You Know Your Decor Needs Updating When...

...if your living room has mauve sofas, and a "spider floor lamp"

...or if your bedroom has *anything* in it that is in this picture.

... or if you have wallpaper borders like this.

...or if you have a living room that looks like this.

...or you have a wreath hung on your wall that looks like this.

...or if you are using a "swag" treatment over your windows/doors.

...or if you have any window valences that look like this.

... or if you have *anything* that looks like this hanging in your home.



...or if you have this kind of wall display anywhere in your home.

All of the above "styles" were indeed very popular at one time. But as each decade passes, very few styles actually stick around. Just as you want to stay updated in your wardrobe, It's great to stay updated in your home decor!

Decor Trend Prediction: Gold as Accent Color

I predict a new trend in decor... whether it happens soon or in five years, I think GOLD will become a frequently used accent color. Here are some tips:

1. Establish the room's major color palette. Gold accents should complement this palette, not dominate it--making gold the main focus could have a garish effect. The color of the floors, walls, window treatments and furniture will be the main palette; the gold accents will highlight. Stick to two or three colors at most for this palette.

2. Decide what kinds of gold accents work best with the existing decor. You can choose shiny, metallic or matte gold. A very contemporary decor requires modern gold accents, while a traditional theme works best with ornate, feminine gold details. Shop with your current color scheme and themes in mind. A trend is to mix contemporary and traditional lines.

3. Find artwork and wall hangings with gold details. A gold frame or gold paint can add pizzazz to your walls.

4. Look for gold cords to tie back curtains, gold accent pillows and gold throws. Fabric sewn with gold thread offers an interesting texture as well as the appealing look of gold.

5. Consider paint tinged with metallic gold hues for the look of a gold-washed room.

6. Select gold hardware for doorknobs, cabinet doors and drawer pulls to complete the look. Gold-toned light switch covers may work well if the color is subtle elsewhere. A gold chandelier is perfect for more formal rooms. Buy gold-rimmed china and flatware to bring a gold accent to your serving pieces. Keep in mind that "brass" was very popular in the early 90's, and could look very dated.

Use Pattern With Confidence

Love pattern but too scared to try it?
Here are some tips on how to make attention-grabbing pattern work in your home.

Mix different patterns
You don't have to stick to one pattern, but don't use different designs of the same size, as they can make a scheme look busy.

Combine different-scale patterns
A large-scale design on walls or curtains mixed with a small repeat on cushions and other accessories is easier on the eye than a big print on every surface.
Keep to one color palette
You can guarantee a great-looking scheme by picking a colour theme and sticking to it. Choose up to three or four colors that complement each other and only select patterns in those shades. Too many colours can create a hectic atmosphere.

Take it in steps
If you're nervous about adding pattern to your home, think small. A patterned vase or a few cushions on the sofa are great starting points. To create an instant focal point, choose a patterned armchair to sit alongside a plain sofa, then gradually add more pattern to the room as your confidence grows.

Be yourself
Your home should reflect your personality, so the most important rule is to pick something you love, be bold and go for it!

(I do not recommend this decorating style when selling your home! When selling, think plain and neutral.)

Selling Your Home Means Work Work Work!

Selling your home is going to take some work! The following should be part of your "to do list" in preparing your home to go on the market:

1. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.

2. Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn't been used for three months... put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)

3. In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes, perfumes etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.

4. Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.

5. Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.

6. Review the inside of the house room by room, and:
Paint any room needing paint.
Clean carpets or drapes that need it.
Clean windows.

7. If you need room to store extra possessions use someone else's garage or rent a storage unit. Do not store anything in your garage, the buyers need to see your garage as clean and spacious.

8. Leave on certain lights during the day. During "showings" turn on all lights and lamps.

OUTSIDE:

1. Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.

2. Check gutters for roof moss and dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.

3. Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. "YOU CAN'T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT." Plants are like children -- they grow so fast!!

4. Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove dead plants or shrubs.

5. Clear patios or decks of all small items. such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys. etc. (store them out of sight or in a storage unit.)

6. Check paint condition of the house -- especially the front door and trim.

"CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!"

Selling A Home With A Pool?

The kids are sold! Now Dazzle the Adults! No need to keep those floaties, balls and pool toys out and seen...store them. Also store all pool equipment!! Adults need to see how they can be "pampered" and relax by the pool. Special Touches will entice buyers and you will hook even the toughest of them. Naturally if they have children they're already anticipating having fun with the kids. This is a given.
Now, take it up to the next level – Create an atmosphere for entertaining, relaxation and romance.

