January 2009

Groundhog Day Decorating Ideas (for real?)

by Susan on January 29, 2009

Monday is Groundhog Day. If you believe in the little guy, we could see up to 6 more weeks of winter. Although here in New England we’re looking at more like 2 months whether he sees his shadow or not.

Anyway, it got me thinking about seasonal décor. Yes, we did the whole holiday decorating thing in December, and we’ll toss a few hearts here or there for Valentines Day. But otherwise, it’s a long stretch til spring décor is appropriate.

I left a few wintery, non-holiday-specific items out after Christmas, but I’m tired of seeing those (just as I’m tired of seeing snow!). And need I mention that we spend a lot more time indoors this time of year! We’re official in-between seasons. I need to make a few changes, and soon.

Here are a few ideas to survive the tweener-season in style:

Rearrange the furniture in a room. Try angles, move accent rugs and accessories around, switch furniture between rooms for extra credit! Create a cozy reading corner or meditation space. Use graph paper, or try Icovia to try your ideas online.

Take advantage of retail white sales and update your bedding. You deserve it! Here are a couple ideas from Pottery Barn:

And another one (love the pillows!):

While you’re at it, get a new set of plush towels to liven up the bath (more ideas from Pottery Barn).

And for a little wildlife in the bath:

Paint one wall a different color to create drama, such as this bathroom example.

and finally, why not shake up your kitchen with a new rug, and add a splash of color at the same time. Tip: try FLOR tiles. You can get any size, and if you mess one up, just replace that one tile! Here are three that I just love:

These little updates won’t make the snow melt, but it will pull you through the longest months (weeks?) of winter!

What other ideas do you have for making it through the tweener-season (without breaking the bank)? Do share with the rest of us… we’re all in this together!

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!

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Stage Your Home To Show Big!

by Susan on January 26, 2009

in Staging/Organizing

This time of year I tend to be hooked on home staging as more homes are put on the market. So, just in case you’re thinking about selling, here are some handy tips to help your home show big! Oh yea, be sure to stop by Hooked on Fridays today – there’s a giveaway!

In general, buyers prefer open floor plans. But what if your home doesn’t offer an open floor plan? Fear not! There are ways to help your home show bigger without the expense (and mess) of knocking down walls.

It’s all about flow, traffic and purpose.

Flow: First, to make a home flow better visually, select a set of light, coordinating colors that play well together. For example, paint your living room ivory, your kitchen a pale earthy green and your dining room buttery gold. Need inspiration? Check out coordinated paint charts at your local hardware store. Or browse a fabric store and find a pattern with a mix of light, airy colors that look good together.

Then pick a dark neutral to tie the rooms together, such as espresso brown or traditional black. Use this anchoring accent color throughout the rooms in picture frames, candlestick holders, area rugs, etc.

Rooms that flow comfortably back and forth have an open, more spacious feeling than individualized rooms with uncoordinated (or too strong) colors. You want the buyers who tour your home to feel a natural and logical entrance into each space.

Traffic: That brings me to the next strategy for stretching your square footage. Make sure there is ample space for a logical traffic pattern in and through your rooms. Don’t make buyers walk around furniture to get through a room!

First, carefully edit the amount of furniture in your room. Chances are, you could pull out one-third to one-half of what is there (that includes any knick knacks). Then arrange what is remaining to allow for generous walk-through space. Hint: with less furniture in the room, you have more options to angle furniture, which as a great tool for guiding traffic!

Purpose: Finally, each room should have a clear purpose that is immediately evident to a buyer. Don’t expect a buyer to be able to visualize a use for an ambiguous space. This is especially true of bonus rooms or finished basements. Why not define a space as an office, library, media room, or guest quarters? Providing a clear use for every bit of space leaves buyers with the feeling that the home is more than large enough to fit their needs.

Bonus: One last bonus tip – minimize your window coverings as much as possible! Natural light brightens and enlarges a space beautifully!

Need a little help getting started? Hire a professional home stager to provide you with a consultation report before you list your home. After all, you only get once chance at a first impression!

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Decorating with empty picture frames

by Susan on January 22, 2009

in Decorating

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is the frame worth? A whole lot, if you ask me! An empty frame represents opportunity, simplicity, and imagination.

Here are some creative ways I’ve found to let beautiful frames take center stage in your décor (note: click on images to view original sources):

This first one is my favorite idea (from Pottery Barn Teen)…light up a beautiful frame for a dramatic display! Just wrap a string of lights around an empty frame, and hang from the wall with a decorative ribbon. This would be beautiful over a bedroom mantle with lovely candelabra inside the fireplace. Very romantic!

Here’s a beautiful floating headboard from www.ApartmentTherapy.com:

Attach an empty frame (or cheat and use crown molding) to a wall, and paint the inside with chalkboard spray paint. This idea is from pinkandpolkadot.blogspot.com.

