specific project / face-lift / remodel
A home makeover generally involves different trades coming together to make a cohesive project. We generally do not take the “handyman” approach, with one installer responsible for all aspects. We develop a makeover plan as a team, where the best team members suited for the job are recruited. Planning, oversight and implementation are always in-service to the cohesive whole.
$75/hour) 3-4 hour Workshop Session: support with conscious decluttering & downsizing
A good place to start: closets / spare rooms / basements / garages / storage sheds
Greater decluttering/downsizing projects are also possible. We only bring in compassionate & trustworthy staff to assist in these endeavors. Mya always oversees and works with the client and staff to make sure the process is appropriate, and at the right pace. We do not throw away anything unless it has been agreed upon. We downstream (find homes for) everything that we can, in the best way we can. Mya has been doing conscious decluttering work with clients since 2016, and can advise extensively about how to go about the process. For more about her work as The House Therapist, visit: TheHouseTherapist.com.
After pruning the things, we might develop some fully-functional organizational systems.
Once the space is clearer, it’s easier to see what sort of makeover projects there could be, and their priority/feasibility.
A HUGE way to boost your space without the expense and resources of a full remodel, is to paint. Whether a room, or several, you can expect a well-protected, well-prepped, well-painted space that will hold up for good long while. We are especially good with restoration, doors/windows/trim/built-ins, cabinetry, and bold colors. Rainbow houses are our specialty! We have a masterful team, often doing jobs with a level 4 or 5 finish (or higher, if the project calls for it). As experienced artists and artisans, we bring a more seasoned eye and attention to detail to the process than most paint outfits. Pricing varies per project, but we will always try to work within your budget. Painting a room-at-a-time is a perfectly fine way to make your way through your home and reboot each space, at a pace that works for you.
For those who can’t consider a full remodel, but want a full reboot of their space, the declutter & paint combo works like a dream - and is far more affordable than taking your space down to the studs.
Whether you’ve inherited a house from a parent who has passed, or you’re just ready to move onto something else yourself, usually some amount of work is required to get your listing ready for market. We know how to reset a space, bring it from the brink of despair --or simply refresh & reset. Even with basic fixes, we aim to bring a sense of quality and style, even within a modest budget.
We can update or rehabilitate the space with new:
Above & Beyond what you'll get from most contractors coming out to give you an estimate. This is in the realm of The House Therapist, and we dig deep to see what's truly feasible & responsible... before you drop a whole bunch of money! If you contract with us to do the project, we deduct the cost of this early project consultation (does not apply to on-going House Therapy Sessions).
We START with a (complementary) 20 min exploratory phone/video session around potential project scope, expectations, outcomes, previous experience, budget, and fit. If you appreciate the experience, and like what you see on this website, we might move forward with a further consultation sessions -- or dive right into a work session!
60 min House Therapy Session: $123 (in-person) or $95 (video/phone call): Coaching & consultation about navigating the home makeover landscape (more about sitting around with tea, than walking extensively through the space). Good for early exploration of a project. For on-going clients, where we are undergoing a significant rehabilitation, or on-going house management. We go through an introductory assessment of your awareness & readiness to take on a home project (of whatever magnitude). Great for people in the early exploratory phases of seeing whether or not a project idea is feasible. We get at what your true priorities and constraints are, and which possible avenues to seriously pursue (whether with us, or others). We also try to get a baseline understanding of budget, because it’s the most practical variable informing timeline/feasibility. Ballpark what you think you can/want to spend; we ballpark what we think your project range might look like. It’s not unusual to need even a few years to orient towards a big home project, so early reconnaissance is hardly wasted!
90 min Walkabout Tour ($195): A practical, on-site walkabout tour to explore: what’s working, what’s not, what the priorities are, what might be possible. Notes/record of our exploration will be shared, including a written outline of the highlights/priorities. Better for those who have a vague sense of wanting a reboot, but not sure where to start.
120 min Prelim Project Workshop ($280): A team meeting to workshop the possibilities, usually with multiple contractors, over a couple of hours. We already know something about your project, but this is the session where we really game-plan how it might go. Meeting with key relevant players who would have essential planning insight to consider. Notes are recorded and shared. If the client wants to move forward, a detailed scope of work/operations/budget/timeline will be prepared for thorough presentation (no additional charge).
Custom cabinetry & fine-finish woodworking - excellent trim install, hardwood floor repair, and special projects, including art & archival infrastructure. Very Special Projects of Unique Measure also welcome!
Lighting design - this is about lighting the space well, based on usage & needs. Having enough runway to find just the right decorative fixtures for a respectable price. Incorporating lighting that can accommodate ALL the activities at home.
We only partner and collaborate with people we have established working relationships with. We vett new contractors carefully, and remain in regular contact with everyone who is assisting the installation. We do not outsource our work. We do not pocket our professional discounts (we pass them on to you, if we have them!). Team meetings are held daily, to make sure the project is on-track. We FINISH the job-scope, as developed, written, and adjusted -- BEFORE we are fully paid. If there are call-backs (rare), we come back to correct/repair the situation. The reason we spend so much time in the consultation/planning phases, is so we might create a project that everyone feels good about, that meets and even exceeds the original vision!
Not sure where to start?
A consulation session can bring clarity and understanding of the path ahead, whether or not it’s with us.
