Feeling the Hygge: My Holiday Table Setting

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The winter solstice is a few weeks away and the sun never really gets very high in the sky here in Southern Sweden (is it the same where you are?). This can only mean one thing: it's time to get cosy over casual, candlelit dinners. In preparation for my favourite time of the year (admittedly it's also birthday season so I'm a little biased!), Genevieve Jorn and I had a fun afternoon creating this holiday table setting using beautiful items from the Nordal homeware collection (my Danish partner who are not only the loveliest team ever, they also design the most beautiful items - seriously!).  We selected natural linens, cast iron candle holders,  tactile stoneware  and mouthblown glass combined with a foraged wreath, dried poppies and age-old wood furniture to create a rustic vibe. Bring on the hygge!

Photography - Niki Brantmark,  Styling - Genevieve Jorn  / My Scandinavian Home). 

Ahhhh, so pleased with the natural materials and layers of texture. I feel completely ready for the holiday season now!

In case you'd like to know where any of the items are from, we've mapped out an entire 'get the look' below. 

And here's a styling tip I learned from the pro (Gen!): linen tablecloths will arrive ironed and folded. To get the 'relaxed crease' look, wet the entire linen cloth and then hang it up to dry (if it's curtains you can simply hang them in place) - and then simply throw over the table.

And finally... the wreath! This year I'm really into rustic foraged wreaths. I'm hoping to create a DIY post shortly so keep an eye out!

Get the look*

1. Burgundy velvet quilted cushion 2. Pure drinking glass 3. Retro drinking glass 4. Retro red wine glass 5. Cast iron candle holder (short) 6. Cast iron candle holder 7. Glass vase 8. Cast iron server spoons (small) 9. Tapas board 10. Black cutlery 11. Stoneware bowl 12. Stoneware cake plate 13. Stoneware dinner plate 14. Table cloth 15. Napkins 16. Stoneware pitcher 17. Stoneware mug.

 *Nordal ships throughout Europe. Find a webshop stockist near you here.  


If you'd like to know anything else about my dining space just give me a shout in the comment section below.

Hope you feel as inspired as I do to get together over long lunches / dinners under candlelit!

I'm heading off to a friends cabin in the woods with friends and family for a couple of days (weeeeee!) - back Monday - see you then! Have a lovely weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to all American friends and family!

PS I feel very honoured to be a part of the world's first influencer-specialised magazine - Le Buzz. Thank you so much for the lovely interview / feature!

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Nordal, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

Move Over Blush, There's a New Beauty in Town

Get ready to see the world through gorgeous mauve colored glasses because this Low Country inspiration shoot is filled with it. Designed by Urban Petals with imagery captured by Heather Payne, this shoot is steeped in southern romance, insanely gorgeous bridal fashion from Ivory & White and a signature mauve hue. Get inspired to step outside the blush box.

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Fashion Friday: All the Coats.

OK guys, it's FINALLY gotten cold here in New England (#globalwarming) and it's time to pull out the coats! Or better yet, invest in a new coat! There are so many great styles out there right now, and so I've identified what I see as the biggest trends and picked some fab choices for you. Because where we live we spend like 50% of the year only seeing each other in coats, it's important to have a few good choices. And so much is on sale it's the perfect time to treat yo' self.

1. (amazing on)// 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. (40% off!) // 6. (40% off!)// 7. (20% off!)// 8. // 9. (20% off!)

1. (ordered even though I already have #4 and 5…oops) // 2. // 3. (30% off!)// 4. // 5. // 6.

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5.  (40% off) // 6.

1. // 2. (20% off!) // 3. // 4. (sale!)// 5. (sale!) // 6.

1. (sale!) // 2. (40% off!)// 3. (this one for toddlers)// 4. // 5. (on order for my little guy!) // 6. (sale!)

A little extra today, as I am currently OBSESSED (i.e. ordering too many of) luxe flat in yummy textures, patterns or with fun details.

1. (40% off and en route!) // 2. (currently on my feet and $50 off any pair) // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. (40% off!)

