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Pro Spotlight: 3 Ways to Blend Function and Style in Your Remodel
Learn design techniques for making the most of your home’s existing space from a Park City designer
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Who: Lisa Shearer of Shearer Designs
Where: Park City, Utah
In her own words: “I love walking into a client’s home and seeing the immediate potential it has to offer.”
The desire for a beautiful, stylish interior space is often a top motivator for anyone embarking on a home remodel. Lisa Shearer, who owns Shearer Designs in Park City, says it’s important to ensure that your new space not only looks lovely but is functional too — that it fits your needs as well as your desired style. “When it’s done, it should reflect you and how you live,” Shearer says.
Where: Park City, Utah
In her own words: “I love walking into a client’s home and seeing the immediate potential it has to offer.”
The desire for a beautiful, stylish interior space is often a top motivator for anyone embarking on a home remodel. Lisa Shearer, who owns Shearer Designs in Park City, says it’s important to ensure that your new space not only looks lovely but is functional too — that it fits your needs as well as your desired style. “When it’s done, it should reflect you and how you live,” Shearer says.
A life of design. Shearer started her career as a graphic designer, but spending her childhood watching her father draft and build homes gave her an early understanding of house structures and layouts. “I was born to do this work,” she says. After managing her father’s company after he passed away, she launched Shearer Designs in 2018.
Unlocking the potential. Shearer says her role as a designer is to help homeowners make the best decisions based on construction, quality and cost. “I love meeting people, visualizing everything from beginning to end and working through the process,” she says. She draws on her project management skills to navigate between the technical and design sides of every project.
Looking for ways to make your home both beautiful and functional? Shearer shares some tips below.
Looking for ways to make your home both beautiful and functional? Shearer shares some tips below.
1. Optimize Overlooked Spaces
Before tearing out walls or adding on, look for opportunities to make the most of the space you already have. “You don’t always need to start from scratch,” Shearer says.
The stairway leading from the kitchen to the living room in this Cottonwood Heights home gave Shearer an opportunity to add extra storage where it was least expected.“There was a gap wall that was the perfect spot for a cabinet,” she says. The cabinet doors on the left side open up to 8-inch-deep shelves for canned goods. The fixed matching door fronts on the right side mask the pullout spice rack behind them.
See more of this project
Before tearing out walls or adding on, look for opportunities to make the most of the space you already have. “You don’t always need to start from scratch,” Shearer says.
The stairway leading from the kitchen to the living room in this Cottonwood Heights home gave Shearer an opportunity to add extra storage where it was least expected.“There was a gap wall that was the perfect spot for a cabinet,” she says. The cabinet doors on the left side open up to 8-inch-deep shelves for canned goods. The fixed matching door fronts on the right side mask the pullout spice rack behind them.
See more of this project
2. Visually Expand Small Spaces
Create a more open feel with your finishes and furnishings. In the same home, the original living room felt closed in due to its low ceiling and a large wood stove taking up one wall. Removing the wood stove and replacing it with an electric firebox and a sleek white tile surround immediately made the room feel less enclosed.
“The new design makes it feel much more open, even though we didn’t expand the space or raise the ceiling,” Shearer says. Gray cabinets in the same style as the white ones in the adjoining kitchen are slightly recessed on either side, adding to the sense of spaciousness. “It doubled the look,” Shearer says. A low couch combined with an open coffee table and chairs finish off the space.
See more of this project
Create a more open feel with your finishes and furnishings. In the same home, the original living room felt closed in due to its low ceiling and a large wood stove taking up one wall. Removing the wood stove and replacing it with an electric firebox and a sleek white tile surround immediately made the room feel less enclosed.
“The new design makes it feel much more open, even though we didn’t expand the space or raise the ceiling,” Shearer says. Gray cabinets in the same style as the white ones in the adjoining kitchen are slightly recessed on either side, adding to the sense of spaciousness. “It doubled the look,” Shearer says. A low couch combined with an open coffee table and chairs finish off the space.
See more of this project
3. Splurge Wisely
Find the right balance in your budget between the features you want to prioritize and the places where you can save money. Shearer says that often less expensive options are just as beautiful and durable. “Be willing to have an open mind,” she says.
A custom stove hood was a splurge in this Millcreek remodel, and it sets the tone for the kitchen. Shearer paired it with Ikea cabinets fitted with contemporary handles that give the space the farmhouse look the homeowners wanted without breaking the bank. “People are always asking where they’re from and are surprised at the answer,” Shearer says. The cabinets are also sturdy enough to handle gatherings with the large extended family.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Lisa Shearer and examples of her work, visit Shearer Designs’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Find the right balance in your budget between the features you want to prioritize and the places where you can save money. Shearer says that often less expensive options are just as beautiful and durable. “Be willing to have an open mind,” she says.
A custom stove hood was a splurge in this Millcreek remodel, and it sets the tone for the kitchen. Shearer paired it with Ikea cabinets fitted with contemporary handles that give the space the farmhouse look the homeowners wanted without breaking the bank. “People are always asking where they’re from and are surprised at the answer,” Shearer says. The cabinets are also sturdy enough to handle gatherings with the large extended family.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Lisa Shearer and examples of her work, visit Shearer Designs’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Shearer Designs is focused on creating stylish, affordable and inviting spaces that work with your lifestyle. We... Read More
Review by HU-685023462:
I fell in love with Lisa over the course of our job.
She’s honorable and a lovely human being who you can count on. She’s a very talented designer and contractor all rolled into one. Not lacking in e...More