Kitchen ReDO!!

Right before the holidays we finished up a kitchen reno.
 I finally got back in to take a couple of photos...

Here is the before. Its dark and feels very closed in. Circa late 1980's.

                               ReMarkable ReDesign

                             ReMarkable ReDesign

But on the positive the kitchen layout was working so rather than tear down walls 
(and possibly find scary problems) we kept the same footprint . That way the flooring which was fairly new could also stay as is. The new appliances also stayed in place.

 Our client wanted fresh light & bright without breaking the bank! 

WTH? why is this cupboard here?? First thing to go!

                             ReMarkable ReDesign

Happy to share too that the old cabinetry was salvaged and taken away to be
 reused in a basement suite apartment :)

                                                  ReMarkable ReDesign

• New pendant lighting (Home Depot) along with recessed lighting - ALL ON DIMMERS! ...I yell loudly to anyone who will listen :)  (thanks Gorge Electrical!)

• Andino White granite (Floform) 

• Fresh white solid wood cabinets with shaker style doors  (Morning Kitchens)           Large pantry with pull our soft close drawers and new drawers on bottom replace ill functioning shelf style cupboards on bottom ( Whats that waaaay in the back?!?)

•  Stacked tile back splash (Costco!)

• and a fresh coast of paint all around (Benjamin Moore HC 172)                                      fav painters New Heights Contracting

                                                     ReMarkable ReDesign

Ya...remember where that oddball cabinet was hanging? GONE! ...opens everything up.

                                                   ReMarkable ReDesign

A nice fresh new look! Happy homeowners :) 
A text  that I got from them: 
"Hey Tracey we are sitting in here just loving our kitchen and living room...thought you should know."

YAY!

Have a great weekend! 

GO CANADA GO!!

~Tracey

Real Estate Staging 101

House for Sale?

Have you done your homework?

Are you asking WHY its not selling?

Home Staging is no longer a nice add on to a home marketing plan. 
It is now a NECESSITY. Your property must stand out among all other comparables in your area. Doing some prep work BEFORE you list will enhance your product .

( that's what it is now...a product to SELL) 

Here is what a home stager can do for you:

• Work with the Homeowner to make detailed plan to get a property to market in its best possible condition . 
• Do a full and thorough walk through of the property to identify what the positives are that can be showcased and more importantly what deficiencies need to be addressed. This can range from decluttering advice, curb appeal, simple decor and aesthetics, paint and repairs, and to larger scale upgrades that will bring the property up to par .
• Refer and manage qualified trades to get the required repair work done.
• Work with the Realtor to meet listing deadlines allowing them to focus on the task at hand : SELLING YOUR PROPERTY !
• Work hands-on in occupied properties to make sure furniture layout is functioning but also looking great. This includes styling of accessories and art. So vital for great MLS photos and so often overlooked! (we all have seen tragic marketing photos...WHY?!)
• Bring in lease furniture, art and accessories to stage vacant properties. Ever felt the cold echo of a vacant space?....not a good selling feature! Buyers need direction on how a property can work for them. Creating a warm and inviting "idea" makes your place the one they remember.

A home stager has the experience and creative know how to get any property ready for market. The price tag for this ? Always always always less than a price reduction ! A staged home will show better in media and in person and generally will sell faster and for a higher price. Why? Because you have done the homework to prepare it!!!

Here is a to-the-point post from ComFree Real Estate blog

 4 straight up reasons why your house is not selling 

Connecting with a great stager and working as a team with your realtor will get you results.

Stage it FIRST...Sell it FAST!

If your place is on the market in Victoria give us a call!

Cheers!

~Tracey & Stacey

Friday DIY: Embossed and Painted Jars!

Its Valentines Day!! Hope everyone is having a great day with the ones you love .

Here's a quick Friday DIY ....maybe to hold  those Valentines Flowers....

Embossed and painted jars!

Get out your hot glue gun and write a word name or phrase on your choice of jar or bottle.

When the glue is hard paint the entire piece with a flat paint...acrylic craft would be best 

but I bet a flat spray paint would work too.

Voila!...personalized embossed jar:) 

Grouped together in varying sizes and shapes would be great display! And super cute in a  bathroom to hold "stuff".

Jump on over to Just Something I Made  for how from Cathe to on these old jars. 

I <3 <3 them! and really easy.

                                                    Just Something I Made

                                               Just Something I Made 

Just for the hit of Red on this heart day I  am throwing in a new marketing shot of Stacey and I. We just had another interview for a local magazine today and will be in the March edition of Seaside Magazine in their annual WOMEN TO WATCH section.

Revving up and looking forward to a fab 2014!

Enjoy whatever your have going on this weekend !

Cheers

~Tracey

Fast & Fab Friday DIY: Sunburst Mirrors!

Love mirrors. Really love Sunburst mirrors! Why not make one yourself!

 Fast, Easy and Cheap ( my mantra....)

I want to give it a go!

                                       shelterness.com

This one is made with a bunch of sprayed white twigs from IKEA

Awesome in a foyer or even outdoors on a covered patio wall.

