Beautiful Modern Contemporary House Elevation

Seven Secrets to Making Silk Plants and Flowers Look Convincing

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/usevarity.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/usevarity.jpg" width="411" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If your home could talk,</b></span> would it say to a prospective buyer, "I've lived a pampered life. My owners give me the best of everything. All that you see here is fresh and new and of the highest quality?"<br /><br />One simple way to get that message across is with greenery. And I'm not talking labor-intense house plants. I'm talking silks. Don't be turning up your nose. Here are ways to make silk plants look better than their pedigree might indicate.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">My first tip</span> is to <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>choose a </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">variety </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">of containers</span>, </span>and a variety of plants. Look for baskets, vases, wooden boxes, clay flower pots, vintage vases, new vases, ceramic cachepots, hurricane chimneys, glass fish bowls, metal bins, or whatever else you think adds to the character of your home without distracting the people who come to tour it.<br /><br />To vary the greenery itself, mix cut "flowers" with "live" plants. You might have a decanter of roses in the bedroom, two topiaries in the foyer, and a fake cactus in the bathroom. Silk plant styles come and go, but unless you are staging something for an very hip market, like  a New York City penthouse, a Hollywood mansion, or a St. Martin beach house, you're safe with most styles available in home stores today.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">My second tip</span> is to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>cover the surface</b></span> in a potted plant with something that looks convincing. My favorite is sheet moss, but I also like spaghnum moss. Both really work to ground the plant and add a realistic touch. I also favor smooth river rocks to cover the surface under a fake plant. Look for other natural materials like sand, shells, pebbles, and lichen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/usequalityvesselwwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/usequalityvesselwwater.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>Next, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>use good vessels</b></span> for all your fake flowers. In fact, a rule of thumb might be that the less you paid for your silks (hello, dollar store), the more expensive your container should be. In my photo, this beautiful crackled glass bowl holds an inexpensive bunch of silk blossoms.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">To add to the realism</span><b> </b></span>of these blossoms, I've added gel that imitates water. Available at any craft store, faux water makes the flowers look like someone was just there arranging them -- an important consideration when your property is staged but unoccupied.     <br /><br />Readers of 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>, know the high value I give to silk plants. Why? Because they add an irresistible vitality to a room. If you doubt this, do your own experiments with adding and subtracting plants and flowers.<br /><br />I always emphasize that your greenery needn't be the finest quality, especially when seen from a distance, such as on top of a bookcase or on the ledge above a bathtub. Typically, house hunters spend 30 minutes or less walking through a home on the market. Relax. Your budgeting secrets are safe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Another way</span> to keep the faux greenery from looking phoney has to do with what you put next to these arrangements. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Surround them with class</b><b> </b></span>-- other objects what  have a stylish look of their own, and the whole grouping looks classy.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/setingroupwithrealstuff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This pretend orchid sits in a real terracotta pot, on an antique music box of burled wood, in front of a large, beveled edge mirror, next to colorful, matched candlesticks. Decor props as well as people are judged by the company they keep.<br /><br />One mistake that homeowners are sometimes guilty of is thinking that faux plants require no care. In fact, the cleaner your plants look, the more they will contribute to the room's overall appearance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />So my fifth tip is to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>clean your plants.</b></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/keepclean.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/keepclean.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>  <br />Most silks can be rinsed in the tub or gently hosed off out-of-doors to bring them back to "life" occasionally.<br /><br />The containers that hold your fabulous fakes need to be smudge-free and dust-free as well.<br /><br />Hey, at least they don't beg to be watered every few days.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">If you do have</span> a green thumb and a collection of house plants, make sure they are healthy and clean as well. The reason I don't recommend staging with real house plants is that often they are in less than perfect condition, or in their dormant state.<br /><br />Yet, if you have a shelf of beautifully blooming African violets in your kitchen, or a collection of gorgeous indoor succulents on your sun porch, they can become an important part of your home's staging.<br /><br />Often indoor house plants are large potted plants, but sometimes they are small and insignificant. Find a new home for these little guys. Big is better with almost all staging props.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/supersize2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/supersize2.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>  <br /><span style="font-size: small;">In fact,</span> when in doubt about the size of a fake plant for staging, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>supersize it.</b></span><br /><br />A large plant can fill an empty corner, bring life to a dreary hallway, or add color to a plain bathroom. As long as you aren't crowding the room, obstructing a good view, covering up a focal point, or creating a tripping hazard, I say, the bigger the better.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">One current sty</span><span style="font-size: small;">le</span> that's easy to imitate is a stem or two of oversized tropical foliage in a large glass container, with or without some fake water, or with some rocks or shells to weight the vase. It's a very carefree, young look.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">My final tip</span> is to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>add some age</b></span>. Let your container be something with patina. Many decorators suggest that every room needs a touch of something old.<br /><br />Adding a vintage or distressed clay pot, metal urn, concrete planter, classic ice bucket, worn wooden box, antique wastebasket or old- fashioned wicker chest that's been around awhile, adds interest. It keeps the room from looking like you pulled it all together with one trip to J.C. Penneys.<br /><br />Slight distressing on this old clay flower pot makes the one dollar fake ivy more  acceptable than if it were in a cheap plastic container. I've covered the  floral foam in the pot with stones gathered from the beach.<br />  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/distressedcoversurface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/distressedcoversurface.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Don't be shy about dressing up your staged home with some inexpensive artificial plants and flowers. Done right, they add the perfect element of freshness and even drama that's essential to a home for sale.<br /><br />Get more of my helpful advice on staging your own home by downloading 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> It's a $5 pdf bargain, that comes with my money-back guarantee.<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 /><br /><center><a href="http://arosynote.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz248/arosynote/Buttons/PhotoButton2.jpg" /></a></center>

