Sneaky Ways To Make Your Cottage Seem Bigger Not everyone is blessed with a huge house, nor does everyone want one. When you have only a small amount of square feet to work with, your dreams of a remodel may seem far away. Truth be told, there are sneaky ways to make your cottage or small space seem bigger without major additions.

Open Floor Plan:

The first thing you would want to consider when opting to create the feel of more space, would be an Open Floor Plan. Check if any walls could be removed to create a combination space like this eat in kitchen.

In this Cottage remodel we removed a few walls that separated the rooms and made the area smaller, we combined the living space and the kitchen area to open up the floor plan and give the eye more room.

Decor Matters:

Shoving furniture against the wall doesn’t guarantee a larger room. Try angling your bed or floating the sofa in the living room with a skinny console behind it. Breathing room around your furniture lends the appearance of more space. Buy furniture that fits your space and does not overpower the space. Extra large sofas are comfy, but shouldn't take up your whole room.

Color & Light:

When you are limited on space, light is your best friend! Give your small space a light color paint job, stick to pale colors such as white, cream, pale grays and blues to keep it light, airy and open.

If natural light is not a possibility to be added in with new windows or doors, increase lighting with recessed lights or skylights.

Skip the dark-inducing drapes and leave your windows uncovered. This will trick your eyes into thinking that your space has got depth — and reveal the natural landscape outside. If your room requires some privacy, try gauzy sheer white drapes for an airy feel that will keep prying eyes out.

Forget what they told you, this is really how long a remodel takes The common misconception is that remodels have to take forever long and always drag on and on after numerous issues. The stuff you read online when you search, “how long does a remodel take?” is downright frightening.   Who would want to remodel their house after horror stories and a super long time line? We are going to break down the remodel myths and get you on the right track to remodel facts.

Let’s talk about remodel issues foremost. It is true what they say about issues, they can pop up at any time, but the key is having a great remodel team like Spazio LA, behind you to solve issues fast or prevent them in most cases. No remodel team can see the future, but there are some that are specialized in the industry and know what signs to look for to prevent failure.

Now let’s talk about how long a remodel takes. A good remodel can take anywhere from 1 month and up – all depending on the size and complexity of the remodel. You can’t give an average time estimate when no two remodels are the same. No two remodels will require the same materials, same design and have the same team running them – therefore there is no average number of days or months that a remodel takes. But, we can talk about our remodel experience and how long it took our experienced team to complete our Spazio LA design projects.

Take a look at a few of our completed projects on YouTube.

Common Backsplash issues that will make you glad you hired a contractor

Your kitchen backsplash may be just one of the simplest parts or your home. However, you could have so many dilemmas when it comes to the installation and probably with remodeling in the future. When you look at a backsplash area, it seems so simple being a rectangular space on your kitchen wall. When you try to work on it and improve it the way you like, you come to find that it is not that easy to handle the job. Working on any vertical surface can be challenging. You may need to find a contractor for your Los Angeles Kitchen remodel to assist you and take some work off your hands.

Why hire a contractor to work on your backsplash project?

Here are some common problems about kitchen backsplash that would require help from a professional contractor, and make you thankful that you have some professional help.

1. Timing in placing the backsplash – everything should start with planning, most especially when it comes to the kitchen backsplash. What most people have dilemmas about is when to fix the backsplash. Do you install backsplash before the cabinets go in? Do you do the backsplash last? The say of a professional contractor is needed in this case. The experts will know when to take care of the backsplash, appropriately, to make sure that everything will turn out with the best quality. For example you won’t ruin a new countertop by dropping grout.

2. Right height for backsplash – this is a common problem for most homeowners. They end up doing the backsplash themselves but are not sure about the right height for it. Would it be alright to keep it low or high? Should the height be dependent with the width of the kitchen counter? A contractor will be able to measure the perfect height for it, and make sure that the wall is ready for any height and weight you choose.

3. Tiling process – it could be easy to place the tile on the wall, but which tile should be used for the backsplash purposes? You may need to contact a professional to help you in choosing the right type of tile to use. You can let them do the installation as well for better results. Although you can install the tiles yourself, a professional contractor can do it expertly in a timely manner. Get the best results for your money, after all this is an investment.

4.  Backsplash design – how should a backsplash look like? Is it a must for it to match the tiles with the designs on the kitchen floor? What material should you use? What angle should the backsplash be installed?  Your contractor can answer all these and more questions about back splashes and remodels.   

A good contractor can help you fix your kitchen backsplash in Los Angeles homes or even your business. If you have any more problems with installation and maintenance of backsplash for your kitchen you could always ask your contractor. Look for the right contractor to help you expertly with your project. Make sure all your kitchen backsplash dilemmas are resolved by hiring a professional contractor

Plaster from the 15th century with 21st century appeal Just say it, “What the heck is Venetian plaster?” I knew you wanted to ask, because I was thinking the same thing. Venetian plaster is a technique for applying plaster not a type of plaster. Venetian plaster is a technique used to wall, ceilings, raised for curved surfaces to give it heightened stucco like appearance. This method of application was preferred by the craftsman of the 15th century in Venice, Italy, hence its name.

The primary method for applying Venetian plaster to a wall involves using a trowel, putty knife, or spatula to apply the plaster in thin, successive layers that are allowed to individually dry before the next layer is added. The initial layers need to be thinner and smoother than later layers so that the plaster will adhere to the wall effectively over time. As additional layers of Venetian plaster are applied, the objective is not to create a smooth surface, but to work patterns and textures into the plaster that are maintained after it has dried. A final thin layer of Venetian plaster is applied to seal the surface imperfections, and, after this has dried, the surface is usually lightly sanded to polish it and remove any imperfections that could lead to chipping or cracking. The end result is a semi-gloss marbleizing effect where the plaster has subtle color and texture variations that change with lighting and different angles of view.

As you read Venetian plaster takes time and a lot of patience; better to leave it to the professionals. But be careful: Though many companies currently market products claiming to be Venetian Plaster, few really are. Most are simply thick acrylic paints with silicates that mimic marble if applied in thin layers and burnished. Though having a similar appearance and finish to natural plasters, there are some key differences and the finish will not be the same. The great thing about Venetian plaster is the fact that it can be purchased Tinted or you can paint over the plaster.

Venetian plaster adds a classic finish to your home; any room can get the look of Italian elegance. Contact Spazio LA today for a quote on your home remodel or Venetian Plaster project.