HGTV Star Carmeon Hamilton’s Number-One Rental Hack (It’s Not Paint!)

The experts from HGTV's "Unsellable Houses," sisters Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis, offer a range of painting tips designed to help homeowners refresh their living spaces and increase property value. Their advice spans color psychology, application techniques, and creative uses of paint, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to undertake painting projects, whether for selling a home or simply updating its appearance. The central idea is that strategic painting can achieve significant transformations without the need for extensive and costly renovations. One key tip involves updating old wooden cabinets with a fresh, light paint color. Lamb and Davis recommend this approach as an alternative to expensive remodels, citing their success with Sherwin-Williams Aleutian SW 6241, a subtle blue that gives a dated kitchen a custom, modern look. They emphasize that a favorite paint color can be reused in multiple areas of the house to create a cohesive and lively feel. Accent walls are highlighted as a method to make ceilings appear higher. By painting the top portion of a tall wall a bold color, or even the entire wall, the eye is drawn upward, creating an illusion of greater space and opulence, particularly beneficial in smaller homes. They advise using molding to separate colors if painting only a partial wall, or painting the entire wall for uniformity. Painting the ceiling an accent color can further enhance this spatial illusion. Another significant piece of advice is to paint rather than discard old or unstylish items. The sisters assert that a new coat of paint can revitalize furniture and entire rooms, making them seem new or better. They suggest using neutral colors, such as subtle grays and stark whites from brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, to ensure a timeless appeal. This approach encourages sustainability and cost-effectiveness in home decor. When choosing gray paint, Lamb specifically recommends looking for options with green undertones rather than blue. She notes that green undertones warm the color while maintaining its cool essence, resulting in a true neutral. Homeowners can determine undertones by asking paint store employees or comparing swatches against other colors. Contrary to common belief, bold exterior colors can be more effective than neutrals in selling a house. The show's experts often encounter bland home exteriors that fail to attract buyers. They advocate for vibrant colors, like a beach blue with white trim, to make a house stand out in the neighborhood, acknowledging that while expensive, such an investment can yield significant returns. Painting doors is presented as a cost-saving alternative to replacing them. Given the high cost of new doors, a fresh coat of paint can elevate their look economically. Lamb and Davis frequently use this strategy, applying colors like gray-green to create a coastal vibe. They also suggest using a pop of color on the front door to enhance curb appeal. Brick fireplaces and mantels are identified as prime candidates for painting. The sisters believe that painting brick or stone can transform a space without major renovation. They recommend cleaning and priming the brick thoroughly to ensure an even finish, turning a potentially overbearing feature into a bright, white statement piece that appeals to homebuyers. However, they strongly advise against ombre walls, noting the difficulty even professionals face in achieving a desirable outcome. Ombre techniques often lead to issues like overspray or overly thick paint application, resulting in a confusing or dated look. They suggest sticking to solid colors for walls to ensure a clean and appealing aesthetic. Lastly, the experts encourage unconventional uses of paint, such as creating murals. Davis views paint as a medium for creative expression, suggesting that murals can add liveliness and texture to a room, serving as an easier-to-change alternative to wallpaper. Additionally, white paint is championed as a timeless strategy to make rooms appear larger, especially in spaces with limited natural light. They caution against stark whites, recommending warmer undertones to avoid a sterile feel and achieve the desired effect. These comprehensive tips from the "Unsellable Houses" stars offer practical and effective ways to enhance any home through strategic painting. #HGTVUnsellableHouses #PaintingTips #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #ExteriorDesign #DIYHomeDecor #PaintColors #RealEstate #HomeStaging

