Latest news with #interior design
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I've given my dated house an ‘Architectural Digest' level renovation – but people are baffled by the sellers' request
A WOMAN has left the internet baffled after buying a dated house. Jaci Smith, from the US, had purchased the home, but the previous owners begged her not to change a thing. 2 2 The young woman took to social media after she was told not to transform the property she had just bought. Some might assume the house must be of historical relevance or decorated lavishly to make the previous owners not want it to be changed. But Jaci showed that wasn't the case when she shared a picture of the bathroom. She said: "I post about the fact that the previous owners of the house we bought were begging us not to renovate the house, not to make any changes to it. "Number one, I think people assume it's rage bait. I wish it was number two, I think people also assume that the house that we bought is like a mid-century gem a house with so much historical character and that we are just these heartless people like ripping away this house." But Jaci showed that was definitely not the case. An image of the bathroom when they first moved in showed just how outdated and messy it looked. The loo and sink were covered in white, chunky wooden storage units that made the room outdated. The large storage units only cluttered the space, while a cheap mirror was hung above the sink. The bathtub was a chunky plastic white bath, with a showerhead hanging above. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk But now, Jaci showed how they had renovated the space. She ripped out the entire bathroom, swapping the once pink painted walls for an incredible blue tile with a marble effect. The chunky white bathtub had been gutted out and swapped for a luxury pink marble bathtub with gold finishing. She also made a built-in shelf into the wall by the bathtub to add extra storage. Jaci's transformation video went viral on TikTok @ jacimariesmith with over 2 million views. People were stunned the previous owners were against the house being renovated, and were in awe of Jaci's new bathroom. One person wrote: "The new bathroom belongs in Architectural Digest." Another commented: 'My immediate assumption: There's something hidden in the walls/floors." "As someone who does real estate settlements for a living. So many people are like this. And it is in fact, wild.," penned a third. Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% Meanwhile a fourth said: "That's crazy! Those are like 90's style rental bathrooms lol." "My brain went straight to... ooh well it's haunted. They were looking out for you,' claimed a fifth.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Brunswick: Victorian-era house transforms after major reno
It was a very different world when Matt Smyth and his now wife Emma Rigby bought their first home, a heritage Victorian, in August, 2020. 'We bought the house on the day we went into the second lockdown. It was around the time when everyone was predicting prices would tank due to the 'mortgage cliff', so it felt quite risky at the time,' Smyth says. The three-bedroom Brunswick home was also very different to what it is now. 'The house hadn't been touched since the 1950s but because of the significant work needed, it fell into our price range,' he says. 'With the deep block, we knew that eventually, with a lot of work, it would be a ripper house,' he adds. And that is what the couple set out to achieve through their extensive renovations. Due to the planning, the pandemic, and the shortage of materials, the extension took considerably more time to complete. The extension features a large, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area built on a heated, polished concrete slab, as well as a double garage and the conversion of the old living room into an ensuite and main bathroom. 'The biggest difference from what it was before is the fact that it's warm in winter and cool in summer,' Smyth says. 'Putting in proper insulation, double-glazed windows in the extension, and providing the option of panel heaters, underfloor heating, split systems in all the major rooms and a wood-burning fire has completely changed the enjoyment of living in the classic, draughty Victorian weatherboard.'
National Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Design trends: A party-ready pad
Before designer Valerie Meghory got her hands on it, this two-storey semi in Seaton Village was perfect for a game of hide-and-seek. Article content The front door opened to an enclosed porch followed by a narrow hallway that led to a maze of rooms. Upstairs, a rental apartment's nooks and crannies held more adventure. Article content But the piecemeal layout was the pits for single-family living. The social couple, who have three young kids, couldn't entertain without banging elbows. Plus the 1,800-square-foot century house, nipped and tucked over the years, was dated. Article content Article content So they enlisted the principal designer of Valerie Meghory Interiors for a substantial revamp undertaken over 15 months. This included adding a third-floor sanctuary for the parents, with a swanky spa bathroom, office, walk-in closet and bedroom; the addition increased the house to 2,600 square feet overall. The architect on the project was Justin Sherry of Justin Sherry Design Studio with general contracting by Robert Cuch. Article content In a lucky turn, the designer and the homeowners shared the same taste. 'They like simplicity and minimalism, so our aesthetics aligned,' says Meghory, who filled the home with soothing, easy-to-live-with tones and modern finishes, like oak veneer cabinetry, quartzite countertops and engineered white oak herringbone floors. Article content Article content Meghory's rule of thumb is to prioritize neutrals for tiles, cabinetry and other permanent design elements. 'Then we add colour in other ways that are easier to switch out to get a fresh look when you get bored of it.' Article content Article content But before any decorating, she tackled the main floor. She rejigged it to highlight the most important room in the house: the kitchen, which was built by Hays Woodworking. Article content 'We positioned the kitchen in the middle of the house, so it could be the centre of everything,' she says. 'They host a lot of people for holidays and parties.' Article content Article content For improved flow, Meghory shifted the staircase (formerly in the entranceway) to the back of the house, tucking it along the wall by the loungey new living room. Article content 'We did a long bench [for seating in the living room] to accommodate a lot of people,' says Meghory. The built-in is topped in a grey boucle cushion — perfect for perching with a cocktail — and has storage to keep the area shipshape. Display cubbies, a decorative slatted wall, fun pylon-shaped stair railings and an exposed red brick chimney trailing up to the second floor are embellishments that elevate the home. Article content
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
How to make your home look expensive on a budget: The must-have items of 2025 everyone needs
Are you feeling like your home needs a refresh, but a makeover feels out of reach? We know where to shop to give your space a glow up, without blowing your budget. You don't need a big-name interior designer or to spend a fortune to completely transform your space. Shoppers typically associate SHEIN with on-trend fashion at affordable prices, but the brand's fast-growing Home & Living offering is now also making waves. On-trend items from ceramic vases and mugs to prints and statement lighting pieces are blowing up on social media, as fans of the brand show off their jaw-dropping home transformations achieved for just $50. Customers can duplicate the look of high-end tablescapes with ceramic drinkware, sculptural candles and linen tablecloths for a fraction of the price. Or create a cosy hygge-inspired living room for winter, with plush throws and cushions, and a sofa cover to freshen up a tired couch. Instantly add vibrancy to blank walls with affordable prints that look luxe— but in fact cost just $4.95. The new Home & Living offering from SHEIN proves that great style doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag Transform your space with just a few key items such as cushions, throws, plants and lighting SHEIN's home edit proves that great style doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Perfect for renters needing to update without painting or renovating, or anyone looking simply for a seasonal refresh, these home decor finds can have a huge impact on the look and feel of a room. With their Home & Living category taking off, now SHEIN is encouraging customers to elevate their homes on a budget with the $50 Room Makeover challenge. Our top picks from SHEIN's Cosy Living Edit Elevate your walls with affordable art, such as a light-hearted laundry print, from just $2.95 (left) or a set of three minimalist prints, from $4.95 (right) Now is the time to take up the challenge, as you can save up to 80 per cent on select pieces for a limited time. Better yet, customers can score an extra 30 per cent off orders over $50 using the code SHEINAUFINDS at checkout, plus new customers will receive an additional bonus. With fast shipping, new arrivals every week and affordable takes on designer trends, SHEIN is the place to look for style conscious, money savvy shoppers. Own the look, save the most on SHEIN Home & Living by visiting the SHEIN website.
Times
13-05-2025
- General
- Times
How one couple revamped their childhood home for family life
Family was at the heart of just about every decision made when it came to bringing this large period house in Co Wicklow back to its former elegance, creating a welcoming and functional home for the current generation while maintaining strong connections with the past. The childhood home of one of the owners and his siblings, the 1850s-built house had been converted into apartments by their parents once they'd all flown the nest. After his parents died, the present owner and his wife decided to buy the house back and raise their own family there. They brought in the furniture and design studio Oriana B to help restore the original part of the house, design a contemporary extension with the big kitchen and create spaces
