I had visitors last week, and so,  I took them to the area sites that I usually don't take the time to enjoy myself.  Why do we wait to enjoy the things we already have?

One of the things we did was to visit the Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford, PA.  This museum houses three generations of Wyeth art, as well as other artists that are part of, or close to, the Wyeth family.  If you are ever in the Philadelphia area, I urge you to visit this museum--not only because it has great art, but also because it is small enough that you can truly enjoy the entire visit.  As an added bonus, it is situated on the Brandywine River and the views from the museum and its grounds are spectacular.  But on with my point. . . .

Looking at the art, the docent pointed out how the artists used object placement, light and color to pull you into the paintings.

Part of this particular tour was a side trip to the Kuerner Farm.  This was the neighboring farm to Andrew Wyeth growing up and where he painted many of his works.  As the tour guide pointed out various scenes from the windows and then showed the art they inspired, she stated that what Wyeth seemed to do was, "clarify, simplify, and accentuate. . . sometimes to the point of starkness". 

Is some of this starting to sound familiar?

• How many times do home stagers hear, "why did I wait until I was putting my house on the market to fix it up and enjoy it?"  If you are even thinking about new flooring, carpet, solid surface counters or upgraded lighting fixtures,  DO IT NOW!!  Enjoy it yourself.  Then you won't feel so bad about the money you have to invest to make your home market competitive.  Painting may not apply here if you love bright colors, but painting is relatively inexpensive.
• OK, I've heard it, but at the museum it hit home!  Don't home stagers use placement, color and light as an artist would?  Staging is an art!  We know how crucial furniture placement is for directing traffic flow.  Similarly, we use color and objects to direct the buyer's eye to the features we want noticed.  Stagers are sure to make use of natural light and try for triangles of light with artificial lighting.
• Clarify, simplify, accentuate. . . that is the goal of every home staqer!  We remove clutter to place the focus on the features of the home.  We simplify wall collages, fabric patterns and contents so that the buyer is not overwhelmed.  We accentuate architectural design elements or other selling features of the house.  And yes, sometimes it appears a bit stark to the owner who is used to seeing it the "way it was."

The rooms are our canvases; the showings are our museums!  Staging Is An Art . . . .

Kim Dillon, founder of Creative Eye Home Staging, serves parts of Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania including Chester County.

Question:  Do you know the single most important thing you can do when marketing your home?

                Here's a hint:  It doesn't have to cost a thing!!!

Answer:  The single most important thing you can do when marketing your home is to make it SPOTLESS!

That's right:  CLEAN YOUR HOUSE!  There is nothing that says you care and that you have taken care of your home more than this obvious, but often overlooked factor.

Pay particular attention to woodwork, the areas around switch plates, baseboards and sliding door tracks.  Be sure windows gleam, appliances sparkle, and that sinks, tubs and showers are scum free.

Here are a couple of tips to help you get the job done and recycle something you may be throwing away at the same time!

·       Baseboards:  after vacuuming, wipe with an all purpose cleaner (try vinegar and water) using a used dryer sheet.  Not only will this clean the baseboards, but the anti-static ingredient in the dryer sheet will help them stay clean longer!

·       Soap Scum:  The same dryer sheet works great for removing soap scum.  After I fold clothes, I store a few of the used sheets in the bathroom and quickly wipe out the tub, shower and shower doors each time they are used.  It is just abrasive enough to remove the scum without heavy scrubbing, but doesn't scratch!

Who knew?!!  We've seen these lists for 1001 uses for duct tape and WD-40.  How many can we collect for dryer sheets?  Put on your thinking caps.  I can't wait to see what we come up with!! (I confess, when I was looking for images of dryer sheets, I saw that there were some uses mentioned.  I didn't peek and don't know if the ones  I've given were there.  I want to see YOURS before I do any research!)

So, to answer the title's original question:  WD-40, duct tape and dryer sheets can all help in getting and keeping your home clean.  And remember, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" (and a signed contract)!