Seven Secrets to Making Silk Plants and Flowers Look Convincing

If your home could talk, would it say to a prospective buyer, "I've lived a pampered life. My owners give me the best of everythin...

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My Six Favorite Websites That Help You Stage Your Home

My Six Favorite Websites That Help You Stage Your Home

Apartment Therapy Last week on Facebook I recommended a different website each day (Okay, I skipped a day), websites that help you stage y...

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A Color Consultant Tells How to Pick a Paint Color

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span><br /><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">We have a guest post today. I asked Donna Frasca, a color specialist from Charlotte, North Carolina, to </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;">tackle a topic that interests most people who home stage -- what color walls should be.  And now, here's Donna...</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br /><div style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Choosing color for your home can be a challenge. I can show you where to place color and also offer you some color suggestions. It's really as </span></span>easy as A, B, C, D, ... and maybe E. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvoOqn0zKpu78raB1B12V-m4rnK2Eue0pccHkjMzBfBitrKRRIFM8V9atQi7LTp0Rgt65NoZfs28X4VxYRELbjwUJtfNSfPvUoST1ZLefyEndFk4wXTn6N9VWifUUBfb1ukeORWaWk9c/s1600/foyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvoOqn0zKpu78raB1B12V-m4rnK2Eue0pccHkjMzBfBitrKRRIFM8V9atQi7LTp0Rgt65NoZfs28X4VxYRELbjwUJtfNSfPvUoST1ZLefyEndFk4wXTn6N9VWifUUBfb1ukeORWaWk9c/s1600/foyer.jpg" /></a></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;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuW0O-Cexxo/TdFNbwhJ66I/AAAAAAAAA6E/gMLs7Udd9v4/s1600/a-foyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuW0O-Cexxo/TdFNbwhJ66I/AAAAAAAAA6E/gMLs7Udd9v4/s400/a-foyer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THE FOYER</span></span></b></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I design a color palette for my clients, I refer to the interior as a 'tree'. The </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/02/color-advice-for-foyers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">foyer</span></a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> is the trunk which is the core of the home and the rooms are the 'branches'. This is like a 'color map' which helps my clients visualize the layout of their ho</span>me instead of being so overwhelmed with color placement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The foyer is usually a neutral color such as the one you see (</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">) above. Most of the foyers where I live in the </span><a href="http://www.findmycarolinahome.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">south Charlotte</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> area are very open and continue up to the second floor. Keeping that in mind, a light, neutral color seems to work best.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I also like to put the foyer color in the hallways. Most hallways that I've seen have very poor lighting thus having a tendency to be shadowed. To compensate for this, it's best to keep the color here fairly light.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In most cases, the dining room is to the left or right side of the foyer. Now again, most of the homes in Charlotte follow this type of layout which is also called an open floor plan. Don't have a home with an open floor plan? That's ok! You will still have an entrance way and hallways where your (</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> color will work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THE DINING