I was so delighted to work with clients Kimberly and Scott on their beautiful 1912 Vancouver character home. After years of meticulously renovating their house, it was now time for them to sell and downsize. 

Everything felt so good about the house; the original details, the brilliant light fixtures and the amazing flooring throughout not to mention the stunning kitchen…oh and the back deck! Beautifully designed, it just needed some updated furniture and this is when, I came in to help. 

While choosing the right furniture, it was important for me to follow the style of the house and keeping the owner’s vision with the overall look. Kimberly, a designer herself, knew the direction she wanted me to take which made it a really nice collaboration between us. After countless hours of work, we managed to bring her fabulous house to “show ready” mode. Ouff!

It was difficult for everyone to predict the direction the market would take because of Covid-19. 

But the house was listed with agent Cheryl Davie and stayed on the market for only 10 days before selling for $458,000 over asking price! I couldn’t have been happier for everyone involved, especially my clients. As a professional home stager, I strive to help home owners get amazing results with the sale of their home. And this is one I will remember for sure!

Isabelle

When tackling a major home renovation, hiring an interior designer may feel like little more than an added cost. However, designers are a key player in making sure your project goes smoothly from the beginning. And here’s why…

• An interior designer takes the pressure off of your contractor for handling tasks such as materials selection, space planning and cosmetic decision making. This will ultimately save you time and money as these are a designer’s specific skill set, and their guidance can help whittle down an ocean’s worth of choices to a pool of your specific taste.
• What do you feel goes into planning a room? What should be ordered first, a sink or the tiles? Any idea looks great on paper, but what about the finer details as the project progresses? This is where an interior designer really saves the day. Working in tandem with your contractor, a designer can ensure that every stage of your renovation – from demolition to final styling – stays on time, on budget and on target.
• An interior designer can handle the preparation of construction drawings, both for tradespeople and for any necessary city permits, with a more immediate understanding of your project and the vision you have for your home.
• Interior designers are trained professionals who have a unique understanding of both the technical mechanics of renovation, as well as a creative eye for unique décor. Hiring an interior designer helps bridge the gap between the mechanics of a house and the beauty of a home.

The Flow Team would be happy to schedule a 1 hour consultation for you with one of our skilled interior designers. Call us today at 604-674-8884 or email hello@flowsmartliving.com.

So you’ve decided to renovate your home. Great! Now… where to start? Hiring a knowledgeable contractor to help make your vision a reality is the best way to ensure you get the results you want. Here are some tips on how to choose the right company for you.

Word of mouth is still the best kind of advertising. If you know someone who’s had renovations done recently, ask them who they worked with and what their honest opinion of the contractor was while the project was underway. This will give you a real sense of the kind of working relationship you can expect during your renovation.

Ask for a list of references. It’s always a good idea to call 2 or 3 people who have worked with your contractor previously. If they are able to provide professional references as well as past clients, so much the better.

Ask questions. If there is anything noted in your estimate or quote that is unclear, be sure to ask about it. This benefits yourself and your contractor, as it will alleviate any future miscommunication about your needs and expectations.

Be patient! Good contractors usually have a waitlist of at least 3-4 months. Don’t cut corners and choose someone who’s ready to start tomorrow. If a contractor is not busy it could be a bad sign! Good, solid work takes time, and it will be well worth the wait to have your dream project completed properly.

If you’ve got a vision in mind for your dream project but don’t know where to begin, or would like some further guidance in choosing the right tradespeople to work on your home, Flow’s design team would love to help. Contact us today at 604-674-8884 or email hello@flowsmartliving.com.