WARM COLORS IMPACT YOU AND YOUR HOME

Published May 10, 2011 |

"WARM" COLORS: RED, ORANGE, AND YELLOW

Colors affect everything we do, because they're part of light's energy. We cannot see the colors of light rays, but we see colors because of light's spectrum. When the atmosphere intervenes, becoming a prism, we can see light in the form of a rainbow. Rainbows are meaningful because they contain seven colors that evoke emotional responses: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. This article, Part 1 of 2, will discuss only the warm colors.

Recently, during a heavy spring shower, traffic slowed to a crawl. "Smart drivers" was my second thought, after the usual thought (you get the drift!). But people weren't slowing down for just the raindrops. They were slowing down to look at a very bright double rainbow! The colors were glorious! How do you feel when you see a rainbow?

We use colors to describe our moods, "In the pink," or "Green with envy," or "feeling blue." We say, "I'm seeing red" when we're angry, or "He/she is yellow-bellied" when we think someone is cowardly.

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Posted in Creative ideas, Home decorating, Lighting, Tips + Trends

4 BATHROOM IDEAS FOR YOUR COMFORT + SAFETY

Published April 9, 2011 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

What is a comfortable bathroom? It's a serene oasis of calm in your frenetic lifestyle. Your heart sings and you say "Wow!" every time you walk into your remodeled bathroom that includes everything you've been dreaming about and wanting.

Your bathroom should reflect you in the best way possible — literally and aesthetically. It can be any style that blends with your home and makes you feel good. Great bathroom design incorporates comfort and safety principles before anything is selected, during the planning stage. Here are four bathroom ideas about lighting, showers, tubs, and floors that will guarantee your comfort and safety, so you can really enjoy your new or remodeled bathroom:

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Posted in Bathroom, Consumer Safety, Creative ideas, Home building, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Lighting, Tips + Trends

5 WAYS TO AVOID CHANGE ORDERS

Published January 22, 2011 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

CHANGE ORDERS … THE LAST THING YOU WANT DURING CONSTRUCTION!

You're surprised, and feel betrayed. Just when everything seemed to be going well, your contractor says, "We've run into a problem," or, "If you want it, you're going to have to pay more." There are (sometimes) valid reasons for Change Orders, but most of the time, they can be avoided. You do not want to feel like your home is being held hostage. Here are five ways to avoid Change Orders:

How to Avoid Change Orders

Change Orders during a building or remodeling project should be an exception, not the rule. Here are ways that you can avoid them:

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Posted in Bathroom, Home building, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Kitchen, Lighting, Tips + Trends

Santa Claus or Grinch?

Published December 18, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

We enjoy helping people achieve their dreams and goals, to see anxiety and fear melt away, replaced by calm understanding. Our goal is to explain the process and discuss everything that's included in their project, to help them achieve their goals.

You call a design professional because you need and want to remodel your home, or build a new home, but you're overwhelmed by everything involved. You have high expectations and positive anticipation about finding someone to help you. One of your goals is to stay within your budget.

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Posted in Bathroom, Creative ideas, Home building, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Kitchen, Tips + Trends, Uncategorized

HOW TO AVOID BUILDING and REMODELING ANXIETY

Published December 18, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

There has not been one homeowner in 25 years of my experience who didn't feel anxious and overwhelmed about their project before we met. Not one! Hundreds of homeowners, with different lifestyles, different needs, and different budgets. Pretty amazing.

Everything I do focuses on helping homeowners like you. During a meeting several months ago, I was reminded how overwhelming the remodeling process can be, even if someone has been through a renovation before. Four years ago, my client remodeled her kitchen. Her contractor did a wonderful job, but she didn't have a designer. When she talks about choosing the material for her kitchen countertops, it's easy to see (and feel) the terror she's reliving.

Have you ever been through a remodeling project? A home addition? An updated bathroom? A new kitchen?

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Posted in Bathroom, Consumer Safety, Creative ideas, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Tips + Trends

1970′S RANCH REMODELING SUCCESS

Published December 4, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

[Gallery not found] (CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE GALLERY, LARGER VIEWS)

The return trip home, after leaving Mark and Anne's yearly Thanksgiving open house, presented a wonderful opportunity to think about everything that made their home remodeling project special, followed by a familiar question, "How can more homeowners achieve the best results possible — with fewer anxieties, hassles, and regrets?" Here's what made a big difference for Anne and Mark when they remodeled their 1970's ranch home, and what can make a big difference for you:

Everyone took responsibility for their role in making the project successful

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Posted in Creative ideas, Home improvement, Kitchen, Lighting

HOLIDAY SAFETY

Published November 21, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

The theme selected for the first segment of this week's broadcast of "Today's Home™" was holiday safety. Every year, there are news reports about home fires, personal injuries, and deaths which occur when people don't think about potential dangers because they're caught up in all of the holiday activities, which can be a serious distraction. Following are hints and tips which I found:

HEALTH TIPS:

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Posted in Consumer Safety, Creative ideas, Home decorating, Homeowner advocacy, Lighting

