Posts Tagged ‘long island’

Going “green” in the kitchen is the latest trend. As stager and owner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign in long Island, New York, I often recommend going “green” a great way to increase the value of your home. When remodeling your kitchen here are some suggestions to incorporate eco-friendly products.

1.  Appliances-With the tax incentives, buying Energy Star Appliances will save you money in the long run. Yes, they do cost more to purchase than other appliances, but the savings and the resale value will more then make up the cost over time.
2.  Flooring-Did you know that bamboo is a fast growing natural resource? It grows in abundance, almost like weeds. Because of this, bamboo flooring is a wise choice when going “Green”. And it looks beautiful as well.
3.  Windows-Don’t scrimp when purchasing new windows. Energy saving window will save you a small fortune when it comes to paying your utility bill. Buy windows with argon gas between the panes.
4.  Lighting-Use fluorescent lighting as oppose to incandescent lighting. There is talk that incandescent lighting will eventually be banned in the future. Also, use sky light to let the natural light in. If you don’t have the room or don’t want to incur the expenses, use solar tubing. A much more affordable option then sky lights.
5. Countertops-Recycled glass is an excellent choice for counters. The colors are dazzling and it’s quite durable. Another choice is concrete. It comes in array of colors. Concrete, like glass are in abundant supply.
6.  Paint-Using a low or no VOC paint. These paints have no volatile organic compounds that are hazardous to your health. They cover just as well.

There are many more ways to go “Green”. These are only a small sample of what can be achieved. When it’s time to remodel your kitchen, do your homework and research your materials. But most of all have fun experimenting, that’s what good design is all about.

White Kitchen, trendy or timeless? Have you notice when going through design magazines they are showing a lot of white kitchen? White kitchen seem to be stealing the show. And I couldn’t be happier!! As a home stager and redesigner and owner of Abella Home Staging & Redesign I often recommend painting the kitchen white, especially when it’s outdated. Why white? It’s crisp and clean. Makes your kitchen look bigger then it is. Works whether your kitchen is traditional, transitional, modern or even shabby chic country! Just make sure you add bold pops of color to ground the space. Add different textures and finishes to spice things up!

Colour me Happy

Decor Pad

 As you can see from these picture, by adding a dark floor, you help ground the kitchen and make it more balanced. Add old element with new finishes also gives it character. The options are limitless!! White kitchen I believe are here to stay. White kitchen, trendy or timeless? You decide. But it’s definitely here to stay!!

What’s old is new again! How many times have we looked at a furniture piece and though it had seen better days and discard it? What if we had painted it instead? We never seem take in consideration that painting furniture can bring new life to an old piece!  As a home stager in Long Island New York, when doing a Staging Consultation or Redesign project, I often see outdated furniture that can be reused when painted. Clients are often surprise at my suggestion, saying “I never thought of that!” It save money and reuses existing items. That’s what staging is all about!!

All you have to do is sand it down, fill in holes, prime and paint. Not difficult to do or you can hire a professional. It would still probably be cheaper then replacing the piece. And what a difference paint makes!! So the next time you have an old piece of furniture that you want to discard, ask yourself, can this piece be save by painting it?

If the answer is yes, then by all means do it! What’s old is new again!!

Centsational Girl

Centsational Girl

Living Room Before

Living Room After

As you can see from these before and after photos. I simply remove the corner section of the sofa and added an end table with a lamp and accent pillows. Changed out the curtains and moved the plant to a different location.

Dining Room Before

Dining Room After

In the dining room I had the home owners remove the curtains and added the plant (the plant detracted from the air conditioner unit in the wall).

Master Bedroom Before

Master Bedroom After

In the master bedroom I suggested that they remove the headboard. It took up too much space and it expended 6″ from the wall (radiator was there). By removing the headboard we gained precious space. We used pillow to detract from the fact that there is no headboard. I also suggested that she replace her comforter since it looked worn out. I gave her some suggestions as to what would work . She went shopping and picked out this comforter. We replace the lamps and curtains. Took down family photos and replace with neutral wall art. The transformation speaks for itself!!

In the office it was simply a matter of de cluttering and removing the hutch which took up too much space.

With the girl’s bedroom I had the homeowner remove the wallpaper, which was way to busy and paint the wall instead. They de clutter and removed the curtains.

