99-CentTray Makeover

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7985.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_7985.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>When I spy something as functional as a serving tray -- with handles, yet! -- at Goodwill for less than a buck, I'm going to take it home with me.<br /><br />Such was the case when I spotted a plain jane, yellow plastic tray last week.<br /><br />I knew that tray was dreaming of a more adventurous life. She was marooned at the second hand store, waiting to be thrown a lifeline. I was happy to rescue her.<br /><br />When you stage a home on the market, serving trays like this one can add simple structure and style to a side table, vanity, bedside table, mantel, hassock, foyer bench, or coffee table. I wrote about dressing up a tray <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/finishing-touches-department-where-to.html">here</a>.  <br /><br />I'm always telling you, "Don't use small objects when you stage," but you can almost tweak my rule when you put the small stuff on a tray.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It didn't bother me that my tray looked jaundiced and gaudy. She just needed some fresh air. And paint.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My first step when I got her home was to give her a bath. Once dry, I sanded her lightly, and sprayed on a coat of white primer, and then a coat of creamy white semi gloss. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/sprayed-straightwpaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/sprayed-straightwpaint.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to gussy up the handles and add some personality, so I found some white nylon rope to wrap around them. I thought that would give her the "nauti-look" I was after. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1glueendofrope-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1glueendofrope-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hot glued the end of a length of rope to the underside of a handle, because I wanted to hide the end. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/2windrope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/2windrope.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">   Then I started wrapping the handle with rope.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/3glue2ndropeend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/3glue2ndropeend.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I ended the wrap on the underside of the handle, and glued the other end down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/4cutrope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/4cutrope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I cut the end off, nice and clean. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7928.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I tried tracing around the bottom of the tray, but in the end, I decided to be more accurate, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and measure the actual area I wanted to  cover. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7916.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I rough-cut the maritime chart I wanted to use. It's important to use paper with as much substance as scrapbook paper, not a regular, lightweight road map or wrapping paper. Or you can paint a stencil design on a tray, like <a href="http://www.pinkandpolkadot.net/2011/02/gray-tray-transformation.html">this one</a> that Kristi at Pink and Polkadot did.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7924.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I cut the chart out with a rotary cutter, but scissors or a mat knife would also work. The edges should be straight and clean. You should dry-fit the paper onto the tray before going further. I ironed the map to smooth the wrinkles and creases. What gal wants those to show? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7921.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I applied rubber cement on the tray and them quickly set the map in place. If I had used spray adhesive, I would have had to mask off the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8036.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, I sprayed the whole tray with a clear sealer. My serving tray is all decked out for her new life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm pleased with the look, and I know I'll find </div><div style="text-align: center;">plenty of uses for this tray on our boat, or for staging a house. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If you love DIY projects and you are staging a home for sale, download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>, </div><div style="text-align: center;">for top notch, do-able ideas to help you get your home ship shape.   </div><br /><center><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarilPbjoonjc9mDEMUJVmrOu26yjwGPCkAOubFsknWZoL0iKYhY01YFFd30eCmSxUdqFBxjL4-AnUXLThw-NV_TzisNt5mO_LdmtX8_cSLaorbNU62qd7StdT53PaS_iqcZgdSQCqzVYD/s400/Chair+on+right+like+header.jpg" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/"><img alt="southern hospitality" height="125" src="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_17/custom/images/shbutton.png" width="125" /></a>

99-CentTray Makeover

When I spy something as functional as a serving tray -- with handles, yet! -- at Goodwill for less than a buck, I'm going to take it hom...

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Chocolate and Learning from Experience

