Homes That Need Renovation Archives - Scottsdale Real Estate Team / Arizona Luxury Homes

Happy Holidays from Joe Szabo & the Scottsdale Real Estate Team

December 11, 2017 Joe Szabo

We at Scottdale Real Estate Team off your best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with peace, prosperity and happiness. Happy holidays and a very happy 2018!

Everything You Need To Know About Cooling Your Home By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

July 31, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Summer may be lazy and hazy, but in many areas of the country, it’s also a time of sweating and sweltering in scorching temperatures. To cope, homeowners employ a variety of methods to ensure a steady supply of cool, fresh air. These cooling solutions include a wide variety of fans and in-home ventilation systems as well as some tried-and-true techniques from the days before air conditioning. Here’s how to keep your whole home cool this season.

The advent of air conditioners

By far the most common form of cooling in the United States is air conditioning, which can be found in more than 88 percent of new single-family homes constructed today. Keeping the house comfortable this way, however, can be a costly investment in terms of both equipment and energy use — we’re talking an average $400 household electric bill from June to August. So it makes good sense to carefully evaluate your home’s cooling options to select the right system to meet your needs.

Keeping comfortable and cost-friendly

No matter what unit or system you choose, how you adjust your thermostat determines your ultimate savings on your electric bill. Start by setting the temperature as high as is still comfortable, keeping the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures as small as possible. Take advantage of the “energy saver” mode on window units, and use programmable thermostats for multiroom or whole-house systems so your machines don’t do extra work to cool the place when nobody is home. When you’re ready to cool down, don’t drop immediately to an extremely cold temperature — starting that low won’t speed up the cooling process, but it will make your machine work harder and expend more energy. If you want to offer your machine — and your energy bills — a little relief, proper ventilation in your home can certainly aid your cool-down efforts. Ventilation improves indoor air quality, removes moisture and odors, and allows fresh, cool outside breezes to be exchanged for stuffy indoor air. Start boosting your home’s natural ventilation simply by opening doors and windows, especially in the evenings. Encourage airflow by installing ceiling fans, window fans, and attic exhaust fans to push hot air outside and draw cooler air into your home. In the summer months, ceiling fans should be set to run in a counterclockwise direction, drawing cooler air up from the floor. A whole-house attic exhaust fan will pull hot air into the attic, where attic vents can dissipate the heat. Even positioning a few portable fans near windows or a basement door at night can draw the cooler air from these areas into the home.

Regular maintenance for maximum cool down

With a variety of cooling practices in place, you’ll want to maximize the efficiency of your efforts by performing proper maintenance.

Seal the deal. Make sure you have adequate insulation in the walls and ceilings to keep hot air out and cool air in. Caulk leaking windows and doors, and use draft “snakes” to cover the gaps at the bottom of these entry points. Adding aluminum blinds, insulated curtains, or window tint film can block even more sunlight from entering your home and heating up the place during the day.
Change your filter. This quick and easy chore reduces the burden on your air conditioner, improves indoor air quality, and helps you — and your air conditioner — breathe easier. Check the filter once a month and clean out any dust particles that might clog the system, forcing it to work harder and waste energy.
Clean the coils. An air conditioner’s coils and fins on the outside of the unit should be kept unobstructed and cleaned regularly. Use a soft-bristle nylon brush to gently remove any debris, and hose off any leaves or caked-on dirt. Clean the inside coils using the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner, or wipe down with a soft, damp cloth.
Call in a pro. Even though much of keeping your home cool can be considered do-it-yourself work, it is still important to call in a reputable HVAC contractor regularly. An annual system tune-up can help ensure that your air conditioning system is working efficiently and will go a long way toward prolonging the useful life of the components.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

How to Budget for Home Renovations By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

June 12, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Ready for a new kitchen? Anxious to redo the bathroom? The easy part is knowing what you want to remodel and why — whether you’re trying to keep up with your growing family, add office space, or increase your home’s value. But figuring out how to renovate without breaking the bank can be tricky. Here are five key steps in planning your home renovation project.

