Winter outdoor areas

If you're anything like me the backyard pergola gets neglected in the winter time. Buyers love the outdoor entertaining areas, so its important that they can imagine themselves entertaining under that pergola, cooking the BBQ and having fun with family and friends.

• Generally the pavers get a build up of moss and dirt. Get the hose and scrubbing brush out and give them a good clean with a cleaning solution
• Do the same with the outdoor furniture and the BBQ
• Discard the dead hanging plants and dreary potted ones and replace with some vibrant new colourful plants or flowers.
• For some 'WOW' pot some colourful flowers and put them on the table
•  Add some colourful cushions to the existing seating
• Now you're ready to bring your buyers through  

                                                 Click here for some great ideas

Mould and mildew tend to creep into almost every home by the end of a long cold winter

Mould and mildew tend to creep into almost every home by the end of a long cold winter. The kitchen is no exception and generally it's the heart of the family. See below some spring cleaning suggestions

• Wash all the walls over with some soapy scented water
• Scrub all the kitchen cupboards with a no abrasive product
• Give the floors and any rugs a good vacuum and wash
• Time to clean out the dreaded pantry, discard all of the out dated food
• Re organise the pantry, I love organised cupboards
• Give the dishwasher a clean out
• Wipe out the interiors of the kitchen cupboards
• Clean the windows and window coverings
• Now for the most hated task of all YES the oven. You don't want your buyers seeing the last 3 months worth of baked dinners now do you
• De clutter the benches and give them a good scrub
• If you are feeling really energetic scrub all of your appliances and most used items
• Once you have achieved all of the above, treat yourself  to a bottle of champagne and a bunch of flowers to brighten up the kitchen
• Owh and don't forget to wash the light fittings

Winter styling ideas!

Check out pinterest for more styling ideas

Outdoors in the cooler weather

Generally we tend to neglect the exterior of our homes and the outdoors living spaces in the colder months.

• Make certain that the gardens and lawns are manicured and weed free. 
• Trim back all those dead branches.
• If your garden is lacking colour add some colourful plants.
• If you have a swimming pool keep it pristine, a dirty pool is very off putting to a potential buyer.
• Clean the windows and get rid of the cobwebs.
• For inspections add some bright cushions and throw rugs to the outdoor entertaining area. Instant Wow.
• Remember your buyer is judging your home from the outside. First impressions really do count

 Inviting

Lets get inspired this winter

We're inspired by beautiful, big bold colour...

This winter, where cheering up our interiors to make our homes more attractive for our buyers.
What about healthy doses of inviting heart-lifting red. A warming colour, red has been shown to lift energy levels, and will add drama to any scheme. Add jewel- toned accessories and lush textiles for the perfect remedy to the chilly winter weather.

                                           For more ideas click here

Rug up for Winter with Guest Blogger Shaynna Blaze

Freedoms guest blogger Shaynna Blaze 

I love when the seasons begin to change. Driving through the streets or walking in the park, I can’t help but notice the bursts of colour in the landscape, and it always puts a smile on my face as I discover new inspiring shades. Autumn signifies the end of the warm balmy days, the air turns crisp, the daylight hours become shorter and we start to take our living and entertaining indoors.

Autumn may bring a cool change, but is balanced with the visual warmth on the trees and the ground as they fill with falling leaves of bold russet, reds and golden hues of yellow, orange and brown. This palette is what makes this time of year so visually rich, and using these colours in your home will turn your interior into a welcome relief from the cold outside.

The entry to your home is all about creating a warm welcome, and in autumn you want to feel like you are stepping into a cosy environment. Take the lead from the rich browns of the bare trees and use a colour like Taubmans Endure Chocolate Brown, which will give life to a small area. Contrast with Taubmans Endure Crisp White to create a fresh appearance.For other rooms such as lounge and living areas, draw inspiration from the falling autumn leaves to create a cosy winter interior palette that will instantly transform the space. Using a bold red, such as Taubmans Endure Red Alert or orange, such as Taubmans Endure Two To Tango, signifies passion while also creating a sense of intimacy in a large room. Mix with timber furnishings, as the earthy tones won’t create a stark contrast against the walls and will inspire a serene mood within the room.

 Yellow can be a tricky colour to work with as bright colours can overwhelm a room. Look for yellows that have a depth to them such as Taubmans Endure Golden Orb, as this toned down hue will create a cosy mood within a space. Alternatively you can use pops of bright yellow such as Taubmans Endure Lemon Zest, in your accessories and furnishings to remind you of the warmth of the sunshine that will return after the Winter months.

Colour injection!

Check out these awesome cushions for some great winter colour injection. It never ceases to amaze me at what a difference a couple of cushions can make to a tired looking lounge suite or bed! Give it a try today.

Winter trends for 2014

Check out some cool ideas

Outdoors this winter

If you're anything like me the backyard pergola gets neglected in the winter time. Buyers love the outdoor entertaining areas, so its important that they can imagine themselves entertaining under that pergola, cooking the BBQ and having fun with family and friends.

• Generally the pavers get a build up of moss and dirt. Get the hose and scrubbing brush out and give them a good clean with a cleaning solution
• Do the same with the outdoor furniture and the BBQ
• Discard the dead hanging plants and dreary potted ones and replace with some vibrant new colourful plants or flowers.
• For some 'WOW' pot some colourful flowers and put them on the table
•  Add some colourful cushions to the existing seating
• Now you're ready to bring your buyers through  

                                      For more great ideas check out Pinterest.

Buyers love funky!

I really love some of these vibrant winter colours. Be brave and think outside the square this winter!

Buyers like to see fresh and funky, why not start with an Autumn orange cushion?

                                            Click here for more winter colours