Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Ask a Pro

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Head Over Hills

    Navigating your outdoor space can bring many challenges, some not always easy to navigate. Dream Team member and Outdoor pro Carson Arthur explains how to solve for some of nature’s problems with ease.

     

    What can I do to a hill with a tree and no grass? It’s too expensive to cut the tree and the dirt is eroding away.

    -Janice K.

     

     

    Sounds like you will need to get a good ground cover in place that will survive living under a tree, as well as help hold the soil in place. I recommend looking into a Sweet Woodruff ground cover or maybe a periwinkle. Both do well in dry shade and will solve your erosion problem with their roots. Hope this helps, and good luck.

    -Carson Arthur

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: To Keep or Not to Keep Beadboard in a Bathroom

    While shiplap may be the current darling of the design world, beadboard is also receiving attention for its versatility and style. When debating whether to take on a renovation that involves this timeless design, consider the time and cost investment.

    Question: I have beadboard in my hall bath and want to know if I should keep it, replace it with shiplap or leave it plain and just paint the drywall? The room has vintage floor tiles, a pedestal sink and marble tile surrounding the tub/shower.

    – Ken G.

    Well, this is a great question and my answer is, it depends! Use caution. This sounds like a simple project, but it might not be. Do you have a problem such as dry rot, mold or peeling paint that requires removing the beadboard? Is it painted already? Do you simply not like it? What looks beautiful to you? What are your goals for the space and how it will feel?

    In general, unless you are going for a new look completely or know you need to fix something, I recommend keeping a project simple. Any time you tear something out is an opportunity to find hidden problems that might delay the project or increase your budget. In bathrooms, in particular, moisture wreaks havoc without being noticeable. And in old buildings, paint often has lead in it, so talk with a licensed contractor before doing anything to create dust or cover up potential problems.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Create the Perfect Exterior Design for Your Home

    When making a first impression, every second counts. Exterior hues are a big part of curb appeal. Learn if an exterior can be enhanced by trends with Dream Team member and outdoor pro, Carson Arthur.

    Question: What are the hot new exterior trends for newly built homes?

    – Nicole G.

    I’m always careful when following trends, especially when it comes to the curb appeal for a home. We know that you only get one chance to make a first impression in life, and the same is true for the exterior of your house. Research shows that buyers make a judgment about the quality of our homes within 11 seconds of seeing them for the first time. The key to having a great exterior is more than just what is on trend. First, you need to look like you belong in your neighborhood… buyers are looking for homes in your area for a reason. Standing out positively is extremely difficult and risky for homeowners looking to make a statement with their curb appeal and their exteriors. Play on the best elements of other houses on your street. According to Remodelling Magazines’s 2018 Cost vs Value report, stone veneers have an ROI of almost 100 percent.

    – Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Are You Considering Pave Stones for Your Backyard?

    Hardscapes entice the senses and offer concrete accents to the natural world. Pave stones integrate a backbone into the design landscape. Dream Team member and Outdoor pro Carson Arthur explains how to incorporate structure into your slice of paradise by laying pave stones.

    Question: How do you lay pave stones for a backyard garden?

    – James S.

    Laying stones is more than a weekend project. If you live in an area that has snow, then it is crucial that you install a proper base of crushed gravel to allow for proper drainage that prevents ice from forming under the stone and heaving it. No one wants an unlevelled patio. Whether you have snowy winters or not, you also have to plan for drainage during heavy rains. Whatever you do… do it well and make sure to use a level. NEVER try to build a base by eyeballing it!

    – Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Preserve or Renovate

    An open space increases the sense of expansiveness in a room. Dream Team member and interior designer Jennifer Adams explains the considerations for this renovation, such as building codes and historical preservation. Give your home an area to relax and entertain without putting a cramp in your style.

    Question: I’m in a small apartment (625 square feet) in New York City. Is it better to open a wall and expand the kitchen into the living/dining area or keep the original footprint?

    – Laura L.

    Call a licensed contractor and open up that wall with as large of an opening as possible! The only reasons not to might be if there are structural requirements of any type, if you’d be losing too much storage, or if there is some historical significance to your building. Even then, there are probably ways to work around the issues.

    Before swinging a hammer to DIY the project, talk with licensed contractors and your building management and/or HOA, as there is most likely more to this project than you might realize.

    In any size place, especially a small apartment, opening spaces to let them flow together will help make your life better. Seeing a continuous space makes a place feel bigger, airier and less cramped, so you’ll be happier and perhaps less tempted to move. Plus, the openness will make entertaining easier and more fun, even if it’s just you and a friend or two.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Harness the Power of Outdoor Seating

    Create an extension of your home in fresh air areas with advice from Dream Team member and outdoor pro, Carson Arthur. While landscaping and hardscaping may offer a balance between man’s world and nature, a great outdoor space will increase the value of your home. Get inspired now!

    Question: What’s the best backyard design to sell your home?

    – Manuel M.

    Buyers today want useable space in their backyards. Patios, decks, and even gazebos all have great returns for one specific reason: they give buyers more square footage that has purpose! (And who doesn’t want more living space?) I always ask homeowners, “What don’t you have in your house? Is your kitchen big enough? Do you have a dining room? What about a fireplace?” If you can offset the shortcomings from the inside of your home with something that you KNOW you are going to use outdoors, then you have an instant selling feature and also a way to meet the needs of any buyer who has specific things they are hunting for. Skip the plants and gardens in the backyard and focus on seating areas with great furniture!

    – Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Staging Your Home for Potential Buyers

    Living in a home for any period of time will leave a wealth of clutter that can prove challenging when it comes time to stage it for potential buyers. See if this process is the right one to help you keep your treasures.