Estimate costs

As a general rule of thumb, you should spend no more on each room than the value of that room as a percentage of your overall house value. (Get an approximate value of your home to start with.) For example, a kitchen generally accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the property value, so spend no more than this on a renovation. If your home is worth $200,000, for example, you’ll want to spend $30,000 or less. Something else to keep in mind: contrary to popular belief, kitchen renovations offer among the lowest return on investment, according to analysis from Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate. Every dollar you spend on a new kitchen only increases the value of your home by 50 cents. The highest return on investment? A mid-range bathroom remodel.

Consider loan options

If you’re borrowing money for the project, assess how much the bank will lend you (be sure to shop around!), and determine what type of loan would work best for you. If you have a one-time project, then a home equity loan might make sense. If, however, you need access to money over a period of time to fund ongoing home improvement expenses, then a home equity line of credit is preferable.

Get quotes from contractors

Some contractors will give you an estimate based on what they think you want done, and work completed under these circumstances is almost guaranteed to cost more. You have to be very specific about what you want done, and spell it out in the contract — right down to the materials you’d like used. Get quotes from several contractors, tossing out the bid from the one who gives you the lowest estimate. Going with this choice could be asking for problems, as low-priced contractors are known to cut corners — at your expense.

Stick to the plan

As the renovation moves along, you might be tempted to add on another “small” project or incorporate the newest design trend at the last minute. But know that every time you change your mind, there’s a change order, and even minor changes can be costly. Strive to stick to the original agreement, if possible.

Account for hidden costs

Your home may look perfect on the outside, but there could be issues lurking beneath the surface. In fact, hidden imperfections are one of the reasons renovation projects end up costing more than you anticipated. Rather than scramble to come up with extra money after the fact, give yourself a cushion upfront. Factor in 10 to 20 percent (or more) of your contracted budget for unforeseen expenses, as they can — and do — occur. In fact, it’s rare that any project goes completely smoothly. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

8 DIY Ways to Redo Your Bathroom By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 27, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team The bathroom is probably the best room in the house for a mini-makeover. When you realize how dramatically, quickly and inexpensively you can completely update the space without an actual renovation, you’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long.

Before you dive in, take a minute to consider what you’re going for in terms of style. Your bathroom should be a peaceful, relaxing space. Are you more soothed by rich, dramatic tones and style, or are you going for a more simple and serene spa-like space? Once you know what you want, take a look at these simple tips for getting the bathroom upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.

Paint

This is obviously the place to start, since doing it yourself results in such fast and dramatic change. For the simple and serene look, choose soft and soothing tones to give you a greater sense of space and light. If you’re looking for a rich, dark hideaway, choose warm saturated tones to strike the right mood.

Hardware

Now choose drawer pulls that keep the style makeover moving forward. They’re available in all styles and at all price points, and this is another big change you can make on your own. Typically, a nickel or stainless finish goes best with the spa look, while oil-rubbed bronze tones will add the richness you’re looking for in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Storage

Because our bathrooms are also spaces that our guests may see, keeping them clutter free is essential. Organization is also important for keeping stress on the other side of the bathroom door.

A quick and functional fix here are simple storage cubbies. Stash toiletries, makeup and other beauty and grooming equipment in small caddies that you can pop out and put away easily.

Lighting

Good grooming requires good light, but when you’re just looking to slip into the tub and relax, you want something softer. Start your lighting makeover with a simple dimmer switch. Replacing the vanity lighting fixture is easier than you think, too. To keep the job a simple and quick one, simply choose vanity lighting that covers the same space the original fixture did. You can maximize your options, though, if you tackle the lighting when you do the painting. To take it up one more notch, consider a dramatic piece of statement lighting such as a chandelier or pendant that adds a sense of style.

Shower, sink and tub faucets

Now we’re moving into the updates that really make the space feel new. Look for sink fixtures that offer a little more height over the bowl and length extending into the bowl for the most functional effect.

