When I moved into this house, I must admit that I was not enthused at all about this extra bonus room. At the time it really served no purpose and I wasn't really sure what to do with it. Then I thought; movie room, and it was the perfect fit for this space!
I think we can all agree that this room looked like an old basement room before. It was in need of a much needed makeover.
Colors Used
I knew the floors needed a change because they were a dark gray. So I decided to use some leftover flooring that I had and it was the perfect color match to the Cracked Pepper.
For more information on the vinyl flooring, see my install in the studio here.
This paneled wall was probably the most exciting part of this makeover because I have been dying to try out these wooden panels from the Wood Veneer Hub and they didn't disappoint. They were super easy to install and the quality of these panels were A1.
I was able to cut these wood panels down with a circular saw and used a jigsaw to cut out the outlet hole.
I opted to use some in stock cabinets to help create my bar. I piked two sizes that I knew would fit in and decided to make it look like a built in.
Now for the fun part; styling the room. I couldn't wait to start using this room for my movie nights. I knew I wanted a big comfy couch up here, so I was able to find this huge mustard sectional and some other cool finds to go along with it.
I love how the movie room turned out, it was a complete shift from where we started. The real showstopper are these wooden panels . They really give the movie room a sleek feel.
I have been so excited about this kitchen refresh, mainly because this lake house kitchen looked a hot mess. It was so outdated, and even though I have big plans for a full gut Reno; I decided to do a quick refresh to make things looks a little better I the meantime.
Materiels
Tools Used
Looking at these before photos, you can probably imagine why I was so anxious to get this kitchen refresh done. This kitchen was so outdated and needed some love. I can't even believe the house was built in 98' because it's giving 70's. But the worst the before, the more room for improvement.
I knew the wallpaper would be my most tedious task; but luckily with a few small changes, I knew we could turn this kitchen around in no time. The plan is to update the paint, add new appliances, change the backsplash and hardware and paint the cabinets. It may sound like a lot, but it's a lot less than a traditional Reno and just what we need to give this space a refresh.
I hadn't planned on the windows getting changed, but I got a lucky surprise when I got new windows installed and that definitely added to the feel of the new space, so we will touch on that a bit as well.
Now that's enough of the before; lets get into how we transformed this space.
I say it all the time but paint really has the ability to transform a space drastically and it's usually not that expensive. If you are looking for a quick way to really change a space on a budget; start with paint.
With painting the kitchen walls a crisp white, that made the space feel a lot more open and much brighter. This change alone did wonders for the kitchen. I decided to go ahead and switch out that older light above the sink and it was the perfect little light for the space.
Next up was painting the cabinets. Now, I know hat you're thinking; no prep work? Because I know I will be doing a full kitchen remodel soon, I didn't worry about doing all of the prep work I normally would have done since I will be getting rid of these cabinets soon, however this paint really held up well even without the prep.
I decided to pain the island in Behr Premium Plus Paint: Hi-Gloss in the color potting soil, and I must say, this was definitely the better color of the two, than I painted the other existing cabinets in Behr Premium Plus Paint: Hi-Gloss in the color patio stone. These colors are very similar but I loved that potting soil had a brighter green tone. Either way, both colors were amazing.
For most of the cabinets, we removed the hardware and doors and used a roller to paint the main cabinets and then used a paint sprayer to spray the doors. You can either use a brush or sprayer but a sprayer will give you a smoother finish.
Without the regular prep, we were able to fully cover the cabinets with three separate coats of paint. Once the paint was all dry we added the hardware knobs and hardware Pulls to finish the cabinets out.
Now the surprise part of this Kitchen refresh was the window installation. I knew that I was getting knew windows but they came early and I am so glad they did because this really was the icing on the cake to this kitchen refresh.
For more information on my window installation, be sure to check out my post on how to choose the perfect windows for your home.
Next up, was the appliances install and I am so happy to have some amazing friends over at Cafe Appliances who were kind enough to send me over a new set of appliances. This is my second time having cafe appliances and I am definitely a fan. They just have that sleek look that can turn any kitchen into a designer kitchen.
