Designer: Ashley Cole
Company: Ashley Cole Design
Follow her: Facebook, Houzz, Twitter
Style: modern with traditional, old with new,
and custom with found pieces to create exciting spaces
“Creating environments that enliven the spirit”
Ashley Cole is an interior designer new to the Fort Collins area, having lived in both Chicago and Michigan previously. Her expertise in full design services has enabled her work to be featured both locally and nationally in numerous magazine publications, Joan Kohn’s “It’s Your Kitchen” book and on HGTV’s television show “New Spaces.” Above all else, she aspires to bring fresh ideas and extraordinary design services to the everyday person. For this week’s #TransformationTuesday post, Ashley shares a recent kitchen renovation she did as well as a few tips to keep in mind if you’re getting your hands dirty and doing a renovation yourself!
The featured kitchen remodel was part of a total renovation of an existing condo set on Spring Lake in Michigan. It was purchased by a developer whose goal was to transform the space to a clean, fresh look on a budget with the idea of selling the improved unit in a higher price bracket. This room needed to stay under $12,000, limiting options that may otherwise be available (like granite counter tops, real wood flooring, stainless appliances, etc.).
The kitchen originally had builder grade laminate/oak cabinetry, dated laminate counters and aging vinyl flooring. As with the rest of the condo, standard oak trim and lifeless off-white paint left the space feeling tired and dull. One of the key components in keeping the cost down, was to maintain the overall lay-out so as to not incur costs to move walls, plumbing or electrical locations.
A white painted shaker style cabinet was selected to brighten the room and give a classic cottage feel while offering updated interior accessories like pull-out shelving and full extension drawer hardware. The laminate flooring was chosen to also stay within the overall numbers, but still achieving a richer feel with a realistic walnut look. Gray stainless steel inspired laminate counter tops made the budget numbers, but introduced a more modern edge. Sea blue and soft rattan-colored walls brought the outdoors in, brightening the space with a natural color palette. A white subway tile backsplash tied together the timeless look.
Three Tips for Cost Effective Renovations:
1) Re-use Wisely: Often there are items in your current home that, maybe with a little love and creativity, can be used in the new space. Not only is that friendly on your wallet, but to the environment as well.
2) Careful Pre-Planning: It can be tempting to start tearing apart that eyesore of a bathroom and then figure it out along the way, but unexpected bumps in the road add up fast, not only money-wise, but time and frustration-wise. Patience is key. The more planning ahead you do, the more likely you are to stay on track and meet your goals.
3) Mix High and Low: Did you fall in love with sleek new quartz countertops or custom window treatments? Maybe offset the cost by simply refinishing the floors you have or mixing in a few pieces of re-purposed furniture. Layering old with new and high-end finishes with budget-friendly finds not only keeps your budget in check, but makes for more interesting spaces.
By Ashley Cole, Designer
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