It’s the Little Extras that Make a Big Impact

Throughout the course of any of my design projects, the bulk of my energy is spent on the big, fundamental aspects of the home or office. Designing room layouts, moving walls, configuring cabinets, selecting flooring, lighting, appliances and fixtures — these are the building blocks of every client engagement.

However, creating living and working spaces that fulfill functional needs, align with clients’ tastes, and offer a good return on investment is not all that differentiates each design. It’s the highly personal touches that truly make each job unique and raise each client’s “joy quotient.” These don’t have to be expensive purchases or customizations, just details that feel special every time they are seen or used. Let me share some of the examples that our clients totally love.

Kitchen Organization Nirvana

A kitchen is the nexus of home activity whether a client is a master chef or a take-out king. Based on how the kitchen is used, by whom, plus the personal style and habits of the homeowner(s), the meaningful extras could be:

Drawer inserts for knives (to keep them out of sight, in size order and sharp) or customized to a specific array of utensils and serving pieces.
Cabinet dividers that keep clunky cutting boards and baking sheets easy to see and access.
Spice organizers that slide out so every jar is quickly found — especially if the more compulsive among us keep them alphabetized.
A separate hot beverage station with designated storage or display for coffee beans, tea bags, mugs and, maybe, a minifridge for milk. Coffee machines can look sleek and attractive no matter the price point but some of the high-end espresso makers are works of art.
One or two glass front cabinets to display favorite barware, art objects, bowls, cookbooks or knickknacks.
A brightly colored standing mixer that is the center of a baker’s world!
A refrigerator drawer for juice pouches and kids snacks.

Bathroom Spa-aaah

What elevates a basic bathroom experience? The possibilities are endless and it’s so much fun collaborating with clients to create a heavenly atmosphere for each time they bathe, shower, get dressed or, um, “ascend the throne.” A few of my favorite ideas:

Heated floors which are easy to install and are completely programmable.
Heated towel racks for a warm post-shower embrace.
Give your routines a bright boost with a quality adjustable makeup mirror and a lighted medicine cabinet.
Installing an adjustable shower head and maybe some extra jets to get squeaky clean and enjoy a relaxing water massage.
Even a tiny bathroom gets a boost from some very ornate or modern statement hardware. You can go super luxe if you only need a few knobs or pulls.
Enhance the glam by building in a dressing or makeup table with great lighting, a statement bench or stool, and storage for all your cosmetics and hair products.
Having hand soap and other products in pretty bottles can add just that minute attention to detail that makes a bathroom look complete.

Don’t Sleep on These Bedroom Enhancements

With the bed being the central room element, I’ve shared my love of linens in previous musings, so you know how many options there are for upping the bed ante like:

Buying the best quality sheets that make sense for your budget. Look for good cotton, eco-friendly bamboo, soft jersey flannel or crisp linen.
Adding one or two fabulously different decorative pillows to draw in the eye. Vary patterns, tones, colors or textures.

Beyond the bed, how cool are…

Built-in televisions that angle down from the ceiling or emerge up from a piece of furniture?
Unique “statement” bedside lamps or sconces for style and comfortable reading?
Awesome night table finds that are anything but ho-hum or matchy-matchy?
Remote control blinds so you can check out the morning weather without leaving the comfort of your bed?

Happily Working, or Working Out

Making basement, attic, extra bedroom or other spaces into offices, gyms, and game or craft rooms is all about the special extras. Think about integrating these features harmoniously into the overall design of your home:

Built-in cabinets that securely hold hand weights and store workout extras like bands and balls.
Springy flooring.
A sewing cabinet or fold up craft table.
Surround sound Bluetooth speakers, either built-in or plug-in, high-tech or basic.
Treadmill and variable height desks let you do your 10,000 steps while working on documents or presenting on Zoom.

Our collaboration and needs exploration with clients helps uncover their design and lifestyle dreams. The relationships we build inspire me to find the unique extras that differentiate their home from any other, delivering quality design that’s a step above — and LOVE — to their spaces!

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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.