Tampa Bay Redesign Blog

2009-02-20T17:06:00.008-05:00

We are glad you found us! Redesign and Staging is a rewarding career - let's help you get started turning your decorating hobby into your new career.

Browse through the site - there is lots of good information to help you understand the industry, how you can turn your favorite hobby into your very own business, tips on training and selecting an instructor, to sign up instructions for the next upcoming 5 Day Interior Redesign Training Program held right here in the Tampa Bay Area!

Before you leave the site, be sure to become a fan on facebook - we love to hear from you.

Have a great decorating day!

BLOG IS MOVING!

2008-01-17T18:39:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much for reading, this blog has been moved to a new platform. Visit me at
http://tampabayhousemd.com.

Happy Reading!

Me
"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Make The Connection - Women's Event Clearwater Oct. 22

2007-10-12T11:10:00.000-04:00

This is a fabulous event on October 22, 2007 at the LaQuinta Inn in Clearwater, FL.

I am one of the speakers and we will be discussing: Make the Connection - for you, for your home, for your life!

Including:

How good it feels to take a few minutes for yourself each day

How color and decor influence how you feel in your home (that's my section!)

How you can take simple steps to make good choices for your life.

It's from 6-8:30pm at 21338 US 19 Clearwater, FL and costs only $10!!!

RSVP Victoria Peasley at 727-518-6268 or click here to download registration form and sign up today!

Till next time...

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

The Office - TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-27T15:31:00.000-04:00

I haven't written in so long - been a really busy summer - which is great! But I had to just pop in today and say - yeah, my favorite show is back - I LOVE The Office and we have a great 1 hour special tonight.

Too cool!

Till next time...

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Staging Before/After Online Show

2007-07-15T17:50:00.001-04:00

Testing out if we can embed a Real Estate Show

Staging Tips for Tampa Bay Sellers

2007-07-15T15:50:00.000-04:00

When selling a home, one of the easiest and least expensive ways to update your home is using paint.

What color to pick? Lots of homeowners struggle with picking paint color - you are not alone!

Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have some great color choices that I like - they keep the home looking fresh, current and they feel good - just what we want the potential buyer to feel.

Remember, staging is not about you - it's about marketing this product (your home) and appealing to the widest pool of buyers as possible. If a buyer wants a two story home, and you have a one story ranch - no amount of staging will match you up - but if the buyer is looking for a one story ranch - what can you do to make yours stand out from the crowd?

Get it in showcase condition! Here are some good colors to use:

Neutrals - SW 6121 Whole Wheat, SW 6127 Ivoire, SW 6128 Blonde, SW 6135 Ecru, BM HC-6 Windham Cream, BM HC-26 Monroe Bisque, BM HC-29 Dunmore Cream.

Greens - SW 6421 Celery, SW 6163 Grassland

Blues - BM HC-147 Woodlawn Blue, BM HC-146 Wedgewood Gray.
(These are great in bathrooms - create that spa like feeling!)

Send me an email if you would like to participate in the drawing for a 20% discount on Sherwin Williams paint.

Till Next Time...Happy Painting!

"The House M.D."

http://www.welcomehomeredesign.com/

Changeable Place Mats

2007-06-26T11:19:00.001-04:00

I have been slacking in the blog writing department - not sure if it's just 'cause I'm hot - man it's been humid, been busy with clients or some combination there of - but it's been awhile.

Anyway, I was reading an old issue of Martha Stewart Living - I cannot take credit for this great idea, but I came across a clever little tip:

Pick up an 11x14 plexiglass sheet (you'll find these at Michaels or Joann - they are used for framing pictures). Then you can place anything you want underneath as a quick change placemat. Use leftover wrapping paper, photos, handwritten notes, cards and on & on...

What else can you think to add?

Here's a picture of the idea:

How cute! Anyway, let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."

http://www.welcomehomeredesign.com/

A neat tip - how to defog your windshield

2007-06-05T08:51:00.000-04:00

Here's a great tip I learned in Good Housekeeping issue in April this year - how to defog your windshield if the regular methods aren't working!

