Curb Appeal - Small Changes Make a Big Impact

Let's talk curb appeal....

Enhancing your curb appeal might sound like a hefty project with a big price tag but you’ll be surprised at how a little work and a small budget can go a long way. I’m going to show you three ways to spruce up the outside of your house without breaking your back or the bank.

  

 CURB APPEAL WITH SMALL STRUCTURAL CHANGES

 Making some small structural changes can completely change the appearance of a home. By adding a new stepping stone path to the front door, a picket fence, an arbor, new railings and a fresh coat of paint this homeowner has transformed their house into a beautiful home. So inviting now!

above: These photos from Hooked on Houses show off the dramatic transformation.

below: We found these great pics are from Renewal Design.

Is this even the same house? This mid-centry ranch got a facelift with a larger porch and gable, which breaks up the horizontal lines of a traditional ranch style home. The home owners also gave it new front door, removed the old shutters, and repainted. 

CURB APPEAL WITH PAINT

It’s astonishing how much curb appeal can be attained simply from painting the exterior of a home. Whether you choose a completely new color palette or just freshen up the existing color, a little paint can go a long way.

Sharper Impressions Painting provides a great example here of how freshening up the paint without making any dramatic color choices can make a big difference in curb appeal. 

Merchant Circle added some color and contrast to make this home pop.

 

Buckets of Color added interest and elegance to this brick home by working with a three color paint scheme. 

Helpful Hints for Choosing Exterior Paint Color: 

• Be aware of your surroundings - pick a color that will look nice next to the exterior paint color of neighboring homes or buildings.

• Choose your paint colors outside. The light is different outside than it is in your kitchen. You want to be sure you know what the color will look like on the outside of your house.

  

 CURB APPEAL WITH A LITTLE SPRUCING UP 

 Adding a few accessories and swapping out and/or painting the front door can do wonders. Check out the before and after photos below to see how polished these homes look after their makeover.

Cozy.Cottage.Cute.Cozy.Cottage.Cute. embellished this little cottage making it warm and inviting. 

Stephens & Stephens exhibit three prime examples of how painting and/or changing out your front door, adding some potted plants and foliage, changing light fixtures, and putting new numbers on your home can change the look entirely.

NEED HELP BOOSTING CURB APPEAL?

If you are interested in boosting your curb appeal and need a little guidance I would be happy to help! Please call me at 408-623-4936 or email me at caitlin@symmetrydesigns.net

Which Countertop Material is Right for You?

Have you been thinking about remodeling or updating your kitchen?  You may be feeling overwhelmed by how many different choices you have for countertops.  We did some research and put together pros and cons on the most popular materials being used in today’s kitchens.  

Granite:  A natural stone that is very durable comes in many natural colors and is unique from slab to slab. PROS: It provides scratch, mildew, stain, and heat resistance.  Granite is easy to clean CONS: Needs to be sealed annually	Granite Photo Courtesy of www.granitecountertops.net
Carrara Marble:  Made in a region of Italy and is typically a white or grey marble.   PROS:  A timeless beauty!  Less expensive than Quartz.  Timeless with elegance and brightness. CONS:  Soft and porous material.  Can scratch and stain easily and must be sealed annually.  Wipe any spills immediately to avoid staining.	Marble Photo Courtesy of www.countertopspecialty.com
Quartz:  An engineered material that is made up 95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins.   PROS:  This is a low maintenance material that has a non-porous surface so 99.9% bacteria free.  No need for annual sealing.  Unlimited color choices available. CONS:   Can be damaged with excessive heat, so use hot pads.	Quartz Photo Courtesy of www.countertopguides.com
Limestone:  Is a sedimentary rock that is made up of skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral. PROS:  Has a resemblance to marble but not as expensive.  It is heat resistant. CONS:  Porous material so does stain and has tendency to scratch.  Should be sealed at least once a year.	Limestone Photo Courtesy Connelly Construction
Concrete:  Homeowners and designers have started using concrete more often in their homes. PROS:  Indestructible for countertops.  Many options for different looks just depending on stains, pigments or coatings being used.  Stain and heat resistant when sealed. CONS:   Occasionally may develop hairline fractures in countertop when material settles.  Large countertops can have seams, so you will want to use a seam filler.	Concrete Photo Courtesy of www.diynetwork.com
Corian:  A cross between laminate and granite.   PROS:  There are over 100 color options, textures, and designs.  It is less expensive to install than granite or quartz.   CONS:  It is not heat resistant; so don’t put hot pans directly on countertops.  Scratches are a common occurrence.	Corian Photo Courtesy of www.countertopspecialty.com
Vetrazzo:  Made of recycled glass.  Fairly new to the market but catching on quickly. PROS:  The color and texture options are endless and eco-friendly.  It is easy to clean.  Heat and scratch resistant. CONS:   Typically at the high-end price point.  If acidic foods are left sitting on the counter or harsh cleaning products are used it can mar the acrylic surface.	Vetrazzo Photo Courtesy of www.stonesaver.com

What's going on between YOUR sheets?

