{"id":3596,"date":"2025-03-18T11:11:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T11:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miriamprada.com\/?p=3596"},"modified":"2025-03-13T12:07:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T12:07:39","slug":"how-to-make-a-dilapidated-property-shine-interior-design-for-investors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miriamprada.com\/es\/how-to-make-a-dilapidated-property-shine-interior-design-for-investors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Dilapidated Property Shine: Interior Design for Investors"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Make a Dilapidated Property Shine: Interior Design for Investors<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Transforming Spaces \u2013 How I Brought a Dilapidated Chelsea Building Back to Life<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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In the world of high-end interiors, a great design can make or break a project. Working with high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) in London, I\u2019ve had the privilege of transforming some extraordinary properties. Today, I want to take you on a journey through one of my favourite projects\u2014a renovation of a building in the heart of Chelsea. This is a story of how strategic design decisions, made with budgetary constraints in mind, helped sell an entire building.<\/h5>\n
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A New Lease on Life: When I Inherited the Project<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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As an interior designer working with high-end properties, it’s not uncommon for me to inherit projects\u2014often in the middle of their journey. In this case, I wasn\u2019t starting with a blank canvas. The building was already under construction, having won the contractor’s bid, but I was brought in to evaluate the design, adjust where necessary, and ensure the final product would appeal to the market.<\/h5>\n
Upon inheriting the project, the first step was a straightforward but critical task: to analyse the design and determine whether it would achieve the market\u2019s high expectations. The original vision was aimed at the luxury market in Chelsea, but after reviewing the design, I quickly realised it wasn\u2019t going to meet the high price per square foot that was expected for properties in this area.<\/h5>\n
This wasn\u2019t just about a few cosmetic changes. No, this was a project where we needed to completely reimagine the space without throwing the budget out the window. The key to success here would be making smart design choices, using materials wisely, and\u2014most importantly\u2014remaining true to the building’s traditional yet contemporary nature.<\/h5>\n
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Making Smart Decisions: The Power of Materials<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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The first area we had to tackle was the finishes. There simply wasn\u2019t a huge budget to work with, especially when it came to flooring, walls, and ceilings. So, when there\u2019s little to spend, I always approach the project as a whole. Every decision must work together to create a cohesive atmosphere.<\/h5>\n
Given the building\u2019s location in Chelsea\u2014a neighbourhood with its roots in the traditional\u2014our goal was to blend a contemporary design that still paid homage to the classic heritage of the area. This led to our decision to use a herringbone parquet floor, which evokes a traditional look but can be crafted with more affordable materials if you work directly with the manufacturer.<\/h5>\n
The key here was light. The building had narrow streets surrounding it, so creating as much light as possible was paramount. The light, airy tones of the herringbone floor helped to amplify natural daylight throughout the property, particularly in the communal areas. The bedrooms, on the other hand, were carpeted, but rather than opting for expensive, high-end rugs, we chose a simple, durable option in a neutral shade that harmonised with the rest of the finishes.<\/h5>\n
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A Touch of Luxury: Bathrooms and Kitchens<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Bathrooms are often where we can make a significant impact in terms of both design and cost. The challenge with this renovation was managing the budget carefully, so we focused our funds where they\u2019d count the most. For instance, we had money for the cabinetry and the sanitary ware, so we made sure the materials used in these elements felt luxurious without being prohibitively expensive.<\/h5>\n
In the bathrooms, we used porcelain tiles for the floors and walls\u2014not particularly flashy, but functional and elegant. The beauty of the project, however, lay in the details. By using two types of marble in different areas of the property, we managed to create a sense of luxury without going over budget. The trick was to choose marbles that weren\u2019t trending, as the rare and in-demand stones tend to push prices through the roof. Instead, we found beautiful marbles that fit the design concept and worked with the overall aesthetic.<\/h5>\n
The fixtures were another opportunity to balance luxury and practicality. We chose matte nickel finishes for the taps and showers. Why matte? It\u2019s a versatile material that offers a sophisticated, neutral feel. It\u2019s not as cold as chrome, nor as warm as gold, and it\u2019s easier to maintain. These subtle choices were instrumental in elevating the design without pushing the budget too far.<\/h5>\n