Just keep a clean blackboard eraser in your glovebox and a quick swipe of it on the glass when foggy will clear it right up - no smears or streaks. Clever, huh?

That's all for today - got lots to get to with some fun appointments coming up this week - redesign is so much fun!

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Staging Homes Works - Today Show part 3

2007-06-04T10:02:00.000-04:00

Here's the third and final part in the 'Setting the Stage' Today Show series.

Staging for $5,000 - this included furniture rental for a vacant home.
See the video

Remember, there are so MANY options and ways to stage your home to sell based on your budget and homeowner efforts that can be put in. It all starts with the consultation!!

Call today and get yours scheduled - what do you have to lose?

Till next time...happy staging!

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Setting the Stage - Part 2

2007-05-30T17:30:00.000-04:00

Here's today's sessions on the Today Show. This is so wonderful that the National shows are picking up the importance of staging. Remember, these segments are NOT including the stager's fees but they are showing great tips and ideas for things that can make a dramatic difference on a small budget!

Transform your apartment for $500

See Video

Till next time....happy staging in Tampa Bay

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Staging on the National Scene - Part 1

2007-05-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

This is GREAT news - staging tips have gone national. Yes, staging really does work. The Today Show is featuring a 3 part series on staging - Staging for $100, Staging for $500 and Staging for $5000! (The series has NOT included the stager's fee in those amounts, nevertheless, you can see that a little goes a long way).

Here is the first session, will post the others separately.

Part 1: Transform your house for $100
See Video

Tampa Bay Homeowners, if you want to get your house SOLD, call me today!! If the home is priced right, staging will make the difference between your house or your neighbor's house selling first. (Staging can't fix an overpriced house!) :-)

Stage it, List it, Sell it in Tampa Bay!

Till next time...happy staging

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Fun at the Home Show

2007-05-15T22:11:00.000-04:00

I was at the home show at Tropicana Field this weekend. There was a nice turnout and I got to meet lots of nice folks. I enjoyed talking to so many people and telling them about redesign and staging.

I look forward to working with all the new clients coming up - it's an honor to get invited to help someone pull together their house and make it into a home.

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Active Rain link

2007-05-01T11:20:00.000-04:00

You'll see a new link at the top of my blog featuring the real estate site 'Active Rain'. Why have I done this? I'm glad you asked!

I recently joined this online community - it features lots of different participants connected to the real estate transaction. There are agents, stagers, mortgage brokers, title agents, etc... With the ever changing nature of real estate and all its up's and down's, it is nice to have a positive place to get local support. You can meet (in my case) stagers from all over the country and learn what is working (and not working) in their markets - you can network and share ideas.

And while it is wonderful for me, it is even better for you - why? Well, you can learn more detailed information about an agent you are considering using - you can read their blog and understand their personality better to see if they are the best person to help YOU sell YOUR home fast!

Anyway - I think it is a fabulous organization and one you should check out!

Till next time...happy researching Active Rain!

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Welcome Home Redesign - what's in a name?

2007-04-30T11:23:00.000-04:00

When I was deciding what to name my business - I kept focusing on that 'feeling' we have when we finally feel home. Sometimes, that feeling comes because we just put out our family pictures, sometimes, it comes from finding just the right accessory that finishes off your room and you know you are done. Other times, it comes when we walk into a house for sale, and we just 'know' yep this is the one.

Well with my business I wanted to capture that feeling and help clients and potential clients see that I get the desire for that feeling and will do what I can to help them capture it - whether they are wanting a new look for living in their home, or need help in staging their home to sell so we can create that feeling for the buyer.

And by the way, I got married in Hawaii and love the aloha spirit and I thought sprinkling my business with aloha - well you really can't go wrong there!

And so today I was catching up on emails and read through my Country Curtains email. And found this awesome picture of pineapples and aloha spirit - and the name of the product line is "Welcome Home".

How cool is that?

Anyway - they have some great products that I use for staging as well - check them out!

Till next time....happy decorating!

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Tampa Bay Staging Success

2007-04-20T13:28:00.000-04:00

Here's a great success story. I provided a staging consult for a homeowner. She found my services by driving next to my car in traffic (love those car signs!). She was frustrated because her house had been on the market for a year, and just hadn't sold and she didn't know what else to try.

