Finding (re)Purpose

Your home is a reflection of your way of life. As your family and routines change, you may find that you need to redesign some of the spaces you inhabit. Don't be afraid to change things up - there's no need to stick with the status quo if it's not working for you anymore!

This high school and college graduation season lead many of my clients to consider their next chapter as empty nesters. Additionally, during the pandemic, many already-independent young adults and college students moved back home out of necessity or to escape the isolation and monotony of urban apartment life. This meant that families were staking out study- and workspaces throughout the home. Dining room tables became strewn with laptops, and everyone had to tiptoe around to avoid walking into someone's important Zoom, and bedrooms doubled as library carrels. Now, to the bittersweet relief of many parents, most of the young folks who came back to the nest have flown the coop again!

In this blog post, I'll share a few tips on how to redesign your reclaimed home spaces so that they are practical, optimized for your current lifestyle, and, as always, attractive and comfortable. Best of all, your repurposing objectives can be achieved on almost any budget.

Creating "real" home office space

Mostly vacated children's bedrooms, teen-oriented basements, and playrooms are ideal for creating dedicated work-focused spaces. The basics:

Remove and donate any old toys, themed bedding, and outdated décor. Rip up old carpeting.
Paint the room a color that calms you, inspires you or makes you happy. (I can help you find one with staying power.)
Select a desk that is the right proportion for the room, has the functionality for your work needs (e.g., file drawers, L-shaped, keyboard drawer), and suits your style. Then find a coordinating, comfortable chair.
Accent with a few meaningful, personal mementos, favorite books, and simple wall art.
Add a floor and/or desk lamp or both depending upon the amount of natural light the room receives.
If taking over a bedroom, add functionality with a sleep sofa or murphy bed and a small side table so family and guests can visit comfortably.

Making room to exercise

With strong WIFI and a television, tablet or computer screen, any room in your home (or portion of a room) can become a gym! Make your workouts stylish and effective:

Lay down flooring based on the type of equipment you're using, the room you are converting, and the exercise programs you enjoy. Do Pilates anywhere with only a mat, but you might want to explore shock-absorbing foam tiles for HIIT workouts or to support a treadmill or stationary bike.
Consider a wall-mounted television and wireless speakers for an at-the-gym immersive experience.
Watch your posture with some strategically placed mirrors.
Hand weights come in all colors. For a sleeker look, choose all black or metal, but throw in some bright ones to brighten the mood! And stay organized with a small weight rack or bins on wheels to stow out of sight in a closet.
Accessorize with rolled hand towels.

Get crafty!

With more time to pursue your interests, make space that's a haven just for you.

Love to read? Remove an old homework desk or video game area and create a cozy book nook. Select a beautiful and comfortable chair, pick a soft throw, and coordinate a lamp for just the right glow on the hardcover or Kindle.
Convert a basement, shed, or playroom into your scrapbooking, quilting, painting, model railroad, or ceramics studio. The key is to keep it organized with a clean-looking table or workspace and labeled bins (to store tools and materials) that fit into a closet or onto shelves.
Protect your floors from stains and wear with washable area rugs or rubber mats.
Show off your creativity and style by (selectively) displaying your best work throughout your home.

Whether you want to move around what you have, make small additions or dramatically overhaul the rooms in your home to mark a new phase of life, I can help you realize your vision. Let's brainstorm about the possibilities of repurposing!