The post Fashion Friday: All the Coats. appeared first on Elements of Style Blog.

My New Living Room Rug Is Here (And It's Amazing!)

My new living room rug arrived yesterday, and it's even more beautiful and more perfect than I expected. I mean, this thing is gorgeous, especially considering the price! I purchased this Safavieh purple and gray rug in an 8 x 10 size. I was nervous about the colors, and was pretty much expecting to be []

Going for gold....TRIWA Timepiece (15% Off!)

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More Large-Scale Free Printable Quote Art Signs!

Following the response I received to my original release of free printable quote artit seemed only natural that I should share some more! I was totally inundated with new quote suggestions (thanks everyone!) and, though it wasn't easy, I've finally managed to narrow things down. I have selected quotes which were requested numerous times and...READ MORE

Going for gold....TRIWA Timepiece (15% Off!)

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lgcI0w

Call for Data Thief Volunteers

Friday, October 20, 2017 - 09:15

Arts Catalyst is calling for volunteers (aka Data Thieves) to support us with an exciting project by artist-led group Mission/Misplaced Memory.

Manifested through the imaginary lens of a science-fiction narrative, Dreamed Native Ancestry (DNA) critically addresses and re-thinks contemporary issues around race, migration, biopolitics and culture, drawing on Afrofuturist philosophies and anthropology,

//The Mission crew has travelled back from the future where the human population is dying out due to a quest for genetic homogeneity, which has led to a weakened and diseased human race. Cultural accumulation has ceased and humanity's knowledge growth, technological advancement and story-making capabilities have come to a standstill. The Mission crew is tasked to travel through time, collecting samples, stories and knowledge from the cultural and genetic richness of humanity's past particularly at points of concentrated migration and cultural exchange to deposit in a vast human memory vault that will re-seed the human race of the future. London King's Cross 2017 has been identified as one key centre of migration and culture in human history//.

Taking form as both an installation and programme, Arts Catalyst's Centre is transformed into the 'Mission Ship' crewed by a team of data thieves whose task is to collect memories, experiences and traces related to migration and the circulation of knowledge and cultures that it entails.

Find out more about the exhibition here.

YOUR ROLE

Drawing on the character of the 'data thief' in the documentary The Last Angel of History (1996) by John Akomfrah, your role will be to operate between the present and the future. By joining the crew you will play a key role in gathering evidence and traces of diversity and multiculturalism from members of the King's Cross community and exhibition visitors. You will collect and produce samples and data that will go on to be 're-mixed' into Dubmorphology sound performances, which form an essential part of the installation.

Your expected commitment is flexible, but we encourage you to engage with the project for around six sessions (lasting six hours each).

For further information and to apply please contact us via associate@artscatalyst.org with an expression of interest (500 words max) by Monday 16 November.

See the Fresh Wedding Color Palette Inspiring Us Now

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

See the Fresh Wedding Color Palette Inspiring Us Now

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

Shop Tour: Marisa Mason

Marisa Mason, a shop in Oakland, CA's Temescal Alleys, is a prime example of not rushing your business into growing. For the past six years,Marisa Haskell has been able to grow slowly, learning what s he needs in time, how she wants to expand, and even having the opportunity to take on a connecting space in her latest location. Marisa began her business in 2011, after leaving the design/build industry after the recession left her with limited hours and job options. Without much to lose, Marisa saw this as an opportunity to try her hand at owning her own business. Having always loved making jewelry and feeling ready to venture out on her own, she made the jump to sublet a tiny studio in what's now known as Temescal Alleys (a shopping area that's connected by two pedestrian alleys featuring beautiful local businesses)after a friend had an art studio there years before. Her friend moved on, but Marisa never forgot the space - or the potential she imagined the alley having.

With the two alleys being tucked off the street, it's created a sense of community for the shop-owners, where they've been able to bounce ideas off each other and learn from the growth and advice of their pe ers. This element happens to be one of the things Marisa is most grateful for in her space, which was originally horse stables for the Oakland Fire Department in the 20s. When Marisa took over, it was a storage shed with corrugated metal doors as the facade. The positive was that it was a blank slate for the latest Marisa Mason shop, and her husband is a builder, meaning they could be even more ambitious in the space. While Marisa was able to make all of the design decisions without a previous owner's designs getting in the way, she did want to be sure to incorporate some of the original character of the building, and not be hemmed in by making it feel solely like the Bay Area.

