Getting Buyers to View Your Home

<div class="deleteBody"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/househunting415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/realestateMLSlistingpage-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/realestateMLSlistingpage-3.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>With so many houses on the market, how can you guarantee your buyer will find you?<br /><br />Buyers do searches of listings and then narrow down the list of homes they want to see.<br /><br />Don't count on luck to get you on the list. Instead, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html">stage your home</a>, and then advertise it right.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Once your home is listed</b></span> check your listing. Check it for mistakes and omissions. It's very common for a garage, basement, attic, bonus room or outbuilding to be listed incorrectly or not at all. Are the specifications right regarding important features like square footage, heating and cooling, septic, school district, size of rooms, taxes, roof, and flooring? Check even the obvious data like numbers of baths and bedrooms.<br /><br />No one is perfect, and all these details are just entered into a computer, maybe by someone who hasn't had her second cup of coffee yet.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://therealestatebakery.com/files/2010/07/cars-in-driveway.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://therealestatebakery.com/files/2010/07/cars-in-driveway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Are they selling the cars or the house?  </i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Check your photos</b></span> too. They should do justice to your staging. Otherwise, replace them.<br /><br />If you can't afford a professional photographer (which is a worthy investment imho) and you don't like the pictures your realtor used, you may  have to shoot some of your own pictures and send them to your realtor. Make sure any published pictures were taken after all the staging is in place.<br /><br />And once your home is staged and photographed, don't disappoint buyers when they come calling by re-arranging furniture and adding in clutter. Changes like this will breed distrust. <br /><br />Choose the best angle or two for each room, then shoot multiple pictures, tweaking the angle of the camera and other minor variables, so you can later eliminate all but the very best.  <br /><br />Bad photos are often taken from a poor vantage point, or were not cropped and edited for brightness and contrast, resulting in drab and uninteresting images that tell buyers nothing. If I can edit photographs on Picasa, anyone can.<br /><br />If neither your realtor nor you have a photographic eye, ask a friend with good photo skills to help you, or hire a professional photographer who has real estate experience..  <br /><br />For some how-not-to-photograph-your-home tips, visit <a href="http://badmlsphotos.com/">http://badmlsphotos.com/</a> . And be prepared to be aghast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://therealestatebakery.com/files/2010/07/cars-in-driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Especially crucial </b></span>is the feature photo that headlines your listing. House hunters make quick decisions based on that one image.<br /><br />Is the angle flattering?<br /><br />Is the time of day right, so the home's details are evident and not lost in shadows?<br /><br />Take lots of pictures from close, far and in between, and then choose the best one.<br /><br />And, please, let's get the cars and garbage cans out of the driveway when we're taking that all-important shot.<br /><br />Review the write-up and any handouts your realtor or you have prepared. Make sure there are no mistakes or typos there. When your literature looks sloppy, your home looses credibility and desirability. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkW6X2dk3hYX-emRR5Ikm5k5zEggsUlHSMDVK6CF-7JAhiN78&t=1&usg=__L98OQ87DSKnBPXYr5FKdU-l0hq0=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkW6X2dk3hYX-emRR5Ikm5k5zEggsUlHSMDVK6CF-7JAhiN78&t=1&usg=__L98OQ87DSKnBPXYr5FKdU-l0hq0=" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkW6X2dk3hYX-emRR5Ikm5k5zEggsUlHSMDVK6CF-7JAhiN78&t=1&usg=__L98OQ87DSKnBPXYr5FKdU-l0hq0=" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It's empty. You've lost a prospect. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you have </b></span>a weatherproof holder of print-outs available for drive-by house hunters?<br /><br />Keep it full. It's a simple thing, but important.<br /><br />If you change your price, make sure the literature tells people that.<br /><br />Don't be shy about attaching a second sheet that lists all the amenities an MLS sheet may not mention -- how close the golf course is, the way the local schools are rated, town demographics, number of restaurants within walking distance, nearby hiking trails, public transportation, climate data, whatever makes your property look more valuable.   <br /><br />Always remember that some buyers will be people relocating from elsewhere. Do they know the local abbreviations and lingo? Don't assume everyone knows all about your area's best features.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.taosvacationhomes.com/pics/1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="goog_1464419030"></span><span id="goog_1464419031"></span>When I moved </b></span>to Santa Fe, New Mexico, many of the real estate ads I read mentioned "v and k."<br /><br />A realtor had to explain to me, someone moving there from Boston, that the "v" stood for vigas, the overhead beams. And "k" stood for kiva, the traditional adobe fireplace. Who knew?<br /><br />You may have to explain the local real estate jargon and abbreviations.  </div><div class="deleteBody"></div><div class="deleteBody"></div><div class="deleteBody"><br /><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/five-reasons-to-stage-your-own-home.html">Home staging your own home</a> is a great beginning, but part two is making sure people get to see the beautiful job you've done to showcase your home.<br /><br />The best beginning for staging your home is my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">,</a> <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. </i>And you can download it right now<i>. </i><br /><div class="postBody" style="color: #777777;"></div></div><input name="security_token" type="hidden" value="AOuZoY6tDsOGWCCDdMjOwhk8RVIR3jiKqQ:1286496590746" /><input name="postID" type="hidden" value="4466560063453667714" /> <input name="blogID" type="hidden" value="8919423189147062938" /> <br /><div class="errorbox-good"><input name="securityToken" type="hidden" value="7QcIRKMNVF3ltMmhWaAGLoKsZG4:1286496590776" /> </div>

