All tensed up because you don’t know whether to leave your windows uncovered or put up window treatments? What’s stressing you out? Is it that you don’t want to create holes in your rental or home for sale? Well we have a solution to your problem…Levolor’s twist to fit tension rods are more attractive than typical tension rods and don’t leave holes.

Last Friday Rachel and I took a field trip to the Akron Art Museum to see for ourselves the controversial architecture.  As the museum was being built I hated it.  After reading more about the architect and his plan for infusing the city of Akron with a “three-dimensional representation of our social culture,” I came to appreciate his talent.  He is renowned for adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mixing old with new.  In this case, new is represented by his use of steel and glass with weightlessness implied by the dramatic angles of the towering structure. 

I am a firm believer in mixing old with new in design.  In my own home I have antiques in every room, but wall colors, other furniture, art and accessories represent today’s fashions. 

I feel the architect succeeded in respecting the past by surrounding the old museum’s building with the new structure, yet forging Akron into the future with today’s architectural fashion (sleek, transparent, clean lines).

The art itself is presented well in spacious rooms with hip but subdued colors (not to detract from the art itself).  Area artists from Akron, Cleveland and Hudson are well-represented.  Abstract art, sculpture and paintings are blended into each space in a comfortable flow.

I came across the most revolutionary technique for eliminating closet clutter forever.  It takes a bit of work initially, but the system for keeping clothes clutter in check is ingenious.  STEP ONE:  Take everything out of the closet.  STEP TWO:  Separate by Stay, Toss, Donate.  STEP THREE:  Group like items together - shoes, purses, scarves, ties, belts, shirts, pants, etc.  Items are to be hung BACKWARDS with the hanger opening facing forward (the opposite as you normally place the hanger on the rod.)

Now this is where it gets good.  When you wear something, return it to the hanger and hang the NORMAL WAY with the hanger opening facing back.  And then in six months look at all the BACKWARD hanging items.  Since these have not been worn in six months, get rid of them. 

This is the best way to stay on top of clothes and accessories that you don’t like, don’t fit, require too much maintenance, or do not make a complete outfit.  After all, that’s why you haven’t worn them in six months. 

Rachel is working on this system and loves it.  I’m next.

As a member of the ActiveRain real estate and staging community, I came across a secret weapon used by stagers and realtors to eliminate odors.  Called Nok-Out, this odor remover and disinfectant is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, biodegradable, and odor-free.  It deodorizes and sanitizes by attacking and eliminating the source of odors by oxidation without chemicals or contaminants.  Removes odors caused by pets, urine, mold, mildew and tobacco smoke.  It works on carpets, upholstery and other fabrics.  You can add it to a wash cycle or the litter box.  It is available at medical supply companies.  A 16-oz. spray bottle retails for about $10.00.

Happy “Field Trip Friday.”  Today’s focus is architecture. Later we will be going to check out the newly expanded and controversial Akron Art Museum, but that topic is a whole other blog in it’s self.

Now for some fun. This amazing Lego church is only about 7 1/2 feet by 2 1/2 feet and took about a year and a half to complete. We especially love the floor pattern, light fixtures, windows, and mosiacs. Check out the masterpiece by Amy Hughes. Truly amazing!

Sharon says she would be a sofa.  “I spend a lot of time on my sofa watching true crime on TV, old movies for design ideas, and just laying there looking at my family room wondering what I could do to make it look better.”

What would you be? Tell us!

Another Arhaus warehouse is going to be shutting it’s doors for good. Sadly, this isn’t the first one of the Cleveland-based, family-owned company’s warehouses to close down. The good thing is everything will be marked down 50%-70% which makes it a stager’s dream! This is going to be some great shopping and my inventory will be stocked up with some fabulous high-end items that normally are too pricey for the budget. FYI If you are in the Cleveland area - it is the Brookpark Clearance Center and the final day is July 31st.

No mom is too busy to put the toilet seat and lid down for showings. But what mom doesn’t hate cleaning the toilet? Bemis Manufacturing Company, a toilet seat manufacturer, is holding a campaign to find the busiest mom. One reason is to bring awareness to how demanding the job of being a mom is, and the other is to promote its Easy Clean toilet seat hinge. The campaign runs until August 1, 2007. They will select the 20 busiest moms, then an ultimate busy mom will be chosen with the prize of maid service, personal chef, massage therapist/spa treatment, and a babysitter allowance twice a month for a full year! And, of course, busy mom gets enough Easy Clean toilet seats for her house. Know a busy mom? Nominate her at www.busymomcontest.com.

How many times have you heard that phrase with regard to design?  I was watching old movies and heard a quote from Spencer Tracy with regard to acting.  “Less is more on screen.  Most actors never learn how much gold is in the scene just by listening.”  He was referring to great actors who absorb the scene itself, the environment, and minimize their “acting” by just fitting into the scene. 

When stagers and designers evaluate a space to redesign, we first try to adapt to the environment.  What is naturally there, what emphasizes the architecture, the style of the area, the activity to take place there. 

It is important to keep spaces true to their original intent.  When redesigning or staging a colonial home, for example, we may suggest that the door be painted a bright red.  In Hudson, where colonial homes are abundant, you will often find a white home with black shutters and a red door.  This is consistent with the environment, a New England-style town, the architecture (exterior) and interior layout.

Just as the best actors will adapt to their scene, the best designers and stagers will encourage clients to do the same with their home environments.

If you want some privacy, prefer the look of paper shades over vinyl, and don’t want to spend a lot of money, then you gotta check out QuickShades by the same company that makes Levolor and Kirsch window treatments. These are great! They are pleated paper shades that stick in place with a strip of non-damaging adhesive. Like standard blinds, there is a functional cord to raise and lower them. They come in 36 and 48 inch widths (typical) and can be customized by trimming them down with a utility knife. You can find them at Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, or Family Dollar stores for around $5 each. So simple. So affordable.