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Loved it, Bought it, Sold it : How Smart Paint Choices and Updates Sell a Home
My client didn’t stop there, the story doesn’t end -he added that special pizazz with those updates, and it looked so great, he decided to sell the home! He had a contract within 30 hours.
Sometimes a home is almost perfect when you are buying it. It has great bones, an amazing floor plan and just the right high-end features, but lacks that special pizazz. Hey, we all get it - when investing in a new house, we want our ideal home. If your home isn’t just right, I’ve got the solution to make it perfect. The solution is smart paint choices, simple, well planned updates that will effectively up-style and define a home’s inner beauty.
My client didn’t stop there, the story doesn’t end! Oh no. He added that special pizazz and that home looked so fabulous he decided to sell it. The house had a contract within 30 hours, it is now sold, and my client has now writing a new chapter of home.
The moral of the story is that smart paint choices and simple updates up-style and add pizazz to a home and then if you decide to sell, those great updates attract and wow today’s home shoppers.
So let’s take a look at some of the before and process pictures.
We started in the kitchen. Although the home was just built in 2016, the homeowner wanted to give the space a refresher. The goal was get away from the darker brown hues and formality for a brighter and more simplistic style and feel. ( pssst… look, the old listing is still hanging out online - you can see the old list here) to see the before, befores!
The dark cabinets were painted Sherwin Williams Marshmallow SW 7001, and the white island flipped to Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray 168. The new colors expanded the space, complemented the beautiful, existing wood floor and the new dark island creates the room’s focal point and sets the stage for the new white quartz island counter.
The parameter granite counters were kept, and the island counter replaced with a white quartz. The old island top was repurposed and recut to replace the dark, mismatched. counter on the entertainment bar bank.
The backsplash was replaced with a pale gray glass subway tile.
Lighting in a dark bronze color and the homeowners existing furniture slipped right in to compliment the new up-styling.
Take a look at the after photos:
The formal living room got a fresh wall paint and lighting swap as well. The sconces are new, but the chandelier got refreshment with spray paint! Just like the rest of the home, the homeowners wonderful existing furniture slipped right in. With a bit of styling and interior arrangement, the space is complete.
The rest of the spaces got the same treatment, especially the primary bath. The floor was replaced, a new tub, vanity painted and new light fixtures. For more of the transformation - here’s the listing: 11060 Deer Haven .
Have a decorating situation, or are struggling to make a house your home with color selections, updates or styling solutions? I’m a jingle or text away @ 708.543.8597 - Julea.
Resources:
Painter, walls and cabinets: Nicks Painting and Decorating Inc.
2021 Listing Realtor Angela Greenfield @Properties
Visit my site for a List of home paint colors
Wallpaper! Up-style your space in a day.
Why are you waiting? If you are haunted by thought that wallpaper is only found in your Great Aunt Millie’s home or it is impossible to remove? Good news - the 21 century version is removeable, can be peel and stick and is totally hip.
I headed to a new client’s home yesterday to give her some fresh ideas to make her home her own. A decorating suggestion for the dining room, already painted navy, this wallpaper, but just the back wall.
York Wallpaper Peacock Pattern
Fun, yet just a bit sophisticated, and will tone down all that navy and add just the right bit of pizazz. Plus, it will be a showstopper when looking into the space from the foyer. And, that entryway right outside the dining room had a fantastic blue/grey tile. The paper will meld the color palette and tile pattern together and join the two rooms.
Here’s what is great about decorating with wallpaper - if you don’t like it in this color, it comes in 4 other color waves! Take a pick.
Ironically, my 2nd client in the day who is building a new home mentioned that she wanted to add wallpaper to her powder room. Well I just pulled out my phone showed her the paper saved in my gallery and she went gaga over the same paper. Then she pulled her phone and showed me the the color of the vanity going in, a beautiful, rich blue. BINGO! She too can use the same paper, but will get a completely different look! Her floor tile, the room size and papering of all the walls will have a completely different style and ambience. Won’t her powder room needing guests be wowed. Here’s her space.
