A Designer Shares Her Shopping List for Solving a L.A. Home’s Layout Problems

Home staging has become an increasingly important strategy for selling properties quickly and at a higher price point. Meridith Baer, a luxury home-staging expert, founded her company over 25 years ago after an unexpected staging of a friend's home led to a sale significantly above the asking price. Her company, Meridith Baer Home, now stages approximately 2,000 houses annually across multiple major US cities, employing 350 staff members. While the company has handled properties valued up to $200 million, Baer emphasizes that home staging can benefit any property seller, regardless of the asking price. The investment in professional home staging typically ranges from $787 to $2,837, though costs can vary based on furniture rentals and property size. This investment often yields substantial returns; a 2021 survey by the National Association of Realtors indicated that 82% of buyers' agents believe home staging helps buyers envision themselves in a home. Furthermore, Realtor.com reported in 2023 that staged homes sell 88% faster and for an average of 20% more than non-staged homes. Baer provides ten practical design tips to enhance a home's appeal to prospective buyers. First, collaborate with a broker to identify the target buyer demographic, as staging can be tailored to appeal to specific groups, such as families or single professionals. Second, declutter spaces extensively, removing unnecessary items to create an impression of ease and spaciousness. For instance, in children's rooms, most toys should be stored away, leaving only a few out. Third, organize closets by color and remove unused clothing to make them appear more streamlined and appealing. Fourth, remove personal items like family photos and heirlooms, allowing potential buyers to visualize their own lives in the space rather than being distracted by the current owner's personal history. Fifth, strategically introduce aesthetically pleasing personal touches, such as fresh fruit bowls or flowers in the kitchen, ensuring these elements contribute positively to the overall aesthetic. Sixth, invest in fresh linens and towels, as these relatively inexpensive items can significantly elevate the perceived quality of a bathroom or bedroom. Seventh, replace store-bought product bottles with neutral glass ones for shampoo, soap, and other visible items to achieve a more cohesive and high-end look. Eighth, maximize natural light by removing heavy draperies or curtains during the day and employing ambient lighting with dimmers in the evenings. Ninth, apply a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint. This is an affordable way to make a significant impact, with whites and off-whites being ideal choices to ensure the space remains versatile and allows other elements to stand out. Finally, style bookshelves carefully by decluttering them and arranging decorative items and books to add personality. If books have brightly colored covers, consider wrapping them or turning them backward to maintain a neutral aesthetic. These tips collectively aim to create an inviting, depersonalized, and spacious environment that resonates with a broad range of potential buyers. #HomeStaging #RealEstate #HomeSellingTips #InteriorDesign #Decluttering #HomeDecor #PropertyMarketing #MeridithBaerHome #DesignTips

