Kathy Passarette, L.I. Staging/Decorating

This weekend I saw a commercial on television for Donors Choose, a charitable organization founded by a Social Studies teacher from the Bronx. I was intrigued that he was able to put this together to help teachers and students get the supplies that they need, not only for projects, but books and learning materials.

I have been looking to donate to a charity that means something to me and have been inspired by Charlene Storozuk's post here, to search for one that I make a connection with. I am most interested in donating to charities that deal with children. I believe I have found it with Donors Choose http://www.donorschoose.org.

Teachers will post what materials they need and the amount. I have found that many of these amounts range from $200.00 and up, with the odd $80.00 donation coming up. Sometimes they have a picture of the kids or classroom. You choose which project you want to donate to and in which state. I like this because I can donate to schools close to home. Your donation is tax deductible.

Please visit the website http://www.donorschoose.org to learn more about donating, look over the donation requests and read more about this organization.

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are based on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and much more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.

Photo courtesy Smith & Noble

Custom window treatments not only help keep out the drafts in the winter but can help block the hot rays of the sun in summer. With custom window treatments you can get the fabric and design of your choice. An added benefit is that you can get a black-out lining on custom window treatments. This works well for those that work the night shift or for your home theatre experience.

Custom window treatments afford you the opportunity to choose a fabric that will work in your home, whether solid or patterned, as well as various trims that can be added, giving them a unique and personal touch.

With custom window treatments your possibilities are endless!

*SPECIAL* - for the month of February, we are offering $25.00 off each window done with custom window treatments. * For multiple treatments on one window - $50.00 off. Contact us for details or an appointment today!

Photo courtesy Calico Corners

*Does not include fabric. Custom window treatments can take up to 4-6 weeks. Contract must be signed by February 28, 2009.

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and much more. For more information on our services and fees please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com.

One of the largest single surfaces in your home is the floor. This article will take a look at the many options available in flooring and which one, or combination of choices, will work best in your home.

Wood ~ There is nothing that evokes warmth and timeless appeal more than wood floors. Wood does not harbor allergens, is renewable and easily recyclable. Many decorating magazines show homes that utilize reclaimed or salvaged wood. You can add stencils, borders or medallions (or a combination of the three). Wood floors are favored in living rooms, dining rooms, and family rooms. The addition of an area rug can help define seating areas and break up a large expanse of wood flooring.

Laminate ~ Laminate can mimic hardwood, stone or tile. There is a backing layer, a composite fiberboard base and a printed pattern. It cleans up easily and can be vacuumed. It cannot be refinished like hardwood. Most laminates snap into place avoiding the need for glue. Because it is moisture resistant, laminates can be used below or above grade.

Carpet ~ Nothing feels better on bare feet than carpet, especially in a bedroom on a cold winter morning. Carpets come in a variety of colors, textures and patterns. With a pad installed underneath, carpets absorb noise and provide some insulation. Carpet is, however, a high maintenance choice as far as wear and tear (especially in high traffic areas), as well as dealing with stains. From plush to berber there is a carpet for just about every room. Area rugs are an option for those who want the feel of carpet, but don’t want to do wall-to-wall. Carpet is mainly used in bedrooms and living rooms.

Natural Stone ~ Stone provides a timeless look and is a hard surface that does not trap dust mites or bacteria (as carpet and rugs do). Many popular natural stones are Slate, Marble, Granite, Limestone, Soapstone, and Concrete. Many of these stones are not just limited to flooring either. Natural stone is great for entries, bathrooms, and mudrooms. Some natural stones require sealing.

Ceramic Tile~ For a durable, low maintenance floor ceramic tile is your choice for bathrooms, kitchens, entries and mudrooms. Unlike natural stone, ceramic tiles are dependably uniform, although you can find ceramic tile in a "natural stone" look at a less expensive price tag. Using different shapes and sizes of tile can make for a pleasing visual impact, such as laying tile on the diagonal or using a larger tile for the main part of the floor with smaller tiles around the outside as a border. Ceramic tile comes in unlimited colors, patterns, sizes and shapes.

Vinyl ~ Is also called resilient flooring because of its flexibility and softness. Vinyl flooring is durable, affordable, easy-care and easy on your feet. Vinyl works wonderfully in kitchens (especially if you do quite a bit of standing), bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, etc. There are many designs and colors in vinyl flooring, which comes in sheets or tiles. The picture below shows some of the varities of vinyl flooring, that give the look of ceramic tile, natural stone, and wood.