Wallpaper can do a couple fantastic things for your home.
It can help you create a color palette. Wallpaper is an easy way to help you choose colors for your home OR coordinate the existing colors in your home. You can pull a few colors from the pattern and use those as inspiration for a whole home color palette, or just the room. Too, the wallpaper pattern and its colors can create that tread that joins what’s already there.
You can use wallpaper to create mood and personality. If you want to shake up a space, create ambiance, or a bit of surprise - there is nothing easier than using wallpaper to achieve that goal.
Wallpaper can fool the eye. From brick, shiplap to a subway backsplash tile, there is a wallpaper that looks like an expensive design application but will cost you way less.
It’s almost instant. Wallpaper can be up in a day (or even in an hour or two) giving you immediate results.
It gives a space dimension. It can create texture, make a space feel larger, create depth, or ground a space.
It can be used anywhere. On a ceiling, in a closet, to line the back of a curio, cabinet or door. It can be used to up-style a desk, chest, dresser or lamp. The remnants from a project can line a drawer. The spaces it can go are endless.
I can’t wait to see the results of these rooms with the wallpaper application and the finishing touches the paper brings. If you want to add wallpaper, but need a helpful push, a wee nudge, send me a message or give me a jingle and I’ll alleviate your wallpaper phobia, and squash those thoughts of the ghosts of wallpaper past. - Julea.
Home Office Paint Colors for Home Schooling
For any age, a home schooling environment should be conducive to focus and concentration, while infusing color moments that can spark creativity.
I was lunching (al fresco of course) with my friend and Benjamin Moore paint associate Mary Hoffman the other day. As we were catching up and discussing 2020, one of our talking points was how many of my clients have inquired about creating a great home office and e-learning environment. Delightfully in the e-mail yesterday came this wonderful, expert advice from Benjamin Moore’s corporate Color Director.
For any age, a home-schooling environment should be conducive to focus and concentration, while infusing color moments that can spark creativity. Creating this balance with wall color s is important to avoid boredom or creating a space that may be too aggressive for school-related activities. It is also important to take the other elements into consideration – beyond furniture and flooring, to include school-related supplies, accessories and other moments that may be good ways to introduce bold or saturated color, while maintaining a backdrop that is not distracting.
Pre-school: There are two directions one can take with this age group. I think a very pale blue like Polar Ice 1660 or a soft yellow like Fresh Air 211 would be a nice backdrop. Another option is a warm white like Mountain Peak White OC-121 as a wall color with accents in primary hues coming from furnishings and small accents, and even toys/teaching tools. That way there is a balance between lively colors that are eye catching and a wall color that is subdued and will not distract kids, especially when young attention spans are limited.
Elementary: There is a pretty wide range for elementary students as they could be just a step up from pre-school, or on their way to Jr. High. A soft green could be nice, like Spring Valley 438 or maybe Cedar Grove 444 for something slightly darker. I also like Mt. Rainier Gray 2129-60 and Breath of Fresh Air 806. Again, the wall color can be the back drop for other things happening in the space from furniture, to school supplies, to even white boards or bulletin boards with school-related items on it. I’d also suggest using chalkboard paint in spots where it makes sense, using a darker color so the chalk stands out well, for instance Downpour Blue 2063-20 or maybe Jack Pine 692.
Jr High: Now that the student is getting a bit older, the wall colors that will be appealing and will create an atmosphere conducive for studying may be a bit more nuanced. A few colors that may appeal to this age group include Wales Gray 1585, Airway 828, Stonington Gray HC-170, or Vintage Taupe 2110-70. There may also be opportunities for a “whiteboard” with notable, so a lighter color will work best to show off dry erase markers.
