home stager: Five easy steps sellers need to prep their homes for sale! - 04/16/13 03:08 AM
Spring is just around the corner. Are you looking to sell your home? Then these 5 easy step will help you get started.
 
 
1. Clean it. Make sure your home is clean. Not just the surfaces but all the hidden places. Buyers do check out all
    the areas in your home so don't assume they won't see it.
 
  
Ace Cash express
 
 2. Deodorize it. Now that your home is clean, does it smell clean? Pets and cooking odor can linger, so make sure it 
     can passes the "sniff test".
 
 
Clean my space
 
 3. Fix it. Do you … (4 comments)

home stager: N-Hance, Revolutionary Wood Renewal. You decide!! - 06/11/12 01:31 AM
N-Hance is a revolutionary wood renewall product that is relatively new to the industry. What is it exactly? Well according to their advertising "it renews your wood cabinets and floor without dust, inconvenience and noxious fumes associated with traditional refinishing methods. In many cases, the process can be completed in just one day!"
As a home stager and redesigner, I am always looking for options to pass along to my clients that are cost effective and not time consuming. This could very well be it. Although I have not personally seen it, one of my current client is in the process … (3 comments)

home stager: Creating Outdoor Decks! - 05/07/12 03:28 AM
 Creating outdoor decks can be as simple as introducing color, furnishings, planting and different materials. An outdoor deck can be ab extension of you living space. As a home stager and redesiger, I am always preaching the benfits of improving your outdoor space. Whether you're looking to sell or just update the look of your deck, these simple step will bring you lots of joy. Here are some great ways to spruce up your deck.
 
Create a cozy feeling.
Instead of rails, use bench borders. This will create plenty of seating space. Match you you house color. Using stain that … (6 comments)

home stager: Designers Secrets!! Everything you ever wanted to now about rules of placement! - 04/30/12 03:51 AM
 Have you ever wanted to know designer secrets about rules of placements? There have been many times when I've wondered "What is the correct placement of this ______?" You can fill in the blank with any scenario!! It helps to know the guidelines!! As a redesigner and home stager, there have been many times when I've walked into clients homes and have notice that the placement is wrong. Giving them guidelines and rules help. Here are some guidelines to help you figure out the placements.
 
The perfect viewing height for art is 63" above the floor.   Abell Home Staging & … (22 comments)

home stager: New Year's Resolution: Organization made simply!! - 01/16/12 07:47 AM
Organization made simply. Many people are overwhelmed when it comes to organizing their homes or office. In fact as a home stager & redesigner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign, that is the number one problem I often encounter. But it shouldn't be the case. My goal is to show you that it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, it can be easy and fun.
 
There are four basic steps to organizing:
 
1. Plan & empty. Organizing takes time, so set some time. It doesn't have to an all day affair. Whatever time you can devote. If it's … (4 comments)

home stager: Tangerine Tango, Pantone color of the year!! - 12/14/11 03:51 AM
Tangerine Tango, Pantone color of the year for 2012. Love it!! "Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with lot of depth to it". That's what Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute is saying and I couldn't agree more. A warm earthy color that will go well with just about every color, especially brown which is so prevalent these days.
 

Pantone
As a homestager and owner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign, nothing will update a home more by using touches of color. Especially if it's popular color. You can … (15 comments)

home stager: When selling your Home, don't forget about the Garage!! - 12/05/11 05:31 AM
When selling your home, don’t forget about the garage. Most seller are concerned with the interior of their homes, as they should be. But don’t forget to stage your garage as well. As a home stager and redesigner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign, I will always make sure the garage is well staged!! Although women may make the major decision when it comes to buying a home, don't forget about the men!! Garages can be a huge selling factor. Men like a place where they can work. And most people want a garage they can park their cars in, especially if  you live … (10 comments)

home stager: How to increase the perceived value of you home! - 11/16/11 08:47 AM
How to increase the perceived value of you home is easier then you think!! Perceived value is very subjective. Three agents here on Long Island New York, can come up with three different listing price. Choosing comparable home is a somewhat subjective process. The value of ones home will increase if the potential buyer feels that this is “the one”. They’re afraid if they don’t act fast someone else will snatch it up. The amount of money they are prepare to pay for the home goes up because of this perception.
As home stagers we are trying to increase the value of the home, by increasing … (4 comments)

home stager: Painted Fireplace; Good idea or bad idea? - 10/17/11 05:20 AM
Painted fireplace, is it a good idea or bad idea? Tough decision!! As a home stager and redesigner of Abella home staging & Redesign, I often see fireplaces in my clients home. Some are in great shape, some not so much. When I recommend painting I often get a reaction. "Really you think I should paint it?" is usually the response I get. But if your fireplace looks like this:
 

Ugly House Photo
Then it's worth painting and giving a whole new look! Here is a great before and after picture! What a difference!!

