As the rain has started to come down in sheets and the nights have turned COLD, my fireplace has been put into use in a big way. Many years ago, urban living in lofts, condos and apartments meant living without a fireplace. But technology has changed all of that. One client who recently contacted me said his one concession in buying a condo in the John Ross Condomiums in the South Waterfront district was to forego a fireplace - but we have a solution for him. Another client in The Wyatt high rise apartments in the Pearl District had a fireplace listed as one of her first items to add to her decor. I was also in the 937 Condominiums in the Pearl District last week and felt sad that for almost half a million dollars, you end up with no fireplace! So, this post is for you!
Whether you have a condo in the Pearl or South Waterfront, or a house where there is no built-in fireplace, with today's technology, there is now a fireplace for everyone, every room, and just about every budget! Read on to see several modern fireplaces that would be at home in any contemporary home where no built-in fireplace exists. There are free-standing models, wood burning models, environmentally friendly models, suspended ones and wall hung types. Links on where to shop for these are at the end of the article. So, make yourself a nice cup of cocoa and imagine sitting next to one of these!
Pangaea's Picks: Top Ten Modern Fireplaces
1. Harry Leenders - Hands down, my fave for a suspended, rotating fireplace. Love the sleek lines.
2. EcoSmart's Denatured Ethanol burning fireplaces can be set into a built in display or they have many free-standing styles. Environmentally friendly and renewable fuel is a plus.
3. This Eurofocus has nice clean lines and is angled to look great in a corner.
4. Rais is just a simple and lovely, minimal design.
5. What top ten list would be complete without the modern classic Fireorb suspended fireplace?
It took me a long time to get started blogging. I kept thinking I didn't have anything to say! But my mentors kept telling me I needed to get started, so I asked my husband what I should talk about. He said "what do your clients want to know? Okay, so I'm slapping my forehead. It all seems so simple now! Can't imagine why it took me over a year to figure that out!
My blog posts cement my connection with existing clients, prospects, business contacts, friends and family in two ways:
Information: What people want to know. By writing informative blog posts on topics my clients and prospects have asked me about, I continue to be a source of information to past clients and I demonstrate to prospects that I know my stuff and can help them with their needs.
Entertainment: What we have in common and enjoy. People like to do business with people they know and with whom they have things in common. It makes for a more enjoyable experience when you and your clients can talk about things that are of interest to both of you. By writing posts that are entertaining and about fun and cool things we both like, my clients and prospects get to know me better, and from their feedback and comments, I get to know them better too.
Below, please follow the links to see specific posts that have been informational or entertaining to my clients and prospects.
I'm an Interior Designer and Home Stager. My clients want to know how to make their places look great, to live in or to sell. They love color, but are terrified to try it out and don't know what colors to put together. If they are getting ready to sell, they want to know "is white the color they should paint their walls?" I specialize in contemporary design, and my clients want to be sure their home feels warm and looks cool! They want to know how to decorate their house when they have soaring ceilings, or when they have a loft or open floor plan.
My clients are interested in sustainability ... so I share cool products I find that are environmentally friendly. Because many of my clients love animals, I even post about things for their PETS that are sustainable & cool!
I am totally passionate about art and most of my clients are too! So with my blog, I show how art improves their decor. Sometimes I just post art finds that will entertain them! If you didn't click on any of the other links ... you really should click on that last one ... you won't believe your eyes!!! Waaaay Cool!!
My methods of Delivery:
I post on ActiveRain, my own website, Pangaea Interior Design Blog Page, the Interior Design Society, to name a few blogs. I Tweet, I'm LinkedIn, and I'm on Facebook ... so I make it easy for people to find my information and to find out more about me.
I incorporate two articles per month into an e-newsletter that goes to all my past clients, past business connections, family & friends. It reminds my former clients that I am a source of information for them because the questions are ones they have asked. Because it is information my clients want, they even feel good about forwarding it to their friends when they see an article about something they want to pass on. That gives clients and business contacts the opportunity to be a source of information to their own contacts.