One side of the shop was rustic with brick walls, concrete floors, and exposed dark wood ceilings. The new side was drywall with chipboard wood floors. The couple decided to rip out the wood floors on the new side so that both sides would have cement, and they painted the wood ceilings on the original s ide white to better blend with the plaster they added, and to brighten the space.Now, with the arched doorway and clay walls, customers have likened the shop to Morocco, Mexico, or the Southwest. Marisa's goal was to have the shop feel like a vacation, where you're transported to another place, no matter how briefly. With the expansion of the shop now completed - which happened to coincide with the couple having a newborn - they can revel in their hard work paying offand dream of some new display cases and furniture elements that Dave can build with his company Jacob May when they have the time. Below, you'll get to read about how Marisa and Dave conquered connecting the two spaces to make them feel cohesive, and what makes their shop unique. -Rebekah

Photography byHannah Thornhill

Image abov e:The back room is a few inches lower than the front room, so we had to make a ramp to connect them, Marisa explains. We used the same redwood for continuity and it makes a satisfying sound when you walk on it, like crossing an old bridge.

Lessons Cancer Taught Me, Pt. II

In the Spring of 2016 I was diagnosed with advancednon-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that occurs when the body makes too many abnormal lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Over the next 10 m onths I would spend 100 days living in the hospital, get over 100 shots, have five spinal taps and receive eight, week-long rounds of intensive chemotherapy. You know, just some casual life-changing stuff. Thankfully, in March 2017 all my hard work finally paid off. The cancer was officially gone.

After leaving my last appointment, my guy Aaron and I calmly headed down the street for a well-deserved toast. How odd it was to feel both a part of the crowd and isolated in the halo of this news. Even though I was officially in remission, I still felt like I was trapped between two worlds: that of the healthy and of the sick. The scales were tipping, though. That much I knew as we walked along.

Overlooking downtown Chicago, as the bartender mixed our cocktails, 3 o'clock sun kissed our cheeks and the wooden bar. The joint was next to empty, dinner service was being prepped and we sat tight-lipped.

You are officially the strongest person I know, Aaron said, brea king the silence.

How lucky I felt in that very moment. When we first started this journey, we were told 80% of couples don't make it through a cancer diagnosis, yet here we were having a cocktail and counting my new eyebrow hairs in between sips.

Six months into remission, I'm happy to report we're starting to get back to normal. We've taken trips, eaten lots of sushi (off-limits during treatment) and tossed the meds. Thankfully, more and more days fly by without any mention of my sickness, yet it's never far from my mind. Oftentimes I lie in bed, and as my thoughts blur and pool like a watercolor, I reflect on the past year and the lessons I've learned along the way. And today, on my 30^thbirthday, I'm happy to share just a little bit of what I've uncovered with y'all.When I was diagnosed, my family had a meeting where we frankly spoke to one another about the upcoming year. We acknowledged how tough it would be, and let each other know we were there for one another no matter how challenging it became. More importantly, my parents told my three siblings and me that no matter how we handled it, all would be forgiven at the end of the treatment. You need to yell? You need to cry? You need to get away? You accidentally say something regretful? No problem. Come remission, we'd wipe the slate clean. Doing so allowed us to feel the way we felt, free from worry that it was wrong or inappropriate. It led to a year of honesty the likes of which my family has never experienced.
For someone undergoing chemotherapy, themost dangerous moments aren't necessarily those when you're in actual treatment. Sometimes it's the in-between you have to really worry about. Dur ing this lull, the drugs kill both your healthy and cancerous cells, causing your immune system to shrink to nothing. For the next 7-14 days, as your body rejuvenates, you're highly vulnerable. Enter four awful infections, each of which nearly killed me.

