Kathryn Koch

ReDesign Training and Certification!

Mark your calendars for April 21-24! This course is offered only once a year in Virginia and is limited to six slots.


Whether you are looking for an Interior Redesign
professional. Home Staging Specialist or interested in
starting a business of your own... You have arrived at the
right place!

Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/SimplyBeautifulSpacesWorkshop.html in conjunction with the AARC http://www.allaboutredesign.com/ is hosting the Redesign and Home Staging Certification Training Workshop in Stafford, VA


Interior Redesign...
Offering Business Training, Career Path and a Very
Affordable Decorating Alternative!

If you are considering a new business venture, interior
redesign and home staging may be just the solution you
are looking for!

In less than one week you can learn all the principles,
concepts and marketing strategies involved with this fast
growing alternative decorating field. Our training is among
the best in the nation and the All About Redesign Center
provides you with all the tools and inspiration needed to
become a successful redesign professional!

Come join us and learn all about redesign and home
staging! This fast paced workshop has students moving furniture and
redesigning rooms the very first afternoon. It is an extremely hands-on training
seminar which combines morning lecture with actual in home practice. This
four day professional workshop includes a minimum of FIVE hands-on interior
redesign/home staging projects. The before and after room photos are always a
terrific addition to each members new portfolio.

There is also actual client contact during the workshop, which enables students
to participate in the always exciting room reveal. This contact is essential for a
successful learning experience. Students are given the opportunity to observe
client interaction and gain the experience and confidence needed to succeed.


Some of the topics covered are:


Professional Standards

How to Find Clients

Initial Client Contact

Gaining Credibility Quickly

Contracts vs. Proposals

Pricing Services

Follow Up and Referrals

Important Business Affiliations,

'Sweet 16' Proven Marketing Strategies

Marketing Tips (70+ very affordable)

Wholesale...How and Where

Writing a Business Plan,

Taxes and insurance.

Additionally, I will be adding a new segment to the marketing portion geared towards eCommerce - marketing your business on the web and providing free business kits.




Upon completion of the workshop, new members receive a designation
certificate, and a FREE ONE YEAR POSTING on our national website. Ongoing
assistance is also provided so new members will never feel alone.

In addition, all members become eligible to join the Interior Design Society,
gaining additional credibility for their new businesses.

Please check availability as classes are strictly limited to six new members and fill
quickly.

A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your place in the
workshop. The remaining tuition due two weeks prior to class date.
Tuition and deposit 100% refundable in the event the workshop cancels.
*Refunds may be applied to future workshops or online training.




Class registration closes on April 8th http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/Registration.html

http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/SimplyBeautifulSpacesWorkshop.html


I look forward to meeting you!
Kate
Owner, Simply Beautiful Spaces, LLC
http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/

Happy March! I hope you are doing well! This month's newsletter is about bath remodels, our yearly workshop training and certification and March specials.

Bath remodeling

A lot of homeowners are taking the leap into remodeling their bathrooms - one of the greatest home improvement endeavors with a great return on investment no matter what the economy!

Not only will the homeowner enjoy the new bath, but the value of the remodel is estimated to be a two dollar return for every one dollar spent! With so many clients wishing to remodel their baths, I've done a lot of research to help them understand where their money goes. Much of the labor costs remain the same whether installing budget-friendly cabinets and fixtures or high end products. The labor costs vary on items such as tile versus laminate flooring, glass enclosed showers versus fiberglass, as much of the costs associated with bathroom remodels is determined by the products chosen - cabinetry, tub styles, shower enclosures, flooring, sinks and so on. Labor costs and time increase significantly when walls are knocked out, plumbing lines moved and electrical work added.

The first step in bathroom remodels is to do your research. Determine what you need in terms of function and style, take a trip to a design center to touch and see product samples, and create a file of photographs which contain elements of design you like.

The next step is to talk with a design specialist to help you understand the possibilities and limitations of the remodel. Many people want grand master baths, but have a small space with limiting factors. Anything is possible given the budget.

