Super busy this summer. why?

In the interior decorating and home staging business, summers can be slower than other times of the year. In this area (Buffalo, NY) folks are finally able to be outside and enjoy the gardens, BBQs, and picnics. The spring is very busy and summer slows down. Not this year!

I am having one of my busiest summers ever. My theory is that the unusually cold and rainy weather has people inside more. They are stuck inside on a rainy day and say to themselves - "I really don't like this room".

With my services of do-it-yourself decorating and staging, homeowners stuck inside can actually afford to make those room transformations by doing some of the work themselves. But more importantly have a plan so they don't make mistakes and save money.

What are you waiting for? Love your home again.

Julie

The power of staging, again

Last week I was called in to consult on a very nice home in desirable area. It had been for sale by owner for a month or so then the real estate agent came on board.

He realized right away that even though it was nicely decorated, he knew with a few changes it could be great.

I came in and made several simple suggestions: Move furniture for better traffic flow, removed small area scatter rugs to make the room less choppy, and we even talked about painting over a small mural in the kitchen.

I met the homeowners on a Thursday night. They did much of the work themselves including painting over their beloved mural. On that Saturday's open house, the house SOLD!

Prepping a house for sale is decluttering but it is also depersonalization (the mural) and making the house appear as large as possible (traffic flow). The hardest part of this for homeowners is depersonalization because there is not objectivity - the exact reason to bring in a professional home stager.

The homeowners and real estate agent are thrilled! and so am I.

Julie

How about you, do you need so professional objectivity to get your house sold? call me (716- 912-1581)

the demograhics of doilies

I have been very busy these last couple weeks. Who said there is a recession. The housing market is hot.

The last three houses I have done a home staging consultation for have had one thing in common: doilies.

In my most professional manner I kindly explain that the house they are selling is aimed at a certain demographic - young upper mobile professionals.

The doily is not a decor object that normally appeals to that age group.

What I really want to say is doilies reminds that generation of their grandma and they do not want to buy a "little old lady house" - there I have said it.

If you are putting your house on the market - do a doily check. Please remove them from all horizontal surfaces including your end tables, toilet tanks and plant stands.

It is easy to do and costs no money - no excuses. And yes, that means you.

Cool Wallpaper!

As you may know, I am getting ready to work on the bi-annual Junior League Show House. The teenage girls room is going to be great. One of the signature style elements in this room will be it's wall treatment.

On a recent Rachael Ray show rerun, I saw very similar wallpaper used in a decorating segment. My wall treatment will be slightly different but similar to the "frames" wallpaper in the first of this video. You'll have to check it out. It is really cool!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/overhaul-your-entranceway/

House sold in 5 days

If you are a realtor and are planning your goals for next year (you do plan your goals, don't you?), I highly suggest you add professional staging to your plans.

I got this note the other day:

Julie,
Just thought you would like to know that the most recent house you did a consultation for SOLD in 5 DAYS!!!! You are a strong component of my sales success.
THANKS ,
Michael

Don't you want that kind of success too? Call me. I can help you sell houses.

Three of my favorite things

As the snow is falling and the spirit of Christmas is seeping into the air..thoughts turn to the lovely tune in Sound of Music ...These are some of my favorite things. (be thankful that you can't hear me sing)

Three of my favorite things:

1. flannel sheets
2. electric blanket
3. book light

(as I said snow is falling)

OK - Now your turn. What are your favorite things?

Buffalo's Decorators' Show House

I am so excited to share with you that The Home Stylist has been selected to be one of the decorators in the next Junior League Show House.

It is a competitive process so I am happy to be part of the awesome group of decorators selected for this great project. I will be doing a teen girl's room on the third floor.

The Junior League of Buffalo had a hard time finding the ideal house to showcase this year so the 15th show house will be in a first ring suburb. It is an awesome house and will make a marvelous transformation.

Here is more details so you can mark your calender:

15th Decorators’ Show House 2009

E.B. Green's Wallace Estate

697 Lebrun Road, Eggertsville, NY

Sneak Peek Preview of the undecorated house:

Saturday, February 7, 2009 (10 AM to 4 PM)

or Sunday, February 8, 2009 (11 AM to 4 PM)

Decorators’ Show House

April 25 through May 17, 2009:

Tuesday – Friday 10 AM to 1 PM; 6 PM to 9 PM Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM

I'll keep you posted as I begin work on the room this early next year.

