You know what you like, but where do you go from there? We turned to local design experts to get the answers about home improvement, and they came through in a big way with great information to save you time, money and, yes, heartache. We looked at some of the most commonly facelifted areas: kitchens, baths, landscaping and outdoor rooms. Generally the most used—and often the most expensive to remodel—these areas also
bring the most enjoyment for homeowners and the best return on investment if you’re planning to sell. Our panel of experts talked to us about the trends and gave us tips that will increase your savvy when you decide to make the leap.
Outdoors
When stepping outside, landscape designer Tom Miller of JLM Design Build says it is important to know what you want, but also to be open-minded to possibilities. Sometimes options that clients assume are too expensive are actually a better value and match for their needs.“We are designers and we take everything into account—about the family, the home and the neighborhood,” he says. “We cater to the clients’ lifestyle and tastes, whether they are contemporary or traditional.”
Brian Meyers, president and owner of Oak Meadows Landscape Designs adds, “Think about what you like and be specific—‘I want a patio, but not concrete.’ Being specific about what looks you like helps the landscape designers get the feel of what you want to see.”
Landscaping
Homeowners often want to affect the most visible area of their home—the front yard—adding instant curb appeal. A welcoming first glance serves to greet friends and to influence prospective buyers. Simply put, Meyers says, “when a house has clean, neat
landscaping, it is one less thing for prospective buyers to put on their ‘to do’ list.”
One of Miller’s favorite projects is to change the look of the home and add value to the landscape by enhancing the approach and front entry. Pavers are becoming increasingly popular as people find out how affordable and durable they are—even when used for driveway surfaces—in comparison to concrete. He sees a real trend of homeowners addressing entrances. They want to make their front entry grander, “an inviting greeting area with maybe a free-standing wall, paved walkway, lighting and plants. Since the first entry gives the first and last impression to visitors, it’s a great place to say hello and say goodbye to friends.”
Landscaping tip: Consult a landscape designer first and decide on a landscaping plan that addresses your needs and wants. Then approach different companies for bids to do the work and “compare apples to apples.” Without a specific plan chosen, it can get
confusing and difficult to compare differing options. –Brian Meyers
Patios
Though the front of the home is perhaps the most visible, some may argue that the backyard living spaces are most important. Meyers says clients are
“focusing on areas where family and friends can congregate. Outdoor patios and fireplaces are places people gravitate to.” Miller attributes the popularity of outdoor rooms in general to us: “Minnesotans, who love their outdoors. By adding seat walls, enclosures to patios like pergolas or free-standing walls, the space can feel like a room while still being outdoors.”
A good designer will find out how the clients live, asking questions about how much entertaining they do, how private they are and what their children do for activities in order to create the best outdoor living space.
Patio Tip: It is important to know what amount you are comfortable investing in your home, even if it is just a range or a guideline. This really helps dial in costs right from the beginning. –Chris Walgren
Indoors
Overall, homeowners are choosing to remain in their existing homes “and update both interiors and exteriors,” according to Chris Walgren of Christus Haus. He finds that “Edina clients are looking for value and quality as a general rule,” and when it comes to the city’s aging housing stock, “kitchen and bath improvement continue to be a good investment for anyone living here.” Energy efficiency is also important to clients, so designers such as Walgren like to provide a cost-benefit analysis (for appliances, windows, light fixtures, siding, and heating and cooling) so they can make sound energy-related remodeling decisions.
UUDesign’s Jeff Sweitzer acknowledges that clients’ spaces “are a reflection of the times—leaner. Clients are thoroughly thinking through the design and layout, creating more functionality while using less material and minimizing waste.” Simple elegant layouts and materials abound, as does the user of lighter and brighter colors on surfaces that can easily be changed in the future.
Because of the importance of these rooms, Walgren suggests finding a designer with vision. “Find a remodeler who can help you see what your kitchen and bath will look like before it is complete. Whether a client spends $10,000 or $100,000 on their
kitchen or bath, they want to feel wowed. A good renovator will help them see the ‘wow’ before the project starts.”
Bathrooms
Visit any home and garden show, model home or even your neighbor’s house and you will likely find a spa-like retreat where the bathroom used to be. “The bathroom is no longer just a functional room in the house, but a place for the homeowners to relax and
unwind,” says Casa Verde Design’s Rosemary Merrill. “The materials are natural stones with colors that create a serene atmosphere. Natural sunlight and ambient lighting are also important in creating a spa-like ambience.”
Walgren’s firm echoes the use of those natural materials in their designs, and often isolates the tub/shower and/or whatever closet from the rest of the bath area—adding character, and often added privacy and flexibility for more than one user. “We are doing more architectural additives in framing to create intrigue and appeal in bathrooms typically found in the average-size Edina home,” he discloses.
Clients still look for furniture-style vanities with a wide variety of finishes (stained, distressed or glazed), and natural stone products versus ceramic or porcelain tile for flooring, showers and bath surrounds. New wall covering—that are not dated wallpaper, says Walgren—are also gaining popularity.
Bathroom tips:
Use frameless glass enclosures for the shower—they are almost invisible anddon’t distract from the design of the bathroom. –Rosemary Merrill
The kitchen and bath are the most widely used rooms in the home, so make certain the products you purchase are long-lasting and more energy-efficient. –Rosemary Merrill
Kitchens
Since kitchens are ever more the heart of the home, the epicenter of friend and family gatherings, “they are fitting in more with the look of furnishing,” says Merrill. “Today’s kitchen is even more stylish, classic and timeless. The kitchen should be a unique reflection of the homeowner and ift with the home’s architecture.”
“Kitchens continue to be the life center of all remodeling an renovation projects for our Edina clients,” Wlagren says. His favorite design elements for clients are study areas and desks to keep families connected, islands (often in cabinetry that differentiates
it as a furniture piece) for informal eating and gathering, and natural wood cabinetry. Refrigerator space is freed with additional beverage storage in the form of two-zone beverage refrigerators and wine storage.
Sweitzer took a more streamlined, contemporary approach to the functional kitchen he designed for the O’Neal family. The kitchen/dining room wall was removed, opening up the original space. For dual functionality, a partition rolls across the
countertop, closing off the kitchen from the dining area for dinner parties. Made of wood-veneered panels, green 3form translucent panels and aluminum, the doors and panels are reminiscent of a Mondrian painting. The custom cabinetry, by Steven Cabinets, has smart functional features including a pantry drawer, a dog food storage drawer and a drawer to house a garbage container. Wide roll-out open shelves are housed behind cabinet doors, providing additional easy storage access.
As in the O’Neal home, Sweitzer sees more clients seeking energy-conservative appliances, water-conserving plumbing fixtures and energy-efficient lighting, including space planning that allows for well-placed and controlled daylight to be the primary means of lighting. Look for aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly solutions like surface finishes with recycled material content—including glass, plastics, ceramics or metals. Stainless steel remains a favorite for reflective surface treatments like
backsplashes and appliances.
Kitchen Tips:
Consider vertical surfaces first: When you walk into a space, it’s the first thing you notice. Take into account their surface color, texture and detailing. Then focus on the floor material and patents (the second surfaces you notice). –Jeff Sweitzer
Choose integrated appliances that fit and blend into the design of the cabinetry. –Rosemary Merrill
Since the kitchen and bath are the two most expensive (per square foot) areas in your home to remodel, talk with a professional to get some experienced perspective. Share a little of your family dynamic, such as “we are an all-out Edina sports family.” If you have books, photos or existing drawings of the areas to be remodeled, they are also helpful. -Jeff Sweitzer
