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Today β€” 22 December 2024Main stream

A woman paid under $6,000 to add a glass wall to her open-concept living room, and it made her home more functional

22 December 2024 at 05:16
A before and after of a living area. The after features a new glass wall.
A glass wall transformed the space.

Shelby Vanhoy

  • Shelby Vanhoy has been personalizing her North Carolina home since December 2023.
  • She recently decided to break up her open-concept living space with a glass wall.
  • Vanhoy said the space is more functional and calming thanks to the change.

Shelby Vanhoy has been in home decor mode for nearly a year now.

Vanhoy, 34, lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, 2-year-old son, and two dogs. They relocated from New York City to North Carolina in December 2023 to be closer to family.

"My parents are here, and it just makes our life a lot easier," she said of the change.

Vanhoy and her husband became homeowners when they moved back. Since then, Vanhoy, a full-time content creator who runs the blogΒ Pretty in the Pines, has been customizing their four-bedroom home, built in 1988.

A woman stands on a porch of a white house with a dog.
Shelby Vanhoy at her home.

Shelby Vanhoy/Pretty In The Pines

She told Business Insider her style leans traditional with a twist.

"Some people say it's 'grand-millennial' with all the mixing of patterns and prints and kind of like grandma vibes," Vanhoy said of her decor style. "I love tying in antiques and vintage furniture and lights to make our house feel older than it actually is."

Vanhoy also said it's important for her home to function for her family β€” which is how she decided to enclose her open-concept living space.

Open-concept living didn't work for their home

The main floor of Vanhoy's home featured anΒ open-concept spaceΒ with a kitchen, dining area, and living room, which she wasn't excited about.

"When we bought the house, it was just something that wasn't my first choice," she said.

A large open-concept living space with pale green walls.
The space was open concept.

Shelby Vanhoy

After they moved into the house, Vanhoy found the open area didn't work for her family.

"It felt very overstimulating," she said. "I would be in the kitchen cooking things, and then the TV room was right beside the kitchen and the whole downstairs. You could just see everything."

"Even decorating it, it felt like everything had to kind of go together because you're looking at everything all at once," she added.

Vanhoy also works from home and doesn't have a designated office space yet.

"I would be working in the dining room, which was connected to the kitchen and the living room, so everything just felt like you were doing so much at one time," she said. "It just didn't feel very calming when you were on that floor."

Vanhoy decided she wanted to separate the living room to section off the space.

A transparent solution

Rather than fully enclosing the living room, Vanhoy decided to add a partial glass wall to her space.

A living room with three sets of french doors.
The French doors served as inspiration.

Shelby Vanhoy

"Our living room is, natural-light-wise, a little dark," Vanhoy told BI. "I did want to add some sort of wall to enclose it a bit, but I didn't want to lose any of the natural light."

The living room also featured glass French doors that Vanhoy loved, so she took inspiration from them.

"We decided to make it glass and make it look kind of like a window while also making it feel like its own separate room," Vanhoy said.

A living area with a glass wall separating the space.
An archway sat in the middle of the wall.

Shelby Vanhoy

The wall features an archway in the middle, and the sides are enclosed with walls covered in windows.

Vanhoy hired professionals to complete the project, who added wood beams for support and moved a few outlets to make the wall work. The project cost under $6,000.

@prettyinthepines

anddd another project currently in progress... a window wall to help divide our super open floor layout #windowwall #transomwindow #livingroom #openconceptliving

♬ original sound - Shelby

The space is more functional

Vanhoy said the glass offers the best of both worlds, as it sections off the space without making it impossible for her to see into the living room.

"The best part about it is that it created other little functions, and it made the whole downstairs feel a lot more functional," Vanhoy said, adding that the design also brought character to the space.

A living area with a glass wall separating it from a breakfast nook.
The breakfast nook.

