Cynthia Worley, CEO and Founder of Stella Realty Group and Keller Williams luxury home Realtor (WorleyTeam.com), opened up her home to showcase her own stunning remodel and offer remodel advice.
Worley has remodeled her home twice, noting that home fashion trends change every 10 years. "I've owned the house for more than 25 years. We purchased in 1996 and, typical of the mid-90s, it had tile counters, whitewash cabinets, light Berber carpet and sunken living rooms. Ten years later, in the mid-2000s, we remodeled to the popular Tuscan look—dark stained cabinets, travertine floors, Verde granite slab counters, stainless appliances and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures."
Worley's latest remodel was much more extensive. Today, it's all about open concepts, huge kitchen islands with pot drawers and LED lighting. Getting to a more open concept required removing some things that initially cost extra when the house was built, including decorator niches and pot shelves. She removed the fireplace to open the kitchen and family room. She eliminated the sunken living room by raising the floor and removing the pony wall separating the living and dining rooms. She also removed several niches to enlarge the entrance and a hallway.
"Not everyone wants to move walls, and not every house requires it," explains Worley. "There is a great remodel project for every house. Love on your home and have fun!"
UPDATE QUESTIONS
Worley encourages everyone to ask themselves why they are remodeling. This helps define the depth and scope of the project.
Are you looking to sell and want a cost-effective refresh? "If you're looking for a cost-effective refresh to sell your home, then you want to declutter and depersonalize. Repair any worn, stained or damaged finishes. Fresh paint and new carpet go a long way towards making a home feel fresh and new. Many of these things will more than pay for themselves."
Do you plan on living in your home for the next three to five years? "I love the idea of updating today with plans to sell in three to five years. Too many of my clients comment on how they wish they had made the changes a few years ago and enjoyed them. It's true—updating a home today can give you years of enjoyment and return a profit when you sell."
Is this your forever home? "If you're staying and it's your forever home, then do what you love and spend what you can afford. If you're never selling, your ROI is the joy you get from living beautifully."
BEFORE VS AFTER
Primary suite bathrooms. Homeowners start and end each day in the bathroom and look for amenities to make them feel pampered. Remove the large garden-style tub, create an extended 8-foot shower, and update vanities, counters, and tops.
Finishes are fashion. Today's trends include the Joanna Gaines Magnolia influence, shaker cabinets, wood-look tile floors, and California Country white and gray color schemes.
Lighting. Lighting is your home's jewelry and is usually well worth the investment.
Small Updates for Big Transformations. Replace cabinet pulls. Add backsplash tile. Install 5-inch or taller baseboards. Replace door handles and hinges—even interior doors.
PULL QUOTE: A house is the only thing we buy that we use every day and it still appreciates.
