Rooms That Work

Join the HOMEdigz Hump Day Blog Party!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:40:03 -0500

Do you love homes? Do you blog? Do you read blogs? Then you'll love this!

We're starting a new weekly feature on HOMEdigz.com, and it's a great way for our many blogger members to share their most recent blog posts with other members and drive-by readers.

Introducing {insert drum roll here} the HOMEdigz Hump Day Blog Party!

Rather than pick a theme for each week, I'd like for bloggers to be able to share whatever is on their blog. Just make sure it's relevant to the broad category of homes! ;)

It's easy to join the party, just add your name and link. We'll post this feature every Wednesday and keep it open for you to add your post for 48 hours. To make sure it's ready first thing Wednesday morning (and so I don't have to get up at 6am) I'll actually post it on Tuesday nights at 10pm. (That's tonight!)

If you've never participated in a blog party before, it's very simple. Here are the ground rules:

Name: Include the subject of your blog post in the parentheses after your blog name. Example: Your home, only better. (Vintage Fans)
Link: Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address.
Reciprocate: Almost done...now link back to the HOMEdigz Hump Day Blog Party from your post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is talking about today!

Now for the fun part...visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That's what a blog party is all about!

Hope to see you at the party!

~Susan :)

Thanks for helping me move past beta!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:48:30 -0500

This is a big week for me...HOMEdigz.com is officially out of beta mode and ready for growth!

Business members can list their company in the Business Directory which includes a link to your site, blog and Twitter ID. (For more info on Biz Features, check out http://digzbiz.com)

And, for all you bloggers, starting soon we'll have a weekly blog party to highlight our members blog posts. Stay tuned!

So thanks to all the home enthusiasts here in the Rain who joined the online community forum to talk about their passion, AND meet new people.

Click here to read the News Release, or better yet, click here to join the forum!

Let's talk homes!

Have a great day,

Susan Jensen Smith
HOMEdigz.com LLC

It's a jungle out there

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:16:22 -0500

Pretty Facebook URLs: a work-around

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:13:36 -0500

Hello Rainers! I have several folks ask me about Facebook Fan Pages and how to secure a "pretty" url if you don't have 100 fans yet.

I wrote a blog explaining how do use a subdomain and redirect as a workaround (click here to read how to do it yourself), but the bigger question is WHY do you need a vanity URL?

Yes, they are much easier to work with, but be careful not to confuse technology with strategy.

Your thoughts?

Susan Smith

Kitchen Renovation - the movie

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:15:54 -0500

For the story behind the reno, visit HOMEdigz.com!

Kitchen Design Book Giveaway at HOMEdigz.com!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:55:47 -0500

It's Kitchen Craze time here at HOMEdigz.com! Whether or not you like to cook, the kitchen is the heart of the home.

We're spicing it up with a contest...every post or comment made through June 30, 2009 earns a chance at winning this fabulous book of creative kitchen ideas for your home: Kitchen Ideas That Work by Beth Veillette, an award-winning kitchen designer.

Read articles and join kitchen discussions already in progress, or start your own topic!

Not a member yet? It's free and fun...register today!

Redesign Project Before and After (a kids room)

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:02:34 -0500

Who doesn't love a good before and after, huh? Especially a kids room! Without further adieu, here it is:

First, the after:

And here's the before:

Help This Home!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:34:46 -0500

New feature on HOMEdigz.com - we post a problem room, and you get to give your two cents. Best part, the homeowner (who is a good sport) will implement those ideas (within reason) and post "after" pics!

Here's the room:

And here's where you go to offer advice!

(note: you need to register to comment, but hey...it only takes a minute!)

So please join the conversation!!!!

Susan Smith
www.HOMEdigz.com

HOMEdigz picking up steam - join the fun!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:35:45 -0500

I'm so excited about all the creative, smart and friendly folks who have signed up for HOMEdigz in its first month - I'd like to give back a little bit.

Every post you make at HOMEdigz.com until tax day (4/15/09) enters you in a drawing to win your very own HARD COVER copy of "Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live." (Don't you love that title?)

So please join the over 60 creative soles at www.HOMEdigz.com and let's talk about homes!

Susan

HOMEdigz is growing fast - 33 members plus YOU?