Shelby Vanhoy

"I made a breakfast nook on one side of the wall, so that added a whole other function that we didn't have," she said. "And then we have a little kids' craft table on another side of the wall."

The glass wall isn't complete, as Vanhoy intends to add more ornate molding to the windows for a personal touch.

But it's already changed the way Vanhoy feels about the space.

A living area with a window-like wall.
The space creates more functions for the home.

Shelby Vanhoy

"I do like seeing through because that room also has a nice fireplace, and I like seeing the fire on," she said. "But at the same time, it just feels totally separated, and light shines through."

"The one downside, I guess, is it's just more windows to clean," she added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Before yesterdayMain stream

6 interior-design trends you'll probably see everywhere next year — and 4 that are disappearing

5 December 2024 at 13:52
Airy living room with gray couch and chevron wood floors
Interior designers predict natural materials will be in and faux plants will be out next year.

Followtheflow/Shutterstock

  • We asked interior designers about rising and fading design trends for 2025.
  • They predict natural materials, mixed metals, and indoor-outdoor blurring will be in style.
  • According to the pros, millennial gray and excessive maximalism will be on their way out in 2025.

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to reflect on home decor and designs we'll want to leave behind β€” and pieces and styles we'll want to keep an eye out for.

Business Insider spoke to three interior designers about which home trends they think will be in and out in 2025. Here's what they said.

One designer said the line between indoor and outdoor spaces will continue to blur.
Living room with wood floors and futon on one side with large open doors leading to outdoor space
Indoor-outdoor blurring could become popular next year.

Procreators/Shutterstock

Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D, told BI we'll likely start to see more seamless connections between interior and outdoor spaces.

"This goes beyond just large glass doors as designers are integrating retractable walls, natural ventilation systems, and materials that age beautifully in indoor and outdoor environments," she said.

Natural and handmade materials continue to be popular.
Kitchen with patterned tile backsplash behind glass stovetop with kettle on it
Hand-painted tiles and unpolished marble are predicted to be popular.

liloon/Shutterstock

Moszczynski predicts materials like stone, reclaimed wood, linen, and other natural materials that bring warmth, textural richness, and authenticity to a space will become even more popular in 2025.

As people prioritize having unique, personalized spaces, we'll likely see more consumers rejecting mass-produced finishes, too.

"Expect a resurgence of materials that show imperfections, like handmade tiles and unpolished marble," she told BI.

Art-deco styles are coming back to make spaces feel both vintage and fresh.
Living room with red velvet couch separateed from other space with art deco glass room divider
Art-deco designs often involve gold and velvet finishes.

Alexuans/Shutterstock

Lucinda Loya, founder and principal designer at Lucinda Loya Interiors, expects to see a resurgence of the art-deco style next year.

The style, which has roots in Europe and boomed throughout the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by opulence and modern, geometric patterns.

"The updated trend blends the movement's iconic chevron patterns, zigzags, and sunburst motifs with opulent materials like marble, glass, and polished metal," Loya said.

She predicts we'll see neutrals like black, white, gold, and silver paired with luxe textures like velvet to create "vintage and fresh spaces."

Mirrored surfaces are also becoming trendy.
Black padded headboard next to mirrored wall of closets in bedroom
Mirrors can make a space look larger.

Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

In line with the art-deco revival, Loya told BI, mirrored, reflective surfaces will also make a comeback to give spaces a touch of glamour.

"Mirrored surfaces reflect natural and artificial light, adding depth and brightness, which is especially valuable in smaller or darker spaces," she said.

Loya also said we'll see mirrored accents paired with matte textures to create elegant designs that balance drama and restraint.

Bold, saturated colors are in.
Kitchen with white backsplash and a mix of white cabinets and blue ones
We may start to see more vibrant kitchen cabinets.

Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

"More people are leaning into saturated colors β€” deep greens, dramatic blues, and spicy oranges and golds," Matthew Coates, owner of Coates Design Architects + Interiors, told BI.

