Home Staging - More than just Furniture and Fluffing Pillows...

We have been staging homes for a number of years now and what we can tell you is that staging is more than just 'pretty-ing' up a place.  Making a property pretty is of course important but there are other important factors when it comes to home staging that don't involve furniture at all.

1 - Smells.  Are you nose-blind? You might be and that's not uncommon.  We all get used to our surroundings the warts and all and that includes the smells.  When someone comes to your home for the first time, like a buyer would, they see it all and smell it all.  So be sure to tackle those unpleasant odours.  Ask a friend or neighbour to do a smell check - can they smell the pets? mold? mildew? A professional cleaning can often make a big difference and it's worth it!

 

2 - Repairs.  Loose or cracked tiles, leaky faucet, loose hardware, burnt out light bulbs, noisy fan, chipped paint, the list goes on...tackle that list or get a handy man who can.  When buyers come through they will take notice and that will be come the focus.

 

3- Upgrades/Updates. Is your home in need of some updates? You may not know for sure and this is a great conversation to have with your agent.  They can tell you what has sold and for what price.  They can show you photos so you can see the condition of the sold property.  They can also show you this info for your market competition.  You may need to price accordingly or make some updates. But this can really determine your length of time on the market. Your agent can also let you know which updates are worth investing in and which to pass on.



4 - Clutter.  We all have it and we all can't stand it but it happens.  When you sell your home you need to deal with the clutter.  Sure you know the usual - kitchen counters, desk in the office but don't forget about the little clutter like bathroom counter surfaces, table tops, closets and even above those kitchen cabinets.  When you are selling your home - make a date or 2 or 3 or...to conquer the clutter - it's better for you, it's better to deal with it before you go to the new place but it's important that the buyers don't see it.  Short on time and can't deal with the clutter? It's better to have papers and other items that clutter tucked away in containers - it looks neater and tidier. Clutter sends the message that 'this home lacks storage', so don't let it pile up!

 

5- Not just inner beauty.  The interior of your home is very important but so is the exterior.  Did you know that buyers often do judge a book buy it's cover? You might be missing out on a buyer if the exterior of your property doesn't show well.  So pay attention to the exterior.  is it clean? maintained? welcoming? well lit?

 

6 - Take out your personality.  Lots of buyers love a home with character but that doesn't mean your character.  Remove the bold wall paint colours, family photos, collections and anything that is really representative of your personal tastes and styles - bring that to the new place.  Neutralize and depersonalize.  It might sound boring to you - but it is important, buyers need to visualize themselves in the space and a neutral palette or a clean canvas allows them to do that.  You want a home buyer not a house guest!

 

Be prepared for some feedback that might not be glowing - it happens to every property.  It's not personal.  Use that feedback and discuss with your agent what you can do about it.  If you are noticing a pattern in your feedback 'like the family room is dark' - lighten it up with lighting or maybe paint.  Listen to the market and work with your agent.

When it comes to selling your home remember the buyer is looking for their new home, not your old home - make it shine and stand out from the crowd!

Live Clutter Free!

Clutter is one big enemy of peaceful living.  To live with rooms that do not increase your stress level and have a feeling of calm, the aim is for organization, efficiency and personalization.  Basically, your space should be filled with what you use and need the most; and surround yourself with personal objects that have meaning.

When it comes to selling your home, decluttering is a great way to prepare for the big move into your new home but also it will present your home much better to buyers.  Decluttering is a huge (and in expensive) element to staging your home for sale. 

 

Here are 7 simple steps to eliminate clutter from your life!

1 - Take inventory. Like a business owner, search out obsolete, broken or damaged goods, decor items that have 'lost their lustre' and items in duplicate (you are never going to use more than one garlic crusher).  These items are taking up valuable storage space (and display space) but more importantly they are adding to the chaos and stress in your life.  Let it go!

2 - Prioritize. Gain control!  If you don't drink or entertain often is a full liquor cabinet necessary? Don't play tennis or ski anymore? Maybe it's time to donate that old sports equipment and take back that space in your basement, front hall or garage.  Be honest and be realistic.  If you haven't touched it in more than a year, it's very likely you won't be needing it anytime soon.

3 - Control Chaos. Enjoy the beauty around you, but that is hard to do when you are surrounded by clutter.  An absence of clutter doesn't mean you have a sterile existence.  Try displaying your collections and possessions in an artful way so they can be enjoyed and appreciated.  This adds a personalized and welcome touch to your home decor.