My e-newsletter is pretty short. I think that shows I respect people's time. There are just 4 parts every month.
1. Feature Article: This is my design tip of the month. The ideas come directly from interior design or home staging challenges my clients have had. I also include informtion about local resources and vendors I use. If the article is more than a couple paragraphs, I post a short version that has about half of the tips, then link back to the full post on my website. This keeps them from having to scroll too far to see the rest of the newsletter. The ones who are interested in that specific topic can see the rest with a single click.
2. Color of the Month: I choose a color and talk about where it looks good in the home, how that color affects energy or mood, and what other colors look good with it.
3. A short paragraph about ME & my photo! That's in there, so that if they forward it to someone else, the new recipient has a little introduction to who I am.
4. I include a coupon each month for some aspect of my design or staging services. This helps my clients save money on services they want.
What you won't find in my e-newsletter is any big sales pitch.
Thanks for asking how I use my blog to cement and enhance my relationships with current, past and prospective clients and contacts.
Pangaea
Portland Home Stager, Pangaea, shares how the broker, the seller, and the home stager teamed up to get this Portland, Oregon Home SOLD in ONE DAY to the first person who saw it!
I would just love to take all of the credit for this, but as I have said before, it takes a team to successfully sell a home. With properties languishing on the market for months and months at a time, it seems like a miracle that a home could sell so fast. So, here is what each person did.
The Broker:
The Home Stager:
The Seller:
Now here's the success story that shows that all three pieces are what sold this home ---
Two weeks prior to going on the market, the broker put out a "pre-listing" notice so people would know it was coming up. She connected with another broker who had a buyer ready to buy! They went to see the house, contract in hand ready to write an offer, before the painting and staging work had been done. As soon as the buyer saw that the "master" bedroom was downstairs, they changed their mind and passed on the house.
So, to prepare the home, I had the seller remove clutter & older, unattractive furniture. Also had her paint the kitchen in a warm sand color and paint the cabinets white, plus update the hardware. The main floor bedroom had a futon in it. Because of the arms on the futon, when it was folded down to be a bed, the arms protruded into the space enough to make it very tight and to "scream" that it was a guest room. Although I had recommeded painting a lighter color in the bedroom, time & money made us decide to go with the existing color. The seller's white bedding made the dark walls seem even darker. So I used darker bedding more befitting of a "master" bedroom, and added art & throw pillows that tied in with the green but in lighter shades.
So, after the property was staged, professional photos were taken that day and put online asap! An open house was held the next day. According to the broker, the very first person who walked in bought the home. Happy Ending!!
Here are before & after photos for you to enjoy. "After Photos" courtesy of Rachel Weinstein rachelweinstein@comcast.net
Portland based, Pangaea Interior Design, offers home staging, interior design, and redesign services in the greater metropolitan area. If you value professionalism, a collaborative approach and results, then please call or email for an appointment to get your listing ready for the market! 503.816.4394 design@pangaea-id.com Pangaea Interior Design
For decades, the conventional wisdom when getting ready to sell your house was to paint all the walls back to white. But that is SO yesterday! White .... the color of snow & ice ... does absolutely nothing to warm up a house. It doesn't highlight architectural features and it doesn't enhance the colors of your wood, granite or other finishes. To sell your property today, you need to use soft warm decorator colors that are current. That way they not only look beautiful in the home, but will go with the existing furnishings of your prospective buyers and remind them of the beautiful new furnishings and colors they have been eyeing at the stores in anticipation of their new home.
A professional paint color consultation by an Accredited Staging Professional will help you paint out the colors that turn buyers off and select ones that appeal to them.
Accent Walls: Do you know which walls should be accented? Where should the accent color start and stop? An accent wall can create or enhance a focal point or it can highlight architectural interest. It might be the wall with the fireplace, built in shelving, or the wall that soars up two stories. Selecting the wrong wall for your accent can pull focus away from important features of your house or even make a room feel unbalanced, which most people sense as a vague feeling of discomfort in the room, even if they can't put their finger on why it feels that way.
