Design & Remodel

Whether you are undertaking a small DIY project or a major renovation or new home build, there are so many components to consider. Arguably, the most important things are planning and attention to detail. So, what are some of the mistakes I’ve seen happen when remodeling or designing a home?

Mistake #1: Poor space planning

Whether you are remodeling an existing home or building a new one, space planning is key. I have gone into many homes that have too small of a kitchen, minimal storage space or tiny closets, or just a generally poor design layout. When planning your remodel or build, make a list of your top priorities and make sure they are incorporated into the final design. That means, if you love to cook, make sure you have lots of counter and storage space in your kitchen and that the layout is conducive to moving around easily.

Or maybe you love to entertain; then you need to make sure you have a living or family room large enough to accommodate a big group of people. You might even consider some outdoor living space for overflow. Try to minimize dead space in your home, as well. I’ve seen landing areas that never get used, bathrooms that are too big and just have tons of empty floor space or bedrooms with sitting areas that end up becoming closet overflow. Make sure to maximize the floor space in your home so it makes sense and is functional.

Mistake #2: Bad lighting

Another thing I see often is bad lighting throughout a home. The top offenders typically are kitchens and bathrooms. Maybe there is just one dim light in the center of the room, or worse, fluorescent light. When planning your new space consider the three main types of light: task, ambient, and accent lighting. Task lighting includes undercabinet lighting, sconces, pendants, or lamps. These offer direct, brighter light in work areas. Ambient lighting, or low lighting, is used to light an entire room, like recessed lights, ceiling lights, or sometimes lamps. Finally, accent lighting is used to highlight an area such as a fireplace or gallery wall, or may be just decorative. Good design incorporates a mix of all three types of lighting.

Mistake #3: Incorrect scale

This may pertain to furniture, lighting, appliances, and so many other things. You see it often, the sofa in the living room may be too big that you can barely walk around it, or the rug may be too small and is always sliding out of place. Builders are notorious for putting in tiny pendants over an island in a kitchen. Scale is so important in home design, as it can have a huge impact on the feel of the home. Incorrect scale often has the effect of making your home feel smaller. When everything is to scale, your home will feel balanced and larger. Working with an interior decorator can help a lot. But if you don’t have the budget or time for that, I always recommend shopping in

Sara Bagwell

Design & Remodel

nMORE INFO: tracytesmerremodeling.com person, so you can truly appreciate the size of things. Ordering online can be very difficult to know if the size is right, and you don’t have any assistance like you do in a showroom.

Mistake #4: PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING Mismatched style Kitchen lighting is just one of the many options to

This one is es- consider during renovation. pecially true for remodeling but can also apply to good mix between traditional and new home building. If you are contemporary. When it comes to a only remodeling one room in new home, this can apply to the your home, make sure it is cohe- finishes you choose. If you select sive with the rest of your home. more traditional cabinets in the No, that doesn’t mean if your kitchen, try to stick with that home was built in 1974, that your throughout the rest of the home, remodeled bathroom needs to still as well. look like 1974. But if the rest of Remodeling or designing a your home is traditional, don’t go home is no easy task, but you can ultra modern in one room, and learn from others’ mistakes so vice versa. The home won’t feel that the process and experience is unified and if you decide to sell smooth and you minimize regret your home in a few years, might in the end. Your designer, builder, make it harder to sell. There are, or even friends and family who however, ways to incorporate have been through the process newer finishes or style in a room, can all help. that can still tie in with the rest of Sara Bagwell is a designer the home. There is something for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodcalled transitional style that is a eling in Gainesville.

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By Pamela A. Keene

Although I first visited Thailand seven years ago as part of a 3week Southeast Asia trip through Overseas Adventure Travel, the images I captured – and the friendships I made – stuck with me. I had stayed in touch with my trip leader on that original journey, Leky Ondej, a bit sporadically over those years, but I always remembered her kindness, knowledge and friendship.

When the chance to travel to the other side of the world in early October came up, it was a no-brainer to include a week in Bangkok to see my friend again. When we connected through a Facebook call last spring, it was like we’d seen each other only yesterday. And when I told her why I was calling, she was thrilled to agree to be our guide through Bangkok once again.

This time it was different: My friend and fellow journalist Christine Tibbetts would have Leky all to ourselves for private tours. While I was able to make many photos and reminisce about my earlier trip, Leky and Christine conversed in depth about the culture, the religion and the customs of this ancient country. Memories return

Being back in Bangkok brought back memories of monks, temples, numerous corner shrines to Buddha, street food, an ancient skyline punctuated by modern skyscrapers, and very friendly people.

Leky secured our very affordable hotel in Bangkok close to public transportation, a welcome change to stay put for consecutive nights after one-night stays in Bhutan. As we checked in, she introduced us to Anouk, who would be the trip leader for an Overseas Adventure Travel group just arriving from the U.S. It felt like old home week visiting with fellow travelers and knowing – from my earlier Southeast Asia trip –what the next three weeks would hold for them.

Leky had prepared a comprehensive but flexible itinerary. It included some of the sites I had seen the last time, but it was also filled with surprises, new people to meet and other spectacular places to see. With only three of us, we were able to journey to more places and spend more time there.