I always tell my husband, I would much rather a set of premier sheets to jewelry, flowers or chocolate.  But with so many different options, how do you know which ones to choose?  I've been known to check the tags on the sheets in hotels to find out how I can get my own set of luxurious sheets.  (I may have a linen addiction problem)

Between choosing a thread count and picking fabric, purchasing bed linens can be a daunting task. Let’s break it down to make it more manageable. It really comes down to a few personal preferences: softness, breathablity, absorption, and the wrinkle factor. First up, let’s talk about the importance of thread count (or the lack there of). How is the thread count figured? The thread count is the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of the fabric. An uneducated consumer would assume that a linen with a 600 thread count is better than a linen with a 300 thread count. Although this may be true in some cases it is not true in all. The key factor is actually the quality of the fiber. A linen with a low thread count that has high quality fibers beats out a high thread count with low-quality fibers on grounds of feel and washability.

Now, there are many fabric options when it comes to bed linens. I’ll cover the pros and cons of the main stream varieties.

                     100% Cotton: Cotton is an all-natural fiber that is known for being cool, light, comfortable, absorbent, and breathable. It is also easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures. The down side to cotton is it wrinkles easily, shrinks with washing, and although it is easy to dye it is prone to fading with time.

                     Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian cotton has many redeeming qualities including softness, durability (lasts for years), very little shrinkage if any, breathability, and absorption. The one draw back is that it tends to wrinkle easily.

                     Cotton/Poly Blend: Cotton/polyester blends are very versatile. They typically retain the lightness and coolness of the cotton fiber while also having the durability and wrinkle resistance of polyester. Two draw backs to adding polyester to cotton is that it can cause the fabric to pill and also makes it unable to tolerate high temperatures. In addition it is not as breathable as pure cotton.

                     Modal Sheets: Modal is a type of rayon that is claimed to be more absorbent than cotton, easily dyed and washed, and resistant to shrinkage and fading.  The texture is smooth and soft but feels synthetic to some people. Modal sheets are prone to stretching, fading, pilling and often need to be ironed after washing.

                     Bamboo: Bamboo has a softness comparable to cashmere. It’s machine washable and gets softer with each wash, is pill resistant, breathable, and 3 to 4 times more absorbent than cotton. In addition, bamboo has antibacterial and anti- fungal properties and is also odor resistant. The draw backs to this fiber are that it can shrink and it requires chemicals in it’s processing stage.

Now you have some basic knowledge and a jumping off point to finding the right bed linens for you. Happy shopping!

Help! I've Never Worked with a Designer Before...

The thought of looking for an Interior Designer can be intimidating for numerous reasons.

Most of those reasons, however boil down to the fact that you are putting the design of your space into someone else's hands. Do they know what they’re doing? Do they understand what you want? Are they going to break the bank? All super valid concerns. The answer is simple. If you’re prepared for your own project and armed with the appropriate questions, it puts you in control. 

Let me explain. First, of all there are things that you need to be sure of before starting to look for an interior designer. Next, you have to know the right questions to ask to be certain   that the designer you choose is qualified for the project and a good fit for you to work with. And finally, you have to be willing to do a little homework.

OK, first things first....do you understand what you want to accomplish? If you don’t get it, nobody else will either. Have examples of things that are similar to what you are looking for ready to present to your designer when you find them. How much is it going to cost? DO NOT start a project without establishing a budget first. When planning your budget remember that you need to not only include expenses for materials and labor, but also for the unexpected. During the demolition process sometimes things are discovered that are more costly than originally estimated. It also often adds to the timeline. When something unforeseeable happens, be willing to compromise to keep the project moving  along and on budget.  At Symmetry Designs, we are happy to assist you with coming up with this initial budget as putting costs to paper can be overwhelming when you haven't done any design work before.

When looking for an interior designer there are a few things you need to know in order to make a good decision. You want to be sure that they are qualified to take on your project and see it through to the end. First, ask them if they’re a “Certified Interior Designer”. This is the only title recognized under California state law. You will also want to know what interior design education they have and which related examinations they have passed. Also find out how long they have been practicing interior design.

