Kiki Interiors - Decor and Staging

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

We Answer Wednesday - How home staging helps sell your home

"My fiance and I are now living together, and we want to put my place up for sale. Is it worth it to stage the house? It is empty, so doesn't that make it look bigger and that way a buyer can picture themselves in there? We just want to know what staging will do to help us sell."

This is something we can definitely help you with.  We have staged lots of properties for clients to help get them sold.

Home staging is a great tool to help buyers visualize how to live in the space, it helps to highlight the features of your home and also show off the size of your home.  Home staging isn't just about furniture that's only one part of it. Selling an empty or vacant property is actually really tough.  Empty rooms are cold and emotionless - that means buyers aren't connecting with the house.  Have you ever seen photos of an empty room? It's really hard to tell if the room is large, small or just the right size...Many people do not have the ability to picture their things and their life when looking at a vacant property. There is no WOW factor with a vacant property so buyers don't take notice.

 Home Staging before and after photos

A good home stager will come and view the vacant property (usually with you and often with your agent) and he/she will give suggestions on any repairs, cleaning, depersonalizing, decluttering and updates that are needed.  A home stager knows what buyers are looking for, your agent can also give you some insight as to what your competition is offering (flooring, counter tops etc...) but also what the buyer expectation is at your price point. Buying a home is an emotional connection - it is something the buyer feels when they walk in the door.  Home staging helps with setting the scene and connecting with buyers on an emotional level. Plus buyers are looking to buy their NEW home, they don't want your old one - so the prep work to get it looking it's best!

 Lovely Staging Props and Room.      -The KormendyTrott Team - Century 21 Miller Real Estate Oakville:

Your home stager will work with you and your budget to get the property up to par before moving in any furniture items.
 Details are so important when selling:

 - A fresh coat of paint in a current tone can do wonders for any property.

- Small updates like new cabinet hardware and a tile back splash can totally transform a kitchen

- Brighter light bulbs in existing light fixtures can really help any room

-Fixing up any small repairs will give buyers a good feeling about 'their new home'

-A good and thorough cleaning feels great! You want to make a fantastic first impression on your potential buyers.

When it comes to the final step of furnishing the home with staging furniture, your stager will have a plan.  He/She has figured out how to best show off this property by making it look clean and bright but also large and current.  The proper scale and placement of furniture make a big difference in flow plus using the right accents like colour and texture really give your photos a 'pop' and set the scene!

I love a good before and after home staging by @desint.nu:

So why would staging help you?

Well, having your home professionally staged will set you apart from the competition. Having the right pieces, colours, updates and more will make you stand out from the crowd in any market.

1. Your staged property will always photograph better and in this day and age, your online photos are basically your first showing - when your photos look great, the phone starts ringing and the private viewings are booked!  Home staging will increase the amount of showings at your property.

2. Now that you have more showings, the agents start to take notice and that piques everyone's interest  - your property is hot!

3. A hot property means offers - could be a quick offer early into the process because the buyer agent knows this one won't last long or it could mean you have a number of interested buyers leading to multiple offers.

Home staging helps :

-make your property looks its best and present what buyers want

- by giving you the best online photos to be used in marketing materials and social media

- get more interest in your property and more viewings

- get the property sold for top dollar and quickly

While house hunting can be tiring, it's not a good idea to relax on the seller's furniture.:

Best wishes on the sale of your home and remember it's really important for your own stress level and bottom line to work with true professionals who will help you feel good about the presentation and sale of your property.

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Wednesday, October 19, 2016

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 .

 Hang a rustic spooky wreath from your door. Use vines and chic black bats. As simple as that.:

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.
 Haunted House Silhouettes:
 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.

Fall outside decoration. Corn stalk over the...:

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.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

We Answer Wednesday - Low cost Home Staging Tips

"We are selling our home and moving to a new city due to a job transfer.  I know home staging sets you apart from the competition.  We want to sell quickly and make the move to the new city easy.  We are on a tight budget, do you have any quick, easy and low budget home staging tips to share?"

You are absolutely right! Home staging sets you apart from the other homes on the market and you want to stand out in the crowd especially if you are in a market with lots of competition.  Every style of home can benefit from home staging.  Home staging can get you more money and help you sell faster, so the extra work to get the home prepared for the market will be worth it in the end.  Less time on the market means you can move forward with your new chapter in life without the extra stress and worry.

