Get Your Home Ready for Its Close-Up Part 2: The Details

So much to do to stage a home for sale! Last week we shared tips on The Big Stuff which covered topics such as curb appeal, cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing. Now let’s dig into the details.

After you’ve finished cleaning and storing, Theresa “Terry” Anderson of KoenigRubloff offers this advice: “There are some easy tricks to refresh a house, such as putting in new light fixtures, new faucets, paint a few rooms, and take down all wallpaper. I suggest a very minimal amount of furnishings and décor.” (You can email Terry at [email protected] or find her on Facebook by clicking here.)

Remember to check the latest Zillow report for paint colors that are currently selling for significantly higher (or lower) than average in each room and see our pinterest board for examples. Discuss the report with your realtor to determine what is best in your particular area.

Here are some other room-by-room expert tips we’ve collected for you:

Bedrooms
The key in the master bedroom is to stay gender neutral. You want the decor to appeal to everyone. Keep décor minimal but try to create a relaxing atmosphere where people can imagine unwinding. Create a bed people would want to crawl into, all soft and comfortable looking, and a small sitting area for reading or watching TV.

Catherine Schager Designs, Lake Forest Master Bedroom

Bathrooms
Try to restore bathrooms to an unused look. (Nothing says “yuck” like a strangers mystery bathroom mess.) Fix all leaky toilets and dripping faucets. Replace old toilet seats with new ones. Do your best to remove hard water stains that will make potential buyers think of leaks. (Try vinegar.) Deodorize the drains too. Keep counters clear except for a pretty soap dispenser and neutral colored shower curtain and bath mat.

Catherine Schager Designs, Glenview Renovations (left) and Northbrook Master Bath (right)

“Master” Touches
Remember those closets we discussed in Part 1? Storage space sells, especially in the master bedroom. One trick is to clear the master closet out completely, then hang a set of classy wooden hangers. Entice potential buyers to love the master bath by arranging a set of new fluffy white towels in ready-to-use fashion and topped with something pretty. Set the “spa” stage to help them imagine luxuriating in a hot bath or shower.

Family Living Areas
Keep only beautiful furniture on display and keep it neutral. You want potential buyers to imagine their own furniture in the room, not get stuck on your style. You don’t want them feeling like an intruder in YOUR space. Let them imagine it as THEIR space.

Create symmetrical but inviting arrangements that suggest conversations and family time. Arrange a board game or a tea service on the coffee table. Place a book or magazine next to a comfortable chair with a soft throw. Once again, keep it gender neutral and tailored, but oh-so-comfy looking. You don’t want the realtor to have to say “Imagine this…” while describing a scene. Instead, set the room to create those visions wordlessly.

Catherine Schager Designs, Glenview Renovations (left) and Winnetka Lower Level (right)

Kitchen and Dining
You won’t want to invest in major upgrades, but it’s worth it to fix leaky faucets, replace dated ones, and remove hard water stains. Consider painting dated cabinets and updating the hardware. Brighten up a poorly lit kitchen with new light fixtures. Choose the highest wattage bulbs for the fixtures and open up all the curtains and blinds. A light, bright kitchen sells better than a dark, dreary one. Lighter colors on the walls can help reflect the light. Keep countertops clear except two or three carefully chosen decorative items. Keep lots of empty space in the cabinets and drawers, and keep them well organized. Kitchen organization is big lately. Consider a few specialty foods in pretty packaging arranged just so in the pantry. Set the dining room table with carefully chosen, lovely yet neutral items (like a pretty tea set). Leave out a delicious looking and smelling pastry or cake on a pretty tray in the kitchen and have the realtor suggest they sit and have a treat in the space.

Catherine Schager Designs, Northbrook Kitchen

Catherine Schager Designs, Glenview Renovations

Defined Purpose
Make sure you don’t have any confusing “extra” rooms and absolutely no junk rooms. If you have an undefined space, give it a purpose. An office is usually a good bet but keep it neutral and classy. Bookshelves should be mostly empty with only a few neutral items on display. Storage space should invite them peek inside and see it empty, evoking thoughts of their own things they could store in that spot. A private, cozy reading spot nook near a set of beautiful bookshelves is always inviting.