Choosing the optimal floor plan for a family involves a multifaceted approach that considers present needs, future growth, budget, and practical functionalities. Experts emphasize that effective communication and collaboration between homeowners and architects are crucial to achieving a home that not only functions well but also enhances the family's lifestyle. Kirsten Schoettelkotte, Studio Director at MHK Architecture, highlights listening as an underrated skill for architects, as open dialogue can uncover solutions neither party initially envisioned. Leigh Misso, Owner and Designer at River Brook, concurs, stressing the importance of understanding how a family truly lives within their space. To begin the process, it's beneficial to identify what aspects of the current living situation are not working. Pinpointing these pain points can guide the selection of future floor plan essentials and reveal unexpected requirements. For instance, the contemporary trend in home design is moving away from strictly open-concept layouts towards a more tailored approach. While fully open spaces were popular in the early 2000s, many homeowners now appreciate the defined areas that walls, arches, or casement openings provide. However, a family with young children might still prefer some visual connectivity between spaces, such as the kitchen and living room, leading to hybrid designs that offer both separation and sightlines. Understanding family dynamics and lifestyle is paramount. Architects often use questionnaires to gather details about the number and ages of children, pets, work-from-home arrangements, and preferred rooms. This information helps design the right adjacencies between rooms and balances private and shared spaces. For example, placing children's bedrooms or playrooms directly above a primary suite is often avoided due to noise concerns. Similarly, families who frequently entertain might prioritize a dedicated scullery or prep kitchen to keep cooking messes out of sight during gatherings. Maximizing functionality and practicality means considering the flow of daily life. Essential spaces like the kitchen and laundry room are core anchors, influencing the organization of the entire home. Misso advises thinking about entry points, such as mudrooms off the garage or back door, that connect seamlessly to the kitchen, facilitating a smooth transition into the home. Furthermore, the design must harmonize with the chosen site and its surroundings. Factors like sun exposure, prevailing breezes, views, tree placement, and even driveway access significantly influence home orientation and, consequently, the most suitable floor plan. Architects often encourage clients to consider exterior gathering spaces first, determining if the home is best suited for a front porch, back porch, or courtyard, as these decisions impact the internal layout. Long-term planning is another critical consideration, as family needs evolve over time. A well-designed home should offer flexibility to adapt to changing life stages. While it's challenging to anticipate every future need, incorporating flex spaces, such as a room that can serve as a nursery for toddlers and later convert into an office or study area for older children, can provide adaptability. Finally, budget constraints are an inevitable part of the process. Homeowners are advised to create a prioritized list of 'must-haves' versus 'nice-to-haves' to remain on track. Architects play a vital role in balancing client desires with practical living requirements and budgetary realities, guiding the integration of all these elements into a cohesive and livable home. #FloorPlan #HomeDesign #FamilyLiving #Architecture #InteriorDesign #LifestyleNeeds #BudgetPlanning #Functionality #SitePlanning

Decorating a New York City apartment or choosing new furniture to fit a new space can be a challenging and expensive endeavor. Hiring a professional interior designer may be beyond the budget for many New Yorkers, but technology offers a viable alternative: interior design apps. These applications allow users to virtually plan and decorate their rooms, select paint colors, and order furniture and decor directly from their smartphones, effectively removing much of the guesswork and potential for costly mistakes. The primary advantage of using these apps is the enhanced customization they provide. Users can upload photos and videos of their actual living spaces, allowing for a realistic depiction of how different design elements would appear. Many apps also support the creation of 2D and 3D models based on precise room measurements. This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals who are moving and may not yet have physical access to their new apartment, enabling them to plan layouts and furniture arrangements in advance. Furthermore, some apps offer the capability to visualize furniture from popular retailers, such as IKEA and West Elm, within the virtual space before making a purchase. While many of these apps and associated websites are free to download, additional features and professional services often come with a cost. Engaging with an interior designer through an app typically incurs a fee, and even apps without direct designer integration may charge for advanced functionalities like extra room designs, high-quality renderings, or access to comprehensive product catalogs. Nevertheless, these costs are generally substantially lower than the expense of retaining a full-service interior designer. The article highlights five specific applications: Modsy, Havenly, Room Planner, Home Design 3D, and Homestyler. Modsy offers a service where users upload room photos and measurements, take a style quiz, and then work with a professional interior designer to create 3D designs. It also provides discounts on furniture purchases from partner retailers. Havenly operates similarly, matching users with designers based on a style quiz and providing design suggestions, with options for 3D renderings and custom floor plans. Havenly has also expanded to offer in-person design services in NYC, starting at $500. Room Planner allows users to create 3D designs by taking photos of their space, offering virtual decoration and inspiration from existing room designs. It features furniture from popular stores, helping users ensure items fit before buying. Home Design 3D enables users to build floor plans from room dimensions, create 3D models, and then add doors, windows, paint, and furniture. This app distinguishes itself with advanced features like skylights and roofs. Finally, Homestyler allows users to create 2D or 3D floor plans based on apartment measurements, decorating with furniture from various stores and offering a panoramic walkthrough view. Its basic plan is free, with paid upgrades for higher quality renderings and more models. This range of applications provides various options for New Yorkers seeking cost-effective and efficient ways to design and decorate their homes. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #NYCApartments #DesignApps #VirtualDesign #FurniturePlanning #HomeRenovation #SmartHome

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation