Easy Does It House Rules

At some unfortunate moment, your home became the place where DIY projects go to die ... R.I.P. wilted windowsill  garden and sequin wall swag.  To provide clarity to all you amateurs, we've gotten advise from three professionals in the home improvement industry.  They've got your back with a combined 30+ years experience in managing homes in design, renovations, and sales. So listen up, take note, and see what they have to say.   

Insider Tips from Interior Designer, Michele Zaytoun, Simply-Refined 

Out with the Old, In with the New...not so fast: The rooms in your home should be comfortable and reflect who you are and your lifestyle.  It's hard to get a read on someone when everything is brand new and directly from the pages of the Pottery Barn catalog.  Instead, include some pieces of age or from your past in every room to provide warmth and character.  Even in ultra-modern interiors, it's nice to see an antique box or accessory add interest and warm the room up.  Adding an older piece can make an ordinary room look extraordinary and tell a story about who you are.

Matchy, Matchy is a No-No: Instead, mix and don't match.  That concept can be very hard for some people, but it can be accomplished if you start out small and work your way up.  Step out of your comfort zone with an unexpected fabric like an animal print.  You can make pillows or even an ottoman.  Try to select individual pieces, not furniture sold in sets.  And no, the nightstands next to your bed do not have to match the dresser or even each other.  They don't even have to match the bed.  If that's too much for you to handle, then try switching out the matching lamps instead.

Insider Tips from Real Estate Agent & Broker, Jill Rekuc, Olde Raleigh Real Estate, LLC

When selling your home, remember the two powerful senses buyers have that sellers under estimate; 'touch and smell'.   

Touch: Rule #1 - Keep your home warm and inviting. Buyers entering a cold home instantly have an unfavorable impression of the home.  Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature.  Light your fireplace to add warmth and ambience.   Open up all blinds to let the warmth of light in.  Use indoor lamp timers and outdoor light sensors for evening showings.  Rule of thumb - if the buyer feels cold, the home will feel cold.

Smell: The subtle aroma of festive fall candles or fragrance is extremely welcoming.  Additionally the scent of cookies, cinnamon or apples baking is appealing to most buyers.  However, be careful not to overdo these fragrances, or use these tips to cover pet or offensive odors.  Eliminate those odors accordingly.

Insider Tips from Katherine Holden, Kat's Home Repairs Referrals

Negotiating with Contractors: In today's economy, most homeowners have limited budgets and are looking for the best value when it comes to home improvement projects.  Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when you are trying to be economical, but don't want of course, to sacrifice on quality.

Discuss specifics on materials so that you get the best product that works for you and your budget.

Have your financing ready and most contractors are more receptive knowing that you are serious and ready to get the job done.

Consider doing your project in the "off" season and chances are the contractor will be more open regarding prices and you won't be competing with homeowners who may have larger budgets and larger jobs.

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A Shopping Spree! The Junior League of Raleigh
Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe
le Tour de Femme
Pretty in Pink Foundation
Project Friendship
SAFE Haven for Cats
Striving for More

Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation  

The Lucy Daniels Center
The Green Chair Project  

The Latest Buzz on ...

Fashion, Food & Fun

Child's Play - Cameron Village Playhouse Parade

Screen Gems:  PLAYHOUSE PARADE has begun!  This month-long October event in Cameron Village features eleven whimsical playhouses located across the shopping center. Local builders, designers, architects, and businesses worked together to create fanciful designs to intrigue young and old alike. They are open for FREE weekend tours (& magical events) and will be auctioned off on October 22 to raise funds for the Sass-A-Fras All Access Children's Playground.   The auction occurs during the "A Night Under the Stars Playhouse Gala" event - tickets $50 per person.

Designer Downsizing: From pirate ships to potter's sheds, there's intrigue for young and old.  Kids will flock to the astonishing pirate ship with thundering water cannons.  There's a castle, sponsored by Bailey's Fine Jewelry, that uses their distinctive color scheme and features their "crown jewels".  Palm Paradise, a garden cottage with interiors by Palm Avenue, A Lilly Pulitzer Via Store, features the bright colors and graphic patterns of Lilly. There's even a gothic church chicken coop, designed by Carter Skinner, with stained glass windows and wine-themed nesting boxes.  To see them all - Click Here.

Come Play With Me Weekends:  On Saturdays (October 8 & 15 from 11am -5pm) come enjoy the FREE entertainment including tours of custom-built playhouses, activities, magicians, entertainment and games.  Tours only continue the following Sundays (October 9 & 16).  For More Information:  Cameron Village Website; Sassafras.org Website 

The Bargain Buzz

Wannit?... Come'n Get It!

