Is Your Mantel Decorated for Fall?

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9924.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fake, fake, fake...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">When your home is for sale, </span>some seasonal touches help make the place look tended and freshened.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The autumn season, </b><span style="font-size: small;">no matter where you live, </span></span>seems to beg for natural props like leaves, vines, dried berries, and gourds.<br /><br />A fireplace is almost always a room's focal point. And the mantel is a wonderful place to showcase that room and the season, whether it's the pale green foliage of spring, the bright <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/staging-with-fake-greenery.html">(silk) flowers </a>of summer, the earth-toned harvest items of fall, or some glitzy <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-stage-home-for-holidays.html">props of Christmastime</a>.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I assembled this mantel </b></span>from autumnal kinds of things, some from the crafts store, some from my props closet, and some from the woodsy lot next door to my home.<br /><br />Fall colors are part of my favorite palette. But autumn doesn't have to be all about oranges, blacks and browns. White pumpkins are all the rage now, and gourds come in all kinds of colors.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, if your room, </b><span style="font-size: small;">the one that</span> </span>houses your fireplace, is built around clear, cool colors like blueish pinks, pale lavender, icy greys, or blueish greens, you can still build a mantel around white and black, greens and browns, or variations on <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/finally-simple-formula-to-help-you.html">your color scheme</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9923.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Someone got paint overspray on these glass grapes. They look frosty, so I left them that way. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>The mantel I pulled together started with the grapevine wreath I made in about 15 minutes from wild vines I pulled down. It's about the easiest wall decoration in the world to make, and a great base for any seasonal <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finishing-touches-department-where-to.html">staging prop</a>. Of course, the craft and decor stores are full of them, in all shapes and sizes, but I'm too <strike>cheap</strike> thrifty to spring for a $20 wreath base.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I kept the wreath simple</b></span>, hung it on the wall over the fireplace, and lined up my selected items on the narrow mantel. Then I adjusted them, until it all looked interesting and balanced.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I wrote about five different formulas to stage a mantel 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>. When you're tweaking a mantel staging, look for a variety of shapes and sizes. Make sure some of your items share a purpose, a color, or some other quality.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Since this staged home looked too sterile, I liked the look of a wild and crazy wreath.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>I chose a group of my own terracotta flower pots to ground the mantel ledge. Then I added some orange and green flowers, some leftover vines, and gourds that must have cost all of five bucks at Michaels.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9925-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9925-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My favorite pot was once glazed inside and out.</i></span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Even though some </b></span>of the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/seven-secrets-to-making-silk-plants-and.html">flowers are dollar store, fake orchids</a>, I thought the color was perfect for the grouping. All the gourds are Styrofoam, because I can use them year after year. However, winter squashes, gourds, and <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/ebony-and-ivory-ultimate-color-scheme.html">pumpkins do paint up nicely</a>. <br /><br />The other things I chose were the adorable, orange silk Chinese lantern flowers, the funky cluster of glass grapes, the little green and orange gourds, and, on the wreath, a cluster of silk grape leaves. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I think the arrangement </b></span>is festive without claiming too much attention in the room. It's perfect for a staged space -- simple and seasonal. If you haven't added some autumnal flourishes to your home, now's the time. Timely decor gives the impression that your home is new on the market. And home buyers are sure to notice that your home gets loving and attention year 'round. <br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/ideas-for-fall" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/Fall_Link_Party_Layla.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>

Is Your Mantel Decorated for Fall?

Fake, fake, fake... When your home is for sale, some seasonal touches help make the place look tended and freshened. The autumn season, no m...

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How a Sofa Table Can Help You Stage a Room

