Kim Wolfe offers homeowners expert guidance for modern home design

I started working in the home design and renovation space almost 10 years ago. That’s a relatively short time, compared to some experts I’ve had the opportunity to work with. The breakneck pace I went about learning and working in this field makes it feel like much longer.

In the past few years, my career involved the filming of my own HGTV show, “Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?”. During the filming, my team and I renovated 15 homes for 2 seasons of the show in less than 12 months. If you know much about construction, you know that is a big ask.

I love the fresh start of a new project; before anything has been said, when the page is blank, and I get to create an experience out of nothing. It’s a rush. When it comes to a remodel, I always keep these three things top of mind for a win:

1. Take Risks

When I reflect on my past projects, it becomes crystal clear that most of my favorite results have been born out of taking risks. I’ve always appreciated risk-taking – from my experiences as a mom, to a raft guide, to participating in and ultimately winning my season of Survivor.

While filming my HGTV show, that adventurous spirit had to be restrained. We didn’t have the luxury to risk much because budgets and timelines were tight, and many people’s jobs depended on us sticking to those budgets and timelines so our show could be successful. But there was still that wild part of me that thrives on taking risks, even if it had to stay quiet for a while.

That part of me loves a well-timed creative “Hail Mary” and recognizes that those are most often where the magic in design is found. So, I was forced to mature, evolve, and I added the word “calculated” to the word “risk.”

Taking calculated risks meant less stress. While under such a tremendous amount of pressure to deliver these remodels on such a tight timeline, I learned to lean into tried-and-true products, vendors, contractors and processes. I realized I could only be as good as these things were constant and dependable.

When it came time to choose the color of my new siding from James Hardie, I decided to opt for a calculated risk – choosing a moody and dark color vs. a more traditional “safe” option. I love that Hardie® siding instills confidence in your calculated risks, making bold color choices less intimidating with bold yet classic options like Evening Blue and Iron Gray.

2. Choose your Inspiration

Choose a singular piece of inspiration and start there. It can be anything: a photo, a place, a fabric or wallpaper. It’s the jumping off point, a place to start building.

As I make selections, I keep all the items on a tray on my desk. Any time we make a new selection, I get my hands on a real, tactile sample. If a sample isn’t available, find something similar in texture, color, and value that can serve as a visual placeholder and save it to a Pinterest board or a folder of inspirational images to create a vision board.

When an item is added, it either contributes in a good way, or takes away from the overall aesthetic. If it isn’t a positive contribution, it doesn’t get to stay. Ideally these items hold weight for the homeowner — there is a reason they are there, whether it’s out of necessity or simply adoration.

3. Don’t skimp on nature

I’m a nature girl at heart. As a child growing up in West Texas, I could almost always be found outdoors, scruffy and busy collecting specimens, like duck eggs and pampas grass plumes. I can’t shake how much happier I feel in nature - whenever I feel “off” or need to reconnect with myself, I head outside. The outdoors hold a very special place in my heart, and that’s why when designing a house, I’m always looking for ways to bring the nature in.

On a great patio, where home and nature meet, you can create pure magic with the design choices you make. The cladding, ground cover, plants in pots, etc. all play a part, and you want them to sing! They can’t all be the lead singer; you need background singers, microphones, musicians, and you need harmony.

The exterior was tricky on our latest project, as we had multiple materials already in play. I wanted to make sure that whatever siding we selected proudly portrayed a modern and cool aesthetic, so it felt intentional and not like an afterthought added on to a hodge podge design. The Hardie® Artisan® V-Groove installed vertically did just the trick!

So, choose your rockstar design element, and don't be afraid to go big! Then decide what else is needed to accompany it to create the perfect balance.