Then you move in, your furniture is placed, your artwork is installed and those flaws you originally saw as such ‘deal breakers’ don’t seem so big any more.Clients have said to me “Well I just got used to it I guess”. But I have another theory and it’s closer to--you simply have something else to look at now that you've moved in.
1. The mirror hides the imperfection in the wall [above].
2. The piece of art above the fireplace becomes the focal point, therefore the mantle or stone doesn’t seem as bad as it did at first.
3. Ever notice how much sexier your dining table or desk looks--even when it’s covered with paper--if it has a stunning vase with flowers in it [below]?
That’s how important it is to have a focal point in each room of the house!
4. If the end table in your living room is the first thing you see when you walk in, (like in this image above) then your lamp needs to be one of the most important pieces in the room!
5. Toss Cushions. You would be surprised at how quickly your sofa can be transformed from dull and dated to interesting and eclectic, with the right toss cushions. It seems obvious but all you have to do is take a piece of fabric (or a matching cushion from your sofa) on your next shopping trip to bring some colour and drama home with you!
6. Bedrooms. The bed is the easiest piece of furniture to keep neat and tidy so if the first thing you see when you walk into your (or your kid’s) bedroom is a messy bookshelf or desk, re-arrange the room. It’s amazing how many clients look at me like I am a genius when I make this suggestion (which of course I am :) when it seems so obvious and straight forward to me. However, I don’t judge, I am just thrilled that you have hired me to help you make your home more beautiful!
Above images from flickr
7. Garage. Why does it need to be white when the walls in this room get the biggest beating? Bikes, lawnmowers, garden equipment, outdoor furniture, etc. Paint it a fabulous colour (which then becomes the focal point) that fills you with happiness every time you see it and read my post about light colours in dark rooms, if you are still not convinced!
8. Bathrooms. I have saved many an immediate (I can’t stand this bathroom!) renovation by selecting the right colour for the cabinets (that relates to the countertop) and the walls (that relates to the tile), but this solution only works if you have the right colour. This is when the design fee of a colour designer really looks like a bargain!
House Beautiful9. Kitchens. Cabinets if they are dated, should be painted white or cream period [above]. Read my post on white kitchen cabinets and then have your husband read this post so that he can get aligned with you on painting them! It’s possible also to paint the backsplash if you can’t afford to take it out immediately, sometimes my clients have just painted the dated accent tiles individually if required.
10. Crown Moldings. Okay do they really need to be the first thing you install in your living room before it’s even decorated? I know what this is (your husband is so busted!); men get the value of a house, they want a big, beautiful (our friends will be so envious) house, but then decorating it? The budget suddenly dries up. Is this a familiar song? That’s why I just don’t see the point (of making those kinds of--barely noticeable--changes) until at least your living room is decorated! When you are moving, a stylish living room will sell your house way faster than having crown moldings anyway, so take my advice and decorate instead!
Happy Weekend Everyone!
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I really enjoyed your article, Maria. I always wanted you to come and visit me in Vernon so that I could transform my house; you do such amazing things with your touch. Now I realize that maybe I can learn a few great tips from you by reading your blog. So, I am excited about the new ideas I am learning from you! Thank you very much, Maria. You ARE brilliant!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Maria, and hallelujah, how true! Boy, would I love to replace all our trim work and put in crown mouldings, but what a job. So I decorated instead!
ReplyDeleteI will keep your focal point ideas in mind - what a great perspective and I don't always think this way but must start seeing this way a little more...the focal point is IT!
Great post, Maria. I had to find a rental house for a friend once. I found one that had a lovely yard on a great street and everything about it was so nicely kept, but..........it was so tacky. She decided to take it anyway and just decorate it to her liking. When she added her treasures and her style, it was comlpetely transformed! I walked in and didn't even notice the sculpted (but very clean) carpet or the bad wallpaper!!
ReplyDelete* Thank you, Maria, for another great, informative read! Everytime YOU write, I LEARN, and "me likey"!