Last week I celebrated my 69th birthday. I realize that to most of you, 69 sounds, like, so <i>old.</i> It only sounds that way. I practice mind over matter. I don't mind getting old, so it doesn't matter. <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://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7798-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7798-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My birthday cake got a sprig of chocolate mint from my garden. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Cooking is something I enjoy doing every day. So every year for my birthday I bake my own cake. Sure, it would be easier and maybe even more festive, to simply <i>buy</i> a cake. Or more gracious to let someone buy one for me. But, what if I don't like it? I'd have to wait another year to do it my way.<br /><br />It's all about me.<br /><br />I wanted a chocolate cake this year. I love chocolate. I envisioned a fluffy cake and dense chocolate ice cream, so I decided to combine them into an ice cream cake. This recipe is a quick way to whip up a homemade cake that's special enough to seem celebratory. It's just a layer of sponge cake wrapped around a layer of ice cream. I used the jelly roll cake recipe in my go-to cookbook, <i>Joy of Cooking</i>. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chocolate Ice Cream Roll </b></span><br /><b>Ingredients:  </b><br />4 eggs<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1 teaspoon vanilla<br />3/4 cup cake flour<br />3/4 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br /><br /><b>How to:</b><br />Oil a jelly roll pan (a 10.5 x 15.5-inch baking sheet with a 1-inch lip all around). Line the bottom with an overhanging strip of parchment or aluminum foil to make it easy to remove the cake after baking. Oil the parchment or foil. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.    <br /><br />Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks, then gradually add the sugar to the yolks, and beat until creamy. Add vanilla. Sift the flour with baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Whip the egg whites until stiff, and fold them into the cake batter. Pour batter onto prepared jelly roll pan, spread it to the edges, and bake for about 12 minutes.<br /><br />As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, invert it onto a clean, cloth towel that has been dusted with confectioners sugar. Peel the parchment or foil away and trim away any brittle edges.While it is still warm, roll the cake in the towel, and allow it to cool for about 2 hours.<br /><br /><b>For the filling:</b><br />When you start to bake the cake, remove 1 pint of chocolate ice cream from the freezer and place it the coldest part of your refrigerator, usually way in the back. As the cake cools, the ice cream will be softening to a spreadable consistency.<br /><br />Unroll the completely cooled cake, place it on a layer of wax paper, and spread the inside of the cake with most of the ice cream, Roll it up and cover the top with the remaining ice cream. Working quickly to prevent melting, wrap the wax paper around your cake, and place it in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Slice crosswise to serve, garnished with chocolate syrup if desired.  <br /><br />The ice cream I used was Haagen-Dazs chocolate. I was disappointed because it wasn't chocolatey enough. Now I realize that I probably should have bought some wild and crazy, nutty, chunky, fudgey flavor.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson Learned</b></span><br />Live and learn. Next year I'll get something more over the top, like Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey or Chocolate Heath Bar.  <br /><br />That's the thing about getting older. You learn by making mistakes.<br /><br />I've been rehabbing, repairing, and redecorating houses for many years. What I blog about and write ebooks about I've learned from experience. As we say in North Carolina, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday.<br /><br />You can learn from my mistakes. Not just the chocolate lesson, but the staging lessons. I've written a lot about how to stage your own home for the real estate market. Learn more about my <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1936263913"></a><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">home staging eBook here</a> including how to get your copy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/smallsnsstars.jpg" /></a></center>

Chocolate and Learning from Experience

Last week I celebrated my 69th birthday. I realize that to most of you, 69 sounds, like, so old. It only sounds that way. I practice mind o...

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How to Take the Work Out of Staging. Almost.

