Carrying out a reform at home is not always something simple and in many cases it can be quite lazy. Why? Usually for two reasons: discomfort and unforeseen events . Two reasons why we usually delay them as long as possible.

Regarding the first argument, it would be necessary to distinguish between types of reforms: those that are small changes in some rooms or those that affect the entire general home and even force us to leave home for a few days. That discomfort of leaving our homes means breaking our routine or not having any service in our home suitable to continue with our day to day.

On the other hand, if it is something that is bulky, the works tend to take longer than necessary. Due to lack of material, changes of opinion, mistakes, unforeseen events … Sometimes it seems that they will never end !

If you are one of those people who panic about the works, we want you to not lose your illusion! Next, we are going to give you some tips so that you can carry out the reform of your property without stress, disappointments or surprises.

You should not put yourself in the hands of just anyone

Many of us remember the mythical series from the 90’s “Manos a la Obra”, in which Benito and Manolo did what they could. To end the day with a laugh they served perfectly. But when we are putting money on the table, the person who carries out the reform has to be very professional.

Always choose the cheapest option

The most expensive is not always the best, but how many times have we not heard that the cheap ends up being very expensive? When making reforms we have to take a good look at all the options, thoroughly review the budgets, materials to be used and decide what will be more profitable in the long term. Of course, a quality renovation can be done with a good budget.

Not being clear about the objective before starting

First of all, you have to be very clear about what you want to do and how you want to achieve it. It is very important to have the project well defined with the materials and finishes before starting, so that there are no stoppages, delays and unnecessary expenses.

The rush is not good company

And much less in the reforms. The important thing is to stay calm and not rush the workers. Projects are built in the world of ideas and the work is a process to bring them to reality. In the design phase everything is possible and we can modify the appearance of our home as many times as we want until we consider that it is perfect.

Not having handled the paperwork before starting

You have to make sure you have all the permits and licenses you need. If you do not know what they are, you will have to inform yourself well and for this in Sky Marketing we can advise you.

Not having a budget for contingencies

Another interesting tip that we want to convey to you is the need to have a budget reserved for problems that may arise during the work. Taking this into account will give us peace of mind, and in the event of unforeseen events, to be able to face them without difficulty.

Not knowing yet what Home Staging means

It is a modern concept, although it has been implanted in homes for several decades. In our blog you will find a very complete article about Home Staging.

In short, it is a series of techniques that help to enhance the strengths of a home and thus be able to demand a higher price, both for renting or selling it.

Do not agree on the end date in advance

If the people who are carrying out the reform are working for hours and we are not clear about the end of the work, perhaps there are misunderstandings that we can save ourselves. In addition, if everything was well agreed and the deadline was exceeded, we would be within our right to demand a penalty.

Leave it orally spoken, but not have it in writing and signed

Something very important in the works is to have all the agreements signed. We must always sign a contract with the reformist company where the following points are reflected:

• Purpose of the assignment and functions to be performed.
• Duration of the works.
• Fees and method of payment.
• Responsibility and guarantees.

We trust that these tips will be useful for you in the face of the reforms that you are going to face soon. You already know that at Sky Marketing we can support you in this type of action so that everything is a great success and your home looks spectacular again.

]Light has a fundamental role in our homes. In addition to its importance on a decorative level, it also affects our comfort and the performance of daily tasks such as cooking, sewing, reading and even meeting with friends or family.

A poorly lit home means a higher cost of electricity, especially in winter. It can also evoke a feeling of dirt, lack of space and even tiredness . In fact, when a house is well lit, it generates just the opposite effect: greater warmth and relaxation and spaces with a more practical dimension and more functional and decorative possibilities.

Lighting is key when selling or renting a flat. This factor is, along with distribution, something that many clients take into account when looking for a home.

From Sky Marketing, in this article, we have compiled tricks to illuminate a dark house especially useful in buildings and apartments with few windows.

6 tricks to illuminate a dark house with natural light 

Applying the following tricks to light a dark house is not always easy. It all depends on the location and arrangement of the house. In some cases, it is necessary to carry out a reform that includes a lighting project. In others, we can simply enhance the decoration, interior design or aesthetics to make the most of the light we have.

In any case, these tricks to illuminate a dark house should always be observed as an investment, as they will contribute to improving the quality of life at home and will increase the value of the home. Before applying them, it is important that you value which areas of your house require more light to know which options interest you the most.

