Matters of Style       

January                   2012                   

Greetings,

 

Welcome back to Matters of Style, a periodic newsletter from  

To a T Interiors.   In this edition,  we get a peek inside a unique, 100 year-old Victorian home in DC.   Also, if you are considering selling your home, read below for reasons to get started on staging enhancements now.    

 

Happy Decorating! 

In This Issue
Architectural Wonder in DC
Consider Staging to Sell in Stages
20% off Coupon: See Below For Details
Architectural Wonder in DC
One of the side benefits of interior decorating is getting to see some unique homes.  That was the case last summer when I was called to help pick paint colors for this Victorian home on Capital Hill. 
Home ExteriorThe couple were in the midst of renovating the upper level from an open floor plan to add 3 bedrooms to accommodate their growing family.  I worked with Kristin for two hours to pick 7 colors so that interior painting could start that same week.  Since they had not moved in yet, we used cushions from their existing furniture and new bedding for inspiration.
Living Room
It was a bit chaotic from the construction so I did not take any before pictures.  To fully appreciate the after pictures, here is a link to the real estate listing so you can see the original floor plan and paint colors. 

Entry HallWe added depth and warmth using colors from Benjamin Moore's historical palette.   The entry hall and stairway transition to the living room are not as jarring using colors in tune with the architectural style of the home. 

KitchenAs excited as I was to see the completed renovation with finished paint and furnishings in place, I was most interested in how the kitchen turned out.  The prior owners used two paint colors inspired by the countertop that did nothing but distract from what otherwise was a tastefully renovated kitchen.  With the application of this beautiful taupe, the kitchen is now the standout it should be.

Girl's Playroom

Saving the best for last, here is the playroom fashioned out of the fairy tale turret.  It adjoins their daughter's bedroom--what fun playtime must be!
Consider Staging to Sell in Stages

The concept of staging a home to enhance its selling potential is pretty well understood by most homeowners.  Yet the common practice for home sellers is to wait until they are ready to list to get staging advice.    

   Living/Dining Rooms Before

 

This invariably leads to a blitzkrieg approach to getting all the enhancements done in a compressed time frame (usually a month or two ) to meet a listing deadline.   

 

Living/Dining Rooms After  

Consider the following advantages to updating your home in stages, rather than taking the  whirlwind approach, before listing your home for sale:  

  • Enjoy the changes.  Your home should be enjoyable for you for more than just the time it's on the market.  Why wait to remodel a bathroom or de-clutter your closets until you are ready to sell?      

Fam Rm1 before 

If they are eye-sores for you, then its likely they will be on the list of recommendations from your agent or home stager.  Doesn't it make sense to do the changes so that you can enjoy them now,  rather than waiting until you are ready to sell?

Fam Rm1 after 

  • Spread out the budget impact.  Depending on the number and scope of changes in your staging plan, it can be costly to make all the updates that will showcase your home's best attributes and maximize its selling potential.  By spreading out the projects, you can plan and finance the work to minimize the impact on the family budget.  
  • Limit the disruption.   If you want to update all the bathrooms in your home, spreading out the projects allows you to set the schedule and avoid workarounds (e.g., a port-a-potty in the front yard) or added expenses (no need to move to a hotel for the duration of the renovation).   
  • Save money.  If you're not on a specific deadline, you can shop around to compare prices and wait for sales to find the best bargains.  You're also in a position to wait for a time when a  service professional may be willing to negotiate their rate.
  • Reduce stress.  No need to get stressed out about getting everything done to beat the rush to list during prime selling season (aka, springtime). If you've been updating your home all along, prepping your home might be as simple as touching up some paint and sprucing up the yard.
If you're thinking about selling, no matter your time horizon, consider getting a staging plan together now.  That way you can prioritize the changes for your maximum enjoyment, minimum impact to the budget and avoid any added stress.  Sounds like an ideal recipe for success.      
As always, if you need help making your home the inviting, comfortable space you envision, call To a T Interiors.  We can help you select the perfect paint color, find solutions to corral the clutter that accumulates for busy families or provide a comprehensive staging plan for marketing your home.  
 

 
Susan  

 

To a T Interiors

301-467-3563

 

www.toatinteriors.com  
Q & A Corner
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Q. How do you know if a paint color is too dark?  I'm concerned that using a dark color will make my family room feel small and closed-in.

  

AOften it's not the color on the walls that makes a room appear smaller.  Rather, it is the contrast between wall color and furnishings (e.g, light to dark breaks up the space) and amount and scale of furniture in the room that shrinks a space.  A dark wall color can make a space feel cozier which is especially important in larger rooms or spaces with high ceilings.  As with any room, ensure you have the right amount and type of lighting to bring the space to life. 

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