Last September, my weakest moment, I could only cough my way through sentences so I barely spoke for fear I'd never catch my breath again. Unable to walk or breathe without assistance, I laid in the hospital for two weeks as all 145 pounds of me succumbed to strep throat. Yep. Strep throat was taking me out. As I stared out the hospital window, I felt dimmed. My rich black eyes even lightened, as if my body was screaming to those around me what my mouth couldn't say. Miraculously, the moment I mentally detached from my body signaled the beginning of my recovery. I had to let go in order to keep holding in, let go of my preoccupation with appearing strong, let go of my anger at being what I'd become and let go of my worries I wouldn't make it. Free from these preoccupations, my mind and body were able to use their strength to heal.We live in a society where we expect people to be bold and take no prisoners. A time when sensitivity equals weakness. I remember watching a local business owner tell an audience of hundreds to never apologize. That to do so in life tells people you're weak. Lips sealed, I shook my head.

Sorry is a powerful word, and one that's actually caused quite the stir in my relationships. So let's chat about it.The dictionary defines it as sympathy with someone else's misfortune. I'd oftentimes tell my family and friends how sorry I was that we had to go through this, and they'd almost always get upset. They took it as me feeling like I had done something wrong. What I meant was I'm angry. I'm sad. I'm upset we have to go through this. It was my way of being there with them in the trenches. My sickness was their misfortune. I was acknowledging that. The next time someone apologizes for something that seems out of their control, I urge you to think about what their sorry means and why they'd be so quick to take responsibility for it. I bet more times than not, it comes from a place of vulnerability. Tap into that and the two of you will be closer than e ver.I was terrified of my biopsy follow-up appointment, the moment that would lead to my diagnosis and end up changing my life. Instead of lettingpeople be there for me, I went to find out the results alone. It was the middle of the workday, the office was still and there I wassitting underneath awfully-bright lights being told I had cancer. I'd been reassured by my doctor the previous week that I just had an infection and not to worry, so I used that as an excuse to go alone. I still should've let someone be with me. Instead, stubborn me trekked to my appointment solo. In my case, this signifiedjust how scared I was. If I went alone and didn't make a big deal outof getting my results,somewhere in the universe something would click, and I'd be fine. If I had just let someone help, the biggest moment of my life would've been much easier to bear.
Before I was diagnosed, I was the king of burying my feelings. I'd store them away in a nice lil' package until they piled up so high they tumbled down on top of me. Since finishing treatment, though, I've begun to face my feelings as they come. All I have to do is take a minute, let go of the go-go-go and unpack my feelings as I receive them. This has not only helped me better communicate with those I care for, but it's also blown back the curtains and forced me to really think about the life I want for myself. I realized I was letting distraction after distraction pull me further and further from my professional and personal goals. Slowly but surely I'm getting back on track.

Cheers to your health! -Garrett

P.S. Read Lessons Cancer Taught Me, Pt. Ihere.

Sensory sanctum: Garden Pavilion

This private garden sanctuary is both an escape from city life and a retreat for a client who suffers from a sleep disorder.

The Ultimate Registry Guide For a Comfy Fall Home

The minuteSeptember 21st rolls around, we pull outthoseankle boots and embrace fall to the fullest. But getting autumn cozy doesn't just mean switching up your attire and sipping a PSL on the daily - your home needs some fall love, too. So today we're bringing you the ultimate guide in fallregistry picks - from beautiful throws to coffee mugs for hot cocoa. Find your way to a comfy abode below.
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One sofa or two? Help me decide!

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lgiuj3

One sofa or two? Help me decide!

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lgiuj3

One sofa or two? Help me decide!

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lgiuj3

One sofa or two? Help me decide!

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lgiuj3

Striking a balance

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

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Striking a balance

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

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Striking a balance

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

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Striking a balance

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here:http://bit.ly/2lggIOR

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Contemporary Barware Essentials Every Wedding Registry Needs

For more tips and guides for Home Decor and Interior Design visit here -http://bit.ly/2lzaR6H

If you fancy yourself a dinner partyconnoisseur, then you know that registering for fab barware is a definite must. So today we're teaming up with the geniuses atNamb for a little peek at their new Vie Barware Collection - contemporary pieces perfect forspicing up that classic bar. If you're looking to impress your guests, this

Why Does Home Staging Work?

