Spring is in the air and is usually the time we begin to consider tackling home improvement projects we have on our to-do list.  And while investing in home renovations is about making your living space your own, and keeping things up to date, it also about increasing your home’s value. Here are some tips from Carole Lee some of the best home renovations that promise a solid return on investment:

Kitchen Remodel: The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, making it one of the most valuable areas to renovate. Focus on upgrading countertops, cabinets, and appliances for a modern and functional kitchen that appeals to potential buyers.

Bathroom Remodel: Renovating bathrooms can significantly boost your home’s resale value. Consider adding new fixtures, updating tiles, and improving storage to create a spa-like retreat that adds both luxury and functionality.

Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, so investing in exterior renovations can yield high returns. Improve curb appeal by updating siding, replacing garage doors, and enhancing landscaping to make your home more attractive to buyers from the moment they arrive.

Energy Efficient Improvements: Energy-efficient upgrades not only reduce utility costs but also increase the value of your home. Consider installing new windows, upgrading insulation, or investing in solar panels to make your home eco-friendlier and appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

Finished Basement: Converting an unfinished basement into a usable living space can add significant value to your home. Whether transformed into a family room, home office, or additional bedroom, a finished basement provides extra square footage and versatility, appealing to a wide range of buyers.

Carole Lee Interiors is a full-service Design & Build firm that works with each client through concept, design, installation, and completion of small and large scale home renovation projects.  Give us a call today.

Elevating your home for the holidays involves a thoughtful blend of festive elements combined with your unique style.  Working with a professional interior designer can help the process move forward without the risk of mistakes, while saving you both time and money, two things we all need more of during the holiday season. Below are a few tips from the pros at Carole Lee Interiors.

Start by selecting a color palette that complements your existing decor while infusing seasonal warmth. Integrate traditional reds and greens, icy blues and silvers, or neutral tones with metallic accents for a contemporary touch.

Lighting is always key in creating a festive ambiance. Use twinkling lights across mantels, staircases, and around windows. LED candles provide a safe alternative, emitting a cozy glow throughout your space. To evoke the essence of the season, introduce natural elements such as pinecones, holly, and evergreen branches into your arrangements.  Wreaths and garlands made from these materials offer a timeless charm.

Curate a visually appealing tree by combining cherished family ornaments with new, additions. Personal touches can make your holiday decor special, so don’t shy away from showcasing sentimental pieces. Enhance comfort with festive throw pillows and blankets, inviting loved ones to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Extend the festive atmosphere outdoors by adorning your entrance with well-placed lights, a welcoming doormat, and a festive wreath. By blending tradition, personaltouches, and contemporary elements, your holiday decor becomes a reflection of your unique style and the warmth of the season.

Happy Holidays from Carole Lee Interiors!

Autumn in our region is such a beautiful time of year. Crispness in the air, pumpkins, and apple cider, comfy sweaters.  And trees undergo a spectacular transformation, their leaves turning a brilliant symphony of gold, crimson and burnt orange, casting a warm and inviting glow that defines the beauty of the season. As we move indoors we begin to think about how to design a snug retreat in our homes.  Here are six ideas on how to create a cozy room in your home this autumn.

Warm Color Palette: Embrace the colors of autumn by incorporating warm tones into your room.  Choose deep oranges, burgundy, and earthy browns for pillows, throws, and curtains.

Textured Textiles:  Introduce soft and textured fabrics like knitted blankets, faux fur pillows, and plush cushions.  These textiles not only provide physical warmth but also add a tactile element to the space, and make it feel more inviting.

Ambient Lighting:  Enhance the cozy ambiance with warm lighting.  Consider using dimmable recessed lighting or string or fairy lights in a casual room for a festive setting, or candles to create a warm soft glo

Natural Elements: Bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements.  Dried flowers, pinecones and branches can be used to create a visually appealing focal point adding a touch of rustic charm that aligns with the autumn season.

Layered Floor Coverings: Enhance coziness underfoot and add luxury by layering rugs.  Choose soft and plush textures in warm tones to fashion a welcoming feel.  This also adds insulation and overall comfort to the room.

Create A Reading Nook: Design a dedicated reading corner with a comfortable chair and pillows, accent lighting, your favorite books, and a few personal touches.  This adds a functional element to the room and encourages relaxation during cooler months.

Working with an Interior Designer will help your creativity flow while avoiding costly mistakes and allow you to enjoy the process of transforming your home into a cozy retreat this autumn.  Call Carole Lee Interiors today and let’s begin a conversation.

Soon the summer will have passed and before long fall will be upon us. With chillier days ahead we begin to think about rich vivid colors and cozy spaces to incorporate into our indoor spaces.