Install roof windows

This option is only valid for attics and dormers, but it can give these spaces a unique appeal. Think that a window in the roof, even if it is small, supposes a significant dose of natural light. You do not need too much space, and in a dark house or with few windows the change will be enormous. The roof window options on the market are manifold. The most important thing is that you place it / s in a place that does not overheat on very sunny days.

Glass walls 

Obviously, not in all cases we can turn a wall into a gazebo. This option can be useful when renovating townhouses or chalets. It is not a question of breaking down a wall and putting a large window there; the process is more complex, since the idea is to make a large glass wall and use the glass to cover the space.

Betting on sliding walls or glass doors also helps to maximize space while increasing the amount of natural light. In all cases, the results are interesting: happier, brighter and more welcoming spaces.

Install solar tunnels

Solar tunnels have become a good option to get natural light in areas where there used to be a roof. They are an alternative to roof windows, much more practical, and offer natural and unique lighting. One of the main advantages of solar tunnels is that they are made with reflective materials, which amplifies the amount and sensation of light (they are more efficient than electric lighting). In addition, they are insulating, even more than windows. Their only drawback compared to these is that they are fixed, so they provide a lot of light but do not improve ventilation.

Even so, and since they are simpler to install than windows, solar tunnels are increasingly used in bathrooms and toilets. They are capable of bringing light to any space, even those rooms without exterior walls, and that is why they are one of the most interesting tricks to illuminate a dark house.

Redesign the spaces

Redesigning the house and giving a different use to the darker spaces can be one way, if not to increase the amount of natural light in the house, of course, to optimize it.

The concept of “redesign” is very broad, and ranges from changes in the decoration to making small reforms such as dividing the areas of the house with glass panels or false windows. This element offers a feeling of spaciousness and allows light, even if it is little, to spread throughout the home.

Changing wooden doors for translucent glass doors is also a good trick to increase the feeling of natural light in a house with few windows. Remember that opening a space is the best option to increase lighting when the source of natural light comes only from one of the walls.

Clear and bright shades 

Without a doubt, painting walls and ceilings in light colors is very important in spaces with little light. Paint contains particles that can reflect up to twice as much light in a space, making it the best option for houses with few windows: while warm and dark tones absorb light, light ones reflect it.

When painting dimly lit spaces, it is also advisable to go for lighter tones on the ceiling and always choose shiny or metallic paints that will make the light refract better.

Why is it important to improve the lighting of the house? 

Natural light is a tool that expresses the quality of a space. As we have seen, it is not necessary to have large rooms or to live in very large places to have optimal lighting. It is even possible to get it in seemingly dark apartments or houses with few windows. But what are the benefits of natural light in a home? Why do we attach so much importance to it?

Feeling of spaciousness and depth

Light reduces shadow areas and amplifies the energy effect, attenuating decorative effects. In this sense, natural light helps us gain space and useful meters at home. The clearer the walls are, the greater the feeling of spaciousness and depth we will achieve in a house.

Warmth and comfort

Natural light provides a feeling of warmth that, especially in the winter months, is appreciated because it generates greater comfort.

Saving money 

With good natural lighting in the home, we can save almost 40% on the electricity bill. It will be important to take into account the design of the windows, their size or their orientation. In any case, natural light is a money saver on a day-to-day basis and a long-term benefit.

At Deplace we know that lighting can change the general appearance of any room and that it can be definitive when buying or renting a flat. We hope these tricks to light a dark house will be useful to you.
Are you looking for a house adapted to your needs? Do you want a bright home in your city? Contact us! We are your trusted online real estate agency.

Celebrities are often jealous of their personal life. Most want their home to have certain privacy conditions, either because of “eccentricity” or to guarantee the privacy and security of their family.

Even so, many times we can know what their houses are like inside because they themselves show it to us in a report or through social networks. And in those cases, few people can resist the temptation to lean out for a little gossip.

But why do we like to know where the stars of television, cinema, sports or music live?

To begin with, because observing what the houses of celebrities are like inside is a way of feeling “closer” to people we admire. It is also a way to familiarize ourselves with the latest trends in decoration, since most celebrities live in luxury houses or apartments designed by the most prestigious interior designers in the world. Finally, the houses of the famous can serve as a source of inspiration.

Exclusive design: the “common element” of our famous houses 

Almost all the houses of celebrities have these common elements: spectacular designs, dreamy exterior spaces (gardens, terraces, etc.), interiors with careful decoration to detail, use of top-quality materials and location in privileged places. Most also have advanced technological systems in terms of security or air conditioning.