 

4 - Lug away. Remove the unnecessary.  Gather plenty of boxes, bags and bins and grab a good marker and tape.  Pre-label several boxes: Charity, Garage Sale and Garbage.  Make a promise to yourself to let the items go once you put them in the appropriate box.

5 - Tackle. Take the strategy of tackling one room at a time, this will keep you motivated without feeling overwhelmed.  Address that room's most clogged area first and ask yourself 'what you really spend time doing in this space'.  If you only bake cookies at holiday time, then maybe it's time to relocate or give away the 300 cookie cutters you have collected over the years.

 

6 - Everything has a place. make a plan that works for you.  A glass bowl at the front entry for keys and mail makes sense.  Hooks in the mudroom or at the front door for backpacks.  when everything has a designated space you automatically feel more organized (and less stressed).  Introducing a new system to the family? Maybe you have started a new plan for the placement of backpacks, school communication and lunch bags...it will take time to get everyone into that routine, but ti will be worth it, so don't give up!

7 - Re-evaluate. On the regular.  Create systems that support your new clutter free living.  Have a standing annual date with Goodwill or another organization that picks up items you no longer need.  every November my family goes through our toys and we donate a bunch of toys and books to local charities. 

Fix My Living Room: Easy tips to re-arrange your furniture

Sometimes, it only takes moving a few things here and there to make a house look better. The stuff we already have in our home, in order for them to work together and give the space a great flow, means furniture needs to be put in its best position. This is true for everyday life and for staging your home for sale.

 

Unfortunately, not all of us have the artistic eye to enhance the beauty of our home by just moving and grouping furniture and accents, if we did, we wouldn’t have a job!


Knowing how to arrange furniture, work with colour and place the right accessories can boost the overall appeal of your living space.

 

We’ve listed easy and practical arrangement tips for the living room.
Below you will find the furniture arranging basics and furniture sizes and placements.

Let’s start with the basics.

Living Room Basics

When arranging furniture in your living room, always remember to:

• Establish a focal point. It could be a decorated wall, a centrepiece a window, or a fireplace where you can arrange and match the furniture around it.
• Create a conversation area. It will be awkward for guests if they will need have to strain their necks and shout in order to be understood by one another. If you have a large living room, instead of spacing out the furniture and create a big gap between seats, create different conversation groupings instead.
• Don’t forget about traffic flow. Make sure that people have enough room for walking so they won’t trip or graze each other whenever in a hurry.
• Pull furniture away from the walls. One of the biggest mistakes that people do, is to leave their furniture touching the walls. If the pieces are closer together, they create a more intimate setting.

 

Furniture Placement and Sizes Guide

When it comes to interior design, size matters. Look at the size of your area first and make sure that the furniture you put it in will complement the space.

Side tables. People usually think that side tables are not important… but they are actually are. It is a common practice to have side tables at both ends of a sofa. But, if you only have a limited space, a coffee table is much advisable. For the height, always remember that side tables, should as high as the arm chair height of the nearest sofa or chair.


 

Coffee tables. A coffee table is a must have piece because it is practical and can serve many purposes. The height of a coffee table should be slightly lower than sofa and chairs, but not too low to the point that the guests will feel uncomfortable putting down their wine glass or a cup of coffee.


 

Rug. The secret to making rugs work is to go for a bigger one. An area rug that is too small will stunt your vision of the seating area. However, a big rug can define and make the seating area bigger and more inviting. But don't go too big (like wall-to-wall) as that can cut off the space too and chop the room  in half, you should see some hardwood flooring around the rug




Sofa and chairs. Consider the amount of space you have before buying new furniture. There is no small or big furniture, the sizes should depend on the amount of space that your living room has. What you can do is create a simple sketch or a basic floor plan with measurements to see how much stuff you can put in there. and to really capture personal style, try not to purchase a matching set with sofa and chairs.  find some great chairs that compliment the space and are of proper size and scale (some visual interest too)

 

 

 

Why you need to stage your home

First impressions matter the most when it comes to selling a house. In the real estate world, impressing prospect buyers is already half the battle. That’s why many seek professional home staging services to bring out the full potential of their home.

But not all people are convinced and we understand their hesitation. Some prefer to do it themselves instead of asking for professional help. Many home sellers ask us - why should I spend  money to sell my home, can't the buyer do it them selves and make the changes they really want? The problem with that is most buyers can't see potential and in this current real estate market most buyers don't want to lift a finger!  So if you want your home sold and fast, you need to do the 'grunt' work for them. Remember when a professional stager comes to your home for a consultation it isn't a personal attack, we are there to help you get your home sold and for as much money as possible in the shortest amount of time.

