Dear Clients and Friends, 

Happy New Year! This past year has certainly not been boring, and early 2009 continues to bring us bad news, the ripple effect of which can be felt by all of us.

Still – life goes on, and recent weeks of sunny California sunshine plants the ‘home improvement’ bug early. After many months of doom and gloom, we realize that life goes on. The economy and our personal finances will recover. I believe that we will soon see a more balanced and optimistic outlook with moderately increased spending. Projects may become smaller and more focused. Splurging on luxury items may be slowing, but taking care of your home feels comforting in times like these.

For a visual tour of my most recent projects, click here. Perhaps the photos will spark a new inspiration for your own home.

January – a fresh start! Wishing you all the very best for 2009 and may your dreams come true!



  Shelton Interiors
 

Our Topics are:
• A personal Note on Residence Redesigns & SHELTON INTERIORS
• Remodel Workshop – What to Expect
• How to achieve Balance with Picture Arrangements
• Watch out for those Return Policies!
• Cost vs. Resale 2008 Report
• “You Owe it to Yourself to Take that Vacation”, by Pam Appell, Owner of Open Gate Travel
• Professional Services Network – LinkedIn
• Subscribe/Unsubscribe
 

Most of you know me as “Residence Redesigns” – the name I gave my business at inception in late 2002. I have substantially broadened the scope of my design services during the past years, and therefore decided to give both specialties their own identity – the domains are:

     1) Classic, full service Interior Design
     2) Staging Design

While the lines may be blurry in rare cases, this step does not eliminate in any way my level of commitment to superior service. Dedication to delivering custom designs tailored to your budget, goal, and level of involvement is renewed with each new client. Both branches offer various levels of service, starting with “consultation only”.

For questions or comments, please contact me at 650.345.7412.

http://www.residenceredesigns.com/SheltonInteriors_Services.html

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Did you know there are professional therapists specializing in smoothing the waves of a remodel project? A large remodel ranks right up there with one of the 7 most stressful things you may experience in your lifetime (along with buying a house, getting married, the arrival of your firstborn, etc.). For informed and comprehensive planning, here are a few considerations you must weigh in order to save time, money, and – most importantly – your sanity!

  1. Is my budget realistic – make a game plan.
          • Resale value versus long term investment
          • Structural work, moving plumbing, custom cabinetry
          • Materials: best value, “green”, substitute for same look
          • Are all the bells & whistles really needed
          • Focus on main scope of work. Avoid change orders or multiple follow up projects driving up cost

  2. How far ahead should I start planning
          • Start an idea folder with articles, photos, notes
          • Do your homework: showcase houses, Open Houses
          • Cash flow – early financial planning may be critical

  3. Professionals to retain
          • Architects, designers, structural engineers all add specific value
          • Obtain referrals from trusted friends, family, co-workers
          • Allow time to check references, licenses, insurance
          • Get multiple proposals (2-3), then decide

  4. Living with chaos
          • Planning temporary arrangements
          • Clear communication with contractors are key
          • Consider best timing and seasons that work for your family

  5. Common pitfalls and misunderstandings
          • Avoid being influenced by trends and fads
          • Take time to analyze your needs
          • Comparing apples & oranges
          • Hiring a specialist may be ‘cheap insurance’

Clearly, every remodeling scenario is unique. Each professional involved in any residential home improvement project works, estimates, and charges differently, and many may not take the time necessary to educate and mentor potential clients, or be willing to risk business opportunities by discussing possible obstacles. By being well informed and prepared, clients can eliminate much of the anxiety that comes along with the remodel. Discussing the scope of the project with a professional, and having the game plan finalized will save the homeowner time, money, and – most importantly – their sanity!

The larger the wall, the more intimidating this process becomes – a white sheet of paper, a blank slate – a ‘writer’s block’ inflicted on the new homeowner. Filling the walls with framed pictures gives life to the room, creates personal displays, and reflects the owner’s personality and style. Here are some guidelines:

1. Less is more – do not create more than one grouping composed of smaller pictures. The room will be too busy, and this kind of visual overload can induce a cluttered look. Ideally, wall displays include one focal point (a grouping, a large piece of art, a tapestry) and smaller vignettes on other walls.

2. Your wall will tell you what order you need to establish – select a geometric shape that looks balanced and pleasing to the eye. As a general rule of thumb, cover about two thirds of the space above a large piece of furniture (a sofa, a console table, or a headboard). For instance, if your sofa is 8’ long, your picture grouping would cover about 5.1/2’, leaving space for “framing” the grouping on all sides.

3. Your arrangement must be balanced, but does not have to be symmetrical. Odd numbers make for a more interesting display, and varying sizes and frame shapes can make an attractive layout. If the pictures have one common element such as frame material or color, theme, or size, the composition will look like they belong together.

4. Align a group of pictures on at least one horizontal line.

5. Balance the visual weight of the frames.

6. Don’t leave too much space (2” to max. 6”) between the frames as otherwise the grouping will look like its components are floating away from each other.

As a result of the ailing economy, many retailers have quietly modified return policies. The standard window for a return used to be 90 days but many local businesses and chains have reduced it to 30 days. What’s more – they are enforcing these new rules. Returning furnishings without receipts is getting very difficult, and many stores charge a restocking fee.

Pottery Barn: 30 Days
http://www.potterybarn.com/cust/returnpolicy/content.cfm
http://www.wshome.com/cust/returnpolicy/content.cfm?words=return%20policy
Pottery Barn – West Elm – PB Teen – Pottery Barn Kids – Williams Sonoma – Williams Sonoma Home


Restoration Hardware: 90 days
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/customer_service/returns.jsp
Restoration Hardware provides very efficient return service when you make an online or catalog purchase. Often, they will provide return shipment packaging with the item and have Fedex or UPS pick it up at your front door.


ANA Furniture: 24hours to 7 days
24 hours (!) for accessories. Furniture may be returned within 7 days, but ANA will charge a 30% restocking fee.


Scandinavian Designs: 14 days
http://www.scandinaviandesigns.com/?page=service/returns
Will charge a 10% restocking fee.


Lamps Plus: 21 days
http://www.lampsplus.com/htmls/help/returns.asp
Online purchases may be returned to the stores.


Crate and Barrel: 90 Days
http://crateandbarrel.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/crateandbarrel.cfg/php/enduser/crate_answer.php?p_faqid=77

It is a good idea to ask about the return policy when you purchase an item. For larger, heavy furnishings, and if you are uncertain whether the piece is going to work in your home, you may be able to negotiate an “upon approval” condition. Generally, difficult economic times may prompt retailers to be open to concessions, but it is best to be prepared.

This year, Americans are predicted to spend $217 billion on remodels.

Even though the media suggest the news is all bad, statistics show that San Mateo County sellers received 96.29% of their asking price in 2008. Remodels of both exterior and interior play a major role for a peninsula real estate market analyzing homes in good to excellent condition.

One of the professional trade organizations SAMCAR (San Mateo County Association of Realtors) has just published its annual “Cost vs. Value Report, which compares construction costs with resale values. The annual report differentiates additions, remodels and rebuilding projects in 79 markets, allowing for more localized insight.

Here are a few numbers that may be of interest to you:

Midrange Home Improvements

Upscale Home Improvements

For the Pacific region, all of the projects listed rank approx. 6-9% higher than national average. And although compared to 2007 numbers, the “cost recouped” has decreased, there are a couple of projects that rank higher this year: an upscale bathroom remodel, and siding replacement.

For the full details of the 2009 Report, click here:
http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/articles/2008/0812_costvsvalue_2008