When buying a new home, you will remember that you first saw a picture or drove by, if you didn’t like the look of the outside, then you just kept driving. This is an important fact to remember when we now go to sell our own home.
The first impression of the house is the one that will mean stop and come in or forget it.
So we need to make that street or curb appeal inviting and welcoming.
Start by trimming, cut everything back so it nice and neat and tidy. Make sure you can get to the front door with out your hair being skewered by a tree.
Get rid of all the dirt on the outside of the house, it is amazing how much street grim builds up on your walls. Hose down the house, remove the dirt, cobwebs and anything else lurking under the eaves.
Sparkle clear windows, inside and out, with no damaged glass are a must have, they make you house feel larger and accentuate your views.
Make your entrance inviting, surround it with good looking well cared for plants, perhaps some flowers in a pot, they always look cheerful and provide color. Remove anything dead and give the entry a good sweep and hose down. Paint or stain the steps, replacing any broken tiles. Spray for mold or slippery greenery that may be living there, you don’t want them to injure themselves on the way in!.
Make the entry neat and tidy, it provides a good first impression.
There are simple things that we forget, that is that perspective buyers look everywhere, even in the dishwasher, so make sure you have at least washed the dishes, no nasty smells left for them to find.
This does take time but it has a double barrel effect, clean out all cupboards and wardrobes, this makes the spaces look larger and gives the appearance that the spaces are large and adequate. This also saves time when it comes to moving out.
Run around the house with a duster and remove cobwebs, look for mold on the walls and children’s drawings! Get rid of any victims. You want to make sure that you house looks well cared for and not neglected.
Let as much natural light into the home as possible, open up blinds and curtains, go easy on the window opening, especially if it is windy!
Some simple things which can often be overlooked, make all the beds, yes even the children’s! Put all the dirty washing in the laundry or better still wash, dry and put away! You want to make sure there is nothing to turn off a potential buyer.
One important area is the kitchen, simple stuff here, keep it clean and tidy. Decorate by adding a bowl of fresh fruit or a vase of fragrant flowers to create a pleasant aroma. There are two minds about the fresh coffee brewing, it can be an unpleasant smell for some so if in doubt, keep the smells simple.
Read More...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
How to Get Your Client or Project Brief
This sounds more professional than it really is, most things in interior decorating can be broken down into processes. Then you can follow simple step by step methods to achieve them. This is how we achieve the client brief.
1. List up all the project’s details, address, number of rooms, number of family members, pets, lifestyle (professional, family orientated, teenagers with lots of friends, babies, loads of pets, retired and relaxed, home office etc) current style of the house, the type of construction, the budget, the overall content of
the project (i.e renovate the kitchen and bathrooms).
2. Take one item at a time and expand on them. For example Family Members - how many? What ages? What are their needs? This is especially important for the bathroom area - privacy, showers, baths, double basins, additional toilets etc. Current Style of the house, if it is a 1960’s bungalow, what kind of style are you wanting to portray in the home? Is the whole house going to be updated eventually or simply the kitchen and bathrooms? Look for long term plans as well as present as these can effect the look of the whole house if it doesn’t flow cohesively. The type of construction, this is vitally important for structural purposes, for example you may want to put granite bench tops in the kitchen, these are extremely heavy and if you had a timber framed floor would need additional engineering support for the floor, the same applies if you wanted to add marble to the bathroom floor on the first story, again very heavy.
3. The Budget - this is a major part of the brief, a good designer brings their project in on budget, this keeps everyone happy! It means that when you do your initial planning you are realistic as to what materials, fittings and fixtures are affordable, and you can set a priority list and use it to get the best quality project for your money.
4. The Overall Changes - in other words, the scope of work. What do you want to do with your renovations. Is it simply a repaint with new carpet, drapes and furniture or more extensive construction and cabinetry work involved. List up what you want to achieve, what changes are required and to what rooms, what contractors will be involved and their input. This all helps when you want to define your budget and start prioritizing.
5. Lifestyle - this is important when it comes to finding the right style of decoration. You need to find out how the occupiers of the home work on a daily basis. It is no use having a stark white kitchen with clean sleek horizontal surfaces when you have toddlers and babies and you spend all day making food for them. Getting everything out and putting it away again and again. You need something with user friendly appliance storage, easy access and a more softened look if you are going to spend most of the day in the kitchen. Same thing for a mass of teenagers you would need to allow a large space for a huge refrigerator as they will also eat all day!
