50 Reasons I Love My Husband

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="409" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_0105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Man: He likes the outdoors, but he won't hunt or fish.</i></div><br />1. No matter how crazy my ideas sound to him, he always encourages me to do what I want.<br />2. He smells great, even when he's a mess.<br />3. He's quiet as a mouse in the morning so he doesn't wake me.<br />4. He's quiet all day long.<br />5. We never lack for conversation.<br />6. He's generous.<br />7. He's loyal.<br />8. I know I can trust him with my heart.<br />9. Even his corny jokes are funny.<br />10. He never says, "What's taking you so long?!"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/johninmg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/johninmg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>The patriot: Ready for the July 4 parade in the 1977 mgb he restored. </i></div><br />11. He's never late. <br />12. This guy can fix anything!<br />13. He's sexy, but no one knows that (until now).<br />14. He's smarter than I am, but he thinks I am smarter. <br />15. <i>Never</i> makes a mistake when he types. Amazing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kiss-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kiss-1.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><i>The kiss that sealed the deal. August 15, 1992.</i><i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>16. He doesn't swear. Except to be funny. And then, it cracks me up!<br />17. He loves dogs and horses.<br />18. He never yells. Ever.<br />19. When he decides to do something, there's no stopping him.<br />20. He's much stronger than he looks.<br />21. He's kind, and he makes it look easy.<br />22. Football and fishing bore him.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Johnuphigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Johnuphigh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The worker: </i><i>Mr. Lucky painting his mother's house. Such a son!</i></div><br />23. We both love baseball.<br />24. When there is one chocolate left, he will leave it for me, even though I would not do this for him.<br />25. When he snores, it's melodic.<br />26. He shaves every day.<br />27. He doesn't ogle other women or flirt with them.<br />28. He's handsome.<br />29. He doesn't smoke, drink, or gamble.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/CloserCapt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/CloserCapt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The man of leisure: </i><i>His other woman will always be his boat. I hope.</i></div><br />30. He has a full head of wavy hair.<br />31. He gave up junk food and cigarettes for me. <br />32. He's always there for his family, even when "there" is a two-day drive.<br />33. Other men respect him and seek his advice.<br />34. Cute buns.<br />35. In 20 years he has never criticized or embarrassed me. So far, so good.<br />36. He's incapable of lying. Not even little white lies. <br />37. He personifies kindness.<br />38. He will eat whatever I cook and serve. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SanFrancisco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SanFrancisco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The dude who makes all my dreams come true. I have to be careful what I wish for.</i></div><br />39. He likes going out to eat. With me.<br />40. He never presses his religious or political opinions on others.<br />42. Did I mention the buns?<br />43. Nothing seems to scare him. How can that be? <br />44. He will work harder than any one I know, and he never leaves anything unfinished.<br />45. He doesn't brag or boast.<br />46. He's efficient. Very. Opposites attract. <br />47. He's always polite and courteous to strangers.<br />48. He doesn't worry. <br />49. Revenge and spite are foreign concepts to him.<br />50. He takes good care of our money, our dog, our yard, and our cars. And me.<br />51. Bonus Point: He's a good kisser.<br /><br />Happy Valentines Day, Honey. I love you.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/JBAlbtourists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/JBAlbtourists.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>The traveler: While we were vacationing in New Mexico last month. </i><br /><br /></div>

50 Reasons I Love My Husband

The Man: He likes the outdoors, but he won't hunt or fish. 1. No matter how crazy my ideas sound to him, he always encourages me to do w...

