Expert of the Month Mary SWEET
MARY SWEET has been in the residential interior design business for over 22 years, the last 13 for Bartelt Remodeling. She guides her clients through planning major home renovations, helps them select architectural finishes and oversees the production process.
What are popular looks with your clients right now? Natural materials are classic and stand the test of time. They’ll always feel current. Our clients want to keep their spaces warm and inviting. We love to introduce natural, warm wood tones, painted and stained cabinets, light fixtures and plumbing fixtures in gold metal tones, and rich paint colors – that creates a warm and inviting space for them to feel comfortable and at home in for years to come. Clients often worry about committing to trends. I always encourage them to keep permanent architectural finishes classic, and to layer in their personality with soft furnishings and furniture. These are pieces that can easily be switched up down the road.
Are there common mistakes you see homeowners make when remodeling?
Exploring the possibilities with an interior designer is a fun and exciting prospect for homeowners. The construction process is equal parts exciting and stressful. One big mistake is when clients forgo bringing in a firm to help renovate. Having the guidance of a design/build firm that has an arsenal of trusted trade partners is a valuable asset. It makes the project move quicker and removes the burden of scheduling the many moving parts from the homeowners’ shoulders. Finding the right firm is one of the most critical and important steps in a major renovation.