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:47:58 -0500

A few weeks ago I launched HOMEdigz.com for beta (new online community forum for home enthusiasts). While not staging focused, it is a wonderful showcase for interior redesign, and is organized by type of room.

We're already up to 33 members with just word-of-mouth communication, and I'm launching an ad campaign starting in April to invite homeowners to the forum.

If you haven't checked it out yet, we'd love for you to join us! Not only is it a fun place to hang out, but there is a lot of perks for business members. You can submit articles to showcase your expertise and help with SEO, there is a free online directory for businesses, plus a bonus "business-only" forum to chat with other businesses. See www.digzbiz.com for more details on biz perks.

Please join us! :)

~Susan

www.HOMEdigz.com
Get inspired. Get it done.

Finally launched HOMEdigz.com!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:52:56 -0500

Greetings fellow Home Enthusiasts!!!

I had mentioned (awhile back, granted) that I was working on a new thing...an online community for home enthusiasts. Well, we're finally in beta at www.HOMEdigz.com.

It's designed to bring homeonwers and businesses together in a room-by-room format. I did a quick video about it (hey, don't laugh) at www.DigzBiz.com.

Anyway, I invite all you fabulous Interior Redesigners to take a peek! Any feedback would be more than welcome - we're officially in "beta" stage.

Thanks!!!

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work/HOMEdigz.com

It's Show Time - Break a Leg!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:26:46 -0600

It's that time of year again - if you're thinking about putting your house on the market, get ready for a bit of incovenient living. But the payoff is well worth any inconvenience. Once you get your home sale-ready, you need an efficient action plan to accomodate the not-always-convenient showings of your beloved home.

You know how it goes...you get a call from your realtor that a potential buyer wants to see your house...in 30 minutes! So you have to pick up the house, load up your kids (and pets), hop in the car and try to find something meaningful to do for an hour or so.

How you live in your home is quite different than how you sell it. Assuming you've already followed your Professional Home Stager's instructions, you're a step ahead in preparing for show time. After all, you want to make sure it shows at its best when the curtains come up! Here are some helpful checklists to prepare your staged home for show time in 30 minutes or less.

Safety

Hide liftables - wallets, mail, jewelry, small electronics, passwords, financial statements, etc. Most people are honest, but it helps if you remove the temptation.
Conceal any prescription drugs.
Don't light candles (fire hazard and looks like you're trying too hard).

Lighting

Turn on lights and open all curtains - yes, even in the daytime.
Make sure windows are clean.

Pick Up

Toys, clothes, papers, general clutter.
If worse comes to worse, grab a large garbage bag and stuff everything in it and take it with you. You can put everything away when you get home.

Kitchen

Wipe down counters - keep disposable wipes by each counter area to make it quick and easy.
Make sure the sink shines! There is nothing more disgusting than a dirty sink.
Empty the trash - even if it's not full yet.
Countertops - opt for single large accessory rather than a group of small things - doesn't have to be out all the time, but "places everyone" applies.

Bedrooms

Make all beds, and arrange decorative pillows per your stager's instructions.

Bathrooms

ALL toiletries hidden (keep daily use items in a handy cubby that can be stashed under the sink)
TOILET SEATS DOWN
Put your towels in the dryer & bring out "show towels"
Wipe down counters and mirror
Sniff test -air freshener if needed
Empty the trash

Pets & Kids

Don't even think about leaving the pets behind!
Keep the car pre-stocked with snacks, water, games, dog leash, picnic blanket, diapers (if needed), and extra changes of clothes (you never know).
Make up "car games" such as "left, right, or straight" - a game where each kid gets a turn picking which way you turn. Whenever you find someplace interesting, stop and have a car party.
Have a list of fun places you can visit, such as a pet store, local park, library, etc.

Ambiance

Music - Play some classical or jazz music softly to add ambiance and minimize eerie silence.
Concession Stand - Candy Bowl - put out some wrapped candy.
Check Thermostats - make sure it's set at a comfortable temperature.

So let's get the show on!

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work
www.roomsthatwork.com
blog: www.yourhomeonlybetter.com

Prediction of what's in and what's out in 2009...your two cents?

