The Cost of a Brand New Living Room

Want to start over and replace everything in your living room ? Most of us dream of doing that, especially if we've been living with the same old furniture and tchotchkes for 20 years+.
So what would it cost for a brand new living room ? What is your budget? 

In this series, I delve into the costs of redesigning, redecorating and renovating typical rooms found in design magazines.

I've realized over time that when we see images of beautiful spaces in magazines, we have no idea of the money and time that has gone into that space. 

Here is an example living room photo from Elle Decor interior design magazine and the estimated 2017 cost of all the items [mid-range price points] in Canadian dollars :

 

A : hardwood flooring refinishing $500 - 750

B : sectional sofa $3,000 - 6,000

C : rug $1,000 - $5,000

D : credenza $800 - 3,500

E : television + bracket  $1,000 - 2,000

F : coffee table $800 - 2,500

G : floor lamp $750 - 1,800

H : nesting tables $750 - 1,500

I : blinds [x 3 ] $1,500 -2,900

J : fine art  [36"x48"]  $1,000 - 6,000

K : pillows [x 3 ] $150 - 375

L : throw $80 - 500

M : painted focal wall [including labor] $200 - 400

N : decor [x 3 ] $75 - 1,200

Total : $11,605 - 34,425  + 15% turnkey design service

All of the items sure add up! Even at mid-range price points there is a large price range.  Most people are comfortable somewhere in this range for the "fit and finish" such as that shown here. Think about what is important to you and what would bring you the most joy, then prioritize accordingly. 

Up next, the cost of a brand new bathroom.

Blogatchalater!

June's Interior Design Tips : How to Work with an Interior Designer on Your Home Improvement Project.

Let’s demystify the “Design Process”

Without a doubt, the prospect of a home improvement project can be exciting for some, and daunting for others. Naturally, questions abound such as : Who is responsible for what? What does it cost? Do I have to pay for everything at once? etc.
Alas, don’t despair…call a designer! Here is a synopsis of the Design Process which applies to the smallest project [like selecting powder room colors], as it does to a full-scale renovation.

Step 1 – collect your thoughts and bring them to your first meeting.
This is the beginning of the process to help your designer understand what you like, and generally what you are looking for. You will need to bring information about what you have including photos of the existing space, inspiration photos of what you want and your budget range.

Step 2 – your designer and you work together on the “Problem Definition”.
In addition to the above items, your interior design problem[s] will be discussed at the meeting. It could be as simple as “I need a smart way to display my beautiful ceramic collection”. Designing is all about identifying problems and resolving them through purposeful planning and selection of appropriate materials, size, color, construction, etc. Your designer’s first important job is to listen carefully and ultimately play it all back to you in the form of a “Project Proposal”.

Step 3 – your designer translates the project objectives into a “Project Proposal”.
A Project Proposal is a written document which states all information gleaned so far, as well as the proposed design schedule, design fee and how the “Design Concept” will be presented to you. Count on 10-20% of your total budget for the design fee (on the low side of the range for big projects, and the high side for small projects) or an hourly fee for smaller projects . Most designers will require about 1/3^rd of their total fee as a retainer – but only after the Project Proposal has been reviewed and approved by you. This is your assurance that you and your designer are on the same page.


Step 4 – your designer works to create the “Design Concept”.
Based on all of your information laid out so far, designers will immerse themselves into your project to formulate a Design Concept. They will measure and photograph your space, conduct research, interact with contractors, suppliers and specialists (e.g. structural engineer, lighting designer, architect etc.) as required to explore the range of possible solutions. They will interact with you to hone their understanding of your likes and dislikes. Next they will draw, brainstorm, create, search, laugh, cry…and ultimately your designer will make qualified decisions and selections for you.
Depending upon the size and complexity of your project, the Design Concept may be presented in the form of computer generated 3D color drawings, 2D floor plans, hand drawn sketches, product brochures/specifications, material samples and more. Your designer will not proceed until you have had time to think about everything they have especially created for you.


Step 5 – refinement and finalization - your designer works to gain your approval!

After you communicate any changes you want, your designer will make the changes to the drawings and specifications. These documents form the “Design Drawing & Specification Package”. This package is used in many ways including to obtain quotes, calculate quantities and get a permit. Once completed and approved by you, the Design Concept is ready to implement !

Step 6 – implementation and realization ...
At this point, either you or your designer can do this. For projects of any complexity, we strongly recommend you retain your designer to implement and manage the project ...so they can handle everything [e.g. purchasing, hiring the contractor, resolving issues, doing paperwork!]. Additionally, they have a set of preferred contractors and suppliers (companies they have established relationships with and hence get better prices from), which ensures the smoothest sailing possible.

Step 7 – enjoy your beautiful new space!

Now it's time to sit down and revel in the beauty of your new space, while sharing the physically and emotionally uplifting benefits with your visitors, pleased with the time and money you have saved, and the great value you have created - all by virtue of your important decision to hire a designer to help you with your project!