Here is the exact list of the appliances I recieved:
I opted to go for their new brass hardware knobs because I knew it would match my hardware perfectly. If you already have cafe appliances, you can order another color hardware to switch things up if you'd like.
Kohler also sent me a matching kitchen faucet and kitchen sink that went perfectly with the appliances.
I didn't really want to spend money on new countertops since I was planning on ripping most of this out in the future, so we were able to rip the old sink out and put this new one in without damaging the countertops.
With everything else complete, the last major step was installing the backsplash. We ripped out the old backsplash and replaced the drywall in the spots that were unsalvageable and then started installing the new backsplash.
I had this tile leftover from another project and new it would be the perfect tile for this refresh.
I used this Backsplash Tile - Chloe Tile in my bathroom but in the color black and absolutely loved it, so I knew it would be a good fit in here and I was right. Eventually with the big Reno, I plan on bringing the tile all the way up the wall; but for now we just took it up to the window.
Once the tile was installed, we grouted it with Frost by Mapei and she was complete.
Now here it is; the finished kitchen. This refresh came out better than I ever could have imagined and I feel so much better about using my kitchen now that it feels a little more like me.
I feel like I can take my time with the bigger Reno now because the kitchen doesn't remind me of the 70s anymore.
Even though I did have some pricey additions, I'm hoping this refresh shows you that it doesn't take much to bring your kitchen to life. Remember, a little bit of paint can go a long way!
The Kohler sink and faucet were a really nice addition to the refresh as well and I am so glad Cafe Appliances finally pulled the plug and released a brass finish line!
As always, thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley
I think most people can agree that windows are always a major upgrade; and with Andersen Windows; you don't have to give up style for functionality. Today, I am excited to share my process of getting my new windows installed while sharing some good tips on how to pick out windows for your own home!
The first step in the window selection process is knowing the different types of windows and how they work.
Details like size, color, grilles, and hardware collectively create a look. Let's learn about all of the options Andersen has to offer.
Understanding glass types and glass upgrades is fundamental to selecting optimal windows for your climate and geographic location.
Now let's talk about my own personal window installation. Once my window order was placed and delivered, they were ready for install; which brings me to my next point, the Andersen Certified Contractor program can help you find the right contractor.
I didn't really have a clue as to who would be a good fit for window installation; but I was happy to find that Andersen provides local contractor recommendations based on your area. This allowed me to find a contractor quickly and after the installation; I was very pleased with their recommendation.
If you too are having issues finding an installer, head over to their website here to see their recommendations!
I opted to go with two separate styles of windows within the 100 Series - some incorporating colonial grilles and some without leaving the glass unobstructed.
I was also glad to hear that Andersen Windows does specialty windows as well, to help replace my oddly shaped window in the front. Just look at the difference these windows made compared to the older windows!
These picture windows were the perfect style for my lake house because I have an amazing view in my front yard. You want to make sure you pick something that best fits your needs and the needs of your home.
I have been super excited to share this oak slat wall with you because it is hands down one of my favorite feature walls to date. I have been obsessed with slat walls ever since I've seen them around and have been dying to do my own rendition of one and I finally got the chance.
"This post is sponsored by Weaber Lumber."
My good friends over at Weaber Lumber sent over these fun Oak Wood slats; a new product that they just introduced. Their sleek lines have an architectural quality that is super sophisticated. You can use them to create a multi-dimensional effect for a modern update. Learn more here.
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
Materials/Tools
To prep for the oak slat installation, I first had to paint the wall. If you are installing these slats as I did, you will be able to see the wall behind the slats so you will want to paint the wall a color that matches your walls or a darker color to be more appeasing to the eye. I painted the wall with Behr's Sonora Rose in Matte.
I am super excited to be sharing this new product with you guys. My friends over at Weaber Lumber reached out to me to try there new Oak Wood Slats that will be coming soon nationwide and man am I in love. I have been wanting to do a wall paneled wall for a while and this was the perfect product to get it done.
