I love Albert!❤️🐾🐾 I have 3 legged rescue Chihuahua mix named "Peggy!" The humane society named her & we kept her funny name. She hates everyone but loves us!!!🐾❤️
You made the comment "realistic". YES! That is what is great about your channel. You don't point out an issue, you provide several options/solutions. We know our issues (older home, builder grade, etc.). You provide ways to correct and/or live with what we have. You are a breath of fresh air.
Thanks so much! We love our dogs like family, and they regularly appear in our videos. Please take a moment if you haven't already to support the channel, and join our very valued subscriber family.
My house had cheap mid-80s gold-tone light fixtures - ugh! So I kept an eye out for something unique and found a stunning bronze chandelier with amber glass and coordinating semi-flush at an animal rescue resale shop. They had been custom made and the original owner had replaced and donated them! So I got these utterly gorgeous fixtures at a fraction of their original cost and supported the rescue - win win! Big love to Albert!
I did a ton of builder upgrades, waaaay too many to mention. One favorite was adding a wet bar upstairs for the guest studio with dual fridge so that I can leave an assortment of their favorite beverages and snacks for them. And you better believe, I didn’t skimp on the lighting either, plus dimmers on 95% of the switches, and changing some bulbs, because mood lighting feels so luxurious. Besides , builder grade lighting will blind you!
Albert is precious. I had a 14 year old miniature schnauzer from 6 weeks old.He is in doggie heaven now. We just bought a new house in Feb. In process of changing out all the lighting. I had a floor person out the other day and he surprisingly said he liked my light fixtures,they weren't the builders...like everyone else's, ha! Thank you. I love your videos. You are so practical,chic, and personable in your presence. Once again, thank you!
Garrett, I absolutely LOVE your channel. I’m downsizing to a new small beach cottage and am binge watching all your videos for advice. I can’t tell you how many fabulous tips I’ve already gotten from you. You’ve got fabulous taste and are a great educator, besides being charming and funny. PS love Albert. Thanks so much for all you do.
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Hello Lovely LeChic Fam! Great inspirational pics, (as always) ❣️ The first thing my husband & I did was ripped out our cheap "Big Box Store" carpet. ( I used to work there & recognized it immediately) 🤨 plus every time I vacuumed it would shed. Painted, replaced the flooring with laminate, then we remodeled our original 1974 builder grade kitchen, appliances & all. From there we beefed up our our baseboards. So worth it 💯 Until next time..Hugs xx
I’m a huge fan of blue too. It’s so hard to restrain making everything blue 😂 My home is in a small town, and I realize what I spend for upgrades I may never see a return on. This is a challenge for me bc I haven’t had that worry with past projects living in a more desirable market. (Countryside.) It was upgraded very well before I bought it 6 years ago. But upgraded in the 90’s mostly. I have printed wood panels everywhere. Not 70’s paneling but some sort of decorating option of the time that resembles wallpaper. The kitchen walls were a bit faded so I chose a wallpaper for them and it turned out so much better than I ever thought! Next job is my ugly maroon and cream dining room 🤦♀️
We have a 1960s ranch. We put in an antique stain glass window in the dining room. It was the exact size . It really adds that extra something something !
We have used the same floor throughout the living room and bedroom in the ground floor (ox-blood red terracotta tiling laid out in herring bone pattern). Kitchen and bathrooms with stone tiles in octagonal design, 3 shades of grey. Gives a feeling of upgrade and great flow throughout. All rooms with underfloor heating.
When I moved into my house , so much of it was pink, with blue carpet, white walls….yuk…definitely 80s vibe. But now, cherry flooring, black and white kitchen, new lights. It’s taken quite a while and money. My house is in a subdivision, in which most of the homes look similar. I improved the landscaping in an attempt to be different. Love your videos!
