Many a New Year’s resolution is about losing weight or making more money. But when it comes to achieving one’s goals, there’s nothing more important than a good foundation — and for me, that begins in the home. I’m a firm believer that home improvement = self improvement!
So, with a bit of inspiration from me, mixed with a little elbow grease and your hidden DIY talent (but keep in mind when to call in the pros), you can add some pizzazz to your home without breaking the bank. Here are my five top home-upgrade projects to take on in 2012.
THE HARD STUFF
One of the most important spaces in any home is the kitchen. Give it a relatively affordable face-lift by renewing the counters. Stone fabricators such as NY Stone Manhattan (nystonemanhattan.com) will come to your home, measure and make a template and, in a couple of weeks, install your new counters. Homeowners can measure their existing counters themselves for an initial quote. However, actual measurements need to completed by the fabricators before the template is made.
There are many materials and colors to choose from: engineered products like resin and quartz; natural bamboo or reclaimed wood; paper composite; Formica; stainless-steel and other metals like copper. Prices typically run from around $50 to upwards of $200 per square foot, depending on what you choose. But there are affordable granites that start at around $20 per square foot. Most affordable granites, which tend to come from China, have large amounts of speckles or a salt-and-pepper look (white with black dots).
ADD SPARKLE
Metallic paint is a great alternative to ordinary latex paint and can add dimension, sparkle and glamour to a dining room, bedroom, entryway or bathroom. If you want a subtle effect, add a metallic finish to the trim. For an over-the-top look, use it on your ceiling. Sherwin-Williams makes a variety of metallic glazes and finishes, and most require a simple two-step process. The paint costs about $55 a gallon. (In general, a gallon of paint will cover about 350 square feet.)
PANEL MAGIC
There’s no better spot to think great thoughts or read a good book than in a private nook within an existing larger room. Carve out a corner with some hanging panels. Hang wooden panels from the ceiling with wire and large eye hooks. Be sure to use studs in the wall to make everything more secure. Then add a great daybed, like the Webster leather daybed from Pottery Barn, which has a 1940s French feel ($1,499-$1,699). Add a luxe throw and you’ve created an enviable escape right at home.
SETTING THE MOOD
Make your under-used dining area — or any under-used entertaining area — more inviting by adjusting the light. You can start by adding a dimmer. Dimmer switches come in do-it-yourself kits these days and are available at most home centers and hardware stores. Home Depot sells a Lutron three-way dimmer kit for $54.
And don’t forget some beautiful pillar candles. Beeswaxcandles.com sells scented and unscented versions, with luscious colors like moss, pistachio and amber, starting at $7. Other cozy touches can include Nisha Bohemian 24-inch floor pillows ($22.99 at overstock.com) or an Alpine Buddha statue ($44.04 at wayfair.com).
DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY
The front door is one of the first things people see when they come to your home. Give it a boost with a bright color — think high-gloss red, bright blue or even lime green. Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint gets high marks for easy application and cleanup and costs about $58 a gallon.
For more ideas and DIY tips, visit barbarak.com.