Read more »

What Do Chips and Salsa Have to Do with Home Staging?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/doover2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/doover2-1.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recently a recipe</b></span> of mine was featured on Foodie-isms.com, where the tag line is "Obsessively Interested in All Things Culinary."<br /><br />Stephanie, the brains behind the Foodie-ism site, writes inspiring and informative posts about cooking, nutrition and travel. She's always looking for good recipes from people who love to cook, and love to eat. Count me in.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of salsa, especially ones with more flavors than just tomato and spices. Please visit <a href="http://foodie-isms.com/?p=2816">Foodie-isms</a> and see what the foodies are cooking and eating. You'll find an intriguing collection of  temptingly delish recipes contributed by cooks and chefs. If you're a foodie yourself (no credentials required), consider sending Stephanie one of your own.<br /><br />My recipe includes directions for making your own homemade tortilla chips. Why make what you can easily buy, you may ask. Because once you eat your oven-baked, ultra crispy chips, you won't be happy with what comes out of a cellophane bag. You'll be spoiled good.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sweet and Smokey Salsa</b></span> <br /><br />1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained well<br />3 tablespoons minced onion<br />3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro<br />1 tablespoon lime juice<br />1 teaspoon sugar<br />1/4 of a canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped<br />½ teaspoon granulated garlic<br />salt to taste (optional)<br /><br />Process all ingredients except salt in food processor. Add salt to taste and process again. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oven Baked Tortilla Chips </b></span><br /><br />Why would anyone bother making homemade chips? Well, just taste these. They are shatteringly crisp, fresh-tasting, and low in both salt and oil. It’s worth the work and the wait.<br /><br />2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />5 corn tortillas <br /><br />Drizzle oil over baking sheet or jelly roll pan. Stack tortillas neatly, slice stack in half across the top, then slice each half into three wedges, to yield 6 triangle chips from each tortilla. Arrange the wedges in a single layer on the baking sheet, rubbing both sides of each wedge in oil, using the wedges to push the oil around the baking sheet. Bake in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour. They should be very crisp, but not browned.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But what do </b></span>chips and salsa have to do with my on-going blog topic, staging your home for the real estate market? Not much. Honestly...I'm just trying to prove that I'm not a one-trick pony. I could invent a connection, like...once your home sells you should have a little celebration and serve this snack with those margaritas.<br /><br />Or I could point out that Stephanie's motto is, “ That tastes good….but how can I make it taste even better?” That attitude is akin to the attitude an effective DIY home stager takes. "That looks good...but how can I make it look even better."<br /><br />I could also say that making things yourself rather than buying off the shelf is gratifying. DIY projects can also be more specific to your needs. If you need less salt, you can have it your way, and if you want more lamps or chairs than a hired home staging service recommends, you can do it your way. That's why I encourage people to DIY home stage, even though it doesn't make me friends in the professional home stagers community.<br /><br />Bon app<span id="taw" style="margin-right: 0pt; visibility: visible;"><b>é</b></span>tit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><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 /><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/"><img alt="southern hospitality" height="125" src="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_17/custom/images/shbutton.png" width="125" /></a>

What Do Chips and Salsa Have to Do with Home Staging?

Recently a recipe of mine was featured on Foodie-isms.com, where the tag line is "Obsessively Interested in All Things Culinary."...

Read more »