Then, upgrade to a new showerhead that makes your morning feel anything but routine. A handheld showerhead that ties into the shower arm and can extend from the wall via a hose is another indulgent and functional option.

Mirror and medicine cabinet

Most standard medicine cabinets are not much to look at, and there are now plenty of options that will your replace your current cabinet. A simple beveled mirror version with a plastic wipe-able interior can update a rusted metal version. But another simple fix if you don’t want to replace the whole cabinet is to build a simple picture-style frame right over your basic wall mirror. Just choose the frame according to the style you’re going for, and make sure the surface is moisture resistant.

Towel warmer

Even if you don’t have the most spacious bathroom, this is an amenity worthy of serious consideration. In case you think you just can’t spare the space, you’ll be glad to hear that they also come ready to plug-in or hard wire and hang on the wall.

The final touches

New towels and a fresh bathmat can change the appearance of your bath space with little effort. Pick a monochromatic color scheme to dry off in style, or go all white for the spa-like aesthetic. For a little added detail, consider monogramming your towels with your initials or “His,” “Hers” and “Guest.” This added touch will make all your efforts well worth the time and consideration of your bathroom update. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Maximizing Your Laundry & Mudroom Spaces By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

April 13, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Utilitarian spaces like laundry rooms and mudrooms seldom receive the attention they deserve, which is odd when you consider how often they are used. A properly planned utility room can be a complete housekeeping area that simplifies your household chores. These rooms may even serve multiple purposes. A mudroom may double as a grooming center for the family pets and a storage room for sports gear. An overhead rack in a laundry room can be used for drying flowers as well as clothes, and the sink can be turned into a potting center. Here’s how to make the most of these hard-working spaces.

Mudroom

Leverage the space. A mudroom is the ideal storage space for shoes, lunch bags, sports equipment, and pet essentials such as food dishes, leashes, blankets and toys. You don’t even need an entire room to reap a mudroom’s benefits. A narrow hall, a partial wall, or even space carved out from between wall studs will do just fine.

Supply smart storage. Instead of letting a mudroom become cluttered, take advantage of its potential. Counters, tables and benches can serve as storage pieces that collect and organize both day-to-day and seasonal items. A built-in cabinet that resembles a set of lockers will allow individual family members to have their own space. Other essentials for the room might include an umbrella stand, boot tray, baskets, and a chalk or message board.

Organize on a budget. Many cost-effective storage solutions are tailored specifically for utility spaces. Home centers and container stores offer a wealth of inexpensive storage ideas, such as wall-mounted racks for boots, shelving for hats, and hooks and baskets for sports gear.

Laundry room

Make it multi-functional. A full-sized laundry room offers flexible options beyond just doing laundry. If there’s space for more than appliances and a sink, add a table or table-height shelf for folding laundry, wrapping gifts, or potting plants. Add extra shelves or cabinets to store supplies. A drying rack over the sink that folds up against the wall makes it easy to hang clothing directly out of the washing machine.

Paint the walls. You may spend a lot of time in this area, so make sure it’s attractive. Paint the room a vibrant color that draws you in, or a soothing color that calms. Wall sayings or murals are a fun way to add interest. Contain it. Laundry rooms are more functional if organized. Use clear jars or colored pottery for clothespins, sewing items and detergent. Choose various heights to add interest. Play it up. “Dirty Laundry” never sounded so good as when sung in the utility room. Make sure you have access to music for some background interest. This utilitarian space should be just as interesting as the rest of your home. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

4 Tips for Making Any Room Seem Larger By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

March 20, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Plenty of people live in tiny homes, small rooms, or just diminutive spaces. No matter what your reason for living in smaller quarters, you’ll undoubtedly have to make some compromises in your decorating. To live happily and efficiently in smaller square footage, you’ll want to get organized and make some adjustments to your lifestyle. By making the most of color, strategic furniture buying, space planning and interesting lighting, your place can feel wonderfully “you” — with all the space you need.

