In our previous episodes, we talked with some of our Cardinal experts about ensuring you choose the best materials when building your home. We stopped by our Greenbrier Drive location in Charlottesville to talk to Judy Wagoner and Dianna Campagna, two of our design specialists.
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Notes from the Corner
Planning and Inspiration
Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. Identify what style you are looking for, whether rustic, modern, or something in between, and search on sites such as Houzz or vendor sites to further define your style (for example, brands like KraftMaid and Decora have inspiration galleries you can view). Overall, determine if you want a cohesive feel throughout your entire space or to differentiate certain areas of your home depending on the area. These stylistic choices provide an excellent basis to evaluate materials moving forward.
Determining the style also helps with picking out other elements. Maybe you want to incorporate a rustic piece of furniture or other elements into your space – determine what you need to do with those types of pieces and consider it in your overall plan.
Our designers also recommended evaluating how natural light will play a role. An area with lots of natural sunlight might have different considerations than a home tucked back in the woods. Natural light over time can also change the look of flooring or paint color. Benjamin Moore’s Color Picker lets you see how a certain color looks in different natural light.
Evaluating Materials
Apart from price, you may choose what type of finishes you put in your home. If you are not going to stay in your home forever, you may choose a cost-efficient cabinet brand like Wolf, whereas if you are making it your forever home, you might want a more custom option like Decora. Another consideration for short-term homes is the resale value – what materials can you invest in to ensure that you will get the most out of your home when it comes time to sell?
Cardinal Home Center offers products at various price points; you might want to invest heavier in some areas of your home or in some materials, and we have options to fit both.
Warming Up a Space
After the heavy construction phase, like hanging drywall and installing cabinets, it’s time to pick the interior finishes that will turn your house into a home. One of the most common ones that come to mind is paint – Benjamin Moore’s interior paints ensure a long-lasting, rich color that will define your space for years to come. Products like flooring can also make a big impact – if you have a hectic household, choose materials that won’t scuff as easily. Have pets? Pick a flooring that conceals pet hair. Our team can help walk you through the available options! It is also important to plan ahead and think long-term about what you are picking. Don’t rush into decisions – ensure you will be happy with your choices five or ten years from now.
Other elements that can warm up your space are Hunter Douglas blinds and shades – with any array of cloth or wooden window treatments, there are endless options for your space. Cabinet brands have also come out with several different options. Cardinal’s array of brands offers many features built for functionality, like outlets within drawers, specialty storage for pots and pans, and more.
Cardinal Home Center is a locally-owned home improvement and building supply store servicing homeowners and contractors throughout Central Virginia. Since 1987, we have built its strong reputation by offering premium home improvement brands, quality building supplies, and exceptional customer service. Learn more by visiting cardinalhomecenter.com.