Inviting Interiors Year in Review!

January Lots of snuggles with our new niece Izzy Lou, what a blessing!  Work still was developing on Jon’s office above the workshop.  Stud walls up and the stairway is almost complete!  We also finished our install on this beautiful sunroom. 

February-March  We welcomed a new goat to the farm, meet Apollo!   Loved installing these custom drapes to our client's dining room, the perfect way to complete a space.  Plus we said happy birthday to our favorite General Contractor! 

April-May Spring Furniture Market in High Point never disappoints!  We gain so much inspiration from this event twice a year.  May came with another birthday celebration AND baseball! 

June-July - New designs, and saying goodbye to School and hello to vacation!  A much-needed break.  We have new custom projects scheduled this month as well…let the plans begin.  We also went on our first business retreat, something we look forward to making happen again in the coming year. 

August-September  New installs and designs coming to life, 2 of our favorite things!  And the month wouldn’t be complete without celebrating our favorite 9 year old!

October-December 2 Business Conferences during this time.  One to Colorado for Jon and one to Florida for Candice. Always looking to grow and learn in this business!  We welcomed a new assistant and celebrated birthdays and all the special family Holidays as well.  

We appreciate your part in our journey and look forward to having you along for the ride in 2024!  

Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation, and Interior Design in North Carolina

Located in Graham, Nc and proudly serving Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.

Pausing for a moment when things don’t seem perfect

It can be difficult, especially this time of year, to appreciate the less than perfect moments (and people) in our lives.  Long before there was Inviting Interiors we had a small Counseling Company called One Life Coaching.  During this time we learned so much about communication and appreciating the potential in others.  As we learn to appreciate the unique qualities of those around us, we are better able to see the potential in the spaces and places we inhabit.

Take, for example, a tree. A tree that has grown in a less-than-ideal environment may have branches that twist and turn in unusual ways. It may have scars from previous damage, or knots that interrupt the flow of its bark. However, we don't see these as flaws. Instead, we call them "character".   We appreciate the way the way the tree has adapted to its surroundings and the marks that tell its story.

Similarly, we should also learn to appreciate the oddities in ourselves and others. Rather than striving for perfection, we should embrace our quirks and differences. It's our unique experiences and perspectives that make us who we are, and we should celebrate that.

Learning to appreciate oddities can also lead to personal growth. When we accept our imperfections, we become more comfortable in our own skin. We can focus less on trying to fit into a certain mold and more on being true to ourselves. This allows us to pursue our passions and goals with more confidence and authenticity.

Let's take a lesson from the tree and learn to appreciate the oddities in ourselves and others. Embracing our imperfections can lead to greater self-acceptance, personal growth, and a more creative life. So the next time you see a tree with an unusual branch or knot, remember that it's just adding to its character – and the same goes for you.

Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation, and Interior Design in North Carolina

Located in Graham, Nc and proudly serving Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.

Top 3 Frustrations Homeowners face while trying to manage their own Renovation.

Renovating a home can be an exciting process, but it can also be a frustrating one, particularly if you try to manage the project yourself. Here are the top three common frustrations homeowners face while trying to manage their own renovation. 

1. Design:  While some showrooms and manufacturers offer free “design” services, often they don’t take into consideration the rest of your home.  It can be difficult to achieve a cohesive design that you will be happy with years down the road.  Additionally, if you are working on your own to come up with designs, layouts AND specific products this can become overwhelming very quickly.  Did you know the average renovation requires 15,000 decisions?  A bulk of those decisions are the initial designs. 

2. Difficulty Getting a Crew Together:  Managing a renovation project can be stressful when everyone does show up, but what about getting those initial people in place to begin with?  Coordinating multiple trade professionals to come out and quote the job is time consuming.  The follow up after is often delayed as well.  Without a professional to manage this aspect it can quickly become overwhelming.   

3. Over Budget:  Another common frustration is going over budget. It's easy to underestimate the cost of materials and labor, and unexpected expenses can quickly add up.  If you don't have experience managing a project of this scale it can be easy to go over budget. 

