Ask A Lot of Question, and Actually, Listen to the Advice
My next home renovation tip is the same advice you most likely heard from your teachers during your entire education, “The only dumb question is the one unasked.”
In my last article, I wrote about listening to your gut during any decorating/renovating project. But, when you listen to your gut comes its counterpart, listening to advice. If I had a penny for every question I asked during this process, I’d be on to my next house project somewhere in Beverly Hills.
My famous phrase as everyone told me was, “Ummm, I have a question,” which was always followed with their response, “Uh oh.”
The number of decisions that I needed to make on a daily basis was absolutely the hardest part of the entire process. Everything from, what color do you want this wall, to where exactly do you want these light switches and to which lights do they belong. The questions never ended; when do you want the appliances delivered, do you want to keep this dumpster or get a smaller one, do you want a chrome finish sink drain for $50 or the solid gold one to match the rest of the bathroom finishes for $375?
With all the barrage of never-ending decisions ignited questions from me.
I don’t frickin’ know where I want the light switch! You’re the professional. you tell me where people typically put a light switch for this feature. Which toilet seat is more comfortable? What are the reviews for this bathtub, ceiling fan, refrigerator, glass? What are your recommendations for the best air conditioning unit? Do you have an opinion on round sink versus a rectangular sink? Why do I have to put that ugly plug right in the middle of my perfectly smooth wall? Oh, because it has to be up to code? It is non-stop and you just have to accept it’s okay.
Any adventure is an adventure because it’s a learning process, and if you’re not asking questions, then you’re not learning. If you’re not learning then you might as well not do it. So go ahead, ask questions! Everyone will be grateful that you care enough about the project to ask for and understand the answers.
This picture was taken the day we moved in when the boys saw the house for the first time.
New door and hardware, my favorite lion door knocker, new lights, window boxes, rose bushes, just waiting for the hydrangeas to make their debut for the summer.
It took a while to pick the perfect blue for the door.I wanted it to match the hydrangeas in front. I wanted to find that perfect hydrangea blue- and I did!
Take another fun look inside Alisa’s home in this Houzz article.
For more design inspiration, find Alisa’s home and others inside the pages of, “Your Home, Your Style” By Donna Garlough.
You can read more of Alisa’s tips HERE.
Alisa Kapinos has been a fashion stylist and personal shopper for almost 15 years. She started her career in fashion working for a Boston based magazine as their Fashion and Beauty Editor and then went onto become their Editor in Chief. During this time she produced and styled countless photo shoots, working with top designers and top photographers. She has been lucky enough to attend many New York Fashion Weeks, also styling shoots for commercials and print ads, as well as assisting in styling Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel and the Jonas Brothers on their Boston stop during their musical tour. She then began her career as a personal stylist to some of Boston’s most notable people, as well as women and men from all walks of life. What her clients love about her is her attention to detail, her understanding of personal style (not just what’s trending), and her ability to mix high end with affordable pieces that fit everyone’s budget. Through her work in the fashion industry, she has also partnered with many charitable organizations to bring awareness and raising money for their causes. Recently, Alisa has taken her passion for interior design and has worked on a few interior projects for local clients. She has had her own home, which she renovated herself, featured in a home design book and a few home websites. Alisa’s greatest loves are her husband of 11 years, her two dogs and her three kids. She loves photography and taking photos, loves to travel, to write, to garden, to decorate, to cook and spend time with her family and friends.
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