Bathroom Before

Bathroom After

In the bathroom, I had them paint the cabinet which was worn out and the mirror frame (can’t see). Remove the shower curtain which, was too busy and replace with a simple white shower curtain. These were simple changes that had a dramatic effect on the home. After sitting on the market for five months, when the staging was done, they had an open house and an offer was put in!! Staging doesn’t have to be expensive, for the most part I work with what the homeowner has. Implementing small changes to have the dramatic effect we want.If you need help staging or redesigning your home call Abella Home Staging & Redesign, Long Island New York, and let’s get started today!

Spring, real estate busiest time, are you ready? Typically spring has always been real estate busiest time, especially here on Long Island NY. As a homeowner looking to sell your home, are you ready? There are so many things you can do to get you home ready and it won’t break the bank. These are just a few suggestions.

1. Curb Appeal. Now is the time for planting flowers and mulching. Just these simply suggestions can make a huge difference in your curb appeal.
2. Furniture placement. Do you have too much furniture in you home? If so, eliminate pieces. Remember space sells and if your house looks too cramped, then buyers will think the house is too small. Less is more!
3. Clutter. Nothing turns a buyers off faster then too much clutter.
4. Updating your kitchen and bathroom.. It doesn’t have to be costly. There are many new products on the market that can totally change the look of  kitchen or bathroom. Rust0leum has a great product that can literally transform your cabinets and countertops.
5. Clean! Clean! Clean! I can’t stress that enough. Buyers will be turned off if they perceived your home to be dirty.
6. Hire a Home Stager. Hiring a professional home stager will give you the edge in this very competitive market. Well worth the cost!

These are just a few suggestion to improve the look of your home. Home owners would be wise to follow as many of these suggestions as possible. Spring, real estate busiest time; are you ready?

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

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

Granite Vs Quartz: Who wins?

Granite vs Quartz: Who wins? Granite has been all the rage for the last 10-15 years in kitchen and even in baths. Here on Long Island, New York, granite has very popular with real estate buyers. But recently the has been a shift towards Quartz. Why?

1. Contrary to popular belief. Granite has to be resealed every year.
2. It can be chip if you hit a corner or a vein.
3. There is less radon in quartz because quartz, although a natural stone is mixed with polymers, making it the best of both worlds, engineered and natural.
4. Quartz is less porous than granite making more resistance to bacteria.
5. Quartz is available in more colors.
6. Quartz has increased in popularity by 13% in the last year, while granite only %5.

In my opinion, while granite is unquestionable beautiful, I think it quartz is the new “Trend”. It will continue to raise in popularity, while granite takes a back seat. They say it take ten years for a trend to come in and go out. Since it’s been about 15 years for granite, I say its long over due for a new stone to take its place and that stone is quartz!

Granite

Quartz

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!!

Going “Green” in the Kitchen!

Going “Green” in the Kitchen is the newest trend. Not only here in Long Island New York, but world wide. It’s also the best way to add value to your home. If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, here are some suggestions to incorporate going “Green”. Not only will this be eco-friendly, but it will be great for resale!

1. Appliances-with the tax incentives, buying Energy Star appliances will save you money in the long run. Yes, they do cost more money to purchase than other appliances but the savings and resale value will more then make up the cost.
2. Flooring-Did you know that bamboo is a fast growing natural resource? It grows in abundance, almost like weeds. Because of this, bamboo flooring is a wise choice when going “Green”. And it looks beautiful as well.
3. Windows-Don’t scrimp when purchasing new windows. Energy saving window will save you a small fortune when it comes to paying your utility bill. Buy windows with argon gas between the panes.
4. Lighting-Use fluorescent lighting as oppose to incandescent lighting. There is talk that incandescent lighting will be banned in the future. Also, use sky light to let the natural light in. If you don’t have the room or don’t want to incur the expenses, use solar tubing. A much more affordable option then sky lights.
5. Countertops-Recycled glass is an excellent choice for counters. The colors are dazzling and it’s quite durable. Another choice is concrete. It comes in array of colors. Concrete , like glass are in abundance supply.
6. Paint-Using low or no VOC paint. Thses paints have no volalite organic compunds that are hazardous to your health. They cover just as well.

There are many more ways to go “Green”. These are only a small sample of what can be achieved. When it’s time to remodel your kitchen, do your homework and research your materials. But most of all have fun experimenting, that’s what good design is all about.