Here is a little info about what comes in each box:
I opted to use one of the oak slats as my soccer but they provide a spacer that gives you an option to choose the spacing that works best for you.
Once the wall was fully painted, I began installing the oak wood slats. I am attaching them to the wall by applying a small amount of paneling adhesive to the bak and then attaching it to the wall with 2' brad nails and my brad nailer.
I love that these were really simple to install; but made a really huge impact to the space. I was able to install two full rows and then had to cut the bottom slats down for them to fit the bottom. If you would like a more even, uniform look; measure your wall beforehand to figure out what cuts you would need to make it even on the top and bottom.
The best part about that slats is that they are refinished; so once you install them on the wall; the only thing left to do is filling the nail holes. i used a fit-stick to go back and fill all of the nail holes. I tried to keep the holes to only three to eliminate having to fill too many holes.
Overall, creating this oak slat accent wall was a really simple project and something that you can easily knock out in a weekend. Now, lets take a final look at the space.
I can assure you that the pictures don't do it justice; but this oak slat wall totally elevated this space.
This accent wall coupled with the wallpaper was the perfect mix to bring some texture and fun to the space. If you're looking for a product to help create a fun accent wall, these Weaber Lumber oak slats are perfect. You can use them in so many different ways to create awesome spaces.
Welp that wraps it up, thanks for reading guys, as always XOXO Ashley.
If you've followed me for a while, you know that I am no stranger to a fun wallpaper; so I was super excited to get to install this lovely wallpaper that I found. But to make things even better, this wallpaper collection happens to belong to a really good friend of mine David Quarles IV and I'm happy to get to feature it in my home.
There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.
Materiels
I always like taking a look at the before so we can see just how much of a transformation we are getting and man was this a major transformation.
This room was just a plain white room, and I knew I really wanted to infuse it with some color; so I decided on this bold wallpaper.
I'm normally used to installing peel and stick wallpaper, so this was my first time using the wallpaper paste and I must say; it was a lot easier to handle on the wall than peel and stick. Now there was a lot more prep work, but I found it to be fairly easy getting the wallpaper installed.
The first thing we did was roll the wallpaper paste on the back of the panel; we found it a lot easier to just lay the panel on the ground and roll it; this method worked really well for us.
Once the adhesive sat for a second we started installing the panel on the wall. I always like to install the panel so that and inch of it goes past the ceiling line so that I can cut a straight line after the install. For the first panel, I made sure to use my laser level to ensure the first panel was straight; if it's not straight you will be able to tell later when you go panel by panel so be sure to take your time and make sure that first panel is correct.
Once the first panel was up, the rest really was a breeze. Cutting around the window got a little tricky but no too bad and the wallpaper was looking AMAZING! So happy with my choice!
The wallpaper went so well with the paint color and oak slat wall; I just couldn't wait to get it all finished.
As always, thanks for reading guys!
If you guys have been following along on my journey to get my studio together; than you're going to love this project because Cali Floors is really helping my transform this studio space.
Materials
I always like to look at the before photo first, just so I can soak in just how big the transformation is. This studio space was only just a room of studs when I bought this house but now with the completion of the flooring it is a fun, creative space where I can bring my ideas to life.
I decided to go with these beautiful Cali Floors in DOVER BEACH because I wanted a similar look to the wood floors in my last house. I was able to order a few samples first and then ultimately decided to go with the Dover Beach color.
If you are interested in these floors but don't want to commit first you can order a few samples with the code "FREESAMPLE" and check out the flooring in person before pulling the plug.
The good thing about these floors are that they are 100% waterproof and simple to clean; being that I will be utilizing this space for my office I wanted something super durable. It's protective wear layer helps prevent scratches and it also features a built-in underlayment cushion for quieter rooms.
Now let's talk about the installation process. Luckily, with the click-lock planks installation was a breeze. I was able to install the flooring right out of the box. I really loved that the planks were extra-large as well, at 60” long, 9” wide, and 3/16” thick because it really made the space look and feel luxurious.