ROOM</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8G4ioJwirbroQrRN52oY3C43Z3EI-_ucrEK052o_bt2WkXlTLhb_wKGtqoSQ945OKNtSM8JmN6qON27Jcm2fPyfFZT71Eif_v_M5vh0SSqq8cIFXKzYDd341iaTzCXRwVzePOrmTLxk/s1600/dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8G4ioJwirbroQrRN52oY3C43Z3EI-_ucrEK052o_bt2WkXlTLhb_wKGtqoSQ945OKNtSM8JmN6qON27Jcm2fPyfFZT71Eif_v_M5vh0SSqq8cIFXKzYDd341iaTzCXRwVzePOrmTLxk/s400/dining+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhLl4BHRKPttLLUnf721mIdDDGQEH1mSFHzUtYmtM8XwDHIgB7XymVOvG7T0Kt2zF0ue3BaCJNDR4_7YM-4oU7KYH6Ypvt7Xevt4370Sl3oI6vuikcIZ5BJgfZ7N8O6tak9FZopTIF_A/s1600/dining+room+donna+frasca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhLl4BHRKPttLLUnf721mIdDDGQEH1mSFHzUtYmtM8XwDHIgB7XymVOvG7T0Kt2zF0ue3BaCJNDR4_7YM-4oU7KYH6Ypvt7Xevt4370Sl3oI6vuikcIZ5BJgfZ7N8O6tak9FZopTIF_A/s1600/dining+room+donna+frasca.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I find that many of my clients ask for a </span><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2010/06/scarlet-red.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">red</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> dining room but be careful with this hot hue - it's tricky to pick and to paint. Red will make a striking statement in your home but keep in mind, it's a typical choice to choose red and can be a dated look. Stick to something fun and updated as I pointed out with the </span><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-use-warm-grays.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">warm gray</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> shown as color (</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">B)</span></b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THE LIVING ROOM</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3QCQzqFYG4cVRpIwghZ2Mky-S91RycNMDP7Cy417I3xVtK5Lo2pRRAVMTgznUEjxOyXc1m8xyVyVByTP0Ze4zEsigjgEY09GJxPEGe1J3PzQSLYnTGQfKwXjTI2fCnUpBs4AilLtdUA/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3QCQzqFYG4cVRpIwghZ2Mky-S91RycNMDP7Cy417I3xVtK5Lo2pRRAVMTgznUEjxOyXc1m8xyVyVByTP0Ze4zEsigjgEY09GJxPEGe1J3PzQSLYnTGQfKwXjTI2fCnUpBs4AilLtdUA/s400/living+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo8tArM211mcidTfQOchWt-JI4FgUzboR9tIUUcFfZJVWyzjnHvXheNxhXCEavZBXjxu1wSZv7pBJsCI5wKBSu-clU-JrjmaTPUJNru3DzKO28Ao3XERITFQlNqlXw_7ofsdtM5ekSDE/s1600/living+room+donna+frasca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo8tArM211mcidTfQOchWt-JI4FgUzboR9tIUUcFfZJVWyzjnHvXheNxhXCEavZBXjxu1wSZv7pBJsCI5wKBSu-clU-JrjmaTPUJNru3DzKO28Ao3XERITFQlNqlXw_7ofsdtM5ekSDE/s1600/living+room+donna+frasca.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now based on this open floor plan, the Living room is going to be surrounded by the kitchen, foyer and dining room. Knowing that, the color you choose for this room has to </span><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/01/choosing-color-for-open-floor-plans.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">coordinate with those surrounding rooms</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This warm hue (be careful not to get too gold. A warm, creamy color like I have as color (<b>C</b>) will look great with a gray and it's also an updated look. If you choose the wrong gold, it can be a throw back to </span><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/03/updating-colors-of-70s-for-your-home.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>the 70's</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwy1ngb6nOvbSn8LQ7xt0Onr2maCwaFHj3COkKkYlpUph0rwH3sTCNAorcUAvlDinoiNxlBNuqK9ZFV65usEvzRMqCZA341cgzKsCcQ4P19pylrjyNlNQxI4YMO-f-jzuVzWz0OwKJxc/s1600/open+floor+plan+donna+frasca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwy1ngb6nOvbSn8LQ7xt0Onr2maCwaFHj3COkKkYlpUph0rwH3sTCNAorcUAvlDinoiNxlBNuqK9ZFV65usEvzRMqCZA341cgzKsCcQ4P19pylrjyNlNQxI4YMO-f-jzuVzWz0OwKJxc/s400/open+floor+plan+donna+frasca.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Great example of an open floor plan.</i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is another shot of the Living room. Notice how you can see other rooms from standing in this one spot. Take that into consideration when choosing color. You also have to know where to start and stop the color. You can see here how I labeled the walls for  placement. This </span><b><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2010/12/colors-to-keep-you-warm.