The Welcome Nest

Try taking a photo of the most lived in space in your home. Are you happy with it? Does it feel inviting and up to date? We often don’t see things unless we look thru a different lens. Redesign Consults are a great way to get a fresh perspective on your space. We can easily get stuck with the same old decor because of money, time, or just not knowing what to do!

A Redesign Consult involves me coming to your home or if distance is too great, you can send me plenty of pictures. Together we evaluate what you may need to do in order to update your space. Sometimes, a simple rearrangement and a few new touches can complete the space. Other times, a client may need help deciding what is dragging the space down and what items it may be time to let go of. Together we can shop your own home and see what can be pulled from one room to another. I work out all my ideas and follow up with a consult report that includes an explanation, images, and links for shopping. I have plenty of clients who work on their improvements over years, and I have others who get it done in a matter of weeks! Most clients are able to take the consult and move forward independently. Others need a little more help with shopping or placement of new items.

Many of you who follow my page know that I am always changing it up. I am forever seeing spaces that need a change or little tweak. A Redesign Consult is my way of showing you what your space could be with just a little help! Here are a few examples of some recent consult image boards.

Spring is the perfect time to give your home a breath of fresh air! Schedule your Redesign Consult and we can get started!

So, yesterday I took a few photos in sunlight to show you the new Ikea sofa that I purchased for my small sitting room.  When looking at the pictures, one thing was jumping out at me…the rug…and not in a good way!  I have been holding on to this rug and the matching one under my dining room table because I know they are well made rugs.  I don’t dislike them but my colors have changed and I think they are weighing things down a bit.

I made a quick detour to Home Goods after an orthodontist visit for one of my boys.  I found a very neutral, wool rug for the sitting room and decided to bring it home to try it.  I think it works!  This room has evolved over the past few months and I am pleased with the outcome.

 

As for the Ikea sofa, I like it very much!  I have admired the Ektorp sofa that so many bloggers rave about.  The washable slipcovers is a huge perk for me!  I found this sofa for just $200 on Craigslist in new condition.  I washed the white covers and they came out beautifully.  I was also able to order a beige/oatmeal colored slipcover from Ikea that I can use in the Fall/Winter months.  Both covers give me the neutral backdrop I have been after.

It really is true that one change leads to another but I keep telling my husband it is an exchange program!  I sell everything I let go!  That is exactly what it is too…letting go of things that just don’t work for you anymore.  Change is fun and keeps things fresh!  That is what I keep telling him anyway!

p.s. Stay tuned for the Dining Room rug change

Last week, I felt a little overwhelmed thinking about all the projects in my own home that I hope to accomplish.  I decided to jump in and tackle one that I have been talking about doing for months!  I freshened up my coffee table with Annie Sloan’s Versailles mixed with  Country Gray.  We found the table about 10 years ago on EBAY.  It’s a beautiful Thomasville piece but the top was showing some wear and I felt that I had so much wood in the room.  I’m happy with the outcome and you all know I love to change it up!  I’m going to continue to challenge myself this month to tackle a project a day.  Obviously, some days will not allow for the “big ones” but I can definitely handle cleaning out a drawer or straightening out a closet.  With the beautiful weather this week, I’m heading outdoors to do a little cleanup!  Make your home shine this month and join me in committing to one project a day!

