July 19, 2008
It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through summer. I like the idea of summer being laid-back, relaxed, and easy going. The truth of the matter is that summer can also be stifling hot, depending on where you live. Still, the evenings bring a bit of cooler temperatures and give us the chance to entertain outdoors (but only if there’s enough mosquito spray when you live in the south!).
Bring a little color to your table, whether indoors or outdoors, with colorful table linens, plates, cups, and of course, candlelight. To make it more interesting, add a few found objects such as seashells or fresh flowers.
Enjoy summer to it’s fullest.
June 23, 2008
Target is rolling out a new storage / organization system called “itso.” This looks like a great product for a child’s or teen’s closet - or even a laundry room.
There is also an easy-to-use tool (”itso builder”) for creating your own system. This allows you to see exactly what pieces you will need to purchase once you’ve designed your system. Once you’ve made your design, you can print it (to take with you for shopping) or save it -and it is then emailed to you.
As for prices, that’s not clear yet. Apparently, the itso system can’t be purchased online, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before that changes.
check out itso at:
http://www.target.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=618273011
June 12, 2008
This is a common question. However, many never know the answer. Here is a link at Domino Magazine online that will give you various ideas for several rooms in your home including the dining room, living room, office / guest room, and master bedroom. Give one of the ideas a try in your home.
http://www.dominomag.com/howtos/advice/2007/01/floorplan
May 31, 2008
As I was flipping through the newspaper this morning, I saw an article about a local interior designer who has created an interesting website. There are some great articles about decorating as well as a section to help determine “What’s my style?” If you like shopping online for items for your home, the “Secret Database” offers organized assistance.
For example, if you are looking for accessories, simply click on the “accessories” picture and you will be able to choose from several other categories including: baskets, clocks, decorative pillows, screens/room dividers, throws, and wall cabinets/shelves/brackets. This will open a page with a list of vendors - voila! So…start shopping!
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by shopping online because there are too many choices, this is a great place to start.
Check it out: www.mydesignsecrets.com
May 23, 2008
I recently received a copy of a local magazine, “Florida Home Improve.” There was an excellent article regarding home staging by Fernando Rosado. The author noted that home staging is becoming more common as home sellers “seek to get the best price for their homes.” Why is this so? Home buyers need to see themselves living in the home. This becomes very difficult when the sellers’ personal belongings fill the entire house. The author also makes an excellent point: “Did you know that the way you live in your home and the way a professional markets and sells your house are two different things?”
photo from www.potterybarn.com
Here are some MUSTS for selling any home:
- The house must be sparkling clean!
- De-clutter!
- You are going to be moving soon, so pack up what you no longer need on a daily basis. This will make your home appear more spacious.
- You must have curb appeal - don’t forget the exterior.
- When you put your house on the market, think of it as a product versus “a home filled with memories.”
Why should you consider using a professional home stager?
- Clutter eats equity. Why chance losing money by preparing your home in a way that is appealing to you - but may not be appealing to buyers. You have a lot of memories and emotions attached to your home. It can be difficult to know what “needs to go.” Have a home stager assist you in determining what needs to be removed and stored.
- Do you know the most inexpensive ways to update your home and make it appealing to buyers? Updating a home brings a higher appraised value.
- Staging a home professionally costs less than your first price reduction.
Contact a home stager for a consultation today.
www.stellarspaces.com
Filed under Decorating, affordable, curb appeal, declutter, fresh look, front door, get it sold, getting a house ready, ideas, real estate, real estate market, selling a home, stager, staging, value
May 14, 2008
Do you want to organize one of your rooms but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Here are 99 tips for you from RealSimple.com.
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1738886,00.html?xid=weeklynews
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Clear vinyl storage bags.
These are great for under-the-bed storage or top-of the-closet! I put little used items such as extra blankets or winter clothes in these bags. You can also find cotton storage bags. Check out both options at http://www.containerstore.com/
2. Fill empty votive-candle holders with small things that tend to get misplaced, such as paper clips, bobby pins, rubber bands, and pieces of ribbon, and keep them on a desk or inside a drawer.
This is such a great, inexpensive idea for bathroom vanity drawers, the office, or the kitchen “junk” drawer! If you don’t have extra drawer space, put the votive holders on a pretty, inexpensive tray and make it decorative).
3. Speaking of junk drawers….
Tackle that junk drawer. This Everything organizer features two stacking levels (one shown) and 23 compartments. $7, www.containerstore.com.
- original photo located at:
- http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1738886-1738921,00.html
May 7, 2008
I was doing a little window shopping today when I saw these adorable items. I found these cute bowls at Swoozies in Boca Raton (http://www.swoozies.com/). However, you can also purchase them (as well as the black and white items below) online from the artist at http://www.mbagwellart.com
And…aren’t these the cutest?
