Homestaging FAQ

There is a generally accepted rule about neutralizing interior paint colors of a house when placing it on the market for sale.  Of course, as with most all rules, there are exceptions.  In furnished homes, paint colors that compliment the furnishings can go a long way in enhancing a home's "showability".  Take a look at builder's model homes...there's not a neutral wall to be found in these decorator dream homes.  Well executed paint treatments can be used to highlight architectural features, warm up large, cold rooms, or make small rooms seem more spacious.  However, poorly executed paint treatments can take a potential buyer's enthusiasm down several notches.  It's OK by me if you let your children paint their own rooms, but when the FOR SALE sign goes in the yard, your child's artistic freedom could cost you potential buyers.

Ask your realtor, a homestaging professional, or an interior designer if you have concerns about your wall colors.  I have often recommended that homeowners repaint their walls before taking photos and putting the house up for sale.

When is it best to neutralize?  For certain when the house is empty.  Striking accent walls and faux finishes that look spectacular with your furnishings can look downright crazy once those furnishings are gone.  In a furnished home, if the wall color is too bright or too dark that it's distracting, for instance the black walls in your Goth teen's room or the vivid colors of your favorite sports team in the gameroom.

Now when I say "neutral" color, I don't necessarily mean white.  Warm earthtones of brown/tan, gray/green or soft gold/yellow are preferrable.  Blues and pink/rose hues can be tricky.  When in doubt, you can always go with an off-white or eggshell.

On a final note, freshly painted walls always help a house show better whether you're neutralizing the color scheme or adding a fresh coat of the existing color.

Happy Organizing

A Cure For Neck Pain

I was asked the other day, by a friend, if I had any good ideas for storing costume necklaces.  You know, those long strands of beads and such that are the fashion these days.  She told me her costume necklaces were all jumbled up in her jewelry drawer and getting them untangled each time she wanted to wear one was, well, a pain in the neck.  I said, "Sister...I am way ahead of ya".  I had worked out a solution to my necklace dilema months ago.  I used an area of blank wall in my closet, added two inexpensive hook fixtures I bought at Target and, VIOLA, no more tangled chains and beads.  Not only can I view and access my necklaces more easily, but, because they are hanging in my closet, I can also see which outfits to pair them with.

 Of course, this was my solution (and a darned good one I might add), but, you may not have an available blank wall in your closet.  In fact, my friend was not sure this solution worked for her.  So we came up with some other creative ways to organize our long necklaces.

For instance, using a clear, over-the-door shoe organizer, and instead of shoes, place a necklace in each slot.  Check out your local crafts store for clear, plastic, lidded containers with individual compartments used in storing beads or sequins .  These containers come in many sizes and can sit on a closet shelf or in a bureau drawer, keeping your necklaces separated.  Of course, there are lots of cases and organizers made specifically for jewelry on the market and are good for storing your fine jewelry, but you might want to consider these more inexpensive solutions for your costume pieces.

Now, I love these necklaces, but if you're like me, you are constantly breaking them!  I've popped a link adjusting my seat belt, closing the desk drawer on them, hooking them on any and everything.  Because I have so many necklaces, I felt it was wise to invest in a repair kit.  So, off I went Hobby Lobby, where I picked up a few different kinds of links and crimping beads, and a pair of crimping pliers.  As you can see, I used an oversized pill case (a gag gift from my 50th birthday...ha...ha) to store the links and beads.  I keep these items in my jewelry drawer and now I can fix my necklaces easily without using my teeth or eyebrow tweezers.

So there you have it.  A small problem solved, but a big step towards living a de-cluttered life.  We spend so much money on clothes and accessories, it's a sin not to keep them organized and in good condition.

Happy Organizing

We Have A Winner!

After living with paint samples taped to the wall of my guest room for a week, we have a winner.  As you may have guessed, it's the swirl shaped sample on the left.  It's called "Ozone".

Although I love decorating...choosing furniture, fabrics and curtains, and arranging rooms...I am completely intimidated by paint colors.  I think because I made some truely dismal choices in paint colors for apartments in my twenties, I lost confidence in my ability to pick a paint color.  Fortunately, the previous owner of my little house painted the interior walls in colors that I love and that work perfectly for my furnishings, so all I had to do was move in.  However, she left the guest room walls white and now I dearly want them to be blue.

Taping paint chips to the wall is step one in this process.  These nice big samples make it easy to see the colors in all different lights and next to the furnishings.  Next I will paint a sample square of "Ozone" on the wall just to make double sure it's the right color before I paint the entire room.  I know I'm being overly cautious, it's only paint, but trust me I've made some big mistakes before.  I really want to realize my vision of this room that is pretty and soft.  I know once the perfect color is on the walls the rest will be easy, and way less stressful.  Wish me luck,

Happy Organizing