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/106942890_lHPPjvma_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/106942890_lHPPjvma_c.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>Ever since I heard of something called a sofa table, I was intrigued. A sofa table is not the same animal as an end table or a coffee table. It's taller and longer.   <br /><br />The handy thing to know about a sofa table is that it can do all kinds of things to make your home staging more effective.<br /><br />The sofa table is designed to sit behind the sofa. It is often as long as a sofa or couch, but can be half that length. It needs to be longer than it is wide.<br /><br />And it needs to be about as tall as the sofa it sits behind.<br /><br />Since it can fill the space between the sofa and the wall, or between the sofa and the next room, plenty of furniture pieces can stand in for a sofa table -- consoles, demi lunes, low hutches, farm tables, or even glass topped tables constructed from pedestals.<br /><br />Here are some of the ways a sofa table can help you when you are staging your home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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="http://www.betterimprovement.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/long-cove-meridian-sofa-table-in-shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.betterimprovement.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/long-cove-meridian-sofa-table-in-shell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A table like this can add interesting style to an ordinary room. Betterimprovement.com</span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175058087_kyAA45AI_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175058087_kyAA45AI_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A snazzy mirrored table introduces us to the room we're about to enter. d30ppm.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175079015_8F5CZT5V_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175079015_8F5CZT5V_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This dark unit divides the room to make it more cozy. Decorpad.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><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://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174938915_UR6sTCpg_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174938915_UR6sTCpg_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This sleek and leggy table adds some formal sophistication. Cymaxstores.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174929384_KIduo7ia_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174929384_KIduo7ia_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>When you just need to fill some space, a chunky sofa table does the trick. Cymaxstores.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174926408_1dFZHyyz_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174926408_1dFZHyyz_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A sofa table gives you the opportunity to emphasize a certain style, like modern. </i><i>Cymax.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.delawarethomasville.com/current/img/thomasville_productTypes/SofaTables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.delawarethomasville.com/current/img/thomasville_productTypes/SofaTables.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>What I like about this table is its practicality. It's a workhorse for storage. Thomasville.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174911844_0h0RBp98_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174911844_0h0RBp98_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here is another storage unit doing duty as a sofa table. Thomasville.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>   <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://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174891525_fXeex2X2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174891525_fXeex2X2_b.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Although we can't see the sofa table here, it's there providing a place for the lamp. Electricrevisited.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174931235_s7lXjtDG_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175075052_p5Da7gzs_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175075052_p5Da7gzs_c.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>When you have a focal point, like a view, that needs framing, a sofa table helps by giving you a base for adding matching lamps, like these pale teal ones. Cloudfront.net.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175081960_IlwmqDV1_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/175081960_IlwmqDV1_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This wood table is the perfect height for the sofa. It brings balance to the space. Cloudfront.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174934145_ddhILuFj_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/174934145_ddhILuFj_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A budget room can get a huge quality boost from a table like this one. Cymaxstores.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Is there a place in your staged home for a sofa table? Chances are, if you have a sofa, it could get some staging help from its own table.<br /><br />Experiment with what you have. Perhaps you can convert a desk or entertainment center to a sofa table. Or you could assemble one from matched pedestals and a <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/tables-with-glass-tops-home-stagers.html">glass top</a>. I once made one from plastic milk crates and a plywood top, all covered with the perfectly sized tablecloth. If a sofa backs up to a wall in a small space, it's easy to fake a table behind it by mounting a shelf on the wall at about the height of the sofa back.   <br /><br />Once you put a sofa table in service for staging your home, you'll wonder how you got along without one! <br /><br />

How a Sofa Table Can Help You Stage a Room

Ever since I heard of something called a sofa table, I was intrigued. A sofa table is not the same animal as an end table or a coffee table....

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Guest Post: A Professional Home Stager Speaks Her Mind