Overall, while managing your own renovation project may seem like a good idea, it can often lead to frustration, delays, budget overruns, and stress. Hiring a professional interior design and home renovation company to manage the project from start to finish can help ensure that the designs, the work and trades are managed well and the project stays within budget.  

Schedule a call with us and leave the frustration behind!

Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation, and Interior Design in North Carolina

Located in Graham, Nc and proudly serving Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.

3 Tips to Reduce Overwhelm this Holiday Season.

The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration. However, it can also be a time of stress and overwhelm. Here are three ways I’m trying to be more mindful this season and a few tips for you along the way. 

1-Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on what you are grateful for. This is huge and immediately shifts your focus from what you lack, to what you have.  Stay off social media for a bit if you notice yourself feeling anxious!  We are constantly bombarded with ads and people telling us what we NEED, this can make our lives feel inadequate.  As I am laying in bed each night a great practice for me is reflecting on all the things I am grateful for.  Go to bed with a heart of gratitude. 

2-Set Boundaries: It is important to set boundaries during the holiday season. This means saying no to events or obligations that do not align with your values or priorities. Even if you get energy from being around people, be sure to carve out time for yourself this season.  I’m planning a day at home to watch movies and wrap Christmas gifts…..by myself!

3- Make it simple:  Life is busy enough without all the extras that come along with holidays.  During this time I am focusing on simple, simple dinners as this is often an overwhelming task for me when I am extra busy.  Normally, I love cooking, but when I am overbooked dinner is the last thing I want to worry about.  Be okay with crockpot dinners, frozen pizza or maybe a quick shake.   

We are in your corner and cheering you on!  Do you want to feel more at home and peaceful by this time NEXT year? 

Book a call, we’d love to help create a vision for your home!

Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation, and Interior Design in North Carolina

Located in Graham, Nc and proudly serving Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.

Unlocking the Value Within: Why Home Equity Matters

Turning homes into havens is our passion.  Creating spaces where our clients can feel represented, refreshed and at peace is the goal.  While taking the leap towards updates and renovations also has significant monetary implications. Your home is a valuable asset that can profoundly impact your financial well-being.  We understand that home equity is more than just a buzzword; it's a financial tool that can shape your future. In this blog, we'll explore home equity and why it matters.

Home Equity

Home equity is the difference between the current market value of your home and the outstanding balance on your mortgage. Put simply, it's the portion of your home that you truly own. As you make mortgage payments over time, your home equity grows. Additionally, any increase in your home's market value contributes to the growth of your equity.

Financial Security

One of the most significant advantages of home equity is its financial security. Your home represents a substantial portion of your net worth, and the equity you've built can serve as a safety net during unexpected financial challenges. In times of need, you can tap into your home equity through options like home equity loans or lines of credit.

Funding Major Expenses

Home equity can also be a funding source for significant life events or investments. Whether you're planning a home renovation project with the help of Inviting Interiors, sending your children to college or consolidating high-interest debt, your home equity can be a cost-effective way to access the funds you need.

Wealth Building

Over time, as your home equity grows, it becomes a powerful tool for building wealth. As property values appreciate, your equity increases as well. This can be pivotal in your long-term financial goals, such as retirement planning or passing down wealth to the next generation.

Improved Financial Flexibility

Having substantial home equity can enhance your financial flexibility. It provides opportunities to reinvest in your home, make improvements and increase its value. Moreover, it can serve as collateral for various financial products, often offering more favorable terms and lower interest rates.

In conclusion, home equity is not just a static number on a piece of paper; it's a dynamic financial asset that can profoundly impact your life. Whether you're looking to secure your financial future, fund important milestones or build wealth over time, home equity plays a crucial role. At Inviting Interiors, we understand the significance of your home as an investment, and we're here to help you create a living space that not only enhances your quality of life but also adds value to your most significant asset – your home.

5 Items we can't live without in our North Carolina Home

What we love and can’t live without. Creating an Inviting Interior is more than just pretty furniture and finishes. Your home should function for your needs… these things HELP us.