Before

After 
Design … (19 comments)

home stager: Gutters, Not glamorous but a necessity just the same! - 08/15/11 09:30 AM
Gutters, although not glamorous, are a necessity for every home needs! We often don't even think of them until they are clogged or ripped from their moorings. But when you're selling your home, you can bet that a home inspection will definitely pick up any any problems. So now that the weather is warm, it's the time to check out the gutters and see if any maintenance is required. Perhaps a simple cleaning is all your gutters need or do they need to be replaced? If they need to be replaced,there are many choices to chose from. Here are a list of … (15 comments)

home stager: Can butcher block be an inexpensive alternative to granite? - 07/25/11 05:55 AM
Can butcher block be an inexpensive alternative to granite? To tell you the truth, I hadn't though about it until now! But after doing some research into the matter, I've come to the conclusion that it can definitely work. As a home stager and redesigner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign, I often come across problems in the kitchen!! Usually if i recommend replacing countertop, I will recommend replacing it with a laminated countertop, due to the fact that most homeowners are not willing to incur the expense. But if the home is in an upscale neighborhood laminated countertops may not … (14 comments)

home stager: Did you know you can paint a Jute rug? - 07/19/11 04:17 AM
Did you know that you can paint a jute area rug? I didn't know until recently. I painted mine and it came out beautiful! The reason I painted it was because i spilled my sunny-side eggs on it!! And as you know jute (which I didn't know at the time) can't be cleaning by wetting it down, it needs to be cleaned using a dry rub. Who knew? So here I was with a stained jute area rug. I didn't want to throw it away, so I though I would use it as an outdoor rug. I mean what the heck … (14 comments)

home stager: White Kitchens: Are they trendy or timeless? - 07/19/11 04:16 AM
White Kitchen, are they trendy or timeless? Lately I've been noticing a lot of white kitchens. And in general white everywhere. White has become such a popular color. But is it trendy or timeless when it comes to kitchen? I think it's a bit of both. White is so clean and crisp. It makes any space look larger and gives it an elegant look. It works whether your kitchen is transitional, tradition, modern or even shabby chic country. As a home stager and redesigner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign, I often recommend painting kitchens cabinets white, especially if it's outdated. I've … (30 comments)

home stager: When Selling your home De-Cluttering ranks number One!!! - 05/16/11 06:37 AM
When selling your home, de-cluterring ranks #1, so why is it such a major problem? As a home stager and redesigner in Long Island New York, I've come across this problem all too often. When I strongly suggest they de-clutter a panic look comes across their face. Most of the time, my clients feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Since one of the services I offer is De-Cluttering & Space Planning, I give them suggestions as to where to start.
Paper clutter is usually the biggest culprit. This is my solution:
Make time to de-cluter. Often clients don't set … (8 comments)

home stager: A twist to stainless steel appliances!! - 05/02/11 06:02 AM
Here is a twist to stainless steel appliances!! Peel & stick Metal films. It comes in a roll and you simply peel and stick it to just about any surface. As a home stager in New York, stainless steel appliances are all the rage. That's what buyers want and if you have outdated appliances it can turn buyers off. That's whats so great about this product you can turn an outdated appliance into the desirable stainless steel appliance that buyers are looking for without spending a fortune.
 
Softmetalfilm.com
As you can see from this picture you simply peel & stick … (19 comments)

home stager: What do you do with a glass door? - 04/18/11 06:47 AM
What do you do with a glass door? As a home stager and redesigner on Long Island New York, I've come across glass doors. Often the homeowners use either curtains or shades. But there are other alternatives that work just as well and look much better.You can apply window film. It is sold at Home Depot and on the internet. Here are just some of the examples:

Window film world

Home Depot

Decorative films
  
Decorative films
 
The other option that I would like to share with you is etching. Etching is a great way to transform … (14 comments)

home stager: When staging a home, it's the small changes that have the greatest impact. - 04/11/11 06:29 AM
When staging a home, it's the small changes that have the greatest impact. And it doesn't have to cost a lot. I recently help a couple stage their home. They opted to do all the changes themselves. I guided them through the process but they do all the work. This saved them quite a bit of money. As a home stager it's sometimes difficult to let go of the control and let the home owners do the staging. You have a certain vision in your mind, and it may not be the same vision the homeowner has. The outcome may not … (22 comments)

home stager: Spring is here, is your house ready? - 03/28/11 05:55 AM
Spring is here, is your house ready? As we all know, spring is the busiest time in real estate market. This is the time where buyers are out searching for the perfect home. Is your house ready? It better be, or you will lose the best opportunity to sell your home. So what can a homeowner do to get their home ready?
Does you home have curb appeal? This is the time to make sure you house has great curb appeal. Buyers will do a drive by and if they don't like what they see, they won't even schedule an appointment … (8 comments)

home stager: Rust-oleum Countertop Transformation; Is it worth the cost? - 03/21/11 03:42 AM
Rust-oleum countertop transformation, is it worth the cost and time? Not too long ago I wrote a blog about Rust-oleum cabinet transformation. Now they have a countertop transformation. As a home stager and redesigner, there are many homeowners out there that have outdated countertop but can't afford to replace them. This may be the solution they're looking for. And it's relatively easy to use.
 
First you prep the countertops by sanding them down. Apply the adhesive base coat. Spread decorative color chips Sand & smooth decorative chip. Apply protective top coat.  
 

 
 
It come in five … (22 comments)

home stager: Remodeling the Kitchen. What's out there? - 03/14/11 09:18 AM
Remodeling the kitchen, what's out there? Plenty!! I'm in the middle of remodeling the kitchen and I have to say there are many new items that have gotten my attention. Now, I'm not gutting out my kitchen, too expensive, but I have knock down a bearing wall to add an Island. My goal was to add a wine cooler and a microwave drawer. Right now my microwave sits on the counter and it takes up so much room. I don't like the microwave/fan combination. So when I saw the microwave draw on HGTV, I thought that's it!! But boy is it … (15 comments)