BLOG interiors + staging + lifestyle

Julea Joseph 2/13/20 Julea Joseph 2/13/20

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.

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.

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.

Julea Joseph 2/5/20 Julea Joseph 2/5/20

What I'm Shopping - A Buffet for Home Staging

I had two home staging clients last week in need of pulling the dining room together in preparation to sell their home. Both had the essential table and chairs, but lacked additional ingredients to create that visual & emotional recipe of an authentic dining room.

I had two home staging clients last week in need of pulling the dining room together in preparation to sell their home. Both had the essential table and chairs, but lacked a buffet to create that visual & emotional recipe of an authentic dining room.

Although the dining table is the emphasis of the space, the buffet is the styling muse of the dining room. A staged dining room should tell a story of visual appeal and a lifestyle of family and friends celebrating. Add art or a mirror above the buffet and its top surface has unlimited options for accessorizing for a visual and lifestyle win.

STAGING TIP: Dining rooms have an important mission when selling a home - They are one of first rooms a Buyer sees when viewing the home, and need to make a GREAT 1st impression.

Although the dining table is the emphasis of the space, the buffet is the styling muse of the dining room.(Photo: Danielle Moy @Properties)

What I’m Shopping -

My 1st client’s existing dining set was a simple dark wood IKEA set. I found a buffet at HOME GOODS that would fit perfectly in their space and will add interest and elevate their simple table with it’s textural doors and varied wood tones. It looks much higher end for its price tag of under $300.00.

My 2nd client’s existing table was a well loved Shaker style table and chairs in natural oak. Because of its age, the table had a yellow undertone. I found an up-styled painted buffet on FB MARKETPLACE that would complement and modernizes the Shaker set, and with its gray Chalk Paint. The gray color will tone down the aged oak table hue and catch the buyer’s eye with its casual, farmhouse look. The price tag was under $200.00.

The BONUS for both of these home sellers is, they get to move these pieces to their next chapter of home. Either piece can be used as a media piece, in a guest bedroom, or right back into a dining room.

Join me next week for “ What I’m Shopping”.

Julea Joseph 5/31/19 Julea Joseph 5/31/19

5 Easy Updates - Home Staging Advice

She enlisted my help with making just the right choices and improvements to take the home from bland to grand.

My interior design client Susan bought an investment property a few months ago. She plans on renting the condo, and really wanted to make this home a winner on the rental circuit. The condo is in a great location, is close to the train, and has good bones, but just needed a shot of decorating Botox. She enlisted my help with making just the right choices and improvements to take the home from bland to grand.

GOAL: Make simple, dramatic changes to this space to get it rental ready, and set it apart from other properties in the area.

With simple changes, the space went from kind-of dated, and definitely boring, to a front-of-the-line rental, with a fresh and airy style.

PAINT TRIM & WALLS: Want to appeal to everyone? Paint the trim. By painting the trim, the entire space expands, making the home feel large and airy. I picked white dove paint color by Sherwin-Williams. Paint the Walls one color. We painted all the public spaces one color choice - Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173 -one of my go-to Home Staging paint colors. The result is a move-in ready space; one that feels large, open and ready for the new renters decorative personality.

PAINT CABINETS: Just like the trim and walls, painting the cabinets will give you the same result and improvement. In this project, we chose two colors. Black on the bottom, white on the top. This makes the existing floor tile and lighting work, adds height to a galley kitchen, and creates a super high-end style. I chose white dove paint color by Sherwin-Williams on the upper cabinets, Iron Ore paint color SW 7069 by Sherwin-Williams on the bottom cabinets. Note: The cabinet pulls didn’t even have to be changed. Bonus!

“Contrasting colors that sell include “tuxedo kitchens,” where the upper and lower cabinets are painted in two different colors; these add a $1,547 premium. White cabinets contrasted by a dark navy blue or black kitchen island were some of the most common tuxedo kitchens in top-performing listings.”

— Forbes - How Color Impacts How Much Your Home Sells For

NEW LIGHTING: Dated light fixtures make a home look dark, dull and tired. Look for trend forward, space functional, but budget friendly new light fixtures. In the dining room, I choose a modern statement making fixture. Lowes, Catalina Sputnik Chandelier.

NEW COUNTER TOPS: If the counters are beat up, a dark color, or really dated, new counters are an important upgrade. Since counters are used to prep foods, or for personal care - by replacing the counters with a new product, it gives the new homeowner a clean, fresh slate. We choose a Quartz counter in a white.

HIGH-END LOOK DETAILS: A few high-end details will elevate the property to a new level. These all don’t have to be expensive, they just need to LOOK expensive. These lifestyle design upgrades, take the home to a whole new level and really connect emotionally with the potential renter (buyer).

HERE ARE SOME OF MY IDEAS TO MAKE THE SPACE REALLY GO FROM BLAND TO GRAND!

-Beef up the base trim. Add an additional trim piece above the base board to desired height - paint all the trim color, trim, drywall, base board.

-Trim out the door opening. We did the opening to the bedroom spaces - this became a focal point of the space. By just doing this one opening, it makes the home feel very custom.

-Add a fun, tile back splash in the kitchen sink area. Just enough to add a splash of chic, bring the entire black and white theme together. Cement tile look - Encaustic tile from Lowe’s.

-Replace the wood blinds with fabric Roman Shades. Everyone would do a basic wood look blind, instead, a fabric Roman Shade gives the makeover a custom, high-end feel.

-Add a one-of-a-kind piece. Another one of my clients was getting rid of a buffet island. I had just been to her home, and thought the piece would be perfect for Susan. Just the right size, painted to match the lower cabinets, it made for the needed extra counter space.

High End details: Beefing up the base board, adding custom trim around the large doorway elevates a space.

