We have had a wonderful summer full of remodeling, redesign and decorating homes throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC.   Visit our design portfolio to see some of our favorite transformations:  www.SimplyBeautifulSpaces.com  

I wanted to pass on some shopping resources, tips and ideas to help with design in your home and helpful ways to approach timelines.  

Resources  

Furniture anyone?  Gallahans of Fredericksburg is hosting an "invitation only" private sale event this week, if you need furniture pieces for your home, please send me an email by Tuesday, August 26th and let me know what to look for and purchase on your behalf.  Their doors will open to the general public on Friday.  

GreenHouse Designs.  We've picked up a new fabric vendor and love the ease of using their website.  If you are looking for fabrics for your home or for general use, please visit http://greenhousefabrics.com/    I love their selection!    

Custom Bedding.  Looking for custom bedding and window treatments?  As an authorized dealer for Eastern Accents, we can offer bedding, pillows, window treatements and accessories you find in many high end stores below their cost.  The styles range from traditional to contemporary.  Please visit www.EasternAccents.com and browse their selections.  

Wall Words!  I love them.  We use them!  You can order custom or ready made designs directly from their website www.wallwords.com    

Design Tips and Ideas  

Painting your home   If you are hiring a painting contractor and need help selecting room colors, it is a good idea to have a design professional meet with you at least two weeks in advance.   The designer should walk through each room with you to determine the best colors to coordinate with existing decor and furnishings.  If selecting different colors for each room, the palette should flow - a fancy word for coordinating the color transition from room to room.    Why two weeks?   After a color palette is selected, it takes approximately one week for color swatches to be delivered from the manufacturer.  Once the swatches arrive, they should be placed strategically on the walls in each room to be painted.  For approximately three to five days, you should then observe how the color changes given different times of the day and light sources.   This helps make the final determination to select the color, and you can leave them on the wall for the contractor to know which wall is to be painted in the color of your choice.   Word of caution - I call this "paint shock."   Anytime you have a color card on a white or off white wall, it will naturally look darker given the surroundings, especially in low light.    This is where trust in your design professional's abilities is a factor.  A good design professional may offer a solution if you truly are not satisfied with the end result.    

Recycling items   On a budget but craving some change?  Many times I "repurpose" items for clients.  Some of these projects only require a steady hand, a tube of acrylic paint and a small paint brush.  I transformed a piece of artwork found at a discount store and changed some elements of the picture to coordinate with the room.  Using a dry brush and light strokes, you can change the look of any "off the shelf" artwork and make it an original piece of your own.  It's "paint by numbers" without numbers.     Want to change the matting around the art?   With so many varieties of spray paint colors and textures, you can easily change the color of mat board with light layers of spray paint.  Let the paint dry between applications until you achieve the desired affect.   What about lamps, candlesticks and other metal items?  Clean the items completely to remove dust and oil.   I always go over them again with rubbing alcohol.  Let them dry completely before taping off and protecing areas you do not want painted.   Most items can simply be spray painted, some will require a primer which is also available in a spray can.  Here's how to make it look really cool... spray a flat black in the corners and crevices and before it's completely dry, use a different color over the entire surface area.  This gives a dimensional effect to the item.      Want to see your items repurposed?  Get some friends together and give me a call - we'll make a fun day of changing items together!  

Window Treatment Ideas   Need a window treatment but don't want to pay so much?  Don't forget about shower curtains, sheets and table linens.  The come in so many colors and fabrics and are relatively inexpensive compared to curtains.   White sheets make for easy lining and can be affixed with no-sew tape and an iron.   Don't like to sew but need to adjust the length?  Fold the fabric over to create a "header" and use ring clips.  Mount the panels or topper to a decorative rod and you have great and inexpensive window treatments!    

Preparing for the Holidays!   Most designers are booked six months in advance.  If you need help with preparing your home for guests or parties, now is the time to contact us for help!  Simply email us at info@simplybeautifulspaces.com and let us know how we can help.   

