When it comes to decorating and redesigning your space, there’s a lot to it.
Coordinating your various colours can be a complicated process.
What looks good in the store display or someone else’s home might not work in yours.
It might be a little disappointing to find out something isn’t going to work in your home.
But it’s quite another to find that out once you’ve spent thousands of dollars on it.
As a interior decorator in London Ontario, I’ve seen my share of DIY — do it yourself — jobs.
And let me be clear – I love DIY.
It can be a lot of fun.
If you have a flair for interior decorating, you can have a lot of fun creating your space.
But when it comes to big purchases, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional.
It may seem like an added expense to hire an interior decorator at first, but we can actually save you money in the process.
It’s story time.
The Situation
I recently worked with a lovely couple who were working on some light renovations in their home.
In particular, they wanted to redo their kitchen.
So what did they do?
They spent $8,000 on flooring, $5,000 on a quartz countertop, and painted their kitchen.
And then they called me.
Of course, I was happy to hear from them.
Of course, I was willing to help.
But if they’d called me first, I’d have told them what they’d chosen wasn’t going to give them the feel they wanted in their house.
As the saying goes…
Hurt me with the truth, don’t comfort me with a lie — Rihanna
I always do my best to save my clients as much money as possible.
But they were planning on living in this home for many years.
When it came to their renovation, they wanted to do it once, and do it right.
The Problem With Hardwood Floors
The flooring they purchased was lovely, to be sure.
But it was made of oak.
And here’s the thing – they had four dogs (and two of them were big ones).
Those dogs would have taken that beautiful, majestic oak flooring and scratched up and destroyed it in no time flat.
Many people love that classic oak hardwood floor look, but it’s just not as durable as some of the other options out there.
On the other hand, laminate flooring is much more durable.
It’s scratch resistant, and water resistant too.
Hardwood floors also requires more maintenance.
Things like floor wax and wood floor polish go a long way toward maintaining your hardwood floor with a beautiful lustre.
It’s a good idea to sand and refinish your hardwood floor as well.
But for most people, once every ten years or so is good enough to maintain your hardwood floor.
Most people don’t have four dogs though.
Running around, scraping at the floor with their nails, tracking in snow after playing outside during the winter – all that adds up.
So, for this couple, their hardwood floors would lose their lustre very quickly.
You can still get the look of oak flooring with laminate flooring as well.
So that’s what we did.
Their laminate floor has that hardwood look they were going for, but with much easier maintenance.
After all, let’s make our lives as easy as we can, right?
Unfortunately, they’d already paid for their floor.
But it’s not too difficult to find somebody who wants hardwood floor, so they shouldn’t have much trouble selling it.
What About Quartz Countertops?
Okay, so what about the quartz countertop they purchased?
It didn’t fit the space, based on what they told me they were going for.
It was too grey, too blingy.
Fortunately, I have a relationship with the company they ordered their countertop from.
After talking with the owner, I was able to swap the one they bought for a different countertop.
Instead of the cold, sterile grey, they got a warmer colour that compliments their floors and kitchen cabinets.
Easy peasy!
Paint Colours
By the time they called me, they’d already painted their walls.
They chose a stark, white colour.
Now, that can work sometimes, depending on what you want for your space.
But it was too much of a contrast with their warm floor and countertops.
Instead, I suggested a colour that was still lighter, but with warmer undertones.
There wasn’t any way around it though – we had to repaint the space.
The End Result?
From there, we coordinated their lighting, bathroom fixtures, and more.
All this brought the space together, leaving them with a beautiful, functional home that served them exactly how they needed it to.
Yes, they had to spend a little extra money they hadn’t anticipated.
But they’re now thrilled and excited to move forward, knowing they made the right choices for what they wanted their home to feel like.
Book Your Consultation With MatiDesign Today
If you’re looking to renovate your home, there are many wonderful and talented contractors out there.
But it’s rare to find one who’s also competent in design and decorating.
They usually leave it up to the client to make the decisions.
But here’s the thing.
Most people know what they want from their home.
What they don’t always know, is how to pull it all together.
At MatiDesign, we’re here to help.
MatiDesign is a full service interior decorating and home staging firm in London Ontario.
Whether you’re looking for some light redecorating, a full renovation, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered.
An interior decorator can help you make the most of your space.
I’m Mati Edwards, and I’ll work with you to understand what your unique needs are for your home.
From there, I’ll answer all your questions, and we’ll put together a plan to bring your vision together.
I’ll serve as project manager, overseeing whatever trades and contractors we’ll need get the job done.
And I’ll work to keep it on task, on budget, and on schedule.
Book your appointment with MatiDesign today, and let’s create the home of your dreams.
From mansions to condos and everything in between, we’re here to help.
