Barbara Heil-Sonneck - Home Staging Atlanta

In the early 50's most bathrooms were considered a utility room and just big enough to hold the tub, toilet, and sink.

As the decade advanced, the economy and average family size grew. Bathrooms became larger and more luxurious.

Counter space was often scarce. Lots of pedestal sinks and mounted sinks with thin chrome legs.

Pastel colors were fashionable. Bath tubs, sinks, and toilets had matching hues.

4" ceramic tile dressed floors and walls.

Wow! Bathrooms have come a long way!

Summer is coming and you might would like to bring some nice colors in your home.

According to the color experts at Pantone, the color of the year is honeysuckle, a dynamic reddish pink. Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting.

"Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year."

If you like the color but can't commit to pink walls, try a more subtle approach in your space: add pink pillows, a lamp, a small table or a patterned area rug.

From a staging point of view, we wouldn't recommand to paint an entire room Honeysuckle, but it would be nice to accessorize with pink items. Pantone has chosen 'honeysuckle', a dynamic reddish-pink as the colour of the year for 2011 so we set out to find ways you can use this feminine yet eye-catching colour in your home. We admit, it's not for everyone. For those who are colour-shy, we've found some daring ways to accessorize with this year's colour.

Brighten up your home with honeysuckle, Pantone's colour of the year for 2011 :

1. Candleholder
This bold candleholder is the perfect way to include a shade of honeysuckle into your home decor. Pantone's colour of the year may not be for everyone so try it out with small accessories like this one. At this price, you can arrange them in a group to maximize impact.

2. Faux leather frame
Keep your treasured moments in this pretty pink frame. Ideal for a teenager's room or for a punch of colour in any room.

3. Jewellery box
This lovely little pink box will keep your necklaces, earrings and other beautiful baubles organized and dust-free. Inside you'll find a sweet, cream-coloured lining with a removable tray.

4. Wallpaper
Feminine blooms on this wallpaper are modern and eye-catching. This one's for the more daring decor diva. Try it as an accent wall for starters.

5. Palm Springs pillows
These stunning pink and green pillows, inspired by Palm Springs, will brighten up any room with a vibrant shade of pink. Who wouldn't want a sunny reminder of Palm Springs in their home?

Honeysuckle is a very warm and powerful color, so you can be shy about using it in you interiors. Learn how to incorporate this playful shade of pink into your decorating scheme through subtle accents and bold wall colors. Don't forget : get creative, don't forget the walls, and play with color.

And if you like pink, use it and don't worry about anything else!

If you are like most people, your garage is the place where things are often tucked away and never seen again. When selling your home it is a good idea to consider the garage lover! These buyers consider a spacious garage an added value. Your garage needs to feel inviting to their tools, cars, and sporting equipment. Having a neat and clean garage also shows that you care about your home. Follow these 5 tips to staging your garage and get noticed.

1. Make it spacious. Make plenty of space for maximum vehicle capacity. This may require relocating your personal items in of site storage.

2. Get organized. Use hooks to store things that would normally lie around in corners.

3. Give it a homey touch. Be sure to make your garage look lived in, not just like a storage area. Rugs or well placed pictures can add texture and color to the space.

4. Freshen it up! Select a neutral color and appropriate paint for the walls and the floor.

5. Go the extra mile. Make sure garage door opener and sensors work properly. Adding a garage heater or television can help set your home apart from the competition.

As the days begin to get hotter, the idea of working outdoors may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you are selling your home, landscaping should be at the top of your list. The look of the outside of your home is very important. Arouse the buyer’s interests and entice them into your home with beautiful landscaping. Keep reading to find out how.

Colors

• Plant bright colors like red and yellow to draw attention to your home.

• If your home receives direct sunlight, plant many white flowers to make the area feel cooler.

• Be sure to use the type of flowers that thrive in the environmental conditions around your home.

• Green foliage also helps to cool off your landscaping.

• Healthy ferns can add a tropical flair to your landscape.

Outdoor Space Staging Tips

• Add umbrellas to create shaded areas. Make sure that the umbrellas that you select are in cool colors. A good place for an umbrella would be your garden and your table and chairs.

• Place table and chairs in the far corner of your yard to create an open feeling. Buyers want to know that there is space for entertaining. Select a white or green table cloth and a vase of white flowers.

• Water your landscaping before a showing.

• Stage a bowl of green apples.

• Set out a cool beverage such as iced tea, lemonade, or water. This makes a buyer feel connected and at home.

Headboards are a functional and beautiful addition to any bedroom. They ground the space and make the bed the focal point of the room. This attention grabbing piece is often pricey, but you don't have to spend a bundle to achieve the look you want. Whether you desire a luxurious upholstered headboard or a modern low profile one, you can create any look you desire on the cheap if you are willing to DIY.

Budget savvy design divas have tons of options when making a do-it-yourself head of the bed.

-The least expensive option that creates the biggest impact is always paint. By painting the shape of a headboard behind the bed you are able to achieve the "look" for very little money. The style, shape, and color is only limited by your imagination and you can replace it as frequently as your mood changes.

-Folding screens or decorative room dividers are another wallet friendly option. A wall screen mounted on the wall or folded accordion style behind the bed creates a unique headboard that will enhance any bedroom's decor.

-Finally, don't forget upholstered headboards. It may be a little intimidating to tackle making one of these yourself, but it is actually an easy project. Plywood cut to the desired size, batting, foam, fabric, and a staple gun is all you need for a very basic version of this project. Nail-head trim or covered upholstery buttons (for tufting) can be added for the more adventurous and advanced DIYer.

These projects are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to DIY headboards and we want to hear from YOU. Post your ideas, projects and comments. We look forward to hearing your suggestions!

To learn more about Design2Sell visit www.homedesign2sell.com