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3 Advantages to working with a General Contractor + Interior Designer in North Carolina

There are many advantages to working with an interior designer and general contractor during a home renovation project.  When you work with a company like ours that offers both general contracting services and interior design services, the benefits are even greater.  Here are the top three benefits of hiring us as your one-stop shop for your interior design and contracting needs.

Seamless Communication:  If it’s true that one of the keys to a successful marriage is communication, then the same can be true of running a business.  As a husband and wife team, when you hire Inviting Interiors, you get us both.  By working with us, you can be confident that we will be on the same page throughout the entire renovation process.  This prevents miscommunications and ensures that your vision is realized.

Cost Savings:  While we don’t profess to be the least expensive company, we ensure that working with a team like ours can provide significant cost savings. Rather than hiring separate contractors and designers, you only need to pay for one team to handle both aspects of your renovation project.  No costly errors due to miscommunication or design designs you’ll regret later. 

Design and Construction Expertise: Our unique skill set allows us to offer both interior design and contracting services.  You’ll have the designer's eye for details AND the contractor's eye on all the structural challenges and possibilities. This means that we can provide you with expert guidance on both the design and construction aspects of your renovation.  We can help you make design decisions that are practical and feasible, ensuring that your design vision is fully realized.

We consider it a privilege to be invited into our client's homes and we’d love to show you why we have 5 Star Reviews.

 Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you renovate your home 

Honoring Veterans and Prioritizing Mental Health as a Business Owner

Many of you who have been following us for a good bit know our story, but some of you may not. In 2018 Jon signed on to be a Behavioral Health Officer with the United States Army National Guard. This was a big and scary step for our family but the biggest step came just one year later when Jon was deployed to Kuwait for 6-9 months.  

When he found out he was being deployed one of the first things he did was make sure I had an office. He busted it every free minute to turn this space behind our workshop into an amazing office space for me so I could continue to build a business I was so passionate about.  Check out the before and afters here :) 

Fast forward to the day he stepped on the plane. Our kids were 10, 8 and 4. I remember feeling emotional, but I wanted to be strong for our kids. I wanted them to know they would be supported and loved while Daddy was gone and we could all do this together. Jon had a job to do and so did we. 

During those months he missed my birthday, our daughter's birthday, and her ballet recital, the first day of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and our son’s diagnosis of having to have eye surgery. It was a packed time of “life” and it hit hard. All the while we tried to stay in touch and Facetime became our best friend. We were all certainly thankful for this gift of technology.

I say often we made it through a deployment, we can make it through anything and I do believe that.  Maybe you have that moment in your life that you’ve made it through.  I hope it made you stronger and more thankful for the people around you.  

Attending a conference this week was an incredible experience for me. The event had a unique focus on the mental and physical well-being of business owners. It got me thinking about how frequently we overlook our personal needs for the sake of achieving our goals. Life can be challenging, and we face heavy situations such as deployment, loss of a job, or even losing someone close to us. It's crucial to take care of ourselves and prioritize our well-being, especially in times of adversity.

Today, and this weekend we honor the Veterans in our lives who made significant sacrifices.  We say thank you and acknowledge our dependence on others for the life we get to live.  We honor them, I believe, by treating others with kindness and compassion, we invest in each other and work towards creating a better world, starting with how we speak to ourselves and about ourselves.  One of my favorite quotes from the conference this week was “Self Care is an act of defiance in a world that tells us to be martyrs”  -Katie McDonald   

As we take time to commemorate our veterans and gear up for the festive season, it's important to prioritize self-care. So, what measures are you taking to ensure your well-being?

Inviting Interiors was built on a strong desire to make people feel at home in their homes.  We take our family and our business seriously and feel so honored you are a part of our journey! 

We’d love to help you in 2024, feel free to schedule a call before we close out this year.  

Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation, and Interior Design in North Carolina

Located in Graham, NC and proudly serving Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro.

5 Benefits of Investing in Your Home In North Carolina

1. Comfort and Functionality 

One of the primary benefits of investing in Interior Design and Home Renovations is the improved comfort and functionality it brings to your living space.  Inviting Interiors creates design visions that transforms homes into more comfortable and functional spaces. Whether it's a kitchen remodel, a complete home renovation or an addition, these improvements will enhance your day-to-day living experience.