HIGH-END details - Added fun, black and white concrete tile back splash behind the sink area. Which pulls all of the elements of the room together.

HIGH END Details: Fabric Roman Shades, One-of-a-Kind Custom Re-Purposed piece make the home inviting and custom.

ONE-OF-A-KIND- PIECE: BEFORE: The mother of reinvention - Another client’s discard turned into just the right custom piece to make the kitchen shine.

The results of Susan’s changes are exciting and I can’t wait for her text that her new investment property is quickly leased to a great renter. Need helping get a space pull together? - I offer both in-person and remote consultation services to make the most of your home. Call or text 708.543.8597.

Julea Joseph 12/21/18 Julea Joseph 12/21/18

7 DIY Last Minute Christmas Ideas

Whether you are hosting, need a last minute gift, or just want to deck the halls a bit more - 7 DIY last minute Christmas ideas!

CAKE PLATTER || MASON JAR CENTERPIECE -

I have a thing for cake platters (One of my “good bones” decorating accessories) The original post featured mod podge and Epsom salt to make the frosted look. Last minute look - pour epsom salts, sugar or fake snow into jars, add lighting.

2. USE WHAT YOU HAVE! - From empty bottles and a bit of ribbon, to food - try shopping your home for last minute decorating inspiration.

3. FANCY FOLDED NAPKINS - Super easy and a creative way to dress up your table.

4. Orange Pomander Balls - Old school tradition, heavenly scented and read the backstory on the tradition, it will be a great conversation starter.

Orange and clove pomander. Photo by Wendy Piersall/Wikimedia Commons.

5. LAST MINUTE APPETIZER - CRANBERRY AND BRIE CROSTINI

The original idea has you making your own cranberry compote , I’d just doctor up store bought - but the idea is just perfect.

6. LAST MINUTE GIFT - SPICED NUTS This one I can thank an old friend who made these for me years ago when we lived in San Francisco- we had backyard rosemary year round. I use pecans or walnuts, but feel free to use your nutty favorites, or what is in the pantry! Perfect for a hostess gift, this tried and true recipe is easy and fail proof.

7 RECYCLED CAN DECOR - Clever idea and great tutorial. If you don’t want to make it too complicated, just use a black sharpie and one coat of white spray paint.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! - Julea.

Julea Joseph 5/7/18 Julea Joseph 5/7/18

From House to Home – How to Make Your New House Your Own

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.

“Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the house. Be polite, introduce yourself so it can introduce itself to you.”

— Frances Mayer, Under the Tuscan Sun

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 modern farmhouse neutrals, to Boho bold colors, whatever is in your style files (Pinterest, HOUZZ, tear-sheets), 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 all you.

Your Favorite Things - 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.

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. 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.

Room to Room - This is where you channel Frances Mayer, the character from "Under the Tuscan Sun" - by going room to room to make it yours. 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 favorites things of home. Put out those family photos, beloved books, play music, light some candles in your favor scent, open your favorite wine and curl up on that fluffy sofa and celebrate home!

5 Senses: (Photo: Julea Joseph)

Julea Joseph 10/12/17 Julea Joseph 10/12/17

6 Best Holiday Accessories if Selling or Dwelling

Welcome to the quintessential kick off of the holiday decorating season. It starts with fall decor and wraps up after the New Year. Homeowners love to deck the halls with everything from pumpkins to mistletoes. Over the years I have curated a list of what I call “Good Bone” seasonal decorating accessories.

Welcome to the quintessential kick off of the holiday decorating season. It starts with fall decor and wraps up after the New Year. Homeowners love to deck the halls with everything from pumpkins to mistletoes. Did you know that last year people spent 8.4 billion dollars on Halloween? An all-time record! We love our holidays!

As both a home staging and interior decorating professional, I have a dual struggle having to consult my selling clients to abbreviate their holiday decorating, yet help my dwelling clients become the perfect seasonal celebrator. Over the years I have curated a list of what I call “Good Bone” seasonal decorating accessories. These are multi-tasking accessories that can serve as both decor and entertaining pieces. They can transition from season to entertaining with just a few styling maneuvers, can easily be procured, and most importantly, be changed out with each holiday or season easily.

“Good Bone” accessories are essential for the homeowner who is selling, since the seasonal or holiday display is simplified, creating a light measure of holiday lifestyle. On the other hand, if dwelling, these accessory standards are perfect for the novice holiday decorator, the space saving downsizer, and for those who wholly celebrate the season – a rich added layer of reverie.

Julea’s “Good Bone” accessory list:

#1. Cake Stands. Any material – glass, ceramic or silver; round or square. A cake stand gives height, lift, and a perfect flat space to create a seasonal vignette.

#2. Cylinder and footed hurricane vases. Either can be filled in multiple ways from decor to food. They can be flipped over to act like a cloche. The vases can also create a lift, topped with a platter or plate for either decorating or entertaining.

#3 Silver Punch Bowls and Trays. Silver adds instant elegance and sparkle. A bunch bowl is a vessel and can house anything. A silver tray, with its lifted edges can serve up any contained display. If the silver pieces are beyond polishing, can be chalk painted or sprayed – repurposed into a second life.

#4 Tiered Tea Stands. These multilevel plated stands, usually in three levels come in every style and material – from China to tin. Usually a centerpiece accessory for larger surface, such as an island, buffet or table.

#5 Cloches. Originally used to keep seedlings warm in gardens, they now have moved indoors. From glass to chicken wire, cloches add an interesting element to any decor because anything under it, becomes more treasured and a curiosity. An old fashion glass cake stand cover can double as a cloche.

#6 Wood Dough Bowls. Textural, long and deep – can stand alone on a dining room table, kitchen island, family room cocktail table or fireplace hearth. These bowls be filled with just about anything and make a stunning centerpiece.