Archive for the ‘Home Staging’ Category

Rust-oleum Countertop Transformation, this is a relatively new product. Not too long ago I wrote a blog about Rust-oleum cabinet transformation. It’s nice to see they now make a countertop transformation. This is a great alternative for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money or time transforming their countertops.

Like it’s counter part, it’s easy to use. Comes in five different colors, and can be done in a few days. As a home stager & redesigner living on Long Island NY, I am constantly asked what can I do to update my kitchen without spending a lot of money or time. It’s great to know I can now offer this product as a solution. Imagine what you can achieve if you use both these products in your kitchen! It can totally change the look of your kitchen!!

Rust-oleum Countertop Transformation

Color made easy. Many people fear picking out colors. Hopefully I can take that fear away. Most people are attracted to the level of saturation (Intensity of that color) and not so much with the color. Think blue and how many variations of blue there is. You many like one shade of blue but not the others. When picking a color there are many things to consider.

1. Visually- what are you attracted to?
2. Saturation- it’s the saturation of that color that matters most, not the color itself (Think shades of blue).
3. Col0r ratios-using the 60-30-10 ratio in a room will pull the room together. And add different values for interest.
4. Use color three times at different levels.
5. Adding a contrast wall actually shrinks a room.
6. Create balance-a room that has all the furnishing near the floor tends to be bottom heavy. Don’t forget adding visually interest near the ceiling (wall art, drapes).
7. Stay within three values of that color. When looking at a color strip go up or down the color.
8. Are your color current-like food, design has an expiration date. Has your’s expired?
9. When purchasing major items like sofa go with neutral and add punches of color. It’s easier to replace pillows then a sofa.
10. Love the color you choose-or you won’t be happy no  matter how great the room is!

If you need help in pulling together a room, or afraid to get started, give Abella Home Staging & Redesign a call. We can get started and give you the rooms/home you desire!

Kitchen cabinets with a spice of color, is this the new trend? Lately I’ve notice a lot of kitchens that have painted cabinets in unusual color combos. It would seem to me that the latest trend is painting your cabinets and not just your standard black or white, but in vibrant colors! I’m all for painting kitchen cabinets when selling you home, especially if you have old and outdated cabinets. However, I’m seeing a trend in new cabinets that have been painted a very bright color.

This old House

This kitchen is done in what looks to me in lime green and black. Unusual to say the least!  As you can see this is not an old outdated kitchen. The shaker style cabinet and the clam shell knobs all signified an updated kitchen.

Here’s another one. Pale yellow and light sea foam green.

Handy Man of Charlotte

This one is done in light turquoise!

Although I do like the brightness and versatility painting your cabinets can bring to your kitchen, I’m not sure most buyers would appreciate this look. Will this look become mainstream? Maybe in time, but for now I believe this is a trendy look. Not something I would recommend when staging a home.

Kitchen cabinets with a spice of color, what do you think?

Rust-oleum cabinet transformation, is a do-it-yourself cabinet refinishing system. It is sold at Home Depot. It is a great way to refinish your cabinets without spending a lot of money. Although I’ve never used the product, I was impressed by the color selection and the easy of this product. It comes in dark color kit and a light color kit. The dark color kit has 24 tintable colors and the light color kit has 11 tintable colors.

This could be a great way to update your kitchen when you’re looking to put your home on the real estate market. As we all know kitchen and baths sell a home. If your kitchen is looking out dated, this could potential be a great way to update it. As a home stager  in Long Island NY, I am always looking for way to save homeowners the cost of remodeling or refacing.Rust-oleum Cabinet transformation could be the answer people have been looking for!

Rust-oleum Cabinet Transformation

Bland is Boring!

When selling your home, Bland is Boring! Most people have probably heard the term Home Staging or have seen staging on HGTV. But what they don’t realize, it’s not as easy as removing clutter, or family photos. In a recent episode, I saw a home owner remove all family photos, including all wall art. Her walls were bare and she had removed all clutter to the point, where  there was no centerpiece and no accessories  at all! Her home was bland and boring. Buyers are not going to “Fall in love” with a home that is bland or boring.

Many people think they know how to stage their own homes, because they’ve seen it on HGTV. It’s not that simply! It takes an expert to see what needs to be removed and what need to be brought in. Removing to much is just as detrimental, as having to much!  There is a fine line and a home stager knows the difference. A Home Stager can make recommendation on paint colors, furniture placement and even updating accessories.

Buyers have to picture themselves living in your home, they won’t do that if it’s bland and boring!

Bland & Boring! No Charm or color!

Should you hire a home stager, when selling your home? Most homeowners can decorate their house to sell for the most part. They can repaint, get rid of clutter, clean the carpet and on on. So why use a home stager? At Abella Home Staging & Redesign, Long Island New York, we think staging is much more then simply painting, cleaning and eliminating clutter.