There are lots of quick and easy, low cost (and no-cost) staging tips.  Here's what we suggest:

- Clean.  I'm sure your home is clean but is it spit shine clean? Really get in there and clean that house.  Give it a good scrub down.  Buyers will notice and the home will feel great.  There is nothing like a super clean home.  Having said that, pay attention to the scent of the home.  You don't want it to smell like harsh chemicals of bleach - that can be a turn off. Stick with scents like clean laundry, vanilla or cotton.

 HOW TO STAGE A KITCHEN - Take everything off the kitchen counter tops that you don't absolutely have to use every single day! (there are a couple of essentials in this picture) Next - Put out some colorful fruit on the counter top. Finally - Kitchen must be sparkling clean! These are the kinds of things you need to do to increase buyer appeal and maximize the price you can get for your home.:

 -  Repair.  This may cost a bit, it depends on what needs to be repaired and how handy you are.  Any burnt out light bulbs? leaky faucets? cracked tiles? chipped paint? You need to spend a bit of money here to tend to these issues.   Has it been a while since you painted the house? You might want to consider a paint job - a fresh coat of paint goes a long way and make a huge difference! Over look these repairs or just leave it? Buyers will think you maybe left other issues unresolved, bigger issues. If there are too many repairs to pay for and maybe you don't have the time, consider that when pricing your home with your agent.
BHG's favorite gray paint colors that have a lot of depth and rich undertones. BHG:


- De-clutter.  We all have junk.  Since you are moving anyway this is a great opportunity to lose some weight.  Go through your stuff and get rid of what you don't want/need you will be surprised how much you can accumulate in a short period of time.  Go through everything - drawers, closets, cabinets etc.  Don't spend the time, money and energy moving to the new place to just to toss it - get rid of it now.  The house will feel lighter. Plus when buyers see clutter it is a stresser and it sends a message that there isn't enough storage (one of the top things buyers are looking for is storage).  One area to really pay attention to is above the kitchen cabinets - don't store anything up there, it's distracting and looks messy (even decorative items) and bathroom counter tops, we tend to 'collect' soap, lotions and more. Clear off surface spaces - kitchen counters, your coffee table, end tables, kitchen table, desk etc...Clear out the clutter!

home staging with flowers:

- Pre-pack and depersonalize.  You know you are moving , so pre-pack certain items that you know are going to come with you.  For instance family photos and collections - we don't want them in the space because they personalize the space - you don't want buyers to feel like they are visiting, you want them to mentally move in - your memories will block that from happening.  Collectibles should also be packed up - again they are personal plus they can clutter up the space depending on the size of the collection.  Have a lot of art or books? A few are fine but if you have too many they can add bulk to the room making the space feel cramped, so pre-pack some of those pieces (at least the ones coming with you)

 AMAZING before and after pictures of well-staged homes.  Don't brush it off when your REALTOR suggests staging!:

- Let there be light! Pull back the drapes, clean those windows and be sure to replace burnt out bulbs or up the wattage.  Light makes a huge difference in a space.  If you have a dark room, add some table or floor lamps. When it is time for your photos, be sure to have your lights on - over head, task lights all of your lights - it looks so much better in photos! Take a look at the two images below - image 1 has all of the lights on - even though they have beautiful natural light streaming in from the patio doors and window.  Look how bright the room is. Image 2 - no lights on at all.  The light from the window just isn't enough.  Yes, it is a beautiful room but it looks a bit dull without the lights on.

House of Turquoise: Harper Construction I have these chairs, great idea with the cushions,  love the long farm table, have been looking for a smaller round table with wood and black stain. Great light coming in from windows!:           Bright Scandinavian Family Home - NordicDesign // Protected Species - www.protected-species.com:

- Curb appeal.  Make sure the exterior is maintained, it's your home's first impression.  So trim the grass and hedges.  Make sure exterior lights are in working order.  Is the address plate visible and in good condition? Does the door bell work? Shovel or sweep the porch and walkway/driveway. These details are important.

