How to Get the 'Model Home' Look in your Home

If you have ever been to a model home you have probably asked yourself  - 'why doesn't my home look like this?' Well it can!  There are some easy and simple styling tricks that you can use at home to get that 'model home' look. 

1. Keep it clean and de-clutter: so you are living in the house and it can be tricky to keep clean but put together a cleaning schedule and do your best to stick to it - regular wiping down, cleaning or dishes and floors makes a huge difference.  Find some cute baskets or boxes to hold every day clutter like mail and flyers from school.  Commit to a purge (seasonally would be ideal) to get rid of the extra stuff that you aren't using and haven't used in a long time! You will be amazed at how much junk you hold on to - it feels great to let it go!

 

2. Floating furniture : not levitating furniture, but floating - in other words not pushed up against the walls.  Sure in some floor plans this is really the only choice but even just pulling it away an inch or two makes the space look and feel more intimate and designed. In a big open floor plan, separate the space with floating furniture that serves two distinct purposes, say a seating/conversation space and then a TV hang out space for a large and open living space.

 

3. Lighting: let there be light and lots of it! Not only does a brighter space feel bigger and cleaner but it's a great way to update a space.  When you are adding lighting in your space think layers! So overhead lighting mixed with table and floor lamps, candles etc...Layered lighting looks sophisticated but you can also play with the ambiance using your lighting.  Relying on one light source is a bit tired and one dimensional. also aim to have the light evenly distributed in the room (so not everything in one side or corner of the room).

 

4. Outdoors indoors: take a look at model home they always have some natural element - it could be a plant (large or small), natural herbs or a bowl of lemons in the kitchen, branches or sticks in a vase, natural sponge in the bathroom - just some small natural touches can do wonders in a space.  It adds warmth and authenticity to the space. 

 

5. Area rugs: are used to add colour and texture plus warmth but they also add a great visual effect in terms of creating designated spaces and functions. An open concept space with out any area rugs with floating furniture looks very lost but by adding the correct size area rug (even just in the living room) automatically grounds and defines the space.  Area rugs really are a must!

 


6. Headboard: Like the area rug - the headboard really grounds or anchors the bedroom, this really is non-negotiable for a master bedroom.  You want the room and the furniture to have a strong presence.  Even a beautifully made/styled bed looks weak without a headboard.

 

7. Bookcases: when it comes to bookcase we tend to see these 2 options.  1- complete jammed and over stuffed with books falling out, or 2 - sparse, bare and empty.  To get the designer 'model home' look bookcases are a great piece but they have to be balanced.  So books stacked in an organized fashion with some decor added in.  Carefully styled but still functional.  This gives the space style but it also isn't over whelming.  Many think books in a bookcase is organized but when they are over stuffed the room feels heavy and cramped, and when they are falling out, it's a mess! A bare bookcase looks light but it also looks weak and kind of pointless. 

 


8. Drapery: a great decorative feature that can also serve a function.  Yes, shades and blinds are go-to's for privacy but add some simple drapery panels on either side of the window and you've got 'wow-factor'!

We Answer Wednesday - Mixing Metallics without going over board

"I love the sparkle and shine of metallics but I'm worried about going over board with the look.  Any tips?"

The sparkle, shine and texture of metallics gives any room an instant boost of luxury and glamour but you are correct, you need to find the right balance.

1.  Softness.  So metallics have a distinct shiny quality and they have a hard and smooth texture, so balance that out with some softer textures.  Try adding some cashmere knits, velvet, and wool to counter balance the hard quality of metallics.

 

2. Neutral.  Metallics can really add a punch to a room and they are timeless so don't get too crazy with your palette.  a few pops of colour is a nice touch but we really love pairing metallics (one metallic or a mix) with a neutral back drop and don't forget those soft textures!

 

3. Classic.  Keep it classic when it comes to metallics - brass, silver and gold are totally chic and timeless.  Sure, copper is cool right now but it tends to float in and out of fashion.

4. Mix.  Keep it modern by mixing your metallics.  Like wood, metallics go with metallics.  So play around with  the finishes. But we really recommend sticking with the same colour metal but we like to see chrome mixed with brushed nickle and satin nickle same goes for the golden tones.

5. Small. New to metallics? Start with small steps - some smaller decor pieces on a tray or bookcase and build it from there.

 

Metallics are a great addition to add some sophistication to a space and they can also make a room look and feel larger and brighter.  That reflective surface allows the light to bounce around the whole room plus it adds sophistication and glamour to a room.

We Answer Wednesday - Seasonal Decor while Selling

"Our home is on the resale market, the kids love Halloween and they love to decorate the house.  Should we decorate for Halloween while the house is up for sale or not?"

