Got the spring cleaning itch?

As the weather starts to break and the sunshine highlights the dust bunnies and dirty windows, it is time for a really good cleaning frenzy.



Do you need some help? encouragement? a plan?



Check out this website: http://www.totallytogetherjournal.com/



The same blogger that did crockpot cooking everyday for a whole year (2008) has some great advice with a dash of humor to help you get your house organized, clean and meals planned. Sounds good, right?!



I like this website and blog because it makes the tasks not seem so overwhelming.

I particularly like her post on the huge task of SPRING CLEANING

http://www.totallytogetherjournal.com/super-simple-spring-cleaning

Julie

Will you be my Friend?

Hello faithful readers of my blog.

Lately I have been working on beefing up my Facebook page and LinkedIn profile.

Are you also in Facebook?

Will you be my friend? (I feel like I'm on the grade school playground again)
http://www.facebook.com/ You'll find me under Julie Dana, of course ;)

Just be sure in mention in the friendship invite that you are a blog reader so I know you are not some weirdo ;)


Do you know about LinkedIn?

It is a professional networking site. I highly recommend it to connect and reconnect with other professionals.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/thehomestylistjuliedana

I would love especially to get testimonials from former clients. Is that you? Can you do me that favor?


Interior Decorating and Home Staging is a very personal type of business. I really get to know my clients. I consider many of you my friends. Let's help each other network and connect.

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

Decorator Show House progress

My assigned room within the Decorator Show House is progressing nicely.

With help from Scheer Painting Company (thanks Carolyn and Monica!), the room looks fabulous.


Benjamin Moore Aura paint used:

• White Chocolate - a beautiful soft creamy white
• Squish Squash - a cheery mellow yellow that pulls in the nearby bathroom tile color
• Sweet Sixteen - a pretty elegant pink for the closet

Here are some photos:

This room will look great! Want to see it? Get tickets and open dates at www.jlbuffalo.org

See you there!

Julie

Helpful home staging book

This year's real estate market is ramping up. If you or someone you know is putting a house up for sale, be sure to have it decluttered, cleaned and staged to sell.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell is the best do-it-yourself resource for this project. (yeah, I am bias 'cause I am the author)

Don't make the mistake of thinking:
" this is not done in my area of the country" or
"my house is fine just the way it is".

Competition in the housing market is tough. Staging Your Home to sell helps you beat the competition and get the most out of your biggest asset. Get this book today to help get the most money for your home in the quickest time possible.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell

The Home Stylist quoted on MSN today

On MSN.com today there was a front page article on selling your home in a crowded market. I was interviewed for the article awhile ago and then to be honest I forgot about it until my Dad called me today and said "Hey - did you see this article?" Good catch, Dad!

This article has many good tips about selling your home in a difficult market.
Check it out here:

MSN on 7 Tips to Sell Your Home

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/