I was browsing older posts on Active Rain and came across this thread that goes back all the way to 2007. It was started by Kathy Nielsen and was about the small changes and the big rewards that bathroom updates can bring. The best part about that thread is that everyone started to post photos of their own bathroom transformations. I found so many ideas and interesting approaches in looking at those photos. Here is the link to that post, I hope you enjoy looking at it again too.
Below is one of my recent bathroom updates that was fairly inexpensive but makes all the difference.
Even though the counter and cabinets were quite old, it was not in the budget to replace them. Instead the yellow and green color scheme was updated by rich taupe and red. Old sink and broken fosset were replaced and new light fixture was installed. You will notice that the window is larger because the whole house had new energy efficient windows installed.
My favourite trick is the mirror frame. I used the existing mirror and simply framed it with molding strips.
New cabinet hardware, fosset and light fixture all coordinate with each other.
In total this update only cost about $350. I would love to see if you have any recent bathroom updates that you would like to share.
Külli
Today I attended a one-day architectural photography course taught by Dennis Huckaby. Dennis has been an advertising photographer for 25 years and for many years now he has been passing on his secrets of how to take outstanding interior and exterior photos to real estate professionals. As Dennis says:
This weekend Dennis taught his class as part of Annual Re-Designers Conference in Vancouver and his audience consisted of stagers and re-designers. I think we all saw the connection that this type of photography and staging has. Each requires paying attention to composition, lighting, background, colors and the use of props.
Dennis made his point very clear that camera is just a tool and you don't have to own the most expensive piece of camera equipment to take stunning photographs. Knowing how to take advantage of best lighting conditions, composition and design will result in images that create a positive response in viewers.
As we listened to his class, Dennis not only created many "aha!" moments for us but he also told stories of some very interesting and entertaining situations that he has faced throughout his career. In one story he told us how he managed to end up with a photo of a restaurant void of any visitors (as requested by the client) even though the restaurant never closed and people were dining while Dennis was taking his photo.
We couldn't help but laugh when Dennis shared his food photography secrets. I think most of us have heard about some tricks used by the food advertising industry, but his secret recipe for mouthwatering ice cream was too funny. Apparently scooped mashed potatoes drizzled with used motor oil (chocolate) makes the best looking ice cream sundae.
On a more serious note though, here are 5 main things that I took away from this course:
After today's class I realized that most of my previously taken photographs have at least few broken rules in them but at least for future I will know better what to look for.
For any realtors thinking about taking this class, I would highly recommend it! And in the US you can earn 7 ½ clock hours for this class.
Summer is here and its time to enjoy BBQ's, margaritas and backyard parties. But have your also brought some summer colors indoors?
During my last visit to the fabric store I fell in love with this green striped fabric that perfectly describes my mood this summer. Green is definitely one of the favourite colors this summer and it is easy to intergrate into your existing decor. Here's a good article about "green finds" at IKEA.
I decided to use a combination of fabrics to cover dining room chairs and to make some throw pillows for the sofa. Add some orange or red accessories to really bring things to life.
By the way, this Upholstery Stapler from Home Depot is my new favourite tool!
Enjoy the summer!
What do you get when you put 15 home stagers and designers together in one room? Fair amount of networking, exchange of information and of course a whole lot of fun working together on projects.
This was the setting for this Saturday, June 13th Accessory Magic workshop at Flüff rentals.
Lisa Roy from Spacelift provided a presentation on visual merchandising and its direct connection to home staging. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in the design and visual presentation field and examples of her recent staging projects spoke for themselves.
Lisa reminded us that Staging is simply visual merchandising and provided us with some of the main characteristics that a space has to have in order to appeal to a customer:
1. It has to entice by creating a certain mood or a "lifestyle" that awakens curiosity in a potential buyer. In the case of home staging, it is the MLS photos that have to grab the viewer and entice them to visit open house leaving them with a memorable experience.
2. Everything in the house can make an impact on how the potential buyer feels about the property. The more senses we can appeal to, the more memorable the experience is. The 5 senses that we can appeal to are: sight, sound, texture, smell and touch. Through the use of different fabrics and finishes, soft and hard surfaces, lighting, music and smell (or lack of it) we can to appeal to those senses.
