Give Your Home The Wow Factor With “La Rosa Negra”!

When we hear the words “Interior Design” we instantly think sophisticated, on trend….and extremely expensive! However, this need not be the case as a few simple alterations and additions can instantly transform a humble abode into a fabulous dream home.
Established in Orihuela Costa in 2016, “La Rosa Negra” have the skills and expertise to make this vision a reality. Business Partners Terri Hughes and Chloe Leigh bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and inspired ideas into every project, helping clients to give their property a touch of class in accordance with their budget. Prior to relocating to Spain, Terri always housed a passion for interior design, undergoing various projects in and around her hometown, Cambridge. One of her most successful and ambitious ventures was in transforming a restaurant, which had access to a large conservatory that was out of use due to its receiving extremes in temperature during summer and winter. Terri stepped in and put her creative skills to work, turning it into a beautiful orangery, by covering the windows and ceiling with voiles. She added curtains with swags and tails to instill a feeling of warmth, and laid a floor that complemented the surroundings. The look was completed with the addition of several potted plants and ornately dressed tables, which made the area not only useable, but a magnificent place to dine. Her colleague, Chloe also has a magical touch when it comes to interior design and vision. Together they have instigated a plethora of stunning transformations in all kinds of properties. La Rosa Negra work closely with many local Estate Agents and other companies, including LPSS Properties, to give their clients the best possible customer service and finished product.

The WOW Factor
Terri commented that “Everyone wants their home to have the “Wow Factor”, and with a bit of imagination and guidance from us you can achieve it, without spending a fortune. She went on to explain how she and Chloe offer a bespoke, sensitive service, where they visit each client at home to get a feel for the property, their individual needs and personality. “A person’s home should reveal a hint of who they are, which will not only make it more familiar and comfortable to them but also offer a welcoming environment to guests,” said Terri. She added that “In this sense we aim to reflect certain aspects of the client’s character in their décor and furnishings, such as quirky, elegant or extravagant, rather than stride in and suppress their individuality with our own taste and judgment.

Cooking in Style
The duo’s latest exciting makeover project focused on a kitchen, which saw the plain, uninspired cupboards and sink unit being given a fresh, modern makeover. Terri emphasized that the original kitchen was functional but dull and with very little natural light, so the client approached them to see if there was anything which they could do to spice things up! “Our client had always loved cooking, but told us that the dreary pine wood surroundings had made her feel less inclined to put her pinny on recently. She wanted a complete overhaul which would inspire her culinary creativity, and it was our job to help her rekindle that passion!” Terri commented that “During the past three decades, it has been a common practice to give a natural pine effect to everything, from external shutters and doors to internal doors and kitchens. It was an inexpensive way to furnish a home, but at the same time making it look darker, smaller and feel claustrophobic”. She emphasized that by selecting the correct colour tones and textiles for the outlet it is possible to create a whole new appearance, which might seem to double the size, alter the shape and maximize the volume of natural light entering the room. The team achieved all of this by cleaning each side of the units to strip away any grease and grime, before sanding them down to the original wood frame. They were then spray-painted to give a bright, glossy finish. Once completely dry to touch, the plain knobs were replaced by sparkly new ones that immediately infused an element of sophistication. They applied the same process to the front door to the property, giving an instant feeling of space. These effortless alterations were enough to master the desired effect, leaving the client with a light, airy and workable environment, at very little cost! “Our client was delighted with her “new” kitchen, which was ready to use in no time at all and cost a fraction of the price that a brand new fitted kitchen would have” confirmed Terri.

Appeal and Value
The company not only makes a home more comfortable for its present owner but can also help to make it more attractive to a potential buyer should they wish to sell. “We identify and instigate ways of increasing the value and “kerb appeal” of the property to make it more visible within a competitive market” said Terri. She elaborated that “In order to attract a potential buyer, a property needs to have something special to draw them through the front door, and keep them interested once they are inside!” The Costa Blanca has a glut of properties which have been on the market for several years due to homeowners returning to their own countries during the economic crisis. In most cases, they do not have any unique selling features to set them apart, so the only thing that the owners can do to help get things moving is drop the price considerably, thus losing out on thousands of euros. Terri commented that “This sad scenario could easily be avoided if only they knew how to give their home the “Wow Factor”, which is where we come in! She highlighted that by making a small investment you could increase the overall value of the property, making it more saleable, or rentable should they prefer. “Often people love where they live and whilst they realize that it is lacking something they cannot quite put their finger on what it is. This is where an objective opinion or “new pair of eyes” can work wonders!”

Feature Rooms
She went on to say that cleanliness is paramount for anyone wishing to sell their property, as a grimy house is an instant turn off. Creating a “feature room”, normally the living room or master bedroom, which is given extra attention and “dressed for show” is also an ideal way to boost the property’s appeal enabling buyers to appreciate its potential. Unlike in the UK and other European countries where houses are sold unfurnished, most accommodation in Spain is either rented or sold complete with major furnishings and white goods. This means that the buyer must try to visualize how their own personal possessions will blend in and complement the existing fixtures and fittings. In this sense the feature room should ideally contain minimal furniture, with neutral colour to the walls and just a hint of warm tones carried through accessories such as curtains, rugs and scatter cushions to give it a homely feel.

Success and Satisfaction
Their success rate speaks for itself, with all of their previous clients having sold their property for the asking price within three months of the makeover project’s completion. “We have had client’s approach us for help, whose house has been on the market for over two years with little or no interest. Then following our advice with a few simple changes they have not only attracted several interested parties but completed a sale within one week. We are extremely proud of that success rate and intend to keep it going!”
If you feel that you could benefit from a Doctor in your House, why not make La Rosa Negra your first emergency service.

Please contact Terri on 672 836 539 or Chloe on 642 433 708 to discuss your requirements, or email enquiries to larosanegrainteriors@gmail.com.