If you are in the process of selling your home and are having second thoughts about the benefits you can get out of professional home staging, here are a few reasons why you should consider it.


 

#1 The best short term investment a seller can make

In a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average cost of staging is between 1% and 3% of the asking price and this investment can yield on average 4-10% more of the final selling price.
Moreover, Homegain.com explained that sellers who invested $500 in home staging recovered over 343% of the total cost when they sold their home. That’s a pretty good investment.

#2 Staging help you sell faster

If you’ve done your research beforehand, you must know by now that the longer a house sits on the market, the more likely the price drops.
Based on controlled tests initiated by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), wherein a number of identical homes were sold, professionally staged vs. not staged, the non-staged houses sold in 102 days, while the staged houses sold in 45 days.
Just imagine all the carrying costs you need to manage if your home stays longer on the market. By staging your home, all the inconvenience, stress, plus additional expenses such as mortgage and taxes, can be avoided.

 

#3 Avoid a price reduction

A home that’s in “as in” condition are a tough sell, unless it has already been the victim of a substantial price reduction. Ensure that your property is in tip top shape before listing. Most traffic and interest will come up within the first two weeks so make it a point to maximize the potential of your home to make it to a buyers shortlist.

#4 Stand out amongst competition with professional MLS photos

Over 95% of buyers look at online listing before making an actual visit, so it is important to have professional MLS photos to convince them to see the place for themselves. As professional stagers, we know how important first impressions are and we employ various techniques to make the best impression possible. Colours to use, the right amount of decor pieces, furniture placement and more...so our ideas for your home might be completely different than yours but we are here to help you show case this home to buyers and make your home look like their dream home!

#5 Most sellers are having hard time viewing their home objectively

If you can’t view your home objectively, it’ll be hard to package it for the buyer’s eyes.  A professional home stager can help you with this. They know how to minimize the problem areas and maximize the potential of the best features. You decorated your home to suit your lifestyle and personal tastes but now that you have decided to move on, you need someone to come in and help you present your home in it's best light and have it attract as many buyers as possible.  It can be very tough to be objective in your home as it holds so many wonderful memories, so again don't take it personally when a home stager gives you ideas or stages your home in a way that you 'never' would.

 

#6  Only 10% of home buyers can visualize a house’s potential

This is why home staging is so important. It gives the buyers ideas how they can play with interior design. You need to bring out and show the potential of a house the best way you can.

#7 Peace of mind

Staging your home by yourself can be a tough job. It entails detailed planning, sorting out things, decluttering, trips to the home depot, finding contractors for paint jobs and repairs, etc. By entrusting the job to more capable hands, rest assured that you’ll get the best return on your investment.

 

How to make any room look Bigger

Smaller spaces tend to have a cozier feel about them and they are less intimidating plus you don't need to spend as much on furniture. But to fit in everything you need can be a big challenge and you definitely don't want to feel cramped, so what can you do?

There are some great tips and tricks out there beyond light and mirrors that can help.
And if you are thinking of putting your home or condo on the resale market, these ideas will really help you maximize the space for buyers to see.

1 - When space is at a premium, rooms should serve double duty. And nothing wastes space more than a living room that's used only for company. So go ahead — put a TV in there. Here a prominent wall arrangement steals focus away from the TV, so it doesn't dominate the space.





2 -  You can also hide the TV in a cabinet or piece of furniture. In this room the TV is sequestered behind a pair of doors over the fireplace — much nicer than looking at a big, black screen 24/7.







3 -  When space is tight, always ask yourself: How can I use this room for two purposes instead of one? Here a dining room doubles as a library. It saves space, and nothing warms up a room like a wall of books. Plus it's is practical storage and to make it more decorative you can add some pieces in the bookcase

4 - If a single space needs to serve several purposes, use area rugs to define the functions, rather than walls or dividers, which stop the eye and make a space appear smaller.

 

5 -  No space for a guest room? Consider a Murphy bed. There are a lot of really sophisticated designs on the market now. And while a good one isn't cheap, it would still be cheaper than adding a guest room that would get used only a few times a year.

6 -  Forget the old adage that small rooms need to be painted a light color. When you paint a small room a really dark color, the corners seem to disappear, so you can't see the boundaries of the space anymore. Plus, dark rooms can be really cozy. And at the end of the day, is it more important that a space feel big or feel inviting?