Transportation included the familiar tut-tuts, three-wheeled motorized vehicles that dart in and out of traffic with much the same grace as motorcycles. They’re much quicker than taxis, and while they may cost a little more, that’s offset by the open-air ride and the fun. We rode the very modern sky train from one end of the city to the next. We took taxis a couple of times and Leky arranged for a nice roomy van for our day to visit the floating market, the runaway market and a few other sites. Venice of the East The Chao Phraya River runs through Bangkok into the Gulf of Thailand. Although the river was flooded – as were parts of the city and the outlying areas – we rode in both larger boats and smaller craft, depending on where our journey took us. We passed by barges, riverboats and private vessels. We also traveled along the city’s canals; in some circles Bangkok is called the Venice of the East.

Our first day we visited the Jim Thompson House, residence and headquarters for the famous American silk merchant whose life is surrounded in mystery. A veteran of World War II, from the 1950s until the late 1960s, he lived in Bangkok across a canal from the many silk weavers, realizing that his business acumen and design sense could revitalize the Thai silk industry.

The story goes that on March 26, 1967, he disappeared while visiting friends outside the city. An extensive search turned up no clues. But his legend and his amazing silk creations live on in the Jim Thompson House Museum and the Jim Thompson Art Center. His silk was used to make the costumes in the original “The King and I” musical film, starring Yul Brenner.

Of course, the Floating Market is a must-visit, although with recent rains the water ran about 3-5 feet higher than usual. That didn’t stop the vendors who lined the concrete piers in the canals from hawking their wares from clothing to spices, souvenirs to food. Some vendors sold from their hand-hewn boats, providing coconut ice cream, noodles and typical Thai fare. A moving market

The Runaway Market, set up along the train tracks ink the nearby town of Samut Songkhram was quite a surprise. Vendors selling fresh meats, prepared meals, fruits, vegetables, clothing, shoes and souvenirs filled the spaces within inches of the track. As the train left the station, vendors scrambled to move their wares 3 to 4 feet away from the track, just to put it all back in place once the train passed. This happens several times a day.

We visited the tallest stupa in Thailand in Leky’s hometown of Nakhon Pathom. Stupas, tall towers that can be gold-covered, studded in porcelain and clay flowers, or plaster, can be found in many Buddhist countries. Built to hold religious relics and draw Buddhists to mediation, they can range from a couple of feet tall to the one she shared, which stands more than 395 feet tall on a base with a circumference of over 770 feet.

The Grand Palace can be overwhelming with its nearly 50 buildings in the 53-acre complex. Its central attraction, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is actually made of jade. Nearby, the temple of the Reclining Buddha features a golden Buddha in the Nirvana position. At 148 feet long, it is one of the most famous Buddha statues in the world.

One morning, we rose before dawn for traditional almsgiving at a nearby temple. Each day, the monks who live in the temples rely on alms for their daily meals. Members of the community and other visitors provide fresh fruit, cooked rice, prepared meals and other foods that will be eaten at one of their two daily meals –breakfast and lunch that must be eaten before noon. The rest of the time, the monks fast.

Later we visited another temple where the monks prayed and chanted each afternoon. Hearing the droning tones aids in meditation and focus for their singular lives of service and reverence. A Chinatown?

Leky had more in store for us, including a visit to “Hidden Bangkok,” where many tourists

PHOTOS: PAMELA A KEENE The Chao Phraya River is a major shipping route. When large barges move through it, multiple tugboats come together to make the journey easier.

A souvenir selling merchant stands knee-deep in water in the flooded Floating Market.

Pure gold leaf, roof finials resembling the beaks of birds, and spires representing crowns adorn sacred buildings.

This colorful building along the banks of the Chao Phraya River is an over exaggeration of Thai architecture. never come. In the heart of the city, we were surprised to find an active Chinatown, bustling with vendors, restaurants, shops and street markets – all with signs written in Chinese. For lunch, we were the only tourists in the crowded restaurant where we had typical Chinese fare of Peking Duck. As we left, I noticed a pair of roasted ducks hanging in a heated case waiting to feed the next customers.

Our time in Bangkok passed much too quickly, but Christine and I left with precious memories of this amazing city and its culture. Best of all, when Leky dropped us off at the airport, it was with the promise to see her again. Maybe next time, she’ll come to see me in Northeast Georgia and I can introduce her to our lives near Lake Lanier and the mountains, and of course, the rest of the South.

A train passes through the Runaway Market, forcing vendors to move their wares away from the tracks.

My friend Leky Ondej points out a destination on a map of the river. Floating Market food vendors prepare and serve delicious meals from their boats.

Floating Market food vendors sell fresh bananas and street food includes saffron rice and deep-fried chicken wings.

Elaborately decorated statues stand guard at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, left. Monks in afternoon prayer, right.

Faces of Thailand. The Reclining Buddha’s feet are almost 10 feet high and nearly 15 feet long from toes to heel. Who doesn’t like ice cream? These young girls took a break for a cooling afternoon treat.

Western culture permeates Bangkok including this man who sports a cowboy hat and colorful shirt.