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 - How to make my home look summer-y

"How can I make my home look summer-y? The cold weather is finally gone but my home still looks kind of winter-y"

Yes, the weather is absolutely beautiful these days and it looks like those chilly days are behind us (at least for a few months).  It's nice to celebrate the changing of the seasons and if you live in an area like ours, the changes in weather are pretty drastic! We love to have the inside of our homes light and airy like the summer weather so here are some ideas that we use at home.

1 - Flowers - bring in some beauty of the spring/summer season.  If you have a lovely garden cut some of your own flowers, if you don't have a garden to pick from the local Farmer's markets have tons of beautiful flowers this time of year.  We love the see arrangements on coffee tables, dining tables and even bedrooms.



2- Pillows and throws - chances are if you live in a colder climate (like us) your pillows and throws (on your bed and sofa) you colour motif is likely deep and dark, so for the warmer seasons lighten it up!  Can this get expensive? Sure.  But if you are smart you can do this on a budget.  Try pillow covers instead of all new pillows.  This way you can keep the inserts, change the covers seasonally and send the off-season covers to be professionally cleaned.  Tuck away your off-season pillows and throws in a closet or a trunk during these warm months.  If you stick with a spring/summer colour scheme and a fall/winter scheme you will get a lot of use of your accent decor pieces. For spring summer, we love a pop of yellow.  Yellow works with blue, green, orange, pink ..... plus it is so sunny and bright!

 

3 - Drapery and window coverings - we aren't  suggesting a new set of window dressings is mandatory but if you have heavy drapery such as velvet or a really dark colour, you might want to consider a lighter option during the spring/summer months - this will completely transform the look of your home.  And much like the idea with the pillow covers, take the cold season drapery to be cleaned. If you aren't open to 2 sets of drapery, pull back the curtains and pull up the blinds and let the light in! this will brighten up the room



4 - Fireplace - the fireplace is a focal point in your room no matter the season.  In those cold winter and crisp fall months, it is easy to style the fireplace but what to do in the warm months? The fireplace likely won't be in use but it is a big piece of your room.  Style it with some softer textures and tones. You have lots of options but we suggest adding elements that work with your spring/summer colour scheme and adding some botanical pieces (that could be floral arrangements or a seasonal art piece).  We love the image below because it has that summer ease - the plants are a great touch and that mirror in the fireplace is such a great idea.  The garden stool adds a pop of colour but is also another seating option when needed.



5 - Texture - in the warmer months we all love to get outside, so to make your home decor more 'summer-y' bring the outdoors in!  Yes, we already mentioned flowers but there are other outdoor elements that you can bring inside.  Think about natural textures like wood, rattan and sisal - they add that soft and natural factor but also a warmth.  These are great options if you lean towards neutrals, in terms of your decor palette.  The richness of these textures adds a sophistication to any space.




 You can create a welcoming entry in the summer by adding a summer themed wreath and planters.  Maybe even a bench with some outdoor pillows - this will create a warm and inviting vignette for family and friends.

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!

How To Style A Tall Dresser

Furniture pieces like chests and dressers are big and bulky but we need them for storage.  When you style these pieces they look prettier but all visually they become a part of the decor scheme and not just a big, bulky box in the room. 

When it comes to a Tall Dresser it can be a big confusing or even intimidating due to the height.  But just a few pieces can really make a difference. You likely have some items in your home right now. 

Lamp + Artwork + Interesting or Shapely Decor = Easy!!

Here are a few great visuals to demonstrate this easy system to style a tall dresser.  Notice the balance and height of the lamps (or candle sticks) and the greenery.  The layering is really important when it comes to styling, you see a lot of layering in these examples - the art behind the lamp and other decor pieces, the stacking of books, smaller items at the front etc...Layering is where you really get that designer look. 



In this example, the white candles and candle sticks, art and orchids really balance out the big and dark dresser.  



In this example we have the layering of the art and lamp.  The plant on top of the stacked books gives some balance in height, too. 



Look around your space and see if you have any items that you could style your tall dresser with. a small piece of art or a mirror hanging above and centered over the dresser.  Next add a lamp or candle sticks (2 or 3 depending on the size of the dresser) and push them to one side and on the other side add a decor item.  Take a look, you may want to add in a few other accents like a small plant, a photo frame or books but stick to odd numbers and varying heights!!

We Answer Wednesday - How do I style my coffee table?

“I am an avid design magazine reader. I always try to mimic what I see in photos, but something I always struggle to get right is my coffee table. I love the look in magazines but I can’t seem to get it right at home. What’s the trick to styling a coffee table?”

Great Question! This is always a tricky one because while we of course want to have a beautiful table, we also use coffee tables in a functional way. So where is the balance?

Depending on what kind of coffee table you have, the options truly are endless….

 

Using trays is a great option! Especially for ottomans. Since an ottoman is a fabric or leather surface, having a tray on top is a great functional additional, but also a great décor piece! Depending on the size of the tray, using beautiful hardcover books is a great décor item. Adding some greenery also adds a bit of colour to the display. If you have the space and it doesn’t look cluttered, add a beautiful candle or a bunch of candles. 

 

Trays don’t necessarily have to only be used on an ottoman either. Using one on a solid surface is a great place to neatly have your decorative pieces together, while still leaving space for drinks etc. for your guests and family.

If your coffee table has a bottom shelf, don’t forget to add some decorative pieces down there. Hardcover books, magazines, and decorative accessories are great on the bottom shelf. 

 

Adding vases with flowers is a classic option for a coffee table. Having beautiful fresh flowers not only look good – but smell nice too! Using a colourful vase is a great addition to the space.

 

Depending on the size of your coffee table, try adding a few lanterns. They give the table some height while also having an interesting piece as an accessory.

Incorporating interesting objects are a great way to add visual interest to the space, as well as giving you and your guests a conversation starter! Bowls, vases, candles, abstract objects and even picture frames are welcome additions to a coffee table.

Now, the trick is to have items that are to scale with your furniture. If you are going to incorporate oversize pieces, make sure you don’t have too much stuff in addition to them. Having a cluttered tabletop isn’t going to achieve the ‘designer look’ you’re aiming for. It’s all about the right balance.