Once you have decided on a color for your project, it's time to decide on the type of finish you will need in order to achieve the look you want.   When choosing an interior finish there are several factors that come into play.  Will this paint be placed in an area that holds a lot of moisture, for instance a kitchen, bathroom or laundry area?  Will this be an area subject to a higher volume of traffic, such as hallways, kids rooms, family room, etc. 

Flat or Matte Finish
A flat finish paint has a matte finish (no sheen) and is mostly labeled either flat or matte. It's a good choice for  rooms which do not have a lot of traffic, usually living rooms, formal dining, powder rooms,bedrooms etc. 

Eggshell Finish                                                                                                                                                                    This finish has a very low sheen just like that of an eggshell, hence the name.  This finish is good for walls and is much easier to clean than flat finish. Good for hallways,ceilings, and higher traffic areas where you don't want a glossy look but still want it to be durable for cleaning.

Satin Finish                                                                                       A satin finish has a real smooth look to it with a bit more shine than the eggshell finish. This finish is good for windows, doors, base boards, trim moldings etc. This paint is very durable and can hold up to regular cleaning.  Good for use in areas with moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, also great for high traffic areas and children's rooms.

Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. It is easily be cleaned and has a low shine, not too glossy in appearance. Be sure to prepare areas to be painted with a light sanding as flaws are more likely to show with the sheen of this finish.

High-Gloss
This finish gives off more of a reflective quality and is more widely used for trim, cabinets, windows and doors.  It gives off a more dramatic look usually found in contemporary design styles. Again sanding thoroughly prior to painting is highly recommended for this finish as it will show the slightest imperfection because of it's glossy quality. 

 Choosing Paint Color: Part II

Tip 2.- Remember when picking the style of finish for your paint, choose one that will work best for the room desired.  Rooms where walls require a lot of cleaning are usually best with an eggshell or satin finish.  Semi-gloss and high gloss are best for trim,windows,doors and cabinets.

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For Color Consultations, Professional Home Staging, and Re-Design Services call the experts at Empire Home Staging Solutions.  Serving the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas of Southern California.

Michelle Pimentel,ASP,IAHSP (909) 694-9981

When it comes to picking paint colors for our homes...the paint store selections can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. So many different paints to choose from: interior paints,exterior paints, different brands of paint,multiple colors and different types of finishes.

It can all be somewhat confusing just trying to pick out the right color, let alone the type of finish or brand!

Generally, we will leave the paint stores with  our color swatches. We take them home and    look at them in the comforts of our own environments hoping to select one or two colors that will work for the project at hand.   

For some this task comes easy, for others it can be a very frustrating process!

OH, NO!  You just rolled a gallon of the color you picked out from the tiny paint store swatch and  now that it's dried, it just doesn't look like the color you thought it was going to be! 

How can you be sure to pick colors that will work for you? 

Most stores now offer sample sizes, so that you can test the color on your wall prior to investing in a gallon or more of your favorite color. It is always best when choosing colors, to test them first before purchasing the amount needed for your project. You want to be sure you are going to be able to live with the color and that it is harmonious with your homes decor.  Look at your test spot at various times of the day. This will help for you to see how the color will change with the days light. 

Choosing Paint Color: Part I

Tip 1. Purchase sample sizes of the colors you are considering and test them out prior to investing in a gallon or more.  Roll or brush a generous amount of your sample in order to get a true sense of the color. After it has dried, check on the way your test spot color looks in the room at different times of the day to ensure you will be happy living with your selection day or night.

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For Color Consultations, Professional Home Staging, and Re-Design Services call the experts at Empire Home Staging Solutions.  Serving the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas of Southern California.

Michelle Pimentel,ASP,IAHSP (909) 694-9981

Over the years, many beautiful homes and gardens have graced the covers of Sunset Magazine.      Empire Home Staging Solutions, had the good fortune recently to stage such a house in Arcadia, CA.  Upon arriving to the house for my initial consultation, I found the neighborhood to be quite charming and full of beautiful homes with a lot of character.  After viewing the inside of the house, I went out into the backyard to take pictures. 

