seen the meme of the person brandishing the measuring tape and scoping out a room with the partner looking on with side eye! While partners everywhere fear renovation fever, rest assured a pointed renovation has its merits and certainly has its place when a new build or move is just not on the books. Using a designer for a renovation is often overlooked and has the perception of being expensive. There are so many advantages to renovating, and using a designer just makes sense to truly optimize the potential for your home or cottage.
Love Where You Live
If you have spent time and are connected to your community, if could make more sense to renovate rather than move. A renovation provides an opportunity to completely refurbish your home or cottage and can breathe new life into a tired and worn space. It’s also an obvious way to add or optimize space and can increase your real estate value.
In this instance, a renovation meant the cottage owners did not have to compromise the advantages they already had: view, proximity to town, historic features and footprint.
Renovating means you can keep your view, your prime location and increase your current home or cottage real estate value.
Maintain Historical Integrity
When fortunate enough to be the steward of a historical property or one with certain architectural details, renovating means preserving the past and saving the character of an older home or cottage.
BEFORE
Cottage Appin on the shores of Sturgeon Lake, had historical detail and character that was integral to preservation which is why the renovation route was the best choice for the cottage owners.
AFTER
This particular renovation was so well done, that guests and neighbours often still ask what work was done!
Cottage Appin during renovation stage. The gables were modernized to provide more room for the cottage owners expanding family. A front porch was added as well.
Cost Efficiencies
Choosing to focus on the area of your home or cottage that requires modernization is the ideal way to save budget and to optimize your objectives. Saving on moving costs, land transfer and real estate fees, means that renovating is a viable option to get what you want in phases and with a reduced timeline.
Hiring A Designer for a Renovation
A pointed renovation means approaching your project with focus and clear objectives. Having the professional expertise of a designer means building codes and regulations are compliant, budget is optimized to meet all of your requirements and project coordination means less stress and wasted time. In many instances, plans and drawings will need to be submitted and likely permits are required. Designers know how to navigate the complexities of a township or county when it comes to meeting building standards and receiving approvals. Chances are the designer has already worked with the building inspector and has a relationship established along with a knowledge base. Having an advocate for sign-offs is a huge advantage and especially if you don’t live where the renovation is taking place.
Designers have connections for trades teams. This means a safe and organized work site, proper vetting of project skill set and reputable contacts.
BEFORE
Our Clear Lake walk-out was ready for a renovation. We completely made over the basement rethinking doorways, ceilings, wall treatments and furniture configuration.
AFTER
We selected a sectional sofa for maximum golf viewing and having the TV and fireplace work in concert creates a modern space with texture and layers of interest!
BEFORE
We made the bottom floor into a more usable space with modern updated finishes.
AFTER
You would not know this was the same space! With a professional designer at the helm, the walk-out became an extraordinary room with ceiling features, built-ins and storage.
BEFORE
AFTER
We reconfigured the TV built-in, created interest with wall treatment shiplap and contemporary furniture set the tone for how the cottage owner could use this space.
BEFORE
AFTER
Wall treatment and see through door make the wine room entry more of a feature and adds interest to the room.
Why a Renovation Right Now Might Be The Best Choice
Cost Savings
If you choose to do your renovation during a down turn, you will have more skilled trades available, lower material costs and increased negotiating power. Timing is everything and being able to turn that renovation into a market advantage is going to work well in your favour for getting more and increasing your property value.
On Time Results
In a window where you are not competing with as many projects, means your designer and trades teams can focus on your renovation. Timelines are likely to be lessened and the inconvenience of living through a renovation won’t be as impactful.
Reduce Your Overhead Costs
Replacing windows and doors with energy efficient, newer models and materials means savings on monthly bills and further longevity for your home or cottage over the long term. Keeping up with modernization and updates means it’s less expensive to put the work in now vs waiting until you may have to spend even more.
Our design team assists with furniture selection. Just one of the many ways a designer aids in the renovation process. From outdoor to indoor options, finding the pieces that not only fit but also flow with your colour scheme is what a designer can bring to the table in terms of value.
Designers Eye: Your Vision
At the end of the day, hiring a designer for a renovation is going to result in improved space planning, the aesthetic that truly complements the rest of your home or cottage and advocacy when it comes to piecing all the trades together for seamless project management. A designer will delve into your lifestyle needs and assess the best use of space, budget and materials. In a world now where there are so many options on the market for fixtures, materials and accessories, a designer can imagine the space holistically. Often designers offer discounts on products and can provide access to products a homeowner would otherwise not be able to purchase directly. Hiring a designer for a renovation is not a luxury service, it’s simply part of the team that you should consider for a result you will be proud to share with friends and family!
BEFORE
This original space was sectioned off making both spaces not as usable or appealing to spend time in.
AFTER
With the interior wall removed, this became one large living space for our clients on Sturgeon Lake. Light filled and contemporary, the room provides a panoramic view to the lake.
This Before and After demonstrates the use of space, the amplified storage options and overall blend of furniture, colour and fixtures in this renovation.
Having a designer help with a kitchen renovation means finding creative cabinetry solutions and in the case of this cottage restoration, cabinetry that suits a particular time period.
This murphy bed built-in solution turned an office into double duty for one of our clients.
Working with a designer, also makes the process fun, we become friends with our clients and all of our lives are enriched by experiencing life changing stages together. Making more room, updating or maintaining, design is integral to building a Kawartha lifestyle. It’s not a one size fits all approach and we love the many design challenges that clients bring our way for renovating their cottages!
Outdoor spaces can be renovated too! We took this expanse of lawn and created a functional fire pit area with seating!