                                                     

                       loveoffamilyandhome

Whitewashed shims.

                           sohldesign.blogspot.com

Dowling. Awesome in gold or silver! 

Supplies needed for a basic sunburst

• small mirror ( convex would be super cool)
• 2x floral rings in staggered size...12"+14" or 14"+18" depending on how big you want it
• hot glue and glue gun
• 2x packages of shims from hardware store or dowling packages or lengths to be cut
• stain, oil or  spray paint

This can be done with twigs, with paint sticks, with pretty much anything you like! 

                                                 myhouseandhome 

                                                                  lifelovelarson

You could stain the shims first or spray them in any colour!

                                                     thirdfloordesignstudio

The dowling was glued directly to the mirror back on this one...how easy is that!

Happy Friday...get DIY-ing!

Cheers!

~Tracey

Fast & Fabulous Friday DIY : Vintage Suitcases !

Love throwing in some old and worn and mixing it with your new bits? ME TOO!

It's Friday...DIY time!

Seeing tons of cool ideas on what one can do with an old suitcase. The best part - beside the absolute coolness- is the STORAGE! 

It's hidden unexpected storage in the form of a funky case.

I, of  course, lean towards the cool coastal feel and would spray the heck out of them all ... in white . ( so sorry to all that are gasping right now....) 
But you do not have to paint, in fact the they come in such great colours , 
most are ready to go as is.

Find them at thrift stores, collectible places, flea markets and Grammas attic!

Here a few to get your weekend DIY juices flowing :

Ahhhh :)

                                                 abeachcottage.com

Pair this with an old mid century table, spray it all and you're done!

                     glamour and purity

 Bar cart? ...ummm yes please!

                              apartment therapy

These are awesome!

                                                       The Cottage Market

A repeat - SMILE post!! :D

This is fun for a picnic basket

                                              Platinum Touche Ventsla

<3

                                              Sticky Bee

                                    Fancy House Road

More white...shabby chic and pretty!

                                                               Oh My

Lee Valley Tools has lots of legs and castors.

                                                     The Plumed Nest

What a great idea for wedding decor!

                                      Fancy Frugal Life

Get your DIY on!

Happy Friday!

Cheers!

~ Tracey

Mantel Attire...Dress It Up!

Dressing up your mantel!
After the holidays is a good time to refresh! Like with fashion and jewellery, its usually the simple looks that get a double take. And of course in some cases the
 outrageous will turn a head or two.

Before you start we suggest:

• Pick your style with things that you love....they will be front and center in your room so you had better love each piece! Address the detail and style of the mantel itself.
• Choose with scale in mind. 1 or 2 large pieces have greater impact than a ton of tiny bits.
• Change it up! No one says it has to stay there for 40 years (...ancient clock on the mantel in my childhood home ...yep! still there- moved x3 houses but always front and centre over fireplace!)
• Think outside! Bring some organic in...showcase some nature...twigs, driftwood, berries always pair beautifully with glass and simple art or a stunning mirror.

Here's some ideas I love (and will try) and some mantels we have styled for clients.


Soft and unified ... mirrors always work :)

                                                               centsationalgirl.com

                                                                              ReMarkable ReDesign

Bringing the outdoors in!

Layers Layers Layers !!

( I'm working on a post now on what the heck we mean by LAYERS!?!)

Start with the biggest piece and layer in groups of your elements .

Note scale shape and colour.

                                                                                Modern Jane Design

Create the visual interest with a triangle form 

or this interesting up and down layout 

Here's a rustic theme!

Off Center! LOVE IT!

When you have great stonework sometimes little or nothing displayed is the answer!

                                      ReMarkable ReDesign

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                           ReMarkable ReDesign

 Here the art is a good soft balance to the bolder shelf styling

 A great place to display collections!
Note again the balance of the overall look.

                                                                      sasinteriors.net

...and sometimes you can just do whatever the heck speaks to you!

Dress it up and show it off!

 Cheers!

~ Tracey and Stacey

Fast & Fabulous Friday DIY: The IKEA RAST HACK

JanYOUary soldiers on...more time indoors thinking about all the stuff that needs attention :)

Just the right time for some short snappers...quick and relatively simple weekend DIY.

Today's project ..The IKEA RAST HACK...comes from awesome Kelly at Hello Boudreau.

Holy cow...look at what she has done to the budget friendly RAST!!

 I love love love any and all things hacked! 

This is spectacular!

                                                                 Courtesy of Hello Boudreau

Some heavy weight linen, some poly-acrylic protective finish (like Minwax), a cheapie cheapie IKEA Rast dresser or thrift store/sidewalk rescue, some new pulls 

and you are off to the races.

Doesn't have to be a dresser...start really simple with a linen table top, solid surface bench or side table. These would all look amazing with a linen upholstered finish ...go crazy! 

See the step by step here Hello Boudreau 

Let me know if you try it! and send pics :)

Have a great weekend!

~ Tracey