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:27:48 -0600

I found this article online in the Everret Washington Harold Net: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090104/BIZ/701049948/1005

First, I must premise that these findings are from an annual survey conducted by Mark Nash, a Coldwell Banker broker and real estate author who uses a network of 839 Realtors in all 50 states and eight Canadian provinces to acquire consumer responses to a variety of housing questions. He wrote "1,001 Tips for Buying & Selling a Home". The article was written by Tom Kelly of HeraldNet.

While some of you may agree or disagree with some of his points (and I won't list them all here...read it if you like), there were a couple excerpts I found interesting:

What's "in" for 2009: Real estate agents as a housing resource not a salesperson. Skilled agents who help consumers determine if they should buy or sell a home. Home ownership is not for everyone. Factors such as a job move in three years or fewer, marginal credit and lack of interest in home maintenance can be reasons for a resource-driven agent to advise their client not to buy.

What's "out" for 2009: Home staging. A recently over-used, low-cost marketing strategy for vacant or occupied homes with longer than normal market times. Buyers have said "enough" of the non-professional usage of assorted leftover props placed around a for-sale home to make it supposedly homey. Buyers are saying "market it as it is and clear out the tired silk flowers and stale potpourri."

Here are my two cents:

1) Agents as "Housing Resources" is another way of saying "those who are really good at their job will do well"

2) Staging isn't going away, but those who jumped in without a clue will fall by the wayside. Those who are good at what they are doing will be a very strategic tool for the "Housing Resource" agents referred to above.

Your thoughts?

NetworkedBlogs

Blog:

Rooms That Work

Topics:

home staging, real estate, property merchandising

Join my network

Is that a holiday flamingo in your yard?

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:17:45 -0600

It's not everyday in Connecticut that you see an animated, illuminated flamingo grazing alongside a couple traditional reindeer lawn ornaments.

But sometimes you've just gotta break the rules!

"Bingo" (the name my kids gave to the flamingo) was an early Christmas present to my husband from my sister (who drew his name this year). Here's the fun part...he drew her name too (but she doesn't yet know it) and hasn't picked out her gift yet. Any suggestions? ;)

Susan Smith
web: www.roomsthatwork.com
blog: www.yourhomeonlybetter.com

Blogger vs. Wordpress - I've made my move!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:04:59 -0600

Greetings fellow bloggers!

I recently moved my "non-Active Rain" blog from Blogger to Wordpress. Why? Because I wanted more functionality in terms of categories, pages, etc. But if you switch, note that you can't use Google Analytics w/Wordpress...but they do provide sufficient stats of their own.

I also purchased the url of my tag line to use as my blog URL - more professional and consistent with my branding. And just to make sure it's obvious on my website, I added it on the home page as a widget.

I'm sure as I play around with it I will find features I really miss, but so far, I'm pretty happy with it.

Happy blogging ya'll!

Susan Smith
w/ www.roomsthatwork.com
b/ www.yourhomeonlybetter.com
e/ susan@roomsthatwork.com
p/ 860.808.4171

Redesign of a kids bedroom from pink to beach

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:34:42 -0500

Goodbye Pink, Hello Beach! When a little girl decides she's too big for pink, it's a wonderful opportunity to work together to find a better look for her most important room. We painted the walls BM "White Sand", added colorful beach and ocean accents and covered her chair and bench in a coordinating pillowcase from her new bedding. For her, the highlight of this room is the banner flags draping the room and hanging over the bed, and the fiber optic butterfly lights strung across her name. Makes for a great nightlight! And the real bonus here - if the homeowners move, it's a lot easier to sell "white sand" than "pixie pink!" -Susan

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Front Door B&A makeover game

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:57:16 -0500

See if you can tell what was changed, and how much was spent!

Front Door before:

front door after:

Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.
www.roomsthatwork.com
860.808.4171

Lighten up!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:13:50 -0500

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Never under estimate the power of paint! This living room was redesigned to feel more spacious. By using cream paint (Behr Swiss Coffee) with ultra-white semi-gloss trim, we were able to really open up this room to feel more in balance with the rest of the home. The rug served as inspiration for the almost modern palate. Not much clutter, which will help this home sell faster if it's ever on the market.

A kitchen for the rest of us

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:01:27 -0500

Despite the deluge of reality cooking shows on TV, not everyone has the time, ability or interest to be a gourmet cook. Some of us cook so infrequently that our kitchen counters occasionally need dusting. Others struggle daily to get a quick, decent meal on the table amidst the most chaotic hour of the day.