High School: With tastes becoming more sophisticated and different school demands, the palette may expand to include some darker hues, and even variations on white for a modern look that also lends itself to schooling. On the darker end of the spectrum, Van Deusen Blue HC-156 or Chelsea Gray HC-168 are nice choices, while Simply White OC-117 and Cloud Cover OC-25 could also work well. Other options that appeal to this age group include Smoke Embers 1466, Gentle Gray 1626, or Ocean Air 2123-50.
Benjamin Moore Dry Erase Board Paint: Transform Any Wall Color Into a Dry Erase Board with Notable Dry Erase Paint. Find Your Perfect Color.
BEN® CHALKBOARD PAINT - Chalkboard Paint, available in any color, lets you turn virtually any interior surface into an erasable chalkboard.
Excitedly, I met with a new design client last week and picked Benjamin Moore’s Pale Smoke 1584 for her home office. I’ll be following up this post with my picks and home styling suggestions for her home office re-boot in another blog post. Stay tuned! - Julea
Have a decorating dilemma? You may be looking for some decorating or remodeling guidance, validation, or you are struggle with just pulling it all together. My 2 hour design consultation is a great option to meet your goals. Call or text Julea @ 708.543.8597.
5 Home Staging Trends to Watch - REALTOR® Magazine
How has the pandemic influenced home stagers? Staging professionals offer up ideas for prepping properties
© Dasha Petrenko - AdobeStock
Staging professionals offer up ideas for prepping properties
September - October 2020 REALTOR® Magazine
How has the pandemic influenced home stagers? Bloggers from REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, Staged & Sold team of staging professionals offer up ideas for prepping properties.
Send cozier vibes. “Cozy is the new ‘luxury.’ We’re using more place settings on tables, setting up a coffee station with a tray, mugs, and napkins, displaying magazines and books on coffee tables, and draping fur throw blankets over beds—all of this conveys a more homey feel. Outside, we’ll have a fire pit surrounded by chairs or a hammock on the lawn.” —Krisztina Bell, No Vacancy Inc. and Virtually Staging Properties Inc.
Give prominence to the home office. “We’re seeing the home office as an area to stage. We either stage a room that was clearly built as an office or we create a space for use as an office. The rise of people working from home means showing a space that can be used for that purpose. We’ve invested in more desks and office items to support the growing request.” —Jennie Norris, International Association of Home Staging Professionals
Spotlight outdoor living. “The ‘bonus room’ may now be your livable outdoor space. Home staging will not stop at the back door. From pretty porches that offer an optimal first impression to an outdoor haven that expands the home’s living space—staging in 2021 will embrace the entire property.” —Julea Joseph, Reinventing Space
Bring on the natural light. “The pandemic has created a higher level of anxiety. Studies suggest that natural light from great windows or enclosed outdoor spaces can boost people’s mood and, over the long term, improve mental health.” —Karen Post, Home Frosting
Offer contactless services. “We’ve offering our staging clients a safe and cost-effective way to enhance their property’s appeal and engage buyers with new virtual staging consultations and ‘staging box’ services. After our experts take a virtual tour of the seller’s home,, we provide ‘staging box’ options with front-door delivery. The box includes things like sofa pillows, rugs, wall art, lighting, bedding, and tabletop accessories, with detailed placement instructions and other guidance as needed.” —Patti Stern, PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
Reprinted. For digital article https://magazine.realtor/home-and-design/feature/article/2020/09/5-home-staging-trends-to-watch.
A Few of my Fall-orite Things. Fresh ideas for a new Season
A fall home re-style is the perfect remedy for your home’s summer style malaise.
Mornings are a bit cooler, there is a subtle fall scent in the air , and the acorns have begun to fall.
Summer takes its toll on your home interiors. Perhaps you have piles of papers in the dining room, a spooky dust covered living room, and the family room’s pillows have been over loved by both the kids and your dog.
A fall home re-style is the perfect remedy for your home’s summer style malaise. It’s time to try a new furniture arrangement, an accessory shake-up, and some strategic power shopping to put a bit of fall zing into your home spaces. Here are a few of my fall-orite things.