<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Arm_O4SaseR2A_E7Js4wZUD1V5hKoGCvdDMsZN9zms6nhQjhuZz1StuARLsrtAIkObQe-KfcMTKGR3GtSgtvAyiDKHnavhphO9c-ZbZCrJjoenx-ZE0oNtxy2VW2KOWoUqwYvwmTQE/s400/beyla_gross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Arm_O4SaseR2A_E7Js4wZUD1V5hKoGCvdDMsZN9zms6nhQjhuZz1StuARLsrtAIkObQe-KfcMTKGR3GtSgtvAyiDKHnavhphO9c-ZbZCrJjoenx-ZE0oNtxy2VW2KOWoUqwYvwmTQE/s400/beyla_gross.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Staging calls for rethinking personal preferences.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Today we have a special treat because Carol-Anne of <a href="http://usethegooddishes.blogspot.com/">Use the Good Dishes blog</a> has agreed to be my guest. It was the name of her blog that caught my eye the first time I saw it, with its subhead, "It's not really about the dishes." <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">When I read</span></b> the story of how Carol-Anne inherited a set of dishes that her late mother-in-law had packed away and never used because she was waiting for a special day, I cried. <br /><br />Even before she unwrapped those new old dishes, Carol-Anne's philosophy had always been, "Don't wait for life to be 'special.' Make <b>today</b> special."<br /><br />Now that she stages homes for a living, Carol-Anne has plenty of opinions about what makes a home special. Be sure to visit her blog, where she writes frequent, funny, and enlightening posts about decor, life, books, style, DIY projects, cleaning, shopping, travel, and just about anything that catches her fancy. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention </span></b>that she shares her thoughts on how she deals with her own obsessive compulsive disorder?<br /><br />Warning: Once you start following her, you won't want to miss a post. Here she is ...<br /><br />Thanks so much for asking me to be a Guest on your fabulous blog, Barbara! Yours was one of the first blogs I started reading, and since I work as a Home Stager, I find your advice often confirms my own experiences. Your e-book on teaching people how to stage their own homes is a terrific idea!<br /><br />In preparing for this post, Barbara asked me what I would say is the biggest obstacle sellers face when they decide to sell.<br /><br />I can’t speak to this question from the point of view of a Realtor, but as a Home Stager I can tell you that it seems to me that there is absolutely ONE BIG THING that stands in the way of successfully staging your own home: <br /><br /><a href="http://bigmoneyweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/letting-go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://bigmoneyweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/letting-go.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMiBJDAwiWyD8GPWoj_GhMZglItZC-lOKa21vhTM_XU5LkONtQW4D-jYfC5A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMiBJDAwiWyD8GPWoj_GhMZglItZC-lOKa21vhTM_XU5LkONtQW4D-jYfC5A" /></a></div><br />Obviously we all have very intense feelings about our homes, and it’s understandable that people have a difficult time relinquishing a little bit of control....<br /><br />But in my experience, it’s important to start thinking about your house as if it’s already <strong>no longer really yours</strong>. Potential buyers need to be able to picture <b>themselves</b> living in this space and if it’s looks too much like ‘<i>your</i>’ house, they often have trouble doing so.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The very things</span></b> that make your house comfortable and inviting for your family and friends are often the things that need to be <b>removed</b> when selling.<br /><br />When you invite people into your home, you want them to notice your personality shining through in your decor. <b>Not so (when you’re selling</b>.) Remove family photos, religious items, and other personal mementos.<br /><br />This might go against what feels ‘right’ to you. But this is where the need to LET GO comes in.<br />Try to imagine that you’re beginning the process of <b>removing yourself from your home</b>. You need to de-personalize somewhat, so that potential buyers aren’t distracted by <b>your </b>personal items, but are taking in the space itself, and imagining themselves living there!<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://imgcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Awesome-table-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://imgcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Awesome-table-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Will house hunters be charmed by this guy?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>To ‘let go’ is to have an <b>honest</b> look around at your furnishings and decor and think about how strangers might see them. That orange and purple wallpaper might be fabulous, but be honest, is it really likely to appeal to the wide variety of tastes of the people who might be considering the purchase of your house? (I can assure you, it’s not.)<br /><br />How about that ‘unique’ end table? If it’s something that everyone who visits you comments on, it might be time to put it into storage until after the house sells!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now, I’ve obviously</span></b> given you extreme decor examples, but you really do need to be ruthless!<br /><br />Once you start to process the idea of ‘letting go’ of your house (which, let’s face it, is the whole point of selling!), you can make the changes necessary to successfully stage and sell your house!

Guest Post: A Professional Home Stager Speaks Her Mind

Staging calls for rethinking personal preferences. Today we have a special treat because Carol-Anne of Use the Good Dishes blog has agreed ...

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It's a Mess Around Here

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm not talking about my housekeeping. I'm talking about the mess left behind by Hurricane Irene. It looks like our yard was where anything in a mile radius that floats on water, ended up.<br /><br />But this can't be true, because every neighbor's yard looks just as bad.<br /> <br />I wrote about hurricane damage, and the value of good <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/real-estate-is-about-location-even-more.html">real estate location </a>on Wednesday. I plan to take the next week or two to get things back to normal. Thanks for your patience.  

It's a Mess Around Here

I'm not talking about my housekeeping. I'm talking about the mess left behind by Hurricane Irene. It looks like our yard was where a...