Does that lessen the need for a fabulous kitchen? I don't think so. The kitchen is more than where you cook. It's where you brew your morning coffee, toss the day's mail and uncork your favorite wine. It's where guests inevitably park themselves at parties, and it sets the tone for your home.

Short of any major renovations, here are some easy ways to update your kitchen:

Lighten up!

Add lighting underneath the cabinets - fluorescent or rope lighting work well.
Add attractive night lights under the cabinets or a small table lamp on the counter.
Replace that boring "over the sink" light with a funky hanging pendant. Feeling crafty? Turn a simple colander into hanging pendant!

Make a (back) splash!

Rather than traditional tile backsplash, how about infusing a bold color with a fresh coat of semi-gloss paint?
What about adding strips of stainless steel? Bonus - cheaper grade stainless is magnetic - add fun magnets to hold recipe cards or favorite photos.

Bare all!

Curtains a bit dull? Pitch them and paint the window frame a complimentary color.
Need privacy? You can do wonders with stylish dish towels, a pressure rod and round clips. Fold them in half as a topper, or full length as a café panel. My favorites are the Crate & Barrel dish towels in abstract lettuce and tomato patterns!

Boring art?

How about using chalkboard paint on one wall? List the week's menu, sneak in a honey-do list, or play a rousing game of hangman.
Spice up a neutral palate - frame your favorite bold print to infuse some color and oomph into the space.
Add a series of smaller framed art underneath the cabinets.
Write "Kiss the Cook" on your wall using acrylic wall letters. Or, how about "I kiss better than I cook?" Whatever works for you! Check out www.wallwords.com for ideas.

Whack the knick knacks!

Retire the small chatchke stuff in favor of fewer, bolder accents. Too many distractions are stressful to the eye and harder to maintain!
Whenever possible, go for dual purpose accents. For example, an attractive vase can hold spoons and spatulas, and glass canisters can display pastas and rice.

Devilish details

Update cabinet knobs and drawer pulls
Unsightly trash can? Swap it out for a chrome step-on can.
Add a fresh area rug - preferably latex backed and machine washable, if possible!
Chairs a bit blah? Add slipcovers, new chair pads, or paint them a new color (black is always in!).

While none of these ideas will improve your cooking, they will, at a minimum, make you smile when you toss the daily mail on the counter as you head to the phone to order in. Bon appetite!

HomeGoods Openhouse Blog - update: add to iGoogle page!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:26:30 -0500

Ok, so I'm a bit biased - I'm one of their new "official" bloggers! I've been a regular commenter (is that a word) for awhile, and am thrilled to be part of the team now. Please stop by and say hello! I'm sure HG customers would love to hear your perspectives and ideas!

Click here to view the blog...

Susan

*UPDATE* - Hey, I just figured out how to add the HomeGoods Openhouse blog to my iGoogle page...go to http://www.google.com/ig/adde?moduleurl=openhouse.homegoods.com/index.php/feed/&source=imag and either set it to your Google Reader or as a widget on your iGoogle page.

Do you have an empty drawer?

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:57:08 -0500

I was reading my latest issue of House Beautiful while on vacation last week, and there was an article that referred to a Japanese tradition of leaving one drawer empty for whatever else comes your way.

This can be literal or figurative. It's easy to accumulate too much "stuff" - and it is equally easy to fill your time with too many activities.

Do you have an empty drawer? How do you handle time and material clutter in your home and life?

For material clutter, I can't claim any empty drawers, BUT...I keep a bin for each family member in the mud room. At the end of the week, each person has to go though it and get everything back where it belongs. Otherwise, I pitch it.

For time clutter, I've been practicing saying "no." It's much harder than I thought it would be! I'm also keeping my calendar on google so I can access it from all computers and add it to my igoggle home page.

Other ideas?

I'm back!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:44:09 -0500

Wow...I've been out of the rain for the past few months - very busy and working on something new (more to come later on that)!

Seeing all the new names out there, I'd just like to say "hello" and "welcome" to the Rain! W/summer approaching, I'm hoping to find more time to blog on a regular basis...I've really missed my friends here, and hope to make some new ones!

