To DIY or Not To DIY?!
CONSULT WITH YOURSELF FIRST
What does this mean? Well, this means to start with a self check and reality check. What’s your budget (you need to set one)? Do you have time it will take? Are you willing to sacrifice the current space while working on it? And most of all, do you know how?
As an avid DIY kinda girl, experience taught me to know my strengths & weaknesses. For example: Although I can paint, I now prefer to pay my painter to paint not just for client projects but for my home as well. Why? Because he’s a master painter bar none in skills, and I‘m under tight time constraints almost all the time. So, these are preliminary things to consider before starting home projects. Next consider consulting with a professional. This applies to us all! I will apply this philosophy to myself and share progress soon for my next home project.
ME CONSULTING ME
So, if you haven’t heard the news I have announced we’re participating in the One Room Challenge (ORC) this year for the first time. Do I have allot of free time to give to a home project? We know I don’t, but it will call for some schedule restrictions when that time comes. This, I can plan for! What is my budget? This will be determined soon. I will have one, and I will do my best to stick to it. Next. Can I sacrifice the space? Yes. The project will be my current office/wardrobe room OR my first floor powder room. I have two other rooms I haven’t done since I’ve been in this house, but out of the four these two are top of the list. So design budget will be the deciding facto. Both will be lots of fun, and besides wanting to finish making my home feel customized throughout; fun is the goal! Now that all this is established, what parts of this project will be full DIY?!
Design concept, sourcing, and install will be all DIY. The paint, leaving it to the master painter. The lighting, leaving that to my electrician to change out. And any other design features will be determined as my concept gets completed. By the way, if you’re not familiar with what the One Room Challenge is I’ll be explaining that more soon too. In short, I would be participating as a guest. And of course we’ll be blogging away throughout the whole process start to finish.
CONSULTING AND BEYOND
Consultations with ourselves are great, but depending on the discovery in that there may be a need to consult with a professional. As I have found myself trying to decide on building shelving myself with help from a tradesman, hitting up IKEA, or just calling in California Closets; I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not wonder woman. And if I opt for the powder room, well we know I’m no plumber! Consider in your own home projects that help may be needed even if you opt to DIY. I had a return client hire us back just for consulting on a project she’d like to tackle with her husband this year. It was a great, productive meeting. After going through all the steps, time, and work she discovered perhaps part can be DIY & part E-Design. E-Design is a perfect service for those who love to DIY but really need some professional assistance or direction. On this note I will conclude by sharing a few DIY tips:
•Prepare and plan ahead.
Waking up one day to randomly turn a space upside down will most likely lead to frustration, an incomplete project, or you eventually calling me or one of my design friends to come save the day!
•Budget Budget Budget and budget some more.
I think you get the point. If you have no idea how to come up with a project budget, seek consultation. It will save you money in the long run.
•Know and be true to your aesthetic style.
Pinterest is your bestie for getting ideas, but look in furniture stores and take time to think out what the space is really going to be needed for. Functionality is just as important and the style in your space. Also, the space may just need a face lift (aka redesign or refresh) vs. full on renovation or design.
•Lastly, have fun while trusting the process.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Cliche, but a fact.
Pace yourself. Depending on the scope it may be wise to complete the project in phases. Breaking even one room up in phases is a great way to alleviate stress! This, wine, and prayer!!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”- Bible
XOXO Kelly
Share your DIY projects, plans, and experiences with us in comments, we’d love to hear?!?!