MatiDesign is an interior decorating company, but we also offer a home staging service as well. It’s similar to decorating because I’m still arranging what’s in your home, but that’s where the similarities end. Interior decorating means personalizing your home to make it work for your needs, whereas home staging means depersonalizing it so it appeals to more buyers on the market. So really, home staging and decorating are two very different things.

But why is home staging important in the first place? Why would you want to decorate your home when you’re moving out of it? If you’re going to spend anything on decorating, why wouldn’t you spend it on decorating your new house?

See, here’s the thing. Most people don’t know how to see the possibilities in a home. You might think it’s beautiful because you’ve lived there for a long time, and for you it is. It works perfectly for your life and your family.

But is that perfect for what someone else needs in their home? Probably not. This is how you need to look at your home now. It’s kind of hard at first, but you need to start thinking about your home like it’s a product on the market – because it is. You’re preparing it to be sold

And the way you live in your home and the way you prepare it to be sold are two VERY different things.

Home Stager And Decorator In London Ontario

So, what comes next?

A good realtor will put you in touch with a reputable home staging service. Your stager will explore your home and critique things the way a buyer would.

Don’t take this part personally! It’s not about your home, your taste, or your lifestyle. The whole point of hiring a home stager is to get top dollar for your home, so we need to look at your home from a critical, objective perspective to see what you need.

From there, we’ll put together a plan that works within your budget to help you get top dollar for your home without breaking the bank.

Does Home Staging Work?

Instead of explaining how well home staging works, let me show you an example.

This is a recent home staging in London Ontario I did. Take a look at the “before” photo below:

The first thing I noticed here was the dated brass light fixture and the 80’s oak trim. Combined with the old cart in the corner, the old fashioned wallpaper, and the frilly tablecloth, it looked like your grandparents’ house. That’s to say it’s a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there!

The home owners didn’t want to replace anything, and that’s fine. One of the nice things about decorating and staging these days is that people are loving eclectic styles. In the past, mixing metals and woods and eras would be weird, but these days people love it.

But that’s not to say anything goes. You still need a decorator’s eye and some intelligent design techniques to make it work.

In the before picture, all the antique furniture made the whole room seem heavy and dark.

So what did this decorator’s eye deliver?

Before And After

So you’ve seen the before photo. Here’s what it looked like after I was finished:

Looks a little different, huh?

So what did I do here?

I didn’t have to gut the place. We didn’t have to tear out the wood or knock down any walls. Instead, I worked with what we had, and toned down the oak by adding some big wall art and more modern furniture.

And instead of toning down the brass, I actually played it up with a couple of beautiful brass lamps. These lamps are pretty modern looking though, so while they accent the brass light fixture they actually help tone down the dated look in general. Here’s another angle where you can see the artwork better.

You can see too that the black wood hutch also helped tone things down, and it works wonderfully.

But Did The Staging Actually Work?

“That looks great, Mati,” you may be thinking, “but why should I care? Did the staging work?”

Good question. It doesn’t matter how great it looks if you don’t get your money’s worth, right?

Get this – this home sold in just one week, and for $55,000 OVER its asking price. And this isn’t unusual either – staged homes consistently sell quicker, and for more money, than their un-staged counterparts.

If your agent hasn’t suggested a home stager yet, talk to them about it. The best real estate agents in the business see the value in using a home stager because it helps their homes sell quicker and seals their reputation as a deal-closer.

So does staging work? Yes, it does!

Contact MatiDesign

Do you have a home you’re about to put on the market? Or are you a real estate agent wondering how to move your homes quicker and for more money?

If so, contact MatiDesign to book a home staging consultation today. We’ll tour your home and find out how you can sell your home for top dollar.

Contact MatiDesign today, and let’s get your home sold!

