Author Archives kathyregini

When I am called to stage a home for the holidays, I remind sellers that too much holiday “stuff” camouflages a home’s architecture and can be very distracting. The goal is to show how beautiful the home can look for the holidays, not have buyers focus on the decorations. You want them thinking ”I wish this was MY home for the holidays!” Tasteful holiday decor can actually be an asset to a sale because it can be very warm and welcoming. But it needs to be classic, simple and quiet. Even if you have 20 Christmas boxes in the attic, exercise restraint and think, “less is more”. Better to have a few larger focal pieces than a hundred little items creating visual chaos.

Another important concept is to use a neutral color scheme. Bright red & green is distracting, and rarely ties in with the home’s existing color palette. A neutral palette of fresh greens, beautiful metallics, and classic whites/creams works every time with all types of decor. White flowers such as paper whites, white hydrangeas… a vase of white roses complimented by evergreens are elegant and timeless.

If you choose to have a tree, keep it smaller and/or narrow to conserve space. Use white lights, and don’t use all your ornaments, just your best ones: metallics, glass, and ones made of natural materials. Unless you are willing to color coordinate the gift wrap as well, keep the presents tucked away, not under the tree. Finish with a beautiful tree skirt.

Don’t underestimate the power of a crackling fire to set the holiday mood for an open house/showing, as well as the smell of baked goods and live greens to enhance your seasonal decor. You can have Christmas cookies, bowls of nuts or special chocolates in the kitchen to bring it all together.

As at any other time, your home’s exterior is also very important. The first impression is critical. Hang a fresh evergreen wreath on the front door, or flank the door with small evergreen trees in pots. If you live in a warmer climate, you can use large, white poinsettia plants. And nothing says “The Holidays” more than twinkling lights on the house, but don’t overdo it, and keep those white. Also, don’t clutter the front yard with Santa inflatables, a herd of reindeer, or lit candy canes outlining the way to the front door.

And last but not least…because not everyone shares the same religious beliefs, avoid decorations of a religious nature, and have the decorations up only two weeks prior to Christmas and take down within a week of New Years Day.

Finding a new paint color can be intimidating. There are thousands of choices at the paint store, and it’s difficult to imagine what a room will look like from the tiny paint swatches provided. But it is a powerful and inexpensive tool that can transform your home.  It can link spaces visually and add architectural interest. It can be calming, it can be energizing.

With real estate staging and interior redesign, I am always looking for a new paint color to use. Of course I have my “go-to” colors that always work beautifully…neutral, organic palettes that give character and warmth.  I love Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection and have painted with it for years. The colors look good with any style of furnishings. Lately, I’ve been drawn to the their gray neutrals for an updated look, and have even incorporated it into my own home. If you are looking for a couple new “non-colors”, here are three sophisticated grays from Benjamin Moore you may want to try!

-Revere Pewter HC-172.  A rich medium gray.

-Edgecomb Grey HC-173.  A lighter gray with warm undertones.

-Cape May Cobblestone 1474. A deep earthy grey.

Always buy several trial paints and put them up on your wall first. I like to try 2-3 colors right next to each other. This is easy if you paint large pieces of paper and tape to your wall. See how the colors look at different times of the day in the actual room you want to paint.

 Good luck and happy painting!

When I professionally stage an empty home for sale, I have my clients rent contemporary furnishings because they give a breath of fresh air to even the most dated homes and the updated look appeals to most buyers. Light cream cotton sofas, perfectly placed silk pillows, cashmere throws & glass tables are a constant in staging design to make a place feel bright, spacious and beautiful. But it is a difficult look to maintain if you actually live there! For real everyday living, I prefer a design style that is more of an eclectic mix… old pieces with the new. The overall look is still contemporary, but more forgiving and relaxed. I like durable surfaces that hold up to realities of family life. Rustic wood tops (no coasters!), upholstered pieces in microfiber (super easy to clean spills), and washable slipcovers are all good when you are creating a realistic environment that works with children & pets. You don’t have to give up good design for comfort and function.

I also like to work with a neutral color palette. Too many strong colors and patterns are not relaxing, and most people like a calm home to retreat to. You can still achieve interesting variation through lots of tones and textures. Currently, I am using the “new neutrals” as alternatives to beige: warm grays, taupe & sage. They are subtle hues and keep the look light, while retaining the cozy. Pair them with a chunky knitted throw and a pouf and you are ready for the winter months ahead. And don’t forget the occasional small pop of color to add life.

This design look isn’t fussy, but it isn’t slouchy either. The look is pared down, but far from minimal or sparse…I would call it “balanced”. Simple, functional elements for real life.

With Thanksgiving just a week away, I am in the midst of helping clients create beautiful dining rooms to welcome close friends and family.  Long before the wonderful meal is served, your dining room should be a warm and welcoming sight for your guests.  I think everyone is familiar with the traditional Thanksgiving decor of overflowing cornucopias, orange pumpkins, plates with images of turkeys, and “pilgrim hat” place cards (not that there’s anything wrong with any of those!).  But if you are hoping to create something fresh and a little more modern this year, here are some images that may provide new inspiration, yet still evoke the harvest season.  Linens with muted colors of fall,  organic center pieces, and whimsical place settings.  Simple and understated.

I have had a very busy year with my Staging & Interior Redesign business in Boulder Colorado. The staging side of the company is steady, because people are always going to be buying & selling homes. But the redesign department has really taken off. I think redesign and repurposing are very big right now because of two things. One, the down turn in the economy has made everyone rethink major purchases, so people are reluctant to buy things they don’t really need. And two, being environmentally responsible means doing away with the “disposable” mentality and making what you have work with new creative solutions.

I tell people “When you feel your living room is looking tired and in need of new furnishings, try starting with fun new lampshades, throw pillows and modern accessories.” A new paint color can also do wonders. Also…move things around! Switch out furniture, art, accessories. Frequently no money is spent at all but the house looks completely different! Gone are the days of matchy-matchy rooms anyway… rooms that incorporate different design styles are far more interesting. Integrating the old with the new. The photo to the left is a perfect example of what a new updated fabric can do to an old piece. Pair modern art with rustic decor. With accessories, think fewer, larger pieces to make a greater impact and avoid that cluttered look. And if you have investment pieces with lasting appeal-don’t get rid of those! Repurpose them in other rooms of the house and see where things look best.

Think refresh, not replace.

I’ve really enjoyed the mellow Indian Summer we have had here in Colorado this year. But with these crisp mornings and pumpkins cropping up everywhere, I think it’s officially fall. And with the changing of the leaves I automatically feel my “nesting urge” coming on. I love bringing out my cozy throws and setting up a fire for the first time. And, of course, I start to look over my house and decide what seasonal updates I’m going to make this year. I like my home to reflect the change of seasons with smaller items that can easily be added or swapped out.

Although I love the bright yellow, oranges and red leaves outside, I’m not an overall fan of bright orange, or the corn husk/hay bales/pumpkin decor that I see everyone doing over and over this time of year. I like to bring fall into my home with rich chocolate brown, pale yellows of butternut squash, wheat & sage greens. Maybe a little splash of deep red. For example, I like vases filled with big yellow sunflowers, berry stems, or red maple branches.

Fall is a great time to integrate natural, rustic elements like wooden trays, gourds, wide bowls of mini cream-colored pumpkins, red apples, and golden pears.

And don’t forget bowls of nuts and scattered fall leaves for your table settings. Scented candles ( pumpkin, apple pie, cinnamon, butter scotch & vanilla to name a few!) complete the experience. So, bring the fall  indoors…it is simple and sophisticated with very little cost.