Cozy Textiles. The term ‘sweater weather’ comes to mind. Nothing gives a space a fall style refresher than touchy textiles. Throws are the sweaters of home and are an easy up-style choice. Nubby mega knits either handmade or purchased, cozy cashmere blends to cuddle up with, or a vintage hand woven blanket can transform, layer and create that ultimate fall home environment. Shop your own home for more rustic pieces to give your main living area a seasonal transformation. Could you swap a leather chair from the study or flip flop the shag rug from the guest bedroom to achieve your goal?
Colors of the Season. Rust, indigo, mustard, ink, and pumpkin tones, - all colors of the autumn kaleidoscope. By infusing these colors into your home decor you will revive your rooms. Can you find a color thread in your art and reposition it, swap out lamps shades to set the mood of the season or re-purpose an accessory or furniture piece with paint? Shop for pillows/pillow covers in velvet, plaid, or kilim are good choices. Add a few new trendy accessories that tell the story of the new season to shake things up a bit.
Harvest Finds. Think fall farmer’s market. Your fall decor can come into to play here - autumn leaf, berry and nut swags, pumpkins fresh and faux and dried floral.
The Scent of Fall. As that weather changes, so do your senses. The simple sense of scent can bring the happiness of the season. In the powder room seasonally scented soap, on the island a big bowl of apples that evokes the thoughts of that crisp sweet scent and in the foyer, soy or bees wax scented candles greeting your guests. And yes, there is always pumpkin spice…
By changing up your home environment, you refresh not only your space, but you as well. A new seasonal chapter can wash away the staleness of yesterday and give a fresh new perspective of things to come.
-Julea
Love these ideas but just want to come home to a refreshed and seasonally changed home? We have a 3-hour seasonal refresher session special for $525. We use what you have and re-style for the season.
And we can one up that by shopping our favorite hidden haunts for just the right new pieces for you to fall in love with your home for an additional fee.
Calendar dates are limited, call/text Julea for details 708.543.8597
Re-Style Old to New - Making Your Inherited Stuff Stunning
I was chatting with my longtime friend about her brother tucking away Dad's inherited watch in a safety deposit box rather than wearing it. He said that he was only going to use it on special occasions; I was totally puzzled why he would do that? Why not wear it every day to celebrate his Dad’s memory?
It made me think back to eyeballing a perfect little velvet loveseat at a thrift shop - perfect because it was encased in a plastic slipcover. I had thought to myself, the old owner never got to experience the joy of sinking into that sofa and feeling the lush texture of the velvet. I envisioned a hard crunched rather than a soft, cozy sink when (if ever) someone sat down.
Celebrate it, use it, restyle it and make it your own. How? Here are few examples of how you can reinvent what is inherited, old or unused into something with purpose and loved.
Photo: (source).
One of my clients was struggling with her husband's gifted grandparent's dining set. They really wanted to honor it in the dining room, but the dark wood wasn't appealing and the table wasn't going to work with daily use. The restyle solution was to purchase a new table and have the rest of the set painted to match. The celebrate what you have result is the perfect mix of old and new. And the big bonus is they now get to love that set as much as his Grandparents did.
Why not get ready every morning in vintage style and maybe a wink and nod to Mom with a lovely vanity vignette of your makeup necessities organized in old silver serving pieces.
Photo: (source)
Don't haul that old sofa, chair or ottoman out to the curb - instead, have it reupholstered. If you have a vintage piece of furniture that you just love, it’s comfy, just the right size and it’s made fantastic - reinvent it instead.
Aunt Millie's tea cup collection boxed in tissue somewhere? Unwrap them, head over to a craft store and cook up a batch of wax to make them into candles. They'll warm your heart with their romantic flicker on your sofa's end table as you settle in for the evening.
Photo: (source)
Transform an antique photo of your heritage with a blown-up image updated in a wrapped canvas technique. Add a few more in various sizes to create an unique gallery wall.
Photo: (source).
I'd love to know what you have done with your old stuff - Please share on the comment area of this post!