Expand your square footage to the outdoors

If you have large windows with beautiful views, add those colors to your room to unify the outside world with inside space and expand the look of your rooms. With the wonderful patterns and colors that outdoor fabrics offer, there is no reason to stop the “pretty party” at your interior.

Carrying coordinating materials outside for drapes, cushions and area rugs will only make your space look visually larger. On the interior, let as much natural light into a room as possible so it opens up the space and gives it character.

Edit mercilessly

Declutter your space. Try to dispose of everything you have not used for a year. Do not get attached to furniture. Get rid of any item that is not adding to the look of the room.

Create organized storage wherever possible via built-in benches and use multi-purpose and storage furniture pieces, such as ottomans, so items that are less frequently used can be stowed away.

When it comes to cabinets and bookcases, do not fill up every shelf in a room; leave some of them half empty and spacious for an airy and more dramatic look. Where functional, remove as many doors as possible or use pocket doors to increase the sense of space.

Keep it simple

Link adjacent spaces with a unifying wall color and floor material. Maintaining a monochromatic palette makes rooms look bigger. If you do need to change flooring materials, simply stay within the same color family — the fewer floor “breaks,” the better.

Light colors or neutrals are space expanders and provide a neutral background for furniture and artwork.

Using cool colors will make your walls appear to visually recede. Additionally, it is best to avoid unnecessary details, such as ruffles, in furniture and window treatments. Use simple paneled draperies or shades instead.

Make a statement

Installing an oversized mirror or a set of smaller mirrors will add extra light, sparkle and make a small room appear larger. Even if a room is small, adding oversized artwork on a small wall or a statement light fixture overhead can create drama while making the space appear larger than it is.

You may also consider adding a floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall bookcase — this trick will create an impressive focal point and visually expand space by pushing the walls and ceiling out. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

3 Must-Know Tips When Shopping for Fixtures & Appliances From Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

February 10, 2015 Joe Szabo

From Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Shopping for fixtures (lighting, plumbing, etc.) and appliances can be exhausting and confusing, especially if you have a spouse or significant other to take into consideration when choosing. Often times my husband doesn’t get much say in the overall design choices in our home, but when it comes to certain things like plumbing, fixtures and appliances, he wants his voice heard —loud and clear! Here are my three biggest tips for homeowners about to embark on a fixture or appliance shopping excursion:

1. Find a common ground

If you and your significant other disagree on style, start by collecting photo examples of what each of you like. I’ve learned when my clients approach style disagreements this way, they often find considerable crossover in their design aesthetics that makes selecting fixtures and appliances as a team much smoother. When there isn’t crossover, I suggest selecting the style that is least objectionable to you both. To get started, try browsing for inspiration online. Zillow Digs is a great resource for design ideas as you can find and save your favorite photos all in one place, and you can easily revisit your favorites when you’re on the go.

2. Experiment with something unusual

I always suggest my clients try at least one design element that is uncommon or out of their comfort zone. I try to do this in my own home as well. One of the best ways to experiment is with fixture and appliance finish colors. Right now I’m very into burnished bronze or copper finishes for both lighting and faucets. I also have a thing for exposed plumbing. It feels very Victorian and “proper” to me, which is always a fun element to add a home.

3. Visit boutique showrooms vs. big-box stores

It can be very challenging and overwhelming starting your search at large warehouse home stores. That’s why I’m a huge fan of the smaller specialized showroom, like Ferguson. I feel that most people are intimidated by boutique showrooms as they think their products will be too expensive or there won’t be enough selection. I often recommend trying these stores first, as boutique showrooms have expert salespeople who can answer your questions, educate you about your options and help you remember your selections for next time. They can help you make the hard decisions with no mistakes. This personal touch coupled with a variety of price points to choose from make this the best and only choice for me as a homeowner and as a designer. Want to see how I shop for fixtures and appliances with my husband? Check out my latest episode of “Glamour Goes South” for an inside look! For inspiration on your next design remodel or fixture and appliance shopping trip, check out Zillow Digs. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Fall in Love with Victorian Style By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

February 5, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team The rich wine hue of Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year, Marsala, has set the stage for incorporating jewel tones and Victorian furnishings into living spaces this year. To bring Victorian elegance and romantic flair into your own home, look to decadent furnishings and accessories like these.

