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House to Home - Ideas for Your New Place
Whether you are moving into something new, or just want a fresh look for your existing place - here are some great tips, ideas and sage advice on making a house a home.
The keys are yours! You’ve gone through the process... the searching, deciding, inspection, stress, closing and finally, the elation of buying a new home. Now, you have to make it your own. Here’s how. Whether you are moving into something new, or just want a fresh look for your existing place - here are some great tips, ideas and sage advice on making a house a home.
“Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the house. Be polite, introduce yourself so it can introduce itself to you.”
Color - Paint is the least expensive, easiest way to update a space. It can individualize a room and put your personal stamp on your home. Pick your color style - From calming nature-inspired neutrals, clean, fresh whites, to bold and fun retro colors, whatever you have in mind for your style, color can showcase it. And color doesn’t have to be just on the walls - If you want to keep the wall color simple, infuse color with your furniture, art or accessory choices. Get your craft on by painting a piece of furniture, or recover your dining chairs seats with new fabric. Try trending wallpaper on a single accent wall or power room. Create a signature look with a statement making - front door color. With color, the change is quick, easy and is all you.
Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal Blue Door (Photo: Benjamin Moore)
BOLD WALLPAPER
CREATE A STATEMENT WITH SOME FUN AND FUNKY WALLPAPER. PEEL AND STICK MAKES IT EASY
ORGANIZE YOUR PAINT
WITH THIS GREAT PAINT COLOR ORGANIZER
Your Favorite Things - This is your chance to create a space that reflects your unique style. Home should hold your beautiful art, furniture, passed down family treasures and loved flowers in your garden beds. Simple daily rituals with favorite things, cozy slippers slipped on at the end of day, or tossing your keys into that old bowl, will infuse you into the home. It could be something new that defines your new chapter of home - that perfect comfy sofa you spied, a fresh new style that you’ve wanted to try out, fun new pillows to add a splash to a patio set. By incorporating these favorite things - you’ll become instantly grounded in your new space.
KEY BOWL
PERFECT FOR YOUR FOYER OR COUNTER TOP TO TOSS YOUR KEYS AND MAIL IN
Make Your Bed! A bed is your personal haven and cocoon. Dressing your bed makes your home environment feel luxurious. Even if the bedroom still has boxes, you can sleep well with a beautifully made bed. It can boost your mood. Making your bed is a simple task that can have a big impact on your mood. Studies have shown that people who make their beds are more likely to feel happy and positive. Make your bed so that every time you see it, you want to jump into it. I like to mix old with new. New, fresh, very fancy (the best you can afford) sheets, a stylish linen duvet set slipped over your old favorite down comforter and pillows. Pair the bedding with Grandma’s quilt or your favorite throw at the end of the bed and you'll be ready for a great night's sleep.
LINEN DUVET SET
SOFT, BEAUTIFUL AND EASY TO CREATE A GREAT SPACE
Room to Room - This is where you channel Frances Mayer, the character from the book/movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" - by going room to room to make it yours. When you first move in, take some time to spend in each room. This will help you get a feel for the space and start to envision how you want to use it. Don’t try to tackle the entire home’s decorating and styling needs, instead, try to work on the spaces you spend the most time in first.
5 Senses - Nothing says home more than seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and feeling your favorite things at home. Put out those family photos, beloved books, play music, light some candles in your favorite scent, open your favorite wine and curl up on that fluffy sofa and celebrate home!
Your home should be a place where you can relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life. Make sure it's a space that you love spending time in. With a little effort, you can easily make your new house feel like home. So take some time to get settled in, add your personal touch, and start creating memories in your new space. - Julea
Need HELP? From move-in services to one day room makeovers, I’m a call away 708.448.7500 Julea@Julea.com
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15 Home Staging Props to Up-Style an Occupied Home
Last week’s home staging evaluation needed a shopping list. Although this luxury home had it all, and may I say, was quite lovely - every home, no matter how fabulous, needs some level of home staging.
Last week’s home staging evaluation needed a shopping list. Although this luxury home had it all, and may I say, was quite lovely - every home, no matter how fabulous, needs some level of home staging.