Catherine Schager Designs, Northbrook Office

Good luck! Overall, remember to keep it gender neutral, style neutral, as empty as possible, spotlessly clean, and create carefully chosen scenes to evoke images in each space.

Get Your Home Ready for Its Close-Up Part I: The Big Stuff

If you have a home to sell, you’re likely anxious to get a good offer in a quick timeframe. We’ve collected some expert staging tips to help present a home that buyers will fall in love with at first sight.

Scott Rose of Baird & Warner, tells sellers to shine the apple! Scott says, “We are in a price war and a beauty contest. Declutter and make it look like a model. Remember that in most cases a home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it and what a bank is willing to loan (unless it’s all cash!).” (You can email Scott at [email protected], visit his website at ScottRoseHomes.com, or @ScottRoseHomes on Facebook.)

The beauty contest starts with curb appeal. First impressions are CRUCIAL. Many buyers will opt out of doing a walk-through on a house based simply on a poor outside presentation, so start your staging process at the curb. Replace your old mailbox with a pretty new one. Cut the grass, trim the bushes, weed flower beds, and add fresh mulch. Power wash your decks, walks, and patios. Repaint your front door (according to this 2017 Zillow report, homes with navy blue, dark gray, or charcoal front doors sell for more money) and add large, attractive house numbers that can be clearly seen from the street and look welcoming. If you need to paint the siding, consider gray, brown, or greige, as suggested by Zillow. If paint isn’t necessary, wash the siding and the windows until they sparkle. Clean your front porch and add welcoming touches like seasonal flowers in planters and hanging baskets, a pretty doormat, and a new doorbell with attractive sound.

The first step to staging the interior of your home for sale is to clean, clean, clean. Spit shine every single surface, corner, wall, ceiling, and floor. Clean cabinets and drawers, inside and out. Clean the grout, the faucets, and the globes on light fixtures. Clean furniture even though it won’t stay with the home, and clean underneath it too. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to handle this time-consuming, exhausting chore for you.

Next, de-clutter, de-personalize, and paint. Experts suggest that you rent a storage unit and pack and move a good deal of your belongings before your first showing. Now is the time to get serious about removing every trace of clutter, and absolutely DO NOT shove that clutter into cabinets and closets. Potential buyers will be looking in there! Remove ALL personal photographs, diplomas, memorabilia, and collectibles. Choose only a few, neutral decorative elements. Remember, you want potential buyers to visualize themselves in your home. If they can’t see past your style and your décor, they won’t be able to see themselves in the space. Aim for lived-in but neutral. Have your realtor help you pick a few key pieces of furniture and store the rest. Give all the walls and trim a fresh coat of paint at minimum (and perhaps cabinets too if needed). Refer to the Zillow report and our pinterest board Colors That Sell for suggestions on paint colors for specific rooms.

Next, tackle every closet, cabinet, pantry, bookcase and storage area. Any items you don’t need to store for your next home can be picked up by a junk hauling specialists. There are several. One I like and use is Junk King. Storage is a big selling point so you want to be sure you show your home’s storage to best advantage. Keep a few, carefully chosen items in each storage area in an organized, attractive arrangement. Leave lots of “white space” between items. Consider items like fancy jams and other upscale condiments in pretty packaging to display on shelves.

Even if they are tiny, your pets definitely qualify under “the big stuff” in home prep. You need to remove any hint of any animal from your home. You don’t want potential buyers thinking about all the hidden damage your adorable fur babies might have caused to your home. Remove all furniture and rugs with pet damage, and all trace of pet odors and pet fur (or feathers or scales). When you leave before a viewing, take your pets and all their gear with you. Don’t leave pet dishes, pet beds, or pet toys behind to make potential buyers think of potential problems.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2: The Details, where we will talk about what works (and doesn’t) for each room.

“Fearless Design” Event

Fearless Design

Please join Diane Goldstein of J.C. Licht/Epco in Northbrook and me for “Fearless Design”!

When: Thursday April 3, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Where: J.C. Licht/Epco store, 1340 Meadow Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062

Diane and Catherine will unveil the secrets to conquering your fears in the design of your home. You can also meet Frank Lemke with York Wallcoverings. Frank will show you the newest in Wallcovering designs.