The yard was strategically landscaped to fit the yards layout, with a secret garden just beyond a row of hedging.  Just like a garden out of a fairytale. 

When we returned the following week to stage the home, I came to find out through the homeowner, that the yard had been professionally landscaped and featured in Sunset Magazine years back.  Well, that explained everything!  I was thinking to myself that I had been here before,... the first time I saw the garden.  Now, I am sure that the impact the garden had on me initially was because of my seeing it before in a Sunset Magazine pictorial.  The homeowner was nice enough to share the old magazine article and photos with me.  Wow!  Very impressive!

Professionally staging this Arcadia home was more than pleasant.  From the homeowners sweet generosity to the charming layout and character of the home.   

Before and After Pictures Coming Soon!

Have you ever had clients hang around while you are staging their home? 

It rarely happens to us at Empire Home Staging Solutions, but when it does, it usually makes for a longer day!  Recently, a homeowner asked if we wouldn't mind her staying in the house while we staged her beautiful Arcadia, CA home.  Normally, I would think this could pose a problem, but in this case, it worked out to be a staging day to remember! 

The morning of the staging Justine and I had left the house with nothing to eat, but thought that we would be able to hold out until our lunch break.  When we first arrived early that morning to the house the homeowner greeted us with her pleasant smile and asked us in as if we were guests coming to a party instead of workers coming in to service her home.  As we began unloading our inventory from the van, she surprised us with home made latte's sprinkled with colored sugar crystals.

WOW!  How fortunate are we to have this very sweet client. We thanked her of course and continued on with our work while sipping our latte's.  As the day continued and time had gotten away from us, our stomachs were reminding us that we were long overdue for lunch.  We were in the middle of working on one of the bedrooms and thought we would finish the room before we broke for lunch.  Not even two seconds later the homeowner was entering the bedroom with a tray in hand.

The tray was filled with fresh cut watermelon and homemade cornbread fresh out of the oven drizzled with honey and melted butter oozing from the sides. WAIT A MINUTE! Is this really happening, am I dreaming!

 This client is straight out of the heavens above!       

Needless to say there wasn't a single crumb left on our plates. DELICIOUS!

 Our client was so sweet in welcoming us into her home and giving us the royal treatment, that we felt like we could hardly call this WORK!

We hold our clients dear to us and are grateful for the business they provide!

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For Professional Home Staging in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire communities,call the experts at:

EMPIRE HOME STAGING SOLUTIONS     MichellePimentel,ASP,IAHSP                                                                                                                                      (909) 694-9981

Worldwide Staging Service Week
Sept 12-17, 2008

The International Association of Home Staging Professionals Foundation, a non-profit organization will hold its annual Worldwide Staging Service Week this year, September 12-17,2008!  This is a time where individually the IAHSP Chapters across the United States and Canada will choose a recipient in their local community to honor as this years beneficiary of their services.  Many wonderful things are being done to enrich the lives of people and families across the country because of the efforts of the Accredited Staging Professionals and their sponsors. 

This year, The Citrus Valley IAHSP Regional Chapter, will be serving the local community by giving of our services to "The House of Ruth".  House of Ruth, is an advocate for assisting women and children victimized by domestic violence. Providing shelter, programs, opportunity and education.  House of Ruth contributes to social change through intervention, education, prevention programs, and community awareness. 

The Citrus Valley IAHSP Regional Chapter members and their sponsors will be bringing new life to The House of Ruth's, Children's Center, by painting, adding a special mural,staging the playroom area, bringing in furnishings,  toys and educational supplies, as a way of serving our community. 

The 2008 Worldwide Staging Service Week!

Think Globally, Act Locally!

Would you like to help?  If you are interested in assisting on a national, regional or local level, please contact the IAHSP Foundation at Ambassador@IAHSP.com. The donations and support of others will help for our chapters to accomplish their charity's goals. 