Lastly, do your homework. For larger scale projects (ie Kitchen or whole house remodels) ask for references and look at projects they have worked on.  When calling references ask how long their project took to complete and if they stayed on budget.

Once you have done all the work to find the perfect designer for your project don’t forget that you still  need to get a proper agreement or contract before starting. Ask your designer to prepare a letter of agreement or an interior design contract. Be sure that the agreement describes the scope in which the interior designer is to be involved.  It is also important that the agreement contains a dispute resolution clause between you and the designer. And it should clearly state the fees that will be owed to the designer, as well as, how and when they are to  be paid.  Now you and your new designer are set to begin your project. You’ve done the work to be sure that you hired to right person. Let them do the job they have been hired for and let them lead the way for you!

Caitlin Campbell of Symmetry Designs takes great pride in being very approachable and easy to work with.  I can work on any size budget so don't be intimidated by the imagined cost of hiring a designer. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about working with me. 

Angel Water Bottle

As Party Mom of my daughter's Kindergarten class, I had a lot of fun preparing for their Christmas Party this year.  I love getting into all the details involved in party planning.  I came up with this fun and incredibly easy water bottle decoration for the party.  What a great and festive way to dress up those mini bottles of water.  

Supplies:
White Coffee Filters
White Feathers
Wooden Craft Stars
Yellow paint
Sharpie
Glue Squares or Elmer's Glue
Gold Pipe Cleaners
8 oz water bottle

20 Minute Decor Update

Do you have 20 minutes to spare?  Then you have time to update the look of your room.  All you need is some existing frames, some mat board and some new art ready to hang.  You can find new art anywhere.  Maybe you have some postcards or greeting cards someone sent to you that you love.  Or do you have some photos that you have been meaning to frame?  I have even found some gorgeous art worthy wrapping paper that I have thought about framing.  Just start looking around and you'd be surprised what you might find.  

I have had these art prints that I got at a local budget retailer over 10 years ago.  I bought them when I had my very first apartment and was going with a bit of an Asian theme.  I loved them...at the time....but they just don't go with my current decor.  But I didn't have much of a budget or need to buy new artwork. 

I am one lucky lady that I have a very talented mother, who just happens to also be an artist.  She gave me these fabulous aviary pieces years ago (okay, now I'm embarrassed it took me so long - sorry Mom).  I have always loved them but just didn't end up doing anything with them.  I guess that is what happens when you have two young and demanding little girls.  

Then one day I thought, hmmm, you know, those frames hanging up in my bedroom are pretty attractive.  What if I just swapped out the artwork? 

My bedding set has a bird theme to it so the bird paintings from my Mom were just perfect!  

So I headed on down to Aaron Brothers (local framing shop) to get the existing mat boards cut down, because I am cheap and didn't want to pay for new mat board.  Much to my disappointment, one of the employees told me that it really wouldn't work well to use the existing mat board because it would bow and crinkle when they tried to cut it down.   I didn't have any mat cutting tools so I needed them to do it for me.  The price they would charge me to try cutting down the mats would be the same as having them cut new mats for me.  Okay, sold.  So then I experimented with various mat colors that would accent the art but also give the room the serene, relaxing look I was going for.  So, I settled for a simple white mat. Sometimes simple is better.  

A few minutes later and voila, new original art for my bedroom!  I am so happy with the new look and even happier that I am reminded of my mom every time I see these beauties.  Because, after all, having art on your walls that you don't like is FOR THE BIRDS :)

Interior Design Meets Social Media

In the "social" world of Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Pinterest, it was only a matter of time before the design world jumped on board.  I can often be found looking for inspiration on Houzz and now am very excited about Project Decor.  I get very excited about making design boards for my clients and now I may have a place to display and share these ideas virtually.  I could create my dream client project without even having to leave my home office.

Project Decor allows established designers to "tear" furniture items from different internationally known vendors like Bernhardt, Kravet, etc to create a virtual room.  People who sign up for a free account on Project Decor can then share these boards and even, get this, buy the items they see right there!  How many times have you seen a beautiful room layout in a magazine and would love to get that look but you didn't know the sources for the furniture, art & accessories.  Project Decor allows you to converse with designers, ask questions, and even get access to items that typically are to the trade only.

You can read more about the launch of this new design centered website in the NY Times article

I am very excited about this new website and hope you will check it out!  Hopefully you will see some Symmetry Designs boards that inspire you.