Diamonds In The Rough

This is a story of an all wood 6 drawer dresser that wasn't much to look at when I found it at my local Goodwill.  Knowing the power and creativity stored in my fingers I knew I HAD TO buy this diamond in the rough. I knew I could turn this into something that would soon take center stage in someone's home again. 

So with my hard earned $60 in hand and the item ticket in hand, I headed to the register to claim stake of my treasure! But lo and behold, the gods were smiling on me.  It was "Half-Off Tuesday" on EVERYTHING in the store! I enjoy saving money more spending it - so this was destiny being fulfilled!  With just a can of paint, 1/2 pint of polyurethane, some light sanding and polishing of the original brass hardware, this big old ugly duckling was transformed into...

   

The end of this story ends up when I was able to sale this on craigslist for $350!! Now that's what happens with you give a little TLC.  

Here, are more of furniture makeovers:

This one my husband found near the dumpsters at our apartment complex. This was a custom order and we were able to sell this for..$180!!                                                             

The client wanted a distressed look so I gave them DISTRESSED! 

Yes, this one smelled as bad as it looked, but I couldn't walk away from all those CURVES!!

Check out the reversible cushion!! I was beyond excited about the way this turned out.   

Shop Like a Pro

"A true shopper leaves no stone unturned" Leigh Erica Jones.  A dear friend of mine said this to me many years ago after asking her where she got her designer belt that caught my attention.  She had found it in a thrift store and got a great deal for it.  That statement has been my motto ever since whenever I'm in a hunt for a great deal; which is almost every time I leave my house.  So with that said, I want to share with you some popular places I personally have been able to find some great deals with hopes that when you're creating your own space, you can find some gems for cheap and appreciate something for what it is and not who made it or how much it costs.


My mother and my favorite place to start our hunting season is:

    Goodwill Industries is a great place to start because usually they have sales on different color tagged items every week.  This means each week, all items with a certain colored tag are on sale off their already low prices.  Also, some Goodwill Industries have a pricing system where all picture frames or tables are the same price no matter what. Always check out their furniture section. Find furniture with potential.  They have a reasonable return policy as well. I think they also have senior and student discounts. I currently do not qualify for either.

Just like their tagline states, The Salvation Army really does a lot for the community with rehabilitation centers and housing for the less fortunate. With a mission statement like this, who wouldn't want to be part of that giving-it-forward movement; "The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination."

Etsy

Etsy is an online market with vendors from all around the glob who make, sell and ship their own products.  It's easy to find whatever it is your looking for and there are so many vendors and styles to choose from.  This site is especially great when trying to get a great deal on window treatments, pillows and home accessories.  Most of them cannot be found at your local home furnishing store and since they are hand made you get that unique look and feel as well.  It is also nice to know you are supporting small business.


craigslist

Oh, the many crevasses and urban legends of Craig's List.  Okay, for the not so faint of heart, Craig's List is like a personal add for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. Local people in your area post things they are looking for and also selling, from furniture to slabs of concrete.  They are usually used items but still in good condition.  There's also a "Free" section for things people just need to get rid of.  Finding something of value and great consumer appeal will be fun because usually once you find something, they are usually willing to negotiate the price.  Things to consider is their location in proximity to you, time they are willing to meet with you, and always have cash on you. Try to meet in a public place if possible. And always INSPECT, INSPECT, INSPECT your item before you buy. I haven't had to return anything I've bought, but I'm pretty sure there is no return policy once you've bought your find.

  Ross actually sells way more than just clothing.  They have a furniture and home-goods section (think lamps, area rungs, pillows, storage containers) that is always being restocked with random finds.  Each Ross store location will have different pieces for sale, so I like to shop around and see what each has to offer.  Always check out their mark-down sections as well.  They have the best mark-downs I've found.

     Basically, these three stores are considered the high-end in discount department stores.  The thing I appreciate about these stores are they usually have more of the same item if you want to buy a pair for accent chairs or a grouping of accessories.  The prices are about 25% higher than Ross, but you can still find a great deal. 

Here are just some things I've uncovered at these shops.  I will not disclose where in particular each piece is from or what brand.  That is NOT the point.  The point is, I GOT A GREAT DEAL!! The end table with the star burst is one of my refurbished pieces.