Kim Dillon, founder of Creative Eye Home Staging, offers services to Cecil County Maryland, Delaware and areas surrounding Chester County Pennsylvania.   Call 610.563.0899 to see how she can help you.

Don't miss the 70th annual Chester County Day House Tour on October 2, 2010.  This tour is always the first Saturday in October.  It is the oldest house tour in the nation and  features some of Chester County's most beautiful homes, gardens and landmarks.

This year the house tour features homes in the northeastern section of Chester County from West Chester to Chester Springs, PA.  Three of the homes for this year's tour were on the very first tour in 1940!  Some of the properties featured this year include Town's End Farm (one of the original 3), Heartwood Farm (with a koi pond in the wine-cellar), Woodrow Home with its Mediterranean flare, Alderbrook Farm boasting scenic views from every window, and St Matthews Place, with a barn housing 16 carriages and sleighs.  There are a total of 28 properties on this year's tour.

You can purchase tickets for $35.00 in advance or $40.00 the day of the tour (provided they aren't sold out!).  Purchase locations are the Chester County Hospital, 701 East Marshall St., West Chester, PA in the main lobby, WAGS Gift Shop at Fern Hill Medical Campus, 915 Old Fern Hill Rd., West Chester, PA in the lobby, and at The Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High Street, West Chester, PA.  Proceeds benefit the Chester County Hospital and Health System.

Enjoy one more thing that beautiful Chester County has to offer!

This recount of the Chester County Day Home Tour is offered by Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging.  Creative Eye offers home staging and redesign services to clients in parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Home Stagers do more than prepare homes for sale!

There are a variety of services offered by home staging professionals to anyone occupying a home.  These services usually fall under the category of "Staging To Live".   Redesign is one of these services.

Are you tired of the way your home looks, but don't have the money to invest in a lot of new furnishings?  There is an answer to your dilemma-A Professional Home Stager!

A  Home Stager's first priority is always to "get the most ‘bang' for the buck."  They are used to working with very limited (and sometimes non-existent) budgets.   If you contact a Professional Home Stager about a redesign project, here is what you can expect:

•   Redesign can cover a wide range of things, so the Stager will ask you about your particular project.  Some of the questions you can expect are:

• Will we be working in one room, or several?
• Do you plan to paint?
• Do you want to use only the things you already own?
• Will large pieces of furniture need to be moved from one floor to another?
• If you want to make any purchases, what is your budget?
• What is your time frame?

•    If you do not plan to paint and are working with what you already have, you can probably schedule the project over the phone.  This type of redesign usually takes less than a day and you will get immediate satisfaction! 

•     If the project is more complex, the Home Stager may want to meet with you in your home to learn more about your personal tastes.   Don't be surprised if you are asked to begin collecting pictures from magazines of rooms that you like.  This step is used in many of the staging services.  The only criteria for these pictures of rooms:  YOU LIKE THEM!  When you have collected several images, a pattern will usually emerge. 

•     Before you begin the actual work, be sure to ask how you will be charged.  For Redesign Services, Professional Home Stagers usually work by the hour, but they often offer discount package pricing.  Prices can vary widely, so do your research.

•      Part of your research should include seeing examples of the Home Stager's work.  Be sure to ask . . .

• if the pictures you are shown are the actual work of the stager
• if the company is insured
• for references

•      Enjoy the new feel of your home!  It has just had the equivalent of a facial or mini-face lift! 

About the author:  Kim Dillon, founder of Creative Eye Home Staging  located in Kennett Square, PA, offers services to residents of Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.  This article on Redesign is part of her series titled:  STAGING SERVICES

Home Stagers don't just prepare homes for sale!

Home Staging Professionals offer a variety of services to anyone occupying a home.  These services usually fall under the category of "Redesign, or Staging to Live".  Color Consults are just one of these services.

