Invoking Happiness with Color

Color plays an important role in design whether we are trying to stimulate a joyful and happy place or creating a room for quiet reflection. When I think of what makes me happy and an associated color - orange makes me smile. In fact, as a teenager I insisted my bedroom be painted orange, it was uplifting compared to the dreary Seattle weather. As an home stager and designer, I fully understand the use of color and surround myself with pops of orange in my office, which makes for a stimulating and creative space.

Love this Orange Rockwell Arm Chair

Orange created by combining red (energy) and yellow (happiness) represents sunshine, warm weather and places like the tropics. Studies show that orange can stimulate the brain, increase the oxygen supply and is invigorating. Imagine the scent and taste of a slice of orange, how it felt peeling back the rind, releasing sprays of orange fragrance in the air and feeling bursts of juice explode as you bit into each segment, note how refreshing this was and happy you felt. One simple slice of an orange produces endorphin's stimulating your “happy” place. 

It is a powerful color representing happiness, strength and endurance. In Feng Shui and Interior Design applications important elements are often highlighted using the color orange, while commercially it is often used to help stimulate business success.

Quoting Oscar Levant, he said, “happiness isn’t something you experience, it is something you remember.” Isn’t it time to remember something that made you happy? Recall how you felt during the summer with the warmth of the sun on your face, did you feel happy? Let’s recreate this feeling in our home. I could suggest painting a wall or four in a warm orange palette, however doing so could invoke too much of a good thing. Instead paint a niche, accent wall, add a great accessory that pops of warm orange, or introduce a piece of furniture in a dark corner. You won't regret it.

Socially orange becomes a conversation starter, and has uplifting energy while creating a sense of warmth. Afraid of commitment then start small with a simple bowl of oranges or tangerines, as a centerpiece. It’s a perfect way to introduce happiness and prosperity, especially as we celebrate Lunar New Year on February 8^th. Interested in learning more contact me? I can be reached at www.homestagingsantafe.com.

Selling a Lifestyle through Home Staging

How the interior space of a home is styled says more than you think. Selling a home takes more consideration than just painting the walls or planting flowers outside. Consider the message the interior speaks, does it scream that it needs help?

This living room had some great items to work with. Before we staged the room it was overcrowded and unappealing. The room appeared to be very small and had many focal points. Making a detour around the room to sit down was the entry point. Considering Feng Shui principles, this room represents blocking creativity, flow and keeping your guard up.  Unfortunately, it isn’t very welcoming as the first impression into the home, especially if it is for sale.

Using home staging techniques and interior design principles to maximize the space and highlight the homes features will make this home extraordinary. By removing excessive accessories, eliminating unnecessary and over scaled furniture, plus introducing appropriate décor items we can begin to paint a picture for buyers. One that highlights the occupant’s lifestyle, maximizes the size and functionality of the room, improves the perception and sensibility of the space, plus adds value to the home.

First impressions count and by creating a focal point for each room that is inviting, comfortable and beautiful will increase the on-line viewing and selling potential. Homebuyers can see the potential and possibilities of envisioning their family making the house their own and will be ready to buy.

Whether you live in your home or it is for sale the placement of furniture, décor as well as scale speaks volumes. Does your home reflect the lifestyle you aim for or does it hold you back?

View more changes to this home.

Is Your Home Approachable?

In keeping with the de-clutter theme, I thought I’d share some thoughts on the approachability of the front of the home.

Clutter can show up in many forms, not just inside with our personal collections, daily mail, magazines, newspapers that pile up and shoes by the entrance. But what does the outside your front door say? This is the first contact point to the home, and one that often is neglected, is your home approachable?

At this time of year, as the piles of leaves gather along the walkway and porch, the potted summer plants that have wilted with the cold weather, toys, bikes, and lawn equipment have gathered, and cobwebs (plus leftovers from Halloween) keeps your front entrance from looking fabulous. It prevents showing how great your home may be, and detracts from having potential buyers coming in. 

Taking the time to clean the sidewalk and porch on a daily basis, plant cold weather tolerant plants with pops of color in round pots, replacing light bulbs that have burned out, and even painting the front door can create a strong impression. Buyers expect to see a well maintained home that is warm, inviting and shows you care. These small steps will help you to raise the market appeal, provide great first impressions and invites potential buyers to come inside, rather than doing a ‘drive-by’ because the home appeared unappealing and overwhelming. Make the front entry as attractive as possible and keep it maintained. Remember to keep it simple and don't overwhelm the space.

Now of course if you’re not selling your home, these principles apply as well. Taking these few steps to de-clutter the front entrance can create a warm and welcoming entrance. According to Feng Shui philosophy upkeep to the front entrance provides good energy flow, abundance, blessings, opportunities and good fortune to all who come through the front door. Now who doesn’t want these great attributes in their life? Remember this is the first impression of your home whether it’s you or your guests that use the front door or a potential buyer, make it count!

Don’t know where to start? Contact me, I’ll show you how to create a warm, inviting and welcomed home whether your home is on the market or not.

Why De-Clutter and why is it so important?

Whether you are selling your home or staying put, de-cluttering your space opens your home to unlimited possibilities.

First off - if you are selling your home, one of the most important things to do is de-clutter and visually create more space. Potential buyer's are unable to see past your things, no matter how cute or adorable you may think your collections are, they have to go! It's a fact that buyer's will pay more attention to what you own and have on display rather than appreciate the beauty and unique characteristics of your home. They won't even begin to imagine themselves living there nor put an offer on your house because all they remember is your collection of ______ (fill in the blank). Clutter increases the feeling of restriction and confusion, plus it limits openness, creativity, ideas and the potential for a sale. Are you ready to enhance the features of your home or limit it?  

If you're staying put, de-cluttering your house will not only open up the floor plan but you'll find you have more space to enjoy it, both mentally and physically. According to Feng Shui principles clutter can create stagnation, struggle, and confusion. Clearing your space not only frees up your time and energy, but can promote new and unlimited possibilities.

The home in this image is for sale. Notice how cluttered this room is? Do you notice any architectural features of the room? With omissions of artwork, accessories and extra pieces of furniture the room will appear larger and more welcoming.

How to get started freeing up your space? Watch for my five easy steps to get started or contact a certified home stager for guidance and assistance.