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

Great Color Expertise

As a professional it is always important to increase your knowledge base, learn new skills and keep up on trends. I recently found a great blog all about color.



The blog is Colour Me Happy by Maria Killam. I have learn quite a few great tips from this. Her enthusiasm for choosing the right color and teaching you why is contagious.

I think you will really like the blog too. Check it out here:



http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/

Julie

Does your house stink?

Cool new product alert!


Cool Contest alert!


Yes, one in the same!




Dutch Boy paints and Arm & Hammer have joined forces to create a product that will be a huge hit. It is paint that helps eliminate odors in your home. Cool!

They are launching this new product with a contest. It is simple:

Upload a picture and tell a short story about a room in your house you'd like to freshen up. On their website, you can also look at everyone rooms and vote for which you think is the stinkiest. Win prizes for the stinkest room- not just paint but cold hard cash.

Contest website: http://www.myhousestinks.com/

Dutch Boys Refresh Paint website: www.dutchboy.com/refresh/

Julie

Visit 'The Home Stylist' website

As you might have figured out, this blog is part of a bigger picture. INSIDE THE HOME stylist blog is from www.thehomestylist.com.

If you are reading this blog, it could be you came from the website but maybe not. So...check it out:

www.thehomestylist.com

There are great before and after photos in the gallery. You can take a fun style quiz to see what style issues you may have. There are terrific and helpful services such as paint color selections, furniture rearranging and home staging help. Check it out and tell your friends.

I love hearing from you so drop me a note at julie@thehomestylist.com

(be sure to digg the website too)

The business of Staging and Redesigning

Many people write to me about going into the business of home staging and redesign/decorating.

"It looks like it is a lot of fun"
"I just lost my job so I want to be a stager"
"I have a boring job and I want to do something creative."
"Can I help you stage or decorate?"
And my favorite...." This looks like easy money"

Yes, the actual staging and decorating is fun but that is less than 50% of what I do. How come nobody calls and asks if they can input receipts into Quickbooks? Or ask if they can photocopy handouts? (or write blog posts)

The number 1 task I do with inquiries like this is to educate potential stagers or decorators that you are running a business.

If you just lost your job and need to pay rent or mortgage, starting a new business may not be for you. It could take years to build up your business to consistently make that type of money. If you are still determined to enter this field, I welcome you!

The Home Stylist offers aspiring entrepreneurs a very helpful service with Business Advice Consultation. Learn if this business if for you and if you have what it takes to make it a success. Get insights on the steps you need to take to launch your own successful home staging or interior decorating business. You know you have been dreaming about this. Arranging a business consultation is your first step!

Decorating: what is IN and OUT for 2009

In a recent industry magazine, there was a list of what is IN and OUT for 2009.
Here is just a sample:

OUT:
muddy earth tones
shiny gold
faux flowers
small picture frames
country
primitive
shabby

IN:
geometric
bohemian look
eclectic urban loft look
cooper and bronze
all shades of green
grays/pewter/silver with clear brights
frugality
handmade artisan items

How far are you OUT? are you heading IN?
Do you need help getting on trend? I can help!

Make an appointment today 716-912-1581 or julie@thehomestylist.com

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?

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!

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

Help with choosing paint colors

Is picking out a paint color puzzling? Do you get confused when one company has similar colors to another?

Here is a website that can help you: www.colorcharts.org

If you have fallen in love with a paint color in a magazine but don't have that particular paint company store near you, just simply select that brand and color name and you will get the nearest match to the competitor brand.

You can compare one paint company's "desert blue" with another "sea glass". Get the paint color you want from your paint store. It tells you by percentage the closest match. Really cool!

www.colorcharts.org is really fun to play with.