If you're doing a home remodel, the fun part doesn't happen until you finally get to start choosing the materials that will be used to finish the space. Each room is unique and should be treated so, but there are some standard guidelines for successfully choosing your materials. As a General Contractor specializing in home remodeling throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, we can help you through this process and match you up with the necessary vendors and suppliers.
1. Choose your theme When you walk through your home, is there an overall theme? Or, is every space unique? Either approach is just fine, but you'll want to make sure you have harmony between spaces so that the overall home feels cohesive and welcoming. When a home is broken up in style, it can feel jarring and uncomfortable. Whether this will be your forever home, or if you plan to sell your home someday, this is something you will want to consider. 2. Identify the main focal point Every room should have a central focal point that serves as the inspiration for everything else in the space. This focal point item is the one thing to splurge on and to get exactly as you want it. Then, when it comes to the other elements for the space, you are better able to make 'yes/no' choices because the items either work with the main focal point or they don't. And, with lesser important materials, you have more freedom to substitute with less expensive options because they're not the main draw of attention. 3. Shop, shop, shop Your general contractor will be able to match your wishlist with known vendors and suppliers, but it is okay to shop for the best prices. But, when you do this, keep these two things in mind: Make sure your contractor helps you with the ordering, so you get the correct amount, measurements, etc. and make sure your contractor is comfortable/able to work with the materials you are ordering. You might save a few dollars shopping independently, but if you need to hire a specialist to do the installation, your savings will be long gone. 4. Be flexible In the material selection process, be prepared to be flexible. You very well may run into items being on back order, a supplier not having enough of what you want, etc. You'll need to work with your contractor on what's more important... having a particular model of sink and risk running into overage costs for putting the project behind schedule, or making a compromise for a similar sink and staying on track. There's not a right or wrong here. It's just something to be prepared for so everyone can be on the same page and schedules adjusted accordingly.
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As a General Contractor, we've seen our share of styles and preferences for house design and interior decorating. In fact, throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, you can see homes exhibiting the best in modern design, homes with the charm of the Victorian period, and everything in between. Each has their place, and it's fun to work on homes from different eras. But, if you find yourself needing some inspiration, here are some home design trends that seem to be on fire.
1. Creative and functional use of space More often than not homes are being designed to utilize every inch of space to its best use. Think "tiny home" necessity scaled to match your square footage. Examples of this include creative storage solutions, utilizing "dead space" in new ways, and giving areas of the home multiple purposes. Built-ins are a great way to make use of otherwise dead space. Drawers installed under stairs. 2. Warm metals vs. industrial finishes This is one trend that seems to swing every decade or two. But, right now, warm metals are all the rage. Bring out your copper and gold fixtures, pots and pans, etc. These metals make a space feel welcoming and cozy while still maintaining a sense of elegance. 3. Matte appliance finishes Up until recent times, the appliances in your home were flashy and somewhat attention grabbing. They were statement pieces in your kitchen, the envy in your laundry room, etc. But now, the goal is to have these appliances blend into your space. Matte finishes allow appliances to do just that — blend in. With this approach, we place the focus on the "life" in the room, not the giant refrigerator. 4. Cerused wood floors and cabinets The trend lately is based on a technique introduced in the 1500's, whereas wood was 'limed' to expose the texture and grain. Today, people are using cerused wood throughout their homes and with their cabinets to get that old and worn look but with new wood. 5. Jewel tones Regarding color, beige is out, out, out. Designers are choosing bolder colors for interiors to bring out the drama of each room. In fact, the 2017 Benjamin Moore color of the year is a deep amethyst color called Shadow. Juxtapose these colors with the soft pastels found in nature, and you'll have a winning palette. 6. Subway tiles Subway tiles have been popular for a few years now, but they haven't lost any ground when it comes to tile selection. They can be bold or subtle, and the patterns you can create are endless. Concerning application, you can use subway tiles in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and even in other spaces like home offices and entertainment rooms. 7. Smart home features With the tech world in which we live, the ability to integrate "smart" features into homes is appreciated. The trick is to make sure the technology you integrate is universal and long-lasting. For example, create charging stations with standard types of plug-ins vs. creating a solution for which only one type of device can work. You'll want to avoid what car manufacturers did when the iPod was popular — many created iPod specific cradles, so you had a place to set your device while driving. Not too long after, the iPod started changing sizes and connectors, and the cradles were no longer useful. To discuss your home remodeling needs and ideas, please give us a call at 541-767-1611. |
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