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Real Estate is About Location Even More Than You Think

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9741.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_9741.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Having Hurricane Irene tear my neighborhood apart last weekend reminded me of the value of living in the right place. You could say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time to be visited by a category one hurricane, but that’s not the whole story. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I love my little town. </b></span>When a serious storm approaches, the mayor robo-calls every one of our 3,000 citizens so we all know the dangers. We’re told of any special precautions the town is taking, and how we can best prepare our property and ourselves. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Our town, River Bend, North Carolina, has an Internet List-Serve as well, so before really bad weather hits, emails fly from town government, small businesses, and neighbors. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We’re told where the nearest emergency shelters are and which ones take pets. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Handymen post their cell phone numbers, and people exchange tips on how to prepare. Such as: </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><ul><li>Have a “go-bag” ready in case you need to evacuate.</li><br /> <li>Be able to find the flashlight and candles in the dark.</li><br /> <li>Charge your cell phones and fill your cars' gas tanks.</li><br /> <li>Don’t forget to bring your rubber boots in the house.</li><br /> <li>Get up to date on laundry.</li><br /> <li>Fill the tub with water.</li><br /> <li>Watch out for snakes and fire ants after the storm. </li><br /> <li>Don’t drive through water. </li><br /> </ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Except for the part </b></span>about the rubber boots I did all of that. I still can't find my boots. They must be buried under all the equipment that rearranged itself in my garden shed when it flooded.   </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When Irene blew through our town, she took down trees and power lines. She moved the river and the rains around to flood buildings and streets. She sent debris flying through the air and floating on muddy, moving water. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9733.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>You can just catch a glimpse of my blue chair, the one I photographed when </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>I wrote about the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/pick-paint-color-with-personality.html">color</a> periwinkle last week. Eventually, it was totally submerged. </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9750-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9750-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This was a common scene</span><span style="font-size: small;"> around town last Sunday. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">In North Carolina alone, four people died as a result of the hurricane </span></i><b><br /></b></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Afterwards,</b></span> on that beautifully sunny day that follows a hurricane, neighbors were outside, sharing wheelbarrows, chain saws, jumper cables, wet/dry vacs, generators, and food. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Volunteers from our "pretty committee" cleared common areas around our parks, waterways and public buildings, knowing that the town's maintenance crew had their hands full.<br /><br />Mr. Lucky spent most of the morning helping a neighbor tow his boat back to its pier after it broke loose and lodged itself in a nearby mash land. <br /><br />The town manager and others with white collar jobs at town hall were in the ditches -- literally -- clearing debris so roads could be cleared and services restored. We were without power for only two days.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This sign is another example of how my town's government went to bat for residents </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>so opportunists couldn't take advantage of a bad situation. </i></div><br />Many people were not as fortunate as we were. Friends on the Outer Banks had to leave their homes and hope for the best. One neighbor had to relocate when a tree fell on the roof above her bedroom. Roofs blew off, cars filled with water, and windows shattered. We're having to replace a furnace, duct work, and a vehicle, but we're grateful our losses are replaceable.   </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />Usually, when realtors talk about location, they mean schools, the view, and how close the property is to shopping or transportation. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But location also means</b></span> the spirit of the town, and its ability to weather storms of any kind. If your house is on the market, and you live in a town that is friendly, well-managed, and has fire, EMS, police and other services nearby, be sure <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-help-your-realtor-sell-your-home.html">your realtor knows</a> this and that buyers learn they get more than property when they buy your home. They buy the specifics and the spirit of the locale. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div>

Real Estate is About Location Even More Than You Think

Having Hurricane Irene tear my neighborhood apart last weekend reminded me of the value of living in the right place. You could say I was in...