6. Then the most important part - the aesthetics! What style or look you or your client wants to achieve. This can also be the most difficult as it is the creative side of decorating. All the rest has been “accounting” lists and numbers, vitally important to any project but not the fun side of decorating that we all enjoy. Read More...
1. List up all the project’s details, address, number of rooms, number of family members, pets, lifestyle (professional, family orientated, teenagers with lots of friends, babies, loads of pets, retired and relaxed, home office etc) current style of the house, the type of construction, the budget, the overall content of
the project (i.e renovate the kitchen and bathrooms).
2. Take one item at a time and expand on them. For example Family Members - how many? What ages? What are their needs? This is especially important for the bathroom area - privacy, showers, baths, double basins, additional toilets etc. Current Style of the house, if it is a 1960’s bungalow, what kind of style are you wanting to portray in the home? Is the whole house going to be updated eventually or simply the kitchen and bathrooms? Look for long term plans as well as present as these can effect the look of the whole house if it doesn’t flow cohesively. The type of construction, this is vitally important for structural purposes, for example you may want to put granite bench tops in the kitchen, these are extremely heavy and if you had a timber framed floor would need additional engineering support for the floor, the same applies if you wanted to add marble to the bathroom floor on the first story, again very heavy.
3. The Budget - this is a major part of the brief, a good designer brings their project in on budget, this keeps everyone happy! It means that when you do your initial planning you are realistic as to what materials, fittings and fixtures are affordable, and you can set a priority list and use it to get the best quality project for your money.
4. The Overall Changes - in other words, the scope of work. What do you want to do with your renovations. Is it simply a repaint with new carpet, drapes and furniture or more extensive construction and cabinetry work involved. List up what you want to achieve, what changes are required and to what rooms, what contractors will be involved and their input. This all helps when you want to define your budget and start prioritizing.
5. Lifestyle - this is important when it comes to finding the right style of decoration. You need to find out how the occupiers of the home work on a daily basis. It is no use having a stark white kitchen with clean sleek horizontal surfaces when you have toddlers and babies and you spend all day making food for them. Getting everything out and putting it away again and again. You need something with user friendly appliance storage, easy access and a more softened look if you are going to spend most of the day in the kitchen. Same thing for a mass of teenagers you would need to allow a large space for a huge refrigerator as they will also eat all day!
6. Then the most important part - the aesthetics! What style or look you or your client wants to achieve. This can also be the most difficult as it is the creative side of decorating. All the rest has been “accounting” lists and numbers, vitally important to any project but not the fun side of decorating that we all enjoy. Read More...
How to Pull Your Decorating Scheme Together
Last time we learn about Furniture Placement Guidelines, today we will learn about How to Pull Your Decorating Scheme Together.
With all the hard work over, we now need to tie up all the loose ends. Unfortunately, like every job there is the element of paperwork! I’m sorry, but it can’t all be glamor and fun. You must document your scheme, so that everyone involved is following the same path. This is then able to be used to get pricing from contractors and suppliers of products, as well as making sure that you or (your client if you are doing this for someone else) knows exactly where they stand and what they are going to get for their money.
So I will keep this short and sweet.
* Always write a finishes schedule. This lists up all there areas that you are working in, walls, ceiling, floor etc and what rooms you are working, and then what finish they will receive. This means that a contractor for example a painter can take this piece of paper and walk around the rooms and measure the quantities he needs of each product for each application.
* Make sure your client signs this document to ensure they know what they are getting. If you are doing this for your self you obviously don’t need to sign, but you do need to make sure you have a system if you change anything on this list, so that you can update it and reissue it to your contractors and you all know what is the most up to date copy.
* With your list (and this should be done when you are selecting your products) check with all the suppliers that the products are available and or that you can get them within your time frame. It adds a lot of money onto your project if you have to courier a product to get it on time. So forward planning is essential here.
* Make sure that you work out a time line and all your contractors know when they have the space to do their work and when they are expected to be finished, and make sure you are tough on this one, it is like a domino effect if you let one slip behind.
* Make sure you have all your prices and costs in your hand before you start engaging contractors or manufactures to start making things for you. You need to ensure that you are within your budget before you start. You want to make sure that you can pay everyone, if you want to get a start into the decorating industry, lets make it a good one.
* Engage your contractors and manufacturers ie painters, carpet layers, curtain manufacturers, in writing, always refer to their quotation or estimate and confirm the agreed amount and the payment arrangements. For example a deposit and remainder on completion or with installments, or payment in full before commencement (watch out for this one, don’t ever pay the total account until you have the total amount of work completed or else you have no way of getting the job finished if they don’t turn up. They have your money and you have an incomplete job.)