Find additional tips on interior design, decor, and style at: london's best interior decorator

The First 5 Things You Should Do on Your Wedding Day

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Anthony Hernandez

Episode No. 304 features a re-air of host Tyler Green's 2016 conversation with Anthony Hernandez.

In two weeks the Milwaukee Art Museum will present one of the best shows of 2016, a retrospective of Anthony Hernandez curated by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art curator Erin O'Toole.

It was Hernandez's first retrospective. His photographs have consistently looked at parts of America, especially parts of Los Angeles, that hide in plain sight. The catalogue was one of last year's best books, especially for the introduction by Robert Adams and a conversation between Hernandez and Lewis Baltz. Milwaukee's presentation of the exhibition opens on September 15 and will be on view through January first, 2018.

Painting Kitchen (And Bathroom) Cabinets Pros & Cons Of Four Different Methods I've Personally Used

I get quite a few emails with various DIY questions each day, and for at least the last three years, the majority of those questions have been about painting furniture and cabinets. I think this is a topic that makes many new DIYers a bit anxious because (1) painting cabinets is a huge job, and []

Interior Decorator To The Rescue! A Hectic Lifestyle, A Peaceful Home

Life is busy and hectic for most of us. And that goes double for those who work in high-stress jobs and who also have a family to look after.

In this case, I was hired as an interior decorator (not a stager) by a husband and wife pair – she a medical doctor, and he a lawyer – and four kids too.

Talk about stress!

This lovely couple had so much to worry about during the day that they barely had time to catch their breath in their spare time, let alone think about redecorating their home. And that’s why they called me.

Before An Interior Decorator’s Touch

One room in particular caught my attention, and I wanted to share it here. It was a grand, lovely room, but because of their high-stress lifestyle, it had become a simple catch-all for the extra stuff they had lying around the house. Old toys and old furniture abounded, along with a dark, cold, boring, blank wall. This was not a place anyone wanted to spend their time, not even the kids – who at this point had outgrown most of the toys in there.

This room needed an exorcism, a complete purge. We needed to start fresh.

After Some Interior Decorator Magic

One of the most exciting parts about this job was the fact that this family had gone away to Italy for three weeks while I worked on things. So they didn’t see the in-between parts, which can sometimes get a bit messy. They saw the before, they saw the after, but they didn’t see how I got there. It was like I’d waved a magic wand!

Sometimes when you decide to renovate an old building, you realize it’s actually so dated that you’re better off knocking the whole thing down and building a new one. I didn’t knock the house down, but I may as well have!

In short, I changed everything. The furniture – gone. The toys – gone. The wall colour – gone. I needed a blank slate to get this room looking good again. The only thing I left was the carpet.

And here’s how it turned out:

Does that look like a bit more of an enjoyable space to spend your time? The homeowners thought so – they were absolutely thrilled with the results.

“I wish we’d done this before,” they told me. “I had no idea my home could look so good!”

Contact Interior Decorator MatiDesign

Are you getting tired of your home and want to spruce things up? Tired of doing the same old things and want a more contemporary look? If so, contact MatiDesign to book your interior decorating consultation. You’ll walk away with some great ideas for how to redecorate your home in a way that fits with your lifestyle.

Learn additional information about interior design, decor, and style at: london's best interior decorator

Home Stagers Challenge: A Smelly, Vacant Condo To A Warm, Welcoming Home

Usually when someone hires home stagers in London here, it’s one of two types of people: home owners, or their real estate agents.

But this home was a different story. Instead, I was contacted by an accountant. The owner of this condo had passed away, and his accountant was taking care of his estate on behalf of the next of kin – his two sons. Anyway, when he contacted me, it had been sitting on the market for a while and hadn’t sold.

So I walked in the door and was greeted with this:

What would you do with this room, as a home buyer? If you have no idea, you’re not alone. It’s hard for most people to picture what their life can look like in a vacant room.

It’s like reading a book where all the pages are blank. Sure, you can imagine whatever you want on those pages, but without a little guidance you have no idea where to start.

This photo, too, doesn’t show you one of the biggest problems with this place – the smell. Not only were you greeted with a vacant room, but the place REEKED of cigarette smoke. That’s not a pleasant smell for anyone, even if you’re a heavy smoker yourself.