<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/WithbikeJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/WithbikeJune2011.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ever since I was seven, I've owned a bike.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As soon as I finished my bowl of raisin bran and half my coffee today, I hopped on my bike for my daily ride through the neighborhood. As I pedaled, I asked myself what I could write that would be helpful to my readers.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I remembered</b></span> what a woman who staged and sold her property told me last week. She said that staging took being relentless and ruthless.<br /><br />Effective staging requires that, and more. It can be overwhelming, especially when you are locked into a time frame for selling and moving. It helps to remember that by staging you are actually earning money.<br /><br />Staging's not just about plumping pillows and buying new lampshades, although those things help. It takes work. But the good news is there is a way to make it less work.<br /><br />Actually, there are two ways. One is get creative. The other is become efficient. Here's how.  <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn to be Creative  </b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>Give yourself time alone. Even if it's just a few minutes of each day when you know no one will disturb you. Meditate, pray, journal, knit, scrapbook, or just hang out the Do Not Disturb sign.</li><li>Get moving every day. My bike ride gives me both fresh air and fresh thoughts. I hope you have an activity like yoga, running, swimming, walking, qigong, or something else that builds stamina and flexibility. Creativity is about freeing up energy. </li><li>Read, observe, and focus on staging. Educate yourself. You're on this site, so you are learning about how staging makes money for you. You can get daily staging tips on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_100832113324140&ap=1">Facebook Group</a>, and you can download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">eBook</a>. You can keep your eyes open and see what other sellers do right and wrong. </li><li>Associate with creative, supportive people, and avoid negative people. Naysayers and gloomy folks drain creative juices. Choose friends the way you'd choose a dog. Look for loyalty and cheerfulness. These close friends will be the ones who encourage you every step of the way, and might also be the ones who lend a hand to the work of staging. I know I can always count on Mr. Lucky to listen to me, give me advice, and bring on the muscle and power tools when necessary. </li><li>Train yourself to distinguish between what is urgent (needs to be done now) and crucial (important, but not timely). Train yourself to stay on focus. (Easier said than done for us fly-abouts, but not impossible.)     </li></ul><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/Yukitup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Yukitup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My daughter is the one who always encourages me. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Improve Your Efficiency </b></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Organize your work into separate projects, then cluster similar tasks together. For example, save all your spray painting projects for one day with perfect weather, then spray away!  </li><li>Give yourself realistic deadlines, monthly, weekly, daily, and even  hourly. For example, declutter one closet a week. Or paint <i>both</i> coats on those bedroom walls in one day. You'll find you become more aware of the scope of each project, and you'll begin to budget your time. You'll also push yourself to cross the finish line instead of leaving unfinished jobs here and there.   </li><li>Simplify. Ask yourself if it's really necessary to hem that drape that puddles on the floor. Do you need to clean the bedroom that never gets used?  </li><li>Determine your time wasters, and get a handle on them. Everyone needs some time to relax, but certain diversions like computer games and television can drain away hours if you let them. I'm not telling you anything new there. Just saying.</li><li>Make every move count. Always ask yourself, "How can I do this in less time?" This approach is especially helpful when you have repetitive tasks, like washing windows or vacuuming your floor.</li></ul>I am going to finish that coffee now, and then do the things I need to do. I may not have to be relentless and ruthless today, but I know I can be efficient and creative. So can you!

How to Take the Work Out of Staging. Almost.

Ever since I was seven, I've owned a bike. As soon as I finished my bowl of raisin bran and half my coffee today, I hopped on my bike fo...

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Ebony and Ivory: The Ultimate Color Scheme

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-bampwtablescape_zps5a01b189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-bampwtablescape_zps5a01b189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Home staging calls for some pretty props. One simple formula for turning a collection of mismatched junk into pretty props is to pick a color scheme and go with it.<br /><br /><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5832.jpg" width="433" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's my example.</b></span> I chose black and white as my colors. When in doubt, this is your default color combination. Call it  ivory, cream, oyster, bone, alabaster, ebony, midnight, charcoal, inkwell, or any other descriptive tags paint companies want to dream up.<br /><br />I didn't start my tablescape with anything pretty. Scroll down and take a peek at what I had to work with -- just a bunch of odds and ends I gathered. I didn't want to scare you by starting my post with ugly.<br /><br />Scroll a little further down the page for some delightful musical accompaniment. Can you guess the song?   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>First I taped off </b></span>the parts of the lamp I didn't want to get spray painted white -- the bulb socket and the cord. I always use white lampshades, so that was all set. I sprayed the lamp, and while it was drying, I brushed the pumpkin.<br /><br />I actually staged this tabletop last autumn, and only recently discarded the pumpkin  -- 6 months later -- for showing signs of mold. I can't think of other vegetables that would hold up as well, but plastic fruits and vegetables are always in season!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I  brushed </b></span>the woven box with the same white latex semi gloss paint I used on the pumpkin.<br /><br />I used black and white wallpaper samples from the book I discussed <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-your-own-decorative-vases-for-free.html">here</a>. It's a snap to cover books. Just measure, cut, and fold.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I spray painted </b></span>the blue metal box and the brown planter, using black. Every stager needs a stash of black and white spray paints. <br /><br />Then I went hunting for a black and white print to hang behind my new vignette. Classic black and white shots are everywhere -- notecards, postcards, magazines, old photographs, gift shops, catalogs, even newspapers. Your frame can be simple, like what I chose, or ornate. Your magical color scheme makes it all work together. <br /><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_5841.jpg" width="408" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In no time,</b></span> what was a fairly ugly assortment of odds and ends came together to form a sophisticated and pleasing vignette. Make sure your collection has a variety of shapes, sizes and textures. <br /><br />There are plenty of other budget-friendly ways to add style to your home when it's time to sell. When house hunters look at homes, they usually look at lots of them. Make your home be the one they remember and want. My home staging <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a> can help you uncover the best in your property, and show it off for buyers.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Download your copy</b></span> now, and let the staging begin. It's easy when someone who's been there already can show you the ropes. My book will help you sell your home faster and for more money. Turn your home into cash. I show you how.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TZtiJN6yiik" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />

