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.

 

Bold Backsplash Designs

It’s safe to say that 2019 will not be a year for all white everything. Some of the biggest home décor trends are big, bold, and beautiful. Give the heart of the home some personality with a bold backsplash.

This doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be colorful. If you’re into the more monochromatic look, you can choose a bold pattern or ask your designer to recommend a design that works well with the style of your home.

While standard-issue white subway tile is safe and will look fantastic it may not be what you are looking for. Instead perhaps go bold with a statement backsplash made of an intricate, multi-colored mosaic. Or maybe a leaf-shaped ceramic in spring-fresh green is more your thing. Tiles that stray from white can be endlessly exciting and keep your room feeling fresh.

The most common tiles use for a backsplash are ceramic, porcelain, stone, marble and sometimes even glass.  You should be mindful that not all tiles will cost the same. Tiles are priced by square foot and the cost can vary depending on the type of material. Work with you designer to get the look you want at a price that’s comfortable for you. Here are a few types of tiles to consider for your backsplash project.

  • The look of marble for less: To mimic the look of expensive marble go for a glazed porcelain tile, with high gloss coated over its surface for shine.
  • Porcelain and ceramic tiles: These types of tiles have many options to make your kitchen traditional to contemporary. With endless designs and options – you’re sure to find a tile that makes your kitchen unique.
  • Stainless steel and natural stone: This material offers a wealth of warmth to your kitchen space. Used together, these materials can create one of a kind looks.
  • Mosaic tile: Mosaic tile packs in smaller patterns and seemingly offer more bang for your buck. Depending on the range of materials – this can be an easy way to turn your kitchen space into a work of art.

From traditional tile to trendy glass — and shiny metal to rustic wood — there is seemingly no end of choices for kitchen backsplashes today. But with the right interior designer and installer, you can make just about any material work.

Earthy Colors In Interior Design

One of the most popular home design trends this year is the use of earth tone colors, as reported in Décor Magazine. In previous years, gray tones were often all the rage in interior design. This year, grey is still dominant but it’s often combined with softer pastels and earthy tones.

Earth tones describe a color palette inspired by the colors we find in nature.  Warm browns, camel, greens, sienna, and umber, soft grays and tans all blend together to form a harmonious and welcoming interior in your home or office.

Earth tones work well in both modern and traditional homes due to their versatility and beauty and can add a layered look by building interest through various levels of tones and elements. This color palette tends to impress and is a safe choice for those looking for a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere that is both comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

November is a great time of year to enjoy a cozy space beside a fireplace with soft lighting in a well appointed home.  Why not elevate your home interiors by calling Carole Lee today to schedule a consultation.

The Return of Wallpaper

Forget about blank walls, because one of the best interior design trends for 2018 is the use of mesmerizing wallpapers. Installing wallpaper is a great way to add an interesting twist to your dull living spaces.

With today’s tremendous options, the choice of designer wallpaper and the way it is used influences the overall decorative scheme in a big way. Some of the most popular wallpaper designs for 2018 feature landscape scenery, abstract shapes, and colorful geometric patterns.  Below are a few things to know about using wallpaper to design your space:

It Dictates Style:Wallpaper can encourage a mood and offers a visual direction towards a particular style.  A damask print denotes a traditional bedroom while a honeycomb pattern works for a contemporary dining room.

It Adds Drama:  Designer wallpaper is a great way to enhance a room design with a bit of “ wow” factor, without the big investment of expensive art or lighting.

It Covers Doors Creatively: Get creative by using wallpaper on door panels or outdated sliding mirrored closet doors for a varied look.  Cover them with removable adhesive wallpaper as a modern alternative.

It Acts As Art:  Designer wallpaper itself can act as a work of art. Whether covering an entire wall or framed in pieces, this is a way to infuse a room design with decorative beauty.

To learn more about today’s wallpaper trends, contact Carole Lee at Carole Lee Interiors today!

Is Gray The New Neutral?

When it comes to décor, there are a few hard and fast rules. Even if you don’t consistently follow the trends in color, fabrics, flooring and paint, you can easily recognize what is popular by shopping in furniture and home décor stores, as well as browsing home design websites.

However, the basic tenants of design are not immune to change. For decades interior designers have typically organized rooms around a neutral shade and two complementing or contrasting colors. Neutrals like beige, camel, tan and white have been popular for many years because they look good on floors and walls and tend to make rooms look larger and brighter.

As an interior design firm, we are expecting that gray, in its many variations, will be a top color choice for all types of interiors including luxury homes and elegant offices. A darker gray can be an attractive alternative while remaining subtle. When combined with white and black gray makes a bold statement. Bright colors really pop with gray. Cooler shades of gray can make a room feel inviting on a hot day and make rooms look refined and understated.

Gray hues work with so many different colors it is easy to change the appearance of a room by repainting an accent wall, changing flooring, new fabrics or inspired window treatments.

Simply put, there are so many shades and ways to use gray that will allow you make your home or office warm and inviting.

The Allure of The Bath

Carole Lee Interiors was recently featured in the September issue of ‘Chester County Life Magazine’ talking about today’s’ trends in bathroom design. Today’s bathrooms are simply not like bathrooms of the past. Homeowners want to transcend the typical. “We tend to seek a happy getaway that invites us to enjoy hours of relaxation,” points out Carole Lee.

Bathtubs and showers have reversed roles. Tubs are smaller, showers, sometimes room size. Today’s tubs are made for mini retreats and tend to be freestanding in the room. “Light a few candles, pour in bubbles, open a good book, and luxuriate,” Carole Lee suggests. “A bathroom haven isn’t limited to women. Men enjoy a calming soak as they watch a golf tournament or pro game, which is why we are incorporating TVs into many designs.”

Vacation environments continue in modern showers. More like spas, these spaces are highlighted with body sprays, rain shower heads, and hand showers. “A recent project,” notes Carole Lee, “integrated a large ceiling-mounted shower-head with another hung on the wall. We also install ample shelving, and corner seats.”

Environmentally conscious toilets that feature flush technology made to minimize spreading germs, as well as buttons to dictate flush rate and reduce water usage are made in sleek designs that work well in small or large spaces and can be hidden in a recess.

At Carole Lee Interiors they offer many design concepts to work within a smaller budget. “ People should work around an investment they can comfortably spend. To economize they can apply paint in the bath instead of wallpaper. Window treatments make a whole new statement. Rather than purchasing a sink or tub, consider replacing fixtures. Tubs, in fact, can be refinished to look showroom splendid. Tile, as well, is paintable if it’s still in good condition. Add artwork, silk flowers, and attractive accessories. It’s amazing how fresh and striking the room becomes. We derive just as much satisfaction – sometimes more – from small-budget projects,” states the designer.

The complete story, ‘The Allure of The Bath’ can be seen in the September/October issue of Chester County Life Magazine. And, if you are looking for a bathroom refresh, call Carole Lee Interiors today to set up an appointment.