Home renovation and design expert Christina Haack, known for her shows 'Christina on the Coast' and 'The Flip Off,' has identified a significant kitchen layout mistake that she believes can negatively impact a home's resale value and overall aesthetic: having the front door open directly into the kitchen. Haack emphasizes that the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home and the most crucial room for potential buyers, making its design and placement paramount. Haack's primary concern with a front-door-to-kitchen layout is the immediate impression it creates upon entering a home. She argues that this arrangement can make the space feel less inviting and even chaotic, especially if the kitchen is not perfectly tidy. Beyond the visual impact, she also points out practical drawbacks, such as strong cooking odors immediately greeting guests as they enter, which can set an undesirable tone for the entire house. She advises that kitchens should ideally have their own distinct space, separate from the immediate entry point, to provide a more organized and welcoming environment. In an episode of 'The Flip Off,' Haack demonstrated her design philosophy by removing constricting walls in a home and relocating the kitchen. This strategic move allowed her to expand the kitchen's footprint, creating a more spacious area for food preparation and dining. Her design goal was to achieve a 'classic design with a pop,' aiming for a kitchen that felt earthy, elegant, and inviting simultaneously. The final design featured white oak cabinets, a high-end stove, a large island, and a porcelain backsplash, illustrating her vision for a well-designed and strategically placed kitchen. Haack's perspective aligns with that of other design experts. Three professionals interviewed by 'Homes and Gardens' also highlighted the critical role of kitchen layout and design in influencing a home's value and the cooking experience. Designer Tom Howley, for instance, suggested viewing open-plan spaces as a cohesive whole with multiple zones, dedicating specific areas for cooking, dining, lounging, and even compact office spaces. This zoning approach is crucial for creating flexible and functional spaces that cater to various lifestyle needs. Haack further reinforces her design philosophy by noting that her own updated kitchen, featuring black oak cabinets and white marble countertops, is not positioned directly by the front door. This personal choice underscores her belief in the importance of kitchen placement for both functionality and aesthetic appeal, aiming to balance family-friendly utility with high-end design elements. Her insights offer valuable advice for homeowners considering kitchen remodels or looking to enhance their home's resale potential. #ChristinaHaack #KitchenDesign #HomeRenovation #ResaleValue #HGTV #InteriorDesign #TheFlipOff #ChristinaOnTheCoast #HouseBeautiful

Christina Hall, known for her modern SoCal style from HGTV's "Flip or Flop" and "Christina on the Coast," demonstrates how to achieve timeless and fresh designs using traditionally 'safe' choices. Instead of focusing on fleeting trends, Hall integrates elements from various styles to create enduring aesthetics. A notable example from Season 5, Episode 13 of "Christina on the Coast" features a bathroom renovation where Hall utilizes a medium-sized, champagne-colored honeycomb tile within an otherwise all-white bathroom. This approach results in a classic, cool look enhanced by a subtle pop of color and texture, described by Hall as having "champagne vibes" and by her client as "timeless." Honeycomb or hexagon tiles, with roots dating back to the 19th century, have evolved from a trendy item to a timeless design element. Hall's design showcases how these tiles can be effectively incorporated to avoid an outdated appearance. She uses the honeycomb tile as a focal point in the all-white bathroom, complementing it with elements like penny tile and wood to revitalize the space. The strategy for replicating Hall's look involves making the honeycomb tile backsplash a central feature of an all-white bathroom design. In her project, she opted for a medium-sized, champagne-colored tile with white grout for the vanity backsplash, extending it to the ceiling. LED vanity mirrors and a wall sconce provide additional lighting, illuminating the tile. The rest of the bathroom maintains a minimalist aesthetic with white walls and white cabinets, allowing the honeycomb tile to stand out elegantly and evoke a 1920s Gatsby-inspired feel. To complete the design, Hall incorporated complementary elements that harmonized the overall aesthetic. She used a subtly textured off-white tile in the shower and a white and beachy gray penny tile for the built-in shower nook and floors. For the main bathroom flooring, natural light hardwood was chosen, alongside the same understated penny tile around the tub. Hall emphasized the synergy between the honeycomb and penny tiles. To emulate this design, one would pair an oversized champagne honeycomb tile vanity backsplash with delicate white and gray penny tile accents for showers or floors. Hall's application of honeycomb tile extends beyond this single bathroom project, as she has used it in various spaces including other bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchen backsplashes, demonstrating its versatility. For those who appreciate the sophisticated yet playful nature of honeycomb tile, Hall offers additional design insights. If more color is desired, Hall's approach in Season 6, Episode 1 of "Christina on the Coast" provides inspiration. Instead of a monochromatic white scheme, she combined white hexagonal tiles and white grout with white walls and earthy-toned cabinets for her parents' laundry room, a concept equally applicable to bathrooms for a modern and elegant outcome. Furthermore, honeycomb tiles can contribute to creating a dark, dramatic bathroom. Hall's design for a powder bathroom in the same episode involved pairing the tile with a dark blue and orange floral wallpaper. This aesthetic was further enhanced by white and gray marble countertops, dark natural hardwood cabinets, and gold accents. This Art Deco-inspired space exemplifies how timeless elements like honeycomb tile can be adaptably integrated into diverse design schemes to enhance visual appeal when executed thoughtfully. #ChristinaHall #HGTVDesign #HomeRenovation #BathroomDesign #TimelessDesign #HoneycombTile #InteriorDesign #CoastalLuxe #DesignHacks