Home Refresh: Combine Beauty with Functionality

Spring and summer are a time of renewal and growth. People start home projects to improve their space and the real estate market heats up. Chazin Interiors has seen and done it all, working with clients not only on interior design, but also staging their home to sell at top dollar prices.

“It’s not as big of a commitment as it may seem!” says Steffany Chazin, president and owner of Chazin Interiors. “Many think you need some large project when, in reality, we are here for any question or project, big or small.”

Many people might know Chazin Interiors for their Wayzata retail space to shop for furniture and home decor. They also have a large design team available to anyone who walks in the door. Maybe you just need help deciding on a paint color, the best way to arrange a room, or finding a piece to fit your needs, but don’t want to hire a designer by the hour for a single question.

“Lots of people come to us to be their hunters,” Chazin says. “Sometimes specific items are very difficult to find. If you know exactly what you are looking for, odds are we’ll find it!”

Don’t worry—working with a designer doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of your old items and starting from scratch. Chazin says it’s about identifying what works and should be incorporated into your space to make it feel new and fresh, while also being more functional and enjoyable for you.

The design process with Chazin Interiors starts with a complimentary two-hour in-home consultation, during which the designer will take pictures, measure, and make some initial on-site suggestions. Then, you are invited to the store where the designer will present selections and recommendations. To continue from there, a non-refundable deposit is required that will be applied toward merchandise needed for your project.

You’re also not obligated to do everything a designer suggests. “Our job, as designers, is to listen to your needs and wants,” Chazin says. “We listen to what lifestyles you live and interpret what kind of space will be the most functional for you. Our jobs are to combine beauty with functionality, and that is one of the hardest parts of doing design on your own.”

That grows increasingly difficult as we continue working and spending more time at home, even as the pandemic lessens. Chazin continues to see a move toward durable performance fabrics that can withstand continued use, investing in quality home office spaces, and a much larger focus on entertainment space over personal space within the home.

“The last 20 years have seen a large focus on oversized bedrooms and bathrooms; that focus has shifted completely,” she says. “Having multiple living spaces within a home is more common than not. Having game tables, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, [and other] entertaining spaces have been a large focus of the industry. The common areas of the home are getting more elaborate and more functional all at the same time.”

She has also noticed less of a focus on the color of furniture, as large pieces go back to being white, black, or neutral, with color being brought in through accents like pillows, rugs, art, and table accessories.

“I think this is smart on the consumer’s end because it is much easier to swap the smaller things out as trends and personal opinions change,” Chazin says. “The most important part of updating your home is to focus on your most used and focal point items and keep them semi-neutral.”

Recently, Chazin went to the International Home Furnishing Market, where thousands of manufacturers display their predictions for new design trends for the coming year.

“There was a huge focus on vintage-inspired fabrics and textures; tapestry-like patterns were everywhere!” she says. “I’ve also noticed a large wave of Moroccan influence slowly making its way into, not only fabrics, but casegoods as well. The rattan look has been in for a few years now, but I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon.”

But design isn’t just for a house you plan on living in. Staging can be an essential component to selling your home to maximize your payout by accentuating the positives and minimizing the negatives.

“A large percentage of buyers are more willing to overlook property faults if a home is staged,” Chazin says. “It helps the buyer visualize themselves living in your home. Most people have a hard time seeing themselves in a home that has personal items displayed.”

When you choose to stage with Chazin Interiors, a designer will conduct a walk-through of your home to take photos, measure, and get an idea of the home’s features. After a contract has been signed and a stage date has been decided, they will begin selecting items to make your home look its best for buyers.

“Over the course of two days, our designers will generally spend the first day making final selections and placing the larger items in the home,” Chazin says. “By the second day, our designers will have moved on to the smaller décor and art, including bedding, pillows, and towels for the bathrooms.”

The biggest mistake sellers make? According to Chazin, putting a home on the market that’s too cluttered with furniture or filled with personal items can be distracting for potential buyers when you want them to focus on your home, not the family photos.

“It may be the best option for you while living there, but having too much furniture, or too big of furniture can make a space look much smaller than it actually is, turning potential buyers away,” Chazin says. “We see this way too often in homes on the market and we wish we could tell them how much opportunity they are missing out on by putting in the necessary work!”

Chazin Interiors
www.chazininteriors.com