3. Inspire buyers by showing how the product would fit into their lifestyle. It is well known that people are more likely to make a purchase if they can imagine themselves using the product. Creating a focal point in each room, using a table setting or comfortable furniture grouping can inspire buyers to see themselves in that space.
4. Identify the purpose of each room so the potential buyer can visualize how their lives and possessions might fit into that space. Some homes have confusing layouts or rooms that's purpose can be hard to define. Unfurnished homes also present this problem. By clearly identifying each space through the use of furniture and accessories, we make it easyer for the buyer to picture themselves using it.
After presentation, Lisa had prepared group projects for the participants. Each group was presented with a set of guidelines and challenges to create different settings using the array of accessories found at Flüff rentals. It was inspiring to see all the creative ideas coming forward from different stagers and the end result was a display of colorful and tasteful settings to inspire and entice anyone.
On Sunday, May 3rd, my husband and kids joined me in the Walk for Kids Help Phone. It was a 5 km walk around Langara Golf Course and the participants had worked hard months prior to the walk raising funds to support the Kids Help Phone.
There are so many good causes to support and each of us picks what is closest to our heart. Kids Help Phone has been providing Canada's only 24 hour, toll-free, bilingual and anonymous phone counseling services since 1989.
Some of my close family members have had firsthand experience with abuse, violence and other painful situations when growing up. At the time, they didn't have anyone to turn to who would listen and offer support when most needed. To know that kids today have the option to talk to a councelor at Kids Help Phone or to post their question on-line is providing hope that some of them are getting help and direction on how to cope.
Weather forecast had called for rain but halfway through the walk sun was peeking out and temperature was really warming up. There were groups of kids cheerleading the walkers in different spots of the trail. This was a wonderful location for a walk and we really enjoyed the chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful scenery that surrounds Langara Golf Course. Vancouver is such a beautiful city with so much greenery all around us and on sunny days like this we can fully appreciate the beauty of it.
At the end, kids had the opportunity to say hi to Tony the Tiger, have their face painted, balloon animals made and bounce in the bouncy castle. It was a good day to be out for a good cause!
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Providing home staging and re-design services in the Greater Vancouver and Tri-Cities area.
Ilus Design assists homeowners in boosting the appeal of their property so that it is ready to be listed on the real estate market for faster results and for more money. Based in Port Coquitlam, Ilus Design focuses on properties located in the Tri-Cities area of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam but will also work in other areas if needed.
"I believe that our work is strongly influenced by our experiences. Having lived in Europe, the Caribbean and the United States, my roles have changed countless times from performing arts to sales, from advertising and design to finance. Embracing change presents us with opportunities and this concept is reflected in my work with clients as I guide them through the process of selling their home."
Külli is a graduate of the Staging Diva Home Staging business training program taught by internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, president of Six Elements Inc. With additional Interior Design courses completed through Rhodec International, she has the ability to visualize the potential a space has with the appropriate use of color, placement of furniture and accessories.
STAGING OCCUPIED HOMES
Our goal is to transform your "home" into a "house" that appeals to the broadest range of buyers. The cost of home staging doesn't need to be expensive. In lived-in houses the idea is to use as much of your existing possessions as possible. Focus will be on de-cluttering, de-personalizing and cleaning.
STAGING VACANT PROPERTIES
Vacant houses can be harder to sell than furnished homes as they often feel lifeless and cold. Buyers walk through the rooms but there is no emotional connection that would make them feel at home. Staging not only helps the buyers to visualize how their lives might fit into that space but it also defines the function of each room and leaves the visitors with a lasting impression.
PHOTOGRAPHY
"My approach to boosting the appeal of your property starts from inspecting and remedying the obvious wear and tear of your home. In our day to day lives we often overlook the chipped paint, dents and scratches on the walls, creaking doors, broken light fixtures and stains on the carpet. A potential buyer will have a much more critical eye and spotting a dripping tap or a broken window pane will lead them to think what else has been neglected in that home. I believe that homebuyers today are well informed and they will not overlook maintenance issues even if there has been an attempt to disguise them."
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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