This week we talk about updating a home in order to get it ready for sale without breaking the bank.  See how we transformed our clients' two bathrooms and brought it into the 2020's by using premade vanities and helped open up their existing space plan.  We also discuss cost saving tips when it comes to buying fixtures and cabinets.  Join us as we vent about current freight and delivery issues that plague the industry.  We also talk about what we learned this week with the 811 service.

This week we discuss the various factors we consider when designing a full furnishings package for a client.  We also go way off-topic and have a lengthy discussion regarding laundry room design, pros and cons of front load vs top load washer/dryer, and stacked washer dryer vs unitized combinations.  Learn about the different table bases we consider when selecting a dining table and how it affects the number of seats you can place at your table.  Also hear why we like to specify larger base furniture pieces in neutrals.

Find out how we were able to save our clients tens of thousands of dollars by convincing them not to do an addition onto their 1950's cottage and instead achieved all of their goals by playing space plan tetris with the center core of their house.  We also chat about pet peeves with current home layouts, along with money saving tips for making inexpensive countertop material look like a million dollars.

To celebrate our 7-year anniversary, we discuss how a horrible freak accident impacted the design of our most recently completed master bathroom renovation.  See how we modified our proposed design to help hide away clutter and safety features to keep a modern aesthetic.  We also talk about how the recent snowmageddon changed part of our design process and different features to help our clients stay safe and warm in their newly designed master shower and how we came up with the design of his and her custom closets.

For this snowmageddon week in Texas, we discuss different ways of accentuating the kitchen island while working with a budget and discuss current trends we're seeing in kitchen islands. We also chat about our design tip regarding cabinet hardware.  This week, we're currently working on a feasibility study for a new project and discuss the history of the trash compactor and also design tricks of making a space appear visually larger.  Finally, join us for a couple of tidbits on how to select a designer. 

Happy new year!  To kick off 2021, we discuss the disappearance of the breakfast nook from home planning and what is taking over its place.  We have an in-depth discussion regarding the design tips featured in this episode: getting the look of 'built-in' refrigeration without spending the associated costs, and also upholstering with 'indestructible' fabric to withstand kids, stains, and wear and tear!  We also circle back on the discussion of color temperature (kelvins) vs. brightness (lumens) when it comes to lighting.

For our final podcast of 2020, we have an in-depth discussion regarding value engineering and what exact it is.  We review the tricks we used to save money on this master bath oasis by reducing LED lighting and re-engineering the floating wood soffit.  We also talk about economics and why furniture costs so different based on different retailers.  The pantry project also gets wrapped up and we chat about our personal lessons learned along with the ones for this project.  We wish you a safe and peaceful holidays and will see you in the new year!

This week we discuss a very delicate topic that doesn't get discussed often: planning for disability and handicap.  Disability doesn't necessarily mean wheelchair bound as many physical changes we experience as we age puts us in a handicap category.  We talk about how our background in commercial design has helped us in preparing our residential clients for universal or 'aging in place' design.  We revisit the pros and cons of a wet room design for our disabled veteran clients and talk about current organization trends in a home.

Join us as we discuss one of our favorite design topics and challenges: small spaces and expand a bit further on these two almost identically sized laundry rooms and the two completely different directions we took the design.  We revisit budgeting using IKEA vs. custom cabinetry and discuss the pros and cons of gas vs. electric.  Catch up on our latest project and the proper steps of designing a custom new build home from scratch.  We also discuss some storage solution ideas when it comes to closets and staircases.

 Join us as we discuss the difference between styling and staging and how we approach the two differently.  We also talk about the process of designing a custom home and the roles of an architect vs. an interior designer vs. a decorator.  Listen to a couple of funny design stories/lessons we've learned from our careers.  We also give some DIY ideas for sprucing up existing cabinetry and mixing in vintage pieces with new furniture.