Most homes need to be weeded, packed, and organized. A well showcased home gives the potential buyer an explained lifestyle. Make it easy for them to picture themselves living beautifully in the home; show off the details, and explain how wonderful it would be to own it.
With that, there are three rooms in a home going on the market sellers need to focus on: The Living Room, The Kitchen and the Primary Bedroom. The NAR (National Association of REALTORS) in their annual Profile of Home Staging report stated that staging the living room was found to be very important for buyers (46%), followed by staging the master bedroom (43%), and staging the kitchen (35%). After all, we spend most of our time in these spaces.
Kitchens need to follow form and function -showcase how the space will delight and how at ease it functions.
Living rooms are for living, so comfortable, attractive aesthetics, family and entertaining friendly, and a great traffic pattern to get to and from.
And then there is the primary bedroom, a power place for rest and respite after a full day.
Showcasing these spaces and attracting buyers with home styling may include changing out or adding to the space to create that ideal environment. At all of my Home Staging Evaluations I offer a shopping list of staging props needed to up-style the home for market.
Here are 15 things I suggest in a home staging evaluation. Many of the items on this list can be used to style any home - whether selling or dwelling.
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Inviting, neutral, bedding. This simple, elegant duvet set is perfect for any bedroom. Too, you can slip any existing bedding into this envelope style bedding option making it super east to stage with it.
2. A chunky, textural throw. Add a lifestyle layer to any seating or bed. (Don’t you want to cuddle under it?) This Hygge style, big knit throw in a light tone creates a comfort cue to a staged space.
3. A washable area rug. Choose your size and area - a washable area rug is functional and beautiful.
4. White lacquer serving tray. A styling prop for any surface. It’s light color and modern style will enhance anything styled within it.
5. Silver, oblong serving bowl. Its perfect size, elegant shape and metallic finish is one of my favorite staging props. Empty or filled, a statement on any surface.
6. A pair of clear glass based tall 30” lamps for anywhere needed. You don’t want short scaled lamps to other things in a room. These fit any style in any space and are the right height for most furniture arrangements.
7. Round Mirror. Mirrors bring light and style into a space. A round mirror add interest and plays off all the square angles of most rooms.
8. Simple, neutral art/photo frame for anywhere needed. Perfect to replace family photo areas, or missing spots where needed.
9. Storage Baskets. Stylish, textural baskets to tidy any space.
10. White waffle weave shower curtain. Every stagers favorite shower curtain. (Rings included)
11. White, high-style, linen towels. A great set of fluffy, white towels can elevate any bath. For baths who’s finishes may not be to the tastes of today’s buyers - white towels can neutralize odd colors and patterns.
12. Covered glass storage jars. A perfect prop in any space. Showcase a lifestyle or corral a collection.
13. Up-style your pump soap to the next level. It’s the little luxury details that people notice.
14. White craft paper to “school” wrap your books to style a bookcase ot create a beautiful vignette.
15. Coffee Table Books to make your table look fancy.
Need expert and insightful advice for your home environment? Whether moving out, in, or at any chapter of your home experience, I can assist you with your decorating dilemmas. call/text 708.543.8597 email julea@julea.com
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS: Join Julea at mainstreet organization of realtors for home staging education EVENTS
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New Year New Room Re-style - Shake up your space with these post holiday styling ideas
STOP! Before you start shoving your furniture back into its old spots after you’ve packed away your holiday décor, consider this instead -
STOP! Before you start shoving your furniture back into its old spots after you’ve packed away your holiday décor, consider this instead – Why not give your space a new perspective by re-styling things? After all isn’t the New Year all about making changes? And don’t give me the excuse that if you move stuff around what will you do about those carpet divots. Please…
A fresh perspective is a good thing, especially in your home environment.
[1st things first. Start the new year with clearing your home of the past year. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. The Latin word for sage salvia stems form the word heal. Light an essential oil Sage candle and start the new year with a fresh, cleared space.]
Here are some things you can do to up-style and reinvent your rooms and home spaces.
