We are currently battling an overgrowth of poison ivy in cottage country (Ontario Canada). There are many more poisonous plants that need to be watched for too - especially if you have pets that roam freely.
I thought I'd post this handy link that I found. Some of the more common plants - such as poison oak and sumach are not listed, so you need to be aware of them as well.
Trek carefully !
Oh it's sad but true, I've seen all of these things recently. Please do yourself a favour and spring into the current decade.
10 Things to Remove NOW
... there, now doesn't that FEEL better?
The Wellspring Chinguacousy cancer support centre in Brampton officially opened its doors on April 8th. I'm very proud to say that I volunteered my time and expertise to choose the paint colours for each room. It was an honour to work with Regional Councillor Gael Miles on this project and to share in her joy of seeing the end result.
Read the full article HERE which quotes that "One of the most noticeable features of the house is the colour palate of marine tones of greens and blues, as well as soft shades of yellows and creams ... wonderful sense of serenity you get when you walk in."
A good first impression is critical, and a house (like any individual) has only one chance to make that important first impression. It takes less than 60 seconds for a potential buyer to decide whether or not they like a home. Sometimes, they won't even get out of the car. Curb appeal is the first step in the staging process. The façade and front entrance of a home must be presented in such a way that the potential buyer is drawn in and wants to see more.
Home buyers are busy people who typically work long hours and they now have little time for those "fix-it" projects. Today's savvy buyer demands "move-in" condition and most buyers actually have little imagination. If the living room walls are pink and the kitchen is done in a country blue theme, they will have great difficulty envisioning it any other way. Potential buyers will start adding up the cost and time of having to make such changes and upgrades and suddenly the home becomes less appealing. A buyer should "feel at home" right away.
An experienced ReDesigner can effectively stage a home - using just the existing furnishings - to attract more buyers.
The main objectives when staging a home are to:
Direct the buyer's eye away from a negative element (such as a small room) by highlighting something positive (a gas fireplace). This is achieved by correct furniture placement and careful use of artwork to play up the nicer features, without overpowering them. You want potential buyers to remember the feel of the entire room, not just the things in a room.
What really makes a room look smaller is contrast. Simple window treatments, like sheers or panels in a tone similar to the wall colour, will help to make the room feel larger.
If a home shows like a model suite with warm and inviting touches throughout, everyone will be impressed and it will stand out in the mind of a buyer who has been on the hunt all day.
But don't try to achieve the PERFECT "model home" look, as most people will feel intimidated and think that they'd never get it to look that way when they move in. Instead, strive for a balance between an elegant, uncluttered look while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
I recently picked up the * General Paint ColorLife cards, a truly beautiful collection sure to inspire you no matter what your style.
* General Paint is only available in Canada.
They also carry a new line called the Canadiana Historic collection which brings to life the true north and the warmth & charm of cottage country. It's just perfect for this time of year when all the autumn colors have fallen from the trees and we need to think about wrapping ourselves in comforting colors within our homes.
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Interior ReDesign & Home Staging services in Brampton, Mississauga and surrounding areas * Professional Training Courses in ReDesign & Staging * Color Consultations
"let us turn the place you live ... into the place you love"
Are you always searching for that special place to unwind at the end of a busy day? We can create that space for you, in your own home, with your own things.
A professional redesign can give you MORE ... for LESS
Interior ReDesign specializes in one day room makeovers and home staging. With our experience and training, and the insight gained from our in-depth consultation with you, we will carefully assess your home and your needs. Your rooms will then be redesigned to give you a refreshing new look - a look that will showcase your favorite pieces and create a restful space that truly reflects your personality and lifestyle.
Sandi Gerrard is the owner and creative force behind "FEEL AT HOME".
She is a Certified ReDesign & Staging
Specialist (CRSS)
, President of the Canadian ReDesigners Association (CRDA), a CRDA Approved Instructor, and Mentor for the Ontario Region.
Sandi is a member of Roaring Women, Company of Women and Women Can Do Anything. She has been a workshop instructor for The Learning Annex, and her articles are regularly featured in the Brampton Guardian newspaper, and she has also been published in the Burlington Post's ON Site magazine and on Toronto.com.