 If you live in a modest home, chances are your front yard is a modest size as well. (Although we fully recognize that everyone’s idea of “modest” when it c:

- Set the scene.  This is the fun part and the creative part. Use magazines as your inspiration -make the bed and make it look inviting like you would see in a chic hotel.  Have a great dining room space? Set the table to help buyers visualize entertaining in the space.  Add a touch of colour in the kitchen.  Some flowers or a fruit bowl on the island or kitchen table make the room look fresh. Take a look at your furniture or better yet get a friend to help - is there too much? Is there flow? You may need to re-arrange some pieces, so try to find a way to create a comfortable set up that encourages conversation but also shows off the space.

Home Staging, Home styling, Styling for sale, Iluka Road Collection one sale:

Be sure to keep the 'creative' stuff last and follow these steps in this order. Remember, home staging isn't just about fluffing pillows  - it's a step by step process to make the home look it's best.  Buyers are looking for their new home not your old home so follow these steps and your house will shine!

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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

We Answer Wednesday - Selling and Seasonal Decor

"We will be selling our home during the holidays.  We love the holidays and especially the decorating.  Is it OK to decorate our home for the holidays while it is up for sale? "

We love the holidays too and the decorating is our favourite part but when it comes to selling your home you need to be careful.  Holiday decorating can be a negative when it comes to selling your home.



Setting for Four: Decorating for Autumn: Inspiration from Home Magazines:
 We love how simple and subtle this entry way decor is.  It is perfect for the fall and Thanksgiving season.  It is clean and tasteful.

halloween, halloween decor, halloween mantels:
Although we love this because it is both fun and festive for Halloween, it is too much if you are selling your home.  The mantle is too cluttered and crowded, and taking away from the fireplace - a great feature for any home


Here's why:

1.  Certain holiday decor may be religious and that can turn (some) buyers off.  You need to keep the home neutral and depersonalized.

2.  Holiday decor (in most cases) adds clutter.  You might think adding a large Christmas tree in your family room shows off the size of the room but it actually doesn't.  It cramps the space, adds bulk to the space and although beautiful it may even cut off the flow of the room.

If I did a Halloween party, this is how I would decorate.:
This is a lot of fun and totally chic for a Halloween party but it's very cluttered and is very distracting.
 
3.  Holiday decor can be distracting.  Lights, trees, baubles and bling really take the focus away from features like flooring, new paint, large windows and just about anything else that is included with the home

4.  Holiday decor dates your photos. We love holiday decor but if you are decked out for the holidays during your photos, those photos will get old and quickly.  No one wants to see a fireplace mantle with garlands and wreaths in late January or February (and depending on your market and price point that could be a realistic time frame).

 holiday decor. christmas decor. joy. Joy decorative Christmas bottles Beautiful by SEVENTHandJ on Etsy, $25.00:
This is clean and simple plus it isn't religious.  This would be cute on a mantel or as a centerpiece during the season.
 
Now if you just can't come to terms with not decorating for the holidays while your home is for sale, here are some ideas.

1.  Tone it down and keep it tasteful.  So keep to less than 50% of what you would normally do.


Christmas Farmhouse5540
This is a great addition on the front porch or by the fireplace.  It's clean and simple and it can be up over the months of December and January as it is pretty generic.  But remember to maintain any natural plants - you don't want a fire hazard or pine needles everywhere!

2.  Keep your decor up for a shorter period of time.  So don't put up your items too early and keep them up too long.

3.  Don't have your decor 'up' for your photos.  That way you will be giving buyers (who are looking online) a true snapshot of what the home looks like and you will be able to use the photos longer as they won't be dated after the holidays.

4.  Hosting the holidays? Be sure to let your agent know and coordinate with him/her any showing restrictions in advance - you don't want to turn away showings if you can avoid it. It can set a bad impression.

small front porch ideas pinterest | 42 Wonderful Christmas Decorating Ideas for Porch 2013-2014
 Don't forget the exterior - keep your decor simple, clean and tasteful.  White lights are very flattering and work beyond the Christmas holidays.  Also with the days getting shorter, these lights help buyers and agents see the house better!