 

Suite Dreams

We stage a lot of homes and one of the big questions we get from clients is how to make the perfect bed.  when you present your home for sale, you really want to present it in it's best light and let the buyer believe that this is their dream home.  Kitchens and bathrooms are hot spots that buyers like to see updated but the bedroom, especially the ensuite is another area that you can really sett he scene of the perfect dream home.

Calming colours are really your best option.  Most buyers will want a soothing and tranquil room to relax at night. 

 

Clear out the clutter.  That means surface space and the closet.  I know we all have too much stuff but clutter is a stress point so organize that closet as best you can.  check out closet organizing systems of solutions for easy ideas.

 

Less is always more but do not 'neuter' the space.  If you have a larger room show that off with a proper size bed and a storage piece like a dresser is fine and a chair - as long as there is still room to move.
 


Make your bed.  No one wants to see an unmade bed it just looks messy.  so always make that bed, this video for tips of making the perfect bed.  Think hotel chic!

 


Let the light in!  So pull the drapes back and make sure your light bulbs are in working order.



Add some touches that will make an impression on the buyer.  Some romantic candles by the soaker tub, so rolled or folded towels in the ensuite bath or a beautiful floral arrangement in the master bedroom can really help buyers visualize how they want to live in the space.

Model transformation: Kristi Blok's redesign on a budget turns contemporary condo into funky, industrial loft

By Anita Murray, Ottawa Citizen February 7, 2014 10:04 AM

BEFORE 

 AFTER

AFTER: Living room, Qualicum Woods Crossing model suite

OTTAWA — The challenge: Bring new life to a one-bedroom condo apartment model to appeal to both first-timers and downsizers, showing how both could make it fit their lifestyle and furnishings.The location: Qualicum Woods Crossing model suite at 2781 Baseline Rd.
The restrictions: Very little time and a tiny budget of $6,000.
The result: A funky, industrial loft look that effectively melds multiple styles in what broker Marnie Bennett calls “design on a dime in only 28 days.” Decorator Kristi Blok of Kiki Interiors explains how she did it.
The living room
Loft look: The biggest change was adding a recycled brick wall to create a warehouse feel. It’s the bold statement that the room is built around and is accented with neutrals inspired by the greys in the kitchen to keep things from competing. “When you live in an open space, flow is really key. If we had introduced a whole new colour palette in here, even though there’s no walls, it would feel choppy.”
Marrying styles: Yes, first-timers can make a collection of hand-me-downs work. Same goes for downsizers paring down and finding a few key pieces to fit a smaller space. The existing contemporary sofa, for example, is paired with a warehouse-style chair (Structube); they don’t match, but they go together. Shying away from adding lots of bold colour and taking proportion and scale into consideration helps link the styles. “That warehouse look, it’s a mix of all sorts of different things and there isn’t necessarily a pattern to it; a lot of it is based on function.”
Balance: The masculine chair is tempered by the more feminine sheepskin throw (IKEA), while the same effect is created with the lamps. The one by the chair “just screamed warehouse” with its vintage-look Edison light bulbs and industrial open cage, yet it works well with the classically shaped end table lamps (all from lampsplus.com).
Pattern plus: You can mix them, but one should be the star while the others play a supporting role. The pillows (HomeSense) play into the layers of grey. Adding a throw sets the scene for those who might be living here.
Breaking rules: An area rug that made the space feel cramped was replaced by one from Structube to spread out the room. It has no definite pattern but is visually interesting without taking over and adds to the room’s random mosaic. It does break the design rule of tucking rug edges under the front feet of furniture, but with a larger rug “you’d almost be building a wall right there at the edge of the sofa.”
California dreamin’: A funky Gus coffee table in the shape of California (fab.com) is fun, functional and fits, being narrow enough to keep from blocking flow while still offering great surface area. The white laminate top and streamlined wood legs lighten the room and provide a link between the heavy wood TV cabinet (new, from Zone) and the existing modern glass end tables. “Personal style is more about putting things together and co-ordinating them and mixing pattern and texture and colour instead of everything just being exactly the same.”

Multi-purpose: Smaller space means things must serve double or triple duty. The reclaimed wood TV cabinet offers storage, can be a serving area or be used for seating in a pinch. “When you live in a smaller space, the pieces that you have in there are going to have to take on multiple personalities, so don’t be afraid to do that.”
Scale: The painting (etsy.com) is large but understated to show off the brick wall. It’s clean and simple since there is already a lot of furniture in the room. The vignette of the sofa, end tables and painting is symmetrical, to which people are naturally drawn.