2. Increased Property Value

Another key advantage is the potential increase in property value.  Clients who  update their outdated or "builder grade" homes can expect to see a boost in the market value of their properties. This makes the investment in renovations an improvement for their current lifestyle and a sound financial decision.

3. Personalization and Style

Inviting Interiors focuses on creating a design vision that reflects our client's unique preferences and styles. This level of personalization is a significant benefit of home renovation. Our services help clients make their homes their havens, catering to their tastes and lifestyle, whether it's through paint color recommendations, furniture layouts or major renovations.

4. Energy Efficiency

With growing sustainability awareness and rising costs of living, energy efficiency is crucial to home improvement.  Our expertise in renovations can include recommendations for eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, aligning with the preferences of clients who value both the environment and their hard-earned money.

5. Reduced Stress and Hassle

Our commitment to managing projects with attention to detail can significantly reduce the stress and hassle often associated with home renovations.  Clients who choose Inviting Interiors can trust that the process will be handled smoothly, from the initial design concept to the final execution.  Designs and Project Managment are only two of the ways we can help with project related stress reduction.  Another benefit includes the reduced costs associated with taking a proactive approach to home maintenance.  By addressing home needs you can save yourself the headache of catastrophic damage or annoying repairs needed when it comes time to sell.  

We are located in Graham, North Carolina, but we also serve in Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Pittsboro.

Schedule a call with us now and invest in the home of your dreams!

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The Top 5 Questions to Ask Before You Begin Your Renovation for your home in North Carolina

Undertaking a renovation project is an exciting venture, but it also demands thoughtful preparation. To ensure your renovation journey flows seamlessly and achieves the desired results, it's crucial to ask the right questions upfront.  In this blog post, we highlight the top 5 questions to consider before embarking on your renovation with Inviting Interiors.

1. What Are My Goals and Expectations?

The first question to ask is, "What do I hope to achieve with this renovation?" Whether you seek to enhance your home's aesthetics, functionality, or both, defining your goals is the foundation of a successful project. Inviting Interiors specializes in translating your vision into a tangible renovation plan, ensuring your expectations are not just met but exceeded.

My vision for this space was to create a central focal point for this small kitchen.  A bold design for the island provides interest but also superior functionality.  This 4x4 island houses the microwave, dishwasher, trash components, seating for 3 and ample drawers for additional storage. 

2. What Is My Budget?

Setting a realistic budget is essential for managing costs and expectations. Carefully evaluate your financial resources and determine how much you are willing to invest in your renovation. We provide a Cost Guide during our initial Discovery Call, so you’ll have a starting point as you consider your renovation budget. 

3. Do I Need Professional Guidance?

While some smaller projects may be DIY-friendly, many renovations benefit from professional guidance. Ask yourself whether you require the expertise of an interior designer like Inviting Interiors. Our team not only brings creative vision but also manages the intricacies of the renovation process, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision and budget. 

4. What Is the Timeline?

Consider the timeline for your renovation and whether there are any time-sensitive factors, such as upcoming events or special occasions. Inviting Interiors is dedicated to efficient project management, ensuring that your renovation is completed within the agreed-upon timeline without compromising quality.

5. How Will the Renovation Affect My Daily Life?

Renovations can be disruptive to your daily routines. Consider how the project will impact your living arrangements, and if necessary, make temporary arrangements to minimize disruption. Inviting Interiors works to ensure that the renovation process is as smooth and unobtrusive as possible, minimizing the impact on your daily life.

In conclusion, asking the right questions before starting your renovation is instrumental in setting the stage for a successful and stress-free transformation. Inviting Interiors is your partner in this journey, ready to provide the expertise, guidance and creative vision needed to turn your renovation aspirations into a stunning reality.  Renovations are not just about change but about transformation, creating spaces that resonate with your style, goals, and dreams.  We’d love to help make your renovation dreams a reality.  

We are located in Graham, North Carolina, but we also serve in Greensboro, Burlington, Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Pittsboro.

Schedule a call with us now!

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