Finding the right contractor is the most important step, in my opinion. There are many to choose from and trust me, you do get what you pay for. Be wary of contractors who ask you to pull the permits, as this can be a sign that they are unlicensed and uninsured. If you want to find out if your contractor is licensed and certified to work in Virginia, you can check them out at the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/servicesconsumers.cfm

Check the company's references, go to the homes of previous clients to see their work, and be wary of any contractor that asks you for a significant amount of money before starting work. My preferred contractors, Steve Duckworth, Old Dominion Specialty Construction, and John Doyle, J. Doyle Construction, have different payment options and a "pay as you go" in some cases.

Here are some great articles on the web:

Getting Your Remodel Off to a Good Start http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/getting-your-remodel-off-to-a-good-start/index.html

Bath Remodel Strategies: Medium-level Budgets By John Yates - http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/bath-remodel-strategies-medium-level-budgets/index.html

Get a Better Bath - http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/bathroom/planning/our-favorite-small-baths-that-live-large/?sssdmh=dm17.365483&esrc=nwhi34_09b&email=1657950600

ReDesign Training and Certification!

Mark your calendars for April 21-24! This course is offered only once a year in Virginia and is limited to six slots.

As many of you may know, my career was in government work - active duty military through working for Marine Corps Intel, Marine Corps Lessons Learned and for Battelle. God has ways of bringing change at certain points in our lives. I always had the talent and had been doing design work for homeowners and companies throughout the last 20 years. I was addicted to the DIY channel, HGTV, and TLC, and read every home improvement magazine I could get my hands on.

The turning point came after I read an article about home staging and redesign, told my husband, "I can do this," and meeting two key couples who asked me to do their homes. Thus began the search on how to get certified and start my own company. After five months of research and reading, I chose the AARC (www.allaboutredesign.com) based upon the offerings within the course and other criterion. Additionally, I will be adding a new segment to the marketing portion geared towards eCommerce - marketing your business on the web and providing free business kits.

After being certified by the AARC and joining the IDS, Julie Rieman, founder of the AARC, felt I had what it takes to teach and certify others. Last years' certification went very well and we are offering the opportunity to anyone who wants to turn their talent into a part time or full time business. Sign up now and pass this on to your friends and family member! Class registration closes on April 8th http://www.simplybeautifulspaces.com/SimplyBeautifulSpacesWorkshop.html

Specials

Reveal Parties - When you redesign your home, you'll want to show it off to all your friends and family! Let them in on the surprise! You can receive merchandise valued over $300 for hosting a Reveal Party!

Refer A Friend! Receive gifts, gift certificates or discounts when you refer a paying client! (Referral Program Bonuses vary)

Surprise a friend or loved one with a Surprise Room Makeover! A great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, college dorm rooms or anytime!

Gift Certificates - an absolutely perfect gift for the busy professional, moms, families, friends and neighbors - for any occasion!

Gift certificates can be purchased for:

 Organization Services - let us take care of organizing and de-cluttering!

 Event or Party prep - we can get your home ready for your guests!

 Room Redesign - one, two or whole house - we'll transform rooms into welcoming and relaxing environments!

 New neighbor? A wonderful way to welcome them to the neighborhood with a gift certificate to help them organize their furnishings and decor in their new home! We can help work existing furnishings and accessories into new living spaces for that truly welcome home feeling.

 Home Staging - have a neighbor or friend who has difficulty getting their home to sell? We can help! From Do It Yourself Kits to whole home staging - we can make it ready for open houses or daily showings! Before reducing the sales price, let us stage and photograph it for MLS listings.

 Newlyweds? A perfect gift! We'll get their new home ready - specializing in combining his and hers into "theirs"

Visit our online store to take advantage of our sale items! www.store.simplybeautifulspaces.com Lighting, artwork, unique mirrors, décor accessories and more!

Greenhouse Designs - www.Greenhousedesigns.net
Search for your designer fabrics, trims or notions! For more information on ordering, email kate@simplybeautifulspaces.com

Please pass this on to your friends!

Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Kate

We have had a wonderful summer full of remodeling, redesign and decorating homes throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC. Visit our design portfolio to see some of our favorite transformations: www.SimplyBeautifulSpaces.com

I wanted to pass on some shopping resources, tips and ideas to help with design in your home and helpful ways to approach timelines.