Red Walls: I'm afraid that the news here is you need to paint those out! Although many people like to paint dining rooms red, and I see them all the time, red walls stop most buyers in their tracks. Any broker will tell you ... well, they'll tell you if they aren't afraid of losing your listing by offending you ... that they get negative feedback when showing properties that have bold red walls of any shade. Red is a tough sell. Why leave something in your home that has the potential to turn off so many people? A good stager can mitigate some of that impact through the use of art and accessories ... but doing both the painting and the staging will give you the most attractive results.
The same goes for any bright, bold or "too deep" colors. If the color names "sunny yellow" "hunter green" "peach" "federal blue" "maroon" or "burgundy" can be used to describe any of your rooms, then a paint color consultation is in your future.
Don't take it personally, and don't fool yourself, into thinking the colors can stay because guests in your home over the years "always say they love my: bright yellow kitchen, red dining room, hunter green family room, _________________ "(fill in the blank with your personal boldly colored room). The problem here is that when guests come over they aren't thinking of living in your house! And I too, would have to paint out my own accent walls if I put my house on the market. It has nothing to do with having good or bad taste. It's all about wide appeal.
The "Right" Colors: If I could tell you here the exact colors to use, I would do it ... but it isn't that simple. When I choose paint colors for a property going on the market, I look at the wood tones in floors, doors & moldings, and also consider any finishes such as granite colors, fireplace stones, carpeting, tiles, amount of light and exterior house colors as well. The colors of the house should flow from the outside to the inside and the colors in all rooms should work well enough together (not change radically) so that as you walk through the property, you always feel you are in the same house.
Colors that are soft and a little "smoky" or "creamy" work better than very pure colors. Think of colors like toast - caramel - taupe - sage & muted water colors.
Finishes: The right finish - satin - eggshell - flat - will make a difference too. In general flat, or matte finishes are very forgiving if your walls are not in perfect condition. They also look the most "true" to color because they don't reflect a lot of light. Satin or eggshell finish paints have a little more of a sheen to them. They show imperfections in the walls so you need to prep your walls more carefully. They are very good for kitchen & baths where the walls may need to be cleaned more often. Use semi-gloss for moldings. High Gloss paint is generally best for painting cabinetry.
Sustainable: Remember to select paints that are "Green" --- no I don't mean the color! There's just no excuse not to use paints with zero or low VOC's. They are readily available and only run about $5 mor per gallon than the ones with the nasty chemicals. Your prospective buyers will be happy that they don't smell your new paint, and most of them will consider it a positive point about your property. Devine Color and Yolo Colorhouse are two locally produced, eco-friendly paint lines and I recommend them both! The paint color samples at the top of this post are from Devine Color. Both brands are sold at Powell Paint Center in Portland.
If you are in the Portland area and are getting ready to sell, call for your professional paint color consultation! Or, if you just want to freshen up your home, then a paint color consultation can help you select the right colors for your personal taste and style.
Call today at 503.816.4394
View our portfolio at Pangaea Interior Design.
Pangaea Interior Design is a full service design firm offering:
Portland Interior Designer, Pangaea, shares tips on choosing sustainable wood flooring for your home.
Whether you love the rich reds of mahogany and cherry, the pale brightness of maple, hickory and birch, or the deep and dark loveliness of walnut, there is a wood floor for you! Living in Oregon, I have a real appreciation for trees and the fabulous resource they are when managed well. Yesterday I attended the monthly meeting of the Interior Design Society, Portland chapter. We were hosted by Tualatin's Treadline Construction, specializing in hardwood flooring. I'd like to share just a few tips on choosing hardwood flooring and some very nice sustainable options.
