Before & After Magic- 740 Whitaker Terrace
Posted by Donna Kerr on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 10:51am.
The photo to the left captures one of the sights that met our eyes when we first stepped foot in 740 Whitaker Terrace. The before photos are self explanatory of what needed updating, replacing and demolishing! A four month period of planning, estimates, design, contractor work, budgeting and staging culminated in one of the best renovation projects the design team has taken on to date.
This project is a great example of how to prepare a house for the market without breaking the bank. In particular, the kitchen and baths have been modernized, but utilize original elements to keep costs down.
Refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint throughout, 
new tile, carpet, appliances, light and bath fixtures, modern furniture and accents all contributed to finished interior. The exterior was transformed with extensive (yet cost effective) landscaping including new flower beds and plantings, ornamental rocks, and pruning and removal of overgrown trees. View the complete photo gallery for detailed, room-by-room descriptions of the transformation process.
The curb appeal is lacking due to the overgrown trees and shrubs which shroud the house... With the trees and shrubs removed, the addition of fresh mulch, plantings and ornamental rocks frame the front walk and draw the eye to the house entrance. The outdated carpet, window treatments and furniture make it difficult to imagine yourself using the space... In today's market, there is more demand for hardwood floors than carpet. Ripping up the old carpet and having the floors refinished will greatly improve your homes aesthetic to a potential buyer. The outdated carpet, window treatments and furniture make it difficult to imagine yourself using the space... The feature wall creates interest and adds depth to the space. The outdated carpet, window treatments and furniture make it difficult to imagine yourself using the space... When putting together a color scheme for a room, start with the area rug as a base, and mimic colors and shapes in the accessories. There is too much furniture and wall art going on in this entry way, which makes for a poor first impression... A new ceramic tile floor, fresh paint and some decluttering create an open, welcoming environment. The use of an area rug on hardwood floors defines the dining space from the living and creates a cohesive looks that flows with the living room accents. A couple of obvious issues here- the colors of the carpet, chair seats and window treatments are overpowering, and the furniture is too large for the space. Scaled-down furniture opens up the space visually. A new chandelier was essential to create a fresh, modern look. Declutter! There is so much going on in here it does not translate as being a functional kitchen... Keeping all kitchen surfaces clean and clear of clutter communicates a user friendly space... Budget was important so we prioritized with what needed updating most... We have carefully coordinated the new appliances, ceramic tile floor, fresh paint and cabinet hardware with the existing kitchen cupboards and back-splash to create a cohesive, cost effective update. The window treatments and carpet are the obvious problems here... Pulling up the carpet and refinishing the hardwood floors creates a modern, desirable space. The accent wall adds dimension to this longer shaped room. Having so many personal items on display makes it difficult for a potential buyer to make an emotional connection with the space... While your home is on the market, put all unneeded furniture and accessories into storage. Spaces free of clutter always translates better. By replacing the blue toilet and vanity for fresh white we break up the monotony of the blue and avoid the expense of having the wall and floor tile removed. Colored ceilings never prove to be a good idea as they visually close in spaces. Fresh white ceilings always look best, both in person and in photographs. A tranquil shade of green on the walls paired with fresh trim and ceiling create an inviting bedroom. Neutral colored textiles and wall art further convey the restful atmosphere. We do love blue but this vibrant shade is too much! When selling your home, it is important to use a color palette that has broader appeal, and will therefore be attractive to a wide range of buyers. A warmer/neutral color compliments the gorgeous hardwood floors. Achromatic colored textiles and art create a bedroom that translates to a range of age groups, making it easier for buyers to imagine the space as their own. Many baths of this era have color matched toilets, vanities, bath tubs, wall and floor tile. Replacing just the toilet or vanity to break up the continuity of the recurring color is a good place to start... Re-glazing a colored tub is a cost effective way to update without replacing entirely. A neutral grey wall color tones down the pink tile, and black and white accessories modernize the overall look. Anyone would have a hard time imagining themselves sleeping and relaxing in this bedroom... With everything cleared out we had a clean slate to stage coordinating, bedroom appropriate furniture. Regardless of how large a space may be, the potential is somewhat lost with buyers if the room has become a dead space filled with clutter. Bedroom 5 is a smaller room with no overhead lighting so it was imperative that the right colors and furnishings were chosen to highlight the room in a positive way... Avoid overcrowding tighter spaces with large, bulky furniture. Opting for a smaller dresser, bed and nightstand in a small bedroom will communicate a functional space and best present the room. This is one of our favorite and most simple bath makeovers to date! Thinking that you have to demo dated wall tile can be a misconception if you know how to work with it... The once dated looking lemon wall tile now looks intentional paired with grey walls, black tile floor and fresh white trim. Sharp black and white accents unify the color palette. The family room was a sprawling, L-shaped area that had so much potential as a vast living space, but walking into this scene, you would never guess it... New carpet, a warm wall color, new light fixtures and cheery accessories form a welcoming, multipurpose space. When replacing ceiling fixtures in rooms with low ceilings, opt for flush mount light fixtures as they give the illusions of a taller space. Staging a large room with different areas (dining, living, office) translates the functionality of a space to a potential buyer. The patio was main outdoor space at the back of the house, therefore it was important to make it as desirable as possible... Outdoor entertaining areas should be staged as just that; setting up outdoor furniture is important to communicate this idea. A freshly cut flower bed, new plantings and ornamental rocks enhance the area.BEFORE front exterior
AFTER front exterior
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
BEFORE foyer
AFTER foyer
AFTER dining/living
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining room
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom
AFTER master bathroom
BEFORE bedroom 2
AFTER bedroom 2
BEFORE bedroom 3
AFTER bedroom 3
BEFORE main bath
AFTER main bath
BEFORE bedroom 4
AFTER bedroom 4
BEFORE bedroom 5
AFTER bedroom 5
BEFORE half bath
AFTER half bath
BEFORE family room
AFTER family room
AFTER family room
AFTER family room
BEFORE patio
AFTER patio
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