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Did someone say Makeover? No matter what kind of makeover it is – beauty, fashion, décor, recipes – count me in! I’m a sucker for before/after pix, paint chips, fabric swatches, and – best of all – the big reveal. 

The only downside to makeover mania is that it’s so easy to get excited about fun project, then lose steam mid-makeover if it stretches out too long. As a designer, I’ve gotten really good at making big and beautiful changes happen fast. That’s why I was so excited to sit down with my friend Jill Bauer recently and trade ideas and inspiration about her kitchen makeover project. The next best thing to your very own makeover project is talking makeovers with a friend!

That’s why I rounded up some of my favorite easy, instant makeover tips to share with you!

Step 1: Start with something you love. For Jill, it was a gorgeous striped textile she chose for her window valences (that just so happens to look wonderful with temp-tations Old World Harvest and Fall-fetti!).

It doesn't matter if it’s the focal point of your room or an accent. I once made over my studio/office based on an adorable frog sculpture I found in an antique shop. Picking one, single thing to design around make all the other decisions easier, because everything – from colors, to materials, to mood – matches back to that. It’s like a guidepost that helps make your whole makeover more manageable.

Step 2: Stay Neutral. This is a great tip for everything from home décor to personal style. As much as I love color, I start out with neutrals for things like walls, countertops and cabinets. That gives me a great base to start layering on pops of color…which I’ve found actually have more impact than big solid blocks of color.

Also, it’s easier and faster to change your look when you just have to swap out a few pieces instead of redoing a whole room. I can transform my kitchen from warm and summery to cozy and autumnal overnight with just a few strategic swaps!

Step 3: Choose accents that are beautiful AND functional. These days, who has room in their kitchen for something that’s just pretty? You get more bang for your makeover budget when you accent your kitchen with items that not only brighten your surroundings, but make your life easier, too. Like a baker that doubles as a fruit bowl, or utensils that tie your color scheme together.

To see more of my kitchen makeover chat with Jill, watch below.  We had so much fun…I could have spent hours paging through all that beautiful design inspiration!

And don’t forget to tune in throughout the day for more makeover tips, during the Cooking on Q – Kitchen Makeover event. We’ll even be debuting some exciting NEW temp-tations for your kitchen (and stovetop!), plus we’ll be welcoming Spring colors back in select items to help chase those Winter blues away. I hope you’ll join us!

XOXO

Tara