Spruce up the bedding

 

If you don't already have one, consider a doona or a trendy new blanket. A new doona cover and matching pillowslips can help create a whole new look, which means that going from graphic to girly or modern to classic, primary to pastel can be accomplished in a snap.

Build a castle

It is Monday and for those of you that feel like it is hard to get started with the week and need some inspiration to get motivated to set your property up to sell. I give you a quote to inspire you to get that castle you want to sell going!

" If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."

Henry David Thoreau

Quick project

Nothing worse than lot's and lot's of personal photos hanging on the walls of the property that you are trying to sell, buyers get distracted. Why not frame and hang up some of the kids artwork! Presto small Picasso's adorning the walls. Or perhaps paint/cover some canvases to match your existing decor.

Quick bathroom makeover

A quick bathroom makeover doesn't have to cost alot of money, with a bit of elbow grease you can get a great result that any potential buyer will be happy with. Take everything out  of your drawers, cupboards and benches. It should look the way it did when you moved in.

Choose only the must-haves and find the most convenient place to put them. Anything else should be stored or thrown out, basically get rid of the stuff you don't need.

Now for the must have items. You can find great clear plastic boxes, bins, drawer dividers, and clear cosmetic bags for things out of sight. For items that will stay on the bench, find decorative storage items to enhance the decor.

Clean the ceiling and walls and if time permits freshen up with a quick coat of paint. A large bathroom could use the storage space offered by a cupboard. Even a small chair would come in handy! Any piece of furniture will help to soften the space and add style, color, and warmth will work. A simple new floor rug will give instant wow to the floor.

Sort, store and recycle

Walls in your children's room generally take a good hammering. But with a neutral paint colour complemented with some bright art works you will instantly refresh the room.

Under bed storage baskets are great for toys etc. To resist temptation during selling store most of the toys out of sight. Imagine the joy when you move and they are unpacked again! Just like a Christmas surprise.Top beds with some fresh laundered linen and matching cushions. Keep toy's and clutter to a bare minimum whilst selling it will make your job much easier when it comes to moving. Do the same with clothing and shoes etc.

Get your move on

Think about re configuring some of your furniture or storing some of it at a friends place whilst the property is for sale. Evan a slight shift in a room's furniture configuration can add a new life to your room, so don't be afraid to move things around.

You want buyers to walk into your home and feel the space not the clutter!

Handles and knobs

Paint isn't the only solution. The easiest way to achieve a quick stylish makeover is to replace the kitchen handles and knobs. I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the instant transformation.

If you want to push your handles and knobs makeover further you can put knobs on the walls for a feature that catches your eye! Like these for example, from Muuto design.

Image by Frida Ramstedt Trendenser.se blog.

Let the nature in

Floor-to-ceiling windows in a large living room are sure to bring the outside in. Rather than working against the space, furnishings should be arranged to highlight noteworthy views and architectural interest. Move any cupboards or anything that is hindering the outlook. Remember before you have anyone inspect your home make sure all the blinds and curtains are open, you want to have as much light in the home as possible. A well-lit room sure does tick the box for almost every potential buyer.

Get your gloves on!

It's the least fun way to give your kitchen a makeover, but believe it or not, cleaning and getting rid of clutter will go a long way toward making your kitchen look fresh and inviting.

Wash the curtains, or replace them with a trendy new blind. Clean the windows. Wash the cabinetry, and you'll be surprised how bright it seems. De clutter and select your best gadgets to be displayed. Tackle the oven and dishwasher, buyers always open up the ovens and trust me nothing worse than a smelly dirty oven.

Light bright and fresh

Create a living-room ripe with cheer and whimsy by adding a bright backdrop of colour, like a sunshiny yellow. Or you can use contrasting graphic pillows in magenta, emerald, and aquamarine.

The bright coloured cushions and throw rugs complimented with matching accessories add instant life to a unsuspecting room.


Find some inspiration on the Pinterest site, like these...

Image: printscreen from here originally from decor8blog.

Image: printscreen from here via flickr.

Image: printscreen from here originally from the pleated poppy.

If you want to make your own pillow cases you can get some ideas and instructions from the pleated poppy blog that I found here. A great pillow making tutorial!

Making a flash entrance

Lets make first impressions count...

A well presented entrance hints at what's inside a home. Start with treating yourself to a brand new doormat to spruce things up. Then pop two pot plants on either side of the front door.
Do you have a flimsy little door knob on your main entry door? Try buying a substantial-looking handle-and-lock set or new door knocker that shines and sparkles, and why not give the front door a lick of paint? If you're brave you could paint the front door red? Your property will stand out from the rest!

Beachside Emporium

Since I mentioned the Beachside Emporium in the blog I have had some questions about the shop so I asked Kathryn O'Brien if she could tell us a bit more about what it is that she loves about the products that caught my attention in her shop, which she was only happy to do.


By: Kathryn O'Brien – Beachside Emporium
"Journals – I like to keep notes, make lists, record important dates and information for my family, and jot down ideas for my business. I love our selection of journals, particularly the one with Grace Kelly gracing the cover.

