Home Design: Tips from a Pro

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

What’s In:

• Kitchens with appliances hidden inside custom cabinetry
• Warmer colors such as Sherwin-Williams Redend Point; and Benjamin Moore Raspberry Blush, Cinnamon and Wenge
• Wallpaper
• Textures, including fuzzy pillows and furniture
• Venetian plaster

What’s Out:

• Barn doors, which Morrone hates because they afford little privacy
• Cooler colors

Quick and easy refreshes:

• A fresh coat of high-quality paint (but don’t be afraid to call a pro for repainting cabinetry)
• New hardware, which “can really change things”
• Window treatments that extend to the crown or the ceiling

Best Bang for the Buck:

“Definitely a kitchen, especially if it’s older with old appliances.” Expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $300,000 depending on the size, finishes and appliance packages.

Biggest mistakes DIY-ers make:

“There are so many moving pieces,” Morrone says. “Most people don’t realize that when they are starting a project. It can be overwhelming.”

Check out what designer Audrey Morrone from Morrone Interiors says about “Putting Your Home’s Best Face Forward” article!