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/

Home Decorating magazines

In the last month or so, two of my favorite shelter magazine have closed. The magazines, domino and "O" at Home, are no longer publishing. Yes, I guess it is the sign of the times but I am still bummed. Home style changes so fast that by the time some books get published cutting edge tips and designs have come and gone. Magazine print cycle is faster so you can (er--rather could) keep up with the trends.

What is your favorite shelter magazine? I need a new favorite to fill the void. What do you suggest?

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!