Getting Buyers to View Your Home

With so many houses on the market, how can you guarantee your buyer will find you? Buyers do searches of listings and then narrow down the l...

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Ins and Outs of Staging a Fireplace Mantel

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_100008282.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here's perfect staging style -- an interesting </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>variety </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;">of big, bold shapes on this </i><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>classic stone fireplace mantel</i></span>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When the home you are staging</b></span> has a fireplace, its mantel gives you a perfect opportunity to call attention to this feature.  Whether it's wood burning, gas logs, non functioning, electric, or just decorative, a fireplace is usually a room's main focal point.<br /><br />Having such an inviting focal point makes your staging work easier.  Put some stuff on the mantel and you're done.<br /><br />Not so fast.  What stuff?  Choose the wrong accessorizing props and you've missed an opportunity to enhance the room's selling point. Arrange them poorly and you've ruined the relaxing effect a fireplace has on a room.<br /><br />In my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar</i>, I offer five different formulas and plenty of do's and don'ts that will make easy work of decorating even a problem mantel. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_100008286.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This fireplace is slightly off-center, so its mantel was decorated asymmetrically, </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and with an odd number of items. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_100008286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorate the mantel </b></span>in the same style you've staged the rest of your house.<br /><br />If your home has an open floor plan, wall to wall carpet, recessed ceiling lights, and casual furnishings, choose objects for the mantel that are modern, fun, and informal.<br /><br />If your home has high ceilings, crown molding, hardwood floors, chandeliers, and a formal dining room, choose objects that are traditional, historically interesting, and sophisticated. Be selective, because you need only a few things.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorators use </b></span>what they call the Rule of One and Three.  Their advice is to choose one large or tall item and balance it with three small but somehow related items.  Maybe you have a centerpiece between them, or the four things may be the whole show.<br /><br />That rule works fine for informal mantel groupings, but not so much for that formally balanced mantel.  There, you'll want one side to look just like the other. If you have pairs of identical vases, candlesticks, picture frames or obelisks, set one of a pair on each end of the mantel.<br /><br />For less formality, keep the pairs together and balance the mantel asymmetrically.  Stand back and squint, and you should be able to tell if the mantel balances. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pick mantel props </b></span>that have varying colors, textures, shapes and sizes. Just as you've done with the rest of your staged house, stay away from small stuff and go for big, clean shapes.  That doesn't mean you can't use found objects from nature. Branches, pinecones, shells, rocks, feathers, and driftwood can be wonderful mantel props.<br /><br />Stagger the props to create a fluid motion as your eye moves from left to right, the way a buyer would glance over a mantel.  Vary the heights just enough to make it interesting, but not so much that your eye jumps around.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm a believer </b></span>in the fooling-around approach to accessorizing.  Experiment with what you have on hand, and you're bound to discover the perfect arrangement.  Every staged house for sale with a fireplace deserves some thoughtful attention to its mantel.  I hope you'll be inspired by these photos to create your own mantel masterpiece.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_101149357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>J</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>ust a couple of dramatic items are all it took to accent the beauty of </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>this contemporary style fireplace. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_101149357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_100952705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A cozy home with cottage-style furnishings deserves </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>a mantel dressed in nature-themed objects. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2009/10/ss_101133838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>All the things on this mantle repeat the colors and </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>shapes seen elsewhere in the room.</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Above photos: BHG.com</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Although the art on either side of this fireplace is informal, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the mantel is dressed formally. Photo: Veranda.com</i></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yr/marsden-willis-north-carolina-0908-6_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yr/marsden-willis-north-carolina-0908-6_lg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Six prints and two vases that repeat this room's blue f</i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;">loral </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">motif, create a formal, refined mantel. Photo: Veranda.com</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/7A/ver-barry-fireplace-1109-4-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/7A/ver-barry-fireplace-1109-4-lgn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Less is more.  Barbara Barry designed this living room </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>around an elegantly simple fireplace. Photo:Verdanda.com.</i></span><i style="font-size: small;">  </i></div><br /></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