The North Pole  It's Christmas at the North Pole all year long, so Santa Claus' home must be decorated to the nines with vibrant lighting, garland, red bows, wreaths and candles in the windows. This festive, snow-covered home looks like it could be occupied by Saint Nick himself.:
  This is really fun and very festive and probably a neighbourhood attraction but it is distracting and a look to avoid when selling your home.

Remember once you are in your new home you can make up for not being able to decorate during the sale of your last home! Happy Holidays and happy Selling!!

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Saturday, September 5, 2015

Decorating Open Concept Spaces

The open concept plan is still very popular.  Buyers love it because it is so open and fluid.  You have many options for furniture placement and layout - open concept allows you to do so much in a smaller space.  But open concept can be intimidating and tough to visualize.

As home stagers, we understand how buyers get 'stumped' when they see a big and empty open concept space.  Where do I put my sofa? TV? dining space?  Will my furniture fit? It's very intimidating and over whelming.  This is why staging is so important.  when we stage a home we not only make it pretty for pictures but we think about living and entertaining in the space.  We think about the common questions that buyers have.

Here's a great example of an open concept living/dining room in a townhouse.


It's a great space for living and entertaining.  Seeing this property vacant you would never guess that you could have dining for six, a sectional and an armchair plus plenty of room to walk around.  How did we make this work? Well, the size and scale of furniture is important but so is the placement.  We started off with this table and 4 chairs in the dining space.  Believe it or not, with 2 chairs placed on either side of the table this room looked smaller.  We re-positioned the chairs - 2 on one side and 2 at either end (as captain chairs) we then added the bench in the cream tone to create a common thread with the sectional sofa.  By placing the bench on the side of the table closest to the living room, we opened up the sight lines making the whole space look wider and therefore bigger. The chairs placed there instead of the bench made the whole space feel a bit cramped.





A sectional adds so much seating and a clean line which is one of the reasons we love them.  We used the light cream tone because it is neutral and it brightens up the space.  We used a mix of bold and pattern pillows to bring some life into the room.  An over sized art piece in an abstract style adds visual interest to the room and it makes the room look big.  We use area rugs for a few reasons: they add some soft texture, colour and pattern to a room but they also help define the space.  This rug helps buyers visually understand this space is the living room and over there is the dining area.  It's like building a wall.

 

You can apply the same ideas to a condo space.

 
In this condo, we choose the largest possible sofa that would fit in the space without making it feel and look cramped.  From there we selected some functional but smaller scale pieces so the room still felt spacious and was still functional.  We played with texture like faux fur, knits, chenille, leather, wood and metal instead of big, bold bursts of colour.  We also used an area on the diagonal help widen the space (this doesn't work in every space but it did here).  We also thought about storage and surface space.  The cabinet is acting as media storage, plus a liquor cabinet and storage for board games. The 2 tier coffee table offers great surface space when entertaining and the trunk side table adds some character and personality but also some solid surface space for a cup of coffee or glass of wine. The window dressings are not yet installed but we chose a simple white linen tone for a few reasons: the condo restrictions but the light white tone will help to keep the space looking bright and light and they won't be a distraction. 



Here's another example of an open concept condo.  Here we played with some bold colour to make it pop and look bright.  This condo is on the north side so it get minimal light.  We played with some colour and texture to get maximum impact.  What we did here was first decide on where the TV would be placed.  From there we figured out the furniture layout.  When you live in a space be sure to make it work for your lifestyle. We added some fun print on the floor with an area rug and we also added a work space in a corner nook.  We used a glass console table - plenty of surface space but no bulk.

 

What you will notice these images have in common:
- sofas: we chose the largest possible sofas to maximize on seating and the other furniture is a bit smaller
- lighting: we do not have matching table lamps on matching end tables, we didn't have the space.  Instead we have floor and table lamps around the room to help spread the light around the room
- area rug: to add some colour, pattern and/or texture; they also define the rooms and pull the space together



Remember the following when it comes to decorating an open concept space:
- size and scale matter but look for the largest dining table and sofa that will work in the space.  Lots of little items will make it look and feel cramped.
- glass is a great way to get surface space without the bulk
- area rugs help define spaces without building walls
- a consistent colour concept with make the space look fluid and make it feel larger
- layer your light so add table lamps, floor lamps, under valance light in the kitchen
- get creative with nooks and corners - think storage, organizing or work spaces.
- think lifestyle.  make the space work with your life

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

We Answer Wednesday - Closet Space

When you are selling your home do you need to stage closets and other storage spaces like the unfinished basement and garage?