Apothecary jars have been around for centuries and became popular for wide use in the 1400's. Europeans used them as pharmaceutical jars that would hold the many different dried herbs, potions, drugs and fruit pulps.  They also held cosmetics and perfumes.

Today many of these cylindrical shapes are being brought back to life in glass form and used for decorative purposes instead. 

                      Manufactured in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, apothecary jars have become a staple in today's home decor.

These jars can be a decorative item in almost any room of the house.  Used for decorative purposes or even for storage these jars can add a beautiful quality to any room.     

In the bathroom, apothecary jars can be filled with bath salts, soaps, cotton balls, and a variety of other toiletries.  For decorative purposes add seashells or potpourri to bring color and beauty to your bathroom.

Bringing life to your Apothecary is easy to do, just fill it with some of your favorite items.

Ivory Egg shaped soaps fill this jar & these Blue Robin Egg Soap's will add color and whimsy to any bathroom.      

Bring the outdoors in with a live planted atrium. If you don't have a green thumb, you can re-create a similar look by adding moss balls or other organic fillers available at your local craft store.   

Filled with pastas, candy, faux fruit's & vegetables, 

in the kitchen the apothecary comes to life

with endless possibilities.

In a sewing or craft room fill your apothecary with ribbons, spools of thread, craft scissors,                         or why not fill one with a vintage button collection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  And don't forget the holidays! 

During the HOLIDAYS, bring your apothecary jars to life by adding a bit of the season.              Bringing life to your apothecary jar is easy and FUN!  The best part is that you can change them around as much as you like... to fit any mood, any season & any color scheme.

                  This beautiful bungalow is located in the heart of Costa Mesa, CA. 

Professionally staging this home gave me the opportunity to utilize my seaside flare when decorating.  This project was so fun to stage... using ocean blues, nautical themed artwork and hints of seashells. Unfortunately window treatments weren't a part of the budget for this project, as I would have liked to add those for the finishing touch.  However, the house still gives off a warm and welcoming feel.   

           Hope you enjoy!

Casual Living Room

                                      Dining Room                                                                     

Kitchen

Family Room

Guest Bath

Master Bedroom

A relaxed atmosphere by the beach for comfortable seaside living!

MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY ON ACTIVE RAIN!

I can't believe it is just around the corner.  I am about to celebrate my anniversary of 25,000 points on Active Rain!  I've invited all of you who have supported me throughout my time on this network in order to thank each and every one of you for your comments, your help, Gosh knows I needed that from time to time and all of your great posts that made me laugh, informed me, and those that touched my heart! Thank you all!

Now, I am going to need a party planning committee to help me plan this event, seems to how there are so many of us!  Please help me in selecting the items for my party, so I can put this shindig together! We haven't got much time, so please make your selections quick!

Please select My Party invite A, B or C

            A-Fun                                B-Traditional Foil                                            C-Black & Silver

Now we will need to select tables and chairs for my party, please pick just one!

     A- Foil paper tablecloth                 B- Silver Linen Rounds               C- Silver brocade tablecloth

Napkins are also important for those little mishaps!

        A- Fancy crystal with embroidered napkin                                B- Paper printed Napkins

Which chair would you like to sit in at my 25th party?

        A-Royal Chair                     B-Silver Ladder Back                          C- Casual Chrome

A centerpiece is always a must for my tables, please pick one to adorn the tables!

 A-Silver Candlesticks w/ white candles     B-Silver Bowl filled w/ White roses w/silver glitter tips

Votive candles around the party?

            A- Star Votives                  B- Spiral Flower Votives                C- Landscape Votives

O.K. now that we got all that handled...What am I going to wear?

A- Silver Pleated Dress                     B-Silver Celebrity Gown                        C-Silver Cocktail

SHOES,SHOES,SHOES!  A girls got to have her shoes!

