If you’re thinking of using a bright tone like yellow or orange but the idea of your entire room being that bright frightens you, there’s a simple solution. If you paint the walls white and put your color of choice on doors, moldings and baseboards. You really can have your cake and eat it too!

Want more? Sorry, you’re going to have to wait for it. Don’t worry, I’ll have it for you soon!

–

Hey, I said I’d have it soon, didn’t I? Here it is!

If you truly want to create a space you can love, start with something you love! Look at the predominate color in whatever you pick. That’s the color you should paint the walls. Accents should be colored after the remaining colors on the object of your affection.

The only limitation on what you can pick from is this; please, pick something you love, not someone you love. Trust me, it won’t turn out as well as you think it will.

That’s not all, read on to find out how to get any color you want, even if it’s not in the catalog!

You want to make a statement to people coming into your home. One way, perhaps the best way, to do this is by painting your entryway a bright color. Strong colors, which would be suitable for such an area, should be kept out of a kitchen, however. There, you should use white or a very pale pastel. Dark or extremely bright colors aren’t relaxing enough for use in a bedroom. You’re better off with a neutral or softer color where you sleep. Pretty much anything goes in the bathroom; it’s such a small space that you can get away with almost anything. Except dark colors, that is. They make small spaces look even smaller.

Interested in thinking bigger? Read on!

If you’re thinking of a bright color but are hesitant to paint an entire room with it, consider painting one wall and keeping the others white or neutral. Not only does this ground the room, it becomes the focal point in what may otherwise be a boring room!

As always, stay tuned for more! This is only the second of ten color choosing tips I have to offer!

Want more? Don’t fret, I’ve got you covered!

• Move furniture closer to the wall.
  • Furniture that isn’t against, or near, a wall can block walkways and interfere with your view of a space, making it feel smaller.
• Light it up!
  • Brighter rooms look bigger! Let in as much natural light as possible; light is the only thing you can fill a room with that doesn’t take up space.
  • If that doesn’t work, replace any light bulbs in the room with a good quality, high output compact florescent bulbs. This will not only make the room brighter, it will lower your lighting bill!
  • If there is only one source of light in a room, consider adding a lamp.
• Keep it clean!
  • If you don’t need it in the room, get it out of the room! If it must be there, keep it neatly tucked out of the way. The more open space in the room, the bigger the room will feel.
• Use a simple color scheme.
  • Use colors from the same color family.
  • Cool and light warm colors on most surfaces will make the room feel more open, dark colors will make it feel more cramped.
  • If you have to paint any walls, we recommend Freshaire Choice paint for its environmentally friendly properties and premium durability.
• Soften up!
  • Again, dark colors make a space feel cozy and intimate; in a small room, this translates to cramped.
  • Lighter, cooler colors can make the same room feel more open and airy.
  • Soft blue and green tones give the best effect.
• Check your coordination!
  • Your furniture will appear to take up less space if it blends in with the rest of your decor.
  • Contrasting colors break up a room, making it look and feel smaller.

Take these ides and run with them. Apply them to your smallest room first, then try them in your biggest room. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your house is bigger than it looked!

You’ve been to Home Depot and seen the kitchen displays that have been painstakingly set up. Did you know that the designers at Home Depot can make your kitchen just as beautiful?

Next time you visit Home Depot, stop by and talk to one of the designers. Bring in a diagram of your kitchen, mark out the locations of windows, doors and outlets, as well as your existing plumbing and show this to them. It should be all they need in order to start building your dream kitchen and getting your family gathered around the dinner table, rather than the table at the diner.

From meters that tell you how much energy you’re currently using, to automatic composters that turn your leftovers into fertilizer, going green doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, there are many inexpensive ways to reduce your environmental impact, while holding on to more of your hard-earned income!

Take a look at this insightful and informative article at dvice.com, titled 7 Household Upgrades that Prove Going Green Isn’t so Hard (or Pricey).

Zillow has an interactive Home Value Report Map that, I have to admit, surprised me quite a bit… but in a good way. You may be shocked to find out where the values have gone up and where they have drastically gone down in the United States. Check the mad map out here.

A couple of things to do there:

 

See how home values have changed across the U.S.

Click on cities to compare neighborhood home values.

Download detailed city reports for more information, including single family vs. condo comparisons, and a ranking of neighborhoods within an area that are most popular on Zillow.