We agreed to meet for 1 hour to discuss what I thought she could do to improve. We start a staging consult from the outside and then go through all the major rooms of the house. We then document the list of items to be done and divvy them up between myself and the homeowner.

So - we began - the outside front of the house needed shrubs trimmed, beds to be cleaned up and removal of dead and/or dying, ugly plants. Then we moved inside - suggested a different furniture arrangement in the living room and both bedrooms. Also suggested redoing the china & TV cabinets, and adding a few touches for organization purposes. We want to show how efficient and effective the storage is NOT that you don't have enough storage - which is what a buyer thinks when closets and cabinets are packed with stuff or it looks messy.

The backyard needed lots of work - so we agreed I would go away for a bit and then return and provide the ideas for the backyard and the unique challenges she faced. (One of them, is how do you keep your house in showcase staged to sell condition, when you run an in-home daycare and all the inherent toys and bits that come with that service?)

So anyway, the homeowner completed all the items we discussed for staging except the back yard. When I went to visit her, 7 days after completing the staging, she had an offer on her house!

She couldn't believe it!! But that folks, is the power of staging. We look at the house through the buyer's eyes, and prep the home for showcase readiness and it will help you sell your home faster and for more money.

Call me for more details - I'll get the before & after shots up soon!

Till next time...happy staging in Tampa Bay!

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Aloha!

2007-04-20T13:23:00.000-04:00

Been out of pocket for a bit, enjoying the lovely Hawaiian islands. We visited the Big Island and Kauai. We had been to the Big Island before and had a nice visit this time too. But, boy we really enjoyed our trip to Kauai - it is gorgeous, lush and lots to do. We could have easily stayed longer there.

Now back to work again - but always with that aloha spirit! Let's get decorating...

Till next time...aloha

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Yep - they did it again...

2007-04-03T14:23:00.000-04:00

[Times photo: Brian Cassella]

Repeat baby! Wow - this is really cool for Gator fans around the world.

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Go Gators!!

2007-03-31T17:54:00.000-04:00

Good luck to the Gators tonight - we want a repeat for basketball and oh yeah, that would be right after our Gators won the BCS football championship. It's great to be a Florida Gator, it's great to be a Florida Gator!!

Till next time...happy decorating (and cheering on the Gators)

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Ikea is coming to Tampa!

2007-03-28T10:16:00.000-04:00

For those of us that need to purchase inexpensive, great looking, high-style accessories for staging and/or shopping for clients - this is GREAT news!! Ikea has tons of really cute things that often are just the final touch and perfect piece to finish a room.

2009 - Ybor City - I'll be there, will you?

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

IRIS conference was fun!!!

2007-03-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

Just imagine a room full of redesigning women - that was the Loewes Vanderbilt hotel in Nashville. IRIS (www.weRedesign.com) holds an annual conference for interior redesign and home staging. Boy, did we have fun - tons of great classes and a fantastic speaker, Susan Fletcher! Her talk was on "working in the smart zone". She was funny, engaging and the perfect key note speaker. Visit www.smartzoneexpert.com for more info - she worked with Dr. Phil, too!

I took additional training on vacant staging - I'll write more about this topic as well as that is going to be another avenue for the business. Quite excited about that, especially given the challenges we face in the FL housing market right now - staging can make a BIG difference. Other than pricing your home right, it's the next best thing to getting a home sold fast and for more money. Also, took additional classwork on Feng Shui and Color.

More later, but for now - here's a picture from Nashville - this was a select group of the "South Region" with our friend "Garth Brooks".

Till next time....happy decorating!

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Love this Online Store!!!

2007-03-16T12:45:00.000-04:00

Here's a cute store (www.wrapables.com) - saw it featured in Lucky magazine. I went to the site, and it is so cute. Lots of great products that will add some 'design spunk' to your room - style and prices like you might find at one of my favorites - Target (or Tar jay, when we are being fancy!).

This is a decorative throw you might lay on a couch or chair.

Have fun exploring and Happy St. Patrick's Day to my fellow Irish friends!

Till next time...happy decorating!