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">warm, creamy yellow</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> will look great beside the neutral foyer and of course we all know that gray and yellow look great together but they have to be the RIGHT gray and yellow. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let's move to the </span><b><a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/02/granite-and-color-for-your-kitchen.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">kitchen</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. I think I see a nice warm green for that room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THE KITCHEN</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKtfB5Ek8x2lEucmyMOgd3YrFl_qI1zULMQHe8VZB4KQpcsGcGR01nP_E6ygBozPlu3LcMVeVLKzt3tWwrN47jNmxXMkOBRW2NMLBwb89PAUbzvosc4M4RljDPrNlL11Sn0pNpW9ZFXg/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKtfB5Ek8x2lEucmyMOgd3YrFl_qI1zULMQHe8VZB4KQpcsGcGR01nP_E6ygBozPlu3LcMVeVLKzt3tWwrN47jNmxXMkOBRW2NMLBwb89PAUbzvosc4M4RljDPrNlL11Sn0pNpW9ZFXg/s400/kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0zEr6TOoIV6HwaePCnLonII1VLCUJXvWE-9AAfEXprRstuu_Kz9dSGddM2hllVRvXqx48MiDqsmYggAJoMREl7XrPeRFEPo8AlYOlWFVm1A2Cjgq8bkKkrrxIAa3NFV2-dyup7eIrBw/s1600/kitchen+donna+frasca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0zEr6TOoIV6HwaePCnLonII1VLCUJXvWE-9AAfEXprRstuu_Kz9dSGddM2hllVRvXqx48MiDqsmYggAJoMREl7XrPeRFEPo8AlYOlWFVm1A2Cjgq8bkKkrrxIAa3NFV2-dyup7eIrBw/s1600/kitchen+donna+frasca.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are many factors to consider when choosing a color for your kitchen. Keep in mind the undertones of your flooring and cabinets. Do you want them to have the same undertone or to have more contrast? Let's say we are staying with the warm undertones therefore going with this this green hue. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Caution:</b> Be careful here! Your kitchen color has to coordinate with your living room color since these rooms flow into each other. Like the way the green and warm yellow look together? Ok, let's recap.</span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do you like this palette?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Do the colors flow from room to room?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is there enough color?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is there too much hue for you?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Will these colors match your flooring tile, carpeting or wood stain?</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">YOUR NEW COLOR PALETTE</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBO8dA308OX345-lj0DngmXSSCeBDI4cQIKB7mRlqIYK2g3G1-KYgsQAvjPy76eP-mTOLLDP5dWUT9pSQK0ge6BKeIfUMe1_DRsRFteigOqh6xRbpPQAwNFkPygxC7-rjYFETkz7AQAk/s1600/color-palette-donna-frasca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBO8dA308OX345-lj0DngmXSSCeBDI4cQIKB7mRlqIYK2g3G1-KYgsQAvjPy76eP-mTOLLDP5dWUT9pSQK0ge6BKeIfUMe1_DRsRFteigOqh6xRbpPQAwNFkPygxC7-rjYFETkz7AQAk/s1600/color-palette-donna-frasca.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I added an additional color (<b>E</b>) if you have an office on the same floor as these other rooms. See how they look great together? Other than the foyer color, feel free to mix and match these colors into the room of your choice. The thing to remember about the RIGHT color palette is that they will ALL coordinate with each other so you CAN mix and match. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.decoratingbydonna.com/"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Thank you, Donna for being our guest poster today, and supplying a simple formula for color selection. Donna specializes in JUST color, particularly homes with open  floor plans such as the house in this post. Readers can follow Donna on her <a href="http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, or check out her website at <a href="http://www.decoratingbydonna.com/">http://www.decoratingbydonna.com/</a>. You can also reach her by phone at 704-243-6764.