--Have several comfortable chairs with a small table near the pool or spa.

--Naturally colorful towels neatly stacked or fluffy white ones neatly folded with a flower is attractive.

--Stage a small table with a book, sunglasses and a plastic glass.

--Potted plants are wonderful for accenting pool and spa areas.

Small pots will be overwhelmed and look out of place because pools and spas are large. Medium and midsize can give you an interesting mix. Lots of small pots will present a busy look, not one of luxury. Experiment in setting them around in different locations to see you what gives you the best affect.

--Continually water and fertilize plants and pull off dead leaves.

--Keep the water sparkling clear and all leaves, bugs, or other debris out of the pool.

--Remember to seal all the concrete joints and repair any damage tile.

--Damaged or worn spa covers should be out of sight whenever the home is being shown.

Your beautiful "oasis" could be the selling point of your home! Make it appeal to those buyers!

How To: Paint your Laminate Counter Tops!

Want to update your counter top but don't want to spend the money for a whole new one? If it's laminate, paint it!

Here are the steps to achieving this look:

(1) Wash the countertop with some ammonia-based cleaner or some warm ammonia diluted with water. Get it as clean as possible, removing all dirt and grime. When the surface is dry, you may wish to put strips of low-tack painter’s tape on any trim around the countertop.
(2) The next step is to prime the countertop surface with a bonding primer, this will make sure the paint will stick to a non-porous surface. Some good bonding primers are XIM 400, Sherwin-Williams PrepRite®, or Zinssers Bin. Follow the primer manufacturers instructions; plan on allowing the primer to set for about 24 hours before painting. The odor can be strong, so consider opening windows and closing the room off from the rest of the house when using these products.
(3) When the primer is dry, it’s time to paint your selected new color paint to the existing laminate countertop. Nothing changes a kitchen’s look quite so much as countertop finishes, so make sure you’ve matched swatches to your existing colors – appliances, walls, flooring and all. If you use your laminate countertops to prepare food directly on, use water based paint; the chemicals in oil based paints may leech into your food, which is not a good thing. Apply two to three thin layers of paint, letting them dry between each coating.
(4) The final step is to seal the paint. Three coats of satin or high-gloss non-yellowing polyurethane will give you maximum durability. I prefer water-based sealer; it will not alter the appearance of your paint’s colors when it dries. Allow the sealer to dry 24 hrs. You might have to order take-out dinners for a couple of days, but it will be worth it when you see your fabulous new painted laminate countertops in your kitchen.

For more information and other laminate painting projects, see http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html

Happy Painting!

What Staging IS, and What Staging IS NOT

Staging is not "decorating." One big misconception professional home stagers encounter over and over again is that staging the property means mega-decorating or something similar to set up a design for a magazine shoot. Decorating appeals to the person living in the house; staging is removing the owner's personal connection and targeting the buyer's personal connection. This is purely a marketing strategy.

Decorating:
*Creates an environment according to the homeowner's taste
*Is an interpretation of personal style
*Occurs with the luxury of time
*Generally involves a larger budget
*Is an optional expense

Staging:
*Creates an environment that appeals to the future buyer
*Applies a universal style
*Takes place under tight deadlines
*Necessarily works with tight budgets
*Is a necessity for securing the most equity in the sale of your home

Decorated Room:

Staged Room:

What are you willing to do to get your home sold?

Selling Homes In A Slow Market: Seller Strategies For A Slower Housing Market

How To: Install Invisible Shelf

Painting & Decorating: How To Install Invisible Shelves

Put Away Family Photos, Unpack Vacation Photos

If you are putting your house up for sale, or already have...Take down and pack up all of your precious family photos and pack them up. In their place, sparingly put up photos you have of the vacations you've enjoyed. Why? Because along with the buyers being able to see themselves living in your home, you can reach their inner-aspirations of taking that same vacation you did... this makes them "feel" inspired while in your home.

When you are selling your home, your goal should be to "de-personalize" your home as much as possible. Buyers who look through your home should not be able to tell who lives there, which contributes more to them being able to see themselves living there.

Examples of Generic Vacation Photos

Home Staging Trend, More Than Just Trendy

As real estate home staging becomes more and more popular, many are realizing it isn't just maybe a good thing to have done when putting their home up for sale, but its becoming imparitive to some. There are several shows on t.v. featuring home stagers, showing the benefits of home staging, and giving home sellers a plethera of ideas!

RAISE THE ROOF!

You can make your ceiling look taller by hanging straight drapes starting all the way at the ceiling and going all the way to the floor. Use a solid fabric and it won't look too "busy"!