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Pro Spotlight: The Secret to Remodeling Success? Start at IKEA
A designer shares how homeowners can bring their taste to a budget-friendly renovation
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Who: Neil Wilson of DezignBlue
Where: Los Angeles and Castle Rock, Colorado
In his own words: “I love seeing a dream transformation come to life and knowing that I’ve saved my clients a lot of money in the process.”
Many homeowners worry that their dream renovation would come at much too high a cost. That’s where Neil Wilson, the owner and lead designer of DezignBlue, comes in. “There are all kinds of ways to save, from selecting stock cabinets to opting for higher-end appliances that have slight imperfections,” he says. “Your home can be beautiful and unique to your style all while staying within a comfortable budget.”
Where: Los Angeles and Castle Rock, Colorado
In his own words: “I love seeing a dream transformation come to life and knowing that I’ve saved my clients a lot of money in the process.”
Many homeowners worry that their dream renovation would come at much too high a cost. That’s where Neil Wilson, the owner and lead designer of DezignBlue, comes in. “There are all kinds of ways to save, from selecting stock cabinets to opting for higher-end appliances that have slight imperfections,” he says. “Your home can be beautiful and unique to your style all while staying within a comfortable budget.”
An eye for affordability. Wilson, who started his career as an internal bank auditor, fell in love the first time he stepped inside an IKEA. “I was so blown away,” he says. “I applied on a Friday and started working there that Monday.” Over the course of 15 years, Wilson helped open 14 IKEA stores across the U.S. and designed countless showrooms within them. Eventually Wilson was ready to take his expertise even further and opened his own design firm, DezignBlue. “I just have a knack for design,” he says. “I love working with people and helping them save money.”
An in-person approach. Wilson starts his design process with a measuring consultation. “I want to hear my clients’ ideas first,” he says. “Do they have kids? Do they have elderly family? Do they entertain or are they quieter homebodies? I ask for feedback on a few initial designs, we pull together an overall plan of what we like and then we head to IKEA together.” Rather than pushing his clients into the unknown, Wilson walks them through every option, from cabinet drawer fittings to pulls to fillers. Once one of his preferred installers is selected, he places the order so that all the materials are on hand for a speedy install.
Ready to renovate but afraid of the cost? Wilson shares his tips below.
Ready to renovate but afraid of the cost? Wilson shares his tips below.
1. Start With Stock Frames
Wilson says homeowners undertaking a sizable kitchen renovation can save big by going with in-stock products like countertops and cabinets from IKEA, Home Depot or similar. “Stock cabinet frames can be great quality with time-tested longevity — and they don’t cost that much,” he says. “You can add your own style through door fronts and accessories while still saving some budget for whatever else you want, like nicer appliances.”
This homeowner in Yucaipa worked with Wilson on a complete gut of her home. “She wanted to do black throughout, but for such a large kitchen I suggested adding in small touches of wood,” Wilson says. The black doors on the kitchen island are a money saver from IKEA, while the wood cabinetry is custom, creating a visual balance at a balanced cost.
See more of this project
Wilson says homeowners undertaking a sizable kitchen renovation can save big by going with in-stock products like countertops and cabinets from IKEA, Home Depot or similar. “Stock cabinet frames can be great quality with time-tested longevity — and they don’t cost that much,” he says. “You can add your own style through door fronts and accessories while still saving some budget for whatever else you want, like nicer appliances.”
This homeowner in Yucaipa worked with Wilson on a complete gut of her home. “She wanted to do black throughout, but for such a large kitchen I suggested adding in small touches of wood,” Wilson says. The black doors on the kitchen island are a money saver from IKEA, while the wood cabinetry is custom, creating a visual balance at a balanced cost.
See more of this project
2. Find Finishes That Fit Your Style
Many homeowners shy away from stock products, worried that after all their investment, their home will look just like any other. But Wilson has a simple solution: “Add the faces and finishes that fit your style and lifestyle,” he says. “A custom drawer front or a well-researched, specially selected handle can make your house feel more period-specific or style-specific.”
This Los Angeles homeowner purchases older homes to renovate and resell. “The look is so important to her,” Wilson says. “It has to feel modern while still reflecting the period of the home.” For these Victorian-style closets and bathrooms, Wilson again relied on IKEA frames. “Depending on the home we’ll either opt for the more modern-style door that IKEA offers or seek out a custom product that can be more traditional and specific.”
See more of this project
Many homeowners shy away from stock products, worried that after all their investment, their home will look just like any other. But Wilson has a simple solution: “Add the faces and finishes that fit your style and lifestyle,” he says. “A custom drawer front or a well-researched, specially selected handle can make your house feel more period-specific or style-specific.”
This Los Angeles homeowner purchases older homes to renovate and resell. “The look is so important to her,” Wilson says. “It has to feel modern while still reflecting the period of the home.” For these Victorian-style closets and bathrooms, Wilson again relied on IKEA frames. “Depending on the home we’ll either opt for the more modern-style door that IKEA offers or seek out a custom product that can be more traditional and specific.”
See more of this project
3. Speed Up Your Installation
A completely customized design sounds idyllic until you see the price tag — and the timeline. “Even when my clients think they don’t want to use IKEA products, they normally change their minds once they see what IKEA can do, the price point they offer and how quickly their supplies deliver,” Wilson says.
For this small cottage in Woodland Hills, several previous designers told the homeowner that what she wanted was impossible, even with completely custom pieces. “We were able to fit a nicely sized kitchen island into her space, as well as her favorite feature — a bench under her window,” Wilson says. “You can have a great home transformation and get exactly what you’re looking for without breaking the bank.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Neil Wilson and examples of his work, visit DezignBlue’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
A completely customized design sounds idyllic until you see the price tag — and the timeline. “Even when my clients think they don’t want to use IKEA products, they normally change their minds once they see what IKEA can do, the price point they offer and how quickly their supplies deliver,” Wilson says.
For this small cottage in Woodland Hills, several previous designers told the homeowner that what she wanted was impossible, even with completely custom pieces. “We were able to fit a nicely sized kitchen island into her space, as well as her favorite feature — a bench under her window,” Wilson says. “You can have a great home transformation and get exactly what you’re looking for without breaking the bank.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Neil Wilson and examples of his work, visit DezignBlue’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Review by Eric Hughes:
I'm so happy to write a recommendation for Neil / Dezign Blue. I am an interior designer and have worked with Neil / Dezign Blue for many years and on multiple projects for clients... as well as desig...More