Candlelight Tour of Homes Speaking of holidays, we have been invited to decorate the home of Shaun and Neil Sullivan for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation's Annual Candlelight Tour.  The event will take place on December 13th and 14th and more information can be found by visiting www.HFFI.org    Tickets are $30 each, $25 for HFFI members and $25 for groups of ten or more or $10 for a single home. If you need tickets, please let me know by November 1st.  I can get tickets at the reduced price when ordering in bulk.    HGTV.  Many of you know that HGTV has contacted me about some of my holiday designs.  I've signed the release for an upcoming holiday special and hope to see one or more of my designs featured on their show.  If you would like a preview, please visit http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafts/archives/2008/01/your_great_holi.html  

As always, it is a pleasure working with so many wonderful people and their families and we look forward to more home transformations!     Take care and God Bless! Kate

We just completed a successful certification course last week and I'm starting to get a few ideas to help those in the area bring in more business.   Maybe these will work for you!

 Start offering realtors a one hour staging consultation for free - sometimes you have to bite the bullet to establish a baseline of clients...but if you go in with a checklist to hand to the home seller, chances are, they'll call you back to help them, after all, your personality and attitude is 95% of why people want to work with you!

Make sure you take before and afters and find that niche for helping in MLS photography - I charge $85 for that, and if they want a CD with great shots, that's another $100 - the CDs can be given to both the seller and realtor to use in MSL listings, flyers, etc.      Offer "Do It Yourself Kits" - most of them really have to be tailored to each home seller, but grab a big bucket and fill it with things like all purpose cleaner and other cleaning items, a checklist, spackle and tools, a paint can and supplies,  lightbulbs, an "Open House" arrangement (such as candles, candies, and other goodies specifically for an open house)  Put a photo of it on your website and in your emails, as well as on Active Rain. 

March madness!

In between the seasons in your home?  Getting spring fever?  Now is a great time to do some spring cleaning inside and outside your home!  From organization to bringing a fresh new look - let us help!  You can get one free room redesign valued up to $300!  Ask us for details!  Offer expires 31 Mar 2008.

Other special offers:

"Reveal Parties" - When you ReDesign your home, you'll want to show it off to all your friends and family!  Let them in on the surprise!  You can receive merchandise valued over $300 for hosting a "Reveal Party!"  

"Refer A Friend!"  receive gifts, gift certificates or discounts when you refer a paying client!  (Referral Program Bonuses vary)

Surprise a friend or loved one with a "Surprise Room Makeover!"  A great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, college dorm rooms or anytime!   

Gift Certificates - an absolutely perfect gift for the busy professional, moms, families, friends and neighbors - for any occasion!  Gift certificates can be purchased for:

•·        Organization Services - let us take care of organizing and de-cluttering!

•·        Event or Party prep - we can get your home ready for your guests!

•·        Room ReDesign - one, two or whole house - we'll transform rooms into welcoming and relaxing environments!

•·        Newlyweds? A perfect gift!  We'll get their new home ready - specializing in combining "his and hers" into their new home!

•·        New neighbor?  A wonderful way to welcome them to the neighborhood with a gift certificate to help them organize their furnishings and decor in their new home! We can help work existing furnishings and accessories into new living spaces for that truly "welcome home" feeling.

•·        Home Staging - have a neighbor or friend who has difficulty getting their home to sell? We can help!  From Do It Yourself Kits to whole home staging - we can make it ready for open houses or daily showings! Before reducing the sales price, let us stage and photograph it for MLS listings.   

Mini Classes - Host a mini class and learn the basic principles of making your home work for you!  We'll teach you the basics of coordinating color, placing accessories, and much more!  At $95 per person, this is a great way to learn easy ways to bring great design to your own home while saving money.   Discounts apply for groups of 10 or more.

Uppercase Living Words to live by for the homes we live in. Words inspire. They educate, express, or entertain. From a syllable to a sonnet, the right expression touches us deeply, makes us happier, more informed, and even leads us toward a better life. Uppercase Living brings the incredible expressiveness of words into homes, transforming them into more wonderful places to live. Become a customer or demonstrator enter consultant ID# 685214 and  token "SimplyBeautiful"

<!--$imageText <b>Simply Beautiful Spaces<br></b><b>Certified Interior ReDesign, Home Staging and<br>Specialized Interior Design<br soft></b>$-->