Ins and Outs of Staging a Fireplace Mantel

Here's perfect staging style -- an interesting  variety  of big, bold shapes on this  classic stone fireplace mantel . When the home you...

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Painted Furniture -- Home Staging's Friend

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC_0226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Home stagers on a budget -- celebrate with me, because painted furniture is the new look.<br /><br />The design world has given us permission to paint those pine armoirs, those oak tables and even those (gasp!) mahogany china cabinets.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What We Get. </b><span style="font-size: small;">Let's look at </span></span>what we gain when we put some paint on the furniture we're using for home staging.<br /><br />Paint gives us unlimited color choices.<br /><br />Paint disguises damaged, flawed furniture, saving us money.<br /><br />Paint adds a clean, fresh look to our rooms.<br /><br />Today's trend-conscious singles and young families relate to the informal, laid back look painted furniture creates.<br /><br />Other buyers in all demographics respond well to the pretty-factor of painted furniture. They know they aren't buying furniture, but you and I know they are influenced by furniture.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What to Paint.</b></span> Don't worry, antique hunters and lovers of stained wood, we won't destroy anything valuable.<br /><br />We're staging with garage sale finds, not precious heirlooms. If what you're thinking of painting is 150 years old, belonged to your grandmother, or cost you more than a day's wages, don't.<br /><br />Otherwise, get on your painting clothes.<br /><br />You do have painting clothes. don't you?<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/marthasvineyardchest_thumb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="484" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Another favorite blogger who's an accomplished furniture painter is Centsational girl.  Great tutorials at <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/tag/painted/">http://www.centsationalgirl.com/tag/painted/</a></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/marthasvineyardchest_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4583504381_72f1bc767d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Kristi at Pink and Polka Dot, the slipcover queen, painted a Goodwill table white to match her chairs.  Look how much more important the hardwood floor looks. <a href="http://pinkandpolkadot.blogspot.com/">http://pinkandpolkadot.blogspot.com/</a></span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table>If you're still nervous about covering up natural-looking wood, remember that paint can be taken off furniture.  If you change your mind and need some stained wood furniture in a few years -- like for a man cave -- you can hand him the can of Strip-eeze. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Colors. </b><span style="font-size: small;">Choose colors</span><b> </b></span>that are going to work with you in your staged home as well as your next home, neutrals like white, black or cream. For a little more personality, pale or mid range grey, blue, or green are good choices.<br /><br />Of course you'll tie your color to other colors in the room. If there are naturally finished wood pieces in the room, choose colors that are noticeably different. You do not want to look like you are imitating wood.  With a few painted pieces of furniture in the room, the wood pieces will look all the more glamorous. Trust me.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/screendoorandwickerchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/screendoorandwickerchair.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Wicker furniture is always charming. Here, these two wicker pieces make a good first impression because they are freshly painted. Painting wicker is usually a spray paint project. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Finish. </b><span style="font-size: small;">The finish</span></span> you choose will depend on the style of the piece and the mood of your home. A high gloss sheen looks super on contemporary pieces, and in some formal settings, but furniture surfaces better be in good condition and well-prepped, because every pimple will show. You're safer with a semi-gloss or egg-shell finish.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's first? </b></span>Give yourself plenty of room for working on your piece, and good ventilation. Sand the piece well, using fine sandpaper. If it's a dresser, remove hardware and drawers. Go over the entire thing with a tack cloth to pick up dust. Prime with a stain-blocking primer like Zinsser Bullseye or Kilz. Water base primer and water base paints are the way to go.<br /><br />Use a small roller or a good quality brush and keep checking your work for drips and runs. If you are painting a table or chair, start with it upside down first, and when the legs are done, flip it over to do the top.<br /><br />If your project piece is small, it's probably easier to spray paint it. You won't have quite as many colors to choose from, and you need even better ventilation.      <br /><br />When the primer is dry, sand it lightly, and apply your first coat of color. Plan on three thin coats for a smooth finish that hides brush marks.  Sand lightly and tack off between coats.  Allow to dry for a full day before moving or adding hardware.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_2945-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_2945-2.jpg" width="419" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A coat of pale blue paint covered up the dings and </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">scratches in old these bamboo dining chairs. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What style.</b></span> It's common to buy painted furniture with slight distressing or other antiquing techniques.<br /><br />Although aging furniture this way does add some warmth and character, I generally don't recommend furniture that smacks of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-home-stagers-can-learn-from-shabby.html">shabby chic </a>for staging. I love the look, but not everyone does, especially men buyers and people unfamiliar with the style.<br /><br />For <a href="http://su-casa.casasugar.com/Before-After-Boring-China-Cabinet-Fabulous-Bookcase-6126099">before and after</a> story that's impressive, visit another great blogger, Su Casa, for the photos that show how one reader painted an old china cabinet, creating an office space for herself.<br /><br />So, give your staged home a new feeling. Paint some furniture, and you'll see what a welcoming air it creates.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's next.</b></span> You can find solutions to other budget, decorating, and furniture problems in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook,</a> <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. </i>You can download it NOW and start creating the home that everyone wants.<i></i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Top photo: TheNester.com</i>

