Remodeling: Need Design Advice Concerning Light Fixtures

A.,

I have been an interior decorator since 1997, held my business in Florida, Nevada, and San Antonio. Clients have flown me across the nation to work for them. I am currently pursing a career in real estate. My advise is to make sure all of your lighting fixtures match. Since your hardware and door knobs are brushed nickle and you have stainless appliances, I would recommend brushed nickle as your best option. Having the brushed nickle fixtures will be appealing to the eye and more desireable, however, it will not effect the "value" of your home. In other words, the price of your house will not increase because you have brushed nickle light fixtures. If you have any other questions, please contact me.

M. Valiquette
____@____.com

Hi there. That's right up my alley. My husband remodels houses for a living and we've done a few houses for ourselves. If the light fixtures are in the same room as the stainless appliances, then yes, they should be brushed nickle or black or brown. nothing brass or anything. If the fixtures are in another room with no other type of metal, then you can get whatever you like. But if there is stainless in a room, then definitely go with brushed nickle hardware. My parents just remodeled their house and all the hardware and appliances are stainless, brushed nickel and a very dark brown. It's very sharp and looks great. Hope this helps!

It would probl. be best, as far as value of you home, to stick with all matching per room as far as the fixtures go. Each room can have a different theme, but make sure that you don't mix a gold fan with brushed nickel everything else. Yes, the kitchen would be best with the brushed nickle since you have stainless appliences......but you could use deco ones if you would like, although for re-sale value it may not be best. Hope this helps!

We just remodeled as well. Luckily one of our good friends deals in remodeling and flipping houses. It definately looks much better if everything matches. and is a great selling point. if you are changing flooring make sure you dont go cheapo use the good materials.. ie travertine, hardwood, ect. those are only a dollar or 2 more per sq ft and will boost the value a ton more than laminate ect. I know our house went from about 170k to 280 k from our remodel. You will be amazed when complete be patient and take the time to do it the right way. Ohh yeah if you can add crown molding it adds tremendous value. best of luck on your remodel.

D.

I'm kind of neurotic when it comes to fixtures when I'm looking at houses... I think it's fine to use a different finish as long as something ties everything together. Like, if you've got very classically designed doorknobs, match the design of the light fixtures to that. Or keep all of the light fixtures the same finish with slightly different designs for each room, depending on what the room is used for (eg more formal for dining room, more casual for the den). I think as long as there's a similar theme of some type, it'll look great!

Good luck!