Here is a schedule of the presentations at the event:

11:00 - Baker Knapp & Tubbs with Kim Garr introducing the Lexicon Collection, a sophisticated early 20th century inspired group.

Noon - Roth Collection with John Crosby featuring Glant’s Capri Collection inspired by the manufacturer’s Mediterranean homeland.

1:30 – Great Lakes Marble & Granite with Desiree Stimac of Oceana Glass presents superior roc glass products such as sinks and accessories.

2:00 – J Hall Design welcomes Jennifer Connolly of the Cleveland Green Building Coalition. Join her in discussing green residential design projects and learn how you can make your home more environmentally friendly.

3:00 – Monroe & Associates presents Antonette Smith of Ralph Lauren Home to introduce the luxurious Spring 2008 fabric and wallcoverings collection.

Throughout the day be sure to visit all of the showroom openhouses. Showrooms not to miss include Bello Design, Brunschwig & Fils, Classic Oriental Rugs, Donghia, Gregory Alfonso, R.W.Shea & Co., and Scalamandre.

The Ohio Design Centre tends to be for the trade only. If you are a homeowner looking for a residential interior designer and are interested in attending this event, please contact us by clicking here.

Blood – Cover the stain immediately with a cornstarch and cold water paste. Lightly rub the mixture and place the peice in the sun to dry. The sun and starch will pull the stain out. Brush off the powder. Repeat if necessary.

Candle Wax – Soften wax with a warm hair dryer then scrape off excess. Use paper towels, water, and vinegar to remove remaining wax.

Chrome - Clean with a lint free cloth and ammonia.

Cotton Upholstery – Remove soil by rubbing with an artgum eraser, available in art or craft stores.

Glass Tables – To remove small scratches, rub a small amount of toothpaste and wipe away excess. For a natural cleaner, use lemon juice and dry with newspaper.

Glue - To remove glue from furniture rub with vegetable or mineral oil.

Grease and Oil - Pour salt on immediately grease spills to absorb and prevent a stain. Talcum powder or cornstarch can be used  instead but need rubbed into the spot. Let the spill soak into the salt or powder then wipe up or vacuum up excess.

Leather Upholstery – Lemon oil or saddle soap are good cleansers.

Marble Tables – Stains on marble can be cleaned up by scouring with a paste made of baking soda and water. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes then remove with warm water. Or sprinkle salt onto a cut lemon and rub the lemon on the stained area. Rinse with warm water.

For more furniture care tips check out Part 2.

Figures from K+BB January 2008 issue

Here is a summary of his tips:

“Tone down personality” In this section he addresses clutter, bookshelves, collectibles, family pictures, and neutralizing colors.

“Don’t burden the buyer with repairs” Here he suggests all repairs be made before showing the home. In this competitive market, the home in the best move-in ready condition wins the sale.

“Maximize exposure” This last section refers to using a true professional: a Realtor who uses Multiple Listing Service, the newspaper, and online resources.

100% of his article is on key, possibly his best peice of advice is to “consider using a Realtor who can prove results and a staging expert who can give you many more tips and suggestions.”

What makes selling a home more stressful? Selling it in the middle of winter.  The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours.But not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the traditional spring or summer home buying season to plant that “for sale” sign, and while it’s true that in most areas you’ll probably have fewer buyers during the winter, you will have less competition from other sellers.That makes staging — the concept of showing your house at its best — even more important.

If you do it right, you can really make your house stand out.