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Curb Appeal: How's That Welcome Mat Workin' For Ya?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Lowesstackrack.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/Lowesstackrack.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />A realtor pulls her SUV into your driveway, the doors open, her clients step onto your driveway, and they all approach your door.<br /><br />One of the first sights they encounter, the item that holds their attention as they wait for their realtor to fumble with the lock box, is your welcome mat.<br /><br />How will they rate it? How do you rate it? <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Times have changed.</b></span> I could not help but notice the display of welcome mats at Lowe's the other day.  I mean, "Hello? What took you so long to arrive, you pretty little underfoot mats that greet me on arrival?"<br /><br />Have you seen these?<br /><br />Forget the plain, black mats that look pathetic and depressing on your front step. Forget the natural cocoa fiber mats that shed all over your porch. And definitely forget the ones made of old tires that look like something your grandma gave you! <br /><br />If you think the ones I've photographed here are garish, well, you could be right, but they are also cheerful, fresh, and new. Those are all qualities you want associated with your home on the market. <br /><br />So, take a step outside now, and rate your welcome mat on a scale from from one to ten. If it's not an eight, I'd say spend ten bucks to replace it with a mat that really says, "Welcome!" These mats won't last for years and years, but these babies might earn some praise, and help sell your house faster. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Lowes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Lowes1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This mat gets the message across, and the price is a less than nine bucks!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Lowes2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Lowes2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>How's this for a giving a colorful first impression of your house? From Lowe's as well. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/6062/6h/s7diod-isorigin.scene7.com/is/image/frontgate/45028_main?$wfpm$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/6062/6h/s7diod-isorigin.scene7.com/is/image/frontgate/45028_main?$wfpm$" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">You say you want something a little more classy? You'll spend a little more. Frontgate.com.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cosigra.com/coir%20door%20mat%20four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://cosigra.com/coir%20door%20mat%20four.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Depending on the other colors at your front door, this could be the ticket. Cosigra.com.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens13441421module119880801photo_1284584709pebble-door-mat-natural.j" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens13441421module119880801photo_1284584709pebble-door-mat-natural.j" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It's a pebble mat from Squidoocdn.com. Handsome! I think you could hack this.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Here are my tips for what to avoid when you set out a brand new welcome mat for house hunters. </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Don't get something too institutional. It should look homey and friendly. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Don't use your initial or name on the mat. Keep it impersonal.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Don't advertise your favorite sports team. People have loyalties of their own.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">No jokes please, like mats that say, "Hi, I'm Mat." or "Not You Again!" or worst of all, "Nice Underwear."  </span></li></ul>Even though a welcome mat may not be visible from the actual curb, what your realtor and her clients see as they approach your front door is part of your curb appeal. So, get the message right. "Welcome! This could be your dream home!"

Curb Appeal: How's That Welcome Mat Workin' For Ya?

A realtor pulls her SUV into your driveway, the doors open, her clients step onto your driveway, and they all approach your door. One of the...

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Finally -- A Simple Formula To Help You Choose the Right Paint Color

