Summer with Carole Lee Interiors: Your Go-To for Outdoor Projects

 

Photo of luxury garden furniture at the patio

As the warm days of summer approach, it’s the perfect time to transform your outdoor living spaces. Whether you’re dreaming of a new deck, a sleek blacktop driveway, or a beautifully furnished patio, we’re here to bring your vision to life. Our expertise spans from designing stunning interiors to building high-quality outdoor spaces, ensuring your home is a place of comfort, beauty, and functionality year-round.

Some of Our Outdoor Services

At Carole Lee Interiors, we specialize in a wide array of outdoor projects tailored to meet the unique needs of our residential clients. Here’s how we can help you make the most of your outdoor space this summer:

  • Deck Construction: We build decks from a variety of materials, each offering distinct benefits to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
  • Blacktop Driveways: Our durable and stylish driveways enhance curb appeal while providing long-lasting performance.
  • Power Washing: Revitalize your existing decks and patios with our professional power washing services.
  • Patios, Pool Decks and Walkways: Create the perfect setting for relaxation and entertainment with our custom patios and pool decks and walkways.
  • Outdoor Furniture and Accessories: From deck furniture and bar storage cabinets to decorative pillows and patio table umbrellas, we provide everything you need to create an inviting outdoor space.

Choosing the Right Deck Material

Selecting the right material for your deck is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of aesthetics, durability, and maintenance. Here’s a detailed look at some popular deck materials, along with their pros and cons:

 Wood Decks Wood decks are a classic choice that offers natural beauty and a timeless appeal. Common types include cedar, redwood, and pine.

  • Pros:
    • Aesthetic Appeal: Wood provides a warm, natural look that blends seamlessly with any outdoor setting.
    • Versatility: Can be stained or painted to match your desired color scheme.
    • Initial Cost: Generally lower upfront cost compared to composite and PVC materials.
  • Cons:
    • Maintenance: Requires regular sealing, staining, or painting to prevent weather damage and decay.
    • Durability: Prone to splintering, warping, and insect damage over time.

Composite Decks Composite decking is made from a mix of wood fibers and plastic, offering a durable and low-maintenance option.

  • Pros:
    • Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep – no staining or sealing needed.
    • Durability: Resistant to rot, insects, and fading.
    • Eco-Friendly: Often made from recycled materials.
  • Cons:
    • Cost: Higher initial cost compared to wood.
    • Appearance: While improved over the years, some people still find it lacks the natural look of wood.

PVC Decks PVC decking is made entirely of plastic and offers a high level of durability and weather resistance.

  • Pros:
    • Durability: Highly resistant to moisture, insects, and mold.
    • Maintenance: Easy to clean and does not require staining or sealing.
    • Weight: Lightweight and easy to install.
  • Cons:
    • Cost: Typically, the most expensive decking material.
    • Temperature Sensitivity: Can become very hot in direct sunlight.

Pressure-Treated Wood Decks Pressure-treated wood is treated with chemicals to resist rot, decay, and insect damage, making it a cost-effective option.

  • Pros:
    • Affordability: Lower cost compared to other materials.
    • Durability: Enhanced resistance to elements and pests.
    • Availability: Widely available in various sizes and lengths.
  • Cons:
    • Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance, including sealing and staining.
    • Chemical Treatment: Some people are concerned about the chemicals used in the treatment process.

 Tropical Hardwoods Tropical hardwoods, such as a Brazilian hardwood known as IPE and teak, are known for their rich colors and exceptional durability.

  • Pros:
    • Aesthetic Appeal: Stunning natural beauty with unique grain patterns.
    • Longevity: Extremely durable and resistant to decay, insects, and weather.
    • Strength: High density makes it less likely to warp or splinter.
  • Cons:
    • Cost: Higher initial cost due to material quality and sourcing.
    • Workability: Can be challenging to cut and install due to its density.