Painted Furniture -- Home Staging's Friend

Home stagers on a budget -- celebrate with me, because painted furniture is the new look. The design world has given us permission to pain...

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Never-Fail Color Scheme: Blue and White

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/kitplates5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Does your home staging project start with empty rooms? Then, simply go with blues and whites and you can't go wrong.<br /><br />Do your staged rooms need a little more life? Just inject some blue and white accessories, and you'll provide all the energy they need. <br /><br />These are the plates on my kitchen wall. I bought the two fish plates when I visited my sons in Seattle, so I always think of them when I look at this wall -- everyday!<br /><br />The souvenir plate is a tacky, thrift store find that I like because it features scenes along the New England coast, where I grew up.<br /><br />And, of course, every home needs some Blue Willow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><br />There's something fascinating about blue and white.  Unlike other colors, all blues go together, which means decorating mistakes are difficult to make.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Magic of the Classic Combo</span></b><br /><br />The color consultants might jump all over me, but I adore a mix of blues -- royal, cobalt, indigo, azure, iris, cornflower, baby blue, navy...they're all good. Any blue and white color scheme is  perfect  for decorating any room, and that means it could be your go-to color combo to help stage your home.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I never tire of blue and white combinations in homes, and neither do most people. It's classic, but always on trend, and it's clean, but never sterile.<br /><br />Add some blue and white transferware plates to a wall, and you've got yourself some instant classiness. Add white towels with bold blue stripes and your bathroom will sing. Add a pale blue and white dhurrie rug to a hallway, and you've upped the charm factor. Add a blue and white toile duvet and curtains in a bedroom, and well, you're home free.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2009/10/8/1255022585146/Blue-and-white-bowl-Iznik-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">You can find pretty bowls likes this at most import stores. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo:static,guim.com  </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/mA/ver-capecod-0510-11-lgn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">Light blue walls bring the ocean and sky into this bedroom.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"> Graphic royal blue pillows add punch. Photo: Veranda.com</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmg_hcIHMOY-TKvNxH86vo-wddOJANVkyMQ_MiSM2I2NZ7r6sJqO1oLNJljhyj0xIZ3W1EjVmFyhPiQjygg5e7gnyOKxb_R_rlCAY-_vPPFE3hqpQztPw2d9_G03SdsyuWTQGm1lKUuY1/s640/blue+living+room+blue+weinrib+rug+white+sofa+chh.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">Without this blue rug, the room's furniture would be adrift. Photo:canadian house and home </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">via thirteen and south.blogspot.  </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/1/hash/307/980103/1/1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">I love the curvy shape and the two shades of blue on this table lamp. </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo:csn stores</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/1/hash/307/980103/1/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></i></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2010/10/idea-house/master-bath-details-l.jpg?400:400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">What could be more natural in a bath than a blue and white seascape?  </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Coastal Living 2010 Idea House</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Getting Art and Getting Inspired</span></b><br /><br />Did you know that you can visit <a href="http://www.art.com/">www.art.com</a> and order artwork by color? Choose the size, style, content (landscape, abstract, whatever), and up pops all the choices!     <br /><br />If you want to get inspired in the blue and white vein, be sure to look at Carolyne Roehm's book, <i>A Passion For Blue and White, </i>at bookstores and available from Amazon for about $40.  If you're not a believer in the beauty of this color marriage-made-in-heaven, you will be when you've spent time with this gorgeous coffee table volume.  Even though it was published two years ago, the prices for used editions are the same as new, further proof that this beautiful book is worth owning.  <br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Blue-White-Carolyne-Roehm/dp/0767921135/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1286242791&sr=8-3">http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Blue-White-Carolyne-Roehm/dp/0767921135/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1286242791&sr=8-3</a> .<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Wrap</span></b><br /><br />So, you've no excuse for being unable to choose a foolproof color scheme for staging your home.When in doubt, go with blue and white.<br /><br />And for more advice about how to stage a mantel, tabletops, bathrooms, closets, bedrooms, kitchens, and even the front porch, download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar.</i>