Move What You Have Around: Start with what you already have. Take a stroll through your home and inventory the furniture you have from attic to garage. Could that consignment shop find desk up in the spare room work as a sofa table or would that rug in the dining room look really nice in the living room? After you do some mental inventory, address the room you want to reinvent. Consider flip flopping the sofas, changing the room's focal point to a different wall or changing the entire feel of the space by swapping pieces from other rooms to make it more formal or casual. If these suggestions are a bit overwhelming to you, our One Day Makeover services can breath a fresh new perspective into your spaces and uncover things you’ve haven’t used in years.
Our One Day Room Makeover services recreate a space in a matter of hours - (Photo: Julea Joseph)
Accessory Re-Styling: Rotate it, archive them or repurpose it! From tabletops to bookcases to wall art, your accessories can always use a new look. The same family photos in the same frame in the same space aren't even seen anymore. Your very favorite piece of art hanging in the dining room isn't being celebrated there - move it to a spot so you can view it all the time. That boring bookcase or China hutch could make your room POP if you rotated and swapped the pieces. Give a lamp a new look with a new shade, harp, finial, or re-style it - by raising it up with a stack of books or painting the base.
Flip your shades. Change out your lamp shades, and/or lamp finials. (PHOTO: One Kings Lane)
Furniture Reinvention: Can you reupholster, slipcover, paint it? If your furniture is good, if you love the lines or it has sentimental value, keep it, and improve it.
We are pros at offering advice on how to reinvent your treasured furniture (PHOTO: Julea Joseph)
Paint Color Up Grade: Once you get your room rearranged, you may want to take the next step and change the paint color as well. If you have had the same color on your walls for years, a new hue can upgrade your furniture, accessories and art. 2023 offers a plethora of amazing trending paint color to choose from. Try just painting an accent wall, or, try a wall of wallpaper.
2023 Paint Colors of the Year (PHOTO: Source/Julea Joseph)
A Few New Purchases: Any room could use a few new things. It could be as simple as a lovely potted plant on your cocktail table, a new fun rug in a bold hue or pattern to take your formal living room from boring to spectacular. A new accent collection in a trending color, or a new piece of furniture to refresh the old. Feel free to shop for a few new items, but only after your room has been re-styled. Consider the new items as the frosting, not the cake.
Refresh a room with a new piece or two - rug. (PHOTO: Amazon)
No time for shopping - Here’s a few examples for you on AMAZON - From a Sage candle to furniture pieces. Julea’s January finds on AMAZON
Don't have the time or talent to do this yourself? Good news, we can help. We're interior arrangement experts, have fabulous ideas on how to give your old stuff a new life and don't even get me started on what we can find with our shopping skills! Give me a jingle, send an email my way and let's talk. We offer both on-location and e-makeover sessions. Let's get your home refreshed, restyled and reinvented. Biz phone: 708-543-8597 M 708-448-7500 B Email: Julea@Julea.com.
WANT TO LEARN MORE? Visit my website for my upcoming workshops, education and training. JULEA’S SPEAKING & EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Oh... and those divots - Add crushed ice to the dent, let melt and then use an old hairbrush to re-fluff your carpet. Refluff again after drying. Divots gone! - JULEA
Everything Old is New Again - Home Styling Makeovers
Reinventing Space are home styling wunderkinds that sweep through your home and within a day, reposition, re-hang and redisplay your furniture, art and accessories. Stylishly arranging your space with a pizazz and a wow factor worthy of a magazine cover and hunting your home to see what treasures you've squirreled away that can be displayed.
From paint company trend forecasts, to our favorite home décor magazines - the new decorating tune is "Everything old is new again." With décor buzz words such as coastal grandmother, maximalist, cottage core, heritage, artisan, and the ever present farmhouse style - It's time to take a new look at our old stuff!
Heirloom Design Trend and Color Palette (Photo: Benjamin Moore)
It's so yesterday to announce that your home is filled with all brand new. Open any home magazine today and there is feature after feature about repurposing furniture, shopping flea markets and decorating with vintage finds. Wouldn't it be refreshing not to have to run to retail to solve your decorating dilemmas?
