Author Archives kathyregini

Does  your Realtor want to schedule an Open House? Hopefully you have already gotten your house professionally staged and it’s in tip top shape, but here’s my Open House Checklist, just in case!

1. House is clean, top to bottom.
2. Windows washed, inside and out.
3. Beds made.
4. Dishes washed and put away.
5. Trash bins emptied.
6. All signs that a pet lives in your home have been removed.
7. Clutter put away.
8. All window treatments opened.
9. All lights on.
10. Subtle music playing.
11. Fresh guest towels in the bathrooms.
12. Fresh flowers in the foyer.
13. A bowl of lemons or fresh fruit on the kitchen counter.
14. Thermostat set at a comfortable temperature.
15. Fireplace going during the Fall & Winter months.
16. Battery operated candles are on.
17. Garage door down, and no cars in the driveway
18. Decks & patios swept clean.
19. Lawn mowed & edged.
20. Family stays away during the hours of the Open House.

I just love open storage to showcase organized everyday items and favorite things. I still like to have plenty of regular cabinetry for the functional items that are not-so-pretty, but mixing in some open shelving adds a light hearted touch and can break up the monotony of cabinets.

The kitchen is more than the room where we cook. It’s the heart of the home. If any of you have ever watched the HGTV television show, Divine Design, with Candice Olson, you have seen the amazing before and after kitchen transformations. I love how she frequently knocks down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to integrate the two, which is so much more comfortable and informal. I also love the creative backsplashes. Her signature look is a blend of modern and traditional, and she understands that the kitchen needs to be functional in form and design. Simple, practical, with quality in details. Never plain. Timeless. Love her.

I like to think of a home as dynamic, evolving thing… a work in progress. Great enough to relax in and enjoy, but never really finished to where you would say, ”That’s it, I’m done!” Just as your wardrobe evolves over the years, you should look for ways to update and improve your home so it does not look tired or dated.  I’m not saying to buy new furniture every three years. As a matter of fact, unless a piece sags, rips or has stains that can’t be cleaned, it can be fine for a decade. Ten years is the usual life of soft furniture, like a sofa. And even if it is in decent shape after a decade, it may start to look dated, so it might be time to make a change.

However, smaller things, such as a new accent wall color, lamp shades, pillows, artwork, accessories, and even furniture layout, can be updated and changed any time.  Just like an outfit can look completely different by changing the accessories & shoes, so can your living room.  The transformation can be gradual, picking up something special here and there, and getting rid of things you no longer care for or don’t find useful.

The room functionality of your home needs to transition as your life changes, also.  Our house has changed a great deal over the years as we went from a couple, to parents with small children, and now to having “tweens”. Offices & guest rooms have changed into nurseries,  toy/play areas,  media rooms, etc. over the years, depending on what we needed at the time. But that’s a topic for another day!

Ps. the above house is from the movie, Father of the Bride. Still one of my favorite houses ever!

People always ask me if there’s anything they should do to the house before I come to stage it to sell. Here is my list!

Make Repairs. Address leaky faucets, cracks in the wall and ceiling, replace torn screens, etc. Buyers over estimate cost of repairs, and tend to focus on them. Your home needs to look well maintained.

Next, pack up personal belongings. Remove photos, portraits, religious items, personal awards, and collectables.

Clean. Every room must be clean top to bottom. This includes windows, the fireplace, and steam cleaning carpets.

Organize closets. People will look inside. Closets must be neat to appear more spacious: a space ready for their items, not crammed with yours! Pack your off-season clothes and items seldom used. Keep only what you really need for the next few months.

If you simply don’t have the time or energy to address all of these things, and really want to list your home soon, a good stager will help you get it done or hire people to do it for you. But… the staging process will be more cost effective if you can get some of the work done yourself!

“If every house tells a story, each entry hall is an opening chapter. And nothing makes you give up on a book faster than a boring introduction.”

