Mirror Mirror: Keeping it Simple

I had so much fun staging Bonnie’s condo… and the results were, without doubt, terrific! Forgive me for tooting my own horn ;-)
When I first assessed the dining room I knew that the perfect addition would be a large mirror – not only would it fill a long wall, it would reflect the fantastic south-facing view from this 21st floor condo when people walked into the room (photographer didn’t take this photo from eye-level).
I sourced out the ideal mirror from Ikea – the wood was a good match to Bonnie’s dining set, and it had a clean contemporary line that worked really well with their overall style.
After the job though, the mirror came home with me to be stored in the attic. What an unhappy place to be!
Then Thursday my daughter Ashley told me that her friend Nicci was in desperate need of a full length mirror. She said that when ever they’re getting ready to go out clubbing, she and Nicci can’t fully check out their beautiful selves to ensure that they’re ultimately gorgeous! HaHa!! So as you can see, “desperate need” is an excellent assessment of the situation! :-)
As soon as I learned that Nicci needed a mirror I thought of the one in our attic. But while it was perfect for Bonnie’s dining room, it wasn’t ideal for Nicci’s place. We only had the evening to fix it up… so what could we do?
Paint!
Ashley chose the colour (a sage/olivey green, the accent colour in Nicci’s apartment) and I set to work.
I started by lightly sanding the frame…
Next came the painter’s tape… and then… the paint brush!

Of course we can’t complete ANY project around our home without our supervisor, Scotty!!

As I was painting I found myself thinking that something was missing. Sure I was taking a simple wood frame and giving it some simple colour, but how could I add something special when I only had an hour?!

Out came the painter’s tape again… a stripe was needed around the frame!

A simple detail for a simple frame, but it really jazzed things up!!

Now I was worried about how Nicci was going to clean her mirror without removing the painted stripe… so the next morning, before Ashley and her Dad took the mirror over to Nicci’s place, I pulled out some clear faux-stain glass stuff and I sealed the stripe. At least I hope I did!! HaHa!!
The results are great. Clean, simple lines yet a fresh look for a young woman’s apartment.

I was told that Brian would be helping the girls hang the mirror, and that I’d be able to join them to take photos… but the girls were getting ready for a night on the town to celebrate Nicci’s birthday so they were in a hurry so told us “another time!”.
But Ashley took a few photos of the mirror in it’s new home… not quite how I’d showcase the final results, but it’ll do! Besides… you get to see my beautiful girls, too!! :-)

Nicci tells us she loves her new mirror!

And you KNOW those lovely girls will be posing in front of this mirror on their way out the door to celebrate… a perfect mirror transformation for 2 perfectly beautiful images!

Happy Birthday Chickie!!

It’s that time again… time for Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks to our host Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for 76 weeks of blog-party fun!! Be sure to make check out the transformations shared by other party-participants… and thanks for dropping by DesignTies!

Home Staging in Greater Vancouver: Gorgeous Burnaby Condo, Styled and Sold!

Last weekend was so fantastic… I staged a terrific 21st floor condo!
A few weeks ago I told our DesignTies readers a little about my plans for Bonnie’s place. Today, the day after her Open House, I’m sharing ALL the befores and afters! I think you’ll be impressed with the transformation.
BUT… before you scroll down to these fantabulous photos I just HAVE TO share… last Wednesday, sight-unseen and based on photos alone (taken by the Realtor’s photographer… professional photos of my work!!! I’m so over-the-top happy!!), interested buyers put an offer on my Clients’ condo just shy of asking price!!

WOW!!

The buyers actually viewed the condo on Thursday and didn’t change their mind… of course! Naturally, my Clients kept to their Realtor’s (Bonnie Monk with Royal LePage) plan to “open” their place for other potential buyers on Saturday in the event that the sale falls through. But it’s looking good so far! I’m so happy for them!!
Now… to the transformation!

Living Room

Apart from removing the toys and clutter from this room, I also asked the homeowners to do 2 things for me… 1) remove the wee shelf and plaques from the wall so that I could replace them with more size and colour appropriate art and 2) swap the sofa & loveseat around… by keeping this configuration I’d be cutting off flow a little to the den, but at least with the loveseat in place of the sofa it would make for a smaller block.
The living room really lacked colour… so I found these pillows which the clients love and intend on using in their new home. Excellent!

