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Paradise Valley Kitchen Remodel- photos Jerry Cotitta
Highline Living
Renovating Luxury Homes: Plan, Budget and Consult Professionals written by David M. Brown Luxury homes are an investment and a showcase of success. In the Valley of the Sun, the market is excellent for buyers wanting to enjoy a home full or part time or to invest in for a flip or holding until later. And, sellers might want to consider their options for how much money they want to invest into renovating a property to help secure their targeted closing price. In particular, buyers must understand that the luxury process is a unique one before beginning the journey: “Most buyers fail to find out how much and how long it’ll take to sell the luxury home they are investing in,” says Frank Aazami, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Brand Ambassador, who recommends that they consult first with a proven luxury specialist. Broadly, renovations can be light, say, a house face-lift; moderate; or complete, explains Tanya Shively, ASID, LEED AP, principal of Scottsdale’s Sesshu Design Associates, named for the 15th-century Japanese artist, Sesshu Toyo. She has been practicing interior design for 20-plus years, with a large percentage of her projects large and small renovations. In addition, she has locally pioneered sustainable, or green, design.
updated to new styles, technology and finishes. Plumbing also stays put but can be updated. Walls are painted or possibly gain new plaster or paper. Flooring often remains the same material but in a fresh color palette, for example, stone, from travertine to marble or limestone, or ceramic tile to porcelain. Or, carpeting changes to wood or vinyl planks. You can recover or refinish furniture and add new pieces. And, window coverings are often updated for fresh styling. “The main idea is that we can create a completely fresh look with just updating materials and fixtures,” Shively says. Moderate renovations, however, are more intensive. These involve small modifications to spaces, such as removing the wall between kitchen and family room to create today’s open floorplan. Small changes to plumbing and appliance locations might be implemented. Most walls and fixture locations would remain the same.
“A light renovation is typically just a freshen-up of colors and materials without any changes to layout or rooms,” Shively explains. “It’s a budget-friendly option and typically faster to achieve.”
All renovated spaces receive new finishes and materials, and new plumbing and lighting fixtures are also selected. Also new in at least some spaces are doors, cabinets, hardware and countertops. More new furnishings are likely to be selected. Outside, windows may be upgraded to double or even triple pane as well as some doors.
With this, kitchen appliances stay in place but could be
“This is a happy medium type of renovation,” she says. “The
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