Now what is it that you do?

I've been getting that question a lot lately, with all the networking events I am attending. Most people think I'm an interior decorator/designer. As I explain, "I design the taking down of walls, moving them, and putting them up. I do not pick out paint color and paint the walls." Some people then say, "Oh, then are you an architect?".

That's more closely related to what I do. As a "designer/space planner" I design space; the living spaces in your house: the layout of the rooms and their connectivity to each other, or, that is, the flow. I also design the layout of a kitchen or bath, but I do not design the over all look, such as the style of cabinetry, color of tile or counter tops, or paint. I draw the plans from which the contractor is going to need in order to estimate the project and build (or demo and rebuild). With these plans you would also take them to a cabinet company or maker to pick out your look and finishes and different accessories they offer (but I can come along if you want).

My ideal client is someone who knows their spaces could work better for them, or they just need more space somehow, or want to finally gut the kitchen and start all over, rearranging it and perhaps making it bigger, but most definitely better.

Or someone who now wants to finish that unfinished basement. They know HOW they want to use the space, but what's the best layout to get the most function? They really aren't ready to talk to a contractor to get bids, because they don't know what can be done. They would want "apples to apples" bids, but without a plan, how can they? With each contractor, they would probably get a different idea, with different costs, and which plan is best for now, the future and resale value?

They need someone like me to first walk the space with them and brainstorm their ideas and let me show them options and reveal the potential. Once decisions are made I draw the final plans and THEN they are ready to meet with contractors to get comparative bids.

So that's basically what I do - help homeowners reconfigure the spaces in their home to best fit their current and future needs by FIRST brainstorming their ideas, drawing plans, and THEN they are ready to meet with contractors.

Any questions?

CAN YOU SURVIVE A REMODEL?

The good news is you are finally getting to remodel. The bad news is, how are you going to survive weeks, maybe months of remodeling? It can be stressful, but you can be prepared.

PLAN AHEAD: Establish with the contractor the time frame. See where the work will disrupt your life and make contingencies for it. Consider each family member and their needs. Consider what might or will happen or what could go wrong, i.e. power or plumbing emergencies. Know where you can go for a couple of days in these incidents. Find out from your insurance company what will and won’t be covered in cases of accidents, i.e. dump truck cracks driveway.
ESTABLISH GROUND RULES: Talk with the contractor about the hours and days that the crew will work. If it’s a big job, you may want to consider having a portable toilet for the workers. Think about where they can park their trucks. Very likely the will need to park a dumpster – where? Know that they will need to use your electricity and water for certain trades. Establish an area for them to work – saw cutting, cleaning paint brushes, etc. Be clear on when they will clean the work site – preferable daily before they leave.
FIX YOUR LIVING AREA: Covering the doorways to the work area with plastic will help to keep the dust out of the rest of the house. If you’re having your kitchen remodeled, you will want to consider where your temporary kitchen will be and what you will need: possibly a microwave, a hot plate, a sink, small refrigerator, a place to keep non-perishables, such as, not only food, but bottled water, paper plates and cups. At some point the water will be turned off, so the bottled water will be needed not only for drinking, preparing foods, and clean up, but also bathing and other toiletry items.
PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS: Protect breakables and delicate items by removing them from the construction zone. Vibrations from the machinery can cause things to crack or fall, so if you can’t move some pieces of furniture (china cabinet, for instance), lay pieces down so they won’t topple and cover the furniture with drop clothes which will add some insulation and keep them from getting dusty. If necessary, have furniture and items stored.

This doesn’t’ cover all the ins and outs of surviving a remodel, but it’s a good start to being prepared and less stressed.

Provision

Here is a thought. WORK: What is the motive? In a recent article I read somewhere in cyperspace it went something like this: "Work unto the Lord; rest in His provision; do not OVER work. Six days He worked and rested on the seventh. If your over work is for provision, then you are not resting in God's provision. You are trying to do it in your own strength. If you are stressing about work because you have to provide, then you are sinning against God by not relying on His provision. Work should be to the glory of God - enjoy it."

With all the unemployment and slow business how can we over work? Can we over work our minds and bodies, and emotions, in trying to find business, thus stressing? It's all from your perspective. What guides and influences your perspective? In what are you relying on to bring business, thus provision? I love and enjoy what I do. I want to do more. While I am doing what I know to do, trying to find balance in all that I have to do, and nurturing my most important relationships, I'm relying on Him to bring it.

VISION NECESSARY

As a HOMEOWNER looking for, and not quite finding the perfect house, do you have the vision to imagine how a floor plan can be rearranged to make that perfect house? As a REALTOR, do you have the vision necessary to help your clients see the potential in that almost perfect house? Not everyone does! Lucky for you, I do!

So you’ve found the perfect location, perfect neighborhood, perfect house – almost. If only it had a larger, updated kitchen, or if only it had the open floor plan, or if only it had a larger master suite, or a playroom for the kids, or a space for an office, or if only that basement was finished (what to do with such space?). Ands, ifs, and buts, right?

The perfect TIME to DESIGN and plan what you want in your house, is in the beginning. Go view the houses for sale in the area in which you want to live, but keep in mind there is hidden potential in houses these days, especially in well established neighborhoods. Many of them need updating, remodeling, and rearrangement of the spaces to meet the needs of today’s family life style. IT CAN BE DONE. It just takes vision, understanding of structure and construction, and ability to communicate this vision verbally and through architectural drawings. This is where I can help you, so quit agonizing over it - it is ok. There is hope.

Another aspect of vision, is in getting your property ready for market. Do you have the unbiased vision on what your property should look like before listing it for sale? If you are not ready to contact a Realtor, but would like to go ahead and be making necessary “changes” for your property to become optimal market ready, contact me for a consultation.

Visit my website www.designtimeatlanta.com for more detailed information, or contact me for a no obligation phone consultation.

Neighborhood Apathy

Apathy - 1. lack of emotion 2. lack of interest; listless condition; indifference.
DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S ATTITUDE? If you are in a neighborhood with a Homeowner's Association, do you have trouble getting someone to volunteer to serve on the board, and not only that, but a committee? Why? "Oh, I'm too busy" is the most common "excuse" (excuse - 1. a plea or explanation given in defense of one's conduct).

"Too busy for what?" is the question. Too busy to make sure your neighborhood is safe for you and your kids, too busy to oversee maintaining property values, too busy to maintain the amenities you enjoy, too busy to care about your neighbors? The answer isn't "I'm too busy", the answer is "I don't care about anyone but myself".

Isn't that why our country seems to be tottering on a possible pre-Nazi Germany state? "Whaaat?" you may be asking, "does this have to do with house design and real estate?". Just take a hard, honest look at your neighborhood, your neighbors, and YOURSELF in this picture and compare it to an overall bigger picture. EVERYTHING starts a home.

Are you fed up with the economy? Are you frustrated that common sense doesn't reign in our governments? Put that frustrated energy to good use by first looking at home; get involved in your neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors; do something kind, and see what starts developing. We are not islands. I'll have a few words about communities next time.

Buy that House and REMODEL!

You can still have your dream home. Buy a house and remodel! But which house to buy? Consider four things.

1) Location & view - those cannot be changed.
2) Immediate needs and future needs.
3) Price plus the cost of remodel.
4) Resale value with the changes made.

One of my favorite things to do is walk through a house with someone contemplating buying it, and brainstorm with them what all can be changed, moved, redesigned and rearranged, or even added on. What a pleasure it is to help someone realize the potential in a house that they can turn into their HOME.