As editor -in -chief of Country lifeI'm constantly looking at Nice, inspiring interiors And have my fair share of the talented homeowners, designers and learned Stylist We have worked over the years.
I am at home in Birmingham, Alabama
For example Nashville Designer Chad James Once revealed that his secret 20-year-old Hardwood Floor-Spot combo three parts of Jakobean and part of the Ebony (both of “is” Minwax)Repeat the renovator Holly Audrey Williams Told me that the color of the trim color should rethink and just go with it Wolke white by Benjamin Mooreand HGTV star and author Leanne Ford I taught myself to better use ancient doors. (I hadn't even thought of using one For a shower!!)
This is all to say that I have a lot of information available, but I still made a few mistakes with my own home renovation. I admit, I tried to do things in a hurry (I should have accepted that Slowly Approach!) And that is never a good idea if you are semi-permanent things like how Bathroom tiles or Worktops.
Save You I share a few potential headaches and time that qualify about decisions.
Become thicker on the worktops.
I have learned that a two -inch working plate plate makes a lot More effect and feels much more luxurious than the standard 1 1/4-inch in particular if your kitchen is quite large or part of an open floor plan. I didn't update with my current kitchen, but next time I saw thicker panels in the wild.
Mix your worktop materials.
I was so concerned about choosing the right worktop material (and I had to do it in a hurry – a long story) that it couldn't come to my mind to choose more than one Material. While I was satisfied with the white quartzite along the circumference, I wished afterwards that I had gone with a soap stone Butcher block on the island (or maybe even a decided central wooden table Instead of an island) to help, warmer and more stated.
Take care of the occupation of modern windows.
You can ask my family: I almost lost and tried to choose a white color-and despite the Warm white Read everyone so sick and it turned out that my new energy-efficient windows made a slightly green cast. (I wish my contractor had given me a head!) After a lot of attempt and error, I landed on it Alabaster from Sherwin-WilliamsWhat somehow managed to combat the green-identifying effect.
Don't play it safe with tiles.
When I selected myself to choose tiles for my children's shared bathroom, I was tired of making decisions and b) to make the budget. We chose a simple white U -Bahn tile in the shower and for an oversized white hexagon tile for the floor, which is all right and influenced, but does nothing to improve the joy factor. I have the feeling that I spent so much energy to place the room “to decorate” on a strangely expensive shower curtain, to explore patterned window treatments, to hang out works of art – that I just wanted that I would simply have the opportunity to make more with the hard materials like a decorative statement, like one, like one Colorful striped floor Or a Gingham or Quilt tile motif. (PSST: There is a lot of inspiration for bathrooms to find Here.) Someone also pointed out that they still save the same amount for work or store it on the material so that they can do it right the first time.
See: It's so much more fun, right?
If in doubt, the size increases.
This council usually has with ShineBut it also applies to other things (rugs, mirrors, trendy jeans …). When it comes to designing a room, the scale is particularly important, but usually more noticeable if objects are too small than too big. When it came to lighting – Lantern on the outside, trailer over the island – I often considered between two size options, but every time the larger option was the right one.
Don't choose the external water dispenser.
Sorry for my children and my husband, all of whom enjoyed this convenience, but I wish we had decided on a cleaner device silhouette (with an internal water dispenser) or in a panel-enabled refrigerator so that this giant of a device could better insert into our cupboards. In addition: the water from the donor drips onto the stainless steel and leaves unsightly markings that I apparently cannot get rid of. (Suggestions welcome!)
Now The'Sa beautiful hidden fridge. (I also love this veil on the worktop!)
Trust your instincts.
At the end of the day it is your home. As much as contractors or designers or friends or family have opinions, they are the person who lives with the decisions. For example, someone from not Salllecered brass police spoke me and now when I access a door knob (which is a lot – the auxiliary areas are very useful! Go with your stomach.
Rachel Hardage Barrett is the editor -in -chief of Country life. She cannot spend vintage souls, drives a Woody Wagoneer of 89 (that is, when it starts) and hopes to buy a lemonade in a future compatriot.