Bringing color into your room can transform its ambiance and create a vibrant and welcoming space. Whether you prefer bold and lively hues or calming and soothing tones, incorporating color into your room can be an enjoyable and creative process. Here are some tips from Carole Lee Interiors to help achieve the perfect balance of color in your living space.

Choose a Color Scheme: Start by selecting a color scheme that resonates with your personality and style. You can opt for monochromatic (shades of a single color), complementary (colors opposite each other on the color wheel), or analogous (colors next to each other on the color wheel) schemes.

Focus on the Walls: Painting the walls is an effective way to introduce color into your room. If you’re hesitant to go all-in with a bold shade, try an accent wall first. Experiment with various paint samples to find the perfect match.

Play with Accessories: Incorporate color through decorative accessories like throw pillows, rugs, window treatments, and artwork. These elements are relatively easy to change, allowing you to experiment with different colors and patterns over time.

Furniture with Flair: Consider investing in furniture pieces with colorful upholstery or finishes. A vibrant couch or an eye-catching dresser can serve as a focal point while adding personality to your room.

Indoor Plants: Greenery not only adds a splash of color but also brings life and freshness into your space. Indoor plants come in various shades, and they can complement the overall color scheme of your room.

Lighting Matters: The type of lighting you use can significantly impact the perception of color in your room. Experiment with different lighting fixtures and bulbs to achieve the desired ambiance.

Personal Touch: Don’t be afraid to showcase your personal style by incorporating cherished items that hold sentimental value. Handmade crafts or textiles or statement pieces from travels can add unique and meaningful colors to your space.

The key is to strike a balance between different colors and avoid overwhelming the room.  Whether you go for a bold and lively look or a calm and serene atmosphere, incorporating color thoughtfully will undoubtedly enhance the overall appeal and comfort of your room. Working with an Interior Designer will help your creativity flow while avoiding costly mistakes and allow you to enjoy the process of transforming your living space into a colorful haven.  Contact Carole Lee Interiors today and let’s begin a conversation.

As the weather gets warmer and the flowers start to bloom, it’s time to refresh your homes interior and exterior with some spring-inspired design ideas. Here are some tips to give your home a fresh, new look for the season.

Power Washing:  Start by power washing your home’s exterior, walkways, driveway, and outdoor furniture to remove the buildup of dirt and grime from winter.  This will give your home a fresh, clean look and help you get started on other outdoor projects.

Outdoor Lighting:  Update your outdoor lighting fixtures to give your home a warm and inviting glow in the evenings. Consider adding landscape lighting to highlight your garden and pathways.

Painting:  A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give your home a new look. Choose light, bright colors like pastels or neutrals to bring a sense of freshness and lightness to your space.

Lawn Furniture:  Add some outdoor lawn furniture to your backyard or patio for the perfect spot to enjoy the spring warm weather. Consider investing in a durable, weather-resistant furniture that will last throughout the season.

Adding Decks: Installing a deck is an excellent way to expand your living area and create a relaxing outdoor space. Whether you choose wood or composite decking, it provides a versatile platform for outdoor dining, entertaining, or simply enjoying the fresh air. Customize your deck with comfortable seating, potted plants, and decorative accents to make it a cozy extension of your home.

Redoing Patios: Give your patio a makeover by repainting or staining the surface to breathe new life into the area. Consider adding outdoor rugs, cozy seating arrangements, and vibrant throw pillows to create a welcoming atmosphere. Incorporate a shade structure such as a pergola or an umbrella to provide relief from the sun during warmer days.

New Blacktop for Driveway: If your driveway is showing signs of wear and tear, spring is the perfect time to invest in a new blacktop. A freshly paved driveway not only improves the curb appeal of your home but also provides a smoother driving experience. Ensure proper maintenance by filling any cracks and applying a sealant to protect it from future damage.

Overall, these spring-inspired interior design ideas will help you create a welcoming and refreshing atmosphere in your home.  Let the experts at Carole Lee Interiors help you with power washing, updating your lighting, painting, and adding lawn furniture to transform your space into a bright and inviting oasis for the season.

The kitchen is the heart of your home; where meals are enjoyed, school bags get tossed, good and bad news is shared, and the place where guests tend to congregate when you entertain, despite having the dining room table set. The workhorse of every kitchen are its countertops.  Countertops must be both functional and durable, while completing the design and style of the kitchen.

If you are ready for an update or a complete remodel, here are five popular countertops you should consider based on durability, function, and style. Prices will vary based on availability and fabrication.

Quartz

Currently a very popular choice in kitchen countertops. Homeowners tend to choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn’t need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well. It is easy to clean and is heat, scratch, and stain resistant.  Because of its manufacturing process, quartz is durable and has a seemingly endless choice of colors and patterns.