Coates expects to see more rooms telling bold, colorful stories as homeowners search for a refreshing break from all-beige interiors.

He anticipates this trend will stick around for a while as more find comfort in creating spaces that reflect themselves.

Mixed metals will be the "it" look this season.
Kitchen with wood lower cabinets and white upper cabinets with a mix of silver, brass hardware
We may see more designers playing with metals and finishes.

Aspects and Angles/Shutterstock

In previous years, mixed-metal finishes might have been considered mismatched. Now, Coates said, they're becoming a popular option for a versatile look.

"Mixing metals gives a room personality and dimension, and it feels more collected over time rather than overly coordinated," he said. "It's perfect for people who want their spaces to feel relaxed but still elevated."

On the other hand, faux biophilia is on its way out.
Round canopy bed on swing next to plants with plants hanging above it
Faux plants are expected to fall out of favor in the new year.

brizmaker/Shutterstock

Biophilic design, which emphasizes connection with nature, has been a popular trend in recent years, but Moszczynski believes the days of faux plants are behind us.

"The trend of artificial plants and green walls to emulate biophilia is losing appeal as people realize these elements fail to deliver the wellness benefits of genuine nature," she said.

Instead, she said, we'll likely see more living plants throughout interior spaces.

The "millennial gray" trend is losing steam.
light gray wall with curved table in front of it
Gray can feel cold.

jafara/Shutterstock

"Gray-dominated palettes have overstayed their welcome and feel cold, monotonous, and impersonal β€” particularly in high-end spaces," Moszczynski said.

She predicts that earthy tones like terracotta, clay, ochre, and sage will continue to replace "millennial" gray.

Maximalism with excessive clutter will likely fall out of favor as people prioritize minimalism.
Small yellow midcentury couch next to record player on stand, guitar, below hanging plant with records and artwork in background
There's a fine line between maximalism chic and clutter.

Followtheflow/Shutterstock

The battle between maximalism and minimalism in the home continues, but Moszczynski predicts the pendulum will swing back toward a refined level of minimalism next year.

Maximalism was pretty big throughout 2024, but people may not be looking to buy a ton of items and decor in the year ahead.

"People are craving more visual calm and functional flow in their homes," she told BI. "Excessive decor often means unnecessary consumerism, which conflicts with the growing interest in sustainability."

We may start to see fewer open-concept spaces over the next couple of years.
Light, airy dining room and living room open-concept space
Open floor plans aren't always practical.

Pinkystock/Shutterstock

Over the last few years, open floor plans have become less popular, and Coates predicts we homeowners will usher in a new chapter of balancing openness and privacy in 2025.

After all, closing off part of an open space can be really impactful.

"Adding a half-wall and a vintage room divider changed the whole vibe of a friend's open-concept living room, making it cozier and more intentional," Coates said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I spent $36,000 renovating my bathroom. It's gorgeous, but there are 5 mistakes I wish I'd avoided.

29 November 2024 at 06:17
Bathroom with narrow black window next to toilet and fluted floating vanity with two sinks and two arched mirrors above it
My bathroom renovation cost me thousands of dollars and I'm still not 100% happy with how everything went down.

Chris Deacon

  • I planned ahead and consulted with experts but still made mistakes while renovating my bathroom.
  • My floor looks dirty quickly because the grout is too light and I chose the wrong vanity lightning.
  • The shower niches look nice but don't drain properly because they're not angled.

As a writer with kids, I'd long ago abandoned the dream of a bathroom remodel. Instead, I'd learned to live with perpetually loose floor tiles and a tub that was as shallow as it was short.

Then, one day, the shower wall caved in, exposing a gaping hole of black mold. Outwardly, I cursed our bad fortune. Inwardly, I threw back my head and silently screamed, "We're renovating!"

With the help of a small inheritance, we transformed our tiny, dilapidated bathroom into a clean and airy space that sparks joy whenever I use it.