photos courtesy of US Floors
1. The color, grain, size of planks, and character of wood can set the tone for the look of your home just as effectively as your furnishings. So, choose a look that will work with the style of your home's architecture and furnishings. Wide planks of reclaimed wood with the patina of years of use fit beautifully in a casual style, traditional home. In a contemporary space, I love the look of narrow strips of palest birch or maple, or the deepest color of "ebonized" ash. Rich mahogany or cherry seem to evoke a feel of rich elegance.
photos courtesy of Stone River Hardwoods
2. Select wood not only by it's color and grain, but by the area and use for which it is intended. All trees are not created equal. Some are much harder than others. If you have a high traffic area, children or pets, you'll be better off with a wood which has a higher rating for "hardness". They will all scratch & scuff with enough abuse ... high heels and dog's claws are no friends of wood ... but the harder the wood, the better it will hold up. Brazilian Cherry is one of the hardest woods which is readily available in flooring. The experts at Treadline have a chart that compares all the types of wood and can give great advice on the most suitable wood for your application.
3. Wood is generally considered to be a "green" option because it is renewable. To be sustainable though, be sure the wood you are buying is certified as being sustainably harvested. There are a number of certifications out there, but at the moment, the only one that will get you LEED points (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. Other sustainable practices include harvesting dead or dying trees, sunken logs, or using reclaimed or recycled wood from old buildings.
A couple of particularly notable options in sustainable wood flooring are:
Cork: Cork flooring is made by taking bark from trees without killing the tree. The bark grows back and can be harvested repeatedly ... a little bit like shearing a sheep for wool. Aside from being a wonderful sustainable option, cork is beautiful and is extra cushiony under your feet. It comes in quite an array of colors and with a range of looks from very fine grains to large inlaid pieces which are very striking.
photos courtesy of US Floors
Bamboo: If it has been awhile since you looked at Bamboo flooring, check it out again. There are several new looks on the market including very narrow strips which look quite contemporary and also an end-cut mosaic pattern of tiny rectangles. Bamboo is rapidly renewable, but some manufacturers use formaldehyde in the process, so look for bamboo flooring that is formaldehyde free.
photos courtesy of Allwood Flooring
Wood is a beautiful flooring option that feels great under your feet and adds value to your home. With proper care it will last a very long time. For help with choosing flooring or anything else for your home, please contact me at 503.816.4394, or email me at design@pangaea-id.com. You can see my portfolio online at Pangaea Interior Design.
 |
|
|
Portland Oregon Interior Designer & Home Stager, Pangaea, stages your home to sell with style and flair that will wow your buyers! Call 503-816-4394
Visit us at www.pangaea-id.com for a full staging and interior design portfolio
Pangaea Interior Design offers a wide range of services in HOME STAGING and INTERIOR DESIGN. Both of these areas require a great eye for style, color and proportion. But they do differ in their focus. If you are a seller or broker interested in preparing a home for sale, check out the section on HOME STAGING. If you want help with the decor of a home for you to live in then skip on down to the section on INTERIOR DESIGN.
HOME STAGING
In the current market with so many properties for buyers to choose from, it is more important than ever to make your property be a stand out! We believe in working as a team with sellers and brokers to identify and provide what your specific property needs to show it to it's best advantage.
VACANT PROPERTIES
If you have a vacant property for sale, just take a look at what staging can do! Because "one picture is worth a thousand words" these before and after photos will give you an idea of the transformation that occurs when starting with even the nicest empty room.
OUR MISSION
We want to give you the best competitive edge that staging can provide to sell your home fast and for the best price possible.
If you’ve already bought your new home, or simply decided to stay put, we want to help you create a serene haven that makes you feel happy to be at home. Read on for details on our home staging, interior design, model home and redesign services.
STAGING VACANT PROPERTIES
With buyers having so many properties to choose from in the current market, you’ll want to be sure to do everything you can to make your property stand out from the competition. Each property is unique and Pangaea Interior Design works with sellers and brokers to identify and enhance the best features of your home while minimizing challenging areas. Specializing in a serene and contemporary aesthetic, we have a beautiful inventory of furnishings featuring clean lines and including designer pieces and original art that will enhance virtually any home. Check out our vacant home staging portfolio.