* Get the work underway, make sure you keep your eyes on the time and the quality of the work. Always be around, this keeps the contractors on their toes! You don’t have to stay but keep popping in to check up on things. You don’t want to have the job completed and see that the painter has misread your finishes schedule and swapped some bedrooms around!
* When the job is completed, check all the work has been done to a satisfactory standard before you pay the entire account. If you find any problems, write them down and get the contractor back to remedy them. It is important that you get this done ASAP as the sooner it is done the more likely they are to finish it, some contractors start another job and you just can’t get them back. So be very prompt on this job.
* Take out your camera and take some photos for your brag book!!
Well done! Read More...
With all the hard work over, we now need to tie up all the loose ends. Unfortunately, like every job there is the element of paperwork! I’m sorry, but it can’t all be glamor and fun. You must document your scheme, so that everyone involved is following the same path. This is then able to be used to get pricing from contractors and suppliers of products, as well as making sure that you or (your client if you are doing this for someone else) knows exactly where they stand and what they are going to get for their money.
So I will keep this short and sweet.
* Always write a finishes schedule. This lists up all there areas that you are working in, walls, ceiling, floor etc and what rooms you are working, and then what finish they will receive. This means that a contractor for example a painter can take this piece of paper and walk around the rooms and measure the quantities he needs of each product for each application.
* Make sure your client signs this document to ensure they know what they are getting. If you are doing this for your self you obviously don’t need to sign, but you do need to make sure you have a system if you change anything on this list, so that you can update it and reissue it to your contractors and you all know what is the most up to date copy.
* With your list (and this should be done when you are selecting your products) check with all the suppliers that the products are available and or that you can get them within your time frame. It adds a lot of money onto your project if you have to courier a product to get it on time. So forward planning is essential here.
* Make sure that you work out a time line and all your contractors know when they have the space to do their work and when they are expected to be finished, and make sure you are tough on this one, it is like a domino effect if you let one slip behind.
* Make sure you have all your prices and costs in your hand before you start engaging contractors or manufactures to start making things for you. You need to ensure that you are within your budget before you start. You want to make sure that you can pay everyone, if you want to get a start into the decorating industry, lets make it a good one.
* Engage your contractors and manufacturers ie painters, carpet layers, curtain manufacturers, in writing, always refer to their quotation or estimate and confirm the agreed amount and the payment arrangements. For example a deposit and remainder on completion or with installments, or payment in full before commencement (watch out for this one, don’t ever pay the total account until you have the total amount of work completed or else you have no way of getting the job finished if they don’t turn up. They have your money and you have an incomplete job.)
* Get the work underway, make sure you keep your eyes on the time and the quality of the work. Always be around, this keeps the contractors on their toes! You don’t have to stay but keep popping in to check up on things. You don’t want to have the job completed and see that the painter has misread your finishes schedule and swapped some bedrooms around!
* When the job is completed, check all the work has been done to a satisfactory standard before you pay the entire account. If you find any problems, write them down and get the contractor back to remedy them. It is important that you get this done ASAP as the sooner it is done the more likely they are to finish it, some contractors start another job and you just can’t get them back. So be very prompt on this job.
* Take out your camera and take some photos for your brag book!!
Well done! Read More...
The Finishing Touches
Last time we learn about How to Pull Your Decorating Scheme Together, today we will learn about The Finishing Touches.
Your contractors have left you have a brand new interior, you have placed your furniture, but there is still something missing. Yes! The finishing touches. This is where, less is definitely best, so select wisely. You want to create features in the room, not collections.
Here are some ways to finish your room:
* Artwork - paintings or prints. Select pictures or prints that relate to your theme or style, make sure they incorporate colors from your color scheme. They can be used to highlight your colors or just to create a texture to the wall in similar color tones. If you have a lot of paintings, you are best to group them together to create “one” picture, rather than spread them one by one across the wall. To find out more about placing artwork visit this article below. Arranging Artwork
* Artwork - sculpture. Sculpture is a great way to create a focal point in a room, find a god spot to display it and make sure you have a way of highlighting it with light.
* Vases - Flowers, fresh or artificial. These are a great way to soften a look. Fresh flowers are great because you can always create a new look depending on the type of flowers and the way they are arranged. For example wild flowers grouped suggest randomness, tulips on their own suggest simplicity, red roses on center stage suggest passion, spring flowers evoke cheerfulness to a room at the changing of a season, large white Asian lilies express opulence. To save time and money artificial flowers are a very good option today. They are almost too real looking, and you do look a bit silly when you go to smell them and have a closer inspection! Choose flowers that suit the style you have created, if you need help with this, most florists have a good background in matching flowers to your taste.