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YOUR PROJECT A-TEAM: Selecting the Right Home Improvement Partners

By proadAccountId-422147 • June 23, 2026

Embarking on a home improvement project is an investment of time, energy, and finances. The process is creative and exciting but also intimidating. The requirements to meet and decisions to be made can be overwhelming! Success depends largely on the professionals you choose to advise you, manage the project and execute the plan. Whether you’re restyling a room or two, renovating a kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, undertaking a major renovation or building a custom home, homeowners struggle with the same questions: How do I know who to trust? What is a fair price to pay? How can I be sure the work will be high quality? Will we communicate well? Will I feel comfortable having these people in my home for weeks or months? After years of working with homeowners and project teams, I’ve learned that selecting the right architect, contractor, and (yes) interior designer is just as important as selecting the right finishes or creating the perfect floor plan. The best partnerships are built on trust, transparency, expertise, and shared expectations. Here are practical steps you can take to find and vet the project partners who are right for you. Personal recommendations from people you know remain one of the most valuable resources available. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and local professionals about their experiences. Nothing beats honest word of mouth and testimonials. Two-ways conversations cultivate a deeper appreciation of that project’s idiosyncrasies and challenges and how the partner managed them. Online reviews can also be very helpful, but don’t focus solely on star ratings. Look for consistent themes in the feedback. Did the company communicate well? Did they finish on time? Were unexpected issues handled professionally? Interview multiple candidates. Even if the first company you meet seems impressive, interview at least three qualified professionals or organizations. Every team has a different approach, personality, and process. Pay attention not only to their answers but also to how they listen and address your unique concerns. The best partners first ask thoughtful questions about your goals, budget, lifestyle, and priorities before proposing solutions. Understand pricing beyond the bottom line. I can’t tell you how many clients share their buyer’s remorse after choosing solely based on the lowest bid. A proposal that may seem less expensive can end up costing more if it excludes important services, skimps on quality materials, or excludes project management, permits, and contingency planning. Conversely, the highest price doesn’t always guarantee the best outcome. When reviewing proposals, ensure you’re comparing apples to apples. Prepare a side-by-side line-item comparison. What is included in the proposal? What assumptions were made? How are changes handled? What factors could affect final costs? A fair price is one that delivers value, quality, and a predictable process—not simply the lowest number. Additionally, a trustworthy partner will be as transparent as possible, answering all your questions with professionalism. If your guts tells you something is “off”, listen to your instincts. (More on this below.) Verify credentials and experience. Verify licenses, insurance, certifications, and professional affiliations. Ask how long they have been in business, and request examples of projects similar in scope to yours. A developer who excels at building new homes may not be the best fit for a historic renovation. Likewise, an interior designer, though experienced and renowned, may not be ideal for your remodeling project if their deeply ingrained style doesn’t align with your vision. Ask their references: Was the project completed on budget? How were problems handled? Was communication timely and clear? Would you hire them again? What would you do differently? These conversations often reveal the realities of working together day-to-day. Technical expertise is critical, but chemistry matters too. Your project team will be in your home (often when you’re out), discussing finances, solving problems, and making hundreds of decisions with you over the course of the project. If communication feels uncomfortable during the interview stage, it likely won’t improve once construction begins. Choose professionals you “vibe” with and who make you feel heard, respected, and confident. In sum: Top 10 Criteria for Selecting Home Improvement Partners Experience with Similar Projects - Look for professionals who have successfully completed projects comparable in size, scope, style, and complexity. Communication Skills – Clear, consistent communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps projects moving forward. Reputation and References – Strong client testimonials and referrals often predict future performance. Transparency - Reliable professionals openly discuss pricing, timelines, risks, and expectations. Professional Credentials – Verify licenses, insurance, certifications, and industry memberships. Project Management Process – Ask how schedules, budgets, subcontractors, and change orders are managed. Design and Technical Expertise – Review portfolios and examples of completed work to evaluate creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Financial Stability – Established firms with strong business practices are better positioned to deliver consistent results. Compatibility and Trust – You’ll spend significant time working together. Mutual respect and trust are essential. Commitment to Quality – Ask how quality control is maintained throughout design, engineering, procurement, and construction. The best home improvement projects are rarely the result of luck. When you work to find a team that combines expertise, transparency, communication, and integrity, you’ll gain more than a contractor, architect, or interior designer—you’ll gain advisors who can help transform your vision into spaces that work. Build your trusted team and projects that come after will be a piece of cake! Your home deserves nothing less.