1. Keep snow and ice at bay. The top tip from Realtors: If the buyer can’t get in easily, the house won’t sell. That means keeping walkways and driveways free of the frozen stuff. Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home look like it’s been maintained. If you’re away frequently or live in an area that’s subject to bad weather, it can pay to hire a service to regularly salts or shovels the driveway and sidewalks.
2. Warm it up. If you’re showing during the winter, think “warm, cozy and homey,” says Ken Libby, owner of Stowe Realty in Stowe, Vt., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors.Before a buyer comes through, adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature to make it welcoming. “Sellers like to turn the temperature down because of heat costs,” says David Ledebuhr, president and owner of Musselman Realty in East Lansing, Mich., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors. “But buyers who come in and aren’t comfortable won’t stay long.”If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the tour can give the house “a little ambience,” says Libby.With a wood-burning fireplace, you’ve got to be a little more careful. If the house is vacant, don’t chance it. If you’re still living there and will be there during the tour, it can be a nice touch. Many times, sellers leave right before the agent and prospective buyers arrive. In that case, adjust the heat to a comfortable temperature and have the hearth set for a fire. Buyers feel the warmth and see the potential, and you don’t have to worry about safety concerns.
3. Take advantage of natural light. “Encourage showing during the high-daylight hours,” says Ledebuhr. At this time of year, “if you show after work, you’re totally in the dark.”Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.
4. Get the windows washed. “Buyers act on the first impression,” says Ledebuhr. Windows are one thing that many sellers don’t even consider. In winter that strong southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn’t been well-maintained.
5. Play music softly in the background. To create a little atmosphere, tune the radio to the local classical station. Turn it down so that you just hear it quietly in the background. ”It’s soothing,” says Libby, who finds that soft classical music tends to have the most appeal to buyers. ”I think people tend to stay around a little longer and look a little longer.” 6. Make it comfortable and cozy. Set the scene and help the buyers see themselves living happily in this house. Consider things such as putting a warm throw on the sofa or folding back the thick comforter on the bed. Tap into “the simple things this time of year that make you feel like you’re home,” says Phipps.
7. Emphasize winter positives. Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it’s plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.
8. Set up timers. You want your home to look warm and welcoming whenever prospective buyers drive past. But you’re not home all the time, so put indoor and outdoor lights on timers, says Phipps. Look at the outside lighting around the door. Is there enough illumination to make it inviting? If not, either get the fixtures changed or have new ones added.
9. Make it festive. Even if you’re not actually going to be present, greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party, says Phipps. Set up the dinner table with the good china and silver. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water. “First impressions are so powerful,” says Phipps. “If it looks like you’re expecting me and greeting me as company, that’s a powerful impact.”
10. Give the home a nice aroma. The No. 1 favorite? “Chocolate chip cookies,” says Libby. “Just about everybody likes that smell.”Other popular scents: cinnamon rolls, freshly baked bread, apple pie, apple cider or anything with vanilla, cinnamon or yeast. “But don’t overdo it, either,” says Ledebuhr. Scented candles in every room or those plug-in air fresheners can leave buyers wondering what you’re trying to mask.Watch the bad smells, too. Pet smells, smoke and musty odors can cling to curtains and carpets. Ask your real estate agent or a friend to give it a sniff test. Then clean the house, air it out and replace drapes, carpets or rugs before you show it.
11. Protect your investment. Some sellers (or their agents) will ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper “booties” over their footwear before touring the house. Many buyers like that, says Phipps. It indicates a “pride of ownership and meticulousness that resonates with buyers,” he says.�
12. Use the season to your advantage. While the holidays are over (and the Christmas and Hanukkah stuff should come down), you can still use winter wreaths and dried arrangements around the door to give interest. “Anything seasonally appropriate is fun,” says Phipps.In the winter, with the leaves off the trees, you might also have a nice view that isn’t as apparent in the spring and summer months. It’s a great time to sell waterfront properties, says Phipps. “You can see the views better this time of year.”
13. Consider the area. In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or warmer regions where the snow birds flock, winter weather can actually be a selling point. “We’re right in the middle of our selling season,” says Libby. “It’s not always spring and summer.”
 Article written by Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com

 

 

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/13-tips-for-selling-your-home-in-winter/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/readymade-magazine http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/readymade-magazine#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:48:52 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=134 Just when you’ve think you’ve seen all the home improvement, interior design, and do it yourself magazines out there something new comes from out of nowhere. I got yet another free magazine offer in the mail today, which is perfectly normal. But this one was different. I had never heard of this one, ReadyMade. Curiousity made me open it up. I scanned the brochure…so good I ended up reading ALL of the material and sent in the free issue postcard. My first reaction was, “How did they find me?” It’s like they knew I was into thinking outside the box and giving objects second lives (for cheap). One of a kind, hip, crafty, geeky, inspiring, recycled, reused, transformed and always changing. Am I talking about me or the contents of the magazine? I can’t wait to find out what this magazine is all about! I mean I know it is about insanely creative, out of the ordinary, unique, and inexpensive projects that almost anyone can do. Some examples are using a surfboard as a floating shelf (sounds tacky but is surprisingly striking), making a mid-century mod clock out of chopsticks (think Herman Miller style), creating a bird feeder out of martini glasses, turning a old radio into a vintage style mp3 player, etc. One I love is making a faux mosaic table out of paint swatches. As soon as I read some of the project ideas, I was ready to get started!

