TAMPA – No one may be more comfortable at Liz Heitner’s home than her dogs. Home Frosting has had the privilege of working with this Lutz family on their home improvement projects for over a year. Recently, one of our projects was featured on Fox 13’s Good Day with Russell Rhodes, titled Pet-friendly home interiors. If you missed it, check it out here.
The big takeaways from the FOX TV segment:
- Homeowners are re-prioritizing their home improvements.
- Pets are an important part of the family.
- Top pet-friendly home design trends include easy food and storage stations, access to water for drinking and bathing, aesthetically pleasing placement of pet-use areas, and adding convenience through innovative technology products with Wi-Fi, cameras, and scheduling features.
This project was a blast. Working with the pups, Teddy and Jo Jo, and the family was so rewarding.
(Liz with Teddy and Jo Jo in their Cheval home.)
However, the larger scope that really makes us proud of this home is that when the Heitners purchased it, it looked very different. The over 5,000 sq. ft. residence was built in 2006, and the previous owners had appointed the home in a traditional Mediterranean style. Many of the spaces had not been updated since it was first built, and like most homes, it was personalized to the sellers’ taste. Our goal was to make the house a dream home for the new family, reflecting their style and preferences.
Here is where we started: before shots and the after shots following the transformation.
Before – the home updates
After – new exterior paint, lighting and outdoor accessories
The Heitners wanted a comfortable, livable place with a rich and eclectic vibe. They liked color, whimsical art, and textures, and wanted to preserve some of the original architectural features while bringing in a fresh, more modern twist.
Design and Remodeling Summary That Transformed This House Into a Beautiful Show Home
The project started with the exterior of the home. We repainted it with a lighter, neutral color, updated the exterior lighting, and enhanced the landscaping.
The interior received a complete repainting of the ceilings, walls, and trim. Next, we opened up the dining room by knocking out a wall. This edit was a game changer and set the tone for a more open, larger first impression.
Before – the home updates
After – we removed pillars that chopped up the room. Personalized with Heitner family art and whimsy/eclectic style
Before – the home updates
After – we added wallpaper to many of the spaces and window treatments for privacy and style to all of the rooms.
Lighting was another important improvement. We addressed both function and aesthetics, updating the bulbs to LED and managing the white shade and temperature.
Ninety-five percent of the home furnishings were new, too. We also added rugs, accessories, art, and plants to complete the style story.
Mission Accomplished! The budget to date for this project (remodeling, furniture, lighting, finishes, and professional fees) was around $350,000. The improvements added significant value to the property.
If you’ve been thinking about updating your home, we’d love to share some ideas to help make it happen.
