Author Archives kathyregini

Dark & dingy bathrooms with little storage can break the sale of a home. It’s THAT important! When homeowners trying to sell don’t have it in the budget to fully remodel the bathrooms, I recommend a few small updates & quick tricks. First, I give them a to do list:

1. Remove all the ordinary toiletries such as toothbrush holders, razors, soap & shampoo bottles. Tuck these away out of sight.Remove your everyday towels. Remove the old shower curtain. Remove the rugs. Then clean the bathroom top to bottom until it sparkles.

2. Put a coat of fresh paint in white or a light taupe, tan, or grey.

3. Replace anything brass.

4. Put up white open shelving if there is an open wall. Storage is something everyone needs more of.

Then I bring the finishing touches to pull it all together:

I begin by putting in a new white shower curtain and silver rings. I place 100 watt bulbs in the light fixtures. I accessorize the new shelves with hotel-white towels, a bowl of white guest soaps, a few white candles. I place a large wicker basket in the corner with rolled up white fluffy towels or some magazines. On the sink counter I place attractive bath products or possibly fresh white flowers, and a hand towel.

The result is a simple, tasteful bath that will seem more fresh, bright and updated.

These modern fixtures add so much sculptural beauty to a room that it really is a work of art. If your dining room needs a wow factor, this is it!

LOVE this idea! So many pretty boxes out there you can use…just cut an opening for the wires. It could also hold chargers, etc.

Thought this was a great way to cheer up the old file cabinet and also add a little interest to a book case/cabinet!

Go for serene and understated. A peaceful retreat.

If you have wall to wall carpeting, try layering an area rug on top. I know…I know…sounds strange. It’s a little tricky to pull off, but trust me when I say the results are worth it when it’s done right.  Layering rugs, like layering clothes, adds texture, color and dimension. It also defines spaces (like a sitting area) and anchors furnishings. The idea works best with a tightly woven, low pile carpet in a solid tone. Also, choose a rug that is complimentary in color to the carpet.  It does NOT work well with shag or high pile, thick carpets. The area rug may not lay flat and also moves around. Plus it just looks funny. Also, if you have wood floors, you can layer area rugs on top of one another.

Does your home give you a big sigh of relief when you walk in?

I think this is a big improvement over standard metal window wells. These faux rock liners are pricey, but if you spend a lot of time in your basement, it might be worthwhile. What do you think?

My favorite kitchens have always been white. Which is funny because my own home does not have a white kitchen. We remodeled (rebuilt, really) our 1930 home in 1998 when cherry cabinets were very popular, and decided on inset cherry cabinetry in a shaker style. Well, that look came and went and I’ve been wanting to paint them white for a while now.  Seems a shame because the wood is still perfect and so beautiful, and the feel is warm and welcoming. But my kitchen has an overall “reddish-orangey” look I no longer want.

With my staging and redesign business, I regularly suggest painting dated wood cabinetry white. People love white kitchens…it’s great for resale. It makes a kitchen feel larger, more open, clean and fresh. All things buyers like in a home.

Whether your taste is traditional, contemporary, urban or rustic, white works with all design styles. I also love the design flexibility it gives: you can change the look dramatically just by painting the walls a different color or changing out hardware & accessories.

But, too much white on white can make your kitchen feel cold and unwelcoming. Kitchens with white walls, cabinets, and appliances just look sterile to me.  I think the most successful white kitchens also include natural wood and organic touches in some way.  It can be done by combining a wood floor, a jute rug, and wooden bowls, for example. The white creates a neutral backdrop, but it needs some contrast to give the eyes a place to rest. Wood accents look rich against the white, accent colors pop more, and even  a beautiful light fixture can become a focal piece.

Also important is which shade of white you choose…if you want a warm feel to your kitchen, go with a creamy white, not one mixed with grey or blue. Same goes with the lighting.  White kitchens can have plenty of style and warmth, and they are classic and timeless. Can’t wait to get mine.