 Jan Showers  -Glamorous Rooms

My 5 Foyer Essentials:

1.  Dark rug made of a durable material. Protects against slips and falls and helps keep the rest of the house clean.

2.  Console/Table. A place for keys, mail, etc.

3.  Coat rack if you do not have room in your entry closet for a visitor’s coat, scarf & hat.

4.  Seating. A comfortable place to put on or take off shoes.

5.  Big mirror.  Check your look before you head out the front door. Also makes the space feel larger and reflect light.

The bedroom is often last on the list when it comes to deciding on a design. But it is a very important space…it can be a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everything, and a room you can really enjoy.

To decide which elements are essential to creating a master bedroom that is conducive to relaxation and a good night’s sleep, think of a luxury boutique hotel room. What makes it feel so relaxing and wonderful?

1. Boutique hotel rooms always feel uncluttered and clean. This is essential to creating calm.

2. There is usually a calming and serene, but contrasting color scheme: dark wood furniture paired with white or light neutrals. Tone on tone…no bright colors or flowery prints.

3. You are surrounded by luxurious fabrics and textures: satin, silk, velvet or suede.

4. They use the highest thread count sheets and the softest, fluffiest pillows. Isn’t it so wonderful to sink into a comfortable bed at the end of a long day?

 5. There is a sleep zone and a separate relaxing zone with reading chair(s), additional lighting and small table…a place to rest a book, or a glass of water.

6. There is always a little bling: shiny metals and glass/crystal .

7. The furniture goes well together but is not a matching set.  Window coverings don’t match the bedding.

There is an element of luxury and sophistication to this style that is very appealing. It is neither masculine nor feminine. It has all the necessary appointments without any of the clutter. Take some (or all!) of these ideas and bring the feeling of a luxury boutique hotel into your bedroom!

If you are looking for a quick & easy alternative to wallpaper and paint, you may want to consider the newest form of wall art: wall decals. The designs are printed on a reusable vinyl with a special adhesive that sticks to walls without hurting them. Super easy: peel and stick! They add a whimsical touch…playful, fun, and modern. Let’s look at some…

If you have a dated bathroom, here are tips to give it a fresh, spa look. I’m not talking full-blown bathroom remodel here…small, affordable things that make a big impact.  I recommend many of these ideas when I stage a home for sale.

The first step is to clear off the counter tops and bath/shower stall of all clutter/bottles and put it all in a pile. Next take everything out of your drawers and cabinets, and add to the pile. Wipe down your drawers & cabinets.

Now go through everything, item by item, and discard everything you haven’t used in 6 months or more. Keep only the must-haves and organize by category and place in baskets or clear organizer trays & bins. Place these in the drawers & cabinets.There should not be anything on the counter top (we will add things to the counter later).

Next, wash all surfaces.  Scrub the grout and tile clean with special cleanser. Everything should sparkle.

Now you are ready to make improvements!

Depending on what your bathroom needs, here are some ideas…

-paint the walls a soft grey/blue

-paint dated oak cabinets white

-add new cabinet hardware

-replace dated lighting

-add a frame around your wall mirror

-add a new shower curtain, towels and bath mat. White makes it most spa-like

-add hotel style towel rack (holds tons!) if space permits

-replace dated sink faucet

-remove all plastic accessories and replace with natural materials such as teak, bamboo,  glass and metal

And last, place decorative glass jars with cotton balls, guest soaps,  etc., on counter, along with  candles and hand towels. I like white.

I just love collections of framed photos on a wall.  Lately, I have been on a black & white photo kick and am having a lot of fun displaying them in my own home. A wall of framed photos can be done in several ways. Here are a few tips.

If you have a common element, you can have different shapes and sizes can still create a cohesive look. For example,  If you have all black & white photos, the frames can be different colors. If the photos are in color, I prefer to stick to one color frame to avoid visual chaos. Also, a grouping of all one color frame will read more clearly as a whole, while a set of mix & match frames will create a more eclectic look.

Create a large imaginary square or rectangle around the frames for a more graphic and symmetrical look, but vary the frame sizes. Or, decide on standard spacing between each frame (1-2 inches), as this maintains balance, but looks more organic. Controlled random!

The center of your photo display should be at eye level (between 60-66”). Most art galleries keep art at 62″.

Before putting nails into the wall, lay out the pictures on the floor.

Photo frames can also be placed on ledges