I first started out by laying the green CALI Complete underlayment. This all-in-one underlayment is designed for moisture and vapor protection for all subfloors and floor types. It was easy to lay down and makes me feel that much better about floor protection.
I utilized the Ryobi flooring cutter to cut the boards and they cut them with ease; this lightweight saw cut down on floor installation time for sure. I was Abe to knock out this flooring project in two days with the help of my friend.
Once I was able to get all of the flooring installed, I started to work on the dropdown. I first used liquid nails to attach the flooring to the dropdown step and then added a cap piece to cover the edge.
I waited to get all of the furniture in before doing this part of the flooring so I didn't mess up the stair nosing but I was so excited to get this part of the flooring done; it was the missing piece.
Seeing is believing; so check out this short clip of me installing the floor in my studio space.
Without further a due, here is the moment you guys have been waiting for; the final flooring reveal. Man O Man, this pace has come a long way from the day of studs. I am so grateful for Cali floors for helping me bring my studio to life and am really excited about all of the fun tasks I will get to do on my new vinyl flooring.
The best part of it all is; not only does it look amazing but it's practical and durable as well. So I'm getting the best of both worlds with this new vinyl plank flooring.
The color of the vinyl planks couldn't have been the more perfect color for this space; it goes along so well with all of the vibrant colors in the studio.
This is definitely a project that I was excited to get finished because it really helped me bring my studio space to life; now I'm ready to tackle all of the upcoming projects that I have in the works.
This open space was the perfect spot to install this vinyl plank flooring; and with all of the photoshoots and filming I will be doing up there; these floors have been the perfect match.
As Always, Thanks for reading guys. XOXO Ashley
“This post is sponsored by Sunbrella.”
For those of you who have been following along, you know that I have been working hard on the lake house to get her transformed, so this post is long overdue.
But I’m happy to share that the patio area got a little facelift. I was able to set up this awesome set from Frontgate with cushions and pillows made with Sunbrella Fabric, and it was the perfect addition to have poolside.
One of the top things I look for when it comes to outdoor furniture is durability. With my furniture being outside and being exposed to the sun, I always want to make sure I get pieces that will stand the test of time.
In any season, durable fabric can make life so much easier, so Sunbrella was a perfect fit. Their outdoor fabric is designed to endure the elements of nature, but the great thing is that you don’t have to give up your style! It is beautifully made with tons of color options
Other Sunbrella Fabric features include:
I look forward to hosting many cookouts and parties at the lake house, and I feel good knowing that I have a patio set that will stand the test of time.
Sunbrella carries a wide selection of fabrics, colors, styles, patterns, and textures that work in a variety of applications. Sunbrella has ideal solutions with fabrics that fit your needs for all different types of projects. Learn more about Sunbrella here.
I just recently was able to finish a headboard project for an indoor project utilizing Sunbrella’s fabric and it turned out awesome! So whether you have an outdoor/indoor project, or residential or commercial, Sunbrella has got you covered.
My favorite piece in the bunch is hands down, this patio chair. I just love how the wicker couples so well with the Sunbrella Rain Fabric Cushion. It's such a comfy chair to sit in.
It works so well with the Palermo Sofa. I always love to mix and match furniture pieces and these two were the perfect match for each other. If you would like to shop my exact furniture pieces in this set up, see the list below.
As always, thanks for reading guys.
Sometimes home renovations require a lot of work, but having the right tools will always make things go smoothly. Here are my top must have tools when renovating a home. I promise you, it will make life easier when renovating a home.
First up is my handy dandy trim puller. Now, normally Im not big on fancy gadgets but I can promise you this trim puller is worth every penny.
Normally, I would jus use a crowbar to remove trim but this tool makes trim pulling so much easier. Whoever came up with this design is a genius, because this tool has made life so much easier.
Since I started the Lake House Renovation, the reciprocating saw has probably been one tool I've used on almost all of my projects. I love the versatility of this tool and it will literally cut through anything; tubs, wood, you name it.