STAGING OCCUPIED PROPERTIES
At Pangaea Interior Design, we know this can be a stressful time for sellers, and that each person's needs are unique. We have a full range of services to give you the level of service that's right for you.
Consultation and Written Staging Plan:
A perfect solution for FSBO sellers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. This fully customized, step-by-step, room-by-room plan guides you through staging each room in your house as well as the exterior areas. Written for your specific house, this plan includes photos, sketches and diagrams to make it a breeze for you to do a professional staging job. And, optionally, our team of professional stagers are available to come handle the finishing touches when you're ready.
Occupied House Full Staging Service:
Our team of trained staging professionals stage your entire home working with your own belongings. With an objective eye, they edit and rearrange your own furnishings and accessories to create a spacious and inviting feel that will appeal to buyers. You'll be amazed at the transformation! Furniture and accessories from our own inventory are also available for lease to supplement as needed. Take a look at our occupied home staging portfolio to see what a difference staging makes!
MODEL HOME STAGING & DESIGN A great model home is the key to providing the WOW factor that moves a person from "just looking" to BUYING!! It's important to have a savvy designer who understands how to pull together a spectacular look that fires the imagination and dreams of your prospective buyers while highlighting the architecture and great design features of the home. Pangaea Interior Design draws on our marketing and merchandising background as well as Interior Design know-how and staging training to create a model home that really sells those properties. For a view of a few of our models, take a look at our model home portfolio.
REDESIGN
What is it? Simply put, redesign is the art of editing and rearranging the belongings you already have to give a fresh new look to your existing rooms. Who would benefit from redesign? Lots of people! Maybe you like your furniture and accessories, but somehow your rooms just 'don't feel right' to you. Or, possibly you've just moved to a new home and are having to try to figure out how to use the belongings from your former home in this new space. It can be a challenge. Maybe you'd like to move ... but for now that just isn't possible ... so a redesign can make your home feel like a new one. You'll be surprised just how different your home can be! Hiring a pro to do your redesign makes sense. Most of us grow used to seeing and thinking of our rooms and belongings in a certain way. A professional redesigner has the objectivity to look at your home and belongings in a new and fresh way. We are also experts at furniture arrangement for difficult or awkward rooms. Our sense of scale and proportion also help us improve the feel and balance of a room. Ultimately, your rooms will feel less cluttered ... more serene! Call for our redesign rates at 503-816-4394
INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES
Environment + Vision + Lifestyle
Pangaea --- The condo looks fabulous! What an amazing work of art! I can't tell you how dazzled we were by your work ... simply fantastic. So far we've had many, many calls regarding the property this morning: that's what we wanted! Thanks again, --- Mindy Haidle, Meadows Group Realtors, Inc. Portland, OR
Pangaea --- Once again, fabulous! Just as we envisioned, the studio looks great and utilizes the space perfectly. Your professionalism and attention to detail is just what I was looking for. I had an opportunity to share our "open house" experience with the sellers this morning and they cannot wait to see the "after" results. I am so pleased that Kei referred us ... it's going to be a wonderful partnership. Thanks again. --- Peggy Scott, Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties
Wanted to send you the good news that we received and accepted an offer on the condo you staged in the Bridgeport: Yeah! ... The woman who wrote the offer had seen the condo before it was staged and literally didn't recognize it. She didn't believe us that it was the same, exact unit. Needless to say, it made an enormous difference, all thanks to you. ... Again, thank you so much for the fabulous service and aesthetic vision: we feel immensely indebted to your good taste and stock of lovely furniture. Be sure to pass along this anecdotal marketing story for future clients to see the difference staging can make for bland listings. Warmly, --- Mindy Haidle Meadows Group Realtors, Inc. Portland, OR
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.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