• Set the mood with music - a collection of favorite songs from when you first met... the ones that spoke to your heart... I'm not sure "Baby's Got Back" is considered romantic, but to each their own.
• Use candles - nothing is more beautiful than a warmly lit room, and most of us appreciate not having our (insert flaw here) brightly lit. Another great solution is to use battery operated candles....safe and dependable.
• Write a love letter - a recollection of fond memories, the reasons why you are in love,  endearing anecdotes ... it doesn't have to be a long letter to be a special letter... but saying "I love you because you make great queso and let me watch football"  should be combined with "and you are a wonderful and caring person and I am at my happiest when I'm with you."
• Have a chilled bottle of wine or champagne readied in the bedroom (or beer, love means different things to different people)
• If you do not want to use candles and cannot dim the lights, use a sheer scarf or sheer piece of fabric over a lamp shade.  Use caution to ensure the fabric does not melt onto the lightbulb - else that will surely make this an unforgettably hot night.  
• Make a bubble bath - to ensure it stays warm and full of bubbles longer, fill the tub half way with really hot water while adding bubble bath and glycerine (the glycerine helps bubbles stay longer and is good for the skin).  Right before you're ready to get in, fill the rest of the tub with a little more bubblebath and warm or cooler water until it's at the right temperature.  Encircle the tub with candles too.
• Flowers!  Absolutely!   And sprinkling rose petals on the bed covers and in the bath is not cheesy...even if you drink beer in celebration of your love.

These are just a few ideas.  If you need more ideas or if you want to suprise your loved one with a complete room makeover -  send an email to kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com  and receive 10% off the entire redesign through the end of February.    

Many people have asked where they can find great items for their homes.  Whether solar lighting, smart home solutions, or great furnishings, flooring and window treatments, we've included easy to locate links to a variety of great companies, most all of them are offering specials. When you visit our Special Offers page you will find great ideas from us as well as links to our sponsored companies.   

We are now offering free In-Home estimates.  Some of the people we meet simply want find out what services for their homes will cost.   We will  gladly visit in the home, enabling us to walk through and determine costs to achieve what the home owner needs and wants.    For more information, please visit http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ and click on "Pricing."    

And as always, we value you, you feedback and your support.  We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services and have you to thank for helping us along the way!    I look forward to hearing from you soon!   Sincerely, Kate  

Not Staging to Sell, Rather, Preparing to Sell.

I usually try to write a couple of helpful articles a month, but with a hectic schedule right after the holidays, I am a bit behind.   I have been inspired to write about preparing a home to sell, and many home staging professionals may get a little bent about this post, but coming from a frugal background and common sense, I felt compelled to write a piece designed to help people see home selling from a new perspective. 

This is where many Home Stagers could "re-market" what staging really is.  Too many "lay people" think that staging is just making a house pretty.  What they don't realize is that there is much more to it.  Marketing your skills towards "Preparing your home for sale" may help sellers realize that staging is not simply a word that has become synonomous with rearranging furniture -  We all know there is much more to it.  

The market is tight and I don't blame home sellers one iota for not wanting to hire someone to come in and "stage" their home for selling.  It's a cost that many people just don't want to take on, especially if they are paying two mortgages.   It's one thing to make a house pretty with flowers and moving furniture in, but there's a different consideration to make when  trying to sell a home that is full of  stuff or a home that is in need of repair.  Now, I'm not saying "in need of updating and remodeling" just in need of critical repair.

Selling is tough, but selling a home with signs of leaks, broken fixtures, and drafty windows is nearly impossible.   Selling a home with a family's lifetime collection of "stuff" is equally as difficult.

What a home seller should consider is having a professional come in and conduct an assessment of what can be done to help sell the home without adding on unnecessary expenses.    Two or Three hours of time along with a professional who takes a "buyer's perspective" will be well worth the small fee. 

If I were trying to sell my home in the current market, I would certainly invest $300 or less to have someone provide a consultation.   The professional should be very helpful and create a comprehensive list of items that need minor to major repairs or replacement (such as rotted toilet seats.)  The professional should also be very direct and clear on what is needed.   Having someone compliment the seller's home and be agreeable is nice, but doesn't help a seller at all.   Sellers need an honest assessment from someone who is direct and efficient.    In many cases, the recommendations can be taken care of on a "Do It Yourself" basis, saving money.  

So, if you or someone you know needs a professional to provide an assessment and consultation to help sell a home, give me a call at 540-630-4074 or email kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com

Let me know what you think! 