When doing research for this blog I found the ReadyMade Magazine website which has a million projects that anyone can search through with complete instructions – magazine subscription free! So if you like the mid-century post-war modern (Design Within Reach style) and IKEA or - better yet - Salvation Army prices, then this magazine might be for you!

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/readymade-magazine/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/recycle-in-summit-county http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/recycle-in-summit-county#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:32:43 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=125 I got this great little info packet in the mail from The Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority this week and thought I would share. I thought that reading it out loud would reinforce my recycling efforts in my home. I hope these figures made enough impact on my family members and will on you as well.

• Recycling one aluminum can save the energy equivalent to six ounces of gasoline.
• The energy saved by recycling steel each year is enough to meet the annual electric need of 20% of American households.
• Recycling one ton of plastic saves the energy equivalent to 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of gasoline.
• Making new glass from recycled glass reduces air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%.
• Recycling creates almost 5 times as many jobs as waste disposal – in fact, recycling supports 1.1 million jobs in the U.S.

Gas prices are high here in Ohio and they have everyone grumbling. The economy isn’t looking too good either. So if we can make an impact on gas prices, create jobs, and make our skies a little bluer, then what are Summit County homeowners waiting for?

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/recycle-in-summit-county/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/sofa-express-going-out-of-business http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/sofa-express-going-out-of-business#comments Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:41:08 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=126 On a recent weekend getaway to Cincinnati, an interior designer and friend of mine said that Sofa Express was going out of business. Shocked because I knew of people who had recently furnished most of their homes with competitively priced Sofa Express furniture, I decided to pursue this rumor only to find out it was true. I tried visiting the website which said it was “under construction” – always a bad sign for a business.

I ran across a post from the Business Courier of Cincinnati. The article begins, “An Ohio furniture retailer with a nearly 50-year history is eliminating its corporate staff and beginning the process to close stores. According to documents filed with the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Sofa Express Inc. plans to close all eight of its Central Ohio stores and its headquarters and warehouse. Another six stores in northeast Ohio are scheduled to close, putting 436 workers out of a job altogether. That tally includes 253 workers at the Groveport, Ohio, headquarters.”

Yuck. As if Ohio’s economy wasn’t looking bad enough. The company’s reason for closing is their financial situation. Usually I can’t help but run into news like the closing of furniture retailers in my own backyard, but the company is quietly dragging out the closure. It will take several months for 40 stores to be closed.

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2008/01/sofa-express-going-out-of-business/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/a-better-way-to-hang-pictures http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/a-better-way-to-hang-pictures#comments Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:54:57 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=116 WallMarker, an arrow shaped piece of chalk, makes picture hanging easier. How? The adhesive side sticks to the back of the frame. You then press the picture against the wall where it will be hung, and wall-ah! You have a chalk mark pointing to where you will hammer in the nail or hook.

WallMarkers are reusable and come in a pack of two, a blue for light walls and a yellow for darker walls. The price is right at just $2.99 plus a small amount of shipping and handling. Order them here, I did!

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/a-better-way-to-hang-pictures/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/reuse-or-refuse-plastic-bags http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/reuse-or-refuse-plastic-bags#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:23:57 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=114 “In the United States, 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.”

Time to vent! I refuse to throw away plastic bags and I just won’t use paper grocery bags. Now I have bags of bags of bags, especially during this shopping season. The collection is getting out of control but there is an answer! No, I am not going to break down and throw them in the trash. (Speaking of break down, it takes plastic bags as much as 1,000 years to break down in landfill and 450 in water.) I plan on taking my bags to a local recycling bin (as seen in many Medina, OH parking lots) or to the local Giant Eagle grocery store which also has a bag-recycling bin. I will also stash a folded-up fabric shopping bag in my purse. Maybe this will relieve me from the funny looks I get when I reuse or refuse a bag at the store! 

Furthermore, I will now give preference to retailers that sell reusable shopping bags, like Giant Eagle. When I am not at a green store, I tend to apologize to clerks about my proactiveness, but why should I? I think I am hip and ahead of the crowd, kind of like the city of San Francisco who recently banned plastic grocery bags. You can read more about that in this past post by Sharon.