It's fun to celebrate the holidays with decor and kids love it too but you need to keep in mind that holiday decor can be distracting for buyers.

We definitely recommend staying away from religious decor as it could offend or turn-off some buyers and you never know who is coming to look at your home.

We also recommend you don't go 'over the top' when it comes to decor for the holidays.  Decor can add a lot of clutter into a space making it feel and look cramped which isn't a positive for buyers.  Plus really over the top decor can be a huge distraction - buyers want and need to see the true features of the home like the room sizes, natural light, beautiful kitchens, bathrooms and flooring .

 

If you MUST decorate for the holidays, consider this:

1.  Do NOT decorate for the holidays before photos.  This will date your photos and they won't show off the actual features of your home.

2. Do keep it simple and tasteful.  For Halloween, put up some simple pieces on the exterior.  Nothing scary or gory - if you are in a family friendly area this will work for the buying clientele.
 
 THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A DON'T FOR HALLOWEEN DECOR - IT IS PRETTY GORY AND BLOODY AND SCARY.

3. Do NOT decorate too early and keep up the decor for a long time.  Think about decorating for the holidays just before and removing everything a day or two after the holiday - don't decorate weeks early and keep it up for months.

4. Do decorate for the season.  So having some fall decor like pumpkins or fall wreath is neutral and welcoming but remember to keep it simple.



Remember once you are settled in your new home you can go all out for holiday decor so maybe this year just collect lots of great ideas.

We Answer Wednesday - nook spaces

"I have two places in my home that are just ‘small nooks’ and I have no idea what to do with them! One is at my entry way and the other is a ‘loft space’ at the top of my stairs. What do you suggest?"

Great question! I think we all have that one space in our home that we just don’t know what to do with. Depending on the size of your space – you have lots of versatility! 

A console table- always a great option and the good thing about a console is that it comes in many shapes, sizes, finishes, colours, materials etc etc. You are definitely going to be able to find something in the correct size you need. Depending on your space you may have the opportunity for a DIY too! Customizing furniture to fit your homes décor and space is always a fun way to personalize your home.

 

Bookcase- I know I speak for many of us when I say you can never have too much storage. Plus bookcases are fantastic space for displaying books, personal photos, accessories and much more. 

 

A desk space- depending how much traffic flow you would have, adding a small desk and a chair is a great idea for an extra home work space. Its nice to be able to utilize all your spaces in your home in a useful way.

 

 Dresser- A little more unconventional but still a great piece that has closed storage!

 

Built in shelves – this is a more expensive option BUT also a great one for getting exactly the use of the space you need. Need shelves, hooks and cabinets all in one? I would suggest investing in a custom piece and tailoring to your exact needs. 

Floating Shelves – depending how small the space is, adding floating shelves can serve as extra storage in a small nook. Having floating shelves also doesn’t take up the floor space that a bookcase would so it  will appear larger. Just make sure you mount them well and don’t add anything too heavy! 

 

8 Fall Home Decor Staples

Fall is one of our favourite seasons- we love the crisp weather, the cozy sweaters but mostly we love the gorgeous colours and all the beauty that this season has to offer!

Here are some of our favourite staples to celebrate the Fall season:

1 - Exterior - create a welcoming vignette at the front door.  This is such an inviting way to greet guests.  We love a bench or chair with some burlap pillows, pumpkins and a wreath.  So simple but so stylish.



2 - Orange - orange is a great colour, it works with all decor styles and it looks great with neutrals.  Try adding some small accents of orange to your regular home decor.  



3 - Metallics - if you want a more glamorous or luxurious nod to fall, try playing with metallic tones like gold, bronze and copper.   This is a great look anywhere but we love it on a fireplace mantle or a dining table centerpiece. These tones really compliment the season.



4 - Nature - add the beauty of nature to your space.  A simple floral or branch arrangement is easy.  A bowl of apples, gourds, corn, wood etc...the sky is the limit!  Bring the beauty of the outdoor indoors.




5 - Plaid - this pattern is synonymous with the fall season.  It has a cozy factor and there are endless choice in terms of colours and styles.  To add a touch of coziness to your space this fall season, add some plaid! Pillows and blankets are easy ways to do that!

 


 6 - Texture - this time of year we see some many textures outside, the trees, leaves, pumpkins, gourds plus all of the textures in our fall clothing.  Bring that inspiration inside and play with textures in your space.



7 -  Animals - we have seen deer heads and antlers (real and faux) for a while in home decor - it had a bit of an ironic twist but now we are seeing the beauty of animals in pillows and art. 



8 - Candles - the days are getting shorter this time of year, so add some more light with candles.  Scented or not, this adds another layer of lighting plus it adds to the scene.  Lanterns are a great element to add to your candles, too