One of the first things buyers look for in a home is space, especially more storage space.  Buyers will be opening up and peeking in storage spaces like kitchen cabinets, pantries, closets, vanities and other storage areas in the home.

 15 Beautifully Organized Kitchen Cabinets (And Tips We Learned From Each) Organization Inspiration from The Kitchn | The Kitchn

It’s ideal to go through all your closets, kitchen cabinets or any cabinets that are provided in built-ins and included in the sale of the home. Buyers are nosy and they want to know what they’re buying so focus on organizing and packing up items you won’t need while on the market. You really want to show off all of the features of the home and storage is a big must for buyers.

Remove as much clutter as you can and start pre-packing.  You will be taking it with you anyway, so pack what you don't need (while living in the home during the selling period) and look into storing it off site maybe with a family member or a good friend.

 Linen Closet Organizing @ Home Improvement Ideas: Linen Closet Organizing @ Home Improvement Ideas

For 'staging'  your storage, follow these tips:

- In bathrooms, use small baskets or trays to keep everyday hygiene items looking neat and tidy.

- In the kitchen, be sure that cabinets are neat and tidy (no tupperware overflowing), pantry is organized, and be sure not to store items (decorative or functional) above the cabinetry or fridge it looks messy and it screams that there is a lack of storage

- In all closets, be sure to hang clothing, be sure that the closets aren't over stuffed, remove items from the floor (unless they belong there) and fold items that don't need to be hung.

- In unfinished storage areas like the basement and garage, they are used for storage so 'stuff' is expected but keep it organized and tidy in boxes and bins - people will want to see where they can store seasonal decor items and sports equipment like skis.

Remember the person buying your home is buying their new home so make every aspect of the home exciting from the kitchens and bathrooms to storage spaces.

Garage organization for outdoor toys. Portable bins can be taken down to play and returned when finished. Step stool for kids to reach higher bins.: Garage organization for outdoor toys. Portable bins can be taken down to play and returned when finished. Step stool for kids to reach higher bins.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

We Answer Wednesday - Curb Appeal

"My husband and I will be putting our home on the market but not for a few months.  By the time, it is listed for sale we will be in Sunny Florida. The interior of the home will be clean and tidy, plus it will be furnished but do we need to get regular outdoor maintenance taken care of?"

It's so great that you are planning ahead for the sale of your home.  The interior of the home being clean, tidy and staged is great but don't forget about the exterior!  Yes, everyone loves to see a beautifully manicured lawn, lush and colourful gardens and green trees in the summer months but that doesn't mean that curb appeal doesn't play a role in the other months, too.

Curb appeal isn't just a summer thing, it's important year round! The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see and if it is not well maintained that could be a bit of a red flag to buyers.  You also you want to make a good first impression and a welcoming one, too.  And in the winter months, not maintaining your exterior can also be a safety issue - those are equally important factors when it comes to selling your home.

The summer months are definitely the prettiest months for curb appeal but a well maintained exterior is noticeable all year long. So much of the monthly maintenance is dependent on your climate but here are some helpful tips.

 It's easy to see the classic appeal of this 1948 Cape Cod-style home now. But would you have recognized its potential as these homeowners did when it came on the market? Find out here.

In the fall months -
*sweep the porch and walkway, and driveway
*make sure all light bulbs are in working order (the days are getting shorter so lights will be very important)
*the grass is still growing so be sure to have it cut
*for some extra curb appeal some fall planters or a wreath maybe even some pumpkins to celebrate the fall season.

 Love this front door

In the winter months-
*be sure to shovel the porch,driveway and walkways,
*salt or sand those areas too
*again be sure that the light bulbs are fully functional and set to turn on at dusk, this is great for showings but also anyone driving by
*to add some extra curb appeal you can add a winter wreath!

 A wood bucket filled with logs at the front door adds a rustic, wintry touch to a home's curb appeal, saying, "Come on in; there's a warm fire blazing inside."

