Design Trends – Page 2 – The skinny on Steamboat Springs real estate.

25May 2021 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

FROM PILLAR TO POST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME

Design Trends, Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

by steamboatsir | May 25, 2021 After a potentially long and arduous search, careful due diligence, and maybe a hectic or stressful purchase process, you’ve finally purchased your slice of land in Routt County. To the uninitiated buyer, the next step, how to actually get your house designed and built, can be daunting, with a myriad of unanswered questions and a nebulous idea of where to start. The Broker will likely have painted some manner of background picture about the process so that the new owner is not completely in the dark. The big question – which comes first…the builder or the architect? Chicken or egg? There are multiple project delivery mechanisms available. Ultimately the owner must choose an approach with which they are most comfortable after considering the pros and cons of…

13Apr 2021 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

WHAT DEFINES STEAMBOAT STYLE?

Design Trends, Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK, STEAMBOAT LIFE STYLE

by steamboatsir | Apr 13, 2021 Gone are the days of traditional mountain home interiors, demarcated by iconic references like log, stone, and antlers. With the influx of home buyers from all over the country, “Steamboat style” is no longer defined by a Ralph Lauren ideal of the American West. “Our niche is change,” says Olivia Kimmeth, a Steamboat-based interior designer and owner of Olivia’s Home Furnishings. “With people who are moving here from all over the country, our definition of mountain modern has changed, and we have to change with it.” Olivia asks her clients to start the design process using Steamboat’s beautiful surroundings as inspiration. “When clients ask me where to start, I have them take a moment to look out at the mountains. That is our canvas. That’s why people…

12Mar 2021 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

5 Things Every “Man Cave” Needs

Design Trends, Helpful Advice

While man caves might vary depending on the person, we’ve got five essentials that will fit in every man cave. If you’re missing any of these items, it might be time to start shopping! 1. The Comfy Couch Within the cave, every man must have his throne. Whether it be a couch or a chair, it’s gotta be comfortable enough to sit in for multiple hours (days? weeks?) at a time. 2. The TV This should go without saying, but the TV is definitely an essential part of the man cave. Preferably, it’ll be a flat screen mounted to the wall, with plenty of premium cable options available. 3. The Fridge Why run back and forth between the man cave and the kitchen when you can just put a fridge…

02Feb 2021 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

3 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value

Design Trends, Helpful Advice

3 Easy Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value First Thing’s First When potential buyers arrive at your home, the first thing they’ll see is your front yard and the exterior of your home. Don’t overthink it, just go stand on the curb and fix the things that look a bit off to you. If your budget permits, have some landscaping done. A little bit of improvement will really go a long way. Refresh Your Kitchen It’s no surprise that the kitchen is a huge component of the home, so if you’re thinking about selling, it may be time to do some touch-ups. Replacing dated appliances with stainless steel versions would be extremely expensive, but replacing just one with a steel counterpart actually improves the feel of the whole kitchen. If you…

01Feb 2021 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

5 Inspiring Home Design and Remodeling Trends for 2021

Design Trends, Helpful Advice

We’ve all spent a lot more time at home over the past year. And for many of us, our homes have become our office, our classroom, our gym—and most importantly, our safe haven during times of uncertainty. So it’s no surprise to see that design trends for 2021 revolve around soothing color palettes, cozy character, and quiet retreats. Even if you don’t have immediate plans to buy or sell your home, we advise our clients to be mindful of modern design preferences when planning a remodel or even redecorating. Over-personalized or unpopular renovations could lower your property’s value. And selecting out-of-style fixtures and finishes could cause your home to feel dated quickly. To help inspire your design projects this year, we’ve rounded up five of the hottest trends. Keep in…

28Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

Buying an Energy-Efficient Home: A financially Bright Idea

BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE, Design Trends, Helpful Advice

Whether you give a hoot about the environment or not, it could pay to think about energy efficiency when shopping for a home. Newer houses certified by Energy Star — the federal government’s energy-efficiency rating program — use an average of 20% less energy than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees the system.But using less energy is just the beginning. Green certification programs like the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) go even further, with strict standards for indoor air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and water conservation, among other things. Although energy conservation might not sound as exciting as a luxury bathroom or backyard patio, improving health and comfort while reducing energy bills could help turn…

23Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

4 Home Improvements That Don’t Pay (and 4 Better Options)

Design Trends, Helpful Advice

It’s nice to live in a home that’s designed just the way you like, even if you have to spend money on remodeling. But when it comes to increasing a home’s value, some pricey home improvements won’t come close to matching the amount of money you invest. If you don’t plan on moving in the near future, recouping money may not be as important as knowing you’ll enjoy the remodeled space. But if your plan is to increase the value of your home, you may want to avoid projects that don’t offer a good return. Here are four home improvements that usually don’t recoup costs, along with alternatives that offer a better bargain. 1. Bathroom remodel Add up the cost of a new tub, sink, toilet, tile and labor, and it’s…

16Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

6 Ways to Avoid Costly Home Renovation Mistakes

Design Trends, Helpful Advice

Many of us are spending more time at home in 2020, which could mean having more time to take on home improvement projects. But home renovations aren’t just a way to fill time; you want the results to be worth the hard work. The key to any successful project lies in careful planning — including financial strategizing — long before the power tools come out. Roughly 3 in 5 American homeowners (61%) have taken on home improvement projects since March 1, 2020, spending $6,438, on average, according to an August 18-20 NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,414 homeowners. Whether you’re outfitting your home with a new office or classroom, or taking on long-intended improvements such as painting or installing new flooring, here are five tips to…

07Jul 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

Add Value To Your Home With These 9 DIY Improvements

Design Trends

Whether you’re prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to add function, beauty, and real value to your home. The best part is, once you’ve secured the materials, most of these renovations can be completed over the course of a weekend. And they don’t require a lot of specialized skills or experience. So grab your toolbox, then get ready to boost your home’s appeal AND investment potential! 1. Spruce Up Your Landscaping Landscaping improvements can increase a home’s value by 10-12%.1 But which outdoor features do buyers care about most? According to a survey of Realtors, a healthy lawn is at the top of their list. If your lawn is lacking, overseeding…

29Jun 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

FROM THE GROUND UP: HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT BUILDING SITE FOR YOUR DREAM HOME

Design Trends

Boulder Ridge by steamboatsir |June 29, 2020 It’s easy enough to dream: to imagine the perfect mountain house and all the elements you’ve always wanted, from the gourmet kitchen and seamless outdoor living space, to sweeping mountain views and a master bath bigger than your first apartment. That’s exactly why so many people choose to buy raw land and build from scratch. If only it could be that simple. There’s a lot more to consider when looking for a piece of land to build on besides the views. “It’s always a good idea to get an architect on board from the start to help select the perfect site,” says Sarah Tiedeken O’Brien, an architect with Vertical Arts. “You want to be careful not to get your heart set on something…