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Kitchens on a Budget: The Importance of Durability<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Kitchens can be tricky\u2014especially when budgets are tight. In this project, we needed to balance aesthetics and functionality, all while keeping costs under control. The decision to invest in quality kitchen appliances was non-negotiable. When you’re marketing to a high-end audience, you can\u2019t cut corners on key elements like this. The appliances needed to be from a recognised brand, so we opted for Miele, which was a recognised standard for this market.<\/h5>\n
In terms of cabinetry, we wanted durability above all else. The surfaces needed to last, especially in a property that would ultimately be marketed to buyers who would expect nothing less than excellence. Rather than selecting the most expensive options, we invested in robust and timeless designs, such as dark cabinetry that added a bold contrast and played off the other elements throughout the space. It was a simple design choice that added immense character without inflating costs.<\/h5>\n
As for the work surfaces, we chose a durable stone for the countertops that would withstand years of use. The finishing touches\u2014such as the splashbacks\u2014were carefully selected to blend seamlessly with the rest of the property\u2019s design, creating continuity and a subtle luxury throughout.<\/h5>\n
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The Final Touches: The Devil\u2019s in the Details<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Even though we didn\u2019t have an unlimited budget, I\u2019ve learned over the years that sometimes it\u2019s the small details that make the biggest difference. In this case, I focused on creating a sense of consistency and attention to detail that would signal to potential buyers that every corner of the property had been thoughtfully designed.<\/h5>\n
Radiators, for example, were a challenge. Instead of leaving them in their basic form, we took the time to paint them the same graphite black as the kitchen cabinetry, creating a visual connection between the kitchen and the rest of the property. This minor yet thoughtful detail added to the feeling of cohesion throughout the entire home.<\/h5>\n
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The Result: A Success Beyond Expectations<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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What was once a broken, poorly defined space was transformed into a sleek, cohesive home that hit the market with a bang. After the renovations were complete, one buyer came to view a flat and ended up purchasing the entire building. The success of this project wasn\u2019t just about creating something visually stunning\u2014it was about making design decisions that would appeal to the right buyer at the right price point.<\/h5>\n
This project taught me that design isn\u2019t just about choosing the right materials\u2014it\u2019s about understanding the bigger picture. Whether you’re working on a small renovation or a large-scale investment project, it\u2019s essential to make thoughtful decisions that enhance the space and maximise the potential of every square inch.<\/h5>\n
In the end, design is about creating a feeling. A feeling that speaks to potential buyers, but also to the people who will live in the space long-term. That\u2019s why thoughtful, well-considered design can elevate a space\u2014and help you achieve an excellent return on investment.<\/h5>\n
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Watch HERE<\/a>, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. <\/h5>\n
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  1. \n
    Open YouTube<\/strong>: Go to the YouTube website or open the YouTube app.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n
    Play the Video<\/strong>: Start playing the video with subtitles available.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
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    Click on the “CC” Button<\/strong>: This is the “Closed Captions” button on the bottom-right of the video player. If subtitles are available, they will appear.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
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    Click on the Settings Gear Icon<\/strong>: This is also on the bottom-right, next to the “CC” button.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
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    Select “Subtitles\/CC”<\/strong>: Click on “Subtitles\/CC” from the settings menu.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
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    Choose “Auto-Translate”<\/strong>: After selecting “Subtitles\/CC,” you\u2019ll see an option that says “Auto-translate.” Click it.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
  7. \n
    Choose Your Language<\/strong>: A list of available languages will appear. Select the language you’d like to translate the subtitles into.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
  8. \n
    Enjoy<\/strong>: The subtitles will now be translated into your selected language!<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    That’s it! You can now watch videos with auto-translated subtitles.<\/h6>\n

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