Don’t Buy or Sell a Home Without Reading This

The real estate market is really heating up in Nashville. My assistant is booking more home staging appointments than I can keep up with!

 

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Real Estate is HOT in Nashville 

 

Many of those calls come from real estate agents who have come to rely on me for efficient and effective staging. I’ve worked with my share of great agents, the best of which care about one thing:  getting their clients what they want quickly. If they are really good, they’ll go the extra mile for you.  [Read more...]

What’s the Complexion of Your Home?

The bulk of what I do is Paint Color Consultations.  Something just hit me the other day and made me kinda laugh out loud (sitting by myself like a psycho).  As many neutral paint colors that I specify for clients’ homes, I have NEVER used a neutral paint color in my own homes.  

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My Breakfast Nook 

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Decorating for Smart People

Right before my Furniture Arrangement Workshop last Thursday night, a lady who was attending came up and asked me where remedial students should sit.

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Furniture Arrangement Workshop at Merridian 

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Does Dark Paint Make Your Ceiling Appear Lower?

Sometimes in Paint Color Consultations, I suggest a dark paint color for a ceiling in certain rooms.  Most people think that paint colors for ceilings should always be light, right?   Dark paint colors for ceilings used to be a hard sell, but luckily I’ve built up enough street cred that most believe me now when I say a dark painted ceiling won’t come down on your head.

  low ceiling 0307sm Does Dark Paint Make Your Ceiling Appear Lower?

 

Because that’s what most people are concerned with – that a dark paint color will make the ceiling appear lower.  In a relatively small room, when the walls are painted light or neutral, a dark painted ceiling actually recedes.  Think of it like a night sky that goes on and on.  Here’s a recent before-and-after, if you still don’t believe me:  [Read more...]

How to Style a Gorgeous Bookcase

Did you ever wish you could make your messy bookcases look like they do in a magazine?  Let me show you how bookcase styling can make yours look fabulous, too!  You’ll have to empty out the contents first, then:

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Design by Meg Braff via Pinterest

 

1.  Start with hardback BOOKS.  It is a bookcase, afterall.  Your bookcases will always look cluttered and messy if it’s filled with trinkets and photos.  I think bookcase styling should require more books than anything else.      [Read more...]

Mirrors Make a Big Impact in A Small Bedroom

Did you think you couldn’t have high style in a small bedroom?  Sometimes less is more, as you will see in this mini-makeover of a client’s small bedroom.  Technically, we are not finished – no art is hung and we need an accent pillow to finish this off, but I couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peak at this fun bedroom and the difference a pair of mirrors can make!

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Should You Paint Your Exterior Brick?

I know it must be springtime, because I’m having lots of requests for Exterior Paint Color Consultations!  More and more people are realizing that they no longer have to live with their dated brick exteriors if they don’t want to, but it can be difficult to take the plunge and actually paint the brick.  

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The Toughest Boss I’ve Ever Had

This self-employed, own-your-own-business thing is quite an education, I must tell you.  I know what it was like to work for “the man.”  For about a decade I worked as a school psychologist with specific duties, a set schedule, and regular work hours.  

 

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A Blue Bedroom Earns High Marks

As a Paint Color Consultant, I do lots of blue bedrooms – it’s true.  Occasionally it’s a greige, once in a while a green, possibly a grayed lavender, but by-and-large I help my clients choose just the right blue for their bedrooms.  I guess that’s because it’s peaceful, calming, soothing – when it’s just right.

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Color Design – The Decorologist

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Don’t Get Too Excited – It’s Just an Optical Illusion, Mister!

I just wanted to share something fun with you guys this week.  I have a design client with, ahem, a rather challenging bathroom that has become a favorite with all the men that visit her home.  

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The mirrored walls of this 1980′s bathroom creates a dizzying, fun house effect for visitors.  From the shot above, you can see how the room appears to go on.  And on.  And on.  It reminds me of being in a subway tunnel or maybe something from The Shining, I’m not sure.  The walls and cabinets have a malachite faux finish.  Funny thing is, malachite is enjoying a bit of a come-back right now!

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This is the view when you face the toilet.  The homeowner placed this piece of art here after she couldn’t get the guys to stay out of this bathroom.  

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I totally think she should have put a sign like this instead:

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After many years of laughs and gasps, the mirrors are finally coming down.  But I feel sure it’s never going to be quite as interesting!

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