Resources

Furniture anyone? Gallahans of Fredericksburg is hosting an "invitation only" private sale event this week, if you need furniture pieces for your home, please send me an email by Tuesday, August 26th and let me know what to look for and purchase on your behalf. Their doors will open to the general public on Friday.

GreenHouse Designs. We've picked up a new fabric vendor and love the ease of using their website. If you are looking for fabrics for your home or for general use, please visit http://greenhousefabrics.com/ I love their selection!

Custom Bedding. Looking for custom bedding and window treatments? As an authorized dealer for Eastern Accents, we can offer bedding, pillows, window treatements and accessories you find in many high end stores below their cost. The styles range from traditional to contemporary. Please visit www.EasternAccents.com and browse their selections.

Wall Words! I love them. We use them! You can order custom or ready made designs directly from their website www.wallwords.com

Design Tips and Ideas

Painting your home If you are hiring a painting contractor and need help selecting room colors, it is a good idea to have a design professional meet with you at least two weeks in advance. The designer should walk through each room with you to determine the best colors to coordinate with existing decor and furnishings. If selecting different colors for each room, the palette should flow - a fancy word for coordinating the color transition from room to room. Why two weeks? After a color palette is selected, it takes approximately one week for color swatches to be delivered from the manufacturer. Once the swatches arrive, they should be placed strategically on the walls in each room to be painted. For approximately three to five days, you should then observe how the color changes given different times of the day and light sources. This helps make the final determination to select the color, and you can leave them on the wall for the contractor to know which wall is to be painted in the color of your choice. Word of caution - I call this "paint shock." Anytime you have a color card on a white or off white wall, it will naturally look darker given the surroundings, especially in low light. This is where trust in your design professional's abilities is a factor. A good design professional may offer a solution if you truly are not satisfied with the end result.

Recycling items On a budget but craving some change? Many times I "repurpose" items for clients. Some of these projects only require a steady hand, a tube of acrylic paint and a small paint brush. I transformed a piece of artwork found at a discount store and changed some elements of the picture to coordinate with the room. Using a dry brush and light strokes, you can change the look of any "off the shelf" artwork and make it an original piece of your own. It's "paint by numbers" without numbers. Want to change the matting around the art? With so many varieties of spray paint colors and textures, you can easily change the color of mat board with light layers of spray paint. Let the paint dry between applications until you achieve the desired affect. What about lamps, candlesticks and other metal items? Clean the items completely to remove dust and oil. I always go over them again with rubbing alcohol. Let them dry completely before taping off and protecing areas you do not want painted. Most items can simply be spray painted, some will require a primer which is also available in a spray can. Here's how to make it look really cool... spray a flat black in the corners and crevices and before it's completely dry, use a different color over the entire surface area. This gives a dimensional effect to the item. Want to see your items repurposed? Get some friends together and give me a call - we'll make a fun day of changing items together!

Window Treatment Ideas Need a window treatment but don't want to pay so much? Don't forget about shower curtains, sheets and table linens. The come in so many colors and fabrics and are relatively inexpensive compared to curtains. White sheets make for easy lining and can be affixed with no-sew tape and an iron. Don't like to sew but need to adjust the length? Fold the fabric over to create a "header" and use ring clips. Mount the panels or topper to a decorative rod and you have great and inexpensive window treatments!

Preparing for the Holidays! Most designers are booked six months in advance. If you need help with preparing your home for guests or parties, now is the time to contact us for help! Simply email us at info@simplybeautifulspaces.com and let us know how we can help.

Candlelight Tour of Homes Speaking of holidays, we have been invited to decorate the home of Shaun and Neil Sullivan for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation's Annual Candlelight Tour. The event will take place on December 13th and 14th and more information can be found by visiting www.HFFI.org Tickets are $30 each, $25 for HFFI members and $25 for groups of ten or more or $10 for a single home. If you need tickets, please let me know by November 1st. I can get tickets at the reduced price when ordering in bulk. HGTV. Many of you know that HGTV has contacted me about some of my holiday designs. I've signed the release for an upcoming holiday special and hope to see one or more of my designs featured on their show. If you would like a preview, please visit http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafts/archives/2008/01/your_great_holi.html

As always, it is a pleasure working with so many wonderful people and their families and we look forward to more home transformations! Take care and God Bless! Kate