You will want to have this tool handy. Here is a tool review for one of my recommendations for a good recipe saw.
Im normally one who doesn't mind pulling out a paint roller, but in a renovation, you become very acquainted with paint, so having a nice paint sprayer comes in handy.
Most people that know me, know that Graco is my favorite brand of paint sprayer. I just had the opportunity to use the new cordless sprayer and I must say it's pretty amazing. Only thing is, its pretty expensive, so I'm leaving links for my top favorites.
Here are my top favorite Graco brands:
Drill is probably one of my most used tools, outside of renovations and inside of renovations. I have a lot of recommendations, but I like my Dewalt drill because it's lightweight.
If you are looking for a good beginner drill, here are some of my recommendations.
Ryobi Hammer Drill - $69
RIDGID Drill/Driver - $119 (Top Recommendation)
Dewalt Drill/Driver - $139
The brad nailer is another tool that most may not consider an "essential" tool but for me, this tool has been very helpful and pleasing in my woodworking journey.
Brad nailers are mostly used detailed applications such as trim work, cabinetry and moldings. They are designed to fire brad nails ideal for binding wood trim.
Ryobi 18 Gauge Brad Nailer - $129 (Top Recommendation)
Dewalt 18 Gauge Brad Nailer - $267
Ryobi Pancake Compressor w/ Brad Nailer and Finish Nailer - $330
Compound Miter Saws would probably be most next used tool in my shop. They are very similar to circular saws in that they make the same rip and cross cut as a circular saw, but the miter saw is fixed in an arm or a track, making it more accurate.
Ryobi 12" Sliding Miter Saw - $219
RIDGID 12" Sliding Miter Saw - $499 (Top Recommendation)
Dewalt 12" Compound Miter Saw - $399
Cordless Milwaukee 10" Sliding Miter Saw - $599
When pulling up floors, I promise you, the hammer drill will be your best friend. This thing is a beast and can handle just about any floor. Do yourself a favor and splurge on this tool if you plan on taking up any floors anytime soon.
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
Barn doors have been around for quite some time now, but I hear a lot of people say they aren't fans. Well, I found a door that would be hard for anyone not to love. Im bringing a modern feel to the old school barn door and bringing it back in style!
Materials Used
The existing door to the bathroom didn't have a door and I first thought about putting a regular door there, but then eventually I decided to add a barn door. The TV wall is a long wall with lots of room, so I thought the barn door would help give the room some flair.
Having a regular door there also just wouldn't fit with the functionality of how the room works, there's a door on either sides of the opening and a regular door would get in the way.
Once I decided that I was going to go with the barn door, I decided that I was going to case out the door with sheetrock, instead of trim for a cleaner look.
The first thing I did to prep the doorway was remove the existing trim around the door. I used my handy dandy trim puller to pull the trim off the door.
Once, I removed the trim, I cut three strips using sheetrock down to size to fit inside the door frame and secured it to the wall with drywall screws.
After securing the sheetrock in place, I added the metal beads to the corners and secured them down again with drywall screws. I was able to easily cut the metal beads with metal cutters. You want to make sure you screw the screws in deep enough so they can't be seen once you apply the mud.
Now with the metal beads in place, it was time to mud over it. Now when mudding, less is better. You don't want to put it on too thick because it will crack. I did three thin layers of joint compound to complete the door frame. I would do one layer let it dry for a day, do another and so on and so on.
After the third layer was applied, I was able to paint the area and it was ready for the barn door!
Now, I know most of you are here for the barn door details, so I won't keep you waiting any longer. I purchased my door from Rustica Hardware and chose the French Quarter Barn Door.
These doors come customized exactly for your space, which is pretty awesome. I was able to make all of the selections I needed to make my door exactly how I wanted. Just beware that certain selections cost more. For example, I paid more to get frosted glass and for the gold track, but Rustica's website shows you exactly how much each item is, so you can play around and see what best fits your budget.
