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2️⃣ Second on my list for Designing a space, Renovating a space, Building a space, or Renovating a space is to be intentional. It’s time to PINPOINT.
This step requires introspection, mental work, and some problem solving skills. I find lists extremely helpful in this step. A pen and paper are your best friends, as well as asking your loved ones for their input. We can make you the most gorgeous room in the universe, but if it doesn’t fill the needs of your particular family, it’s worthless.
Are you getting your money’s worth? For example, in a 2,500 square foot home let’s consider the front room. For many, this is tragically under utilized space. An average one is around 150-300 square feet. If your mortgage is $2,800 a month, that means you’re paying $336 a month for a room that a couch sits in, or a piano that may not even be played. Something to think about 🤷♀️
So after first being GRATEFUL, we’re now intentional. We look at the space and pinpoint the needs and shortcomings it has, so we can improve. Just like life, this is not about perfection, it’s about progression. Taking the things you have and magnifying their capacity to fill the needs of your family to the utmost…this is true, beautiful, glorious, intentional decorating. ❤️
Check out this Before & After we just finished for my cute friend.
She had these HUGE 11 foot tall open shelves next to her fireplace, that she didn’t necessarily love. Her husband had built them and left the open metal track showing on the sides.
So of course we didn’t take out his handiwork, we just “embellished” it 😎
We added these beautiful arches to soften the space and add architectural interest. We mimicked the keystone design she had in her kitchen cabinetry as a custom touch.
We then concealed the bottom shelves and put doors over them, creating a lower cabinet for storage. We added beautiful Alder wood counters onto those cabinets to tie it all together with her existing mantle.
I even went over and helped her do her wallpaper as an accent color at the back of the shelving. Just a little bit, but it has a big impact on the overall feel of the room.
I absolutely love how this turned out! It is so much more custom in her space. The room feels taller and there is now hidden storage that’s going to be very functional for her needs 👏👍👌
This is a win! 🏆
As promised, I’d LOVE to share some tips and tricks with you on Money $aving Strategies for building a home, renovating a home, remodeling a home, and decorating a home.
1️⃣ First end foremost on my list is GRATITUDE
This may seem odd and counterintuitive, but I have learned over the years that you will never be happy with what you have, unless you are grateful for what you have.
Example: It’s time to update your kitchen. You hate the orange cabinets, the counters are yucky speckled brown, the floor is disgusting, the colors are all wrong, the appliances are outdated, and there isn’t enough storage.
First—acknowledge the good.
👉 This kitchen has fulfilled its purpose
👉 This room has filled thousands of hungry tummies
👉I am the envy of millions of women across the world to have such an amazing space to prepare food
👉Wow, how cool is it I even have a kitchen to renovate!
👉 I’m so grateful to have had a dishwasher to wash dishes, an oven to cook food, cabinets to store my china, a sink with running water, a fridge with food in it….
Etc, etc, etc
I promise you that if you start your project from a place of power and plenty, your outcome will be so much better. If you go into it with a vision of abundance, rather than with a desperation and deprivation mentality, the result will be exponentially better!
So whatever your space is, first find your GRATITUDE 🙏 Then come back and I’ll teach you step #2
Building a Home, Decorating a Home, Renovating a Home, or Refurbishing a Home can be EXPEN$IVE!!! But it doesn`t have to be!
I`d love to share with you some of the tips and tricks I`ve learned along my journey that saved some serious $$$$$$
I love learning from others as well......
👉 What are some of your best tips for saving money for your home projects?
👉 What`s the BEST deal you scored that you`re proud of?
👉 Where have you been able to cut costs and still get a high end result?
👉 What have you been able to DIY to save money?
👉 Have you discovered a product that saved you lots and you want to share?
Share your wisdom and we can all learn together! 🥳
Answer: The “questionable” design element I included in my home is:
Mirrored fridges!!! Don’t worry, I incorporated large handles in my design which have proven to take 95% of the brunt of my children’s handprints 🤣
Also…did you know you can turn any fridge into a built in fridge?!?!? Yep, absolutely ANY fridge. It’s a simple clip system that costs roughly $7 and boom 💥 magic 😍😍😍
Answer: The “questionable” design element I included in my home is:
Mirrored fridges!!! Don’t worry, I incorporated large handles in my design which have proven to take 95% of the brunt of my children’s handprints 🤣
Also…did you know you can turn any fridge into a built in fridge?!?!? Yep, absolutely ANY fridge. It’s a simple clip system that costs roughly $7 and boom 💥 magic 😍😍😍
🙋👇🥳 GUESSING GAME 🙋♀️🌸🏆
Playing today for a Set of FREE Floating Shelves or $200 in💲 Gal`s Garage cash 💲
I added a design element to my home that is seriously questionable....probably not the smartest idea I`ve ever had....but I kinda love it anyway `cause I`m weird.