              I hope you find these tips helpful.  May the great finds and savings be ever in your favor!

Fun Weekend Projects

Make It - Enjoy It - Love It

 

1st Weekend  You can normally find old door knobs with their matching plates at your local home improvement salvage yard or antique shop.  All you'd have to do is mount them to the wall. These make for a very fun towel and rob holders.  You can even spray paint them to coordinate with your existing decor.

 

2nd Weekend This custom whimsical lamp is a great way to capsulate old childhood toys that are no longer being used from your child's collection or your own.  You can use anything that will hold up to the powers of a glue gun adhered to the base of an old lamp.  You can also use old costume jewelry, empty make-up cases, lipstick cases, little perfume bottles, and small Barbie plastic accessories for a more girly look.  Depending on the final look, you can keep the natural look of the items or spray paint them all one color. Just have fun with it.

 

3rd Weekend  If you have space near your front door, this is a really unique way to fill up the empty space and also have a coat hanger.  You can get some thick doles from your local hardware store, bind them together with heavy duty straw yarn (you can nail them together too for extra reinforcement) then paint them.  Tape off the stopping pint for a clean line OR let the paint run down for a more organic look. Actually, you might want to paint them first.

4th Weekend  Do you need extra storage? Do you need a place to display your collectables? Then this hanging shelf  is just what you need.  And it's easier to make than you might think.  Just get slabs of wood with either the same thickness and width or for a little more interest, they can call vary in width and length. Lay them on top of each other  in the order you want them to be hung.  Drill a whole wide enough for your rope to go through.  Lay all four ropes side by side and mark off the distance where you want the boards to stop. When threading the rope through the boards, tie a knot that will prevent the board from sliding down the rope. Get mounting hooks from the hardware store.  You can either hang the unit from the ceiling or the wall. 

5th Weekend  Remember what you did the first weekend for the towel holders? So this project is EXACTLY  like that but you can will mount the door knobs near your window curtains for tiebacks.  This project shouldn't take all weekend, but that depends on how many windows you want to decorate with these unique jewels.

6th Weekend  I chose most of these DIY projects for their simplicity, uniqueness, and their functionality.  As the picture for this hat display shows, it's super simple to make and it can be used to display other things like your children's art work, holiday decorations, and even clothing set out for the next day in a child's room.  Three basic materials you'll need are rope, a copper pipe, and wooden clothing pins.  For a pop of color, you can paint, spray paint or dip in glue and glitter the wooden clothing pins.  Depending on your display wall dimensions, you can hang a series of these pipes together to display more items.

7th Weekend Are you ready for this one? This weekend project is a little more complex then the others but I think you can do it.  They look spectacular grouped together over a table! For safety reasons, the light bulbs do need to breathe, so be sure to drill extra small holes in the top lid. Here is the link where I found this project. I Need Pictures.

8th Weekend  It's almost a guarantee that all thrift stores have random miss-matched chairs in their furniture section that would be perfect for this outdoor swing. I highly suggest using weather resistance outdoor paint for this.  If I had a porch, I would have 5 of these in a row with holes in the arms as cup holders. What a great way to spend summer nights with friends out on the porch.

9th Weekend You might have to start on this project a few weeks in advance. Try gathering old picture frames from the thrift store of different sizes, detail to give more interest. Not sure what colors to paint them, use colors from your room's area rug, or sofa, or window treatment.  Or just use neutral colors that will work in any room incase you want to reuse them in another room.

10th Weekend  This repurpose project is super easy.  Just reusing a wine rack, like this one, as a towel holder in the bath. The level of difficult is a 2 since you have to have a wine rack similar to this one.


 

Judgment Day

So you've decided to sell/rent your home.  Congratulations are in order!  You have a lot of excitement and hard work ahead of you.  When considering putting your home on the market remember, they are here for the best deal in town.    Keep in mind what today's buyers are looking for: a well-kept home that is spotless, spacious, stylish and up-to-date.  They are going to judge every aspect of your home regardless of what theirs looks like.  Consider it Judgment Day!  So if you want to standout and be remembered at the end of their search, you have to make THE BEST first impression.

Print this out and keep track of what your home or rental property needs to be get ready for your potential buyers/renters. If you are working with a vacant property, the best solution is to contact a home stager to furnish your space.

