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For over fifty years,
Superior Custom Kitchens
has been the area's premier source for:
K
itchens •
B
athrooms
B
uilt-ins and more
Let us show you why.
126
Mt. Bethel Road, Warren
908-753-6005
www.superiorcustomkitchens.com
SHOWROOM HOURS: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday evenings 7 PM - 9 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 1 PM
I am often asked by Clients, “How do I reinvent my
home?” After more than 30 years experience as a
Professional Interior Designer involved in residential
and commercial work, I have found the following
concepts to be the most cost effective and reward-
ing for a homeowner to revitalize, redefine and
refine their home. For a complete ReInvention, the
most successful would incorporate all of the follow-
ing elements:
RE-PURPOSE
There is often unused or inefficient
use of space in many homes: a home office that
could be transformed into a tranquil library, the
large kitchen that could accommodate comfortable
upholstered seating in a corner, a wall that could be
removed between two rooms to make an open
plan, providing a view outside or of a fireplace, a sel-
dom used guest room that could be converted into
a private space for yourself, a walk-in closet that
could become a lush, intimate dressing room, the
rarely used dining room that could also have a cozy
seating area in it against the wall or transformed
into a reception room with books, candles and
sculpture on the table, an inefficient two story foyer
that, with a newly constructed ceiling, creates a new
room above with access from the second floor land-
ing. All of these concepts change a room’s function
and in doing so, achieve a fresh approach and feel-
ing not only in the space itself, but throughout the
home. Once you decide what your desire is, then –
RE-COLOR
Nothing refreshes or sets the mood of a
space like color and today’s paints are better and
more varied and diverse than ever, with pallets rang-
ing from the subdued to the dramatic. Subtle, muted
tones are best for walls and large spaces. If you have
a cathedral ceiling, paint it the same color as the
walls. Considering any existing upholstered furniture
is important in making your color selections.
RE-ARRANGE
The most effective and efficient way
to do this is to empty the room completely, with the
exception perhaps of the largest pieces. Starting
with a clean palette enables you to see the space
more clearly. Decide the best location for the
remaining large pieces within the room – think cre-
atively – try these furnishings in the middle of the
room, not always against the wall. Add your most
prized and favored pieces, one at time, with your
least desirable items eliminated completely. I would
rather have an empty space than to have something
that is not functional or meaningful. Layering in the
room from the largest to the smallest pieces of fur-
niture is the process here. Take furnishings and
accent pieces from other parts of the house and add
them to the room that you have started with. The
other rooms will follow and the movement of ele-
ments from one room to another will progress until
you are done with all the rooms you wish to do.
What should be left are: a beautifully rearranged
space incorporating your most treasured pieces and
accessories, items that no longer work or that you
do not like, or delightfully empty space! Once the
centerpiece area of the room is complete, lay out
the area rug for further definition.
RE-SET
Gather, or start a collection. After the room
is Re-Purposed, Re-Colored and Re-Arranged, add
your collection. Collections of a single design form,
such as photos, artwork, glass, musical instruments,
candles, books, trophies, etc. are most impressive
when they are displayed collectively in one room or
area. Groupings allow you to create impact in a
room and help create a cohesive environment. Place
your collections in smaller groupings in the room, on
the table, walls, shelves and pedestals.
RE-LIGHT
Update the lighting. Lighting is a very,
very important element in a room. It brings life and
depth to the area. Abundant, controlled light is bet-
ter than less light. Replace old lamp shades with
new ones. Add additional lamps where possible.
Update the lamping to higher wattages and energy
efficient bulbs. Install dimmers on recessed lighting
and also replace existing lamping with brighter halo-
gen bulbs. Take down the ceiling fan and replace it
with a chandelier. Floor lamps are great added fea-
ture for lighting where table lamps are not available.
RE-TREAT
Create you own personal space within
your home. Take a corner with a view or an entire
room and make it as your own. Start with the larg-
er elements: a comfortable chair, a desk and table
with laptop or notebook; perhaps a place to take
tea and read for few minutes at the beginning and/
or end of the day; a clear area in which to do yoga
or to take a nap, talk on the phone, catch up on
emails. Make this a special place in which to refresh
the mind and outlook or reflect on the day. Scent
the room with candles and fragrances that reflect
your personality and style and have depth and rich
intensity that fills the house, adding to the home’s
allure. Fresh flowers and cherished, framed photo-
graphs further personalize the space.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Holidays are a unique
opportunity to refresh a home and the festive deco-
rations a guaranteed way to change the appearance
of a room. Bringing in lush foliage, greens and spe-
cial holiday items are new beginnings with which to
reinvent your room. Artful arrangements of natural
materials, combined with reflective decorations,
wide-wired ribbons, vines and berries create a festive
mood with your re-invented space as a backdrop.
Escape Outside
Your grounds function not only as
the initial impression your neighbors and guests will
have of your home, but the background for the
views from within and an extension of your interior
space. Landscaping need not be elaborate, but
should be neat and welcoming, leading to the main
entrance. Once inside, plantings visible from within
should be consistent with the interior and invite the
eye beyond the window, visually extending the
space. In fair weather, take advantage of “alfresco”
areas for dining, relaxing.
Reinventing your home can be a cost effective,
rewarding approach to revitalizing your home to
reflect your current life style and tastes. Begin with a
single area or room and your success will give you the
confidence to move on to other and larger spaces,
doing it yourself or enlisting the help of a Profession-
al Interior Designer who brings new perspectives,
ideas and resources to the project. If you have any
questions, please contact Joan Ravasy ASID, Designer
Concierge, Tewksbury, NJ (908) 347-0880.
RE-INVENT YOUR HOME
Q & A with Joan Ravasy, ASID, Interior Designer
www.theconnectionsnj.com