No one remodels to have their home look the same as before. It’s a chance to freshen up your environment and also to choose finishes that reflect your current personal style. That means giving yourself permission to let go of things in your home that you no longer love. “Your style evolves over time,” says Normandy Designer Jennifer Cross, AKBD. “It’s more than okay to look at furniture you’ve been living with and admit that it’s not for you.”

“Your clothing style probably isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, why should your home style remain the same?” Jennifer asks.

How should you go about defining your style? Your designer will help you. Starting a shared Pinterest board or Houzz idea book is a fun way to save images that inspire in one place. Eventually, themes and color schemes will emerge.

Given where home design is now, don’t be surprised if the colors you like are more tonal than years ago. “Your home will feel so much more serene if you simplify the paint, “says Jennifer. “We’re just not seeing as many red dining rooms or hunter green offices, the way we did before,” she adds. Choosing a neutral that carries throughout the rooms will go a long way in updating your style.

“That idea of simplifying is what a lot of people are moving toward. They may have loved elaborate moldings and carved cabinetry years ago. Now they like a look with cleaner lines. We work through that in the selections process,” says Jennifer.

A renovation is also a time to add a few “wow” moments. If you are a devotee of home design shows, you know how beautiful lighting fixtures are these days. Tile and stone are also available in options so gorgeous it can be hard to choose. They are also now made in ways that ensure what you see in the showroom is what you’ll see in your home. Quartz countertops offer consistent veining so you’re no longer dependent on the slab that comes out of the ground. Similarly, porcelain tiles are durable and available in nearly every color, pattern and finish imaginable.

Once you and your designer have made your selections, assess what’s working in your home and what’s not. For the items you still like, there are ways to improve how they fit in with the new design. “You can paint furniture or reupholster it for a fresh new. Put old with new, if you love it, it will go together and really make a statement,” says Jennifer.

If you are ready to make a new statement, you can set up a time to talk with a designer about a renovation with your roaring 2020s style in mind. There is much inspiration to be found in the Normandy Remodeling photo galleries and even more on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Follow along with us anytime.