A color consult can help if you are painting an entire home (inside or out) or even just doing an accent wall.  This is how you should prepare and what you can expect when you schedule a color consult:

1.  Call to schedule the appointment.  Realize that for best results this consult needs to be done during daylight hours when there is a lot of natural light available.  Evenings and rainy days should be avoided.

2.  Allow at least an hour to speak with the consultant and make choices.  For several rooms, more time will be needed.  Ask in advance what the charge will be.  Some consultants charge a flat fee while others will work by the hour or by number of rooms.

3.  Do your homework!  The better prepared you are, the more effective your consultation will be.  Your consultant will take many factors into consideration when helping you make your selection.  Be able to provide the information.  Things that need to be considered are:

• Your Personal Style and Taste

Collect pictures of rooms you like.  Don't worry about what they depict.  The only criteria: YOU LIKE THEM!  When you have collected several images, a pattern will emerge.  This common thread may be through color, lighting, style or another element, but almost always there is something consistent about your preferences.  Don't be surprised if you find that what you have selected isn't what you thought you were looking for!  This can be evaluated before you even look at color chips.

• Room exposure/natural lighting

Know the exposure of the rooms you will be painting.  Do you have windows/glass doors on the north, south, east, west or a combination?

•    Design elements already in the room

Know what will stay in the room.  Are you working around an upholstered piece, carpet or a window treatment?

• The flow of the rooms

Where should the paint color start and stop?   To avoid a patchwork effect in open areas, there should be a flow.  This can be accomplished with consistent trim, various shades of the same color, or by matching intensity.

4.  Once you have narrowed your selections, ask for larger paint chips.  The consultant should be able to leave you with small paint chips and have larger ones (up to 8.5 x 11") delivered inside of a week.

5.  Don't be in a hurry!  Live with these larger samples tacked to a wall for a while so you can see the color at various times of the day before making your final selections.

6.  If you still can't decide, you may be able to purchase conceptual image(s) of the areas in the colors you are considering.  Pricing for these services vary so be sure to get a quote.  Some paint sources offer online programs where you can upload your rooms and view the choices on your computer screen.

7.  Enjoy the results!  Painting is one of the least expensive and most dramatic changes you can make to your living space.

Kim Dillon, founder of Creative Eye Home Staging, offers services to Cecil County Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania.  This article is part of her series titled STAGING SERVICES.  Call 610.563.0899 to see how your home can benefit from these services.

Location, Location, Locatiom?

We've all heard it:  "What are the three most important things when buying a home?"  Answer:  Location! Location! Location!

While that adage may still hold true, most realtors will agree that when it comes to selling a home, the three most important things driving the price and sale of the home are: 

1.  location

2.  current market values

 3.  condition

Let's face it, there isn't much the Realtor or seller can do about the first two.  The location is what it is.  The Real Estate Market is out of our hands.   The good news: the seller has complete control over the property's condition!

That is where Home Staging enters the picture!

Stagers will work hand in hand with the Realtor and their client to make sure the home shows to its best advantage. They will make suggestions for repairs, improvements and aesthetic changes that ensure the property appeals to the largest percentage of the market.

Call a professional Home Stager before the first open house and put your properties best foot forward right from the start!

Article submitted by Kim Dillon, ASP, Creative Eye Home Staging.  The company serves Chester County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

Little things have an impact--both positive and negative--on your home's appearance.  Read about two of the "little things".

 Below are two little things you can do to make a difference in your home--even if you aren't planning to sell:

•·         Positive Impact

It will not come as a surprise that fresh flowers are always welcome in a home, but to make them even more meaningful (not to mention more economical) pick seasonal bouquets from your own yard!  Believe it or not, this detail is often noticed and commented on by potential buyers.  They not only love the extra touch, but appreciate that it is something they can do without any additional expense when they purchase your property!  Make simple bouquets for the entry and as centerpieces on dining and kitchen tables.  Use single stems on bedroom nightstands and bathroom vanities.  Try using a different flower or different combination of flowers for each location.  Potential buyers, guests, and even you will appreciate and enjoy this "little thing".

