Looking For The Summer

I can’t wait for the sunny and warm summer days. Every morning I check if the tree buds already turned into leaves or flowers... And today there was the snow again. And it was so terribly cold. I know it is Canada after all, but... Am I the only one who is already missing the lazy, shinny summer days? This is what I want: care-free days, no stress and worries just relaxing in the sun!! So I have found some nice summer pictures to make the waiting less painful:

Ok let’s come back to reality again. Speaking about summer is a perfect occasion to remind shortly how important the outside of a house is during selling process. Similarly like creating a conversation area in your living room, you may set up a very nice leisure place in your garden. Place where people can have a little chat or enjoy a meal. It doesn't matter if the garden is large or small – honestly - it could be even a balcony. But it definitely must be well groomed. 

Spending time between plants is always one step closer to nature and it usually brings a relief and re-freshness. Most people are reacting this way including home buyers. So help them to find that potential summery feeling on your backyard. Cut the grass, clean or replace your outside furniture. Before an open house put some nice table wear on garden table. Garnish it with fresh flowers using plant in a pot or vase. 

Do everything you can to create that inviting atmosphere of relaxing summer morning and breakfast under the sun.

Make people fall in love with your garden, make them wanted to come back there, make them buy your house!!

So remember: do not underestimate the power of your backyard.


Next time I will give you an ABC of home staging. 


Author: Margaret

Staircase Idea

Staircases are probably the most overlooked areas of a home. It may be difficult to count how many times during the day we pass by them. Let’s not forget then that it is also a perfect space for using our decorating skills, like an open canvas used to express our personality and style. Usually stairways can be decorated with pictures galleries, sometimes people use them as displays of paintings and even empty frames as a wall decoration.

If there is a window over the stairs – we are lucky. However there are so many houses with blind staircase... Usually the daily light is limited and the ceilings are very high, which bring up to a question: what to do with such a big wall? It can be a challenge to find the right art work for that kind of space. It was also my problem. I was thinking what to do. I wanted it to be something original, unique, and different. I knew it supposed to be something quite large, but not over-sized. Something that could bring the balance, and be in harmony with architectural structure of the interior. Finally I started to imagine how wonderful it would be to have a window on that wall... I was thinking... and thinking... and at the end I just painted that window! Hopefully you like it. Look at the effect:

As a finish touch I added those two beautiful candle holders, which also have their own history. But this is a theme of another post. 

Final effect:

Author: Margaret 

One of a Kind

On Sunday I attended the One of a Kind Show at Direct Energy Centre in Toronto and I thought that it would be a good idea to give you a little summary how it went...

First of all - it was a very refreshing experience. So many creative people under one roof !

I searched for one of a kind pieces which I could easily adapt to my future projects and I must admit that my expectations didn't turn sour.

Here you may see what I have found :

Some fabulous natural organic, handmade nursery furniture, decor and baby toys made by La Vie Orange:

www.lavieorange.ca

Cute cuddly toys made with love and passion by Selena Burgess from Le Petit Reve

www.lepetitreve.ca

When it comes to wall art - if you are only preparing to sell your home, then maybe it is more just the matter of color and size - hanging a reproduction on the wall is OK. But if this is a redesign project I would rather recommend my customers to use real art work. It is worth to remember that those things not only decorate our space, but also act like witnesses of our happiness and sadness and sooner or later they may become part of our life. They gather our emotions and usually we keep them for many years, so it is best decision to invest some money in original things. Besides that, authentic pieces are always valuable. At the show I found this marvelous "Peacock " by Robert Wu – this is one of those beautiful things at which I could look with pleasure every day:

http://studiorobertwu.blogspot.ca/

 

Here is my favorite wire and...air (yes!!) sculpture from exposition of Rudy Kehkla – I would honestly have it in my house:

http://www.rudykehkla.com

And gorgeous lady (which remind me of Art Deco and Tamara Lempicka) perfect for teen girl’s bedroom. Art by Carrie Wroot:

Quilts from Valerie Page – perfect color accent for monochromatic room:

http://www.pagequilts.com/

 

The extraordinary tableware from Alix Ceramics. Very elegant, with rustic floral ornaments. Brings to mind reminder of previous centuries... Pure white and reserved design makes those little precious suitable equally for modern and traditional interior:

www.alixceramics.com

What a great idea to make fun from safety or simply: from every day life - make it more colorful and creative.

One of a Kind Show and One of a kind People...

 Great product, great attitude Karyn Climans:

 www.tail-wags.com

Author: Margaret