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Omg I’m so happy I came across your channel !! I’m moving into a small studio “micro” apartment and I have never decorated or designed a space ~let alone having to break up a empty floor into designated areas. Could you do a video for tiny spaces or how to separate/divide open areas 🥹🥹 im such a newbie to this 😅😅
We installed beadboard ceilings between the old beams in our converted mill. The two different wood colors compliment each other and they each stand out more.
Have done so many of these in my home over the last 2 years. Most recently we added wall moulding and it completely changes the room! Have also added wallpaper in our powder room, painted the whole house, removed the carpet upstairs and replaced it with hardwood, changed all the light fixtures, installed crown moulding over the whole house, to name a few. One thing to add to this list for me is hardware. We changed the hardware in the kitchen but also all the builder grade door handles. They were weirdly mismatched and also just not very pleasant to look at. They were also very light weight and to me a heavy door handle just feels more luxurious.
Great topic! And yes, let people in on the tweaks that can be done with their builder as their house is being built. Two other easy upgrades from builder grade are change out the cheap cabinet hardware in kitchens and bathrooms and take down the cheap, unframed chunk of mirror above a bathroom sink and put in a stunning framed mirror that goes with the decor and makes a statement.
I changed everything you mentioned minus the ceiling and fireplace. They’re next on my list, but also I updated the door handles! For $300 it changed the whole vibe of the house honestly!
About to get my new flooring installed. Big expense. Big project. Big pain in the you know what. BUT it will also be the biggest improvement ever so I am super excited 😊
I just love seeing Albert in your wonderful videos. I lost my 17 year old deaf and going blind best furry friend last year and miss him terribly. This informative video gave me some cool things to do around my house I hadn't considered before. Such great suggestions. Thank you!
So sorry to hear about losing your pup. That’s one of the hardest things in life to deal with. We love Albert and our other two boys so much, and it’s hard to think of ever losing them. I’m glad you enjoyed the video! 🐶🐶🐶
I've got a senior pup, and she's got about 5 teeth left. Thought eating would be harder for her. Nope, not at all! She still even enjoys kibble. You enjoy that breakfast and dinner, Albert! And beg for those treats. Use that cute to your advantage!
I absolutely love moulding and trims! I have had decorative moulded ceilings before, they are divine! I would love wall paper, never had it & hubby dislikes it, but would love it in the house we build. I would love to see the builder upgrade video. Due to local laws, warmer weather, environmental & health issues where the working fireplace is no longer practical. I have a video suggestion 🙂How to create a focal point in your living area, if there’s no fireplace? And what do you think of faux inserts and electric fireplaces for aesthetics and ambience; are they tacky? Not worth it? Are there other ways to get that warm, cosy vibe?
I’ve been away for three weeks and am just catching up on the videos I’ve missed. Wonderful to see LeChic is still the best voice in interior design on RU-vid. I’ve missed these wonderful design gems. 👏👏👏
Our builder put carpet all through our home. We lived with it for 12 years then it really had to go. Replaced with wood. OMG! so beautiful.The entire house just looks so much more upscale. I also think adding beautiful moldings to a basic house can make an amazing difference. Our builder offered an upgrade package of crown molding, and upgraded moldings around the doors. I don't think anyone else bought that but us.However, when some of the neighbors saw what a huge difference it makes on the impression your home makes they looked into at least getting crown molding installed. Because we live in Florida we chose to have shutters instead of curtains or shades on the windows. Not only are the shutters themself very nice, they are hung on moldings installed around the windows, which really upgrades the look of the windows.I really hate the look of a window with no wood trim around it, but this is how most homes are built these days.
That's a great idea, Garrett, talking about what to order from your builder as upgrades, particularly with regard to the most bang for the buck. Before you know it, the house costs a LOT and really, how much value would you add for those costs? Aww, I love little Albert - so precious!