•·         Negative Impact

Again, you won't be surprised to learn that "lots of little things" (aka clutter) have a negative impact on buyers.  But did you know that they can also have a negative impact on the people living in the home?  Try substituting one large item for every three to five smaller items throughout your house.  Do this with wall ornaments and art, collections on shelves, mantles and table surfaces.  The look will be simpler, and consequently calmer, to anyone observing or living with the "little things".

 Try this for yourself.  Remember, "Little things mean a lot!"

Submitted by Kim Dillon, ASP, Creative Eye Home Staging.  Creative Eye serves Chester County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of Maryland.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is best known for its annual Mushroom Festival, but its residents and other visitors think it offers much more! 

Homes located in the Borough of Kennett Square are much sought after because they offer the ability to walk to the shopping and dining in the downtown area.  Tulula's Table is actually the toughest reservation to get in the country--there is over a year wait for this night time reservation that can seat up to 12.

Anson Nixon Park is a well-hidden treasure with beautiful bridges, walking paths, tennis courts and even a frisbee golf course.  And if nature is your thing, the beautiful Longwood Gardens are in close proximity.

To vote for Kennett as the "Coolest Small Town in America", visit this link:  http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/coolestsmalltowns/CST2010.html

You can vote everyday until May.  See you at the Mushroom Festival!

over 100,000 attended last year's Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square, PA

Submitted by:  Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging.  Serving Chester County, PA, New Castle County, DE and Cecil County, MD

The disaster in Haiti leaves many of us wondering how we can help and make a difference in people's lives.  Outside of sending a contribution, most of us will not be able to help the situation in Haiti.  But we can make a difference.   Chester County, PA is desperate for volunteers in many areas.

Here are ways to make a difference in Chester County.

The Volunteer English Program (VEP) in Chester County is in urgent need of volunteers to help immigrants or refugees improve their English speaking skills.  There are at least 50 students on a waiting list.  Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring and help in understanding the American culture.   A three-session workshop to train tutors is scheduled beginning January 21 in West Chester, PA.   For more information, call 610.918.8222 or visit www.volunteerenglish.org

The American Red Cross Blood Services is holding blood drives in Chester County. 

In West Chester, the hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In Coatesville, you may donate blood on Friday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Pope John Paul II Regional Elementary School, 2875 Manor Road.

Chester County Compeer is a nonprofit organization that pairs persons of the same gender.  Volunteers give the gift of friendship to a person in recovery from a mental illness.  Volunteers are asked to participate in a training session.  For more information, call Robert Chisholm, director at 610.436.4445

Thresholds in Chester County is looking for volunteers to teach decision-making skills to inmates at the Chester County Prison in Pocopson.  A training weekend for volunteers is required, with no obligation to become a volunteer.   Interested persons should contact Dick Bergesen at 610-436-6469, email RBergesen@verizon.net or call Thelma Douglas at 610.644-9077.

Senior Citizens, don't think you are left out of the opportunities to volunteer.   Chester County residents have plenty of opportunities through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).  This nonprofit organization is in need of volunteers at museums and historical societies, food banks, shelters, schools and day care facilities.  Their most pressing need currently is for assistance with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VISTA) program.  This program gives free tax preparation to low and moderate income families.  The end goal is to encourage the families to use their refund as an investment in themselves and their future.  There are training sessions available and you do not need to be an accountant or bookkeeper.   Not your thing?  No problem lots of other areas could use your help.  Call 610.696-4900 or check the website at www.familyservice.us/rsvpvolunteer

Make a difference in someone's life today-volunteer.  You may be surprised to find that you are the one who profits the most!

Submitted by Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging.  Creative Eye provides assistance for residents in areas of Pennslyvania, Delaware and Maryland to enjoy their own home or prepare a property to sale.