House Beautiful December/January 2023

What if this was your answer to dinner on demand? * Additional information about the 48-inch French Door Refrigerator from Signature Kitchen Suite can be found at SignatureKitchenSuite.com…

Michael Ladisic Atlanta, Georgia ladisicfinehomes.com @ladisicfinehomes After practicing as an attorney, Ladisic started Ladisic Fine Homes to pursue his passion for building and renovating. Ladisic built our first Whole Home project in Atlanta in 2018; his work was so top-tier that we returned to the city to partner with him on our fifth annual project this year. Besides sourcing all the best tradespeople, Ladisic is a team player—it’s not uncommon to see him, hammer or mop in hand, pitching in to get the house picture-perfect.…

FOR THE PAST THREE-PLUS YEARS, I’ve been using these pages to talk to designers about their biggest challenges and inspirations. Those conversations have been great—but, full disclosure, the juiciest and most helpful stories were deemed “off the record.” So I decided to switch gears. Welcome to our new anonymous column, Design Traumas, which reveals true confessions from real designers. Its purpose: to show you that this can be a messy, dramatic, and often hilarious process, but one that’s totally worth it in the end. —Joanna Saltz @josaltz GOT A TRAUMA? SEND IT TO ME! EDITOR@HOUSEBEAUTIFUL.COM “We found a fossilized opossum in our walls during demo.” “The clients’ house, which was about finished, collapsed. The engineer miscalculated the number of structural columns needed, and a moderate snowfall was just too much for the building to bear.” “The…

Mixed Materials Timber and brick steps in a similar tonal palette, as well as a metal partition, add texture to a Melbourne, Australia, home by Nala Design and Orbis Constructions. Honed Stone Carrara marble steps with dramatic purple veining match archway accents in designer Tamsin Johnson’s home. While pricier than wood construction, the result is undeniably showstopping—and should last for generations. Creative Curves To draw attention to the beautiful staircase in a California home, designer Lindye Galloway and builder RJ Smith replaced the existing spindled banister with a smooth wall and a wooden handrail. A custom banquette follows the same line and brings value to an underused nook. Painted Railing Atelier ND Interior created a custom color to finish this contemporary metal railing in the home of actors Carice van Houten and Guy Pearce. Tiled Risers Hand-painted terra-cotta tiles…

IF IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE you know is renovating, you’re not imagining things. According to a survey by Houzz, more than half of homeowners (55 percent) planned to renovate in 2022. Considering joining their ranks in the year ahead? We talked to renovation professionals and experienced homeowners to assemble a checklist that will help you prep for the road ahead. With their tips and some strategic planning, your remodel has a fighting chance to finish on time and within budget. □ 1. Make a wish list. The first step in any renovation is to identify the essentials, says Jean Brownhill, the founder of Sweeten, a platform that helps homeowners find vetted contractors. “Know what’s definitively required, then make a second wish list of nice-to-haves,” Brownhill says, noting it’s valuable to include all…

Before You Buy Make sure you’re paying attention to these details. Inspect for Defects: Have a licensed home inspector look for signs of asbestos, wood rot, mold, and lead (sellers in the U.S. are required to disclose the latter if you inquire). Then get quotes for remediation. Take note of old windows, too; they let in noise and drafts and may need to be replaced at a steep cost. Consult a Structural Engineer: A particularly rundown or neglected old home is likely riddled with issues in the walls and foundation. Understanding these is essential in predicting the scope of your renovation—is it a matter of going down to the studs, or will you basically be rebuilding the house? Evaulate the Location: Being on a family-friendly street near a great school may not matter to…