INTERIOR DESIGN RENOVATIONS March 19, 2010

TOTAL HOME MAKEOVER – FOCUS ON THE KITCHEN

I  read an article in one of Atlanta’s premier magazines about renovation projects and anticipated costs.  The article stated that a good rule of thumb for estimating the cost of a full kitchen renovation is to allocate 15% to 20% of your home’s value.

Wow!  Using that formula, LDG can really save their clients a bundle of money!  We have managed a number of whole house renovations as well as kitchen and bath renovations, and worked with builders on new construction design.  We have been mindful of our clients’ investment and have striven to make the project run as smoothly and quickly as humanly possible.

One whole house renovation in recent years began with our preliminary assessment of all the rooms to be renovated.  During discussions with the clients, we determined which pieces of furniture would be invited to stay in the refurbished space and which would not be invited back;  how the design of the renovated rooms would be completed, and we selected the remaining furniture, fabrics and finishes and architectural details for all the rooms.  As the interor designers, we had several months’ work before the contractor even started.

 Each of the 7  bathrooms were gutted and redesigned bringing a fresh approach reflecting today’s amenities, as well as for better function and overall design.  Every bedroom received a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting.  New furnishings were selected while the existing pieces were removed,  donated and/or relocated within the home to suit the new design.  Chandeliers were relocated to other rooms, some were donated, some removed, and two gorgeous Waterford crystal chandeliers were installed in the dining room and formal living room.  Every light fixture, save one, was replaced. 

It was a total home make-over representing HOURS AND HOURS of work by the full team of LDG designers.  For our services, we established a “flat fee” and worked with our client to spread the payments out over the course of several months.

This renovation went very smoothly thanks to the “group” assembled by LDG.   We only ran into one “hitch” when the master shower was demolished and rot was found in the floor and walls, causing additional repairs that added about a week to the finish line. 

A good rule of thumb in any renovation project is to expect the unexpected! 

 This was a “collaboration” in design at its best!  The kitchen re-design included the kitchen proper, breakfast and keeping areas, laundry and powder room.  We took the overall footprint and re-designed it for better use and flow.  Working with Chuck Tice, the contractor, and the homeowner,  we agreed to change the structural layout of the space.   Walls were knocked down and re-configured,  the garage entry door was relocated for better flow and the back stairway was opened into the room.  All structural decisions were finalized by our contractor and he was able to make our design work beautifully. 

The overall footprint of the space was approximately 1000 sq.ft.  The footprint of the kitchen proper was 15’ x 25’ or 375 sq. ft.  As you can see, this was a large space – not your average size kitchen!

Once again, we had the privilege of working with Maureen Desrosiers on the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry design.  Her work in this home is outstanding and the attention to detail is a testament to her skill.   We stress to our clients the importance LDG places in selecting the contractors and artisans with whom we work. We have built our reputation on working with the best at a value for our clients – it is not an area open to compromise.  Mistakes are costly and we do our very, very best to avoid them.  Using skilled, experienced contractors and artisans is just one factor in our overall design scheme and success.

(Side Bar:  When I – rarely – watch HGTV, I am amazed at the work attempted by design “professionals”.  Here at Legacy, we recognize that it is our job to design and the labor is left to those who are experts at what they do!  But that’s another article for another day!)

 Using the formula for renovation costs as stated above, this kitchen renovation could easily have been an investment of $375,000 – $500,000.  (Valuing the home conservatively at $2.5 Million  given its location and overall size – over 10,000 sq. ft.)  While I don’t have the actual figures from the contractor as our process allows the homeowner to work directly with the builder, his portion of the work included demolition of the existing kitchen down to the studs, installing a beam to support the upper level, new construction, new windows and doors, plumbing, electrical, drywall and painting.  I do know that the homebuyer spent approximately $175,000 on new cabinets, appliances by Wolf, SubZero and Miele, lighting (architectural and decorative) and plumbing fixtures, including installation of cabinetry and appliances and granite countertops.  I estimate the new flooring for the entire area at $4,000.  

Beautiful wood cabinets in a warm walnut finish with a glazed patina; a customized cooking center that is a true showpiece; raised panels and columns; center island in creamy white cabinetry with a custom wood countertop and granite on the rest – a dream kitchen! 

TO SEE PHOTOS:     http://www.legacy-design-group.com/photogallery/beforeandafterpictures.html

Now, we fully understand that not all our clients have the resources for this level of design renovation.  Here at LDG we have worked on many more modest projects and more modest kitchen and bath renovations with budgets under $50,000.  It can be done.  The level of investment is determined by our clients. 

 “Renovation? Big or small, LDG is the company to call!”