What if you could get a new room using the stuff you already have?
You can!
Welcome to a new era of interior decorating and design for the times.
“Gone are the days when a fancy suited designer would sweep into your home declaring, “Darling - Everything must go!” All new is now a ‘No-No’. ”
In these belt tightening, environmentally conscious times; team Reinventing Space are home styling wunderkinds that sweep through your home and within a day, reposition, re-hang and redisplay your furniture, art and accessories. Stylishly arranging your space with a pizazz and a wow factor worthy of a magazine cover and hunting your home to see what treasures you've squirreled away that can be displayed. Accessories, furniture and other finds that you just didn't know what to do with, may end up as the fabulous finishing touch to a perfect new room!
One Day Home Styling - Living Room Makeover (Photo: Reinventing Space)
And our talents aren't sequestered to arranging your stuff; we are all about up cycling and reinventing your wares. We informatively suggest how your beloved, comfy, but tired sofa would be a wonder with a new fabric wardrobe and some upholsterer’s love, how to turn that unused old TV armoire into a bar, or with a new hue, that old chest of drawers from Aunt Milly would be showstopper for your foyer. We are pros, clever and creative. After the room makeover we leave you a "let's chat list" with more ideas, items to further complete the space, or pieces that may have seen better days.
Loved sofa reinvention. Home reupholster (Photo: Reinventing Space)
Why a Home Styling Makeover is a must for your space now.
Money - Since the concept of a home styling makeover is based on using what you already own, there is an immediate savings. Because there are so many variables, fees are based on your specific scope of work, but most makeovers cost less than what you would pay for a single piece of new furniture.
Time - The makeover typically takes between three and seven hours, whereas conventional redecoration methods can take weeks of making selections, ordering and then waiting for delivery of your new furnishings. When you have a room makeover performed, plan on entertaining your friends and family the very same evening in your fabulous "new" home!
Comfort-In addition to the pleasure of being surrounded by familiar objects that you know and love, gone is the anxiety that comes from purchasing "NEW" and wondering if it will "WORK" once you get it home (or ever get it delivered with COVID induced logistical issues) Your past purchases have been validated, your collections beautifully displayed and your heirlooms celebrated. We artfully transform your belongings into a picture perfect setting, instantly.
What if my furnishings don't match, can I still have a great looking home? -Absolutely! Whether it's a certain element of color or style, there is generally a common thread that runs through every home. The advantage of a room makeover is having a trained and objective eye to pull it together. Once your furnishings have been properly placed and accessorized, you will once again fall in love with all your wonderful choices!
Am I Ready for a room makeover day? - We begin with our complimentary virtual evaluation. . We’ll discuss your goals, priorities and challenges for your rooms. After a tour of your home, we’ll quote you a per room price for the makeover and schedule a date for the Home Styling Makeover.
So, if you're ready to make your home your own, celebrate what you already have, finally pull together your rooms, and have a space that is a one-of-a-kind - Call/Text us today 708-543-8597 or pop us an email at Julea@Julea.com
Spring Things you Can do to Your Home
With these changes you’ll renew your home’s feeling, create new spaces to celebrate, and enjoy the new season both inside and out.
Well it may be snowing in Chicago today, but spring is definitely here. The Easter holiday is behind us, and if you are wondering how to refresh and restyle your home with more than just bunnies and dyed eggs - this post if for you.
The great thing about living in the Midwest is that we get to reinvent our home’s space four times a year as the seasons change. As my design mantra goes “If you change up your home, it changes up you too”. So what spring things can we do to our home?
TRY A NEW ROOM ARRANGEMENT
Give a space a new look with interior arrangement. The sun changes positions seasonally, and your Sunday reading spot that was perfect in winter now is unbearably sunny without the blinds closed. The fireplace that was your cozy cure for the blustery weather, now sits fireless as spring temperatures rise. Try repositioning that chair to a new spot. That move creates a whole new look for your favorite chair and creates the spark for a new room setting. And rather than cozying up to the fireplace - with a bit of furniture moving, you could instead have a window view of birds nesting and flowers blooming. This will give you a new daily respite to sooth your soul.
