Turning a New Leaf

Revamped, staged  and sold 

Sometimes it's hard to start a project when you feel you have insurmountable challenges and you can't see the forest for the trees. That is when you have to step back and bring it down to simple, attainable steps. Then, before you know it, all the tasks are finished and the project is complete!

A  Tampa, Florida home with good bones, in need of a makeover

That is what happened when I was charged with staging a home for sale.  The furniture was dated, but the bones of the house were very good. With a meager budget, I purged furniture from the rooms and had to work with the bigger pieces that were just too costly to replace. That meant incorporating a gold, crushed velvet sofa into the scheme, while making the home feel welcoming and modern.

By coming up with a color scheme that worked with (while detracting from) gold, I was able to find furniture and accessories that were fresh and contemporary, yet embraced the bold color at the same time. The entire house was given new light fixtures and draperies that supported this goal.

When staging a home for sale, declutter and bring back only those pieces that add the greatest impact

By applying the art of repetition throughout the house and using variations of the gold, red and gray color scheme, both the new furniture as well as the original pieces worked together as a whole.

Everything in this bedroom was purchased new for the home staging, but the color scheme was kept the same as the living room and reinforces the point that gold doesn't have to just live in the seventies!

Each room used a different color as the dominant one, in this case gray for the dining area.

 And neutral, with a pop of red, was used for the guest room, to show off it's large size.  The office area was pared down to the basics, with only a few new pieces added to reinforce the purpose of the space.

 The kitchen was kept clean and simple to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

The end result? Within five days of being put on the market, there was a full price offer on the table and by the end of the week, multiple offers we're being placed on the home!

A project that, at first, appeared to be time consuming and costly turned out to be not so scary...once I came up with a game plan that consisted of a color palette that embraced, and not fought with, the existing furniture and color scheme. Then, it was a matter of executing it room by room and following the plan. Always come back to the plan. It keeps you focused, on budget and on schedule.

Salvaged Ideas

I recently visited Schiller's Architectural Salvage in Tampa with my cousin Leah. It was a great way to spend an afternoon and I could have spent hours more in the cavernous building that houses thousands of items saved from the wrecking ball.

While some things might be a little too eccentric for the average shopper, architectural salvage warehouses can be found in every city and are a great resource to those wanting to repurpose an old piece and turn it into a unique design element for their home.

Not to mention, places like this are just plain fun regardless of whether or not you have a project in mind. Sometimes a visit to one can inspire ideas you didn't know you had. Finding a diamond in the rough and turning it into a gem is the ultimate recycling project.

Check back as I'll show you some examples in upcoming weeks of how to give an item new life functioning as something completely different. And in the meantime, find yourself an architectural salvage warehouse that you can visit. I promise that you'll have a wonderful time.

Getting Away From It All

This past Father's day weekend, we were fortunate enough to stay at The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, California along with our son, who was participating in an event on the premises.  The sprawling 220 acre complex has taken great pains to blend each structure into the beautiful grounds surrounding the buildings.

The view from our balcony was breathtaking and I couldn't wait to get out and explore. At every turn, there were little vignettes of gorgeous landscaping and art that complemented the architecture of each building.

What made everything so impressive was the simplicity of it all. There were no outrageously decorated rooms or courtyards, just well tended plantings with pots of healthy blooms and minimal tablescapes with unique pieces atop. Most could be replicated at home enabling you to achieve the same serene effect on a smaller, more manageable scale. Very Inspiring.

Have an empty wall outside? Hang a weathered mirror to reflect more of the greenery. How about some old terra cotta pots? Fill them with colorful geraniums and line them up in a grouping for impact. Do you have a few old watering cans that you left outside and they've become rusty? Give them a place of purpose and treat them like you planned it that way! As long as you keep it simple and don't go overboard, you can have a vignette worthy of the best hotel. What can you come up with? The possibilities are endless.

Kelly Wearstler's New Collection

I went to the Pacific Design Center today to see Kelly Wearstler's new collection for Lee Jofa's Groundworks line. Presenting along with Kelly was Executive Vice President/Creative Director for Lee Jofa, Stephen Elrod.

Kelly is an accomplished interior designer and author who launched her own clothing line in 2011, sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. She has also been a celebrity judge on Bravo's Top Design. Kelly's collection for Groundworks is sold exclusively to the trade through Lee Jofa.

This is her second collaboration with Groundworks and it focuses on natural materials, graphic patterns and unique colors, such as periwinkle blue, pistachio green and smoky aubergine.

Enlightened?

When thinking of remodeling, most people overlook lighting. Many people think there's no reason to invest in good lighting in lieu of buying furniture. While lighting can be expensive, it should only be on average 10% of a total project's budget...and can transform a good remodel into a great one.

