How good is good enough?

Home remodels are completed by human beings, and as such they are always going to have some flaws in the work.  So how good is good enough?  

At an open house for a newly constructed home I took a couple pictures of areas that would not have been up to my standard for my clients.  In the first photo the outlet was set crookedly, and while usually that wouldn’t bother me so much, it’s against a perfectly gridded background and so it’s glaringly obvious to my eye.  

Either the outlet or the tile isn't set straight, very noticeable with such a strong grid pattern in the tile and the white grout.

In the second photo the groutline between the granite and tile is cracked, and again, should be fixed.

The grout and caulk line at the base of this tile has already cracked.

As the homeowner it is important that from the start of the project you are clear with your standards and expectations and that you and your designer are on the same page.  If you can, try to tour some remodeled homes on the market during open houses and get a sense of what good grout lines look like and what seams look like in crown molding - familiarize yourself with “industry standards”.  

Next, remember that your standards will affect how much you pay.  If you hire the best and expect perfection, you WILL pay more for that because not only are you likely hiring a more experienced, skilled craftsperson, that person will also have to spend more time getting it all perfect.  There is nothing wrong with that, but don’t expect to pay the cost of a Volkswagon and get the performance of a BMW.

Finally, walk through and approve EVERY stage of the remodel.  Fixing grout lines in the shower is much harder once the custom shower door is installed, and rarely turns out very well.  If one of the stair risers is squeaky, that needs to be fixed BEFORE they lay the carpet!

In the end your project will have imperfections.  Decide what you can and can’t live with, and what you are willing to pay for.  And of course remember that once your home is furnished and decorated, little things will fade away.  Once the project is done and you’ve decided it’s good enough, take a deep breath, refocus your eyes, see the “big picture”, and resist the urge to obsess about that one imperfect seam in the floor in the closet - what a way to take the joy out of your beautiful new space!

Use "caution" when decorating with yellow

Alley, before consulting with Rivalee Design,

 says "Caution" instead of "Welcome"

Alley, after working with Rivalee Design,

repainted in cayenne red and butter yellow.

Yellow may be the most cheerful color on earth, but while nature usually gets yellow right, we humans often botch the job.  What is so hard abut successfully decorating with yellow?  

When I first visited the job site pictured at left I was discovered a screaming yellow that said "CAUTION DO NOT ENTER".  Choosing yellow to brighten a dark alley was not a bad choice, but the shade and intensity were all wrong.


When I created the new palette, I still incorporated yellow, but the yellow I chose looked nearly white on the paint chip.  That is one of the keys - remember that colors intensify as they cover more space and as it reflects itself.

So then how can you successfully decorate with yellow?  Here are three tips to help you bring that sunshine inside.

1. Avoid “yellow”

Choose a color more like sand, or creamy butter.  If the paint chip looks like the yellow of a crayon or daffodil, the color is way too intense for the walls.  

2. Add splashes of yellow

If you are determined to incorporate sunny crayon yellow, start small. Try a soft grey sofa with daffodil yellow pillows and a lemony throw.  Set the table with a dragon red tablecloth and deliciously yellow plates.Try new navy curtains with sheers in sunny yellow. Or add a collection of bright, shiny yellow vases to the room.

3. Use only yellow

When decorating with a bold color, using a monochromatic scheme can make it work.  If you paint the walls a medium shade of yellow, lay blond wood floors with white area rugs and hang white curtains, then splash around some intense yellow accents, the result can be sunny, lovely, and bright.

One little warning...

Whatever variant of yellow you choose, it’s likely to shock you as it goes on the walls.  Don’t panic.  The wall color is only one layer of the decorating in your room.  Try not to make a final decision on the color until your furniture, rugs, art and accessories are in.  This is especially true if you are hiring a decorating professional to create a room for you.  That person isn’t just giving you a paint color, they are giving you a whole room.  


Here’s how it was said in Martha Stewart Living: “Hold that breath when you've finished your walls, and don't exhale until the furniture goes in, for yellow is hot or cool... depending on its neighbors; nothing's as qualmish as an empty yellow room.”  


Well put, and good to remember.