In the spring months-
*the grass isn't quite green yet but the flowers are starting to bloom (depending on the climate) but *give your lawn a bit of a rake to remove any winter debris,
*clear off the porch, walkways and driveways (debris, salt/sand and any garbage)
*for some extra impact bring out some colourful outdoor pillows to any bench or seating, add a spring floral wreath
*later in the spring add some planters with spring flowers to add some colour

front porch

Before you put your home on the market be sure to check that your exterior has the following:
- a clear address plate (you want buyers and agents to find your property)
- the paint on the front door isn't chipped or peeling
- the front steps are in good condition
- the mail box, grip set and door bell are in good working condition
- windows close and open easily
- the exterior materials (brick, siding etc...) are in good condition

Any buyer that comes to your home should be 'WOW'ed by it and it shouldn't matter if it is May or January.  Make that impression every time!

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

How To Stage My Bathroom

 Home Staging is an important step when selling your home.  You really need to set yourself apart from the pack and you want to do that by putting your best foot forward! The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in a home and it is a hot spot for buyers.  Buyers want to see an amazing bathroom - updates, clean and perfect! Home Staging can really set the scene for those buyers and create that picture perfect bathroom.  Here are some simple ways to make that bathroom memorable for buyers.

 Gray is my favorite neutral. Love it in a bathroom. Rachel Reider Interior Designs

Paint those walls in a neutral tone. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way and always make a space look and feel clean.  Plus a bathroom is a small space so if you are doing the painting yourself, it isn't a huge project.  But be sure to tell your paint supplier that you are painting a bathroom that way you will get the right blend of paint.  Opt for a neutral tone.  It is more universal and is appealing for most buyers.  We recommend choosing a neutral tone that works with the current tones in the house.  So if you have beige walls opt for a tone with a warm undertone a cream or even a very warm grey would work.  Don't start a whole new look, colour palette and style in the bathroom - it will chop up the house.

Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore.  Rich light neutral that works beautifully in a variety of lighting situations (Color Palette Monday) The Creativity Exchange

Lighting, you want to make sure you have enough! Task lighting over the vanity and recessed lighting are key! Make sure your bulbs are as bright as possible and in working condition (that goes for the whole house).

Accessories really make a difference and are an affordable way to really set the scene.
Small fake plants are a nice touch. There are many plants that are artificial but you can even tell! Choose a plant to place on your counter top or on another surface you have such as a shelf, toilet, edge of a bathtub. 

 Relaxing vignette in bathroom, epsom salts in a pretty jar, very practical and easy to recreate

I love candles in a bathroom. I think it gives the space a serene feel and they smell great! Beautiful candle holders, or just candles on their own are another great layer to add to the bathroom accessory list. You can have one large or a grouping of smaller ones. Choose something you love.

 I would do a little longer shelf not so cramped--and not keep towels on top since I have a linen closet. but the pegs under a shelf is really pretty! or a scroll work wood with pegs on it? hmmm...it would be perfect for my towel and my robe!!!


Art is a nice touch as well. Somewhere in the bathroom you will likely have a bit of wall space for a small piece or two. Add something that goes nicely with your previously selected colour palette. It doesn’t have to all be the same as what you have but something with a hint of consistency will blend beautifully into the space.

 Framed Fabric as Wall Art --for in the guest bath & guest room


Small trays for jewelry and personal items are a functional and pretty option to keep on the counter top. Choose something shiny!  Maybe something that matches the handles in your bathroom such as gold, chrome or brass. The continuation of similar metals makes your space look well thought out, and very harmonious.   But don't leave too much jewelry on display or anything really expensive!

 mirrored dresser-top tray  pottery barn

The key is to repeat a colour. Having 7 different colours, patterns and textures may seem like a good idea, but it will likely just have an eclectic feel. Try to use some consistency and repeat an accent colour you have already started with.  

 Home Staging - Bathroom www.privatepropertystaging.com

And of course, the easiest thing to do - is give that bathroom a really good clean!

For anyone looking to sell their home, staging your bathroom it really sets the scene for buyers.  The bathroom is a hot spot that buyers look for so show it off with simple accessories, light and neutral colour palette. Create that 'dream' bathroom for those buyers!


