Nicole Hurst (Your Halton & Peel Home Staging Expert)

Cole House Design is now offering home staging services in the Muskoka region of Ontario. We will serve the communities of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Bala, Port Carling, and surrounding areas.

After providing staging recommendations on two cottages last year, and redesigning a waterfront rental property, Cole House Design saw an opportunity to expand its business. Since word of mouth advertising and the logo on the company vehicle had been the only things to attract clients last summer, there are high hopes that we will be busier this year through stronger marketing efforts.

With the real estate market in the Halton and Peel Regions of the western GTA cooling off during the summer months, Cole House Design has found that staging in Muskoka keeps us busier year-round.

The only downfall...less time relaxing on the dock (LOL)!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Nicole Hurst - (President)

Phone 416-878-0338

www.colehousedesign.com

(Cole House Design is a professional and fully insured home staging and interior decorating firm serving the Halton and Peel Regions of Ontario including Georgetown, Acton, Erin, Rockwood, Terra Cotta, Milton, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville and surrounding areas.)

Cole House Design, a home staging and interior redesign firm serving the Halton and Peel Regions of Ontario, was called last month by a Milton homeowner who needed some redesign help on the main floor of her home. However, the job quickly turned to other parts of the house, as the homeowner realized how much nicer the rooms were beginning to look, with our quick and simple transformations.

Below, is the before photo of a loft style computer nook that the homeowner had at the top of her stairs on the second floor. I'm sure many of you have seen these...completely open concept and a convenient location to drop things as one treks up and down the stairs. That's unfortunately what this had become for my client (a stay-at-home mom)...this was her drop zone.

Cole House Design cleared the clutter, most of which was kids' outgrown clothing and miscellaneous office supplies. We kept the birch desk as it was fairly new, and it fit the space well. We purchased a new black leather office chair for optimal comfort. Instead of placing the desk up against the window...we moved it out from the wall so that when you came upon it via the staircase, you did not have to see the back of the chair first. We also opted for a large free standing multi-functional floor lamp that is plugged into the wall behind the chair, versus a desk lamp where the cord could be tripped on by my client's children as they accessed the desk.

With just a few simple fixes, we were able to tranform this small computer nook into something that was easily accessible for the entire family, and where Mom can sit down and answer emails, pay bills, etc. In the future when my client goes back to work, this will also make an ideal home office space.

If you would like help transforming your home, and you live in the Halton or Peel Regions of Ontario...call Cole House Design at 416-878-0338.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Nicole Hurst - (President)

www.colehousedesign.com

Phone 416-878-0338

(Cole House Design is a professional home staging and interior redesign firm serving Georgetown, Acton, Milton, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Rockwood, Erin, and surrounding areas.)

Cole House Design recently came across an article in a kitchen and bath magazine that listed the current design and decor products that clients are asking for THE MOST, in both the kitchen and bathroom. I found it rather interesting, and I know that I have used many of these items (or a variation of) in my own home renovations, and the homes of my clients.

Has anyone else used any of the products mentioned below?

Top 10 Most Asked About Design Products for Kitchens & Baths:

1. Slide Out Organizational/Storage Units - perfect for those extra-deep kitchen corner cabinets or for areas that require more storage
2. Curbless Shower Pans - so you don't have to step over and out (terrific for seniors, or those with limited mobility, etc.)
3. Bathroom Sinks made of New Materials including Glass, Concrete, Stainless, Copper, Brass, etc.
4. Adjustable Organizer Components for Drawers - including knife blocks, saran wrap dispensers, etc.
5. Solid Glass Countertops in a Variety of Colours & Shapes - great for bathroom vanities
6. Custom Mirror Frames - like those from Mirrormate
7. Electrical Outlet Systems - these come in a long strip and sit flush where your kitchen contertop and backsplash meet, thus eliminating having an outlet right in the middle of your backsplash
8. Storage Lift System - also known as an appliance garage - great place to store those pesky small appliances so they don't clutter your contertops
9. Bronze Hardware - especially those in organic shapes like bamboo, leaves, etc.
10. Glass Solid Surface Countertops - with a similar look as quartz but made from 100% recycled glass

(All photos courtesy of Richelieu Hardware.)

As you can see from the list, there is a definite trend towards storage and organization, anything that is made from recycled materials, and products that help answer those everyday design dilemnas.

If you require kitchen and bathroom decorating assistance, Cole House Design would be happy to serve you!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Nicole Hurst - (President)

Phone 416-878-0338

www.colehousedesign.com

(Cole House Design is a professional and fully insured interior decorating and home staging firm serving the Halton and Peel Regions of Ontario including Georgetown, Acton, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Erin, Rockwood, and surrounding areas.)

Most people don't know this, but I grew up in a car builder household. Heck, my first car was a black 1968 Camaro with a chrome undercarriage and a wheelie bar in the back (just in case you wanted it to stand on end - LOL). My weekends were spent helping my father build cars (I was the girl passing the wrench, screwdriver, etc.), hanging out at junk yards looking for parts, doing a lot of washing and waxing, listening to 50's music, and going to car shows.

My father has owned and built so many legendary vehicles over the years, I have honestly lost count. I have had my favourites, and I was always sad when they were sold. However, my father is always keen to start a new project. I swear he has design ideas for the next vehicle before he even buys it, thus he doesn't keep vehicles long. Mind you I have to say I'm the same with buying and selling houses!

Over the years many people have asked where I get the "design gene" from, and what prompted Cole House Design. I come from a long line of hard working individuals, but they were all teachers, farmers, coal miners, etc. So from what my father refers to as "just a hobby"...came my design sense, my creativity, and my drive to turn something that was once plain and boring into something beautiful and inspiring.

So, congratulations to my father, Mr. Ed McLean on his wins at the 2009 Performance World car show held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on March 13th through 15th. With his 1951 Nash wagon displayed just inside the front doors...he was awarded "Best Custom", "Best Engineered Vehicle", and the prestigious "Bruce Award" in honour of legendary car enthusiast Mr. Bruce Robertson. Way to go Dad!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Nicole Hurst - (President)

Phone 416-878-0338

(Cole House Design is a home staging and interior decorating firm serving the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario including Georgetown, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Acton, Erin, Rockwood, and surrounding areas.)

Is your home located in Georgetown, Acton or the Halton Hills area of Ontario?

Is your home currently up for sale?

Would you like it to sell faster and for potentially more money?

Do you think it could benefit from home staging?

Then this contest from Cole House Design is for you!

Homeowners who currently have their properties listed on the real estate market, can submit a photo of a room in their home that they feel would benefit the most from home staging. The room that we feel requires the most help, will be the lucky winner of a FREE initial home staging consultation, compliments of Cole House Design (value of $175 for up to 2 hours).

Homeowners, please email your name, address, and one photo of the room in your home that needs the most staging help, to info@colehousedesign.com. Contest open to residents of Georgetown, Acton, and the Halton Hills area. One entry per household. Winner will be notified via email.

Contest closes Friday, April 17, 2009, so submit your photos now!

info@colehousedesign.com

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Nicole Hurst - (President)

Phone 416-878-0338

(Cole House Design is a professional home staging and interior redesign firm serving the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario, including Georgetown, Acton, Halton, Mississauga, Milton, Brampton, Rockwood, Erin, and surrounding areas.)