At Carole Lee Interiors, we’re dedicated to helping you create an outdoor space that you’ll love. Whether you’re envisioning a cozy wood deck or a low-maintenance composite patio, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. From initial design concepts to the finishing touches of outdoor furniture and accessories, we ensure that every detail is crafted to perfection.

Ready to start your next outdoor project? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let Carole Lee Interiors bring your dream outdoor space to life!

Interior Designer or General Contractor. Who Does What?

When it comes to a home renovation project, it may be confusing to understand the roles of Interior Designers vs. General Contractors and how they work together.  At Carole Lee Interiors we do all these things, but it may be important to understand the benefit of working with one company that can handle all aspects of your project when undergoing a renovation, and that you can hire us for everything or simply for what you need.  Below are some of the basics.

An Overall Design for the Space

Interior designers overall tend to be slightly better trained at understanding how you will use your space and can create a holistic design that speaks to your wants and needs.  Designers tend to be more artistic and creative, taking the design aesthetic beyond structural components of the renovation to the furnishings and style that will go into the project.

Project Management, Installation and Styling

While both an interior designer and general contractor can serve as project manager, at Carole Lee Interiors Carole Lee is the overall project manager overseeing the general contractors for things like installation of hard materials such as countertops, hardware, and appliances.   As an interior designer she handles ordering furnishings, tracking shipments, and receiving and inspecting deliveries while making sure the design plan is being followed.

Electrical Plans & Outlet Placement

This is a perfect example of how working with an interior design firm who also does general contracting greatly benefits the client. In most cases a general contractor will know whether a dedicated space is for a kitchen, bath, bedroom, but they are not planning the furniture layout of the space which is critical for a good outcome. If a general contractor installs outlets without knowing the furnishings plan you might end up with a chandelier centered over your dining room table with no outlet over the chandelier.

Building Codes & Permits

General contractors are the ones who know building codes and can pull permits for a renovation or remodel. Because we do not have to check in with anyone, we can keep the project moving.  Interior designers may have to wait to get approval from a GC on these items, which can slow down the project.

Carole Lee Interiors is a full-service interior design and build firm that provides interior and exterior design and general contracting services for both residential and commercial spaces.  Give us a call today.

 

Why Home Improvement Projects Have Surged

 

The sound of power tools is roaring in neighborhoods across the United States.

And throughout neighborhoods home improvement projects have been in full swing.  Once COVID hit, families needed someplace the kids could play and learn. Playhouses went up in the back yard, basements were converted to school rooms, dens were now home offices.

Necessity is one factor driving the home improvement boom. Americans have been forced to use their houses more — and differently. But that doesn’t account for the huge spike in demand documented by Max Anderson, chief economist at Porch.com.

“These are all-time highs,” Anderson says. “In terms of measured history in the United States, these are the highest levels of home improvement spending we’ve ever seen. Anderson says that just over 3 out of 4 homeowners whom Porch.com surveyed have completed a major project since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and roughly the same percentage have one on the drawing board. Homeowners younger than 40 are the most likely to have completed projects this year, though more than half of baby boomers have done home improvement work too. 

Rock-bottom interest rates also make home improvements more attractive. And he says that in unsettling times, spending on one’s home can be a comforting investment.  People aren’t going on vacations or going out to restaurants, so they’re appreciating their homes more and spending money on them.  Many people have money to spare so they are updating their vacation homes and upgrading their primary homes, too.

If it is time for a home improvement project, we hope you will consider Carole Lee Interiors.  Our full- service design / build approach provides you the benefit of a trained eye of an interior designer and the increased supervision of a general contractor.

We have extensive general contracting experience in both interior and exterior projects.  Full-scale interior projects can be kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, dens, or any room inside your home.  Some exterior projects include decks, patios, walkways, outdoor kitchens and firepit installations.  And our design services offer a full suite of furnishings to pull your project together.

We work closely with clients to ensure you prevent costly mistakes, while delivering an exceptional customer service experience.    Give us a call to discuss your next home improvement project.