I changed all my doors to panel and put in new baseboards. The difference is truly stunning and even little things like changing cabinet hardware and door handles elevate your home so much. Finally got rid of the last boob light too. 😄
Hi Garrett! As always, you have some really great effective ideas for upgrading my home. I have a builder grade home built in 1984. Yiiiikes! Cottage cheese ceilings are the bane of my existence but I looked into having them removed, and sadly it costs a fortune. However, I can replace the lighting and the faucets, those are both great ideas and I can shop for classy fixtures on sale. Also, I upgraded the backsplash in my kitchen with wallpaper. I got some that looks like tile, but instead of hiring someone I did it myself. Real wood flooring is super expensive, but there are some amazing vinyl floors that look like wood. I have a dog and cat who would destroy real wood floors and I'm glad I went with vinyl. The money I saved I spent on a very nice rug for the living room. xxoo love you and darling Albert, Auntie.
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Coming from a 1924 brick colonial revival to a 1970 bare boned ranch was a huge adjustment. Little by little we are making it ours. I missed the thick moldings in the last home and here we had typical builder grade 2” baseboard molding. Hideous. We’ve yanked it all out, laid down lvp and I’m doing basic, yet wide 6” baseboards for a clean statement piece. The little things definitely make all the difference.
Yes 100% to the paint and floors that’s what we did In our new build and yes mam it elevated the space. I love your advice for the ceiling rose and painting it. I’m going to do this now seriously thank you ❤️
Our rental is the definition of builder grade! Our landlord is a family friend so she is pretty cool with any changes we want to make, as long as they're not too drastic. Unfortunately, the changes im dreaming about are SUPER drastic (First one being: remove those popcorn ceilings). I'll have to save those for when we buy our own home 😅
This is such a great video, Garrett! You're right about how much these upgrades can elevate our spaces! I have replaced a builder grade kitchen and bathrooms, and I just had LVP floors and 5" baseboards installed throughout my home. I did it in stages because of cost, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! When I moved in, I replaced all the lighting, adding dimmers to most switches, and all the door and cabinet hardware. It was like changing the jewelry on a nice outfit! Next is painting everything Hmmmm! You help us to maximize the potential in our spaces, regardless of our styles and our budgets, and I LOVE that! Beautiful spaces are for everyone! So glad to be part of the LeChic family!!! 🌻🤗🌻 Colleen
Great video, Garrett! As for adding character, what we did in our 5x7 foot bathroom, with the tub along the 5 foot portion of the wall, facing the door, is put a really fun shower curtain on it, that went with the colour scheme of the bathroom (white and grey). We chose a silhouette of a showering hippo who looks so happy in the shower, and it's definitely us. Since when we renovate, we have to live in the space as well, we are taking our time. Our current project is almost finished (loft beds that hubby built), they are painted and Verathane coated, just waiting for the last few days for curing.
We ADORE ALBERT :) In the case of our home--a 'kit house' built in the early 1970's--it's all about TONING DOWN the 'character'---which can only be described as GOOFY. The original owners added two rooms to the front and back of the 'kit' area--both with brick floors (which are uber cool) but there are COUNTLESS 'fixed elements' which cannot be changed/removed as it is a rental.....and it's taken my creativity skills up several notches in the quest to create continuity and flow within the space. BUT your suggestions are just as important/useful for correcting previous 'head scratching' features in a space that comes to you with a little TOO MUCH character. LOL
Oh excellent! I just shared this video and your channel with a new neighbor in our new build community. We love it here and will love it even more with your advice! 😎🙌🏼
I made a radical decision. I liked how you were talking about sharp corners on walls and demarcating rooms with color so last night I painted the archway between my kitchen and living room the same cherry red as my kitchen sink and kitchen curtains AND I LOVE IT! Taking a little red into the living room, with accent pieces, should tie it all together. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hello 👋 living in a concrete house can be challenging, you question some of the design of the house, but I’ve taken those opportunities to turn it into a statement, for instance every bedroom and bathroom entrance goes from floor to ceiling, so we decided to keep it that way so the doors are tall they go up to the ceiling it also makes the ceilings look like they are higher than what they are so no regrets. Love it when Albert makes an appearance he is so cute 🥰 great video as always.