Never-Fail Color Scheme: Blue and White

Does your home staging project start with empty rooms? Then, simply go with blues and whites and you can't go wrong. Do your staged room...

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Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I can't ask the kids to not play with their toys."</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Who hid the remote?"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Nobody lives like this!"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">These are the kinds </span></b>of things people living in staged homes utter. Are you one of them? Are you taking it in stride, enjoying an uncluttered, clean, and prettied home? Or do you hate having to keep your closets and counters picture perfect?      </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to love your staged home and enjoy living there. Maybe these tips from people who have lived in staged homes, waiting for the days when they can leave their bed unmade once in a while, will help.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Under a bed is one of the few places people touring a home don't look. Slide some plastic storage boxes under there to hold magazines, hobbies, and other ordinary things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Box up the little stuff.  Rather than have stacks of clothing or purses on closet shelves, line up some matching baskets and fill them up. So much better! And still easy for you to find and replace things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's always the car trunk. That's where all the last minute clutter goes when your realtor calls and asks if she can bring some buyers over. It's big enough to accommodate baskets of unfolded laundry.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rearrange your dresser drawers so that one of them is empty. You can throw the non-glamorous things into it every day before you leave the house. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get some routines going. Polish the faucet when you brush your teeth. Dry down the shower stall with a microfiber cloth when you're done showering. Store your magazines under the couch cushions. Get in the habit of putting the toilet seat and lid down. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use hampers, wastebaskets and recycle bins with lids.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can do this! Remind yourself that staged homes sell faster for more money. Repeat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read more about the problems that home sellers face, such as old furniture, no budget, no time, mismatched furniture, and an uncooperative spouse! I offer helpful advice for all these situations and others, in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar.</i></span>

Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?" "What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?" "I can't ask t...

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Add Some Big Deal Drama to Your Home Staging