If this is the year you want to finally tackle that decorating project that’s been neglected, this is the event for you!

Please call Diane to reserve your space!
(847) 272-2600. Refreshments will be served. This is a complimentary design event.

Designing with Light

A well-planned lighting design is the most fundamental design element of any home. Beautiful lighting can make even the simplest spaces appear welcoming and interesting. Poor lighting can make an expensive, beautiful home feel uncomfortable and unattractive. So what’s the key to achieving a flattering ambience while still having enough light see what you are doing?

Think layers. Layered clothing may come and go from fashion trends but layered lighting is definitely, always in. Washing a room with layers of light creates dynamic, visually intriguing spaces while avoiding eye strain and saving on energy bills.

Ambient
The first layer to consider is ambient light. This layer provides the general illumination in a room. Ambient light should never feel harsh but should flood the space with balanced light.

Light colored reflective surfaces enhance the ambient light in this kitchen.

Accent
While ambient lighting can be bland, the accent layer creates visual style and makes a room more interesting. Accent lights are targeted to particular objects in a room, enhancing architectural features or highlighting decorative objects. The accent layer creates shadows and adds depth.

Task
Task lighting is the most intense light layer in the room, intended to provide enough light for tasks like reading and cooking.

A soft ambient glow, dramatic accent lights, and well-placed task lights create a bedroom with flair.

Bulbs are an important consideration in your light design. People generally work better in a cooler white light during the day but prefer a warmer incandescent at night. This is measured in a degrees Kelvin.

The higher the degrees Kelvin, the cooler and brighter the light.

The ability of a light source to realistically display color is measured by the color rendering index (CRI). A light source with a high CRI will display bright, crisp colors while a low CRI displays murky colors.

Remember to incorporate dimmers and multiple switches into your lighting plan. They provide flexibility, allow you to create different moods, and save energy.

How do you present your home in the best light?

Hot Tile Trends

Do you love bold, solid-colored tiles? A blend of neutrals? A creative mixes of patterns? Deep textures? Whatever your style preference, larger sized tiles are the current trend to watch and Tile of Spain showcases the current trendsetters.

Bold, Solid Colors
A bright mix of colors in this subway tile by Cevica called Antic Special adds dimension and lends an antique feel to a backsplash.
Beautiful Neutral Blends
Soft, inviting neutrals with elegant designs merge the floor and walls of this living space with large format tiles by Plaza Cerámica from their Yoho series.
Mixed Patterns
Aparici captures the eye with their new Moving series of black and white tile in vintage patterns. Mix and match the geometric designs and never lose interest in your tile again.
Deep Textures
Apaviso takes textured tiles to new depths with their three-dimensional Archconcept series of porcelain tile. Check out the architectural effect of overlapping this tile called Quarter Up. The series is created with the latest tile manufacturing technologies and designed off current architectural trends.

Do you see a place for any of these new trends from Spain in your home?

Four Fun, Fashionable, Finds

This past week I’ve run across a few fun things to show you! Call them the random musings of a designer as she sifts through the day.

Find #1. Sensational Screen! This hand-painted screen done by an artist friend of mine is now available. Would make a great headboard for a bed, eye-catching statement behind a sofa, a great cover-up for a corner or even hide a small home office in your living room. www.bonnielecat.com

Gorgeous!

Find #2. Fur in Fashion! Yes, it’s back. Last week’s Fashion Week in New York saw fur accessories and apparel. That means that it’ll start showing up in home goods soon.

Michael Kors handbags for Fall 2012

Find #3. Cool Coffee Table! This book-matched walnut table is from Brandner Design. www.brandnerdesign.com . They have many other cool items as well.

I love the natural look!

Find # 4. Perfect Pliny! Ok, I was thinking Spring! I love this chair called Pliny the Lounger from loll designs. They specialize in outdoor furniture made of recycled material. It brings back memories of rocking in my aunt’s backyard in a big old red metal lawn chair. www.lolldesigns.com

Mod and yet retro!

What fun finds have you found in February?