Blogatchalater

- Yvonne

Dilemma of a Modern Home Owner : How to Live Large in a Small Condo

With the desire to reduce urban sprawl, commuting and offer affordable housing to urbanites, several Ottawa developers have built several downtown condos with many more on the way,  including Central by Urban Capital - but how do you create your new modern sanctuary for more than just sleeping??  We advise choosing versatile furniture that has multiple uses for multiple activities :

1] The Calypso sofa bed - a throughly modern, sexy sofa which also opens up into a comfortable bed.

2] The Faze end table, shown here in oak wenge and brushed stainless steel frame, can be tucked into a sofa or bed and can be opened up to be a tv table.

3] The Cabo console table's clear thick glass practically disappears, and it also doubles as a sleek, modern desk.  

4] We just matched the modern classic Veuve chair with the above glass Cabo console / desk for a client. It looks and feels superb as a dining, side, desk or guest chair!  It's totally comfortable and doesn't take up as much space as an armchair or the Aeron chair.

5] We love this beautifully designed modern glass dining table called Enigma. It has a wood extension to accommodate guests or extra prep and serving room.  The black glass reflects the surroundings hence almost disappears while making a statement.

6] The sculptural Y Design Daybed can be used in a variety of ways such as a chaise between dining and living spaces or a guest bed as the name implies. (designed by cky's multi-talented Yvonne). Also serves as a gift wrapping or laundry folding surface !!

For more modern, condo style furniture options check out cky design group's new furniture pricelist

Blogatchalater xo

3 Design Goals of Our Glebe Bathroom Project

Our 3 design goals of any renovation are 1] improving the function of the space 2] create a more contemporary, visually exciting space while incorporating new environmentally friendly materials and 3] exceeding the expectations of the client.

Here is a bathroom we recently finished below.

The BEFORE

The AFTER. Just dazzling and much more accessible ::

tile detail

Things to keep in mind when renovating a bathroom:

- it's important to detail the tile work right down to the grout width

- remember not everything comes with a sink [i.e. the sink stop]

- keep line clean and simple in a small space

- be prepared to make changes on the job site

- bathrooms are difficult to photograph !

Our client is very happy, especially since the construction took place while they were away on vacation this past winter !

Blogatchlater

NAC's Prairie Scene Temporary Club Lounge !

At the request of the NAC, we were asked to design a funky temporary space for the artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc of Prairie Scene to hang out when not performing. Prairie Scene is an arts/ cultural festival that takes place in Ottawa every two years and that promotes the creative talents of our Manitoba and Saskatchewan friends such as director and film maker Guy Maddin :

So where do these folks hang out when not performing? Well one answer is their hotel room, however the NAC wanted to provide a space they could not only relax in with a book, but be able to grab a coffee or snack during the day, meet with other artists and festival staff and to party !

Our main inspiration was retro -  hipster tavern - geek chic such as That 70's Show, Ace Hotel, Douglas Coupland and Wayne's World.  Here are a few images which were included on the Look and Feel board we presented to the NAC for approval :

Here is a during photo of the set-up...notice the hideous carpet and wallpaper we had to work with at a local downtown hotel where the room is situated...and we could NOT attach anything to the existing walls, ceiling, etc. ! :

They liked all our ideas except for the "rural" aspect....guess the M & S are not amused with being grouped in with farmers and what not...so the appropriate adjustments were made to our design and voila - our temporary cafe/club as witnessed last Saturday night's after party for Guy Maddin's re-make of Tales from the Gimli Hospital :

 

 

Notice the billboard-type lit wall panels, bulletin board columns, retro lamps, faux trees and imitation crows.... not shown : hand printed alphabet pillows that spell out S-A-S-K-A-T-C-H-E-W-A-N-M-A-N-I-T-O-B-A

We hope you get a sense of the ambiance we created and hope that everyone had as great a time as we did.
Blogatchlater!

Habitat For Humanity Designer Gift Home now open to the public!

Habitat for Humanity received the biggest donation in their history; a nice home in a great neighbourhood. It has been renovated from top to bottom using a dream team of talented and generous Ottawa designers, corporate sponsors, professional trades people and volunteers. The sale of this professionally designed home, will help provide 10 low-income, working families in the Ottawa region with a home of their own. 

We had great fun this summer working along side many other top Ottawa designers to help realize the finished Habitat For Humanity Gift Home. We had the honour of contributing towards the colour, art, staging and furniture of the below rooms. We sourced much of the furniture through Mikaza Home and Alteriors. I sourced the original artwork through Gallery 3 and Exposure Gallery.  Thanks guys for your generosity and support!

The designer kitchen by Design First Interiors

The beautiful living room by Linda Nolan Interiors

The unique study with wood panelled walls and leather floors! by Gordon Weima

  
The custom master bedroom and en-suite by Chuck Mills Residential Design and Development

The Gift Home will be open to the public for viewing for three consecutive weekends beginning on Sept. 24th at 12pm. Tickets are only $10.00 and are available at the door as well as at both Habitat NCR Restores.

This is such a great opportunity to get design ideas for your home renovations and give back to your community at the same time.

Here is the link to the gift home website and  how to get tickets.

http://habitatgifthome.com/news.html

Cheers, Carrie