One of the most innovative items I've used is an adaptor that turns a recessed light into a pendant and is available from Ballard Designs www.ballarddesigns.com/lighting/pendant-light-adaptor/  . This can make a boring light in a bathroom a beautiful focal point, saving the homeowner the cost of an electrician. The best part is that it is reversible. If you get tired of the look, just remove it!

There are several styles available, even adaptors that plug in to a ceiling socket. Think of how this could update the look of a kitchen if placed over an island. I've used them in several client projects and the photos below are just one example.

This was just a recessed light above a kitchen sink and is now a beautiful pendant light, all by just unscrewing a lightbulb, placing the adaptor into the socket, adjusting the length of the cord and securing the finishing plate that covers everything.

I encourage you to go out there and do some research about new products on the market. You don't have to have plans to remodel in order to benefit from some of the wonderful products now offered. You might be surprised at how easy it is to update a room!

Color of the Year.

We are almost to the mid point of 2012, but I bet you didn't know there was a Color of the Year! Pantone, a New Jersey corporation greatly influences many industries with it's color choices. Twice a year the company hosts, in a European Capitol, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debates, they choose a color for the following year. Their choice influences fashion, design and even electronics. This year's color? Tangerine Tango # 17-1463. Variations on this color are being found everywhere.

It can be found on clothing, accessories, of course paint colors and is even offered on a case for your iPad! This is a strong color and may turn off a lot of people, but don't dismiss it as too loud for your home. There are many ways to incorporate the latest color trends without it looking like a circus tent!

For example, an accent wall is a good way to use a strong color, especially in a kitchen.

A piece of furniture, a side chair or accessories can bring in a new shade with little effort. Even something as simple as a pillow can add the right pop of color.

Tabletops are a great way to keep up with trends, as they can be changed out to completely transform the look of a room without redecorating.

And let's not forget that it's summer and the outdoors is an excellent way to use a strong color like Tangerine Tango. Embrace it, don't overdo it and enjoy it!

Picnic In The Park

Why does everything seem to taste better eaten outside under a beautiful blue sky? Take advantage of the great weather and get outside to take in a concert or a picnic with friends.

One Kings Lane (www.onekingslane.com) is a website that offers beautiful home decor at up to 70% off. Check back often, as they are constantly offering new deals. I recently found great items from Picnic At Ascot, in every price range.

Check them out and envision yourself with the perfect lunch in the park or perhaps dinner under the stars.

Weekend Wish

This is a repost of a couple of photos of my favorite outdoor space: my very own back yard.

However you spend this Memorial Day weekend, whether with family and friends, on a road trip or relaxing at home let's not forget the real reason why we observe this holiday and to also thank those who currently serve to protect our country.

Take care and have a great holiday weekend.

Finishing Touches

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. Whether you plan on entertaining, just spending a quiet weekend at home or have a notebook of wish list projects you want to start, here are some suggestions for putting the final touches on your outdoor room.

Nothing is nicer than sitting by a crackling fire under the stars. The firepit kit below from Lowes is easy to assemble, budget friendly and can be enjoyed that evening.

Pillows aren't the only way to add color to a space. The Beauclaire planters from Ballard Designs are deceptively lightweight and beautiful. Starting at $79.

If you have a covered patio or pergola, why not make your space a truly outdoor room with the addition of draperies? You can purchase them ready made like these from Ballard or you can make them yourself. I'll discuss how-to in a future post, but I can assure you that it's as easy as sewing a straight line.

Finally, there is no easier, more affordable and definitely more rewarding way to add color than with flowering plants. Depending on what you choose, they can provide a summer's worth of beauty and enjoyment, not to mention attracting butterflies and birds to your backyard.

Now get going and have some fun exploring all your options!

Accentuate the Positive

Even if you have a great seating area that you and your family enjoy using, what do you do if guests show up unexpectedly? Will you have enough seating or serving space to accommodate everyone?

Accent furniture fills these needs beautifully. Many pieces are dual purpose or can be stored out of the way when not in use.

The Allen and Roth side tables from Lowes can be pulled out as side or serving tables when entertaining and slide underneath one another when not in use.

For those who want to show a more colorful side, the metal drum tables from Cost Plus do double duty as side tables or extra seating, and at $59 they're wallet friendly as well.

The mosaic table below from Pier 1 Imports adds a splash of summer color to any outdoor space and is small enough use as a side table, yet large enough to set out a few serving dishes when entertaining.

Make It Your Own

Area rugs, pillows and accessories are the way to express your personality and latest trends. Keep the furniture simple and freshen up the space each season with affordable extras that don't break the bank, yet make your outdoor rooms feel new again. You are only limited by your imagination!

The bright colors of the pillows below add just the right pop of color for more neutral seating while the subdued area rug in a palm motif anchors a space without overpowering bolder furniture. It's all about balance do choose wisely.