What is your design style, and how do you incorporate those decorating decisions within your home?

I like to think that my style is modern casual. I like clean lines, symmetry, and classic finishes. I like to add contrast to my designs and lean toward muted tones for a cohesive look throughout my home. I also enjoy incorporating something fun into every room.

How do you choose for your home? What attracted you to Grandeur Hardware?

I participated in my first One Room Challenge project in Spring 2022 and renovated a dead space on our second level. The major changes to the area included painting and modifying an existing bookcase to look built-in. Still, I really wanted to make it shine with the lighting and hardware finishes.

That's where I chose to splurge and spend my budget. I upgraded the door with a beautiful brass doorknob from Nostalgic Warehouse and fell in love. I wanted to update the rest of our door hardware with a similar style that complemented each other but still stood on its own. Laura introduced me to a similar style from the Grandeur Hardware brand, and I decided to go with those knobs in a different finish.

Will you use this hardware again in other projects/areas of your home? If so, why?

Yes, absolutely. The quality of the hardware is substantial, and the finishes are gorgeous – there are so many options! You can feel how well-made the doorknobs are when you hold them. I love the option to mix and match different styles depending on the project.

Did you learn any tips and tricks about door hardware that would benefit others?

One tip I would share is that when installing the hardware, use clamps as an extra set of hands to hold everything in place and level. Other than that, the installation instructions are easy to follow and straightforward.

When starting a project, how do you organize and plan for it?

Sometimes I have a plan, but most times I don't. I have a general idea of what I want to do, but I start the process and think about each step along the way. Because of this, my projects are on a much longer timeline, which is okay because I'm not rushing decisions for the sake of a reveal.

When I plan, I'll create a quick mood board in Canva with some inspiration and general ideas. If I'm feeling productive, I'll source some items and include them. The only project I planned and executed was my ORC project last spring. I'm happy with how closely the finished project resembled my mood board.

Did you do a remodel on your entire home? If so, were there specific rooms that were more challenging than others? Why?

We moved into our home in 2015 but didn't start actively renovating spaces until late 2018. I was a new mom living in a new city at the time. My husband had started a new job, and I was trying to settle in. The first significant update we did on our house in 2018 was hiring a painter to come out and cover the tan walls in our Arizona home. We painted the entire interior of the house in Droplets by Dunn Edwards. It gave us a completely fresh and clean slate to renovate from, not to mention it brightened the place up so much.

How did/do you choose a house to buy and renovate?

We didn't buy our home specifically to renovate. We actually hired out our first few major projects for painting and replacing the carpet on the main level of our home. But after wanting to update more and knowing how expensive it can be to hire it all out, I decided to learn how to do it myself.

I started small by installing a simple peg rail in our kitchen, and it snowballed from there. With each little update, I gained the confidence and skills to try new things. Signing up for my first ORC project was the catalyst that got me to where I am today. I've learned so much about woodworking, and now I see everything in my house as a box.

What are some tips for readers who wish to make a transformation in their home?

Start small, but start. That's really my main tip. Start by painting a wall. Hanging a frame. Google your questions. Watch YouTube videos. The knowledge is out there if you seek it!

Pick one thing to update. When you've completed the first step, the feeling of accomplishment will motivate you to go to the next one. The process may inspire your next design choice.

Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is in a different stage and place in their lives. Some of us have been doing this for years, and some have just started. There are so many variables in our lives, the majority of which others have no idea about.

Finally, spend within your means. Be smart. It's easy to fall into a trap, but focus on better rather than more. Set a budget and stick to it. When you set a budget, you're allowing yourself to spend the money you've allocated on something you might not have otherwise purchased.

What is next?

We continue working on our home and adding as much storage, functionality, and "pretty" to our spaces as possible. We still have years of projects in our current home, including a basement music studio and movie theater renovation, which we are excited about. In the next year, I'd like to tackle a more in-depth renovation project that involves more of a complete gut reno, perhaps a bathroom!

Thank you, Tiffany!