Guess here......👇👇👇
I need some QUICK opinions 🙋♀️🙋🙋♂️
I have the opportunity to buy a couple truck loads of Dressers. These are $1,999 dressers that I can get for $399 and $499!!! I need to know how many are interested and if I should say YES, BRING THE TRUCKS!
How many would be interested? I think we`ll do a huge PARKING LOT SALE in 2 weeks and it will be first come on these. Getting beautiful furniture for 75-80% off is my jam!!!!
This is our BASIC line of cabinetry. It’s going for less than HALF what the solid wood cabinets do.
I love this in kitchenettes, garages, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and yes even kitchens! It’s incredibly durable and holds up so well to wear and tear.
I am using this space as a hair✂️ salon, storage for linens like towels, sheets etc, as well as having my kiddos how to do their own laundry 🧺 I’ve created a tower for their baskets so it’s easy to put way.
I also did full extension drawers that double as pedestal risers. These allow my kids to sort and organize as they bring in the dirty clothes. I use one for towels, jeans and colors. The other is for white clothes. I also love how it raises the washer and dryer so I’m not bending over.
My dumb waiter is totally concealed in the tall tower cabinet! You open it up and all the “stuff” from upstairs comes down and the kids can put it away from there. No more junk on the stairs 🙌
I saw this and have to admit I kinda love it. For many, this could add a functional laundry room, storage area, playroom, office, library, or study nook.
Not to mention it adds overall square footage to the footprint of your home if you’re concerned about resale. For reference, let’s say the one shown adds approximately 150 square feet. In our market at $200/square foot, that’s $30,000 in property value.
Thinking outside the box is what I love. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again— The VAST majority of people have plenty of room in their home and more than enough to fit their needs. They just need to step outside the chaos for a minute and figure out how to best utilize what they have right in front of them 💪. If you need help getting clarity, we’re up for the challenge ❤️
Photo credit: Budget101
It’s always fun when you go to a beautiful wedding reception and see your beautiful doors at the venue ❤️❤️❤️
Check out this fun project my cute cousin just tackled. She ripped out her double closet herself (cause she’s cool like that!) and took the wall out above, giving her full floor to ceiling access. She then assembled these cabinets we made her all by herself.
She fully designed this space herself, installed the cabinets herself, and even installed these amazing built ins with oversized drawers for TONS of extra storage with the custom wood tops as well. The floating vanities were the perfect touch to tie it all together and bring the warmth of the wood across the room 😊
I’m having closet envy over here ❤️ Sooooo much more space than before. Not to mention it transformed the entire look and feel of the room —taking it from basic to very high end and ultra custom ✅
Remember that massive kennel we were building the other day? Well it’s finished, and it’s stunning! This thing is HUGE and has four huge full extension pull out drawers up top. It also has a divided kennel in the base, creating two separate spaces.
My little guy thinks it’s the perfect playhouse, so it’s multifunctional too 😂👍
One of my favorite things about getting to design custom cabinetry is that you can put in the things that are specifically important to you.
I know this is strange, but I don’t like to see stuff!!! I hate it in fact. I designed my cabinets to hide everything. My cleaning supplies, my vacuums, my microwave, my toaster, my can opener, my blender…they all have a home and it just mashes my heart giddy happy 😂🤣😂
For those following our GUESSING game, I apologize I didn’t post yesterday. We were dealing with a slew of bats last night 🦇 (you can’t make this stuff up…never a dull moment)
Anywho…. The weirdest thing I’ve purchased so far this year is a HOTEL!
Yep, it was a KSL find. Nothing I need, but since we have so much time on our hands and don’t have multiple businesses and 4 young kids, we thought “why not?!?” 🤣😂🤣
And for those of you wondering, no we have not moved into our new house yet. So we’re just adding the hotel to the list of projects 😆.
We’ll do all new Gal’s Garage LVP, new carpet, new kitchens in every room, new paint, floating shelves, new vanities, new lights etc. The plan is to restore the beautiful staircases and charm that the 100 year old building once held. I’m a sucker for antiques and old things, and this one just stole our heart ❤️ I’ll try to post during the process, so you can follow us on this crazy journey!