A Color Consultant Tells How to Pick a Paint Color

We have a guest post today. I asked Donna Frasca, a color specialist from Charlotte, North Carolina, to tackle a topic that interests most p...

2:00 AM

Open House Checklist. Ready, Set, Go!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elcivics.com/lifeskills/images/open-house-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://www.elcivics.com/lifeskills/images/open-house-sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We're coming into prime house-hunting season, so if you are considering an open house, this would be the best time of year. <br />The weather is pleasantly comfortable, yards are looking perky, and people are looking ahead to a new season. <br /><br />The jury is still out on whether open houses really sell homes, but if your realtor  suggests it, and you've staged your home, why not go for it? Use this handy checklist to get ready to show off your home. <br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE FLYER.</b></span> Have printed hand-outs that list the amenities you know your home has. Don't count on the realtor to list stats and features. Work with the realtor on this one to come up with something that sells the property by listing advantages instead of just data. "Enjoy resort-style living in your professionally designed backyard," instead of "Pool, patio." </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/gold_pens.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/gold_pens.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE PENS. </b></span>Encourage your realtor to distribute pens so people can make notations on the handout. It's easy for buyers to lose track of personal opinions after viewing a number of homes. You want them to remember what they liked about your home. I've used <a href="http://www.pens.com/site/search/index.jsp?catId=npc-cat10002">National Pens</a>.</li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE DETAILS.</b></span> Be as specific as possible when advertising your home's features on the hand-out. Name brands, models, and years. "2009 Whirlpool Quiet Action Plus model Dishwasher" looks better than "DW." Even if what you are describing is nothing unusual, the fact that you are giving specifics makes buyers think there's reason to brag. It builds confidence. <br /><ul><li> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE SIGNS.</b></span> Have plenty of directional signs so that people can find your open house. Balloons help. Don't be afraid to put the open house sign up 6 days in advance, one that says, "Open House, Sunday, 12 - 4." </li></ul><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.supranaturals.com/images/bottledwater.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.supranaturals.com/images/bottledwater.png" width="313" /></a></div><ul><li> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE ADS. </b></span>If the realtor agrees, promote on Craigslist and in any local papers. Ask if the open house will be promoted on the realtor's website.</li><li></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE FREEBIES.</b></span> Provide bottled water and wrapped mints. People love to get something for nothing. Sweet drinks and food can cause spills that stain. </li><li></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE BOOK.</b></span> Make sure people who show up sign a guest book, including their email address and phone number. Your realtor can follow up with visitors. It also discourages pilferage.</li><li></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE PRECAUTIONS.</b></span> Lock away or remove all valuables if you have not already. Remove prescription medications from the home. Like I said, people like getting something from nothing, and maybe bottled water isn't what they are after. </li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE PREPPING.</b></span> Of course, your home will be staged to be at its absolute best -- clean, uncluttered, and looking and smelling great. Need help? 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>for all my best tips and techniques on getting your home staged to sell. <i>  </i></li></ul>

Open House Checklist. Ready, Set, Go!

We're coming into prime house-hunting season, so if you are considering an open house, this would be the best time of year. The weather ...

2:00 AM

"Why Hasn't My House Sold?"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Dirtywelcomemat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></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://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-messy-master-bathroom_zps13ae5214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-messy-master-bathroom_zps13ae5214.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is an actual photo from an actual MLS listing.<br />Does the owner look motivated? </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">If your home is on the market and you have not sold it, could the reason be little ole you? </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ask yourself if the person in the mirror looks like any of these six personalities. If you really want to sell your home, you may have to examine some of your own actions, then set about correcting them if they are obstructions to finding a buyer. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MS. LEISURELY</b></span>. You're in no rush.  You want the real estate market to bounce back before you become a serious seller. Moving seems like so much work! You love your home, and you  don't want to "give it away."<br /><br />My advice: If selling isn't a necessity, staying in place might make more sense. Review your reasons for selling.     <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MR. UNBUDGEABLE.</b></span> You stay at home when your realtor shows the house.<br /><br />I don't know one house hunter who thinks meeting the seller at the initial walk-through is an advantage. Quite the contrary. It's a distraction and it's inhibiting. One of a realtor's roles is to be the liaison between buyer and seller. Develop a plan -- a place to go when your realtor brings a prospective buyer. <br /><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/Dirtywelcomemat.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Dirtywelcomemat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Are you guilty  of not being welcoming?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>RITA RELUCTANT.</b></span> You're not even sure you want to move. You're not crazy about the locale you're relocating to. You want to cry when you think about leaving your neighbors and close friends. You're dragging your feet and not taking offers seriously, or maybe your significant other isn't onboard.<br /><br />It's time for re-examining the big picture. An unmotivated seller has a hard time selling.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MISS INDEBTED.</b></span> You  have so much money in your home that you can't lower your asking price. Or you have other debts to pay.<br /><br />Can you schedule a consultation with someone whose opinions you respect? Realtor, accountant, mentor, parent, financial advisor, banker? For now, houses aren't the cash cows of years gone by. If you cannot afford to sell your home, perhaps you can rent it out. Or, you can bite the bullet, and settle for less than you want. If it helps, remember that in this market, you can still buy a lot of house for your money when you move.     <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MR. & MRS. UNPREPARED. </b></span>You haven't staged because you don't have the time or money or energy. You haven't exactly become your realtor's best friend, because you make it cumbersome for her to arrange viewings, or you don't pick up on her staging and repair suggestions.<br /><br />There is plenty you can do to enhance your home that does not take money, time or energy. Become part of your realtor's sales force, and take any advice she gives. You're paying for her expertise. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SUZY SECRETIVE.</b></span> You have not spread the word to friends and colleagues that your house is for sale. You won't agree to a for sale sign in front of your home.<br /><br />Sometimes the best sales leads come from word-of-mouth advertising. Your neighbors and others will know soon enough that your home is for sale. Get out of the closet, and become a seller. <br /><br />There may be other barriers you are putting up between you and buyers. Read 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>, to benefit from my experience buying and selling homes. <br /><br />

"Why Hasn't My House Sold?"