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/IMG_9660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9660.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Do you struggle when you have to pick a paint color?<br /><br />Are you confused about what colors work best for your home on the market?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Can Relax.</b></span> Some experts have come to your rescue.<br /><br />About a year ago, HGTV approached the Sherwin Williams Company with the proposal that together they develop a series of color palettes that would take the guesswork out of <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-choose-paint-color-easy-way.html" target="_blank">paint color selection</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">. </a><br /><br />The designers that work behind the scenes at HGTV brainstormed with the trained color consultants at Sherwin Williams, and together they came up with eight custom color collections, which they introduced this summer. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colors and More Colors! </b><span style="font-size: small;">You'll find</span><b> </b></span>a tantalizing assortment of 20 colors in each collection and  -- here's the the best part -- every color in every palette works beautifully with every other color in that palette. The hard work is already done for you.<br /><br />Just pick the group that coordinates with the elements of your home you're not changing (counters, flooring, tile, for example) and your color selection dilemma is history!<br /><br />Your home will look like you hired a decorator to specify colors, and your rooms will flow, whether you paint all your rooms the same color or make each room a different color from your collection.<br /><br />Whether you are <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-guide-to-painting-your-front-door.html">painting your front door</a>, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/painted-furniture-home-stagings-friend.html">refreshing old furniture</a>, re-doing your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-paint-like-pro.html">kitchen cabinets</a> or painting walls, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-consultant-tells-how-to-pick.html">color coordinating</a> your scheme from room to room, gives a house an edge with buyers.<br /><br />The right colors do more than anything else to make a house look pulled together.    <br /><br />You can also use your handy dandy, big color chips as a shopping guide when you're hunting down decor accessories for your staged rooms. Wondering how that duvet cover in the store will look with your new wall color? Simply pull out your chip collection and see if the duvet color is part of your personal palette.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's Right for Staging.</b></span> Of the eight color collections, I would recommend only three that are suitable for home staging: Neutral Nuance, Livable Luxe (my favorite), and Traditional Twist. The remaining five -- Coastal Cool, Rustic Refined, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/ten-ways-to-rock-global-look.html">Global</a> Spice, Urban Organic, and Color Pizazz -- are too in-your-face for a home on the market.<br /><br />To view the color palettes that will deliver the look you want for your house prepping, as well as the five that are more bold, visit the <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/hgtvhome/color_collections/">Sherwin Williams website</a>.<br />  <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>These colors can be mixed in any finish -- flat, satin, or semigloss. They can be mixed for you in exterior grades as well as interior. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9667.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Can Fine Tune.</b></span> Maybe you like one of the colors in your palette, but you think it's too light or too dark. No problem, because you'll be able to match the color chip to a color strip, like the example to the left. That way, you can see exactly what you'll get if you go darker or lighter with the same color.<br /><br />Sherwin Williams people can even send you home with a quart of your favorites for just $5 each. <br /><br />Many DIY painters don't realize that every brand of paint has levels of quality.<br /><br />The Sherwin Williams paints, like other brands, range from so-called contractor grades, to high performance paints that always get rave reviews for low odor, spreadability, coverage, and durability.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You Choose the Grade.</b></span> The HGTV Home line is sold off the shelf as a mid range product, the 200 line of paint. This means that you may need to paint two coats in some cases, for good coverage.<br /><br />However, it's easy and economical to upgrade slightly and get that one coat coverage everyone wants.<br /><br />I've used plenty of 200 level paint. It's good, but I usually plan on two coats for guaranteed coverage. It all depends on the color you are painting, and what you are covering.<br /><br />Always let the paint store people know what your project is, and they will know if it's going to save you time to upgrade to a higher quality, like their Duration or Cashmere line. <br /><br />Don't bother with Sherwin Williams 400 or 700 lines unless you're whitewashing a shed's interior. Even then...<br /><br />Some people staging their homes just want to freshen the walls, and some people insist on a professionally perfect application. You'll know your own style. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But wait. There's more! </b></span>Since this home decor promotion was developed for especially homeowners and DIY folks, Sherwin Williams and HGTV are introducing an entire collection of user-friendly tools to make your painting project go quickly and easily, <i>and</i> give you professional results.<br /><br />Don't you love a color-coordinated retail display? These two home improvement giants are calling their specially selected brushes, rollers, tape, and dropcloths "smart tools."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_9658.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Adam Burns, the manager of my local Sherwin Williams, is a wealth of information. He filled me in on all the background information I needed to write this post. Although I've painted professionally for 20 years, I'm still learning from Adam. He's the son of a painter, grew up painting, and has been trained by his company in all the latest products. He opened and then ran the Sherwin Williams store in Kauai for 5 years. Kauai!  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The gloves are made of neoprene and have padded fingertips. I can vouch for the fact that they are comfortable for hours on end and wear forever.<br /><br />The brush handles are coated with a lacquer finish to make them easy to clean.<br /><br />The rollers are made from woven nylon fibers that won't shed, so your painted surface will be smooth and free from junky bits of roller fuzz, like they would if you used a dollar store roller. <br /><br />The <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/08/painting-your-home-heres-advice-about.html">dropcloth</a> is like nothing I have seen before, but if I were going to design a dropcloth that really works and is convenient to use, this would be it. It's padded to make it comfortable on your feet and knees. It's made of woven fibers that absorb drips so you don't track paint around the room. It measures a tidy 7 x 2 feet, just right for protecting the area where you are working, without the hassle of a cumbersome, room-sized painters tarp.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Just So You Know.</b></span> No one paid me or provided any compensation for telling you about these new color collections. I am very excited about this joint venture because Sherwin Williams has always been my choice for paints, supplies, and painting advice. HGTV, not so much.<br /><br />When you want advice about staging your home to sell your home, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>,</b></span><i> DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.    </i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Azn6PVndvHJaPwcXjanAWgcO0QKmwxn5CpBtILFwXrJeuD46czxpZz3MrENc4lfwbIEuOKhDuxqo4nUE3P97y4t6Gp2cnBxE-xjR2EqF5FvoDI0MqYThW9X-Q2BRhdPlj8v1y8QLZcG1/s1600/hmcw.png" /></a></center>

Finally -- A Simple Formula To Help You Choose the Right Paint Color

Do you struggle when you have to pick a paint color? Are you confused about what colors work best for your home on the market? You Can Relax...

Read more »