Plan Ahead  

 

1. Walk through each room and criticize the home from a buyer's/renter's perspective.
 

2. Ask a few local real estate professional or estate stager for their advice.

3. Don't get defensive - We are professionals and know the ins and outs and phycology of the real-estate market.
 

4. Consider getting a professional home inspection to see if any repairs are needed.
 

5. Hire a contractor to handle any major projects.
 

6. Consider getting an appraisal to find out your current market value. This will cost you but in the long run, it can make you $$$.
 

7. Hold a yard sale. Sell, donate or trash anything you don't need.

Clean, Declutter and Depersonalize

 1. Thoroughly clean the entire home. This means the junk room and garage too.  Buyers and renters want to look into every nook and cranny of your property. 

 

2. Scrub tile in the kitchen and bathrooms.
 

3. Clean hardwood floors.
 

4. Steam clean carpets and drapes. Consider replacing carpet if it's outdated or if stains are prominent.
 

5. Get rid of all dust bunnies and cobwebs.
 

6. Repair cracks and holes in the walls.
 

7. Paint interior walls with neutral colors, like beige, cream or light pastels. Pale blues and greens are good bathrooms and white towels.
 

8. Remove excess and oversized furniture.

 

9. Rearrange furniture to maximize space.
 

10. Organize room closet and store out-of-season clothes.
 

11. Remove all small appliances, toys, magazines and pet items.
 

12. Remove family photos, personal collections and medications.
 

13. Remove items from the garage and store them off site.
 

14. Secure valuable items, including cash and jewelry.

 

 

Maximize Curb Appeal

 1. Paint the home's exterior, including trim, doors and shutters.

 

2. Check front door, doorbell, address number and welcome mat.
 

3. Power wash the siding and windows.
 

4. Inspect the roof and make repairs as needed.
 

5. Repair cracks in the driveway and sidewalks.
 

6. Sweep the entryway and walkways.
 

7. Mow, water and fertilize the lawn.
 

8. Trim shrubs and trees and rake the leaves.
 

9. Plant colorful flowers and shrubs.
 

10. Store any toys or equipment lying on the yard.
 

11. Clean up pet droppings.
 

12. Clean the gutters and downspouts.

Deep Clean Kitchens & Bathrooms

 

 1. Mop and wax/polish the floors.

2. Clear the countertops.
 

3. Replace outdated hardware.
 

4. Clean appliances and fixtures.
 

5. Clean and organize the pantry, cabinets and   drawers.
 

6. Replace old caulking around sinks and bathtubs.
 

7. Remove stains from sinks, toilets and bathtubs.
 

8. Keep all toilet seat lids closed.
 

9. Hang fresh white towels.

 

 

Appeal to the Senses

 1. Bake cookies or burn scented candles.

2. Offer light refreshments.

3. Install higher wattage incandescent light bulbs to brighten rooms.

4. Turn on all the lights.

5. Open windows to let in fresh air.

6. Open curtains or blinds to let in natural light and show off views.
 

7. Turn off TVs but you might want to play soft "lobby music". Remember, it's all about appealing to the senses.
 

8. Relocate pets on the day of the open house.
 

9. Refrain from smoking in the home or cooking highly fragranced foods.

10. If budget permits, have live floral arrangements throughout to bring color and life to your space.  Fresh greenery gives life to a room and you want each room to exude warmth, not a do-not-touch, sterile environment.

 Show Off Your Home's Best Features

 

 

 1. Remove rugs to show off hardwood floors.

2. Pull back drapes to showcase nice views.
 

3. Stage the front porch or deck with furniture and potted plants.
 

4. Make sure fireplaces are in working condition.
 

5. Clean the backyard and pool area.
 

6. Declutter all built-ins.

Prepare for the Open House

1. Hold an exclusive brokers' open house to let local agents know your home is on the market.

 

2. Offer messy-free food and clear refreshments.
 

3. Inform family, friends and neighbors of the date and time of your open house.
 

4. Put ads in local newspapers, real estate publications and on free web sites like Craigslist.com.

5. These days, many homes are discovered and even sold over the internet, so that means you’re going to need a good set of photographs to showcase the spaces in your home. That will be my next blog, "Picture Perfect".
 