If You've Got Location, Flaunt It. Here's How.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homes-for-sale-by-owner.info/photos/8922-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://www.homes-for-sale-by-owner.info/photos/8922-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"> <i>Whatever is characteristic of your locale needs to be part of your home's sales pitch. Even though this home is not old, the design and decor styles stay true to historic Southwestern traditions.  </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Do you have a home in a location that's unique? Do people buy into your area of the country, or your town, or your neighborhood, because it's special?    </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When I talk about staging a home for sale, I usually advise against staging with big, in-your-face personality. But owners of homes in unique locations would miss an opportunity if they didn’t stage to emphasize the specialness. Resort properties are prime examples, but so are homes in historic or especially scenic locations. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santa Fe</b></span>, New Mexico, is a city that calls itself  "The City Unique."  It deserves the title because there’s no place like it. If you ever want to be swept away to another time and place, but your passport isn’t up to date, you want to go to Santa Fe. Mr. Lucky and I have just returned from a week's vacation there.  </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Through careful local planning, Santa Fe still looks a lot like the village it was 400 or more years ago. The narrow, winding roads maintain their Spanish names and the buildings are low, with the soft contours and colors of adobe construction. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFecondo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFecondo-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>The hotel we chose is a complex of adobe-style condominiums in the historic downtown area. The sun is going down. The air is scented with the smoke of pinon pine fires burning in kiva fireplaces. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFekiva1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFekiva1.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><i> Our living room. A kiva fireplace is what makes a living room authentic in Santa Fe. If you're staging your home, ask yourself what's expected by buyers in your market and emphasize it.  </i><br /><i></i><br /><i> </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span id="goog_1413976789"></span><span id="goog_1413976790"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Staying in a managed condo complex means staying in a home while the owners – whoever they are – work at their desks in New York City or Los Angeles or somewhere, waiting for the time when they can spend the summer or holidays or retirement there themselves. These kinds of resort properties can be sweet deals because everything you need is there – from movies and books to coffee filters and dishes. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It was like</b></span> living in a staged home. With a housekeeper who comes when we went out to eat, shop, hike, or explore. I really am Mrs. Lucky! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.realestateinsantafe.com/photos/farolito.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://www.realestateinsantafe.com/photos/farolito.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>From the holiday season through January, buildings in Santa Fe display lighted luminaries. It's a perfect time to visit because the crowds don't come until summer.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeJackaloupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeJackaloupe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>In winter, merchants and hotels are happy to offer tourists real bargains.</i><i> Here I am, in the mirror, shopping at Jackalope Pottery, full of fun imports.   </i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeintbedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeintbedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>Our bedroom. Tile floors, Mexican tub chairs, lots of natural light, chunky furniture, and oversized  tapestry-covered pillows. Santa Fe has a look all its own. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeinthall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFeinthall.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><i>As soon as we entered our home away from home, we felt surrounded by the attitude of the locale. That's what the effect of good home staging should be! </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFekitchenart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFekitchenart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>The kitchen featured a print from popular local artist R.C. Gorman. Hanging good local art is perfect for reminding buyers what's different about your part of the country. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFecondoristra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/SantaFecondoristra.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Typical Santa Fe: chili ristra hanging in an adobe wall opening. Whatever is indigenous to your region can become part of home staging that really speaks to buyers, especially ones relocating there. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">Whether we're talking about food, fashion, architecture, music, crafts, art, or interior decor, Santa Fe's style is rustic and artsy, like most of the Southwest, only more authentic and at the same time, more sophisticated.<br /><br />Define what the style is for your part of the country or neighborhood, and stay true to local traditions, especially when the area is unique. Like Santa Fe.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>There are more</b></span> tips for making your home appealing to buyers 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></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div></div>

If You've Got Location, Flaunt It. Here's How.

  Whatever is characteristic of your locale needs to be part of your home's sales pitch. Even though this home is not old, the design an...

Read more »

Staging Uses Many Skills

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXiHV9OOiscZ5tfzY86CYeuBnZ45DURV0SLEazSkQC5sxd0Uja" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXiHV9OOiscZ5tfzY86CYeuBnZ45DURV0SLEazSkQC5sxd0Uja" width="160" /></a></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received has to do with career changes. Simply stated, it is, if you change fields, bring all the skills you’ve learned with you. </span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">What are <i>your</i> skills? What do you love doing? What have you studied? Staging your home will be more successful if you bring all your assorted fields of know-how to the fron</span>t.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-5"><br /></div><div class="Style-5"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr0_fStcr4WJ86EEKm2VtOccxWzvmYRIOU24Z-xx8RoyWxKHfyvg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline ! important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRr0_fStcr4WJ86EEKm2VtOccxWzvmYRIOU24Z-xx8RoyWxKHfyvg" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">For example, </span></div><div class="Style-5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An accountant’s training will help with tracking expenses and projecting costs.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Someone with exceptional people skills might set up barters for services, or negotiate prices with suppliers.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you have computer skills you’ll be able to use the Internet for locating bargains as well as information.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you’d rather read than do anything else, study the local real estate market to make better staging decisions.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A collector can use her trained eye to select the best decor items to display.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you are accustomed to managing a staff, you’ll be good at setting goals, delegating and scheduling.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Even a passionate shopper can put her skills to use finding deals.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></li></ul><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">What skills help you stage your home?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>

Staging Uses Many Skills

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received has to do with career changes. Simply stated, it is, if you change fields, bring all the...

