Author Archives kathyregini

When designing a room from scratch, I almost always start by helping my clients choose an area rug. Rug selection is a great starting point for establishing the color scheme and basic direction.  It is also a large element in the room and can have a lot of color, pattern or texture, and it is easier to find and coordinate other pieces to work with it rather than the other way around. After the rug has been chosen pull colors out of the area rug to coordinate the upholstery fabrics, paint colors and other accent pieces.  And there you have it!

Candice Olson is my favorite tv design personality. I love the distinctive rooms she creates for her clients. This year she put together a collection of her favorite neutral paint colors by Benjamon Moore and I thought I would pass them on to you. They are beautiful!

1. Nimbus Grey 2131-50-a cool gray
2. Grey Mirage 2142-50-a misty gray/green
3. Pale Oak OC-20-a light beige
4. Niveous OC-36-a classic cream
5. Cloud White OC-130-baseboards, trim & ceilings

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to think about outdoor spaces. One of my favorite structures is the pergola.

Whether it’s al fresco dining you want or an outdoor relaxing space, a pergola provides a beautiful focal point and creates the feel of an indoor room. It defines a space. There are so many possibilities and benefits that make a pergola really special.

You can have beautiful climbing vines intertwining on it. Wisteria, clematis, rambling rose, even grape vines. Outdoor fabric can be draped over top to create a shaded & sheltered space. Flowing curtain panels are another addition if you’d like a private, more intimate feel.

You can hang string lights or hang an outdoor chandelier for night time enjoyment.

A pergola creates a wonderful outdoor entertaining space, as well as adding beauty, character and romance to everyday outdoor living.

Everyone knows the importance of curb appeal when you are selling a home. Here are ten tips to be sure you make a great first impression.

1. The lawn must be green! Lots of water & fertilizers usually does the trick, but you may need to call in the professionals to have it beautiful as soon as possible. It also needs to be mowed & edged.

2. Trim overgrowth that covers windows, block a path, or touches the house.

3. Pull all weeds.

4. Power wash decks, patios, windows and anywhere you see cobwebs, mold or dirt.

5. Remove all lawn ornaments, such as gnomes & flamingos.

6. Remove old play structures or anything that looks like it is past it’s prime. Replace faded cushions on the outdoor furniture with new ones.

7. Plant some colorful annuals and place fresh mulch on all the flower beds.

8. If you have a patio or deck, create a back yard living room to play up the increasing trend to outdoor living.

9. Create a back yard eating area. On the day of a showing, stage an outdoor table setting with pretty table cloth, pitcher of lemonade (actually water with a few drops of yellow food coloring!) and glasses.

10. If you have a front porch, create a seating area with wicker furniture and colorful pillows.

Design ideas are all around. For me, sometimes it’s a fabric, a piece of art, paint swatches…anything really. Sometimes, as a starting point, I’ll take a client to stores that offer furniture & accessories displayed “vignette” style, where items are grouped together as they might appear in the home. It helps me understand which rooms my clients are drawn to so we can reinvent a version of it for their homes.

Crate & Barrel pioneered showing furniture in vignettes, and it really shows how to pull things together… great color combinations, and the importance of art & accessories.   Restoration Hardware, IKEA, Z Gallerie, CB 2, Pottery Barn, and West Elm are some other national chains that offer this. These stores have a wide range of styles and can be found in most metropolitan areas. It’s worth subscribing to the catalogs if you don’t have them in your city.

Another good source for inspiration are interior design magazines. I really like House & Home (Canadian publication), Metropolitan home, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful.

So…go find your inspiration!

Most people choose full-service staging because of the remarkable transformation and because it is so quick and easy. But most staging companies also offer consulting services for much less. For example, my staging consult is a 90 minute walk-through of the house, room by room. I offer suggestions how to best present your home, inside & out. Everything from curb appeal to improving interior flow. I’ll tell you which items should be packed up early,  which ones to keep and how to display them. I also provide a staging handbook with expert tips for great results, and an open house checklist for showings. My fee is $200. If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person and have the time, this can be all you need and it will save you money. Basically, you are paying for a plan, and doing the labor yourself. Just a thought.

Just in case you are hosting an Easter gathering at your house this year and looking for inspiration…

I am so happy to see the buds & blossoms on the trees and the first signs of Spring. It is uplifting to know winter is almost behind us. I say almost because here in Colorado anything can happen in the next 30 days…snow one day and 70 degrees the next. No matter, I am getting my house ready for Spring. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few simple things to try…

First, remove winter clutter.  I know it’s comforting to have cozy throws, a pile of wood by the fireplace, and stacks of books to read on cold wintry days. But Spring is all about open and airy. Put them away for now, along with thick scarves, hats, wool sweaters & gloves. You won’t need them for a while.

Next, clean your windows. Nothing makes a house feel drab like dirty windows. Your rooms will instantly feel brighter & fresher. While you’re at it, open them up and let in the fresh air.

If you have been toying with the idea of painting…paint a single accent wall in a cheerful color you like. This works well if you already have a neutral palette on the walls.

Add a few touches of bright color or white to lighten up your living space. Decorative pillows, lampshades, fresh spring flowers, or maybe a fresh new plant. If you don’t have kids or pets, you might consider a light-colored slip cover for your sofa.

And last..replace heavy window treatments with sheers panels. So pretty when they blow in the breeze!

Listing at the right time can mean more money in your pocket. But it’s not the time of year you should focus on. True, Spring is traditionally the hottest season for real estate. Spring & Summer colorful landscaping makes a home show better than in the dead of winter with dormant vegetation and a foot of snow on the ground. Plus, people like to find homes before the school year begins. However, Spring & Summer are also when there is the greatest inventory of homes for sale, and competition is high. The more important thing to remember is…the best time of year to sell is when your home is READY!

You should have your home professionally staged before you even contact your real estate agent. Working with a staging designer improves your home so you sell it for top dollar with as little expense as possible. Improvements are suggested (dependent on budget & timeline) that are sound investments, adding to the value of your home, and increasing buyer appeal. Combine that with showcasing your home with optimal placement of furniture, art & accessories, it’s the biggest bang for your buck.

Simply put, to sell your house fast, you need to look better than the competition. Staging gives you that advantage by turning your house into a model home! If you are in the Boulder/Denver area, A Change of Space Home Staging can make it happen for you.

Lighting is a subtle, but essential design element. It can make a huge difference in the feel of a room: it comes alive with energy! Light affects our mood and mental health…there are many therapeutic benefits of light.

I have found most homes need better lighting, but people don’t know where to start. Before you come up with a lighting plan, you need to consider how the room will be used. Most rooms serve more than one function and this should influence your choice of lighting and placement. For example, with a multi-use family room, you will need to identify the activity areas and make sure you have adequate illumination for each.

There are 4 basic types of lighting.

1. Ambient Lighting. Illuminates the entire room from a central source, such as a fixture in the middle of the ceiling.
2. Task Lighting. Used in small areas where bright light is needed to perform a task. A good example is a floor lamp next to a reading chair.
3. Accent Lighting. Draws the eye toward an art object or architectural feature.  Directed recessed cans are a good example of this. It adds drama as it highlights something of interest.
4. Decorative Lighting. It can be a work of art in itself and can come in many forms…a glass chandelier, pendants or decorative lamp. It is a focal point of the room, adding visual interest.

Although not all rooms need all types of lighting, layering different lighting adds interest.