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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Staging (and Selling) For a Younger Buyer

Home staging is all about prepping the home for the next buyer and not decorating it to suit your taste and style. When you put your home on the market to sell, you should know that the next owner will likely be younger than you are. That’s why you should stop thinking about what you like or want in a home and start thinking about what your most likely buyer will want.


It's important to keep the home looking current but not trendy

1.Wall paint. Yes, stick with warm neutral tones but pick a current neutral.  If your target demographic is “young professional” or “young family,” try using a warm gray as a neutral wall color. The gold or pinky-beige wall color you chose 10 -15 years ago is going to seem outdated to this new group of home buyers. On-trend neutrals like grays allow potential homeowners to envision bringing in complementary colors and clean-lined furnishings to make it their own.

 Cape Hatteras Sand AC-34 is a warm taupe gray that can bring out the warmth of the wood and stone.  It's paired with Cloud White OC-130, a balanced white for the ceiling that works with many colors

2. Invest in white cabinetry. Many home buyers younger than 40 prefer white or off-white kitchen cabinetry. They don’t want to see dark kitchen cabinetry in their new home. Consider a kitchen facelift if you have dark kitchen cabinetry with orange or red undertones. White kitchens make spaces look and feel larger - everyone wants a large kitchen!

how to style a kitchen owens and davis

 3. Update your appliances. Many younger home buyers cannot fathom buying a home without stainless steel appliances. You’ll need to update your almond ones with stainless replacements before putting it on the market. Trying selling your old ones online...



Usually dont like white cabinets, but I Like the Colors here (wall color with backsplash and dark granite)

 4. Look for simple stone counter tops. Granite and stone countertops are a must-have for most young home buyers — it will make the difference between whether they choose your home or your neighbor’s home. But don’t make the mistake of installing busy or taste-specific granite that may not appeal to everyone. If you plan to be in your home for a long time, go for it — but not if you plan to sell within the next few years. Find something that works with the warm grey walls and the white cabinets. 





Quartz vs. Quartzite Countertops - Quartz is an engineered material made from about 93% loose quartz and binded with various materials, quartize is a natural stone that is not engineered. Because of this, quartize is a little harder, but must be resealed a couple times per year to ensure it doesn't stain, whereas quartz can come presealed and may last up to 15 years without being resealed. Quartz is also available is more colours as it is not a pure stone

 5. Keep it simple for families with children. People with young kids are less likely to want a fixer-upper. If your target demographic is “young family with small children,” it’s important that your property be ready for them to move right in. Make sure the home has no unfinished projects or red flags for young families. For families focus on 'setting the scene' in rooms that will be used - kitchens and bathrooms are obvious but look at laundry and mudrooms, too. Show how usable the space is.

 8-Tips for Creating a Great Laundry Room by The Everyday Home
 
6. Open up your shower space. Young professionals love large, open glass showers. The garden-variety tub isn’t where it’s at anymore. If you are focusing on selling to a young family be sure to have one bathroom with a tub.

All-white marble bathroom with glass shower

 7. Consider selling your home as a fixer-upper. If your neighborhood is becoming a mecca for young professionals, there may be some appeal to the fixer-upper if the price is right. These younger adults without children may have the time, energy and imagination for making over an older home. Even so, the price will have to be lower than if it were picture perfect.

 Sydney’s Next Great Neighborhood - Surry Hills, Travel and Leisure November 2011

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Monday, June 29, 2015

Bedroom Makeover: Easy tips to change your space


We love a makeover! Many times small changes make a huge impact in your home. Changing some accessories, or a coat of paint can make a space feel brand new. Many people hesitate when redecorating because they think it is going to cost a lot. There are so many simple changes that can make a difference in your space.
Here is an example of a bedroom we recently made some changes too. For a minimal budget, we were able to overhaul this room into a more contemporary space with a few different accent colours and accessories.
BEFORE:
Beiges and warm tones weren't really the style we were looking for anymore. By changing the wall colour and removing the red, the look is more contemporary and fresh.
AFTER:
Changing the paint on the walls to a pure white and adding an abstract art piece in cooler tones really make the space feel lighter. The addition of new drapery and a few pillows in complementary colours adds some depth. The lamp is an interesting shape and in a colour found in the art. These small changes make a huge impact!




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