My friend’s think I’m crazy, but I know I am just more educated and aware about the issue. Now you are too.

More facts on plastic bags and their unfriendly impact on the earth:

• Plastic bags don’t biodegrade because their components do not biodegrade (especially oil). They actually break down into smaller toxic bits which become consumable contaminants for animals, even humans.
• Other than oil, plastic bags contain metals like chromium and copper. Exposure leads to diseases.
• Oil is expensive! Can avoiding plastic bags lower gas prices? Yes, if more people change their ways! 12 million barrels of oil, remember?
• My fave environmentally friendly, earth-loving, life-changing website ever - IdealBite – is chock full of facts like the one at the beginning of this article. 

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2007/12/reuse-or-refuse-plastic-bags/feed 2 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/11/black-friday http://mystagedlife.com/2007/11/black-friday#comments Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:31:32 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=104 Is Black Friday really all it is cracked up to be? I personally shop all year round searching for (or just stumbling upon) great deals. Believe it or not, sales happen everyday, not just on the day after Thanksgiving. And I don’t have to stand in line for hours in the freezing cold rain and snow mix that is inevitable in Northeast Ohio in November.

Well I guess that’s just my opinion. Share your story. What are your Black Friday fabulous finds and exciting experiences?

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2007/11/black-friday/feed 2 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/transistions-helping-elderly-move http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/transistions-helping-elderly-move#comments Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:54:45 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=98 The first of the nation’s 76 million baby boomers are expected to reach retirement age in 2011…

Senior moving services, a growing $7 billion dollar industry, is increasingly in demand. Seniors’ children are busy business people with their own children and daily duties. To make their parents’ moves easier on both the elderly loved ones and the family member, there are many companies offering senior moving services. Of course it is crucial that the children stay involved during this difficult time to be there for comfort. But these movers do everything possible to make the homeowner feel at home. An example of this is literally photographing bookshelves and setting them up in the new home exactly like they were in the previous home.

We have listed some of our resources to help make the transistion as comfortable as possible.

Organizers – The first step is to have someone come in and organize the years of build up. Belongings will be sorted and like-items will be with other like-items. This is a key to packing.

   National Association of Professional Organizers – http://www.association-office.com/napo/referral/index.cfm

Stagers and interior designers- As stagers we can help a homeowner make decisions on which items to keep and which ones they can take along to the new home. We also help shop for new furnishings that fit the smaller home.

    Staged Makeovers  www.stagedmakeovers.com

Senior moving services - These specialists make the move seemless and preserve the memories and comfort of the homeowners.

   Smooth Transistions – http://www.movingforseniors.com/about.html

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/transistions-helping-elderly-move/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/bye-buy-bombay http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/bye-buy-bombay#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:00:59 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=86 Earlier this month beloved Bombay, a furniture and accessories company, filed bankruptcy. 420 stores are now liquidating and that means complete clearance of the inventory. Stores will start closing soon. Now is the time to stock up on some really great accessories for your home. Happy shopping. Bombay will be missed.

]]> http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/bye-buy-bombay/feed 0 http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/freecycle-one-mans-trash-is-another-mans-treasure http://mystagedlife.com/2007/10/freecycle-one-mans-trash-is-another-mans-treasure#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:19:23 +0000 Sharon Kreighbaum http://mystagedlife.com/?p=83 What is Freecycle? “It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills… Membership is free.” FREE! Yippee! And you can clean out your own junk and someone else will come and get it.

Here’s what freecycle has done for me… I’ve unloaded so much stuff on others who needed it:

• Carpet samples went to an animal shelter to keep the pups warm and cozy
• Wallpaper samples went to local girl scouts for crafts
• Household items went to a local woman in need
• Shoes, belts, and handbags – this post reunited me with a highschool friend.

The list goes on and on. I’ve even got a few goodies myself. I needed new speaker for my computer, a pair of baseball pants for a costume, an adapter for a label maker, etc. etc.

So if you want everyday to feel like your birthday, save some cash, lessen the landfill load, and help others in need, join your local freecycle group. It’s easy. 

PS I highly recommend using the daily digest setting to receive your freecycle messages otherwise you will get hundreds of e-mails a week.

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