Can a Home Cause Pain? ML Interiors Group Has the Antidote!

By Michelle Lynne of ML Interiors Group

We all know there are different ways that a home can cause physical pain, from a poor layout (who hasn’t banged their hip on a misplaced countertop or bruised a shin on an open dishwasher door?) to decades-old materials that can be carcinogenic. These issues can typically be resolved with a good renovation or getting out of that house!

What about emotional distress? Sometimes, the root cause of anxiety for homeowners is the actual home itself. A great design that’s created by a designer who gets to know you can fix these issues. Here are four common ways your home is causing you pain.

1. “My home doesn’t match our level of success.”

You’ve worked hard your entire life to move ahead in your career and made the investment in your “forever home” that suits the size of your family. You can figure out the decor and renovation in a few years, right? Flash forward 5-10 years, and nothing has changed. Some rooms are still empty, even after all of this time! Sound familiar?

Busy professionals often don’t know where to start and, most commonly, have no clue what they want. Bachelor pad remnants and grandma’s dining room table just don’t cut it anymore.

For the home shown above, the formal living room was still empty long after move-in. This house was a builder flip and this room felt a little too “dressed up” for the client, who wanted a relaxed but elegant feel to this space — and some color.

With ML Interiors Group’s help, the room was transformed. The lighting was the first update. A soft sea glass chandelier toned down the brassiness of the builder selection. Not so traditional built-ins (made to feel original to the home) were added with a scrubbable vinyl grasscloth wallpaper. We went bold on the textiles and neutral on the accessories that felt a little coastal, without being contrived.

2. “My home doesn’t function for entertaining.”

Entertaining at home is a staple for busy professionals. Starting with college friends, then on to other couples with kids, to the parents of kids that your children go to school with or share the same activities. Not only should the interior be suited for these gatherings, but a proper patio with plenty of space for everyone is a necessity for today’s families. Having the right seating area for the size groups you entertain, plus room to gather, is key to a successful entertainment layout.

For this home, the client had no outdoor furniture, so the kids used the patio for hockey and soccer practice. The patio was addressed when they decided to install a pool.

The “after” result: Two seating areas, divided by a backless porch swing (so you can face either side of the patio or lay down and enjoy the pool), accommodated the entire family of seven plus friends. Two of the same outdoor rugs designated each sitting space, and then a coat of SW Peppercorn paint on the ceiling added warmth and more cohesiveness with the home’s exterior color palette.

3. “I’m embarrassed to have people see my home.”

Time is usually responsible for changes not made in your home. It just gets away from you. The next thing you know, that apartment sofa from your single days is 20 years old. Excuses such as “We have kids and can’t have nice things” only last for so long. Disposable furniture from your college days should be disposed of before your kids go to college.

We love a good flea market find/DIY project, but to really elevate your home, it’s best to call in the professionals. Mismatched furniture without intention looks, well, mismatched and not curated.

Intentional selections don’t interfere with the bones of the space. The view is now the feature, not the eclectic furniture collection. Bringing the outside in, and toning down the lines created the grown up living room that reflects the owner’s success.

4. “Chronic disorder in my home is driving me mad.”

Many homeowners feel that they need to add more “designer touches” to make their homes feel complete. “Designer touches” should not be confused with the latest accessory trend. Adding more things to your home could result in utter clutter and chaos. Even with the smallest of budgets, a good accessory “edit” can bring a sigh of relief and calm to a homeowner.

In this bathroom above, storage was an issue. When there is no room for things, they typically end up on tub decks and countertops. When size is limited, what can you do? Lead designer, Debbie, looks like she figured out the solution.

Nooks and shelving and vertical storage (plus storage over that hidden potty space) meant clean tub decks and room for all products used in a bathroom. The design team took advantage of every inch of this “storage-challenged” older bathroom. Hidden below the window and the pony wall by the tub, are more niches for even more storage.

The right solution, with professional guidance, can bring peace and harmony to spaces that should bring you joy, not pain.

By Michelle Lynne and republished with permission from ML Interiors Group.