These are the selections I made for this particular door.
The barn door was delivered around 3 weeks from me purchasing it, which was super impressive in today's time for a custom door, it came well packaged and I fell in love when I saw it in person.
To install the barn door, I first had to install a header piece. The holes on the barn door didn't line up with the studs, so I used a header piece and screwed two screws into each stud to make sure the header would hold the weight of the barn door.
Once the header was hung, I installed the barn door track. The barn door came with all of the hardware you'll need to install.
The one thing you'll need is a level, because it will be very important to get the bar completely level so the barn door slides properly when its hung. I also hung my door a 1/2" from the ground to give it enough spacing to not hit the ground when sliding.
We also hung a door stop at the end of the track to keep the barn door from sliding off.
Once the track was installed it was time to hang the barn door; the best part. Overall, I was extremely happy with the look and feel of the barn door, it is a show stopper for sure.
I'm also glad I decided to opt for the gold track, I really love the contrast of the gold with the black; it looks amazing on the brown wall and the frosted glass gave me the privacy I needed for the bathroom.
But I can't leave you guys hanging without a before and after. The space looks totally different and I can't wait to finish up. Next up, baseboards.
As always, thanks for reading guys! Ashley
My love for epoxy floors begin back at my old home when I had my epoxy guy do my garage floors. Getting my floors done here at the Lake House was a must because I have loved my epoxy floors ever since I had them installed.
Luckily, I was blessed to have the awesome Mr. Epoxy of MTCustomConcrete come out and install my epoxy floors.
The first step was removing the existing surface off of the floor. Anything underneath the epoxy would cause the epoxy to fail if it ever failed, so I wanted to start from a clean slate.
Grinding the surface took most of the time of the whole install, they spent most of the day doing this.
Once the floor was all grinder off, Mr. Epoxy took his pressure washer and cleaned off the surface really good. This was a pretty quick step, but he did have to let it all dry before proceeding to the next step.
Once the floor was dry, he started pouring the epoxy. He probably spent around 45 minutes pouring and laying out the epoxy. Once it was laid, he let the epoxy dry overnight.
After the epoxy dried overnight, they came back the next day to seal the floor. This was a pretty quick 30-minute process and I was able to walk on my floors by the end of the next day.
Overall, I am super happy with my epoxy floors and I would highly recommend them to anyone working in their shop/garage.
The first time I walked into the Lake House, I immediately knew the first thing I wanted to change was the carpet and it couldn't come fast enough.
So today I'm sharing all of the details on my process of getting carpet. Let's get into it.
The existing carpet was pretty beat up; a 20+ years old carpet that definitely looked and smelled like it. For now, I just decided to replace the carpet downstairs, and worry about the upstairs later.
The two rooms I replaced were the master bedroom and the guest bedroom. I wasn't able to actually sleep in my bedroom until the carpet was installed so I was so ready for this carpet install.
Now choosing carpet may seem like a daunting task because there are so many colors and types to chose from. Me personally, I wanted the softest carpet I could find, so I set out to find the softest carpet and the thickest pad, because it's all about the pad!
To help me choose, I actually went into my local Home Depot and felt all of the carpets that they had and eventually landed on Lifeproof with Pet Proof Technology Gazelle II in the color Shale and the Prime Comfort 1/2" carpet pad.
Again, my goal was to find the softest carpet and this was the softest I felt. I decided on a darker color because I felt like it would give more of a luxurious feel.
Once the room was measured by Home Depot's Measuring Serviceman, they sent me a quote for what the install would be. Luckily, they had a sale going so I was able to get 10% off and get it a little cheaper (good thing I asked)!
Once I let them know I wanted to proceed, they ordered the carpet and let me know it would be anywhere from three to four weeks out. Although, I was slightly sad to have to wait so long, I was able to use the time to get my room prepped before the carpet came.
After about three weeks, I got a call to schedule the carpet install for the next week and I was all scheduled and ready to go.
Once the guys got here for the install, it went fairly quick. They were able to install everything in less than two hours.
