Moving in: Now what?

You’ve finally closed on that apartment or house. It’s been months of brokers, bankers, lawyers and now you have the keys in your hand.

Most home owners have a good idea of what they need to make a house functional; a place to eat, sleep, watch TV and entertain. However, most of us want more.  We want a home that will reflect and satisfy our souls. A home that will provide sanctuary and solace from the outside world where we can be ourselves and be with the ones we love.

In creating your home, whether you decide to work with a design professional or go it alone there are some steps you can take that will help simplify the process and streamline your decisions.

Know yourself:

Identify what you like.  What feels comfortable?  How would you characterize your style? What catches your eye? Beware of following trends unless they fit your style.  If your taste runs towards old world charm, then mid-century modern may not be the best direction.

Know your space:

Taking inspiration from design magazines or TV shows is a great way to get a sense of what’s going on currently in design, but be careful not to force a trend or look that won’t work within your space.

Spaces are a little like fingerprints.  No two are exactly alike. Understanding the characteristics of your space will help to inform your design direction.  Just like getting dressed, you want to emphasize your best qualities and minimize the lesser.  If your room has a fantastic view, a fireplace or beautiful architectural details you want to accentuate those elements and select furnishings that will compliment them.

Make a statement:

Once you’ve identified your look and understand your space then it’s time to formulate a vision. Write down a vision statement or design theme to crystalize your thoughts.  It should be a broad enough to capture the look and feel of what you want. Words like airy, glam, cozy, zen, rustic and similar help to evoke a feeling that can be used as design guideposts. It’s a great way to communicate your ideas to your design professional or to help stay on track when presented with too many options.

The prospect of furnishing a room let alone an entire house can be daunting and stressful. By using these three simple steps, the process will be smoother and will help you to make your house your home.

Summer Nightstand Hack

We purchased a pair of 'vintage' nightstands online from a dealer in Toronto.  The photos looked decent and their size was right.  The dealer assured us they were good and as we hadn't been able to find anything we liked in New York, we decided to go with them. 

Caveat Emptor. Once They arrived and were unpacked we found ourselves wanting to believe that they looked fine.   However, in reality we both knew that their proportions were off and the overall look and feel was horsey.

while Living with them over the next few months we discovered that they were in fact not old, good nor original.  At some point in their past they had been painted and the hardware replaced. 

Our first thought was that I would design new nightstands and have them fabricated.   But as I worked on the design I kept feeling that there might be something worth rehabilitating. They did have good storage and for very little expense they could look better if some things were changed.

As I love a little summer project I got to work discarding the old hardware, installing new shorter legs to improve the proportions, filling the old holes, drilling new ones, scraping, sanding, painting and installing new pulls.

All-in-all a minimum of effort for a great end result. 

Thinking about a fixer-upper or doing some work on your New York apartment?

Thinking about buying a fixer-upper or doing some work on your New York apartment?

Renovating an apartment in New York City can be a challenge in many ways. If you’re thinking about taking advantage of a lower priced fixer-upper or thinking about some work on your current home, there are some important things to consider.   

I often work with Interior Designers here in New York City assisting with construction documents for the their projects. Many times owners purchase apartments with the intention of replacing kitchens, bathrooms flooring etc... However, they fail to take into account the larger context around their project.

Almost all coops require plans to be submitted to the Board for approval before work can begin.  Many time Boards enlist an Architect to act on their behalf to ensure that all building standards and codes are met prior to approval.

While not every condition can be foreseen here are some simple tips that may prevent unwelcome surprises when embarking on renovations.

Before you begin work:

1. Know the Rules:

If you’re thinking about doing any work, make sure you get a copy of all building rules and regulations related to home improvements.  Many buildings have strict rules regarding the hours of when work can be done, building protection, deliveries, trash removal, repainting of public hallways, fees etc… All things that can significantly increase the cost and length of your project . These costs should be factored into your overall budget when considering your scope.

2. Ask a professional:

A) Make sure you enlist the help of an Architect or Designer to review the rules and regulations when you’re discussing your plans.

B) If you’re thinking about a remodel, have your Architect or Designer inspect the area of work to determine whether there are any red flags that may need attention before you begin.

C) If you’re buying an apartment, ask an Architect or Designer for advice. They may charge a fee, but a little cost up front can save a lot in the future. Or better yet, have an inspection done if you can.

3. Work with the Building Management:

Find out from the building management if they require any upgrades to the existing plumbing, electrical or HVAC services. Often when your work involves older building systems, the building will require you to upgrade them.  This is quite common with old or obsolete electrical panels, wiring, plumbing lines and HVAC controls.

4. Get first hand knowledge:

If you can, ask someone in the building about their experience. You can learn a lot from others and people are usually happy to share their stories, both the good and the bad.

5. Get referrals:

Find out if there are preferred contractors who work in the building either from neighbors or the management.  While it’s best not to rely on only one or two contractors for bids, those who have experience in the building can be useful in knowing the hidden eccentricities and working with management.  However, always be sure to ask for and check all references before hiring your contractor.

Buying a home to fix up or renovating your current home can be a very exciting and rewarding experience.  There’s nothing like the satisfaction of making it your own.  And with some careful planning and research upfront you can reduce your risk of encountering most unwanted surprises.

Photo by LarisaBozhikova/iStock / Getty Images