When we first bought our home, it was a Cape with great charm and character.  With a growing family, we went thru two additions to gain the living space we needed.  There are a few rooms in the front of my home that are original to the house.  They have served different purposes over time but have the old wood floors and moldings.  My front sitting room/living room was a bedroom in a previous life and for that reason can be tough to arrange furniture.  At one point in time, we had removed the closet and made a bigger doorway but the original paneling remained.  Even with paint, it was ugly! I wanted to shiplap the room but there were a few things that steered us in a different direction from using the “real deal”.  First, our walls in this room are plaster making it difficult to get boards level all the way around the room. Second, the cost for real shiplap was not cheap! Third, I was not sure  I wanted the spaces in between the boards and the smooth texture.  Eddie, my favorite carpenter, along with my husband, transformed the room with paneling from Lowe’s.  The sheets were $30 each and had a gray, rustic finish to them.  The texture was great…the color, not so much.  The boards were put up horizontally to mimic the look of shiplap.  New crown and corner molding were added.  I painted the walls in Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster and the trim in Benjamin Moore trim white. The paint I used had a built in primer which made the job a little easier.  I am so pleased with the outcome and the overall feel in the room.  My refinished wall unit has taken on a whole new look in Annie Sloan’s Versailles.  We added a chandelier from Target,  curtain rods and panels from Country Curtains.  Take a look inside and tell me what you think! 

It is hard to believe we are almost to October! Where does the time go? My boys definitely keep me hopping! In between the craziness of a new school year and football, I have been busy with redesign consults and refinishing projects.  You continue to trust me with your treasures and I thank you for that! Once early November arrives, I will hold off on taking in new projects, as I will be preparing for the Albertus Christmas Boutique, which is the one event I attend each year.  I’m a little nervous as I have nothing to bring yet! It’s all good…that’s what I keep telling myself!

I always have something in the works in my own home and I am finally addressing my small sitting room/living room.  It was originally our bedroom! My house was a cape before we did two separate additions.  Maybe someday I will share some photos…you would be shocked at how dated the home was. I have a small accumulation of things for my new look…chandelier, curtains, paint, couple of accessories. Before any of that makes an appearance, the room is getting…wait for it…SHIPLAP!! Eddie, my favorite carpenter, is going to help me out with this one.  I can’t wait to share the project with you.  Stay tuned!

I’m attaching my list of services and for a chance to win a little basket of Fall goodies and a Welcome Nest gift certificate, please share my post (the one that brought you here!) on your Facebook page and comment “DONE”!  The gift certificate can be used towards any of my services or pieces that I may be selling.  Winner will be selected Friday! Good Luck! 

Redesign Services

Redesign Consult starts at $150 — I will come to your home and focus on the areas of concern. Spending about one-two hours in a hands-on visit, we can chat and collaborate on ideas that will breathe new life into your space and existing furniture. We can discuss one room or several. This is the perfect solution for the client who needs new ideas and help solving decorating issues. Tell me where you are stuck and together we will work on a plan to get you moving again. Following the consult, you will receive a report that will include all that we discussed and more. Images to inspire you and get you going in the right direction will be included.

Shopping Services $150 for up to 3 hours — If you need that second opinion on choosing furnishings to improve your living space, I will go shopping with you or for you. Simple inexpensive purchases can go a long way in updating the look of your home. This fee includes a quick visit to your home to stage the purchases.

Real Estate Staging Services

Walk Through and Checklist $175 — I will come to your home and conduct a thorough viewing of the home. Starting outside and moving through the entire home, I will over tips and advice on each room. The objective is to maximize your home’s advantages and appeal to the next buyer that walks through the door. You will receive a full report within 48 hours.

Redesign for Real Estate $75/hour — If you would like help completing the checklist, I will come back to your home and redesign those rooms that might need some attention.

Personal Shopping $150 for up to 3 hours — There may be some items we agree to purchase for the staging. I can go shopping with you or for you.

Open House Day $125 — I will come to your home and make sure everything is in place and ready to shine.

 

So, I am finally getting back to work!  My oldest son just graduated from high school and we had a very busy month.  I have some beautiful pieces that I am working on refinishing to post and sell.  The first one is the solid wood secretary desk which I chose to refinish in Annie Sloan’s Old Ochre. I am considering leaving the interior desk part as is.  With just a little cleanup, I think it will be a nice contrast.  Of course I will be changing hardware on those drawers!  This desk will be a beautiful addition to any space…an entrance, a bedroom, dining room.  It takes up a small footprint but offers great storage and character.  Go ahead…look around and find a spot!  Can’t wait to show you the new look!

 

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