    Question: We have lived in our home for more than 30 years and have done quite a bit to it. We are planning to finish the remainder of our remodeling and sell. How do I “stage” and edit out 30 years of living?

    -Wanda G.

    Staging is all about creating a blank slate. Many potential buyers simply have a hard time seeing past your treasures, which they may see as clutter!

    Depending on the housing market in your area, it’s also smart to finish any partially completed remodeling projects that may be a distraction. Starting a new project, unless it is to fix a glaring problem, is probably not necessary. As you interview potential agents, see what they have to say.

    The most time-consuming part of staging is going to be the “editing out” or, essentially, massively de-cluttering. As you obviously know, any time we live in a house for a long time, we tend to hang onto things simply because we have the room. Since you’ll be moving anyway, pack up the valuables, art and especially all your personal items including family photos, trophies, unique treasures and mementos, large collections, etc. This may be a great time to encourage your family members to ask for what they want! Or, get a storage unit if you can’t move directly into your new place.

    Try very, very hard to store only items you will use in your new home, and donate the rest. You’ll thank yourself later – trust me on this! Otherwise, you’re paying good money to keep things you don’t really want. Allow plenty of time for this process if you are working or have a busy life – maybe even a couple of months! It’s more than a weekend project. And give yourself a realistic deadline to keep on track.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Maximize a Living Room Layout: Entertain or relax in style with these arrangement options

    Deciding where to place chairs can be tough when setting up a space. Especially when you have a uniquely shaped living room. Interior design pro, Jennifer Adams, gives this reader a few options to make every guest feel welcomed in their home.

    Question: I have a long living room with a fireplace in the middle of one long wall, two windows on another wall opposite the windows a sliding door to a deck and fourth wall with two door openings on each side. I have the couch on the wall opposite the fireplace and I don’t know whether to buy chairs to go with the couch or get a sectional instead. How should I arrange the furniture?

    Adding two chairs to a sofa arrangement would be more flexible than a sectional, especially if your room is small. Place one chair on either side of the sofa, corner to corner to save space. You could angle the chairs slightly to the fireplace or move them at right angles to the sofa for better conversation. Finish this arrangement off with a coffee table and one or two end tables between the couch and the chairs. Use the tables to make sure everyone has a place to set a magazine or beverage within comfortable reach.

    Is there enough room to place the couch closer to the fireplace so you can walk easily behind it to allow for through traffic? That would make a cozy and inviting seating arrangement because someone wouldn’t need to walk through the middle of the room unless they were headed to a chair.

    – Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Choosing a Table Setting That Lasts Beyond The Holidays

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams about creating a table setting that lasts beyond the holidays!

    Q: I have Noritake Platinum edged white dinnerware. What color placemats or tablecloth would be best to use with this china? I would like to be able to use the same setting for Christmas as well as afterward.

    -Sharon L.

    A: The beauty of classic dinnerware such as yours – and the challenge – is that it will go with really anything you want! For a stunning and timeless look perfect for any time of year, choose a charcoal gray tablecloth, in either a solid or subtle, low-contrast print. Other rich colors such as dark navy, deep burgundy or spicy pumpkin as well as neutral colors will mix things up a little for the seasons.

    For the holidays and dressy settings, think silver and sparkles! Silver mesh or fabrics woven with silver and white threads will play up the platinum edge and create a wintry feel. Accessorize with shiny or aged silver ornaments to finish the look!

    -Jennifer A.

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Housewarming Party

    Celebrate in style, no matter the size of your new home. Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams shows you how to go from cramped to cozy with a few great tips for your housewarming party in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Q: “I just recently brought my new condo/townhouse.  It has 2 beds, 1 full bath, 1 partial bath, a basement, and it is 986 Sq. ft.  I am going to host a house warming this spring and would like to know how do I fit 20 – 30 guests in my small home?”

    — Nancy J

    A: Congratulations on your new home! It’s so fun to get settled into a new space and create a home for yourself that you love. And how wonderful to have a great group to help you enjoy it. Here are a few of my tips for entertaining your friends and family for any gathering.

    Expand outdoors! Add festive lighting and consider inviting the neighbors so they won’t mind your friends spilling out onto your driveway. Rent or borrow a pop-up canopy if it’s going to be hot or rainy. Have some spare throw blankets nearby if some of the seating is outside and it’s going to be chilly.

    Set up the bar/beverages area accessible but separate from the food. Your kitchen is going to be packed no matter what, so having the beverages further away will keep your gathering a little more spread out. Consider someplace where spills are not very consequential but still social, perhaps in the back yard or garage if you have one.

    Push the major furniture pieces toward the walls. You’ll need the extra room for people to mingle. Turn the dining table sideways or place in a corner to make even more room, and remove all your breakable accessories. The table surfaces and seating are still going to be useful for food and mixing up conversations groupings, so don’t hide it all. After the party you can re-arrange your furniture how you like it for daily life and smaller gatherings.

    Keep the food prep and beverage service simple. With that many people, there will be that many extra drink glasses and plates! Serve mostly finger foods that are easy to eat while standing up. Pre-plan an obvious place for garbage and the empties, so your guests can more easily clean up after themselves.

    Invite your closest friends and family a little early to help you set up. That way there will be people at your home when the rest of the guests arrive! It’s kind of awkward to be the first guest to show up at a party set up for a big event.

    Remember, you don’t have to have everything perfect! In fact, nothing has to be perfect. Plan ahead, but if you run out of something, you can send somebody to go get more. Invite a casual atmosphere, and everyone will have a great time, including, yourself!

    — Jennifer Adams