ReplyDeleteThanks again, so much!
Linda in AZ *
wonderful post
ReplyDeleteI should forward this to all our clients as a must read :)
They all complain about the same things before moving in forgetting that the place will not be empty.
Beautiful images that are well chosen.
I love the way you always find the perfect image to make your point. I save all of your posts and send them to clients when I get into situations that you discuss. This is a perfect one. So many clients obsess about the imperfections. I have to tell them many times that they won't notice these flaws once their home is decorated. Showing them this post will be so much more convincing than just my words.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend, Maria.
xo
Brooke
Great post, the "Cabinets if they are dated, should be painted white or cream period" is a true, true statement...and dated could just mean "oak"...
ReplyDeletemen want a big house, a great big ass chair and cool car, the rest they have no bugdet for...what's with that?
Enjoyed reading every word of this post, Cheers
Carol Ann x
Great blog
ReplyDeleteThis is a really enlightening post.
Will have to visit regualarly
It is very true that good decoration takes your attention away from flaws. That is also a major reason for staging (not to hide defects but to make a room more appealing and alive). I would always prefer a great sofa and art instead of perfect crown moldings over a cheap piece of furniture!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you liked the sap buckets when you came to visit my blog...you are a color girl...and expert color girl. Very cool blog. Color sometimes does befuddle one so thanks for all the great tips.
ReplyDeleteMaria, see one size fits all! Great post. This is called wake-up call, I have shared this with my clients also. When you have new eyes on the situation you can "see" different things and you are worth it to clients too.
ReplyDeleteBette
excellent post! thanks for summing that up so well
ReplyDeleteGreat summation with perfect images to show what you mean! Loving your header too!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Gorgeous rooms!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can totally relate. I have so many clients that nit pick every detail, and they always forget that once everything (the art, furniture, paint, accessories etc) come together the room or rooms come together beautifully.
ReplyDeleteyou are good.
ReplyDeletethis is a great post.
and yes.... i would love to exchange with you.
i will put you in my blog roll.
just check to see if is the right one.
xx
Thanks for the inspiration. I think I'm going to go pillow shopping for my sofa next weekend!
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteI have always felt that a well decorated home hides all the flaws and when it is for sale and the people come through, the flaws are not noticeable. We have moved so many times due to the military and I have always felt the the "decor" sold the house.
Blessings...
Focal points are a staple of interior decorating. With each room of your home being a different expression your personality, what better way to theme the room and center it than to identify a key focal point and build around it.
ReplyDeleteWe've always been very fortunate to have great fireplaces in our living rooms. They're a great natural focal point and easy to accent with candle holders, fireplace screens, and framed art. Our family room fireplace is a very special focal point. I bought a personalized fireplace screen for my wife one Christmas and we combined that with a framed photo of my father in his army uniform and the American flag from his funeral for a very personal touch.
great suggestions!! love the ideaof painting that garage-- i have never thought of that & now that you've mentioned it, it just makes so much sense!!
ReplyDeleteanother great post maria!!
xoxo
Maria, excellent post, and so meaningful right now as many of us are freshening up our decor on a tight budget. The focal point theory is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love your blogs, Maria-- this could become a dangerous addiction! I do have other things to do. But they are always entertaining and informative, and thought-provoking. I think I will paint the garage of our new home, too.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE the first picture in this article! That is soooooooooo my secret personal style. Focal points are also very important in home staging. It gives the buyer something to remember about each room and why they like the house. Even if you only use a few pieces of furniture in a vacant home, it can help sell it. I'm glad I found this post!
ReplyDeleteThat first image is so beautiful,, It exhudes such happiness because of it's bright colors!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI just recently found your blog and absolutely love it!
I will definitely be following :)
xoxo
Edyta
http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/
www.edytaandco.com
I love that roman shade in that last kitchen...it is perfect I love blue and green accents in kitchens!
ReplyDeleteReally great photos; nice summation of your very KEY points. Thanks!
ReplyDelete