Staging is Believing
Here are 3 1/2 ways to warm up your staged home and 3 of my design pet peeves.
1. Textiles add dimension, coziness and warmth. This is not ground breaking design news. However, it's how and where the textiles are used that really communicate the feel of home. For example, a knitted blanket gently tossed on a large chair under a window with a book on top of it creates a moment that most people want to have at home. This is a warm snapshot or a glimpse of a moment for a buyer to experience while touring your home. Sometimes people need a little permission to have something special for themselves. If a buyer sees that you take time to relax and enjoy a book all cozied up in this house, then they will feel like they will finally be able to have that...in your house...if they buy it.
*The value textiles can add to a staged a home is impactful personally to a buyer and financially for you. The impression you create in your home staging now becomes an expectation for a buyer during their search.
2. Baskets are your friends! Not only do they add aesthetic texture, they serve two main purposes, training and storage. Place baskets in the known drop zones in your home. This will train you and your housemates to keep clutter off of surfaces. It will also help to locate lost items since you already know what items gather where. Once the clutter is under control the baskets then serve the purpose as the go-to spots for specific items.
*The value of baskets is time saving while being visually pleasing.
3. Life's Accessories. Add a sweater, grocery shopping tote and/or a kid's backpack to an entryway hook along with a pair of clean shoes by the door. This is how we live on a day-to-day basis so feel free to display some real life items in the house to show that real people can live there.
The value of portraying normalcy of human life and activities puts people at ease and reduces the pressure for perfectionism in their own lives.
1/2. What year was your home built? Bring in an item reflective of that era. If its a new build, then choose a design style or period that appeals to you. Find an item that reflects the feeling of this era to bring into your home. It can be a color, a small accessory or a piece of furniture.
*The value of finding your design style is the beginning of creating the feeling you want each time you enter your home or space.
3 of my design pet peeves:
1. Flippers assuming they know what buyers want. Hint: It's not builder grade anything nor is it the flipper's favorite colors.
2. Trendy or dated before the house is listed, kitchen backslashes! i.e, Tiny square tiles in metallic or beige, horizontal and arabesque.
3. Grandma Granite. Just stop it. Please!
*Bonus Peeves:
-Beige box houses. (Blaaa, boring cookie cutter)
-Stark white ceilings with bold colors on the walls trapped by 6" mouldings and baseboards...6" each for 8' walls. (Eh, eye sore)
-Different bold colors in every room. (Anxiety inducing)
-Varying heights of kitchen cabinets none of which reaching the ceiling. (Merry-go-round cabinets, dizzying to the eye)
-Crown moulding in mid-century homes. (No!)
Warning: These are my own opinions and irritations. I am having fun here and in no way do I mean to offend anyone's personal style or taste. We all have our own preferences. Creating a personal space that brings you happiness is all that really matters. My goal is to help you find your personal style so you don't have to live a cookie cutter life.
How does your home make you feel? Can you apply these tips to your home while you are still living in it? Leave a comment below.
Happy Staging!
OPEN HOUSE!
Every home for sale should have a signature scent that brings the entire home’s feel or vibe together. Rather than using toxic air fresheners try adding an essential oil diffuser to the home the day before an open house. Choose light, natural and delicious scents such as; lemon, vanilla, peppermint, white tea… Be sure to go light on these flavors since the scent of the home works best if it’s subtle, enticing and warm. Too strong of a home scent and people will be running from the home with a headache.
Natural Scent Recipe:
2tbs Vanilla extract, 1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice (Meyer if possible)
Place in small soufflé dish or ramekin in the oven on 150 degrees.
Start this a few hours before the potential buyers arrive and leave on throughout the day.
(natalini’s custom “Om Spray” essential oil room spray and hand sanitizer is available upon request)
Healing Mantra
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung
Photo by: Conscious Design @conscious_design
Apr 7, 2019 1 min read
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung is the most powerful Kundalini healing mantra for the whole self. It can also be used with someone else's healing as the focus.
Ra = Sun {Base of spine}
Ma = Moon {Belly}
Da = Earth {Navel}
Sa = Infinity {Heart}
Sa =Totality of Infinity {Heart}
Say = Honoring all encompassing personal sense {Throat}
So = Merger of vibration {Third eye}
Hung = The infinite, vibrating, "I am Thou." {Top of the Head}
Listening to this mantra in a song helps to memorize it quickly. The power of this healing mantra can be felt almost instantaneously even on the first try. There are other components to the mediation that can gradually be included.
In addition to repeating the healing mantra, the other components to this mediation includes; posture, a mudra (hand positions), inner focus on the third eye, visualization of green light and a breathing technique. To be completed in its entirety, this meditation would take 11-31 minutes.
Below is a link to this mantra in a beautiful song:
https://youtu.be/YQrs9zlOW1U?list=RDYQrs9zlOW1U
More to come on the Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung healing meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Yogi Bhajan.
~Sat Nam
A BROKEN BUDDHA
tina natalini Jan 15, 2019 1 min read
Broken Buddha is still a Buddha that stands as a reminder of the journey toward enlightenment. The missing pieces do not detract from its purpose.
There's beauty in the breakdown.
-Frou-Frou "Let go"
#meditation #peace #imprefection #zen
Energy Clearing
ENERGY CLEARING
Photo by: Chris Rosiak @oserone
Jan 10, 2019 1 min read
Sage, Sweetgrass, Palo Santo & Essential Oils
Energy Clearing of a home provides a fresh start free of any negativity that may be present. Sage is used to clear negative energy (dark light) while sweetgrass bring on positive energy (white light). Palo Santo or Holy Wood, has healing and purifying properties that increase focus and bring good fortune. It also acts as an insect repellant. Palo Santo oil is known to heal joint pain when applied to the body. Essential Oils aid in focusing the mind and provide stress relief with issues such as migraine headaches, respiratory difficulties, joint pain, dermatological ailments and so much more. ____________________________________________________________________
Peppermint, Lavender and Camomile essential healing oils are key scents to begin experimenting with oils. Essential oils come in topical and food grade forms. Be sure to know how the oils will be used before purchasing. It is a good practice to keep topical oils away from the kitchen as to not create confusion with food grade oils. Follow instructions on use of all essential oils as some may cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Photo by: Edz Norton @edznorton
mind body om
Photo by: Landis Brown @landis_brown
Dec 13, 2018 1 min read
"Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food." Hippocrates
Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods along with herbs and spices improves overall health and wellness. Drinking 8oz. of green tea with 1 teaspoon of Turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon and a 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper is a great start in reducing inflammation throughout the body and gut while regulating blood sugar. Use organic spices whenever possible along with the Ceylon variety of cinnamon, also known as "true" cinnamon.
Here is a list of powerful anti-inflammatory items to add to the shopping list...
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Broccoli, Spinach, Kale, Dandelion, Wheatgrass, Collard Greens, Celery, Peppers, Blueberries, Aronia Berries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Cherries, Oranges, Red Grapes
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERBS, SPICES, GRAINS & OILS:
Turmeric, Garlic, Red Onions, Ginger, Ginseng, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cloves, Sage, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Marjoram, Spirulina, Moringa, Cacao, Chamomile, Green Tea, Horseradish, Rosemary, Barley, Amaranth, Oats, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil
#food #healthyliving #wellness #medicine #herbs #spices #vegetables #fruit #oils #grains #teas