HOMEOWNER AND CONTRACTOR ADVOCATE

Published November 15, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

What is an advocate? Because I have called myself a homeowner advocate for over 15 years, many contractors conclude that I will always take the homeowners' side against them, which is not true, except if there is clear evidence that the contractor has done something very wrong, i.e.:

Not providing products and services specified in the approved plans and their agreement without communication
Changing the scope of the project without communication
Not providing a written change order with additional charges explained in full before extra work begins
Selling products at an inflated price because "warranty service" is provided, without specifying in writing exactly what is included and excluded
Comingling funds, i.e., using proceeds of the current project to pay for products and/or services for a previous project

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Posted in Bathroom, Home building, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Kitchen | Tagged advocate, construction professionals, contractor, designer, distributor, general contractor, lifetime warranty, logical steps, product choices, reliable communication, supplier, unreasonable expectations, warranty service

“Do It Right” — The Rest of the Story

Published September 30, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

We did it right — and the Homeowner is happy!

This project in Lake Oswego is almost complete, and very shortly, I plan to take photos for my website and possible design competitions. If a category for "Resurrected Projects From Hell" is ever introduced, this bathroom would definitely be in contention for top honors (as long as Mike Holmes decides not to enter the competition).

When I wrote the previous article, the homeowner had just hired the contractor, who referred the homeowner to me. The project started very awkwardly, because the contractor had promised the homeowner that my fee would not exceed a certain amount (which I knew was significantly below my standard fee), but I decided to help anyway.

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Posted in Bathroom, Creative ideas, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Lighting, Tips + Trends, Uncategorized | Tagged accessories, bathroom, body sprays, budget, change orders, creative visualization, creativity, decisions, elevations, floor plans, investment, Mike Holmes, mistakes, professional design, rainhead showerhead, safety, unique products

MICROWAVE OVENS

Published August 16, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

CONCERNS OF A PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN DESIGNER
AND CONSUMER ADVOCATE

Our new internet radio protram, "Today's Home" began yesterday with a discussion about microwave ovens. During the first segment, I expressed professional concerns about microwave-hood combinations and drawer microwaves. Both appliances are potentially dangerous. You need to have someone on your side to help you make informed decisions about products that can affect your safety.

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Posted in Creative ideas, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Kitchen, Tips + Trends | Tagged appliances, countertop, internet radio program, kitchen and bath, kitchen designer, microwave oven, microwave ovens, microwaves, National Kitchen and Bath Association, NKBA, remodeling project, safety, Today's Home

DO IT RIGHT, OR NOT AT ALL

Published June 18, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

Picture of Mike Holmes, Host of Holmes on Homes

Have you ever watched "Holmes on Homes"? The Sunday night show on HGTV is about a great contractor, Mike Holmes, and his crew, who finish projects that have been botched by other contractors. I'm very happily married, but I love Mike! He really cares about homeowners, and cares about what he does. I applaud him for getting a great message to a large audience. It's similar to the information I've been sharing with homeowners for over 15 years, on a much smaller scale.

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Posted in Bathroom, Creative ideas, Home improvement, Homeowner advocacy, Tips + Trends | Tagged bathroom, body sprays, budget, change orders, decisions, designer, elevations, floor plans, general contractor, HGTV, Holmes on Homes, Internet, investment, master bathroom, Mike Holmes, mistakes, plumbing fixtures, rainhead showerhead, remodeling project, safety, Today's Home, whirlpool

CREATIVITY+POSITIVE ATTITUDE=SUCCESS!

Published June 8, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

Have you ever known anyone who's really creative, who also has a negative attitude? Probably not. But many creative people are plagued with doubt and fear, which limits their ability to visualize possibilities and achieve the best results.

My dear friend, Katya, was planning her June wedding, and asked me to help with the flowers. Okay, no problem. I've been arranging flowers most of my life, since my godmother introduced me to this wonderful hobby around the age of seven. Proud to say that I've won many blue ribbons for my floral creations over the years, including several "Best of Show" ribbons. So making arrangements for the reception tables wouldn't be a problem. I agreed, before I learned of several challenges:

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Posted in Creative ideas, Home decorating, Tips + Trends | Tagged budget, budget allowances, creative visualization, creativity, designer, flower arrangement, Flowers, hydrangeas, iris, personal taste, satin, Special Occasion Decorations, wedding bouquet

DO DESIGNERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Published May 31, 2010 |

By Diane Plesset CMKBD

Yes! When you hire the right one (see below). Do you know where to find the right products that reflect your personal taste, that are compatible with your home, and with each other? Where does each product fit into your budget priorities? How many mistakes can you afford to make? Here are two examples that may fit you like a glove:

For the past six months, "Shirley" and "Michael" have been shopping, to furnish their new home. They purchased furniture and accessories that appealed to them. After everything was delivered and positioned, they didn't like the result.s The sofa and coffee table were too large, and didn't coordinate with the chairs or the area rug. Their new bed dominated the master bedroom. They returned what could be returned, and sold the rest at consignment stores for considerably less than they had paid.

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