Where to start

Jun 14

Written By

I'm going to start working with new clients this week and I'm really looking forward to helping them refresh a space in their home. My first visit was a consultation that involved not only seeing the space in question, but getting a tour of the entire home. After the walkthrough of the home it was evident that the room in question (TV/Family Room) was going to get a major overhaul.

Remove the popcorn ceilings
Add in pot lights
New flooring
New wall colour
New furniture
Freshly painted fireplace

This 10 X 14 TV/Family Room is going to look a whole lot different than it currently does. Where to start with a refresh

Where To Start?

During the consultation, my client said, "I can't wait to start with a new paint colour." She was so excited about new colour in her TV/Family room as well as new colour in her main hallway and going up the stairs. As much as I didn't want to quash her enthusiasm, I sort of did. You see, paint colour is actually one of the last steps in choosing finishings. It is far easier to choose flooring and then paint instead of the reverse.

Where to Start: Flooring

After getting a feel from my clients and listening to their habits and routines, I will be choosing their flooring first. My clients have busy teens as well as a dog. The TV/Family Room is THE room where everyone kicks back and puts up their feet. Not only that, it's the place where the dog hangs out too. My clients have talked about getting cork flooring (the room leading up to this area is a very light hardwood) and carrying on the hardwood into this room is not an option. I'm also going to be bringing in some carpet samples. I'm going to be bringing Mohawk Horizon Glamours Touch Carpet as it is the SmartStrand® Silk carpet that carries a lifetime stain and soil warranty and a lifetime full pet resistance warranty (plus more). I actually installed this carpet in parts of my own home and love it (and please note - I am in no way getting paid to say this - it's just such great carpet)! Where to start with a refresh

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Where to Start: Why Choose Flooring First?

There is one main reason that flooring is selected first. Flooring is what is considered a fixed element in a home. A fixed element is something in your home that can not be easily changed (such as flooring, cabinets, counters, fireplace, etc.). Since I know that my clients are open to painting their existing fireplace, the red/orange fireplace does not come into play. I also know that the wood that is all over the walls will also be painted so the wood walls do not come into play. What is going to be a fixed element that will be staying is the flooring. Once we have made a decision on the flooring then, and only then, can we look at wall colours.

Choosing Paint

Looking at the rest of the house, it is very clear that their foundation palette is cream. Since my clients want to move away from the brown tuscan trend and they love gray (who doesn't these days), we'll be looking at more green-gray colours as opposed to the blue grays.