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Pro Spotlight: Tips for Reimagining Your Home’s Interior
A Walnut Creek designer offers ways to see problem areas in a whole new light
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Who: Johanne Poulin of Project Guru
Where: Walnut Creek, California
In her own words: “Lack of vision can create roadblocks that limit functionality and aesthetics.”
Seeing your home’s possibilities when you’re facing the realities of its current limitations can be daunting. Interior designer Johanne Poulin, who owns Project Guru in Walnut Creek, specializes in helping clients look beyond what already exists in their home. She finds ways to make the space work for the client’s lifestyle, needs and budget — whether it’s a more functional kitchen, a brighter guest bathroom or a more open family room — either by carving out space or adding on.
Where: Walnut Creek, California
In her own words: “Lack of vision can create roadblocks that limit functionality and aesthetics.”
Seeing your home’s possibilities when you’re facing the realities of its current limitations can be daunting. Interior designer Johanne Poulin, who owns Project Guru in Walnut Creek, specializes in helping clients look beyond what already exists in their home. She finds ways to make the space work for the client’s lifestyle, needs and budget — whether it’s a more functional kitchen, a brighter guest bathroom or a more open family room — either by carving out space or adding on.
Narrow your options. When you start a project, you’ll be faced with a multitude of choices. Don’t worry about making the wrong decision, Poulin says. “Most people tell me, ‘I can’t tell you what I like, but if you show me something, I can say yes or no,’” she says. She suggests taking some time to find images that appeal to you and identify what you like about them. This will allow your designer to see patterns and narrow the options to those that will work for you.
Determine the pain points. It’s usually the problem areas in your home that trigger the decision to renovate, even if they’re as simple as fixtures that aren’t to your taste. “They say everything starts from pain,” Poulin says jokingly, adding that listing everything you like and don’t like should be one of your starting points. A good designer should solve your problems with results that take your priorities into account, offering solutions tailored to your style, she says.
If you’re thinking about reworking the interior of your home, Poulin offers the following advice.
If you’re thinking about reworking the interior of your home, Poulin offers the following advice.
1. Choose Drawers Over Cabinets
Drawers can help you maximize your storage options by allowing easy access to the entire depth of the storage space, Poulin says. That approach came into play in the walk-in closet and bathroom in this Castro Valley home. “A key element of the design is the two sets of deep double drawers in the vanity,” she says. “Other than the space reserved for the plumbing, the entire vanity became actual storage — a huge improvement over the original cabinetry.”
See more of this project
Drawers can help you maximize your storage options by allowing easy access to the entire depth of the storage space, Poulin says. That approach came into play in the walk-in closet and bathroom in this Castro Valley home. “A key element of the design is the two sets of deep double drawers in the vanity,” she says. “Other than the space reserved for the plumbing, the entire vanity became actual storage — a huge improvement over the original cabinetry.”
See more of this project
2. Tear Down a Wall
Removing an unneeded wall will make any room feel larger, thanks to not only the added space but the increase in natural light. The guest bathroom in this San Mateo home had a window over the tub, but much of the light it provided was blocked by a privacy wall that separated the tub and toilet from the vanity. Because the bathroom was not used regularly, there was no issue with removing that wall. “The room immediately felt bigger, airier and cheerier, even without an additional window,” Poulin says.
See more of this project
Removing an unneeded wall will make any room feel larger, thanks to not only the added space but the increase in natural light. The guest bathroom in this San Mateo home had a window over the tub, but much of the light it provided was blocked by a privacy wall that separated the tub and toilet from the vanity. Because the bathroom was not used regularly, there was no issue with removing that wall. “The room immediately felt bigger, airier and cheerier, even without an additional window,” Poulin says.
See more of this project
3. Don’t Dismiss Prefab Pieces
If a solid stone countertop is high on your wish list but the cost is prohibitive, consider a prefabricated countertop, which can have a high-end look at a fraction of the cost of purchasing and fabricating a slab. For this whole-house remodel in Orinda, prefab pieces were a budget-saver that still had the desired look and feel. “We used prefabricated quartz countertops for the main kitchen workspace, bar and desk area, and a prefabricated Carrara marble top for the island,” Poulin says. “The homeowners were willing to have it develop a patina with their own use over the years.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Johanne Poulin and examples of her work, visit Project Guru’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content Team.
If a solid stone countertop is high on your wish list but the cost is prohibitive, consider a prefabricated countertop, which can have a high-end look at a fraction of the cost of purchasing and fabricating a slab. For this whole-house remodel in Orinda, prefab pieces were a budget-saver that still had the desired look and feel. “We used prefabricated quartz countertops for the main kitchen workspace, bar and desk area, and a prefabricated Carrara marble top for the island,” Poulin says. “The homeowners were willing to have it develop a patina with their own use over the years.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Johanne Poulin and examples of her work, visit Project Guru’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content Team.
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Omdöme av Adam Elkin:
We had a mixed experience with Johanne. Very nice but ultimately didn't deliver what we expected. We handed her our kitchen renovation layout from a previous designer and explained we needed her hel...Mer