This series of articles is intended for entertainment purposes. Any resources listed are not an endorsement, but resources I have researched personally and professionally for ideas, trends and client projects. I welcome comments, e-mails or questions about the articles, or even your own home décor dilemmas.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and more. For more information on our services and fees please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com.

You may recall I wrote a post about a $1.3 million dollar vacant I staged in East Moriches in September of last year. It had been on the market vacant for over a year and a half. The broker held an open after the staging, the weekend of September 20th. I would periodically check our MLS to see if it was still on there and last night it was not!

I sent an e-mail to the realtor asking if it had sold or gone into contract. She replied this morning that it is in full contract!

Below are a few of the "before" and "after" pictures from this house:

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Master before

Master after

I believe we had a winning combination here. The owner who called me in and realized the benefit of home staging, the realtor who also realized the benefits of home staging, marketed it and posted the new pictures right after I forwarded them onto her, and the home staging done by myself.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and much more. For more information on our services and fees please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com.

Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Types of Window Treatments

Draperies - heavy material with pleated panels. May draw across the rod or remain stationery on either or both sides of the window.

Drapes with Cornice Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Cornices - horizontal treatment across the top of the window. Usually made of wood. Maybe padded and covered with fabric.

Valances - horizontal treatment across the top of the window. Generally made from fabric.

London Shade Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Lambrequins - a cornice that extends down the sides of the windows, sometimes to the floor.

Shirred curtains - gathered directly on rods and hung straight down. Maybe attached both at the top and the bottom.

Café curtains - straight curtains hung from rings that slide along a rod. May cover the lower portion of the window or the entire window.

Roller shades - material hung on a roller from the top of the window. Pulls down to close; rolls up via a spring mechanism and can be made with fabric or purchased in the standard vinyl.

Roman shades - made of fabric; hangs flat when closed; folds horizontally into pleats when raised. This is a very popular treatment as it can provide privacy, light control, insulating qualities, many fabric and trim choices; it functions, it's stylish and can be made in a fabric of your choice.

Roman Shades Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Austrian shades - fabric shade that is gathered in scallops when down and pulls into tighter scallops when raised.

Austrian Shades Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Balloon shades - fabric shade that is flat when down and pulls into scallops when raised (can also be a stationery valance).

Balloon Shade Photo courtesy of Smith & Noble

Pleated shades - sold fabric that folds into horizontal accordion pleats. Raised and lowered using cords, usually slightly opaque.

Venetian blind - ½", 1" and 2" wide slats made of wood, metal or plastic. Hangs horizontally from a track and may be angled or drawn up.

Shutters - Louvered or fixed slats. Attached with hinges so they can be opened and shut. Made of wood or plastic.

Jabot - folded fabric that drapes down on either side of a swag or valance or between a series of swags.

Swag - fabric draped over a pole or rod.

Measuring

Curtains can make a room, but if not measured correctly, they can also break a room.

• Be sure to measure all windows, even if they appear to be the same size. Write the dimensions down, and then measure again to double check.
• Use a metal measuring tape. A cloth tape is too flexible to be accurate.
• When measuring, determine the type of rod you are going to use first. If you are using one with rings, you'll measure from the eye of the carrier ring to the floor. The eye is the small metal loop attached to the ring.
• As a general rule to determine width of drapery panels, multiply the width of the window by two or three to account for gathering.
• Determining drapery length is a personal preference. If you want the panels to touch the floor, allow about ½ inch to rest on the floor. Should you want the draperies to puddle on the floor, add anywhere from 6 to 18 inches to the length.

Tricks to Try

Mount drapery panels a few inches below the ceiling. This technique draws your eye up, making lower ceilings appear taller.

Add a fringe or a trim in a complementary color to ready-made draperies to create an inexpensive custom look. Trims and fringes are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

To make a small window appear wider, place panels outside the window frame.

Trying to reuse draperies that are too short? Add a coordinating band of fabric to the bottom or top to create a border.

Drapery hardware can get expensive; rods, brackets and rings add up. Look for inexpensive alternatives such as PVC pipe, electrical conduit or dowel for a rod. Paint it black for the look of iron, or try silver or gold paint for a dressier appearance.

This series of articles is intended for entertainment purposes. Any resources listed are not an endorsement, but resources I have researched personally and professionally for ideas, trends and client projects. I welcome comments, e-mails or questions about the articles, or even your own home décor dilemmas.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are based on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and much more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.