Granite

Granite surfaces are slabs of stone cut from the earth, making each piece unique. It is more porous than quartz and does require a bit more maintenance. You can order granite countertops with a polished, shiny finish; a honed, matte finish; or a specialty finish such as flamed or leather. Because of the many choices in colors and finishes, design flexibility is a significant advantage in choosing granite.

Marble

As a counter surface, marble offers a beautiful, timeless look. It has been a preferred stone in architecture throughout the ages. However, as a fair warning, marble is softer and more porous than granite. It is susceptible to stains and scratches so upkeep can be challenging, depending on your lifestyle.  Even so, some of the most beautiful countertop installations are in marble.

Quartzite

If you love marble but don’t want the upkeep, you should also consider quartzite because it is a natural stone with similar beauty. Quartzite is a solid, crystalline mass of mineral stone cut from the earth in slabs.  It’s harder than most knife blades and is more resistant to etching than marble. The generally lighter, more subtle tones of quartzite give it design versatility.

Wood
A durable surface for hard-working kitchens, wood countertops are more sanitary than you may think. Wood offers warmth both visually and tangibly, in contrast to cold stone surfaces.  Today it’s possible to design kitchen countertops to be a wood species such as cherry, maple, hickory, walnut, teak, sapele or mahogany. If you use a wood countertop as a cutting or chopping surface, be willing to accept cuts and scratches in the surface and simply apply a food- safe oil to the wood.

A kitchen update or remodel may seem overwhelming.  However, working with the right design and build firm can eliminate the stress of a kitchen project. At Carole Lee Interiors we guide you with advice on budgeting and time management during each step to keep your project on track.  We combine extensive interior design knowledge with a team of expert craftsmen to ensure your project is executed without sacrificing form or function.

Give us a call today.

Remodeling any room in the house can be a complex process, even functional rooms like laundry rooms take a lot of thought and planning to get from inspiration to result. Here are some specific considerations for laundry rooms. Working with an interior designer who also provides complete general contracting services may be the best way to manage your project.

Know Why You’re Remodeling

When first setting out to renovate your laundry room, it is important to understand the driving motivation behind the project. Is the renovation happening to update the look, or to accommodate a functional aspect of this frequent use room? Keeping this core impetus to renovate in mind leads to a project that suits your wants and needs.

Make Sure the Room Fits Your Life

Whatever the reason for the redesign, the workflow for a functional room like the laundry room is a design element not to be missed. Consider if the room big enough and located in a part of the house that makes sense for your living needs. Renovating the laundry room might include bumping out a wall or moving it to somewhere easier to access.

There are a few considerations unique to how a laundry room fits into varied lifestyles. The physical space of any appliances, as well as sinks, folding boards, and cabinets represent the fixed elements for spacing. Laundry basket space, drying racks, clothes lines or poles, ironing or steaming equipment, and maintaining chemical safety vary more household to household.

Make Sure the Room Fits Your Look

The laundry room may not be the most or least glamorous room in the house, but it is a room that sees frequent use. As with any remodeling job, the end result should be something you’re happy to look at on a regular basis. From lighting options to color profile, there are many ways to make a laundry room uniquely yours.

Though a functional room, the laundry room will still be visited daily by many. Making any regularly used spaces comfortable is an important part of any redesign project. Matching walls, cabinets, and even appliances can be a daunting task well worth the time. Flooring options and potential noise reduction features also increase the quality of use of a laundry room.

Lighting

Often an interior or basement room, frequently without any natural lighting of any sort, laundry rooms benefit greatly from a well thought out lighting plan. The classic dangling bare bulb fits the functional requirement, while integrated strip lights and time-out options make a visit to the laundry room more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

As a functional space, choosing the right bulb is an important step. Full spectrum white light from LEDs or daylight bulbs help identify stains and reveal the true color of cloth, while softer yellow lights might reveal what something will look like inside.

Cabinets

Choosing the right cabinets for a laundry room is a matter of both form and function. Choosing to have doors on any given cabinet changes both the look and ease of access. Waist-high cabinets can be used as a folding table and staging area, while floor to ceiling cabinets offer more storage without the folding table.

Flooring

Choosing the right flooring for a space can be a daunting task and choosing the right flooring in a room with as specific a purpose as the laundry room is no exception. Some flooring is great for cleaning up lint but does not stand up to the weight of some appliances, other flooring is comfortable and cozy, but a pain to clean. Add in the complexity of coordinating the flooring with the aesthetic theme of the room, and the value of an expert becomes apparent.

Call or email Carole Lee today to schedule a consultation for all of your interior design, general contracting, and project management needs!