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Mirrors are widely used in residential home staging because one of the goals is to have the home look as spacious & bright as possible. Kind of a trick of the trade. Large mirrors are my favorite…the kind that almost go floor to ceiling. You may think that you do not have space for something as big as that, but when you see what it does for your room, you may find a way!

1. Mirrors can widen a narrow room or hallway, creating the illusion of space.

2. Mirrors reflect light and make a room brighter when placed across a window or next to a bright lamp.

3. Mirrors reflect beautiful views and artwork positioned on surrounding walls..

4. Mirrors can be works of art in themselves.

Select a frame that compliments the room’s decor to make the mirror an integrated part of the design.

The interesting shape to this mirror gives the illusion of a window being there!

So, what are you waiting for…go get yourself a mirror!

Everyone says the kitchen is the most important room of the house and the heart of the home… family & friends love to spend time here. When a house is for up for sale, the kitchen can make or break the deal! When I am called to stage a property, I frequently recommend certain cost effective changes that homeowners can do themselves prior to listing to have the kitchen show it’s best. They also happen to be great improvements for anyone with a kitchen that is past it’s prime!

1. Update the cabinets with paint. This is the most impactful change you can make. Try dark chocolate brown, cream, white or mushroom.  Choose a cabinet color that contrasts with your wall color- if your walls are dark, choose a lighter color- if your walls are light, choose a darker color. No color is too dark if the space is properly lit.

2. Add glass fronts to one or two upper cabinets. On many cabinet styles, you can simply pop out the center panel inset and take it to a glass company to have glass fitted & inserted. If there is no center inset in your doors, cut out a center portion, leaving a 3” frame around the edges. Look for interesting glass such as frosted or reeded (a modern vertical design.) You can also paint the inside of the cabinet a beautiful accent color. Once dry, fill with decorative dishes, glassware, or serving pieces, and reinstall the doors.

3. Remove an upper cabinet altogether and replace with open shelving, or take off the doors and create “open shelving”. This is a clean, modern look that can make a smaller kitchen feel really spacious. You will need to keep things arranged nicely on those open shelves, but it’s worth it when you see the fresh look this will give to your kitchen!

4. Replace the fluorescent box. Install some recessed lighting, pendant lights, a track light or a chandelier. Consider installing a dimmer for more lighting options.

5. Place Cork flooring right over your old vinyl, wood or even outdated tile floor. Cork is incredible…it comes in many colors and patterns and is a very resilient and flexible floor. Plus, it’s a renewable resource.

6. Replace outdated cabinet knobs and pulls! Satin nickel, stainless, oil-rubbed bronze, or iron hardware will instantly bring new life to your old cabinetry.

7. Brighten your kitchen with new linens. Try a new table cloth and dishtowels to refresh instantly.

Try any combination of these ideas to dramatically transform your kitchen!

In case you are entertaining at home this year, here are two beautiful Holiday tables with a fresh & clean color palette of whites, crystals, metallics and just a touch of green. The first is a little more modern and the second a bit more traditional. Both lovely!

Happy New Year!

This time of year all the design pros predict where home decor will go in the New Year. Although there are some differing opinions out there on which will be the new hot color and other style choices, most everyone agrees that a few important concepts continue to gain momentum.

Realtors & builders have been saying that the new home buying trend is toward smaller, but better designed and equipped houses. According to the U.S Census Bureau, the average size of a new family home has decreased to 2135 square feet. Because of this, open floor plans are in high demand, as fewer walls make the home seem bigger. Also, modern consumers are conscious of their surroundings and their well being, and prefer homes with quality, eco friendly features rather than homes with lavish amenities and wasted space. And last, buyers are looking for flexible, multifunction living spaces so the home can adapt to changing lifestyles and needs.

All these trends are also reflected in interior design for 2012…

-Sustainable design & materials.

-Reclaimed wood flooring & furniture. Repurposing.

-Doing more with less, but investing in higher quality items that will last. Well designed, multi-function furnishings with durable materials & finishes.

So, rather than worrying about which shade of yellow is the perfect accent color this year, keep the big picture in mind! Happy Holidays to all!

I’ve talked about how the right holiday atmosphere can help sell a home. Many of those same design principles can apply for decorating a home that you plan on enjoying for many holidays to come…the cohesive color palette, the simple and elegant, look & feel.  If you are looking to redesign your home this holiday, (the ideas are introduced in my blog “Selling your Home during the Holiday Season”) here are a few more beautiful images that I hope will inspire you…

Natural greens and white flowers.

Natural accessories… pine cones, bundles of cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, cream-colored candles, and mercury glass for a little sparkle.

Edible decor: fruit, berries, fancy cakes, holiday cookies, special candies chocolates & nuts. Champagne and festive flutes.

Gift wrap with an organic touch.

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.