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.
www.roomsthatwork.com

Top 10 last minute gifts ideas...Need your help!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:23:44 -0600

I'm putting together a top 10 list of last-minute gifts, but can only think of 9! What should #10 be?

Top 10 (ish) last-minute gifts:

Gift Certificate framed in a pretty frame
Bottle of wine, favorite spirits or case of beer
Forced bulb plant kit
Scented Candles
Soup mix kit
Oversized Tea or coffee mug filled with a favorite blend
Lipstick case with mirror (you can never have too many)
Photo book with a personal photo or holiday greeting in the first slot
Coffee Table Book
???

Oh me-me, oh my!

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:13:58 -0600

Here we go again! Thanks Teresa Ramey for tagging me!

1. I'm such a regular at Dream Dinners (where you go assemble your meals) they now have an apron with my name embroidered on it. I feel like "Norm" on "Cheers."

2. I'm a late bloomer. Took 5 years to finish undergrad, got married at 34, and had kids at 37 and 41. Soooo...that means I'll be 59 when my youngest graduates high school!

3. I have a glass of wine every night. It keeps me in "practice" in case I go out to dinner with friends and have 2 or 3 (or whatever) glasses.

4. I have a bowl of Edy's ½-sugar slow churned ice cream every night as well. I believe that if you eat it regularly, your body knows best how to metabolize it.

5. What I want for Christmas: a nap, and to move further south.

I tag: Kathy Holbrook, Kathy Mohr, and Ann Anderson, Yes I'm picking on fabulous Connecticut stagers who don't blog as much as they should!) ;)

Get yer Blog on girls!!!

So what are you waiting for?

Susan Smith (Rooms That Work LLC) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:09:38 -0600

Do you have a room with "issues?" These issues can include an awkward arrangement, too much cutter/lack of organization, outdated style, and just not feeling restful or comfortable. Often it's something you just can't put your finger on, but you just know it's not right.

You might be tempted to get rid of everything and start from scratch. A dramatic but pricey and impersonal option. Better yet, take a fresh look at what you already own and (with some objective guidance) and redesign your room to work better for your specific needs. It's a new trend, and it's called "Interior Redesign."

But why is change so difficult? There are many reasons why frustrated dwellers may hesitate:

Don't know where to start
Don't want to spend a lot of money
Don't have the time
Don't trust your style instincts
Assume your room is as good as it can be, and you'll just live with it
Your family is resistant to change

So you've made your excuses...now snap out of it! As with most projects, getting started is the hardest part. Decide to take action, and develop a solid Redesign Plan! By breaking your project down into manageable steps, you can indeed do this!

Your plan should include the following:

The room's purpose - who does what in that room, when do they do it and why?
The key design elements you want to keep in the room - perhaps a favorite piece of art, a comfortable club chair, a colorful rug, your bowling trophy, whatever has the most meaning to you.
A definition of your style - not sure? Peruse home magazines and just clip out what you like. You'll see a trend over time.
A basic color palate - look for inspiration from a piece of art or a piece of fabric that you love.
Furniture arrangement options - make sure there is a logical conversational grouping as well as efficient traffic flow. Resist the urge to line furniture up against a wall, and don't be afraid to try angles.
Realistic budget if shopping is required - but first shop the other rooms of your home for hidden treasures.

Developing your redesign plan can be tricky to do yourself, however, because you are so close to your belongings. In fact, problem areas may be invisible to you. Sometimes you need a fresh perspective to think of new ideas.

You could ask a trusted friend or family to give you honest advice. Another option is to hire a professional Interior Redesigner to give you an objective viewpoint and help you put together your redesign plan. Need help implementing the plan? Redesigners are famous for their enthusiasm to roll up their sleeves and work side-by-side with you. Afterall, they love a good before and after photo opportunity!

Interior Redesigners are not expensive. Their expertise typically costs anywhere from $75 - $125 per hour, and most offer half or full-day packages and shopping services.

You can't finish what you don't start. So make a new years resolution for 2008 to tackle that problem room - you'll be glad you did!

Susan Smith is owner of Rooms That Work, and helps home dwellers redesign their living spaces in the Farmington Valley area of Connecticut. Visit www.roomsthatwork.com for more information. It's your home, only better.