Yes who wants builders taste light fittings I'm getting in the bulkheads spots every 1.5 to 2 metres but in the coffered bit those lights are all mine to choose. I like a fancy round plaster rose for those chandeliers to hang from too!!!! Love all your terrific videos and ideas. Gloss pink in the coffered upper bit in my bedroom. Got a lovely wall to wall carpet for my bedroom (only my room has carpet) double thick squishy underlays so I feel like I float.... Like a princess ( which I will be when in my new room) a plaster rose
I couldn’t agree more with these suggestions, Garrett. Before we moved in we had the entire house painted and the place looked so bright and fresh. Over the last three years, we replaced the kitchen countertop, backsplash and faucet. We upgraded the fireplace surround and renovated our main bath. Last year we did two big-ticket items by changing out the flooring and the light fixtures. I’ll be honest it took me months to find the right fixtures and I’m so glad I took the time to find the right ones. Now this house truly feels like our home. Love your videos!
I had a custom vanity made for my bathroom as I couldn't find anything to fit the space. I approached a local cabinet maker and was shocked to learn that I could have exactly what I wanted, made from a gorgeous locally sourced piece of silky oak for exactly one third of the price of one in a shop that didn't even fit. It's worth investigating bespoke items as they aren't always expensive as you might think. Oh and thank you for another really informative video. You've given me some ideas about my entryway, which I'm finding difficult to style.
Garrett, I loved all your ideas today. Our home was very much the cookie cutter home when we built it because that was all we could afford. We started small and worked our way from room to room updating and changing out the cheap for more style. You can add crown molding one room at a time and it’s very affordable. We took out the carpet room by room and added manufactured hardwood, just buy from the same company and same color and it looks fab, no one can even tell. Those awful cheap bath vanities had to go, we replaced them with furniture style vanities one bath at a time, best money we ever spent. Also, rip that fake plastic shower out and put in tile, I hated the tacky look of it. LOL 😆
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You can also have your paint store mix your wall color at 50%strength, if you are worried about too much contrast on your trim. I did this and it looked really good. I was afraid I'd get the trim color wrong. Garrett, I don't usually comment on things like this, but your hair looks really good in this video.
❤ Albert! ❤ Definitely paint the trim blue! You can always paint over it. I'm just a renter, but I was the first one in the building to paint over the boring apartment white. (Forgiveness being easier to get than permission!) Since then, the owners have painted all the units NOT white, but in delicious warm neutrals, and surprise! Tenants turn out to stay long term and take better care when a rental is more attractive and homey and has some personality. Thank you for another great video!
@@GarrettLeChic I didn't get to comment on the last couple of videos because gardening season has begun, lol! (Our window to grow things outside is very narrow in Canada - you have to really go for it!) But of course I watched, enjoyed, and "liked." I always look forward to your videos. 😊
Good morning darling! 😙 For me, seeing upgraded cabinetry hardware is a small thing that also can really evaluate boring plain cabinetry, and can make a huge difference. I also agree with everything that you said too lol. We recently upgraded our ceilings to a smooth finish, and I love them! Also, much easier to paint.
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So, we are almost thru with our masters: bedroom and bathroom complete make over. Wall paper and all… and beiges ! I’ve followed so much of your advices on everything. So exciting ! I can’t wait to move in it !!!
Hi garret! My best upgrade was new honey brass kitchen hardware and a fresh coat of extra white paint on my 1953 kitchen cabinets. Thanks for all your advice.
Flooring is always my number one upgrade, can’t deal with carpet so it must be hardwood everywhere and tile for the kitchen/bathrooms. When doing builder upgrade, need to be very specific in the species of wood for the flooring, otherwise they will lay pine floor, almost made this mistake once but caught it in time. Builders usually don’t do exotic woods, but they most definitely can do oak.