This is an actual photo from an actual MLS listing. Does the owner look motivated? If your home is on the market and you have not sold it, ...

2:00 AM

When Not to Stage Your Home

<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://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/03/920850-pictures-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img4.myhomeideas.com/i/2008/03/920850-pictures-xl.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do you really want to pack up sentimental photographs?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>"Why didn’t we do this sooner?” That’s what many people ask after they have staged their homes for the real estate market. <br /><br />Living  in a staged home does have benefits. Housecleaning is easier and faster. The interior feels larger and brighter. Your decor is more stylish.<br /><br />But I can also  think of three very good reasons why making your home a showplace isn’t  smart unless you plan to sell soon.    <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. SANITY</span></b><b> </b><br /><br />Living in a staged home can make you nutsy. <br /><br />Your  kids don’t have all their toys. Your luggage is at the storage unit. You  loaned your husband’s recliner to your brother. In your pretty, staged kitchen you don’t dare leave  dishes in the sink. In your luxurious master bedroom you won't leave a pile of unfolded laundry on the bed. You start to feel like your homelife is on constant alert because the realtor may call and want to show the house. <br /><br />If you’re not focused on the goal of selling your home, it doesn’t  make sense to put your household through this routine. Not everyone is  habituated to putting away toiletries and making the bed perfectly on a  daily basis. We won’t even talk about glass shower doors.<br /><br />That's one reason you "didn't do this sooner."  <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">2. PERSONAL STYLE</span></b><br /><br />Decorating to stage stifles self expression. It's been said that staging makes a home a house. <br /><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://img4.southernliving.com/i/2003/08/2003-idea-houses/backsplash-tile-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img4.southernliving.com/i/2003/08/2003-idea-houses/backsplash-tile-l.jpg?400:400" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You love it. But will the prospective buyer love it, too? </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>When  you decorate to sell, you decorate for others. Staging removes that  unique personality you’ve given your house over time, and replaces it  with a  more generic look. Staging also removes the personal, private  and valuable items for the sake of safety, and to help the buyer  concentrate on the property, not on who lives there. <br /><br />Do you want to live in a home stripped of cherished mementos,  family photos, and all the quirky artifacts of a life happily lived?  Probably not! But if you are motivated to sell, then you have a bigger  picture in mind --- the picture of moving on, so the sacrifice is one you are willing to make.  <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. FRUGALITY</span></b><br /><br />Stage now and you could be throwing money away. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It’s a bad investment to choose things like paint colors, vinyl patterns,  backsplash/sink/countertop/cabinet styles, and even a hardwood flooring  stain that could be fashionable now, but mark your home as dated in the  years ahead.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUUTNN8Z3cEwldlM5oWNRFJg-W2Zs8tJq4Y2Ug3v-I27DBFLu6c9zzQ31bZsuA_wO1Gmc2nTmafXM7et21hvg706OOkbGTsNwPAS61SnsrQiHL7B6F7cHWVtXJfOKrbdA0MA_j9YfbkDM/s400/d+kitchen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUUTNN8Z3cEwldlM5oWNRFJg-W2Zs8tJq4Y2Ug3v-I27DBFLu6c9zzQ31bZsuA_wO1Gmc2nTmafXM7et21hvg706OOkbGTsNwPAS61SnsrQiHL7B6F7cHWVtXJfOKrbdA0MA_j9YfbkDM/s400/d+kitchen.png" width="345" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Medium flooring tones, not dark like this, are preferable. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Also, you could be wasting money if you improve the wrong parts of your home. Ask yourself what is typical for your market, your neighborhood, and  your home style. Then, don't over-fix unless you are willing to pay big time for the things you can't live without before selling. The cash you save when you rein in your home improvements, could be the down payment on your future dream home.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MISTAKES AND SOLUTIONS</b></span><br /><br />So, what can smart and ambitious homeowners do if they want to improve their homes? The  answer is, make the right choices. Based on my experience and my conversations with realtors, here are some common mistakes over-zealous rehabbing homeowners make. <br /><br /><ul><li>Combine two bedrooms to make one larger one. Every bedroom, irregardless of size, adds value to your home.</li><li>Convert a closet irreversibly into a bookcase, mini office, hobby workshop, media center or sleeping alcove. No one ever has too many closets. </li><li>Make fairly permanent changes that won't appeal to everyone. Examples might be building a wall of narrow shelving to accommodate a specific collection, or connecting a woodstove into a fireplace.