A home stager can give an unbiased opinion of what needs to be done. The see what a buyer will see when walking through your home. And even though a home owner can paint, they are often unsure of what color to choose, or what items to eliminate. There many good reason to hire a home stager, here are just some of the reasons:

1. A home stager will know where the correct placement of furniture should be and if there are too many pieces.
2. A home stager can view the house objectivity. They are not emotional attach to the home. They can see faults that you can no longer see.
3. A home stager can bring in the necessary accessories needed to update the look of the home at a substantial saving to the homeowners.
4. A home stager has knowledge of what the buyers are looking for in a home.
5. A home stager knows the real estate market and can create the right atmosphere needed to make the buyers “fall in love” with your home.

Most homes today need to stand out among the competition. Staging your home will give you the edge you’re looking for. Not only will it stand out it among the rest, but chances are it will sell faster and for more profit. When you take into consideration that your home is probably one of your biggest investment, why wouldn’t you want to get the best return on your investment?

Make you home stand out among the rest!!

Making your bedroom serene!

Making your bedroom serene doesn’t mean you have to lose style. A soothing bedroom doesn’t have to be boring. Here are some easy step to achieving the bedroom of your dreams!

1. Imperfection-don’t try to fight it, instead embrace and work around it.  Long narrow horizontal   windows can be a problem but if you get floor to ceiling curtains, that will give the illusion of wider windows.
2. Matchy, Matchy-this is one place you can and should match. Matching nightstand , lamps these will give the room a symmetric look and feel to the room. This will enhance that soothing feeling that we want to achieve.
3. Fabric-use fabric that can withstand stains
4. Color-when choosing sheet for your bed, my rule of thumb is to match the bedspread. Too many color  are jarring to your sense.
5. Be practical-don’t try to have a high fashion bedroom that only looks good but is difficult to live in. Be practical and make it livable.

Remember this is your bedroom, use items that will appeal to your sense. Limit the amount of furniture (over crowding is a huge problem in bedrooms) and if you can at all help it, don’t put your office in the bedroom. Think 5-star hotel feeling and you won’t go wrong.

There is a new look to curtains. Gone are the days of heavy drapes!! Nowadays more and more consumers want a light and airy feel to window treatments. I couldn’t agree more. Custom made curtains are taking a backseat to store brought window treatments  (the new look to curtains) making it easier to change out or update the look in any room.

There are many window treatment styles to choose from. And even the hardware has a new updated look with many different finishes. From wood, which now comes in different shades of color, to metal with oil rubbed finishes.

There are a few things to remember when choosing your window treatment.

1. Style-Your window treatment should enhance the the style of your room.
2. Fabric-Certains fabrics will influence the feel of the room. Loose weave or sheers will soften a contemporary room. Brocades and velvets give a more formal look. So chose you fabric according to the feel and style you want your room to have.
3. Hardware-Matching finishes whether wood or metal, guarantees a polished look.

There is a new look to curtains! Window treatments can accentuate a window’s shape or conceal it’s faults. It can frame a beautiful view. But even the most beautiful room will fall short if the the window treatment isn’t right. So choose carefully and keep these tips in mind.

Bay window curtains

Macy's

When selling your home, Curb appeal matters!

When selling your home, curb appeal matters. Does your home have great curb appeal? Do potential buyers keep driving past your home? What kind of impression is your home saying?

The color of your home has a great impact, but painting your entire home may not be in your budget. There are still many ways to change the look without breaking the bank. How about repainting the shutters, trim, garage door, railings, front door?  You can update your house numbers, mail box and light fixture. Buyers spent a long time at your front entrance waiting for you to open the door, so the front entrance should be meticulous. Change out the old mat for a new one. When selling your home curb appeal is crucial. It’s the most important step right after posting your photos on the internet. If they like your photos buyers will do a drive by, if they like what they see, then and only then, will they make an appointment to see your house.

Consider resealing your driveway, power washing your house, reseeding your lawn. In fact if you can hire a landscaper until the house is sold that would be ideal. Plant flowers or use flower pots to add a splash of color.

By now you can see there are many ways to inexpensively spruce up your curb appeal. Remember curb appeal matters when selling your home, so don’t over look this very important step when putting your home on the market.

Immaculate Landscaping

Staging and the House Market: What effect does it have on your home?

Staging and the house market: What effect does it have on your home? What target are you marketing? What area? What are your clients willing to spend? These are some of the questions a stager should know. After all, as stagers, it’s easy enough for us to stage, but what market are you staging for? As a stager there’s no end to the recommendation we can make. But since we are working with a budget it does help to prioritize.

A Home in Long Island, New York, should be stage differently then say, a condo in New York city. Different area, different market. You would assume that the house on Long Island is in a  family based neighborhood while the condo in the city is geared to young professional. But if you don’t know your market,  you could be  costing your clients money and the ability to appeal to the right buyers.

You must research the area. Talk to the real estate agent to find out what kind of neighborhood this will appeal to buyers. If the real estate agent has done their homework, and I’m sure they have, they will have the answers. If the home isn’t listed yet. drive around the neighborhood what do you see? Does it seem to be geared to families? What amenities are near by? This could help you determine the neighborhood.

A good stager will make the right recommendation for your home. Staging and the house market does have an effect on your home. Hiring the right stager can make all the difference in the world.