Hi My Friend!

Do you have a problem area in your home that maybe you just don't have a great feeling about? Does it make you a little crazy?  So many folks I talk with are just stumped as to those problem areas in their home.   Does this happen to you?  Trust me, it even happens to me occasionally, and I have to keep it under control in my own home, as well! After all, I live in the real world, too!

I have even gotten clients who have lived in their home awhile, or just moved in, and their homes are just lovely, but once they get the furniture in the space, they just don't know how to "finish" it.  This is why I love what I do!

Well, today I'm going to give a quick 5 Easy Room Styling Tips that can be helpful for you to move forward.  It's up to you to use this advice (or not), but these are just some basic stepping stones to improve a space.
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1.  If you have too much stuff, it can overwhelm both you - and folks coming into the room.  If you have "collections" of things, pare them down, store some.  What happens is, when a person has so much, whether it's on the kitchen island, or on shelves, it can overwhelm the mind, plus, your eye does not have ​a place to rest.  You can always rotate your pretties in and out :) 

2.  Size (and placement) matters.  SO often I see artwork that is too small, hung too high, or the frame doesn't work well with the art.  "The Spruce" has a littl information that can be helpful for you for pointers on this matter.  Be sure to check out their site!  Also, eye level is best for art (the center of art should be at eye level unless you have a gallery wall). 

3.  Symmetry Matters.  Often, there may be a space that isn't symmetrical anyway, because a room layout may be a little odd.   Creating that balance for the eye can make even one awkward area seem SO much more cohesive and warm.  Sometimes, it's like a void that needs filling if there is no balance or symmetry in a room.  

4.  Stacking Heights and groupings.  If you are putting your "pretties" on places such as the top of your bookshelf or your mantle, for example, have something taller on one side, with some other things with varying heights grouped around.  Often, groups of threes work really well.  

 5.  Good Flow.  If a room does not have good flow, it can feel cold and uninviting.  Having a good floor plan and layout can increase the value of your room, psychologically, because, of course, you will want to spend more time in there!
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​I offer services where I come in and assess what you have, see things with "fresh eyes," help you properly place certain items, advise on clutter areas, pull from art and accessories you already have, and give you a customized list of things to shop for.   Sometimes, we can even accomplish certain actual tasks during the initial consult.

I hope you are doing well,  shoot me an email with YOUR problem area.  I love to hear from you, who knows...maybe YOUR dilemma may end up on my blog with some helpful pointers that everyone can learn from (only with your permission :).  

ALSO, this month, I'm collecting birthdays (NOT YEARS) from my subscribers.  I like to celebrate with ya'll by sending you birthday greetings!

Send me your birthdate via email, and I will enter you into a drawing for a $10 Starbucks Gift Card!  Drawing will take place on August 31.   If you are not on my email list, please let me know and I will add you!  My clients love receiving FREE home decor and staging tips!

Have a great rest of your summer, and be blessed, not stressed, my friend!

Well, as we know, the weather has been a little bit all over the place, but many of us are getting some of  those outdoor projects done before the more permanent summer heat bears down on us.

​And we wonder: What are the most important things that can boost curb appeal and higher perceived home value?  Well, I’m going to give you some simple pointers that won’t break the bank.

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​1. Your Mailbox.  Yup.  If your mailbox looks old and icky, that’s one of the first things that makes an impression.     Solution:  A can of Rustoleum Spray Paint for around 5 bucks can give that sucker an instant face lift.  I picked Rustoleum in Red for mine because it is easy for my visitors and clients to find me when they are looking to where to turn into my driveway (I'm on a busy road!)  And, while you are at it, you can easily paint the post white and put some simple day lilies that can hold up to the heat right there around the mail box.

2.  Freshen up your mulch.  Old mulch can look sparse and tired.  Somthing else - Some of the trends are even going to more rocks instead of mulch with lovely plants in the midst of them, and I’m okay with that.  Either way, be sure to weed.  Best time to weed?  After a good rain.  Something  called Weed and Feed can help grow what you want, and eliminate what you don’t want.  Simple, right?

​3. Fresh Paint on your front door.  Gloss black (SW Tricorn Black), a classic blue, or a great red can add higher perceived value to your home.   Freshly painted shutters can add value, also.

4. Simple plants and flowers to freshen up.  Add a happy garden flag, and a potted bright,cheery plant on your front steps, and it just screams “WELCOME!”  I just bought these begonias (below) from Home Depot and it makes me happy :)

5.   Trim Your Bushes.  I walk my neighborhood a lot - and often, I see homes where it looks like either a security issue where you can't even see out the windows as to who is coming to your door, or it just plain looks uncared for.  Trimming bushes back can really give your home a face lift.  

Well, that's about it.  Keeping it short and simple, because I'm off to another project!   By the way, let me know if you need help with a summer refresh in your home!  I even do working consultations where we can come up with a simple plan on the spot to get your home freshened up!
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Happy Summer!

Easter is just around the corner. With that in mind, I wanted to send you 6 ways that you can spruce up your home for spring!   Enjoy!

​​Choosing paint colors can be overwhelming, right?  Standing at the paint store and looking at paint in their light, and then bringing home the paint chips that then, somehow, seem to change once you get them home.  How does one choose?

Well, believe it or not, even neutrals have undertones.  Yep, that's right.  So, when you are choosing, you have to consider this.  You also may want to consider lighting, whats already in that space, what you are keeping, and what is going.  But to make it a little easier, I'm going to give you 5 top paint colors that are top pics for neutrals and they work well in the right space.

Hi my lovely Friends!
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"Out with the Old, In with the New," right?

Most of us are finishing putting away our Christmas and Holiday Decorations, but as we walk down that path,, we realize that we really....need...to...purge. Right?

Sometimes it's easier said than done!

To be honest, we've been looking at the same old pile, or bookshelves, or cluttered area for so long, it's like wasting existing real estate we really don't know what to do with. Right?

So, as you are putting away your new clothes you got for Christmas, or putting away your decor and "stuff," here are 5 easy steps for you to "unfreeze" your brain as to how and where to get 'er done!

Happy Thanks-Living!

Did you suddenly wake up this week and realize that, “Wow! Thanksgiving’s next week!” I kind of did.

Are you ready? I’m ready because….well,, for a nice change, I’m not hosting it! And I only have to bring a few side dishes! Yaaay! How about you?
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Anyway, with the busyness of life and sometimes wondering how to keep it all “under control,” I know I really have to make sure to think more about intentional living. And contentment. And, of course, being thankful.

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Today, as we all think of chocolate, candy, and flowers…well, really, for me, mostly, I think of chocolate, there are also some great loves we can have in our own homes.

Although most of us drool over the homes we see on HGTV and in magazines, there are some things we need to remember in our own homes that are critical to make them uniquely our own. 

As we are all incredibly different, there are places in our own homes that our areas of “love” can show -- whether it is a love of art by local artists, your love for cooking, or a love of music, let it show in your home. When we put things in our homes that appeal to our senses, we have a smile on our face when we come home to them.