Sandi and one of her CRDA colleagues were recently quoted in an article in the Globe and Mail Real Estate Section, entitled "Tricks to make small spaces seem bigger", on August 22, 2008.
Sandi was nominated as "Community Star of the Week" for her efforts on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada (formerly known as the National Ovarian Cancer Association), in The Brampton News, October 12, 2006.
Sandi appeared on Rogers Cable 10 "Daytime" with Daru Dhillon on December 6, 2006 to promote the "Havens for Healing" project.
Sandi is a frequent contributor to the Brampton Guardian Showcase section, featuring home decor and real estate staging articles.
Sandi's article on "ReDesign saves time & money" appeared on TheBramptonNews.com "Home Sense" section on November 7, 2006.
Sandi's article on "Downsizing for Seniors" was featured in the Brampton Guardian Showcase section on May 10, 2006.
Sandi was the "Featured Professional" on the international website InteriorRedesignDirectory.com for the month of May, 2006.
Click HERE to read my profile on Roaring Women.
Click HERE to read my other BLOG
Interior ReDesign can give you a fresh new look in just one day. You already have what it takes to instill a sense of pride in your home. Let us help you show it off in a beautiful and functional way. The art of redesign is guided by the elements of space planning, colour, balance and harmony to create interior spaces that truly invite you home.
Home Staging can give you that much needed competitive edge in a tough market. Let us stage your home for sale. We'll clear the clutter, and focus on the architectural selling features. A professional home stager can help you increase the value of your home and sell quickly for top dollar.
Moving is always a stressful time. Let us help - we'll visit your new home to determine furniture placement. We'll accessorize and hang your art in an effort to help ease the confusion. You will feel settled in just one day. We can make it fit or fill the void.
5 DAY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSE
This intensive hands-on program in Interior ReDesign and Home Staging will provide you with the information and skills needed to start your own business. You will experience 3 days of actual redesign work in real client's homes, giving you the chance to apply what you learn as you go. We will cover, step by step, the entire redesign process including consultation and follow up. One full day will be dedicated to redesign theory and home staging principles. Another full day of practical advice on business start-up, sales & marketing, networking and self promotion will give you the confidence to go forward.
Upon successful completion you will become a Certified ReDesign & Staging Specialist (CRSS) and a member of the Canadian ReDesigners Association (CRDA).
You will also receive a complete reference manual which includes all of the course content and sample business forms.
Mentoring and Regional Meetings for continued learning and support after completion of the course.
Class size is limited to 6 participants. An early registration discount is offered.
"When I came home on Friday, opened the front door and saw the transformation of our living room/dining room, I said WOW!!!!And then I just stood there taking it all in. Not only did it look great, it exuded calmness and my husband said "Now I can breathe!" I was amazed at how well our furniture worked with the pieces I brought back from Sweden after my mother's passing. I am now eager to entertain again!"
"I can't tell you enough how absolutely thrilled I am with my new space. I love the basement with my two leather pieces down there. I can actually see myself spending time down there, now that it's so inviting and comfortable. It looks amazing! I can't believe what you and your team did with my living room and dining room. Throughout the past few years my best friend and I have rearranged my furniture on numerous occasions and we both take pride in our decorating savvy. I have to tell you, we would never have come up with the ideas you did for placement of my furniture, lights, pictures etc. It feels so much lighter and I actually feel like I've gained square footage. You've made my living space look larger, I never thought that could be accomplished!"
"Thank you so much for the beautiful transformation on my living room / dining room. I can't believe the difference. It was so overbearing and crowded and you managed to open up the space and make it inviting. I wouldn't even sit in my living room because it felt so closed in. Now we are all enjoying the new set up. Thank you again. Great job - every detail!"
"I am LOVING my newly redesigned home! That is exactly what it feels like now - HOME!"
"Words cannot explain the feeling we had when we saw our home. We were absolutely amazed by the work that was done. Our house was transformed into a warm and welcoming HOME! We want to thank you for the excellent work you did. You really touched on all the aspects that were important to us as a new couple and put pieces of our individual lives together so that they made sense. We now love our HOME! Thank you."