The kitchen

BEFORE



 AFTER




New style: It’s the same size, but most of it is new to give it a more commercial feel, yet it’s warmer to bring in the warehouse element.
Adding depth: A charcoal backsplash (Olympia) in an oversized subway tile is laid in a brick pattern to mimic the brick wall in the living room. It creates depth against the light cream walls.
Toned down: Contemporary high-gloss cabinets with no hardware were replaced with shorter ones in a light texture finish and tube stainless-steel hardware fitted horizontally.
Exposure: Open shelving (IKEA) means everything is at your fingertips, adding to the commercial look.
Hot seat: The island chairs (Zone) are paired with a bench in reclaimed pine (minam.com) that tucks away for more work space. Adding warmth and contrast with its retro aqua blue paint, it can be pulled out for extra living room seating and makes a great conversation piece. “It looks like a piece that somebody’s had for a really long time and it was really loved and passed down.”
Visual pop: Oversized industrial chic pendants (Zone) add visual interest while tying together the kitchen’s new look and providing much needed task lighting.
The unexpected: A white faux lion (whitefauxtaxidermy.com) is both subtle and bold. “If you’re going to put something on your walls it should mean something to you ... and maybe it’s just, ‘This is weird and I love it.’ ”


The den

BEFORE






AFTER




Split personality: A condo den often plays multiple roles — spare bedroom, office, entertainment area. The Murphy bed and work space, which were already there, help show this, but the space needed a lighter touch against all the dark wood. Accessories such as the ampersand bookends, handcrafted horses and oversized wristwatch clock (HomeSense and IKEA) add personality and some light to the space.
Who are you? A mounted trumpet (HomeSense) aims to “show off the personality of the person who might live here.”
Art that works: A gallery wall shows how you can keep and display some of your art collection. The art (HomeSense) can be a mix of different pieces or styles. Here, the gallery wall replaces one big piece of art to balance the space.


The bedroom

 BEFORE

 

AFTER




Toning it down: Pops of red were replaced with calmer, more soothing colours for a more gender-neutral look.

Opening it up: Something as simple as folding up the charcoal bedspread and keeping it at the edge of the bed lets more white show, making the room lighter, cleaner and less formal.
Come on in: Playing around with the pillows (HomeSense) creates a more relaxing space. The blue ties in with undertones in the kitchen greys, while mixing Greek key and cable-knit styles introduces texture and pattern.
Oversized is OK: Ineffective lamps were replaced with larger ones that give off good light, are gender neutral and work well with the drum ceiling fixture already there. Although oversized, if you make everything in a smaller space small “you might start to feel like a munchkin (and) it’s still clutter.”
Seat shift: The bench was moved so that it wasn’t centred under the window. Added pillows (IKEA and HomeSense) suggest a great spot for girlfriends to hang out while you’re getting ready for a night out.
Tips

• 80-20 rule: Have 70 to 80 per cent of your space in one style. The other 20 per cent can be a mix of whatever you want.
• Lighting: Same goes for lighting. Upwards of 80 per cent should be recessed with the rest a mix of floor lamps, pendants, table lamps, even candlelight.
• Your style: Downsizing into a condo doesn’t mean you need all new stuff that’s modern. You may not be able to keep your big dining room table, but maybe you’ll keep some of the chairs and pair them with a slick tulip or glass table for “a really neat balance and combination of traditional and contemporary.”
• Must-haves: You can’t keep everything if you’re downsizing. Pick the top five pieces you cannot live without, but keep in mind they may find a new purpose in a condo.
• Common thread: Open-concept spaces need a common thread, theme or colour palette, something that’s going to bring the whole space together. Introducing new themes in each room makes it look choppy.
• First-timers: Get creative with hand-me-downs. Put your personality into dining chairs by changing the fabric; create a common thread by painting furniture pieces the same colour or adding new hardware.
• Area rugs: They define spaces in an open plan by bringing furniture pieces together without building walls. The key is picking the right size; in most cases a bit bigger is better than picking too small. If you have lots of neutrals and want to introduce colour, an area rug can do that; if you already have lots of colour, choose a rug that’s neutral, maybe with a bit of texture.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Radiant Orchid in the Home? Yes you can!

So it's official the colour of the year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid!