</li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PROJECTS </b></span><br /><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://www.showroom411.com/Media/Category/bidet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.showroom411.com/Media/Category/bidet.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A bidet. Good idea or bad?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Instead, put your money where it matters, adding upgrades that almost anyone will  love. Make choices based not on trends but timeless classics. It’s  foolish to spend big bucks on things that aren’t nailed down. In  other words, make those homey touches that express who you are, the  things that you can carry with you to your next home.<br /><br />A room doesn’t  necessarily get its personality from expensive crown moulding, custom  bookshelves, and a fancy fireplace surround. You can get an equal amount  of charm from the same amount of money spent on beautiful draperies, a  sofa you love, and an area rug to die for!<br /><br />Energy efficient windows, energy efficient appliances, comfortable  outdoor living spaces, modern kitchen and baths, low maintenance  landscape, and better curb appeal – these are features home buyers are  willing to pay for, and that you can enjoy whether you sell or not.<br /><br />When you’re making home improvement decisions, steer clear of the trendy  stuff, and you’ll be safe whenever your home does hit the market. Make  changes that have quality built in, so they will stand up over time and  still be valuable when you do sell. If you like cutting edge decor,  limit your choices to changeable items like paint color and accessories,  not aqua countertops, a wine storage room, and a bidet in the  bathroom.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR SKILLS </b></span><br /><br />Use professionals where it matters. It's economical to tackle repairs and  remodels yourself. But if the end result doesn't look professional, it  will come back and bite you at selling time. We call this bootleg  renovations.<br /><br />Examples would be adding an outside  shower by running plumbing out the basement window from the laundry sink  there. Or building a porch without proper supports, or a patio that  doesn’t drain away from the house.  I have seen “homeowners specials” like a garden shed that got its  electricity from an extension cord buried six inches underground. Or a  washing machine that dumped its wastewater onto the vacant lot next  door. <br /><br />When it comes to projects that call for wiring, plumbing, HVAC, framing,  and roofing, go with the building codes. Yes, you’ll have to get a  building permit in most cases, but at least you will know that what you  are doing is safe and will pass inspection not only now but when the  home sells.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TIE YOUR REHABBING TO THE HOUSE</b></span><br /><br />Make improvements match the rest of your home. Whether we’re talking about adding a sunroom, replacing a window with  French doors, building some custom shelving and cabinetry, or upgrading  the flooring, make the changes harmonious with the style and quality of  the rest of your home. <br /><br />A new window should be trimmed to match the other windows in the house.  An unattractive roof line will devalue your home if it looks too much like an add-on. A small  house with a different colored  carpet in each room is not money well spent. Two mismatched, detached garages don't say "classy." <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://cruciality.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/redneck-mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://cruciality.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/redneck-mansion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>An add-on gone wrong, like from the start. visit <a href="http://blog.builddirect.com/redneck-home-remodels/">here</a> for more redneck renovation photos. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HERE'S THE TAKE-HOME</b></span><br /><br />Even though selling your  home may not be in your plans now, no one knows what’s down the road. Most  people think they will stay nearly forever in a home once they move in.  But statistics indicate that the average American homeowner moves every  seven years. <br /><br />A job change, a pregnancy, natural disaster, unplanned major  expenses, sickness or an accident, downsizing for retirement, a death or divorce, a neighbor from  hell, or even a windfall of money from an unexpected source, can all be  reasons to decide to sell your home.  <br /><br />That will be the time to declutter, depersonalize, and decorate to  please prospective buyers.  Until then, enjoy your home. It’s your  castle.<br /><br />I offer lots more pointers to help guide you through the home staging and selling process 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>. It comes with my money back guarantee.<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top photo: James Carrier for MyHomeIdeas.com; Tile photo, Southern Living; Kitchen photo: Morgan Creek Cabinet Company, Atlanta; Bidet photo: Showroom411;Mobile home photo: Builddirect.com. </span></i>

When Not to Stage Your Home

Do you really want to pack up sentimental photographs? "Why didn’t we do this sooner?” That’s what many people ask after they have stag...