Nor can we forget that some of the best interior designers in the world are from our country, and this makes the interiors of some of the houses of famous Spanish people really spectacular.

Among the proper names of interior design with the greatest international projection, we highlight:

• Patricia Urquiola: Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts from the Ministry of Culture and designer of the Fjord chair exhibited at MoMA, which has received, among other recognitions, the Designer of the Year, the Elle Decor International Design Awards, the Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award and the Cologne Design Prize.
• Pascual Ortega: who has designed many hotels and the interior of a large part of the Spanish embassies around the world.
• Marisa Gallo: founder of the Sky Marketing studio, dedicated to decoration, renovations and organization of events, and whose hallmarks are creativity, sobriety and balance.
• Lorenzo Castillo: known for his personal style and that he reuses patterns and shapes from different times.

Interiors of famous Spanish houses 

Through some portals, magazines, or social networks, we can see what some of the houses of the famous Spaniards are like inside. In this case, we are talking about homes that are for sale, so, in addition to inspiring you, they can also be an opportunity to invest your savings.

Among them we highlight the houses of the following celebrities:

Arantxa Sánchez Vicario

The former tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario owns in Formentera, a villa with an area of ​​300 m2, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a swimming pool, as well as a guest house with a bedroom, bathroom and terrace. The house is fully equipped and has luxury design and finishes. The total area of ​​the plot exceeds 5,000 m2, and its starting price is around 5 million euros.

Bertin Osborne

The well-known television program ” My house is yours ” has allowed us to know what the houses of some famous people are like on the inside. But, before, it was the interviewees who visited Bertín Osborne’s house. The first season of this program was filmed at Villa Pashmina, a mansion located in the exclusive urbanization of Sierra Blanca, in Marbella.

The property has a plot of more than 2,500 m2, of which 1,243 m2 are built. The house has nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a large garden, a swimming pool, a private cinema, a sauna and a large Turkish bath.

Paula Echevarría

For example, Vanitatis magazine published a report about the house that influencer shares with her partner, soccer player Miguel Torres.

The house has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a garden, a swimming pool, a gym and a garage spread over a total of more than 500 meters. The house stands out for its open spaces, the large amount of natural light and many designer furniture.

Paula Echevarría’s Instagram has also allowed us to get to know some of the most special corners of her house. For example, your bedroom, dimly lit and with pastel-colored walls, a trend that is repeated throughout the house. The dressing table is one of the most exclusive elements of this room, although it shares the limelight with the built-in wardrobes with gold finishes.

As a good lover of fashion, the actress prioritizes storage, which is why she has a hallway with a large closet, from floor to ceiling. Its dining room, with large windows to the terrace, is another of the great attractions of this house .

Eugenia Silva

Other celebrities have shown us what their houses are like, or at least details of them, thanks to their Instagram accounts

One of them is the model Eugenia Silva who also has one of the Instagram accounts in which decoration plays a very important role. In it, he has shown us, in great detail, what his workspace is like , something like “his second home”: an office with wooden floors and spacious rooms, among which the kitchen stands out (with an extendable table, grid and mosaic floor) and the dressing room (with an XXL mirror, perfect for photo shoots).

Rafael Nadal

Also thanks to the networks we have been able to know what the interior of the house of Rafa Nadal is like, an elite athlete and one of the best tennis players of all time. The mansion is located in Porto Cristo (Manacor) and has more than 1,000 square meters on the seafront . The house is spectacular inside and out, especially for its modern and minimalist finishes .

Other interiors of famous Spanish houses

Other examples would be the journalist Sara Carbonero , who allowed us to enter the house she shared with Iker Casillas in Porto and where the iconic Chester sofa could not be absent, or Naty Abascal. The one who was Valentino’s muse collects in her account photographs related to the world of fashion but also to interior design… Including her own home.

Along the same lines we find the writer Máximo Huerta and the top model Vanessa Lorenzo . The first, a declared fan of decoration, shows us what the corners of his house are like in which he is inspired to create his stories. The second, a benchmark for healthy and healthy life , shares videos of their daily activities shot in the house that he shares with his partner, former soccer player Carles Puyol, and in which we have been able to see them practicing yoga together.

Finally, a touch of color thanks to the very personal home of Alaska and Mario Vaquerizo , which we have seen on television, social networks and in the press. The singer is a decoration fanatic who has made the extravagant her hallmark : not everyone can combine bright colors on Mexican-inspired walls, with pop art paintings and Louis XVI-style furniture, and also do it successfully.