I think the crabs and fish would add quite a bit of whimsy to your next outdoor party (especially if there is a pool). The black and white servers would be also be perfect for a little wine and cheese gathering for two (or more). Of course, you could also serve a lovely and decadent cake (chocolate, of course) on this adorable cake stand. No one says you have to bake the cake - just serve it!
Add a little pizzazz to your next gathering, whether it’s for two or ten!
(Psst! Don’t forget - Mother’s Day is this weekend!)
May 5, 2008
I have been looking at furniture over the past few weeks since I am planning on replacing a sofa and adding a couple more pieces. I came across an advertising supplement in one of my “decorating” magazines for “Canopy” furnishings. The furniture looked really nice but I was really surprised by the low prices. Of course, I immediately got online to see if I could find more information. I checked out http://canopyliving.com/index.html and found that this line of furniture (as well as other home goods) is sold at select Wal-Mart stores and walmart.com
I had to see if for myself since it looked so nice in the ads and online so I took a little trip to my local Wal-Mart! They didn’t have many pieces there to look at but what they did have was very nice. The information online says the furniture is made with solid hardwood covered with veneer.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=921919
It is very sturdy and the inside of drawers (in the desk and chest of drawers I saw) are truly made well (with wood) and appear quite solid. I’m not sure about the exterior finish though in terms of how it will hold up over time - but for the price, I think it will do the job!
Price: $279.96!
I had the chance to sit in a comfy cushioned chair. I liked the fabric (chenille) and it was a very pretty ivy green color. It seems to be made very well too.
Price: $399.96!
The coordinating sofa is $699.96!
As for rugs, this is my favorite:
One of the reviewers at walmart.com was correct about this rug being a “gold” color rather than more neutral as it appears in the picture online. However, it is a very pretty pattern. (Price: $19.96 - $189.96, depending on size).
Other home goods: dinnerware, table linens, shower curtains, bath accessories, and the list goes on!
So, take a look at Canopy for yourself. I’d love to hear from you if you have purchased any of the furniture.
April 30, 2008
Don’t you love Ikea? I was first introduced to it when an Ikea opened in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) a couple of years ago. I couldn’t wait to make my first trip. Once I did, though, I was hooked! If you don’t have an Ikea near you, you are sadly missing out. I recently helped a friend select new furnishings for a den. She purchased an Ikea chair and ottoman (Ektorp) and we both loved it. It was comfortable and priced well. I am in the market for a new sofa and I am also considering purchasing an Ikea Ektorp sofa.
In their catalog, the sofa is priced at $399. Now, you ask, how can this be a quality piece of furniture? Just read the Ikea catalog if you aren’t convinced (2008 catalog, pg. 33):
- The armrests are built to stand up to someone sitting on the armrest (Do you have kids? You know what I mean!). “We press a 220 pound weight against the weakest point of the armrests - 5000 times.”
- “Slipcovers are washed 40 times to ensure that they will both look good and fit well when you put them back on again.”
- The cushions are subjected to an endurance test: “A 220 pound weight sits down and gets up form the sofa 50,000 times. And the back cushions get the same treatment using a 66-pound weight.”
On top of all this, the Ektorp sofa has a 10-year limited warranty. Now that’s quality at a great price!
Some of the top designers often include Ikea pieces with more expensive and exclusive furnishings. I love to blend items from all different price ranges to make a room more interesting. Did you see this month’s edition of Domino magazine? Actress and decorator, Julianne Moore, includes Ikea pieces in her decorating as well. Check out the magazine for specifics or for a summary, go to http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/2008/05/julianne_moore.
If you’d like an Ikea catalog or want to view it online, go here:
http://info.ikea-usa.com/IkeaOptin/Registration.aspx
April 24, 2008
How many times have you asked your kids to pick up their stuff and put it where it belongs? As for myself, I can’t even count the number of times! Since my kids were old enough use a chart with symbols, I have created “chore charts” - some better than others. Recently, a friend of mine (who has become tired of repeatedly reminding her kids of their responsibilities around the house) shared a great “chore chart” she found online. Much to my amazement, I found it by accident as I was checking out organizing products at www.onlineorganizing.com
It’s the “I did my chores chart.” 
Not only is it cute, it’s helpful! Here’s some information from the website: http://www.onlineorganizing.com/ProductsPage.asp?name=I_Did_My_Chores
“Are you tired of chasing after your kids — nagging them to do their daily chores? Now there is finally an effective chore system that works for both children who can and children who can not read. Designed for children ages 4-12, this chore chart assigns color-coded tasks according to time of day — different colors for morning, midday, afternoon, and evening chores.”
What I particularly like about this system is the “I did it” pocket where the child places the card for the completed task after (obviously…) doing it. Doesn’t everyone like the feeling of completing and accomplishing a task?
Maybe I should get one for myself - for those least favorite chores such as dishwashing and window cleaning !
