Gentle Readers, in the past few months, several people have called our office in a panic. They’d purchased a house, they were 80% finished with the renovations, and the deadline for finish selections was yesterday.
Adding to the panic was the callers’ belief that they also had to make decisions now about window treatments, rugs, and light fixtures. They were stressed beyond the legal limit, and I was heartbroken that we couldn’t squeeze them into our schedule immediately.
I found myself writing a follow-up email to one of the callers advising her to make only the most critical, absolutely unavoidable decisions now. Personalizing her new home so she’s truly delighted with it will have to wait until she and her family have moved in.
Although I sincerely hope that none of you find yourselves in a similar situation, here is my very best EMERGENCY advice when your contractor is waiting for decisions.
PAINT COLORS
Use Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint everywhere. Insist on Aura – low-VOC, scrubbable matte finish, fewer coats to cover. Don’t let your painter “match” to another manufacturer.
Paint your new kitchen cabinets white. Benjamin Moore’s OC-117 Simply White is perfect, satin finish. If you want to paint an island, etc. a different color, we can do it later.
Paint bathroom vanities OC-152 Super White, satin finish. If you’re doing marble tile and would prefer a light cool gray on the vanities, HC-171 Wickham Gray.
Paint all rooms that aren’t bathrooms Simply White OC-117, matte on walls, semi-gloss on trim.
Paint bathrooms Benjamin Moore’s Super White OC-152. Eggshell on walls and ceiling, semi-gloss on trim. You could use the Wickham Gray on the walls if you’re doing a white vanity.
Paint ALL ceilings Benjamin Moore’s Super White OC-152. Eggshell in bathrooms, matte everywhere else.
Because the painters will do all the necessary prep, it will be super easy (and not $$) to re-paint some walls after you’ve moved in. Colors are part of the larger design plan.
COUNTERTOPS in kitchen and baths
Carrara or Statuary marble is fine if you don’t mind water spots and the occasional stain. (That’s called patina.)
Use Caesarstone if patina drives you nuts. 4030 Pebble is a lovely light gray; 2003 Concrete is slightly darker and also pretty. If you prefer white vanity tops in the bathroom: 2141 Blizzard.
TILE
Wall tile. There’s nothing wrong with 3 x 6″ white subway tile, but it’s everywhere. If you have your heart set on it, please consider one that looks handmade, or go for white tile in another size, such as 4″ x 12″. 3 x 6″ marble tile is an option if you chose Caesarstone for your countertops.
Bathroom floor tile. Marble is beautiful, but it will stain; try a marble-look porcelain hexagon instead. If your bathroom is larger, 12 x 24″ Fordham Grigio tiles from TileBar. (I LOVE TileBar, by the way.)
WINDOW TREATMENTS
PLEASE do not install blinds or shutters throughout the house before you move in. Buy Redi-shades and make sure paint has had a few days to cure before putting them up. I mean it – you sacrifice all flexibility with window treatments if you install shutters or blinds now. Don’t do it.
LIGHT FIXTURES
Your contractor may not like it, but these can wait. Do not be pressured into selecting chandeliers, wall sconces, pendants (even in the kitchen), or surface-mount fixtures. These should be part of the design plan.
Bathroom lighting could wait, also, but Thomas O’Brien’s Bryant wall sconces for bath are simple and versatile if you really want to check those off your list.
Things *not* to worry about before move-in:
- Interesting paint colors
- Wallpaper
- Rugs
- Locations and hanging of artwork
- Buying new furniture — ANY new furniture
Listen. Ideally, you’ll bring an interior designer into your renovation project 4-6 months before move-in. Then you can be more creative with these selections. But life isn’t always ideal.
The minute you’ve handed these selections to your contractor, though, what are you going to do? You’re going to call us and schedule a meeting for the first week after you move in. Then we’ll really have some fun ;) Hang in there.
Was this post helpful? You might enjoy Dining Room Before and After: From Formal to Festive and Trim Color Tips: 7 Sanity-Restoring Rules About Trim Color. Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, DC, with satellite offices in St. Michaels, Maryland and in Middlebury, Vermont. Annie’s design work and insights have appeared in numerous local and national publications, including HGTV Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian Magazine. She recently appeared on NBC4 to discuss a project done 100% remotely during COVID.
