K+BB (Kitchen and Bath Business) magazine is one of my favorites, because of my background as a professional NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) trained kitchen designer. Here is a list of the top 10 kitchen requests interior designers receive:

1. Sub-Zero refrigerators
2. Solid surface, granite or quartz countertops (not tile).
3. Fully integrated appliances
4. Pullout pantries
5. Warming drawers
6. Timeless, not trendy designs
7. Wine refrigerators
8. Stainless-steel appliances
9. More storage
10. Products clients pull from K+BB

Susan Smith of Rooms that Work in Farmington, CT wrote a beautiful blog post called “What is home staging? How about what it is NOT!” on her Blogger site. This beautiful inventory of facts from my fellow stager and activerain member really impressed me. Below is a sampling of her list.

Home Staging is NOT:

“…Decorating - Anyone can make a home look decorated. Staging is about marketing your home to your target buyer. In fact, personal taste has nothing to do with it. It’s about making a great first impression that creates an emotional connection with buyers and helps them imagine themselves living there.”

“…Just for high-end homes - Every home deserves the best chance at selling quickly and for top dollar whether a starter home or a mansion. Remember, you are competing with other homes within your price range!…”

The list continues with 8 more facts on what staging is not. Check out Susan’s blog to read the rest. You’ll be surprised!

When it comes to basements, everyone wants fresh air without too much moisture or water damage. No one loves basement smells, especially potential buyers who are critiquing every aspect of you home. To avoid the hit-you-in-the-face sudden stench of cellar, clean the carpets and use a dehumidifier. 

Note - One general rule of staging is not to run appliances during showings, so having a dehumidifier exposed is like raising a red flag. Hide them during showings.

You moved out and bought a new house. Your old home is still on the market. You are watching all the houses in the neighborhood sell before yours has even had an offer. You think that your house looks just like the rest of them from the outside. So why isn’t your old house selling? Now you have two mortgages and are starting to really worry. What did you do wrong? Could your home be helping the other homes in the neighborhood sell before your does? Take this quiz to find out.

Speaking of glue (Another Nutty Idea), we have another smart multi-use tip that will really stick in your mind. Instead of pulling out a splinter with tweezers, a better way to remove a splinter is by applying a drop of glue over the splinter, then letting it dry. Once it is dry, peel the glue off. The splinter will be stuck to the glue and not in you!

You have great tile but a few are broken.  You can no longer get the exact matching tile to replace the damaged ones.  What to do?  Don’t buy something ”close” trying to match your old tile.  Instead, buy a few decorative tiles that will compliment the existing tile.  For example, a small “mural” of a scene, a touch of wimsy, or a few tiles that are expensive to use in quantity but really upgrade the tile with added value.  Don’t be afraid to replace a few old tiles in good condition and expand the use of the new tiles.  A good design is one that is balanced and has a pattern.  You’ll end up with a new, updated and original tile design and complete a maintenance project at the same time!

because you didn’t have any house numbers! It is a pet peeve of mine when I go on an appointment and cannot find the house because there are no house numbers visible from the street. Usually I can tell I have the right house thanks to the sign your realtor posted in your yard.

If you do have house numbers make sure they are in great condition (can we say “curb appeal?”). If you don’t, well put them up! They can be found at any hardware store for very little money.

Realty One Real Living recently changed names to Real Living Realty One to align its name with the Real Living brand of its Columbus-based corporate parent. President Barbara Reynolds said that its residential brokerage will “always have a warm spot in our agents’ hearts” and would honor Realty One’s 50-year legacy in Northeast Ohio.