If there was ever a home that needed my help, this was it!

Waving My Home Stager Magic Wand

The original owner had bought the condo 35 years ago, and in that time he hadn’t updated a single thing. So the faucets, the sinks, the toilets, the light fixtures – all of it had to go.

I had the carpets steam cleaned and the place aired out to get rid of the smell, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls to brighten things up.

And we just HAD to open those windows! It’s not a dungeon, after all.

Here’s the result:

Big difference, huh?

Take a look at the fireplace – what do you see that’s different than before?

That’s right, we took the bronze trim off it. It was attached with magnets, so we were able to completely transform the fireplace from a dated, tired look to a fresh, contemporary one with just three small tugs.

After staging, this condo sold in just five days. And you can see why – instead of a cold, empty, stinky room, it became warm, welcoming, and relaxing.

Contact MatiDesign Home Stager

If you’re getting ready to sell your home, be sure it sells for all it’s worth! Contact MatiDesign today to schedule your in-home staging consultation. You’ll discover some insider tips on how to sell your home quickly, and for more money.

Read additional tips on interior design, decor, and style at: london's best interior decorator

Home Staging Service In A Vacant Condo

When someone walks into your house with the idea of buying it, they’re asking themselves all sorts of questions in their head, even if they don't even know they're asking them. And a home staging service is meant to give them the answers they’re looking for.

Let me ask you two different questions – and you tell me which one you think is easier to answer.

“What is your favourite song?”

Or

“Do you like Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles better?”

The first one is more open-ended. You can give any answer in the world! So it can be overwhelming.

On the other hand, the second one is more directed. The person asking you the question is guiding you toward one of two possible answers. That makes it a lot easier to find the answer.

The same goes with staging. Take a look at this picture and imagine the possibilities:

When someone looks at this room, they ask themselves all sorts of questions. Things like:

- Could I picture myself sleeping here?
- Would I be comfortable in this room?
- Would my spouse be comfortable here?
- Would I be able to enjoy intimate moments in this room?
- Would this room relieve my stress at the end of the day?

If you walked into the room you see above, what would the answer to those questions be?

Would you want to buy this home if it looked like this?

Time To Call A Home Staging Service

This was a vacant condo for sale, with only the occasional scattered piece of furniture available – like the inflatable mattress above. It had no appeal at all, and as a result it sat on the market for two months without selling. So the agent contacted me.

They had a small budget to work with, which was fine – in most cases I can make a difference on any budget. But I had to be more strategic.

Instead of creating grander areas, I had to create smaller vignettes into which the buyer can insert their own life. We used the blow-up mattress in the room and rented a few accessories and pieces of furniture to improve the room. That might not sound like much, but it makes a big difference. Take a look for yourself:

Now think about those questions above.

What do you think the answer would be this time?

The results speak for themselves – after sitting vacant on the market for more than two months, this home sold two days after it was staged for above the original asking price.

Home Staging Service London Ontario

If you’re considering listing your home on the market, or if you’ve already listed it but it isn’t selling, contact MatiDesign today for an in-home staging consultation. Remember, staging is always less expensive than your first price reduction.

Find more ideas about interior design, decor, and style at: London Home Decor

Bathroom Interior Decorating Ideas: Home Staging Before & After

One of my favourite parts of being a home stager here in London Ontario is the amazing difference staging can make. Not only can it give a room a completely different feel, it can also help the homeowner make more money in selling it sooner and for more money.

As I like to say, the cost of a home stager is always less than your first price reduction.

When the agent for this home contacted me, it had been on the market for a couple of months already. Their previous agent was with them for a 60 day contract, and when it didn’t sell with him they decided to work with a different agent. Their new agent and I had worked together before – I stage all of her listings before they go on the market – so she brought me in for this one.

Home Staging Before & After – The Problem

Here’s what the ensuite bathroom looked like before I arrived.

What do you think when you see that photo? What does that room make you feel?

Does it tell you a story? Does it seem warm and inviting?