The good thing about using Home Depot is having the installation free with the purchase and free haul away. So they took my old carpet with them; Thank God!
They first removed my old carpet and pad and then installed the new carpet and I can't be happier with my carpet choice.
This small milestone was a huge game changer. If you've ever lived in a live in renovation, you know exactly what I mean.
Thanks for reading guys, XOXO Ashley.
As most of you know, I recently just moved into an amazing Lake House, and one of the most exciting projects to think about has been the exterior of the house. However, I quickly learned that exterior design is not my thing, and don't get me on landscaping. Let's just say, it's a good thing I called in the professionals on this one.
I first learned about Yardzen about a year ago, when I saw another blogger working with them and have been waiting for the opportunity to work with them, now I've gotten my chance and I'm sharing all of the details.
Yardzen has a range of design packages including but not limited too; landscape design, plant design and exterior design. My main focus was the exterior design, so I decided to go with the Curb Appeal Package for the front yard!
To start off with the design, Yardzen requested that I go through a nine step project planning phase. During this phase, I was able to upload photos and information for my home as well as share my wants/needs, must - haves and more.
I really appreciate that Yardzen was thorough during this step because knowing your personal visions and wants really plays a big factor into creating a design you love. So I went in confident that Yardzen would deliver an awesome product.
One thing I really loved was the wish list. Sometimes when designing, it's hard to think of everything, so it was nice to see selections listed to choose from, so you don't feel like there is something you're missing.
Once I was able to enter in all of my information, we were headed to the next step in the process.
Next up, was the House Model, where I was able to review a simple 3D model of my property.
Once I reviewed my house model, the Conceptual Design process started, which is the first round of designs where you're able to see your designer’s initial vision and provide feedback.
Now on to the fun part; the design. This was a two step process where they first shared the designers conceptual design and then once feedback was given, they sent over the final design.
Once they sent the first design, I was really happy right off the back with what my designer came up with, but I had a few small teaks I wanted to make.
I must say, I was really impressed with Yardzen's system to give feedback. I was able to click directly on the items that I loved and wanted to change and write feedback on what I wanted to change. This option was available for all pictures and I really liked that I was able to pinpoint what it was I wanted differently. Yardzen gets an A+ for that.
I wanted a lighter version for my final design, but now that I've seen both designs, Yardzen has made it so hard to choose, because they both look so wonderful. Ultimately, I think Ive decided to do a little mix of both!
I'll be sharing both the Conceptual and Final Design together, so you guys get to take up the awesomeness that is Yardzen Design.
Overall, I really enjoyed working with Yardzen. Their process was very impressive and well streamlined, which was super impressive as a former engineer. But the design overall was really well done in my opinion.
For me personally, I think the design I eventually go with will be a mix of the two ending designs, so I didn't necessarily get the final design in one rendering, but I now feel like I can move forward in the process with a much better vision for what I'm doing.
Seeing is believing and Yardzen really made it easy for me to decide on a design that I think will bring the lake house to the next level.
Ive had a few people voice their concerns and hesitation about trying Yardzen because they were scared they wouldn't get a design they'd like. If that's you, here are a few tips to ensure you get a product you love!
Be Realistic about Your Costs
With Yardzen , anything is possible. There are so many additions you can have and changes you can make. But make sure you are staying true to your budget. If you give a big budget, Yardzen will design your home with the budget given. You don't want to give a unrealistic figure and then can't do anything with it. Make sure you take the time to figure out what's comfortable for you and have Yardzen design to your exact needs.
Be Specific as Possible
This is the time where too much information is a good thing. With design, there are so many elements that can be created, so knowing specifics will really help your designer hone in on a design you will love. If there are specific things you don't like, please share, things you love, share, colors, plants, you like and don't like, share. Are you getting the list here? Over explaining can only help you in this process.
As explained above, my final design will probably be a mix of two of the final designs, had I been a little more specific, I probably could have gotten them to get everything I wanted on one rendering, but I'm still really satisfied with my end product!