Jewellery – We have a range of beautiful jewellery in store including necklaces, watches, bracelets, and earrings. One of my favourite pieces of jewellery from Beachside Emporium is a Sue Sensi silver necklace with silver florin. A Melbourne-based designer, Sue handcrafts each piece in Australia, using the highest quality sterling silver, Australian coins and semi-precious beads and charms to create jewellery with meaning and good energy to those who wear it. I lived in Melbourne a few years ago, and loved the experience. Wearing Sue’s necklace reconnects me to being there, it looks great with anything I wear, and friends and customers frequently comment on how stylish it looks.

Candles – We sell a variety of beautiful candles at Beachside Emporium. My favourite candle at the moment is “Amalfi Coast” from the Glasshouse Fragrances range; a combination of freesia, lavender and lime and is so invigorating. Our customer experience is very important to us so we burn a candle in store every day to create a welcoming, luxurious and memorable shopping experience for everyone who enters our shop. Customers are always saying how beautiful the shop smells as they step inside. Candles are indulgent, glamorous and a perfect gift for anyone, including gift for self!

Books – Beachside Emporium has a diverse selection of books including fashion, travel, home styling and entertaining, cooking, photography and architecture, and French and coastal living. I am a complete Francophile, hence the French influence on our shop. I love everything about France and the French. My favourite book at Beachside Emporium is “Bitton” French Café Cookbook. I enjoy good food and cooking at home for my family – the “Bitton” cookbook has wonderful rustic breakfast dishes, and great dinner party ideas. When in Sydney with my daughter, I enjoy David Bitton’s cooking first hand at his gourmet café, “Bitton” in Alexandria.

Homewares/Cushions – Our home-wares range features stylish coastal, contemporary and rustic furnishings, decorative and vintage pieces including antique sofas, coastal clocks, stylish rugs, throws, beautiful linen, soft cushions, mirrors, vases and much more. Cushions are my favourite item from our home-wares range. I love the beautiful fabrics, and decorative designs. They are comfy, simple yet elegant, and add sophistication and style to home décor, a sofa, bed or chair."

I really recommend you go and have a browse in Kathryn's shop, you will find so many inspiring things. It is located on 44 Manning St, Kiama. It is open 7 days from 9am to 5pm. Or if you prefer to have a browse of their products online you can have a look at the facebook page.

5 Things I Love

If you want some inspiration for some products you can use for a quick makeover you should pop in to the Beachside Emporium in Kiama! Whenever I go there I get so many new ideas for my home and I can't help myself, but I always walk out with a little something for my home. I thought I'd show you 5 things I love in the shop at the moment.

Quick kitchen spruce up

Some paint does go along way, spruce up the kitchen cupboards with a lick of paint.

Try a neutral colour on the cupboards and pop some bright artwork on the walls. Add some matching kitchen accessories to the bench tops. Put the odd hand towels and the toaster away for now. And you have a quick and easy makeover, the kitchen is ready for some photos for your marketing to sell the house.

Educate your sofa

Here is a website that you can use for some inspiration or even find some ideas for some nice cushions to educate your sofa. You can find the website here and this is the Neo retro collection click here to have a look. 

And this is from the Navajo collection. It is a good idea to have a theme for your house when you decorate, then you know that it will match nicely through out the house. For example use a design era like Art Deco or a cultural theme like Mediterranean. 

Quick fix

You don't have to spend lots of money to change the look of your home just remember that when you are selling you want  people to walk into your home and feel relaxed.

A couple of quick tips

• Throw out the old sofa cushions and add a splash of colourful new ones
• Cover a canvas in matching fabric or paint
• Add some fresh flowers to the kitchen table
• Pop matching fresh towels in the bathroom
• De clutter the kitchen benches
• Wash and revitalise the bedroom linen
• De clutter. No junk allowed!

Refresh Your Bedroom

New bed linen matched with a fresh coat of paint and unique lighting will give your bedroom a new personality and it can be finished in a weekend. Not very expensive if you can do it yourself.

Ask the colour expert for advice in the shop to get the right colour schemes and it is best to go quite neutral when you are about to sell.

Here are a couple of examples of how it can be done without much furniture or costs. Basically focus on a light neutral colour and a couple of details to stand out and make the room interesting. It can be done with a contrasting or strong colour or a design detail. 

Image: printscreen form here.

Image: printscreen form here.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your friends and family. I

I am excited about the new year and I feel this is going to be a great one!

First out for the year I will focus on the "quick makeover" for those who don't have time and money to do the top-to-toe, every nook and cranny makeover, but have to get a quick makeover to look like a million bucks... 

There will be tips on how to do a quick makeover, what are the most important areas or rooms to focus on if you can't do the whole house, how to do it on a budget and do’s and dont's for the quick styler.

So tag along and check the daily January posts for the quick makeover tips. And don't forget to sign up for the monthly summary HERE if you haven't already done so. And tell your friends to sign up if you know someone that is about to put their house on the market and would like some tips and ideas.