6. Put up “Open House” signs on the front lawn and at nearby intersections with directions to the house.
 

7. Create property description sheets and prepare important documents, such as homeowner's association rules, inspection reports and purchase offer forms.

 

As you can see, getting your property on the market can be a lot of work.  But that's why it's always a good idea to consult a professional home stager and real estate agent.  We are here to help YOU.

 

Staged 2 $ell

When living in a space you are trying to stage for sale, there are some key things to consider. Here's a check list you can use to help you decide what to keep out, what to pack, and what to dump.  There's no need filling up your new space with useless items.  That's how you become a hoarder!

When you've decluttered your room, it's okay to hide SOME stuff in the storage that has to stay to stay.  Just remember to take your persona item out of site and that includes night time personal items on your nightstand, pictures on the wall or dresser, and shoes under the bed or overflowing hamper in the corner. We don't have to see all of that. Always make your bed and fix any crocked art work and area rugs. KEEP IT SIMPLE & CLEAN.

     

Hallways are EASY to update and can make a great impact to your space.  They should be clear of EVERYTHING!! Every room will be peeked into so don't think closing the doors to your home office, kids room or that "junk room" will do the trick.  The halls should be vacuum or mopped, baseboard and door trims dusted, all doors and walls wiped of fingerprints and scuffing. Check all doors to ensure no creaking when opening (sometimes we get used to stuff like that but your potential buyer are looking for reasons to low-ball your asking prince- that got your attention). If possible, add some nice generic artwork and a soft area rug will will brighten up any long boring hallway.

       

   

Kitchens are usually the most used room after the bathroom. If your budget is tight (and that's a great thing. Best time to amp up your creativity is when things are tight!) a simple cabinet paint make over and some de-cluttering can make your kitchen the heart of your home once again.  All you need is a clean bright SATIN or HIGH-GLOSS paint (this will make it easier to wipe down the cabinets), new or repolished drawer hardware, some elbow grease to clean and polish the appliances, and some nice fresh flowers to add the magazine feeling to the space. 

                       

 

This is what you get when you don't give up on your space.  You just might be sad when you actually sale. Have fun and BE CREATIVE!!!

Here are some ways to better organize you space.  When complete, step back into the room and give it an overall glance.  Be as critical as possible and make any adjustments to give it the look of complete perfection.

Bedroom

☑ Decide what you want at your fingertips and what things can be stored

☑ Go through your closet and pull out everything you have not worn in the last year and donate those items

☑ Hang like items together—group shirts together, pants together, dresses, etc.

☑ Donate to local charities or friends and family items that are still in good condition but you no longer need. Schedule a donation pick up with your local thrift store.

Kitchen

☑ Determine the flow of activity in your kitchen before you decide where to place items

☑ Things that work together should be stored together, such as baking supplies, plastic containers (with lids), pots and pans with lids, and large platters and bowls

☑ Drawer dividers are a good way to keep smaller items separated

☑ Place glasses near the sink or the refrigerator for easy access to beverages

Home Office/Den

☑ Make sure you have a good chair, good lighting and ample workspace. Without them it’s harder to be organized and effective.

☑ Keep only supplies you need on a daily basis on your desktop neatly organized in visually pleasing appropriate receptacles.

☑ Assign a contained space or “in-box” for your incoming documents and only use it for items that haven’t yet been reviewed such as paper mail, receipts, and catalogs.

☑ Make a decision about what action or task you need to take with each document (including recycling) and follow through during dedicated “admin” appointments

☑ Keep the most recent papers in the front of the file. Whenever you open it, the current information will be on top.

Garage

☑ Sort, purge, and then decide the proper storage containers or fixtures for the treasures that you must keep

☑ Design a floor plan for storing items and stick to it.  Get durable construction tape and designate a location for everything.

☑Get rid of things that don’t work or if you have multiple items of the same thing, time to pick one and donate/gift the others.

☑ Clearly label both the tops and the sides of containers.

☑ Consider floor-to-ceiling possibilities for shelving, racks, stackable drawers, hooks and pegboards, and don’t forget the rafters.

REMEMBER: When you are done organizing, make sure you donate clothes, books, furniture and other household items to a local charity.