Important steps to take before remodeling and redecorating

Decorating has never been more popular. The plethora of magazines, television programmes and websites dedicated to DIY stand testament to that.

Visit your local hardware store any day of the week and you will see people browsing the aisles and seeking inspiration for that big decorating project. But before you go ahead and pick up that paintbrush, just give a little extra thought and consideration to what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Planning is probably the most important part of the job. This is also involves planning against anything that could go wrong and cost you extra money.

Avoiding Problems
There are perhaps two reasons for choosing to undertake your own decorating job. You derive great pleasure from something which is all your own work or you simply cannot afford to employ a professional to do it for you. My boyfriend and I personally LOVE building and creating things for our home. We take a lot of pride in it, but it does tend to take us awhile to finish it up. 

This is also where your forward planning is important. Before you start to consider decorating your home yourself, check that your home insurance is up to date and that your buildings and contents insurance cover you adequately. This means that you have a policy that will pay for rebuilding your home and for the replacement of all your clothing, furniture, white goods, trinkets and treasures. In short, your home and everything you have in it. Failure to do this could result in your being seriously out of pocket, so it is of paramount importance to check the figures. We never take on projects of that scope, as we just rent right now, but if you are planning on taking your kitchen down to the studs, for example, you really want to make sure you are protected should something go wrong.

Of course, if you do choose to hire a professional, they will be covered by public liability insurance, so if anything goes wrong you and your home are covered. But to avoid having to make a claim after redecorating, ensure that you are careful and remove all items of value which could get broken or damaged. Cover carpets and furniture which cannot be moved with thick dustsheets. Plastic-backed ones are a good choice as any spillages do not go through them. I am guilty of using only an old sheet to cover things when painting, but I've learned the hard way that paint goes right through a sheet.

Be particularly careful about using blowtorches to burn off paint from wood, especially in confined spaces. Keep a wet rag and bucket of water near to hand to cool down any hotspots. Smouldering wood can ignite and, ultimately, your house could burn down. If you are working in the bathroom or anywhere where there is water present take great care in using electrical appliances. Water and electricity definitely do not mix! Aside from blowing every fuse in the house, your life could be at risk, so keep them apart.

Your insurance company is there to help and advise you. Check the paperwork and ensure you are covered so that any disasters are paid for. If you follow these simple tips you can enjoy giving your home a stunning makeover. Just a little planning can avert financial disaster should the worst happen.

 Below is some inspiration if you need a little nudge to start planning that redecorating/remodeling project...

Decorative trim, moldings, and a sophisticated paint job can make a huge impact.

via BHG 

If remodeling makes you nervous, start small.  Some easy to install shelves can make greatly improve a space in much need of storage.

via BHG

Outdoor improvement projects include just as much planning, thought, and  protection as indoor projects.

via BHG

Built-ins can be a worthwhile investment when carefully planned out.

via BHG

A custom kitchen is probably the most rewarding home improvement project you can undertake.

via Traditional Home


 *disclosure: This post is brought to you in partnership with Churchill 

Quaint, calm and collected - check out this adorable NJ farmhouse

I have to admit, I don't exactly think of charming little farms when I think of New Jersey, but undoubtedly there is more to the state than what one sees driving down the turnpike. This little farmhouse is proof that New Jersey must have pockets of beautiful land and towns. The home belongs to designer Terri Cannon-Nelson. Terri has utilized some high end resources (they splurged on cabinetry), paired with some more budget-friendly choices (west elm, target, and ikea).

Love this mix - a country table, a Noguchi lantern, and an over-dyed rug from the 40s!

I like the cabinet - but to me the windows are crying out for some window treatments other that those blinds...

A gorgeous built-in houses her china collection.

I have a serious thing for large floor mirrors...

What do you think of this New Jersey abode?

via Country Living

A bright and airy home filled with reclaimed beauties

This home is gorgeous on it's own - but discovering that it's filled with reclaimed furnishings and architectural elements makes it even prettier.

Love the table with the mid-century chairs. 

Such a pretty workspace!

I'd love to have a sliding door like this one day

can't go wrong with a crisp, clean white bathroom

via Pure Green Living

A tour of my Brownstone studio apartment

I was really flattered when Marcela of Deco and Design asked me for a little house tour. Unfortunately since I am currently "without house," I had to send her photos from a very cute studio apartment I lived in a couple of years ago. It was on the ground floor of a brownstone in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope. I was even lucky enough to have my own little backyard. When I signed the lease on this apartment is when I really started to get interested in interior design. I had no idea how to decorate a studio and finally didn't have any roommates and could decorate how I wanted. Most of my furnishings are hand-me-down or cheap finds, as my entire budget went to rent on the place. So, really, this apartment was my first stab at decorating.

You can read her post on my apartment here.
MOSTRÁ TU CASA - LA CASA DE ASHLEY


The apartment had a lot of charming little built-ins, like the pantry above - and the desk and shelves below


The apartment did have a separate eat-in kitchen, which was really nice.


I was always changing things around as you can tell

This is the cooking area. The counter had been covered in a hideous, old, stained yellow laminate, so I went and bought some cheap textured drawer liner and resurfaced the counter for less than $14. It help up surprisingly well. No air bubbles or leaking into the seams or anything.


A non-working fireplace in my living room/bedroom.

I loved the shutters, hardwood floors, and tin ceiling.

Sorry another blurry shot - this cupboard was also built-in.

So, I know it's not much, but I love looking back to it!