You've decluttered and cleaned.  Now it's time to add some razzle-dazzle.  Here are my ten favorite staging products that make big impressions.     <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/N4788.fpx?qlt=75&wid=330&hei=330&fit=constrain&fmt=jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/N4788.fpx?qlt=75&wid=330&hei=330&fit=constrain&fmt=jpeg" width="184" /></a></div>Add some sparkle to your kitchen with a set of 5 wireless puck lights under the kitchen cabinets. For about $46 your kitchen work areas will look larger, cleaner, and more modern.  These lights have three settings.  Set them on high when your house will be shown. Each light uses three AAA batteries, good for 60 hours. Find them by following this link for Lamps Plus, or at local home improvement stores.      <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Set-of-6-White-Finish-5-LED-Puck-Lights__N4788.html">http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Set-of-6-White-Finish-5-LED-Puck-Lights__N4788.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For unsurpassed glamor, nothing beats a crystal chandelier. You may think your home's style doesn't support this kind of old world lighting fixture, but you could be wrong. I once sold a modest house to a woman who later told me that as soon as she saw the crystal chandelier in the dining room, she knew she wanted to buy the home. Old homes, new homes, small homes, big homes, all get a major dose of high style from a lighting fixture like this. The pictured model is from Lowes and sells for about $380. You could go lower,or you could go higher in price, but you <i>will</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">impress. Try it in a bedroom or a hallway.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/736916/736916246378lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/736916/736916246378lg.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Whatever money you spend on a giant plant in your staged home will be money well spent.  You can go for faux, or you can invest in something that will take some care, but love you back.  Look for something like this if you really want to make a statement, and make it tall!  Order this 8-foot tall bamboo plant for about $250 from Target.com and you will have it forever, looking as fresh as you please.  Plop it into a large planter or set it on a stand or low table to make it even more wow!  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51e15QhEeDL._AA260_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51e15QhEeDL._AA260_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/77/94/23/0002779423108_215X215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/77/94/23/0002779423108_215X215.jpg" width="400" /></a>When a room has really nothing special to recommend it, it's time to bring in an area rug. Spread one at the foot of a bed, or under a dining table and chairs, or in front of a sofa and club chair, and you've anchored the whole room. You can get this contemporary design, six-foot hall runner from Wal-Mart for just $40.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Along the same lines -- underfoot -- you'll get a home viewing off to a great start by laying a REAL welcome mat out front. Down with meager mats, and up with something like this, available from Overstock.com  for  $74. It measures about 5 x 7 feet, and is designed to be used outside.  I think it would look smashing on a front porch.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P11942813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P11942813.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are you wishing your kitchen had stainless appliances?  You can give your white, black, or other appliances the look of stainless with a product called Liquid Stainless Steel.  It's paint made from actual stainless steel powder suspended in a water-base clear finish that dries as hard as an automotive finish.  I have not used this product, but my research tells me the results are very good.  No one is having any problems with it.  Cleanup is with soap and water. If you have a weekend and $150, you could convert the surfaces of a dishwasher, stove and refrigerator to stainless.  Only downside is that next to a genuine stainless surface, it won't be an exact match.  Read all about it and see the video here. <a href="http://liquidstainlesssteel.com/">http://liquidstainlesssteel.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://liquidstainlesssteel.com/images/TopCoatcan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://liquidstainlesssteel.com/images/TopCoatcan.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.chiasso.com/assets/items/120-6414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.chiasso.com/assets/items/120-6414.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm a huge fan of pillows, and if your home is lacking some, you are missing an opportunity to perk up your space.  Pillows will unify a color scheme, soften the feel of a room, make mismatched furniture look perfect together, freshen up an outdated room, and add that special decorator detailing that upgrades a room and makes people want to linger.  Buy them in pairs for a classic look.  My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a> DIY Home Staging Tips tells you how to make your own for pennies (or less!).  This one is from Chiasso.com.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another high impact purchase for a living room is slip covers. The ambitious will sew their own, the wealthy will commission custom tailored, and others will order adjustable versions online.  Surefit brand always looks good. A cover for a standard size couch will set you back about $60, and a large upholstered chair about $40.  And you can make them <i>match!</i>  Money spent on slipcovers is like money in the bank.<a href="http://www.surefit.net/images/products/silo_prod/slp_verona_cocoa_1pc_b_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://www.surefit.net/images/products/silo_prod/slp_verona_cocoa_1pc_b_l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the easiest ways to give your whole house a fresh, contemporary look is to replace brass hinges and door knobs with polished nickel. Figure about $20 average per door for new interior door knobs. Hinges will cost less than $8 per door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/883351/883351072892lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/883351/883351072892lg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I'm encouraging you to get yourself to a bed and bath store, a department store, or a discount store like Marshalls, Kohls, or Tuesday Morning. Splurge on a couple of complete sets of great bath towels, the ones designed to be both thirsty and gorgeous. You know the ones.  These are not for everyday use.  These are the display towels that get put out when you have a house showing.  Once your home sells, you can actually use them!  The photo is from Crate and Barrel's Marimekko line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">    </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/TamaraAlmondBathTowelsS10?$lg$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/TamaraAlmondBathTowelsS10?$lg$" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only trouble with adding these luxury touches to your home is that you'll hate leaving it when you sell.  Relax! Plants and rugs and pillows and towels move with you when you sell your staged home.        </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">   </div>

Add Some Big Deal Drama to Your Home Staging

You've decluttered and cleaned.  Now it's time to add some razzle-dazzle.  Here are my ten favorite staging products that make big i...