What is Radiant Orchid?  the shade is a blend of fuchsia and purple and it is said to inspire happiness, confidence and love.  It works well with neutrals like grey, taupe, navy and chocolate brown and looks so fresh and flirty with white.  It can also be paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellow.  And if you really followed the green trend of last year (Emerald green in 2013) don't fret you can pair orchid with shades of green too - I especially love it with lime and olive!

This colour definitely makes a statement and you might be thinking "how can I decorate with this colour?"  "where will this colour work in my home?"

Here are some great ideas to bring this fresh colour into your home this year.

1.  Try it in the bedroom.  You can go really simple with a throw or a few accent pillows to liven up your boudoir space.  Or you can really embrace the trend by adding a wallpaper accent wall (or painted accent wall) behind the headboard, bed linens or a funky orchid chair or bench.  The image below has really embraced the trend this year with bold bed linens in orchid and a splashy headboard in lime, orchid, violet and white.  Don't over look the area rug in a stripe pattern with shades of purple orchid and lime.  the accent wall in charcoal adds even more drama to this bedroom

The image below has taken basic grey and white bedding and added an orchid bench and pillow (and a simple floral arrangement on the night stand) and the room really comes to life.



If you like a very subtle and soft look in the bedroom, check out this bed linen set from Restoration Hardware

This bed linen set has a classic trim in a sift tint of orchid and against the crisp white - so fresh.  the charcoal wall colour adds drama and richness to the room.  this is a bedroom with a perfect balance of masculine and feminine.


2.  Try it in your daughter's bedroom or nursery.  Looking at the softer and more subtle tones of orchid - this colour would an ideal wall colour (or accent colour) for a little girls room.  With the right basics, like a grey or white area rug, you would need to change too much in the space as she matures you can simply add different accessories as her interests change.






3.  Accessories.  Most of us have at least one very neutral room in our home.  And neutrals are great because they are timeless but every room needs a pop of colour now and then, so can this bold colour work in a living room?  Sure!  But just don't over do it - this orchid colour packs a punch and you can make a big impact with just a few pops here and there.




 4.  If you love it - be bold!  Don't worry about what next year will bring...if this colour really speaks to who you are - bright, joyful, loves love and high energy why not make this your statement colour and make an impact in your dwelling.  the bedroom, bathroom and living room are easy starting points to make your mark.  Look at options like: wallpaper, paint, textiles like drapes pillows - mix prints and patterns and layer the tints and tones and rugs, art, wall decals and floral arrangements and even lamps to really take this look to the max!!

Hello, Colour!

Spring is here!  And if you are looking to give your home a little makeover, have you thought about something as easy as your front door colour?  Such any easy fix and now that the weather is getting warmer and drier (very soon) it's the perfect time!

So what colour to choose?  Here's a few great ideas...from Beauti-tone Paints

1- Beauti-Tone Wet Sands 3H2-7  a beautiful golden orange tone. 

2 - Beauti-Tone Green Conifer Hills 5141EC a classic and tradition colour but if you are a fan of green but want to stay understated this is mixed with black so it isn't too green

3 - Beauti-Tone Earthenware  3E1-8  I love a red door but finding the right red it tricky.  I also love an orange too but sometimes it can look too much like it's a Halloween decoration.  So this colour is perfect!

4 - Beauti-tone Direct Line 436  Purple is a great colour choice for an exterior door.  I've selected a variety of purple hues for condos and single family homes.  This purple is rich and regal but would also work well in contemporary design

5 - Beauti-Tone Grey Eyeshadow SC047  A great grey option, looks great in traditional or contemporary style door.  If you find black too intense this is a great alternative.

6 - Beauti-Tone Loving it 3C2-8  I love a red door, very classic and yet still fun!  This is the perfect red door shade.

7- Beauti-Tone Hidden Mountains 5135EC  Aubergine is a great alternative to Cranberry which was so popular.  this is rich, sophisticated but a bit different.

Other elements to consider when you are changing you door colour. 

- Think about your trim, if you really want the door to stand out go with a lighter trim like white or cream.  Keeping the trim darker is a more modern look and really look at the age/style of the home to see if modernizing it is the way you want to go.

-  Update your grip set too.  That should include the knocker, kick plate, numbers (address plate) and mail slot or mail box.

- a good cleaning maybe even power washing is a good idea too

- How about the exterior lighting?  It should match the grip set.  So if the grip set is black so should the other accessories be.

-  I love to see some greenery around an exterior entry.  Planters, natural wreath, there are so many possibilities