* Cushions - These are the greatest accessory, especially if you have children, they just love messing up your well placed accessories! They are great as you can further enhance the colors and fabrics that you have chosen, use the same fabric in a slightly different color way or the same color way in a different design. Contrasting colors work well to brighten a scheme, or textured cushions in a monochromatic scheme. Fringes and tassels, buttons and beads, the world is your oyster when it comes to decorating cushions, these are a “must have” in almost every room.
* Throws - these are a simple way to make a room feel more homely. They are great when you sit in front of the fire at night to read a book and you wrap the throw around your shoulders and snuggle. So they are useful as well as adding color, texture and style to your room. Once again you can follow the principles for cushion selection to choose what they will look like.
* Tie backs, hold backs - curtain accessories, these really add a touch of class to your window treatments.
* Lamps - we touched on these in furniture placement, but I can’t stress enough how these really add the finishing touch and create versatility in mood creation to your room. You have many options with lamp bases and shades to add color and texture to your room.
* Coffee table books - the ultimate accessory - The coffee table book. Something grand on a trendy topic like Food from Tuscany, or The History of Fashion, something that makes people want to pick it up and flick through. This is a way of making people feel welcome in your home.
* Ornaments - keep these to a minimum, as they are the fastest way to clutter, but the odd strategically placed ornament will definitely make your house look and feel like a home.
* Mirrors - These are a simple way to make rooms look larger or bring in more light to a room via reflected light. There are so many beautiful frames available today that you are bound to be able to find something to suit your style or look.
I hope that this has inspired you to add the finishing touches to your scheme. Read More...
Your contractors have left you have a brand new interior, you have placed your furniture, but there is still something missing. Yes! The finishing touches. This is where, less is definitely best, so select wisely. You want to create features in the room, not collections.
Here are some ways to finish your room:
* Artwork - paintings or prints. Select pictures or prints that relate to your theme or style, make sure they incorporate colors from your color scheme. They can be used to highlight your colors or just to create a texture to the wall in similar color tones. If you have a lot of paintings, you are best to group them together to create “one” picture, rather than spread them one by one across the wall. To find out more about placing artwork visit this article below. Arranging Artwork
* Artwork - sculpture. Sculpture is a great way to create a focal point in a room, find a god spot to display it and make sure you have a way of highlighting it with light.
* Vases - Flowers, fresh or artificial. These are a great way to soften a look. Fresh flowers are great because you can always create a new look depending on the type of flowers and the way they are arranged. For example wild flowers grouped suggest randomness, tulips on their own suggest simplicity, red roses on center stage suggest passion, spring flowers evoke cheerfulness to a room at the changing of a season, large white Asian lilies express opulence. To save time and money artificial flowers are a very good option today. They are almost too real looking, and you do look a bit silly when you go to smell them and have a closer inspection! Choose flowers that suit the style you have created, if you need help with this, most florists have a good background in matching flowers to your taste.
* Cushions - These are the greatest accessory, especially if you have children, they just love messing up your well placed accessories! They are great as you can further enhance the colors and fabrics that you have chosen, use the same fabric in a slightly different color way or the same color way in a different design. Contrasting colors work well to brighten a scheme, or textured cushions in a monochromatic scheme. Fringes and tassels, buttons and beads, the world is your oyster when it comes to decorating cushions, these are a “must have” in almost every room.
* Throws - these are a simple way to make a room feel more homely. They are great when you sit in front of the fire at night to read a book and you wrap the throw around your shoulders and snuggle. So they are useful as well as adding color, texture and style to your room. Once again you can follow the principles for cushion selection to choose what they will look like.
* Tie backs, hold backs - curtain accessories, these really add a touch of class to your window treatments.
* Lamps - we touched on these in furniture placement, but I can’t stress enough how these really add the finishing touch and create versatility in mood creation to your room. You have many options with lamp bases and shades to add color and texture to your room.
* Coffee table books - the ultimate accessory - The coffee table book. Something grand on a trendy topic like Food from Tuscany, or The History of Fashion, something that makes people want to pick it up and flick through. This is a way of making people feel welcome in your home.
* Ornaments - keep these to a minimum, as they are the fastest way to clutter, but the odd strategically placed ornament will definitely make your house look and feel like a home.
* Mirrors - These are a simple way to make rooms look larger or bring in more light to a room via reflected light. There are so many beautiful frames available today that you are bound to be able to find something to suit your style or look.
I hope that this has inspired you to add the finishing touches to your scheme. Read More...
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