Create a collage of mix and match frames on the wall. Here are a couple good examples, first from Martha Stewart, and the second from The Inspired Room:

Or, how about a frame in a frame? Love how this idea from Countryliving.com plays nice with the apple display. The symmetry gives it a modern edge.

Looking for a unique way to bring greenery inside? Perhaps this idea from /interiordec.about.com will inspire you:

Hope you found some of these ideas inspiring! Let me know what you’ve done with empty frames!

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Selling Your Home? How to Keep it Show-Ready.

by Susan on January 20, 2009

in Staging/Organizing

It’s that time of year again – if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, get ready for a bit of incovenient living. But the payoff is well worth any inconvenience. Once you get your home sale-ready, you need an efficient action plan to accomodate the not-always-convenient showings of your beloved home.

You know how it goes…you get a call from your realtor that a potential buyer wants to see your house…in 30 minutes! So you have to pick up the house, load up your kids (and pets), hop in the car and try to find something meaningful to do for an hour or so.

How you live in your home is quite different than how you sell it. Assuming you’ve already followed your Professional Home Stager’s instructions, you’re a step ahead in preparing for show time. After all, you want to make sure it shows at its best when the curtains come up! Here are some helpful checklists to prepare your staged home for show time in 30 minutes or less.

Safety

Hide liftables – wallets, mail, jewelry, small electronics, passwords, financial statements, etc. Most people are honest, but it helps if you remove the temptation.
Don’t light candles (fire hazard and looks like you’re trying too hard).

Lighting

Turn on lights and open all curtains – yes, even in the daytime.
Make sure windows are clean.

Pick Up

Toys, clothes, papers, general clutter.
If worse comes to worse, grab a large garbage bag and stuff everything in it and take it with you. You can put everything away when you get home.

Kitchen

Wipe down counters – keep disposable wipes by each counter area to make it quick and easy.
Make sure the sink shines! There is nothing more disgusting than a dirty sink.
Empty the trash – even if it’s not full yet.
Countertops – opt for single large accessory rather than a group of small things – doesn’t have to be out all the time, but “places everyone” applies.

Bedrooms

Make all beds, and arrange decorative pillows per your stager’s instructions.

Bathrooms

ALL toiletries hidden (keep daily use items in a handy cubby that can be stashed under the sink)
TOILET SEATS DOWN
Put your towels in the dryer & bring out “show towels”
Wipe down counters and mirror
Sniff test –air freshener if needed
Empty the trash

Pets & Kids

Don’t even think about leaving the pets behind!
Keep the car pre-stocked with snacks, water, games, dog leash, picnic blanket, diapers (if needed), and extra changes of clothes (you never know).
Make up “car games” such as “left, right, or straight” – a game where each kid gets a turn picking which way you turn. Whenever you find someplace interesting, stop and have a car party.
Have a list of fun places you can visit, such as a pet store, local park, library, etc.

Ambiance

Music – Play some classical or jazz music softly to add ambiance and minimize eerie silence.
Concession Stand – Candy Bowl – put out some wrapped candy.
Check Thermostats – make sure it’s set at a comfortable temperature.

It’s show time…break a leg!

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Some flair for your laundry room!

by Susan on January 14, 2009

in Laundry/Halls/Foyers

Yea, it’s a fluff post (ha ha ha) but think about how many loads of laundry you do every day! Don’t you (and your laundry room) deserve a little fun?

I only have a laundry closet to work with, but if you have an actual laundry ROOM you could really go nuts!

And if you’re stuck with laundry in the basement, check out this article I wrote last year entitled “Laundry Down Under: 10 Easy Ways to Update Basement Laundry Rooms“! (Sorry for the shameless self-promotion, but it’s one of my favorite articles and just wanted to share it with you!)

Gotta go…washer just buzzed (again!).

But let me leave you with some propaganda:

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I’m Hooked!

Maybe I’m lazy, but I have this thing for hooks! They’re so easy to use! I like to use them in mudrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, kid’s rooms, laundry room and more! They can be both decorative and functional. Single wall hooks just about anywhere. They’re great for stashing a spare set of keys, holding a hair [...]

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A kid’s Room – 3 Versions

Hi! I just added a new post at HomeGoods Openhouse Blog – 3 different arrangements of a kids room, with a redesign angle for the last one. Yes, I’m being lazy asking you to click over to see it….but you’ll also find great inspiration from the other 6 HomeGoods bloggers as well! So check it [...]

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Does your home need to go on a diet?

It’s a New Year, and time to look at your home from a new perspective! Just like their human owners, homes tend to bulk up a bit during the holidays as well. Why not put your home on a diet, and get rid of excess baggage…literally! Reduce clutter and your home will look and [...]

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