What a great start to the New Year!  I hope you are enjoying it so far, despite the crazy weather we've experienced!    It's always nice to be recognized for the hard work we do, from testimonials to the smiles and comments we get before and after our efforts.  It's also nice to be recognized by inspiring shows such as HGTV!   Now, we haven't made it big...yet, but having an idea featured  in Camille's Blog was certainly nice!  http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafts/archives/2008/01/your_great_holi.html  

We're looking forward to being featured Chesapeake Home Magazine's Jun/Jul edition too!  

For those of you who are checking our design portfolio - current projects - we'll be completing most those projects at the end of this month and into February!  We have more new projects taking place - so check back often for updates and new design inspirations for your own home!  http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/  

Don't forget - we're working with the All About Redesign in bringing a training and certification course to Stafford!  Check out http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ and click on "Traveling Workshop" or http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/ to learn more.    I have to tell you - if it weren't for Julie, I wouldn't have been as inspired or excited to start this business!  

 Coming in March - mini classes will be offered to those who like "DIY" but need a few tips and hints to get them inspired and ready to work in their own home!   If you or someone you know is looking for a great way to have face to face time with me to ask questions and get help with some decorating ideas, this is a great opportunity!   If you'd like more information or want to suggest a specific topic, send me an email!  I'd love to hear from you.  

Since Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC is celebrating it's first six months of successful design efforts, we want to extend our thanks to the people who have supported us and cheered us on!   For our loyal friends and customers, we're offering a free one hour consultation - contact us to set up an appointment - we can help you choose paint colors, artwork, or design ideas for your home!      

Realtors looking for an edge  or looking to expand their business - this is an excellent opportunity!

Professional Training in the Arts of Interior Redesign and
Home Staging is coming to
Stafford, Virginia February 20-22, 2008!
(click link to find out more)

Learn the basics of Interior Redesign and Home Staging with our Three Day Traveling
workshop  training program.  Serving the entire United States!
Free Tools of The Trade Kit Included With Every Class.
Certificate of Certification Awarded!

Upon completion you will be ready to begin your own Interior Redesign and Home
Staging  transformations armed with the knowledge and tools to become quite
successful!

Check availability, classes fill quickly!


Three days is all that is needed to complete training and become a professional
Staging.   

Come join us and learn all about redesign and home
staging! This fast paced workshop has students moving furniture and
redesigning rooms the very first afternoon.  It is an extremely hands-on training
seminar which combines morning lecture with actual in home practice.  This
three day professional workshop includes a minimum of FIVE hands-on interior
redesign/home staging projects.  The before and after room photos are always a
terrific addition to each members new portfolio.  

There is also actual client contact during the workshop, which enables students
to participate in the always exciting room reveal.  This contact is essential for a
successful learning experience.  Students are given the opportunity to observe
client interaction and gain the experience and confidence needed to succeed.  


Some of the topics covered are:


Professional Standards

How to Find Clients

Initial Client Contact

Gaining Credibility Quickly

Contracts vs. Proposals

Pricing Services

Follow Up and Referrals

Important Business Affiliations,

'Sweet 16' Proven Marketing Strategies

Marketing Tips (70+ very affordable)

Wholesale...How and Where

Writing a Business Plan,

Taxes and insurance.



Upon completion of the workshop, new members receive a designation
certificate, and a FREE ONE YEAR POSTING on our national website.  Ongoing
assistance is also provided so new members will never feel alone.

In addition, all members become eligible to join the Interior Design Society,
gaining additional credibility for their new businesses.

Please check availability as classes are strictly limited to six new members and fill
quickly.

A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your place in the
workshop. The remaining tuition due two weeks prior to class date.
Tuition and deposit 100% refundable in the event the workshop cancels.
*Refunds may be applied to future workshops or online training.

To sign up for this course you may go to AARC or for any other
information please call toll free 1-877-826-9719 or send an email  
mailto:info@allaboutredesign.com  

Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC
Stafford, Virginia
info@simplybeautifulspaces.com

The course includes:
The AARC  illustrated 100+ Page
Training Manual

Business Plan Sample

Tool Kit

Decorating Assistant Kit

Color Tools

Form Templates

Winter! Oh the splendor of snow, fireside gatherings and good hair days!  By now, we all should have our Christmas and Holiday decorations packed away, well, except for those who traditionally leave their Christmas lights up all year ‘round.    If you're like us, this is the time of year that the house looks somewhat "blah."   We spent pre-holiday weekends decorating, rearranging furniture so the tree will fit, and filling the house with years of collected ornaments.    Now that everything is gone, it's well... b o r i n g.   