"Thank you for the great work you did preparing my listing for the market. What a difference a few hours can make. I was truly impressed!"
"My listing sold within 24 hours, thanks to Sandi's consultation and suggestions - which the home owner followed to the letter."
"Sandi worked with us to reduce the clutter and redefine the rooms prior to listing our home for sale. Implementing the suggested changes brought a sophisticated look to some dated décor. Our house sold in just 3 days !"
"What a pleasure it was working with you. Your professional touches and recommendations for the re-placement of furniture and de-cluttering make a significant impact in the rooms, which makes them more attractive to the buyers."
"Thank you so much for all your terrific suggestions to prepare our home for sale. What a difference these changes have made. We will highly recommend you to anyone that is planning on selling."
"Sandi's redesign service and helpful suggestions gave my living room the finishing touch that it lacked."
"When we recently sold our family home and moved into a smaller space, Sandi Gerrard not only did an inspired job of staging our house for sale, but she also gave us invaluable design advice for our new place, including which furniture to take, how to arrange it and tips on colour and soft furnishings. In addition, she and Andraya found the perfect places to hang our favourite art work. As a result of all their help, our new place looks fabulous and already feels like home!"
"I can't believe the changes you made. My house looks so beautiful - I wish I didn't have to sell at all."
"I can't tell you how grateful I am for the redesign you did on our family room. You managed to take a room that I literally was too embarrassed about to walk through (let alone sit in) and make it welcoming and spacious. All this while using what I already had in the room and elsewhere in my home. Fantastic work!"
"It was a welcome surprise coming home to see what Sandi had done in our family room. We had struggled with the layout of that room for many years, and in 2 hours with her keen sense of style she created a more open and inviting space."
"What a nice change. My room looks more spacious. I just can't believe it."
"We were so pleased with the results of the redesign. Our living room was much more inviting - ready for entertaining; and our dining room seemed brighter and more spacious. Even the children noticed the difference!"
"Sandi and her creative team made my dining room and living room much more inviting and attractive. Before they transformed both rooms, I had planned to buy some new furniture, but now the rooms 'work' with older pieces that were either rearranged or 'rediscovered' in
other parts of the house. They found hidden gems within my home and brought a fresh, artistic perspective to the space."
"I just knew something needed to be done to the brick fireplace in our family room. It looked very dated and the dull brown brick made the room seem dark and uninviting. Sandi painted all brickwork a cream colour to match the walls and then Andraya set to work giving the cement hearth and mantel a warm faux marble finish. This fireplace is now the focal point of our room, as it was meant to be. My friends and neighbours were awed by the dramatic results."
"All I can say is WOW. I was very impressed with what you did. I loved the arrangement of the sitting room. When I finally was able to relax a bit, I noticed that the room felt very comfortable."
"I was overwhelmed with excitement and emotion. The second I walked into my house it felt like HOME for the first time. You worked some magic in my place. Thank you all very much for the special care you took in transforming my house into my functional and flowing home."
"The mural looks wonderful !! Meggy loves her tree. She plays knock-knock on the little door and has imaginary picnics with her bears on the 'grass'."
Thank you so much for the beautiful transformation on my living room / dining room. I can't believe the difference. It was so overbearing and crowded and you managed to open up the space and make it inviting. I wouldn't even sit in my living room because it felt so closed in. Now we are all enjoying the new set up. Thank you again. Great job - every detail!
"I can't tell you enough how absolutely thrilled I am with my new space. I love the basement with my two leather pieces down there. I can actually see myself spending time down there, now that it's so inviting and comfortable."
"It looks amazing! I can't believe what you and your team did with my living room and dining room. Throughout the past few years my best friend and I have rearranged my furniture on numerous occasions and we both take pride in our decorating savvy. I have to tell you, we would never have come up with the ideas you did for placement of my furniture, lights, pictures etc. It feels so much lighter and I actually feel like I've gained square footage. You've made my living space look larger, I never thought that could be accomplished! Thank you again Sandi, it was great to meet you and I will definitely be recommending you to anyone I know that's thinking they'd like a redesign of their home."
...ladybug ladybug fly away HOME
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