Holiday decorating tips while selling your home

The Realtor Magazine, the national magazine for real estate agents, recently published a great article on selling during the holidays.

The article, Holiday Decor That Brings Out the Best, by Barbara Ballinger highlights key points such as

• add tasteful, generic decorations,
• trade non-seasonal for seasonal decorations,
• keep up decorations for a limited time,
• use timely marketing materials.

It is a valuable article to share with those selling their house right now. It gives sellers and Realtors specific suggestions on how to balance enjoying the holidays without compromising being ready to sell.

I was honored to be the staging professional interviewed for this important national and timely article.

Hope you enjoy it,
Julie Dana, an Accredited Staging Professional, and lover of tasteful holiday decorations.

Fireplace facelift fast and cheap

One recent house I was working on needed to change out the dated brass fireplace door. The price of a new door was around $350. This was out of the budget. So what to do?

The answer is heat resistance black spray paint! Cost around $8.00.

For a total savings of $342

The Home Stylist will be glad to help you come up with cost effective decor solutions. Call (716) 912-1581. You can have a great room on a tight budget!

Get great deals at Linens n Things

As you may know the store, Linens n' Things, is going out of business.

Great deals are to be had right now!

Did you see me in line yesterday? I was the one with a whole shopping cart full of stuff.

As the weeks go on, the discounts will be steeper but the selection with be less. This was a great store for interior decorators, redesigners,home stagers and, of course, the do-it-yourself homeowner. This is your opportunity to stock up on props, inventory, and accessories. Check out the local store near you or shop online (www.lnt.com) while you can.

I know I'll be back in the next week or two to see what is left.

Julie

The Home Stylist featured in Business First article

In the Friday October 3 edition of Buffalo Business First is the article: Personal chefs, designers, pet-sitters still worth the cost. (page 34)

Here is a lovely quote from one of my clients interviewed for this article:

"I don't appreciate it when somebody comes in and tells me to get rid of my antiques and family heirlooms. The nice part of what Julie does is she's not coming in and considering it a blank slate"

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/10/06/focus4.html

If I can help you blend in your treasures while keeping a fresh look, give me a call. I would love to help you. (716) 912-1581

Curb Appeal in the Buffalo, NY area

On a recent home staging project, one of the major improvements was addressing the curb appeal.

What to you think? Improved?

As the saying goes "You can't sell it - if you can't see it"

If I can advise you on transforming your home for pleasure or profit, call me (716) 912-1581 or visit www.thehomestylist.com

Bathroom Makeover on a budget

This bathroom makeover was a fabulous transformation in a short time. It was the one and only bathroom in this 1900's house. The makeover had to be quick and it had to be great. Enter The Home Stylist:

Before:

After:

What do you think? Pretty neat, uh?!

The cost: Less than $250.

Changes include: new toliet seat, new mirror and lights

How can I help you make a great transformation? Give me a call (716) 912-1581

Julie

Buffalo Spree's HOME magazine

I received a new magazine in yesterday's mail called HOME by Buffalo Spree.

I have heard rumblings that this new bi-annual magazine was going to be good. It exceeded my expectations. It is GREAT!

The "What is IN and What is OUT" was dead on:

Read more of what is IN at Buffalo Spree's HOME magazine

What do you think? Did you like the new magazine?

Julie

Decorators' Show house - homeless!

Every other year the Junior League of Buffalo and The Buffalo News present a spectacular Decorators' Show House. This year they just can't find a house.
Do you own a house? know of someone? anyone?....The Junior League is just about to start begging and knocking on YOUR door. Here is what they need:

WE NEED A HOME!
The Junior League of Buffalo is in search of the15th Decorators’ Show House 2009.This renowned community fundraiser is held every two years and is co-sponsored by our partner, The Buffalo News. A house with historical and architectural interest is chosen traditionally within the city of Buffalo and is transformed by selected decorators and designers into a stunning Show House. The house is typically 7-8,000 square feet, must have a front and back staircase for proper visitor flow, a carriage house or garage for a boutique and the potential to be restored to its grandeur. Tickets will be sold to the public and the house will be open for viewing
April 27th – May 17th 2009.

If you are even maybe thinking about your house...give them a call and check out their website: www.jlbuffalo.org