Fad vs. Feng Shui: Thoughts to consider on Hand Texture & Faux Finishes

When considering whether to add hand applied textures or faux finishes to you home renovation or new construction project here are some thoughts to consider.  Wallpaper….don’t see much of it.  It was the in thing much like hand texture is now years back.  A Fad, but one that is trying to rear its head again, right there with bell bottoms and skinny jeans . The point is that hand texture is the in thing right now, and it may not be 2 years, five years, or ten years from now.  I tell my clients to consider the following; what is the reason for your project?  Are you updating your home for personal enjoyment/style or to put it on the market. If it is for you personal pleasure, i.e you are planning on staying in the home for a time (5 years or more) then do whatever suits you the person living there and your style/likes.  If you are going to be living there for the “time being” but have the intent of putting it on the market within the next 2 years then I would look closely at market trends and your surrounding area/homebuilders.  They spend a lot of time and money figuring out trends and what sells homes. If every model home you go into is pushing hand texture or faux finishes then its what people want, and if you are going to try to sell to “people” then follow the Fad.  But if you are going to stay in the home for an extended time then add what you are into.  By the time you sell your home the finishes you have may be considered out dated like wallpaper or there may just be a new “in” thing and you can update again then.  They say that the average home doubles in value every ten years (if Obama isn’t president), so in five to ten years when you go to sell you will have equity in the home to pull and do some renovations to sell and still be ahead. Style is subjective to the individual; neutral is called just that for a reason.  Figure out what you end objective is and run with it.