Ebony and Ivory: The Ultimate Color Scheme

Home staging calls for some pretty props. One simple formula for turning a collection of mismatched junk into pretty props is to pick a colo...

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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

<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://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/hp52111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/hp52111.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apartment Therapy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week</span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">on</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Facebook I recommended a different website each day (Okay, I skipped a day), websites that help you stage your home on the market. But to keep things brief, I never told why I loved these sites. Here's the rest of the story.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A</b></span></span><b>PARTMENT THERAPY.</b></span> Although it's aimed at young, metropolitan apartment dwellers, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a> can educate you in what's new and inventive no matter where you live or how old you are. If you sense your home needs some updating, you'll see what others are doing to spruce up their digs. Some projects are whole house remodels and some are single room do-overs. The format is brisk, breezy, and easy to navigate.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WISE GEEK.</b></span> Need to know how to choose the best deck cleaner, fix a clogged bathtub drain, organize a craft room, or repair a sliding glass door? Then you need <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/">Wise Geek.</a> Search the Home and Garden section, and the Crafts and DIY section, and get your answers, without the hype. Wise Geek articles are written to provide "clear answers to common questions." This site delivers! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ZILLOW.</b></span> It wasn't that long ago that only realtors knew what houses sold for. Pre-Internet, MLS listings were published (on paper!) periodically. This giant, bound book was sequestered in brokers' offices, available for viewing only after you hooked up with the realtor. Now, we have <a href="http://www.zillow.com/">Zillow. </a>With a few keystrokes you can discover what homes are selling and renting for in your neighborhood. View photos, and see actual selling prices, not just asking prices. Zillow will help you get real about your home's price.<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://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/052011nathanegan.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1305854613743" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/052011nathanegan.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1305854613743" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nathan Egan, via  Desire to Inspire.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DESIRE TO INSPIRE.</b></span> For endless interior decor and architectural eye candy, visit <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/">Desire to Inspire</a>. You're bound to come away with plenty of ideas, although the site is not geared to home staging <i>per se</i>. One unique feature is that you can submit photos of your problem room and ask for reader solutions. Be sure to mention the fact that you are staging your home, not decorating it.  <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://s3.amazonaws.com/atimg/2572274/DIYTable_050311_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/atimg/2572274/DIYTable_050311_rect540.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apartment Therapy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>UNCLUTTERER.</b></span> Only the organizationally gifted (you know who you are) don't need a kick in the pants when it comes to turning chaos into order. And, have you noticed, the organizing aficionados love to share their best ideas? My favorite place to harvest these ideas is <a href="http://unclutterer.com/">Unclutterer.</a> You'll find the archives to be a treasure trove of hints. And you can sign up to get a regular infusion of info about products and methods to simplify your home, your office, your life.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUYING AND SELLING HOMES FORUM.</b></span> <a href="http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/realestate/">This site</a> is one of my favorite places to check the pulse of the real estate industry. It's a part of iVillage's Garden Web/Home Site. Real estate pros, home sellers, home buyers, lenders, investors, newbies -- they all contribute to the lively discussions. It's easy to search for what you want to learn. If you join, you can post your own questions and answers, and reel in a slew of opinions and advice. Immensely helpful. While there, check out other Home Site forums, like Cleaning Tips, and Organizing the 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...

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