Mix-and-match furniture

One of the simplest ways to incorporate a Victorian feel into your home is to mix and match furniture. When the Victorian era arrived, most of the elements were decorative, so furniture was re-purposed from previous eras. Today, a living room with a scroll-back sofa, a few hardwood chairs and an upholstered chair in rich brocade or lush velvet will suit the style wonderfully. These pieces will merely serve as the backdrop for a room filled with decoration.

Gallery walls of framed paintings and mirrors

An abundance of paintings and mirrors adds a sense of spectacle and wealth, as well as bringing extra beauty into your home. It’s easy to build on the current trend of unframed canvasses by adding gold, silver, dark wood or black frames to instantly add a Victorian feel. Hang with cord and tassels for extra detail.

Luxurious fabrics

Fabrics were an important part of Victorian interiors. Lush materials such as velvet and silk add opulence, particularly when used for floor-to-ceiling curtains or to cover existing furniture. Botanical print fabrics were also in style at the time. These rich fabrics are easy to incorporate into the soft furnishings in your home with pillows and throws.

Wallpaper

Perhaps one of the more daring Victorian trends to try in your home is intricately patterned wallpaper. Famed Victorian designer William Morris’ botanical-themed wallpaper prints still exist in many iterations today, including smaller goods such as journals and decorative trays that can incorporate this touch without committing to wallpaper.

Gold and silver accessories

Gilded accessories are sure to bring luxury and elegance to a room. Look for gold candle holders, decorative trays, ornate vases, small decorative statues and curtain rods. Mercury glass accessories are also typical of the era. In the Victorian look, there is no such thing as “too much,” so feel free to decorate with gold and silver liberally.

Touches of lace

One of the best ways to reflect the Victorian fondness for romance is with lace. Family heirlooms such as lace table coverings will add your own sense of nostalgia and history to your home. Look for lace-trimmed sheets and shams to carry this dreamy look into the bedroom.

Jewel tones and texture

Marble, wood-grained, parquet — all sorts of textures were popular during the Victorian era. Marbleized accessories are a good way to blend the Color of the Year into your furnishings. Marsala looks particularly great marbled with rich jewel tones, the color palette of the Victorian era. Think rich emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red and amethyst purple.

Heavy dark carved wood

Black is another color central to the Victorian color palette. The idea was that black, particularly in dark hallways, made the entrance into an opulent and grand room even more stunning. Black frames, furniture, walls and other details can add drama.

Oriental rugs

Oriental rugs — particularly layered and overlapped — bring a cultured, well-traveled appeal to Victorian-inspired interiors. You probably have a few of these in your house, so try putting them all in one room. Don’t worry about matching or exact sizes for the room, as they will just be part of the overall appearance and lavishness.

Lighting: wall sconces, candles and lamps

Lighting is one of the best ways to have fun with Victorian design elements. Faux-crystal chandeliers, wall sconces and candles all add to creating the mysterious quality of the era’s dramatic low lighting. Towards the end of the era, lamps came into vogue, and the most renowned designer was Louis Comfort Tiffany. Incorporating Tiffany-style stained glass lamps will shed more jewel-toned light into the room. Victorian-inspired interiors can offer a nice change of pace from today’s stark, modern lines. The ability to mix and match current items with an abundance of embellished items makes this design trend accessible for any budget. Add some romantic, rich drama to your home today. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

3 Ways to Make a Home More Personal From Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

February 3, 2015 Joe Szabo

From Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team We all want a house that feels like home — a place that is comfortable and beautiful, but also reflects our style. Making a space your own, however, can be more than just adding your belongings. Here are three ways to add your aesthetic to a design.