The renovation required a full gut down to the studs. We moved the door, opened the ceiling, and splurged on a double vanity and high-end fixtures.

I made good calls and a few bad ones and probably spent 50,000 Canadian dollars (about $36,000) total.

Although I consulted with a designer and sought help from my design-savvy sister, there are a few things I'd definitely do differently next time.

I should've done my shower-niche homework.
Tiled bathroom with two shower niches above a tub
Who knew shower niches could be so stressful?

Chris Deacon

I added shower niches for storage and was thrilled with my design choices until I had my first shower and noticed water pooling in both shelves.

After a quick Google search, I realized the tiling at the bottom of a niche should be angled to let the water drain. I hadn't thought of this, and my contractor apparently hadn't either.

The niches aren't angled at all. Worse, they're in a part of the shower that gets especially wet.

They don't always dry between showers so, over time, water could seep through the tile and into the framing behind β€” which might eventually cause another mold problem.

A darker grout would've helped my floor tiles look cleaner.
Honecomb grayish white tiles with white grout between them
It's hard to keep my floors looking clean.

Chris Deacon

During the design process, I had to select a grout to accompany my beautiful white-gray Carrara marble tiles.

At the time, I chose a light color thinking it would seamlessly match the tiles β€” it did. Unfortunately, it's also a dirt magnet in the high-foot-traffic area around the sink.

No amount of scrubbing has helped thus far and comparing it to the pristine tile under the vanity hurts my heart a bit. Next time, I'll go at least two shades darker with floor grout to help mask the unavoidable grime of this busy zone.

I didn't appreciate the importance of specs.
Toilet next to floating fluted vanity with gold sink hardware above it
I had to pay to cut up my vanity because the plumbing was in the wrong spot.

Chris Deacon

It took forever to find the perfect floating vanity with drawers and space for two sinks. At last, I imported a beautiful fluted piece from Italy.

While awaiting its arrival, my contractor roughed in the plumbing based on the standard height for vanities. It turns out my piece was not standard β€” its cutouts for pipes didn't match up with the now-installed plumbing lines.

Fortunately, we were able to cut out a notch in the back of each of the drawers to accommodate pipes. This was better than buying a new piece, but it added another 400 Canadian dollars to my budget.

Next time, I'd ensure my contractor had all the specs before mounting or installing anything.

The lighting for my vanity area isn't great.
Bulb light between two arched mirrors above a fluted vanity
With so many balls in the air, I didn't pay enough attention to some things, like my vanity lighting.

Chris Deacon

Although I'd put a lot of thought into the placement of pot lights in the ceiling, I neglected to do the same with vanity lighting.

Instead of, say, three lights placed at eye level or two over the mirrors, I settled on just one placed between the two mirrors. This was, in part, to save money.

But one light doesn't provide nearly enough illumination when you're using the mirrors. (Just ask my teens!)

I don't really have enough room for three sconces, but I wish I 'd at least placed one above each mirror. I'm now sourcing new (hopefully cheap) sconces, which I'll also have to pay an electrician to install. Ouch.

I wish I'd paid more attention when ordering my custom window.
Narrow black window with grate on bathroom wall next to toilet
The window wasn't what I expected it to be.

Chris Deacon

When I discovered my existing window had to go, I knew I wanted to replace it with an industrial-style one complete with grilles running in a grid on the outside.

I could already picture the adorable piles of snow that would collect in the corners come December. Since I was so certain and so busy I ordered my window over the phone.

When the window arrived, I was shocked to find the grilles were between the sheets of glass. I'd never seen this design before, and it was definitely not my intended vibe.

It was a custom piece, so I couldn't return it. Instead, I focused on the positives: This was much cheaper and way easier to clean than the ones with grilles on the outside.

Since it's a small window, I've gotten used to it and even come to like it. But if ever I'm in a position to add windows to another room in my house, I'll spend more time and money to ensure I order the grilles on the outside.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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