"The House M.D."

www.welcomehomeredesign.com

What is Feng Shui and what does it have to do with Redesign?

2007-03-08T11:49:00.000-05:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. The literal translation is "wind and water".
Feng shui involves the use of geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological concepts in relation to space and energy flow.[1] It is not simply a decorating style, but a discipline with guidelines compatible with many different techniques of architectural planning.
The source of the term is purported to be the Burial Book written by Guo Pu (郭璞) in the Jin Dynasty (晉朝). Qi (氣), the energy of the universe, is carried in the wind and retained within water. Both elements were used as a way of directing Qi, thus giving feng shui its name. Wind is said to carry energy or Qi and therefore represents the principle of change and transformation in nature. Water is said to hold energy and therefore represents the principle of stability. When applied to human affairs, wind is also representative of action, fervor, and enthusiasm, whereas water is representative of internal strength, meditative qualities, and psychological power. By relating the holding and dispersing qualities of water and wind in nature to those in human behavior, feng shui also seeks to improve the human condition through the manipulation of physical space in a way that will impact on its corresponding qualities in humans.
An individual is usually not described as having bad or incorrect feng shui, but since the practice is linked to Qi, a persons energy can either deplete or add to the energy of his or her surroundings. The space can also affect the individual, especially in matters of luck, health, and prosperity. Feng shui is not only a practice that is related to physical space, but also to the inhabitants of the space itself, as both are interconnected.

And of course, redesign is all about you and your things. I am really excited as I will be attending some training for Feng Shui at the IRIS annual conference in Nashville, TN. I will share more as my education increases.

Till next time...happy decorating in Tampa Bay!

Me

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

What's a Redesigner do that is so Special?

2007-03-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

What makes a redesigner special? We are unique and our approach to design and decorating is unique. Redesigners start with looking at the things you already own, understanding your style and personal flair and then work on creating a space that is both functional and fabulous looking. It isn't about finding the perfect throw pillow in just the right color, if you hate throw pillows. It's about understanding you and then figuring out how to pull together a gorgeous room using your own things.

It's about looking at objects in a new way and being creative with what you have to get the job done. It's understanding that you don't live in a decorating magazine but you LIVE in your home - you have pets that have to be taken into consideration (a feathered lampshade is all the rage in design style, but I can only imagine how much fun that would be with my cats going for it!). You have kids, maybe a messy husband or you're the messy one - whatever, redesigners will work with you and help you make your a house a home with your things.

And what's great about a redesigner is while we do this for homeowners all the time, when you get ready to sell your home, that same redesigner can come back and stage your home to sell. Now, it's not about you and how you live, it's about the buyer and how they can live in this space.

That's a little bit about a redesigner and what we bring to the table. If you are in the Tampa Bay area, and need some help with interior redesign, home staging, color consultations or how to decorate on a budget - give me a call, I'd love to start your house makeover!

Till next time...happy decorating!

Me

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

Great tip for cleaning silk/artificial flowers

2007-03-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

Here is a fabulous little tip from a fellow redesigner - Judy Byrne of Rooms Renewed

To clean silk/artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously. The salt will absorb all the dust and dirt, leaving your flowers looking like new.

I've used the blow dryer trick, I have shook the plants outside, and I have painstakingly wiped with a sponge each little leaf but I have never heard this tip before.

It was so good - I had to share it with you. I'll test it out and report back on it, but very cool if it does work!!

Till next time...happy decorating!

Me
"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com

From "House" Hugh Laurie

2007-02-23T17:37:00.000-05:00

From one House MD to another Hugh provides a great quote: "Winning doesn't teach you anything. You win. End of Story. But the losing and what you take from it - that's the interesting bit."

So true - and I might add, it's the trying and doing that counts in life, not our list of failures, mistakes or bad choices. This applies in life AND in decorating.

Don't be afraid to try - pick a new color, try a curtain in a different place, be bold with your paint choices, see how just shifting items from one room to another - how different they can look. You might just amaze yourself with the transformation.

Redesign is about you - let your home tell the story of your life!

Till next time...Happy Decorating!

Me

"The House M.D."
www.welcomehomeredesign.com