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You Can Make Outdoor Cushions

<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Finished.jpg" width="400" /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Readers </b></span>of my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook,</a> know I endorse subtle colors and monochromatic color schemes for staging your home. <br /><br />So, what's up with these razzle-dazzle, downright gaudy cushions I'm suggesting you make to stage your outdoor seating area?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">The fact is the rules </span>change as soon as you step outdoors. Highly saturated colors can hold their own under intense sunlight. Also, fabrics manufactured to be used out-of-doors always seem to feature bold designs and colors. Whether you choose awning stripes, solid colors, tropical prints or even florals, they're mostly big, stylized, and loud. Fun colors and wild patterns seem more ... well, fun.      <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I decided to make my own outdoor cushions because I did not want to pay what retail stores are charging, and I had a piece of 4-inch thick foam in the garage, leftover from an RV we remodeled last year. The fabric for four cushions cost me about $30, easily what you'd pay for one equal-sized cushion. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1makepattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1makepattern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>              <br />If you want to give this project a go, the first step is to make a paper pattern for the cushion so it will fit the chair. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">                                          </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/2cutpattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/2cutpattern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Next, draw the outline of the pattern onto the foam. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/3cutfoam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/3cutfoam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">   Using an electric knife or serrated bread knife, cut out the cushion. Mr. Lucky shows how.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/4markfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/4markfabric.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lay the foam or the paper pattern on the fabric, and mark the cutting edge. I marked 3 inches out from the sides for a 4-inch think cushion (to allow for a 1-inch side seam). I set the front edge of the cushion 2 inches in from the fold, to accommodate the 4-inch thickness.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/5cutfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/5cutfabric.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Cut the fabric on the line. You might want to make one cushion at a time to doublecheck your measurements.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/6pinsides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/6pinsides.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">With rights sides together, pin the two sides edges, stopping where the edges begins to curve. Sew both side sides of the cushion cover, beginning at the front fold, and continuing to where the edge curves. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/7markmiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/7markmiter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Open the front fold out flat, so the seam is in the center of a triangle that measures 4 inches across. Draw a line where you will sew to make a mitered corner.  </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/9sewmiter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/9sewmiter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Sew across the flattened seam where you drew the 4-inch line.   </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/8clipcorner-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/8clipcorner-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Clip the corner so the seam will lie flat when you flatten it and sew across it.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/10longstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/10longstitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sew a line of large basting stitches 1 inch from the raw curved edges on both top and bottom, beginning and ending where the side seams end. These stitches will help gather the fabric to ease around the back curve.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/11insertcushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/11insertcushion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Turn the cushion cover right side out, and slide the foam into it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/12gather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/12gather.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pull the bobbin thread on each line of basting stitches, gathering the fabric to fit the curve of the cushion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/113pingathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/113pingathers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Fold the fabric under at the lines of stitching, and stick straight pins into the fabric and foam to arrange the gathers evenly across the back of the cushion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/14stitchgathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/14stitchgathers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Stitch both gathered edges together, using a blind stitch that goes from side to side, a slipstitch, or overcast.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/sewnlastseam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/sewnlastseam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Your finished back seam should look like this.  Your cushion is done. If you are making square cushions, all four corners will get the mitered treatment that this cushion has in the front, and you won't have to hassle with curves and gathering.</div><span id="goog_910749770"></span><span id="goog_910749771"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Allfour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/Allfour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My new cushions</b></span> really jazzed up our deck chairs, and made them much more comfortable.  Some attention-getting colors in <i>your</i> outside living areas can help buyers see the beauty of your yard, deck, patio, or porch. If you decide to make cushions to help stage your home on the market, please send me pictures of your handiwork!<br /><br />I show you more ways to maximize your outdoor spaces in my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar</i>. You can download the book NOW and start staging today.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.happyhappyhousewife.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr283/StacyRisenmay/linkypartybutton-1.jpg" /></a></div>

You Can Make Outdoor Cushions

Readers of my eBook, know I endorse subtle colors and monochromatic color schemes for staging your home. So, what's up with these razzl...

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