Great Design Magazines

Hey, I’ve just had a project published! The publication is Chicago Home Improvement Magazine www.homeimprovementmag.com (don’t know if you’ll find the story and photo online, but it is in print) and they’ve published the picture of the Lake Forest master bedroom from my portfolio! Very exciting. They also recounted the story of how the room evolved and what the clients were looking for.

Do you read design or home improvement magazines? If so, which ones? I was at a seminar recently and we discussed how the magazines that designers read and use for inspiration are often not the same as what the general public gravitate toward. I generally will read Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Veranda, House Beautiful, and sometimes Dwell. (Yes, my husband complains that a semi backs up to our house every month to unload all of my magazines!) I do find them inspiring, though. They’re also great sources for learning about new products or perhaps a new way to use an existing product.

Prior to meeting with a client for the first time, I will suggest that they get some design magazines, or library books and flag pages of pictures that they like. Whether it’s the entire room, an element of the room- like the crown molding or the windows or a particular tile- or colors, furniture or even accessories. Even if they don’t really know why they like it, I encourage them to flag it anyway as once I’ve had a chance to go through their choices some sort of pattern will usually emerge.

Magazines are also great for introducing an idea that you can then take and make your own. Maybe you’ve seen some really cool new product like a gorgeous console table shown in a living room. You love it but think “hey, I could use that in my powder room as a vanity with a beautiful vessel sink”. It’s fun and creates very personalized spaces. So- take a look, dream, and be creative! If you can’t, I happen to be really well acquainted with someone who can help you with that!

Use these to "dream a little dream"!

Remodeling- What Makes Sense?

We’re going to take a break from discussing kitchens to talk about remodeling in general. Now that the weather is turning cooler, you’re spending more time indoors and will notice how well (or not) your home functions. By the time the holidays have passed, you might be thinking it’s time to make a change. But what changes make sense for your own comfort and for resale purposes?

For resale purposes, updating and increasing the size of kitchens and baths tops the list of getting the highest return for dollar spent on remodeling. People are also looking for energy efficiency, so new appliances with Energy Star ratings and better insulation for your home will increase your comfort as well as make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

I ran across an interesting article in USA Today’s Green House section that cites a survey taken by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), of its members. What clients are looking for these days are not rooms like game rooms and home theaters, but specialty rooms that get a lot of use- like home offices, and the incorporation of outdoor elements. They’re also interested in first floor master bedrooms and energy efficient products, like more efficient furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters. So when you’re thinking about remodeling- think multi-function as opposed to single function, and consider the energy efficiency of any upgrades you’re considering.

I’ve got my eye on adding a fireplace element to our living/dining room. It’s a good-sized room with a 12′ ceiling that tends to be chilly in the winter. We have a wood-burning fireplace downstairs in the lower level, which is nice- but I think I’d really enjoy another fireplace upstairs. Maybe a modern stove-type of fireplace. This would definitely add to the cozy factor for the room and there are many out there that are energy efficient. What is your dream project for your home?

I like this one!

Inaugural Blog

Welcome to my blog design fans! This is a fun and frightening prospect, but one I hope we will all enjoy. Kind of like having kids! I hope to bring you fun tidbits, news about the latest cool products for your home, as well as answer your burning questions about interior design. You know, like “What do I do with a really small budget and a hideously pink bathroom?” To which I will reply with speed, wit, and draw upon years of experience by saying ” Paint it!” Ok, that was a little flip. Actually, my response would include paint, which is one of the least expensive ways of changing the look of your room. If you have pink tile, there are actually paints that can go over tile, both wall and floor. Unless you’re really good, I wouldn’t recommend it as a DIY project. If you have pink tile AND fixtures (sink, tub, toilet) and really don’t have a budget to replace them- I say find a way to have some fun with them until the budget allows a total re-do. You can find some fun wallpaper- maybe a cool black and white print and make it sort of retro Barbie-like, or neutralize it somewhat by adding a complementary color like green and add in some art and towels that bring the two together. Update fixtures like the faucets and lighting as you can usually do these fairly inexpensively. If you make it fun and funky, the ugly pink can become a chic joke, an opportunity to be playful and express your creative side. So, dear readers, I hope that you enjoyed my inaugural blog and will check back for more! Coming up next…..an overview of what’s hot at NeoCon- the big design trade show at the Merchandise Mart!