FURNITURE SWAP FROM OTHER ROOMS
The design police will not shun you if you find that your dining room hutch that houses Granny’s dusty China works much better as a bookcase or crafts storage hutch in your office. Or the kid’s dresser is the ideal entry piece for that empty wall in your foyer. Be fearless by understanding furniture can be moved and have more than one purpose.
LOOK AT YOUR ACCESSORIES IN A NEW LIGHT
My whole business is based on using what you already have, and I can tell you that after 23 years, you have plenty of accessories. Did you know the average home has 300,000 things in it? Rather than thinking you need to buy new to refresh, think how you can celebrate what is already there.
A lamp can be up-styled by just changing out its shade. Too, by reducing or increasing the harp size (the thing that you put the shade on) you can try a new shade size.
Rotate your art. Create a collection with a few pieces on your mantle (hang one, lean the others) or on your hall walls, Use an easel and display small art pieces on a table, in a bookcase, or just lean them as a back drop.
Art, as well as trays, bowls, vases can be archived, and rotated in or out for the season to bring color, mood, or seasonal spirit to a space. And of course you can reinvent them. Head over to YouTube or Pinterest and be tutored on reimagining old accessories (there are a zillion options).
DO SOMETHING BIG
When I mean big, I don’t mean buy a whole new house big, I mean do something that makes a more permanent change. Paint an accent wall, your pantry door, or a piece of furniture. Wallpaper your foyer, the inside of your China hutch or the front of the drawers of a dresser. Reupholster that Sunday reading chair in your new favorite color (hopefully tangerine). These changes are a bit more permanent, but aren’t too costly, but will bring a big change to the way your home feels.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
The best part of spring is that everything seems shiny and new. Snip budding branches and pop them into some of your favorite large floor vases. A container of a spring flowers cheers up any counter or table. Swap out the pinecones in your display bowls for bright green moss covered balls, sport a newly made table terrarium or pop a potted plant under a cloche to celebrate the growing season. Raid your bookcases for all your gardening books for a new display collection on your living room’s coffee table.
With these changes you’ll renew your home’s feeling, create new spaces to celebrate, and enjoy the new season both inside and out.
Need expert and creative advice to shake up your spaces? Want to leave and come home to a whole new space in a day using just what you already have? We do that. Call/Text 708-543-8597 to learn more.
Julea
Falling Back in Love With Your Home - Fresh Ideas for February
Falling Back in Love With Your Home - Fresh Ideas for February
Re-Arrange Your Furniture.
This gives your rooms a new, fresh perspective and offers a chance to love the stuff you already have. Keeping furniture in the same spot makes your home stale and boring. Try re-positioning your seating first, followed by tables, then lighting. With the new arrangement, your accessories will get a needed shake up too. Don’t be afraid to flip flop pieces from other rooms.
(Photo: Julea Joseph)
Celebrate your Heirlooms. We all have them. Inherited, passed down, or gifted from our wedding. Don't let them languish in a dark closet - get them out and celebrate their heritage. Use your wedding vase with a big bouquet of tulips you picked up from the market. Re-purpose a passed down dresser or desk with a trendy paint color and some sassy new knobs. Pick up some fun wallpaper and line the drawers. Plant a succulent garden in Grandma's tea cups and put it on your window sill.
(Photo: Source)
Buy Something Fancy. Invest a cashmere throw to keep you cozy till spring. Splurge on crisp, high thread count sheets for your bed. Buy your very favorite expensive candle. Even better, buy all three!
Photo: Throw found on William Sonoma Home
Paint a room. Paint is easy. Paint is fast. Paint can change a room's environment in a day. 2020 has some great paint color inspiration that can reinvent a space. Be daring and paint away.
Photo: Behr Paints Color: Back to Nature
Buy a Plant. Whether blooming, 7 feet tall, or hanging from a retro macrame holder - plants make any space come alive, clean the air and make you think of warmer days.
(Photo: Source)