@@Kayla_P99 Pine is a soft wood so the wear, tear and pet accidents will show more, and it’s virtually impossible to refinish it if you want to. Found this out the hard way, when we bought our first home and the floors were in bad shape, we wanted to refinish them, but nobody would agree to do it once they knew they were pine. We ended up replacing them, and it’s not cheap. The floors in the home we just finished remodeling are oak, and despite being 55 years old are beautiful, we refinished them and it’s better for the environment and my wallet lol.
Kayla P, my grandmother’s old house had pine floors. Yes, pine is soft, which means it splinters. At 22, you’re young enough to remember the torture of having wood splinters picked out of the soles of your feet. I’m 68 and still shudder! Pine furniture: yes. Pine floors: no!
You are such a delight to watch and your information is on target. We’re in the middle of a huge renovation.....down to the studs renovation so all these little tips are incredibly helpful. Such a great attitude to get my spirits up for every decision. And Albert? Well he’s a star!
We have an entire wood wall with shelves flanking our fire place, trimmed around the fire pit in green marble; kind of English I’d say. Couldn’t change an inch cause hubby loves it ! Love all you suggest for us. Love Your furry boys ❤️
Great seeing Albert. He is so handsome and like you said he doesn’t have to do anything. Thanks for sharing him with us. Good video. I added trim around my front door and big window and around my patio door.
Suggested addition to point 1: upgrade the door hinges. We have the nastiest cheapest chrome builder grade hinges, splattered with paint. But even expensive projects have them stick out like a sore thumb e.g. dozens of brass hinges on French doors. Consider heavy duty *hidden door hinges* inset into the door frame for internal room doors (similar to modern kitchen cabinets but on a larger scale). Gives a clean finish + puts the focus on the door panel/ handle/ trim.
Just painted my primary bedroom ceiling metallic gold, and I'm loving it! It is a challenging paint to work with because of the way the light catches the particles, so use lots of coats and be intentional with your strokes. With new modern black, gold, and glass light fixtures, soft neutral green walls, and antique dressers with updated pulls and knobs, it's my favorite room in the house. But the painted ceiling just makes it special. I hope to add some crown moulding eventually as well, but painted in a matte black. White door panels, curtains, and bedding keep the room from looking dark. The flooring needs to go, it's 1970's brown carpet, ew. For now I just shampooed it over and over to get it as clean as I could, flooring is a couple years down the road. But the warm ceiling and wood dressers help it not be so much of an eyesore.
Yes please make a video on all the builder things we can do. In the middle of a build right now in florida and the tiles are driving me nuts…. So we went super basic. Just want to hear your thoughts.
Just found your channel! I'm in the planning stage to finish my basement and I'm getting overwhelmed with all the design choices. Love you recommendations and advice. I've picked up several tips and tricks already. :)
Honey thank you 😊 I needed this video just bought a brand new house my walls are too white my decor is coming along, but its missing something I'm going to add life to the walls thank you for your videos. ❤️❤️
I am planning to build a home in a couple of years. I am working on the design now and then plan to meet with a contractor. I would be interested in ideas to get through the builder rather than pay later. I am subscribing today.
I bought a 1980s loft, which has SUCH unique bones/architecture but the whole building was renovated in 2018. The designer is into glam and went full grey and white grey and white. It pains me. And what you said about the paint is so true, its chalky and chips if you even look at the the wrong way. My goal has been to warm this space up the best I can without changing too much that is too expensive but it's tough. I have grey laminate wood floors and they are awful looking but I'm in no financial place to change them out. I'm hoping to eventually at least paint my walls from a cool grey-white to something along the lines of White Dove by benjamin moore which I believe would work well in my south facing unit that does get a lot of natural light due to skylights (but places like my stairwell and edge of my loft have 20 ft ceilings how do I tape things off.. idk). I've tried to keep it feeling like a game or challenge to myself to make this place feel down to earth and cozy and that's helped me not become frustrated because I'm not just able to change the flooring nor can I change the white high gloss cabinets that I can't even paint over. I bought this place though because its 5 minutes from the beach and has a view of a river and like I said the architecture is unique and beautiful. So I work with it.