No, it tells about as much of a story as a blank piece of paper – and that’s the problem. When people looked at this home, they couldn’t picture themselves living in it. They couldn’t imagine what life would be like here. It clearly has no appeal at all.

An ensuite bathroom needs to show romance, intimacy, intrigue, and dare I say... sex appeal? It needs to be a place people can envision themselves going to at the end of the day and relaxing, feeling completely at peace. It needs to be a sanctuary.

So I went to work.

Home Staging Before & After – The Solution

Can you spot the difference?

It’s not the wall colour, or the vanity, or the bathtub, or the tiles. All that stayed exactly the same.

It’s the accessories. The candles sitting in the tub, the fragrance sticks on the counter, the flowers, the artwork, even the towel strategically draped over the edge of the tub – it’s all there to tell a story. What woman wouldn’t want to relax in a luxurious bubble bath, candles burning ever so gently, as soothing fragrances grace her nose?

So What?

The second photo is obviously more inviting than the first, but so what? What does that mean? Why should you care, as a homeowner?

In this case, this home sold in just under a week. Staged homes usually sell more quickly, but because this house had been sitting on the market for a while its owners missed out on a lot of potential buyers. This is why it’s a good idea to stage a home before you put it on the market for sale.

Contact MatiDesign

Is your home currently on the market but isn’t selling? Are you planning on putting your home on the market soon? If so, contact MatiDesign to book a home staging consultation.

You’ll walk away armed with the information you need to sell your home more quickly, and for more money – including things you can do yourself, as well as some bigger things your home may need to get the full value for it.

Get additional information on interior design, decor, and style at: London Interior Decor

8 Biggest Mistakes You Make Decorating a Small Space

These designers explain why you shouldn't play it safe (no white paint!) in a tiny room.

1. Playing it safe

"Instead, put a large-scale printed fabric or wallpaper on the walls and even the ceiling. It's easier, safer, and less expensive to be dramatic in a small space. You might get tired of a bold print in the main living area, but it can make a smaller, less-used room an exciting space to spend time." — Victoria Neale

2. Cramming the space with too much stuff

"A large piece of furniture can actually make the space feel larger, as long as it's selected carefully. For instance, if you have the benefit of high ceilings, a tall cabinet appropriately placed has the effect of drawing one's eye upward and away from the small footprint of the room. Just make sure every piece counts and holds its place and lets your eye rest." — Laura Kirar

3. Not strategizing

"Decide everything that needs to happen in a room, and then work that legerdemain, baby. Divide a room geometrically into task-oriented zones — working, sleeping, relaxing, dining. Think in halves, quarters, or even on the diagonal and assign a function to each section." — Elaine Griffin

4. Not paying enough attention to the color of flooring and walls

"Lighter walls and lighter floors do automatically give the illusion of more space." — Mary McGee

5. Relying on small furniture

"Dark colors and just a few pieces of large-scale furniture, with the appropriate lighting and accessories, can give a room a larger, more luxurious feel." — Mona Hajj

6. Missing the silver lining

"Turn it into a jewel box. For instance, I turned a small room in my apartment into a luxurious retreat. I upholstered the walls in a soft chalk-striped brown wool flannel, coffered the ceiling applying custom-designed 'faux bois' wall covering in the coffers, laid a plush red carpet, installed a flat-screen TV on a flexible mount, hung an oversize faux-tortoise-frame mirror to create more dimension, and, finally, designed a custom-made sectional sofa to optimize the space. Now it's a cozy space my whole family uses." — Philip Gorrivan

7. White walls

"Paint the room a dark charcoal gray or Ralph Lauren's Black Truffles, one of my favorites. This will actually really open up the space." — Paul Mathieu

8. Proportion and scale are vital

"Custom upholstery is essential if you want to avoid burdening a room with furniture that looks like it's on steroids. You should have furniture made in the correct width, height, and depth for the scale of a room. For smaller rooms, I try to avoid anything over 36 inches deep. Better not to overpower a room with the steroid-injected, super-deep models made to fill titanic spaces in McMansions. Bigger is not always better." — Todd Klein