A- Silver Pump              B- Silver Slide              C-Gucci,Pick This One!   D-I don't think so shoes

Oh this party is going to be a blast, I hope you all can come!  Thanks for your input, I want this party to be special for all of you, so help me pick out my cake and I would like to pick you all up and bring you home safely, so pick you favorite mode of transportation too!

                     A- Silver 25 Cake                                                      B- 3 tier cake

A- Silver SUV Limo

B- Silver Sedan

 C- Silver Party Bus

I am looking forward to seeing your selections, so that we can get this party together!  I am open for suggestions if you have any!  Let's plan this party to be the Active Rain Party of the year! Please submit your selections soon as time is of the essence!

Party provided by:

Michelle Pimentel, ASP, IAHSP                                                                                                                                 Empire Home Staging Solutions                                                                                                                                   (909) 694-9981                                                                                                          

This past week, professional home stagers from all over the United States and Canada came together at the Hilton Bellevue, in Bellevue, WA for 4 days at the 2008 IAHSP Convention.  

IAHSP is the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. 

The latest in home staging business trends and technology was available to all of those who attended.  Many vendors were also set up at the Vendor Fair, sharing their information and presenting the latest products and services available to professionals in the home staging industry.

This is the largest convention of its kind   

 bringing ASP's (Accredited Staging Professionals) to learn,

share new ideas and network with the finest!

Daily sessions were open for all ASP & ASPM (Masters) participants to attend. A professional  panel of Home Staging Masters spoke about their personal experiences in the business. There was a wealth of information given at this years convention which will catapult the industry to the next level of standards! 

The last evening was set aside for the "Masquerade Ball", where awards were given out by Barb Schwarz, the creator of home staging, to those who have been recognized by their peers for their excellence in the Professional Home Staging Industry. My daughter Justine & I were nominated for "The Rising Star Award" which we were very greatful for having been acknowledged for our past years contributions to the staging industry. The award went out to Michelle Morris of VA, who is very well deserving and Trish Kim of WA D.C. was handed the "Award of Excellence" for 2008! Many of the IAHSP Chapters were also awarded for their contributions to the staging industry.

This years convention turned out to be an eventful 4 days with the meeting of the minds and the many creative members of this professional and ever growing organization.

In the staging industry, professional home stagers come across homes where they stage only with the homeowners own furnishings, all the time!  In these instances home stagers will bring in accessories and artwork to enhance the homes appearance. As we found out with this quaint Arcadia, CA home, in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley, this homeowner was just in need of a little updating in order to prepare this home for sale.

BEFORE: The Master Bedroom                           AFTER: The Master Bedroom

In this situation the Master bedroom dictated the furniture placement, because of its design and size.  Therefore, in order to prepare this room for sale, the team at Empire Home Staging Solutions, updated the homeowners bedding, changed out the small dated lamp in exchange for taller lamps on each side of the bed, to allow the eye to draw upward.  This makes the Master Bedroom appear more substantial!

BEFORE: Secondary Bedroom                            AFTER: Secondary Bedroom

This bedroom also dictated where the furniture placement had to be.  So in order to prepare this room for sale, we changed out the old tired bedding and brought in New Crisp Linens.

Sometimes its just the small simple changes that can transform a room and give it the appeal it needs to sell!  Working with a clients own furnishings, a professional home stager can give a home the fresh updated look that it needs.  That can make a world of difference when it comes time to market a house.

After all, first impressions are everything when selling a home!

UPDATE 7/06/08: The homeowner of this property has just contacted me to tell me that she has had multiple offers on this property with the first offer coming in just 5 days after staging and the second offer, just one week since the first open house! Here are some additional photos to share from this HAPPY sellers staged property.

                                             AFTER:  Living Room

AFTER: Dining Room

Professional Home Staging By:

Michelle Pimentel, ASP,IAHSP                                                                                                   EMPIRE HOME STAGING SOLUTIONS                                                                                                                         (909) 694-9981