Trim

Mix it up by using light and dark trim together in your home. A soft, fresh white works great for trim, and it’s my primary go-to, both for myself and clients. However, a few years ago I was having a client’s library painted black, and there was no easy or simple stopping point without going into the next room. I ended up painting the entire door trim in the black lacquer being used for the library. This then met the white baseboard in the next room. The contrast didn’t clash, but ended up looking great. The trick to repeat this in your own home is to clearly define the area that will be painted with each color — for example, a black door with black trim against white crown molding and baseboards.

Ceilings

Ceilings are the unsung and often ignored opportunity to express your individuality. They are a terrific area to use a pattern or a painted border, and, most importantly, a place to use color. I often match the ceiling to the walls, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule. In fact, using complementary colors creates surprise and visual interest. In one home, I used a pale lilac, which was the same color used on walls in another room. This created a light contrast to the wallpaper’s background color. Painting the ceiling is a quick and easy way to update your interior without repainting everything.

Hardware

Use fascinating hardware on doors and cabinets whenever possible — although sometimes the design dictates using simple pieces rather than elaborate. I often design kitchen cabinets or libraries to be quite simple in their construction or style, and then add in a splash of ornamentation in the hardware. The reverse is true, too — the more ornate or decorated the door, the simpler the hardware I use. A plain door or cabinet can be given a new life and look, just by changing out the standard hardware for something unusual. This is a great way to express your personality. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

3 Ways to Create a Dynamic Home Library By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

January 15, 2015 Joe Szabo

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team While e-books and the Internet are clearly here to stay, it doesn’t mean home libraries, or library-style features in rooms, are leaving any time soon. My husband and I have finally agreed to and embarked upon the first of our home renovations. Part of that is turning the “rec room” into a library and office for the both of us. We decided to go with a bold color, which you will get to see in the season finale next month. Create your own inspiring place to read and work with these three tips.

Choose a bold color for bookcases

I typically stay away from staining and wood finishes. Fortune favors the bold, and I believe a dark color can really enliven a dreary, stuffy library design, turning it from boring to brilliant in one step. I love the drama of a high-gloss lacquer, too — particularly with metallic accents added. This is a great way to update a traditional library and create someplace you will want to hang out in all the time.

Customize existing bookcases

In one instance, I used small built-in cases, removed the shelves and had a custom insert built in with a beautiful hexagon pattern. This really updated the boring old shelves. You can achieve a similar look by removing some or all of your shelving and having a cabinet maker add a little zing to what is already there. A fresh paint job will complete the update. This is a fairly economical way to give you whole library a facelift.

Create customized bookcases in any room

This is a way to utilize a spare bedroom that never gets used, or a basement that has seen better days. Create a custom bookcase with your cabinet maker and find a design that really suits you. For example, in one project I had the cabinet maker create a “running bond” pattern — similar to what you see with subway tile — to create a pleasing yet simple pattern. Another time I created a a bookcase with all square, rather than the standard rectangular, openings. In the center I created an opening that allowed us to add a vase and decorative items. Whatever pattern you choose will make the space truly your own. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

The advent of air conditioners

Keeping comfortable and cost-friendly

Regular maintenance for maximum cool down

Estimate costs

Consider loan options

Get quotes from contractors

Stick to the plan

Account for hidden costs

Paint

Hardware

Storage

Lighting

Shower, sink and tub faucets

Mirror and medicine cabinet

Towel warmer

The final touches

Mudroom

Laundry room

Expand your square footage to the outdoors

Edit mercilessly

Keep it simple

Make a statement

2. Experiment with something unusual

3. Visit boutique showrooms vs. big-box stores

Mix-and-match furniture

Gallery walls of framed paintings and mirrors

Luxurious fabrics

Wallpaper

Gold and silver accessories

Touches of lace

Jewel tones and texture

Heavy dark carved wood

Oriental rugs

Lighting: wall sconces, candles and lamps

Trim

Ceilings

Hardware

Choose a bold color for bookcases

Customize existing bookcases

Create customized bookcases in any room

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