Squeaks and Creaks - 10/25/11 07:00 AM
While squeaky doors and creaky floors are just the right touch for a haunted evening of fun, they are annonying any other time.  Found this quick fix on my favorite HOUZZ website ... they really are an endless source of fabulous information.
Creaking floorboards and stair treads are another major source of irritation.  I'll see what I can find about that.  Unless the level below is unfinished, it can be tricky.
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Should You Set Your Table When Selling Your Home? - 10/18/11 07:31 AM
Quite often clients will ask me if they should set their table for open house and showings.  I try to explain that it should be done in a simple understated way so as not to detract from the room.  Here's an excellent example from one of my fellow AR stagers.  Very nicely done !
Via Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager (Georgia Interior Solutions, LLC):
Should You Set Your Table When Selling Your Home?
Here are my recommendations:
Set one table but not both - In other words, if there's a dining room table AND a kitchen table, set only one of them. … (6 comments)

fun stuff for Halloween - 10/14/11 09:03 AM
Sometimes it's just fun to play up the season, whether you have little kids or are a big kid yourself.  These ideas from the great HOUZZ website should inspire you to go all out crazy ...
Generally I'm not a huge fan of seasonal wreaths but the orange fabric one is so adorable !
And if you just want to throw a more subdued adult dinner party, these IDEAS for your kitchen are great ...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN ... the countdown is on.
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FREE Mini Colour Consultation in Pickering ON ! - 10/11/11 09:33 AM
Drop in to see my friend and colleague Sherry Gostlin on Saturday October 15.  Bring your fabric swatch and room photo to the General Paint store at 670 Kingston Road in Pickering, Ontario.  You'll be so pleased with her helpful advice and great sense of style.
 
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New Neutrals - 10/11/11 08:56 AM
It's hard to think of neutrals when there are so many colourful leaves around us at this time of year.  But our walls should be calm and comfortable to allow those occasional pops of colour in art and decor to really stand out.  Just remember - neutral does NOT mean boring beige !
 
~ from Style at Home online - the NEW NEUTRALS          
 
We'll be talking about GRAY in my November newsletter - be sure to subscribe if you are not yet receiving it (just send me a message and I'll add your name to the list).
 
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Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with humidity and a pile of leaves ! - 10/09/11 09:46 AM
No no no, my American friends ... I haven't lost my mind or flipped my calendar forward.  We celebrate Thanksgiving in October north of the border, and what a glorious fall weekend we have.  Temperatures are expected to be about 25 C (77 F) with HUMIDITY today !
But nevertheless, the leaves are still falling and here are some fun last minute IDEAS to decorate your table or mantel for the season ...  
Once again showing my love of the HOUZZ website.  Anyone who loves home decor and design absolutely must sign up for the HOUZZ newsletter !
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STAGING SMALL SPACES. PART 3--FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT - 10/07/11 08:26 AM
Via Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC):
STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 3--FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
I think the operative sentence for decorating small spaces would be "less is more".  The second bedroom of this 950 square foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo that I have been blogging about definitely did not follow this rule.  This post is not about how to arrange furniture.  It is simply a look at how the present furniture arrangement works against this small space.  Consider these when your home is up for sale.  

Allow Adequate Space Between Furniture.  If all the furniture … (0 comments)

STAGING SMALL SPACES. PART 2--INVISIBLE BARRIERS (OR WHY DOES THE SPACE FEEL SO SMALL?) - 10/07/11 08:12 AM
Part 2 of Janet Jones' blog on "Staging Small Spaces".  Furniture choices and placement can often chop up a space and create obstacles to what we call "flow".  The more floor space we can view the better, and uncluttered corners of the room make it feel much larger.  Being able to walk up to a window is key !
Via Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC):
STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 2--INVISIBLE BARRIERS (OR WHY DOES THE SPACE FEEL SO SMALL?)
My previous post, STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 1--FOCAL POINT, was an initial look at why … (1 comments)

STAGING SMALL SPACES. PART 1--FOCAL POINT - 10/07/11 08:08 AM
Another great blog post - this one from Janet Jones of Hawaii - on staging small spaces.  Notice how distracting the bookcase and mirrored cabinet are in the first image?  And how the furniture placement blocks the window? 
Via Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC):
STAGING SMALL SPACES.  PART 1--FOCAL POINT
A few months back I stopped into an open house for a condo that had just come onto the market.  I was really struck by my response to the room in the photo to the left.  This is the second bedroom of this 950 … (1 comments)

Twelve Expert Tips to Make A Small Home Appear Larger - 10/07/11 08:01 AM
Thank you to Michelle Minch of California for this blog post and her excellent tips on making a small space feel bigger.  Number 5 is something that many home owners are afraid to try, but pulling the furniture away from the walls (even if only a few inches) can make a huge difference.  Suddently, everything has "breathing space" !
Via Michelle Minch Home Staging Los Angeles & Pasadena, CA (Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA):
I am frequently asked, by the real estate agents I work with, how to make their listing, which is on the small size, look larger to appeal … (4 comments)

Speaking of Jane Lockhart ... - 10/04/11 08:22 AM
Yesterday I re-blogged a post about Jane Lockhart's show "Colour Confidential" and how much we enjoy her presentation style with the colour wheel.
Well if you'd like a chance to meet her in person and hear her speak, she'll be in town on October 19 at the Erin Mills Paint & Decor Store in Mississauga, ON.  I've included a link here to their website where you can see all of the details on how to reserve your seat and get tickets.  It will be a fun and affordable night out.  She's a delightful lady and an engaging speaker.
TICKET INFO
 
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Colour Consulting: Choose Your Room Colours with a 3D Colour Wheel - 10/03/11 11:37 AM
One of my favorite "design" shows on TV.  Jane Lockhart makes the colour selection process fun and foolproof.  If you can relate to the objects in the colour wheel you will definitely love the outcome.  It's like having a room makeover - if you love your stuff you can't go wrong.
Via Donna Ross Home Decorating, House Staging, Sydney (Room Remedy Interiors, Sydney, Australia):
One of my all time favourite television shows here in Australia is ‘Colour Confidential’ hosted by interior designer Jane Lockhart (pictured below).

The show is somewhat unique in that the star of the show is not so much … (0 comments)