You may have taken advantage of post holiday sales and brought new pieces in to "fill the void."  While that is okay, there's a less expensive way to satisfy your need for change and bring joy back into your home.   Look around, up and down, in each room.   Take some things off your wall, a chair out of the dining room corner, or a couple of throw pillows and exchange them with items in your bedroom, move your artwork around, exchange end tables with bedside stands.  What?  You say the furniture doesn't match?  Who says it has to?  Latest trends in decorating is to "mix it up"  be eclectic, be unique.    

Another idea - paint one wall.  Just one.  Make it the focal point wall, say the one the fireplace is on, or the one your headboard parallels.   Take it two shades darker than the existing wall color.   Feeling bold?  Paint the wall a rich tone in a complimentary hue.  You say your walls are white??!?!   Go for the one wall anyway.   It makes a huge difference!

And, as always, if you need help just ask!  We'll be happy to answer questions, give suggestions and recommendations and come visit you!  Kate  http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

Good morning!  Just passing on great information I created for the Stress Reduction seminar!

Good Morning!  Just 14 more days until Christmas!   We're very excited and our biggest wish is for a white Christmas!   

 I just wanted to pass on some latest updates on the Candlelight Tour of Homes, our invitation to the Washington Hospital Center, and thank all of our greatest clients and supporters.     We've been invited to the Washington Hospital Center 's "Stress Reduction" Open House on December 13th!   Our presentation topic is "Reducing Stress Through Your Environment" and we will cover the aspects of your home as a retreat, how color and clutter affects mood and well-being, and the cost benefits of hiring a professional to organize, redesign or shop for you and your home.   This is part of NBC4's "Weigh to Lose" challenge and the last in the series.   

For more News and Events click here  

Also - the February Training Class is filling up quickly!  Please go to http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ for more information on the traveling workshop.  

 The HFFI Candlelight Tour of Homes was a great success for us and a huge thanks goes to everyone who visited our home at Maury Commons.  We created a nine foot Christmas tree out of 20 pounds of "fluff" and wreaths out of gift boxes.   Of course, as many of you know, this was the biggest staging and decorating project we've had, as the home was literally a stage!   We started off with absolutely nothing in the condominium and I just wanted to let you all know that we could not have been as successful if Gallahan's had not loaned us all the exquisite furnishings.  It was unfortunate, however, that someone had taken some of the items, and I hope that they are able to feed their family with the topaz tapestry throw and the "Why" "Not" pillows.   We're busy with new clients, but not too busy to help you with last minute Holiday decorating, so if you need help, let us know!   As always, thank you for your support, allowing us to "play" in your homes and for your referrals!  

 God Bless and warmest Christmas wishes! Kate   Kathryn Koch http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

It's literally a Stage!  I was selected to decorate for the 37th Annual Tour of Homes - how exciting.  When I first saw my "home" I got excited and a little worried.  First of all, there wasn't a home owner, as typical with Tour of Homes - you get occupied homes with families that have furnishings and Christmas decor from which you can add to. 

Secondly, this "home" was previously the auditorium and stage for the former Maury School in Fredericksburg, VA.  Here's what it looked like when I first saw it:

So we decided we must first make it look like a home... um... what design?  It kinda looks like a loft, but with the antique auditorium chairs having to stay in the unit per the Historical Society, we had VERY limited space in which to work.   (Whoever buys the unit gets to donate, keep or sell the seating)

I called Gallahans of Fredericksburg - I needed really cool furnishings, art and decor for this space.  They loaded up their trucks and came to my rescue... here are the results:

Oh, and for the Christmas Tour of Homes?  Here's a sneak peek - we can't put all the photos out yet - the Tour of Homes is this weekend!  I will tell you -  since our budget was VERY limited (only $500 to do the entire unit) -we made the tree out of pillow stuffing - eight feet of fluff!  We're going to take it down with a shop vac.   I'll post better and more photos later and on my website:  www.simplybeautifulspaces.com

Happy Holidays!

no zebras were injured for this project.