2:00 AM

Make Your Own Decorative Vases for Free.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6990.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>Free. Don't you love that idea?<br /><br />Today, class, we're turning ordinary cardboard containers that you could rescue from your recycle bin, into vases.<br /><br />These vases can display real or artificial greenery and flowers -- those finishing touches that every staged room needs.<br /><br />My dressed up cardboard boxes can also stand in for decorative holders in your staged kitchen or bath, like the one at the left holding cooking utensils. <br /><br />I'm a fan of cheap props because it means you can pack up your valuable and fragile belongings, and be ready to move when your house sells. If you are staging a vacant house, it's easy to stage with these inexpensive and lightweight props because you can toss them when you're done. No commitment.<br /><br />Meanwhile, they look downright pretty.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's What  You Need.</b></span><br /><br /><ul><li>Rigid boxes with simple lines, like milk cartons and oatmeal boxes. The bigger, the better. <div style="border: medium none;"></div></li><li style="border: medium none;">A wallpaper sample book. Discontinued books are free at paint stores, wallpaper outlets and from interior decorators. </li><li>Scissors -- a sharp, pointed pair.</li><li>Metal ruler.</li><li>Utility knife or X-acto knife. </li><li>Surface to cut on, such as a self-healing mat, or a cutting board.</li><li>White glue.</li><li style="border: medium none;">Glue gun and glue sticks.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border: medium none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Oatmeal Box Vase.</span></b></div><br />Choose the cardboard container you want to cover. In this example, I'm using an oatmeal box.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3igQ5cH1N30/TcBiT12aTzI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/G69EXS-Y7cY/s1600/IMG_6932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3igQ5cH1N30/TcBiT12aTzI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/G69EXS-Y7cY/s400/IMG_6932.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>Choose the wallpaper you want to use. Wallpaper companies have already coordinated their lines so you choose two different patterns from one color scheme. <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="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6953-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6953-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Choose one wallpaper pattern for the background and one for the border. Or, just go with one pattern.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6954.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remove the paper you've chosen from the wallpaper book. Use your utility knife, so you get a clean edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6958.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mark the paper to the perfect size, allowing for an overlapping seam. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6961.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Cut the paper with your knife, using the metal straightedge.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6963.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Test to be sure it's a good fit. Trim if necessary. If you make a mistake, it's easy to just choose another sheet of paper with a similar design.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Test the border strip to be sure it fits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6966.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If necessary, trim the border by cutting away parts you don't want. This step isn't always called for but on this design, I liked the look.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6974.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Heat your glue gun. Wrap the paper around the box and double check top and bottom alignment. Run a line of glue down the box to seal one edge. Wrap the other edge over the glue. Press with your fingers to flatten, keeping them away from the paper's edge.  <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/IMG_6977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6977.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Flip the wallpaper border over on a disposable sheet of wallpaper. Run a line of white glue around the edges of the border.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6979.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Smear the glue around so it goes to the edge.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_6981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Position the border where you want it on the box. Place the best-looking part of the border away from the visible vertical seam of the first layer of wallpaper. You're done! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7017.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/IMG_7017.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Milk Carton Vase.</b></span><br />  <br />To the right is a picture of our milk carton, all fancied up. I used a yellow wallpaper to wrap the entire box, then glued a border to the top section. This wallpaper border was already trimmed, saving me one step on this vase.<br /><br />If you are using a milk carton, trim away the top portion with scissors. Be sure to wash milk containers, give them a bleach rinse, and let them dry well.<br /><br />If you want to use your "cardboard vase" for fresh flowers, simply put a glass or plastic container inside to hold the water. For silk arrangements, you may want to place floral foam in the base of the container. I hope you'll have fun creating these free containers to use for staging your home.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And That's Not All.</b></span><br /><br />Pages from wallpaper books can<br />be used for other decor projects like:<br /><ul><li>Cover picture frames.</li><li>Recover hat boxes. </li><li>Dress up closet shoe boxes.</li><li>Decorate trays.</li><li>Re-do old wastebaskets.</li><li>Make a fireplace fan.</li><li>Convert a plain picture matt. </li><li>Make book jackets.</li><li>Frame as artwork.</li></ul>The designers have made your pattern matching a piece of cake.These are sample groupings from the same wallpaper book I used:<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;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There are more DIY projects 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>. Download it now and start your staging your home today.<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff267/MommasPrimitives/linkypartybutton-1-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Make Your Own Decorative Vases for Free.

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Make Your Own Decorative Vases for Free.

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