Read more »

How to Use Shabby Chic Art

<a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/bedroom10-de.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/bedroom10-de.jpg" width="499" /></a> <br />Art in your staged home should emphasize the best qualities your home has.<br /><br />Do you feel that your home is charming and cozy, old fashioned and maybe a little bit country? If so,  shabby chic art can be your go-to art style.   <br /><br />While too much shabby chic style decor can make a staged home look too girly, too crowded, or too tattered, a little goes a long way.<br /><br />There's nothing like an old, framed oil painting of roses or a painted tray to make a room feel homey.<br /><br />It won't work in all settings, but here are some tips for using these pretty paintings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bathrooms and bedrooms especially lend themselves to these pretty pastel renderings. Small ones can be tucked into a corner of the bath, and larger ones can hang over a dresser or bed.<br /><br />On the other hand, contemporary rooms look more pulled together if the art is modern. Posters, photographs and abstract paintings are going to work better than what I am calling shabby chic art. So, if you're going for a more polished, modern, uptown look, skip the vintage florals in chippy frames.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>There's nothing wrong with clustering a group of small floral paintings on one wall. In fact, it's preferable to scattering them around the room.<br /><br />Shabby or cottage style art doesn't always have to be paintings. Boxes, tabletops, trays and lamps that pick up the vintage look have the same charming effect on a room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/89349.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="400" src="http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/89349.fpx?qlt=75&wid=330&hei=330&fit=constrain&fmt=jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lamp like this one from Lamps Plus is </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">ornate enough to carry a room that's too simple. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You don't have to spend big bucks. </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Almost any lamp base can get a </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">rose decoupage or decals to convert it </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">to something similar in mood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">The pastel colors  -- like the ones in </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">the photo of the tray from Such Pretty Things  -- </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">that make </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">shabby chic so appealing are </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">the same colors that make home staging </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">work well.  They are </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> non-offensive and familiar.\</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3572416777_0d80d146b0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3572416777_0d80d146b0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>There's nothing wrong with mixing new with vintage. One of the principles of shabby chic is combining elements that don't usually appear together, like fine crystal and wrinkled linens.<br /><br />Art doesn't have to be graphic art. A mirror can qualify as wall art, especially if it reflects aspects of your room you want to make sure buyers notice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2010/05/12/RMS_Lulu-D-beach-accessories-table_s3x4_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2010/05/12/RMS_Lulu-D-beach-accessories-table_s3x4_lg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mirrors with elaborately carved frames are easier to find second hand than art with frames that lend themselves to a distressed finish. Here, the contemporary lamp fits in perfectly. Photo: HGTV.com</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>You can find shabby chic and cottage style artwork suitable for staging at flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores and eBay. I've found that a search of "vintage rose paintings" gets you better results than "shabby chic art," on eBay.<br /><br />I wrote about the good and not-so-good points of decorating shabby chic style if you are selling a home in <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-home-stagers-can-learn-from-shabby.html">this post</a>.<br /><br /><br />Top photo: Country Living

How to Use Shabby Chic Art

Art in your staged home should emphasize the best qualities your home has. Do you feel that your home is charming and cozy, old fashioned a...

Read more »

Seen Any Photos of Scantily Dressed Rooms?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://vssfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/Home%20Page/V2/featuredimg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://vssfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/Home%20Page/V2/featuredimg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><i></i></span></div><div class="Style-5" style="font-size: medium; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Staging is going to make your home show better online, where the first battle for buyers’ attention is being waged. Look at the two photos above and tell me which piques your interest and gives more information about the property. Photo: virtualstagingsolutions.com.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">There are different schools of thought about how much furniture a staged room ought to have. </span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Some stagers suggest that by setting a bed, just a bed, in a room, buyers will know that the room is a bedroom. They say a single piece of furniture is enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-5"><br /></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't disagree more. Staging does more than let the buyer know the room’s primary function.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-5"><br /></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">This kind of scant staging, as economical as it is, won’t:</span></div><div class="Style-5"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Capture the imagination of the buyer. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Make the home memorable (except in a self-defeating way). </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Provide information like scale and possible secondary uses for the spaces. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Emphasize the property’s assets. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Attract as many househunters. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Create confidence in the unseen infrastructure and general maintenance of the house which will justify its asking price. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Compare well to similar properties that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>are </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">staged.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8919423189147062938&postID=6629135749245859906" name="id.55ec9d77f81a"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Set the scene for beautiful photographs which are so important in today’s Web-focused real estate market.</span></li></ul><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Statistics show that 90 percent of all real estate searches now begin online. Most people who are interested in purchasing a home do their own research on the web before they visit a realtor. What they see online -- in addition to the specifics like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and school district -- is photos.</span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="Style-5"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Are you dressing your rooms scantily or furnishing them to be photogenic? </span></div><div class="Style-5"></div>