House for Sale - Great location, Great Price, Charming!
2748 St. Mary's St. View Details. Offered at $620,000. 5 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath, 3204 SF, Transitional. Contact: Jill C. Rekuc, Owner/Broker, Olde Raleigh Real Estate, LLC. 919-389-0555, email: jillcrekuc@nc.rr.com        

Fall Savings at McKenzie Tribe: The fall season is here, and so are great selections of new clothes & accessories at McKenzie Tribe! New items from Bird Dog Bay, Collared Greens, A Tail We Can Wag, Peter Millar, and more!  Leather Jackets - 40% Off, Fall Woven Shirts - 40% Off, Selected Slacks - 25% Off, L/S Knit Shirts - $ 39.00, Wool & Cashmere Blazers 25% Off, Scott & Charters at McKenzie Tribe 25% Off. McKenzie Tribe has the perfect outfit for football games or a night out on the town. Please stop in the store and to see the new fall line.   

The Oaks at Fallon Park Features Three New Homes on the 2011 Parade of Homes Tour: Beginning Saturday, October 1, and for the next three weekends, three one-of-a-kind new homes will be open to the public in The Oaks at Fallon Park neighborhood. The featured homes are by custom-home builders Dixon/Kirby & Company, Poythress Construction Company, and McNeill Burbank reflect a diverse range of styles and prices.  Don't miss this opportunity to see some gorgeous homes at various price points.  

Simply-Refined: Just relocated to the Triangle from Miami. This designer may be new to the area, but comes to us with over 20 years of Interior Design experience. Seasoned years along with availability to cutting edge resources are only two reasons to contact Simply-Refined for your Interior design needs. Website. It's time to start thinking about the Holidays! Call to reserve time if you'd like your home decorated by a professional.   

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. is currently accepting quality consignments for our December 2nd & 3rd Catalogued Fine & Decorative Arts Auction in the following categories: Asian Art, Fine Jewelry, Fine Wine, Silver.
The deadline for accepting consignments for these sales is October 14th, so please contact them soon if you are interested in this opportunity.
If you would like to discuss selling with them please contact their office or fill out the Consignment Inquiry Form on their website.   

Baileys Fine Jewlrey is looking for genuine Bailey Box Moments caught on video and is offering you a chance to win $1,000! So share a blast of your past and create a DVD video moment that may give you your fifteen minutes of Internet fame.  Give the personalized documentary of your wedding proposal, anniversary, or birthday gift-giving a tweak, and enter this contest. Click Here for Rules and Regulations. Deadline is November 30, 2011.  

Y'all Hungry? Then be our guest for a second helping of Raleigh's favorite JLR Cookbookrecipes  from The Junior League of Raleigh.  You're Invited Back is a beautiful cookbook loaded with menus to choose from, whether planning a casual picnic, elegant dinner, or holiday brunch. Some of the recipes are new and some have been handed down through generations of families here in Raleigh. You're Invited Back for another round of Southern hospitality.  Where to purchase 'You're Invited Back': Taylors in Glenwood Village; Lavender & Lace, Bailey's Fine Jewelry, Charlotte's and The Bargain Box in Cameron Village; Charlotte's, Tyler House, Quintessentials & Monkee's in North Hills; The Paper Company in Holly Springs; the NC Museum of History gift shop; A Southern Season in Chapel Hill; The Angus Barn; and Quail Ridge Books and The Wine Merchant in Ridgewood Shopping Center. Or to order online,  Click Here. 

Performance Edge Workshop: Are you interested in acting and singing? Performance Edge Total Performer Workshop will have Mark Madama as their guest clinician. This is an amazing opportunity as Mark Madama is a tenured faculty member in the Musical Theatre Department at Univ. of Michigan (one of the premier musical theatre programs in the country).  The workshop is Sunday, October 23rd.  Session One:  10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or Session Two:  2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (select only one of the two given session times!) Raleigh Boychoir Centre, 1329 Ridge Road, Raleigh, 27607. Cost: $65 Cash or check made payable to:  Performance Edge, 1408 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607. Click Here for Application.

Tyler House: An institution in Raleigh for many years is coming to an end. Tyler House is closing in North Hills. All merchandise is on Sale and final.

20% OFF ALL LAMPS through October at Davenport at Five Points, 2007 Fairview Road, Raleigh, 27608. Open Weekdays 10am-5pm & Sat 11am-3pm.  

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