MAKING GOOD DESIGN ACCESSIBLE

An Intersection Between Design & Real Estate

The One Where She Has an Idea

💡 I had an idea recently. I've been working with a few clients and on my own investment projects simultaneously. Bouncing almost daily between the two, I found myself having to mentally shift my design brain between the budget-friendly approach of the flips and the design-forward, higher-end aesthetics of my client's home renovation projects. At the same time, friends have reached out for design advice in their own homes— 'What could I do in this bathroom to make it feel warmer and spa-like? How could I rework my kitchen to highlight the openness, but still maximize storage?'

What If?

The intersection of all of these experiences made me ask myself 'what if I could leverage my background in design and recent experience in real estate (particularly flipping) to make good design more accessible for everyone?'

On one hand, I have clients who have a large budget— the ability to choose high end finishes and fixtures, plus hire a full team of designers, project managers and contractors to execute their renovation. On the other hand, my own investment projects are often on a very limited budget— spending a bulk of the funds to get the essentials; functioning plumbing, new windows and roofs. Little money is left for the fun, inspiring touches that bring you joy everyday in your home. And, I know that many homeowners resonate with the latter. Your water heater breaks, so there goes your budget for upgrading your 1970's bathroom finishes!

Here's the difference: I’ve aspired to find moments in my investment properties to implement low-budget, high-impact design opportunities. They feel careful, intentional and make a house feel like home. How can more homeowners have access to this— designs that fit their aesthetic and are budget-friendly, but refined and curated by a design professional?

I envision it as a hybrid between DIY and a top-tier interior design. Like this hallway linen closet transformation— all it it takes is a design vision, a few key pieces and details to get a more seamless, built-in and luxury look!

How It Could Work

• For small to medium scale projects from laundry room storage solutions to full kitchen renovations.

• Homeowners share their preferred design style through words, inspo pictures (Pinterest boards too, of course!), provide photos and dimensions of existing conditions, and budget.

• We collaborate through the typical design process:

  • Establish the design vision and key principles

  • Create space planning layouts

  • Review options for material palette concepts

  • Make materials and fixtures selections

  • Visualize the design through renderings

• At the end of the design phase, owners would receive a design package with their printed rendering(s), proposed finish samples, and spec sheet for ordering.

• Use the design package to DIY or give to a contractor to execute.

The end result is a thoughtfully curated design that feels reflective of the style of the home. It may be budget-friendly, but the right selections make it highly functional, plus feel high-end and intentional.

What do you think? Would you opt in?

Cheers to new ideas,

refern (aka Rachel)