Download - July 2011
We have always heard about bringing the outside in, but in
today's world, the goal is to bring the inside out. This is the per-
fect time of year to refresh your patio, terrace or outdoor living
spaces, as everything is on sale! We may be in the throes of
summer, but the retail world is already thinking of the next
season, which is good for our wallet. Everything you might have
used inside, is now made in outdoor versions.
Exterior Decorating has come a long way but the bottom line is
create a space that accommodates your needs while honoring the
style of your home. A shopping trip can “out�t” your exterior
spaces with everything from outdoor chandeliers, drapery panels
made from exterior fabrics to blow in the breeze, portable �re-
places and more. In today's world, anything you can do inside,
you can do outside. There are even televisions specially made for
outdoor viewing...now I think that may be a bit much.
Consider also, simplistic ideas like mason jars with tealights hung
from trees and placed everywhere. Simple centerpieces made
from a collection of small mouth jars and �owers cut from the
garden. Also, keep in mind, that a decorating professional can
help you transform the exterior spaces as easily as the interior. If
you want the bene�t of a professional, please give me a call, and
we would be delighted to help you have the spaces of your
dreams, both interior and exterior.
Add perceived
value to your
home by replacing
�at hollow core
doors with raised
panel doors.
ow many times have you started
a project to end in frustration
because you needed a simple
tool and couldn’t put your
hands on it? Here are some tools
that every home should have to
make your job easier and the
process less stressful. The key for
easy use is to keep your tools in
the same place so they are easy
to �nd. Your in-home tool kit
should include these basic do-
it-yourself items plus a couple of
bonus items.
Tape Measure
No, not a wimpy girl one, but a 25” tape for multi-
purpose use. Window treatments, !ooring, and
furniture, will all be more accurate with a sturdy 25’
measuring tape. A second smaller tape of 6 to 12 feet
can be put in a pocket or purse for shopping trips or
hanging art.
Screwdrivers
Flat head and Phillips head are the two that every job
will need. Better yet, get a chargeable one that you
simply change the tips to make it multipurpose. Get
one with horsepower and a smaller one for simple
projects.
Pliers
This is another tool that you need more than one
style. Needle-nose, heavy grooved, and wire cutting
are the styles most used.
Level
First consider a small one to use for hanging art. Then
you can’t miss out on the Black and Decker Gecko, the
coolest level in the world. This has moveable glides
that line up with multiple hangers on the back of
many pictures to make the hanging process easier.
Hammer
Start with a basic medium weight, then add a few
specialty hammers based on your needs.
Electric Staple Gun
There are so many places a staple/brad gun will come in handy. Light
upholstery and creating artwork are just a couple of projects that come to
mind.
Hercules Hooks
Get a prepackaged set of basic sizes at a home center or create a custom
assortment that will come in handy when you hang pictures or make
minor repairs. But a favorite easy to use hanger is the Hercules Hooks, no
tools needed.
Pencils
You'll probably need to mark a drill hole or record a measurement. Have
pencils handy and write on post it notes or bits of blue painter's tape if
you don't want to write on the wall.
Blue Painter's Tape
Even professional painters use this tape to mask o" areas they don't want
to paint. It's available in several widths and looks like plain masking tape.
But this special tape is blue and can be removed from most surfaces
without damage. You can use it for other household jobs besides paint-
ing. Mark stud locations with a small square when hanging a picture or
installing molding. Tape o" the edges of a door frame when painting a
wall, or tape down runners of heavy kraft paper to protect !oors
from dirt and scratches when moving.
A home decorating project can be both joyful and
frustrating. The key is careful planning and creating
an accurate vision. Whether you are working with a
professional or going it alone, have a plan to avoid
confusion, stay on task and budget.
Have a Clear Understanding of your Goals.In other words, you want to update the kitchen
but what is the scope of the project? Don’t get
caught up in the excitement and suddenly
make decisions that impact budget or turn a
small job into a huge project without thinking
it through. A few questions to ask are:
1. Will this project increase the value of my
property? Visit www.Homegain.com for a look
at common return on investments.
2. Will this improve the way my family uses our
home?
3. Is this a quick �x or a dream makeover?
4. Can my budget handle this? Add 10-20% as a
contingency.
5. Is this project well planned?
Understand your decorating style. Sometimes
the process of redecorating can be confusing
as there are so many beautiful styles out
there. Don’t get sidetracked by all the choices.
Do you like curved lines or straight lines? Are
you drawn to strong color or neutral spaces?
Take the time to create a style �le with photos
to help keep you on track.
Plan your work and work your plan. Don’t
leave anything to chance; create a �oor plan
for each space using one of the many free
programs on the web.
Check out www.bhg.com/arrangearoom or
www.icovia.com
Buy the best quality you can a�ord. Skimp on
the quality of your bedding but never on your
mattress. Skimp on your dishes but not on
your countertop. Skimp on the pans but not
on the stove. You may not be able to buy the
most expensive but do your research and
make a wise decision in your price range.
Enjoy the process and most of all, enjoy the end result.
Selling a house is like going
on a blind date. One needs
to maximize the positive and
minimize the negative, to
improve the first impression.
he analysis of a property begins before you even open the door. Curb Appeal is a
key component to the selling process. Online photos and a physical walk through will
begin with the first impression of the exterior of the house.
Remove any clutter from your yard and put a little effort into landscaping. Some
homeowners will go as far as to paint the house just to grab a buyer’s attention imme-
diately. This is costly, so take into account the cost and the gain and make sure it is
worth the investment. Repairing walkway cracks and throwing some fertilizer onto dead
grass patches is an inexpensive way to up the curb appeal.
Designate Functions: Make sure that the formal dining room is staged as a formal
dining room – not a catch all for clutter or an office. If you have a room that has always
been just a “junk room”, repurpose it into something that will add value. Adding a chaise
lounge with ambient lighting and a small bookcase to a nook will add a cozy reading
area to your home’s amenities.
Another tip is to float furniture away from walls. Reposition your seating into distinct
groups in such a way that the traffic flow is clear to the prospective buyer. Chairs and
sofas that are pushed up against walls make rooms feel stiff, under styled, and bulky.
Create Ambiance: This part of staging is the most subtle, but infinitely important. You
want a prospective buyer to feel at home, and to spark their imagination. The property
should smell fresh and clean, be light and airy, and also be a comfortable temperature.
You can always fall back on the old “baking cookies before a showing” trick to make the
kitchen smell homey. Otherwise, pick candles and air fresheners that are not overpow-
ering (skip the mango madness and pick something like clean linen or cotton.) If you
are a smoker or you have pets, this step is especially important. Repainting walls and
cleaning carpets and furniture (don’t forget blankets and curtains) are ways to avoid
that stale smoke or kitty pee smell.
As far as lighting is concerned, replace all old and burnt out light
bulbs and remove any heavy drapes or curtains. The more light
the better! Be sure to leave the heater on a comfortable
temperature in the winter months
and the A/C on in the summer.
Debbie Correale, IRIS, IDSCertified Redesigner, Home Stager
and IRIS Approved Trainer
West Chester, PA
610.955.8202
Redesign Right...
"The Right Redesign & Training Choice"
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The Right Decorating Choice
Home Staging - "Setting up your home for
sale"...The Right Staging Choice
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