Seen Any Photos of Scantily Dressed Rooms?

Staging is going to make your home show better online, where the first battle for buyers’ attention is being waged. Look at the two photos a...

Read more »

Decor Trends Favor DIY Home Stagers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2008/10/ss_101201948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2008/10/ss_101201948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I read the news and I like it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trends in interior decoration are welcome news for DIY home stagers.</div></div><br />The trend-spotters are saying that Americans expect to spend more time at home because of the financial crunch.<br /><br />If they're looking for a home to buy, they are more likely than in past years to be looking for homey homes, homes that aren't just showplaces, but have some old fashioned elements mixed in with some touches of trendiness.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/CLX-themed-home-decor-ruffles-1110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/CLX-themed-home-decor-ruffles-1110.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You'll see more white in the coming year. Get out your paint brush and freshen up your home. Staging still calls for some color on the walls to boost the charm factor. Photo: Country Living. </i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/45-makeoverwhite-bedroom-0208-xlg-81557397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/45-makeoverwhite-bedroom-0208-xlg-81557397.jpg" width="499" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><i>More white!  But a smattering of greens keeps the look fresh and interesting. Older furniture, and even the light fixture, were painted white -- a good choice for DIY stagers. Photo: House Beautiful.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>  </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4.realsimple.com/images/home-organizing/decorating/040607/sofa-cushions_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://img4.realsimple.com/images/home-organizing/decorating/040607/sofa-cushions_300.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><i>Repurposing is fashionable. A bench becomes a table, and it's on trend. A sweater can become a pillow cover, and greeting cards can become framed art. Photo: Jeff McNamara in Real Simple. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AAJCyNOzxXbuN_jsiHFvd4tclcZUB9SGn1DkB8Tu_ee6rtHLJhs6E9syaLd75FiDRmDLZ_cAsMqlInxm1oXm61P4vYR4c8ihohF7qP-i9MJPAWkoPf2PWFinfoDx0V8SpigLPNgrlMY/s800/annie+schlecter+white+dining+room+modern+country+pine+turned+leg+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AAJCyNOzxXbuN_jsiHFvd4tclcZUB9SGn1DkB8Tu_ee6rtHLJhs6E9syaLd75FiDRmDLZ_cAsMqlInxm1oXm61P4vYR4c8ihohF7qP-i9MJPAWkoPf2PWFinfoDx0V8SpigLPNgrlMY/s640/annie+schlecter+white+dining+room+modern+country+pine+turned+leg+table.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><i>Another roomful of white, dressed with leggy chairs and wood dining or working table. Buyers love light (who doesn't?), and white bounces light all around. The flowers, branches and bird posters accessorize the room with nature, like gentle reminders of the nearby outdoors. </i><br /><i>Photo: Annie Schlecter via Cococozy.com.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>  </i></div>There's plenty to love about predictions for how interior decoration is headed in 2011.<br /><br />There's also plenty to love about the ideas in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html#" target="_blank">homestaging eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. </i>You can donwload it immediately and start sprucing up your home on the market now! <br /><br /><i style="text-align: right;">Top photo: Meredith Corp.</i><br /><i style="text-align: right;"><br /></i>

Decor Trends Favor DIY Home Stagers

I read the news and I like it.  Trends in interior decoration are welcome news for DIY home stagers. The trend-spotters are saying that Amer...

Read more »