The photo below… a hint at the den and my favourite transformation. You’ll have to make your way to the end of this post to see it. Be patient!

Dining Room

This was a simple transformation… clean up the room, take a leaf out of the table and change out the too-small print on the wall with a long mirror. This condo is a great size… even with the the leaf removed, the table still easily sits 6 people AND there’s loads of room to move around the dining room!

I purchased the mirror at Ikea and stylistically, it’s a good fit with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. What I love about the placement of this mirror – and something you can’t see in the photographer’s image below – is that it beautifully reflects the view to the south of this room (the view through the windows you see is to the west). Also, the mirror reflects the patio and it’s flowers… which effectively invites viewers around to the sliding door and a closer look.

Kitchen

 

From cluttered to sleek!
During our consultation I mentioned to the homeowners that a microwave range hood would be a good change… because they liked their hood and wanted to take it with them to their new house, they took my suggestion to heart and changed it out. A great way to show more counter space!!
A few items placed along the counter for colour… some simple baskets filling up negative space above the cabinets… and the kitchen looks like a place where anyone would want to fix a meal!!

Master Bedroom

In this room I HAD to work with the existing drapery. With budget in mind, I looked high and low for bedding that would work AND that we could afford! I totally lucked out with this quilt and sham combination. I think it’s perfect!!

I also relocated the bed into the window. I’m a big fan of the bed being the focal point in a room, but that wasn’t my only motivation in relocating the bed. You see… I wanted the space to be open and inviting to viewers, allowing them to walk in and around the room. Also, with the bed placed in this position viewers are encouraged to imagine themselves waking up to this marvellous view. That and breakfast in bed…

Luxury!!

I LOVE how the realtor’s photographer Photoshop-ed images onto the (disconnected) TV screen!! Much better then a black box on the wall!!

A closer look at some of the details…

The goldy-orange box on the mirrored tray is so very special to me… it is vintage(30s) bakelite, and the monogrammed box is from a vanity set handed down to me from my Great Grandmother. It’s a perfect and simple addition to the tray! The yellow bottle is a $4 find from HomeSense (TJ Max) that my step-daughter has laid claim to! How can I build my home-staging goods “warehouse” if she lays claim to all the pretty and fun decor items?! HaHa!!

Pillows… I included additional gold and burgundy pillows to pretty up the bed.

Master Bathroom

Yikes! I caught myself in that photo!!

The existing colours in this room are yellow-undertoned beige (walls) and sage green (counter & accent tile). I worked with them by installing a new shower curtain and – for flow - including the master bedroom’s burgundy and gold.

Second Bedroom - Nursery

 

   
I had a lot of fun with this space. In fact, I wrote a little about it in my post How I spent my Friday night when I recounted the creating of the sweet and naive animal art on the walls.
With the exception of furniture, this room was empty of personality. The homeowners had asked that I work with existing furniture so I had no choice but to make this room a nursery… but how to make it cute without going overboard (and over budget)? My answer came in the blue elephant pillow I found at Ikea. The purchase of this pillow gave me a palette that I could replicate in a few places throughout the room – like the animal art on the wall – and make this room really special.

The little 1 2 3 baskets… a few dollars at Ikea and a perfect fit with my scheme, as was the green throw on the crib. The blue curtains - another inexpensive find – were made special with the application of coordinating green and red ribbon… the same ribbon applied to the lamp shade (applied by my step-daughter Ashley – she helped pull this room together!)

   

Family-Guest Bathroom

An easy fix… remove the decals, give the room a good clean, hang a nice print & some fluffy white towels and display simple items on the counter… done!

Den – Bonus Room

My favourite transformation!

In an ideal world, I would have moved the living room furniture into this room (and I would have made the living room into a sitting area with 2 chairs and a table [which, in this floor plan, is open concept to the kitchen & dining room])… but the homeowner often works from home so needed this designated space. What to do…??
Musing out loud during our consultation I mentioned that a chair would be great in this space – make the room a destination, a library – a desirable place to read a book and lounge. It was then that the homeowners said, “We have a chaise in the bedroom.” Perfect!! And it is, don’t you think?!

Ohhhh… the bookcase!!

When I asked the homeowners to pack up everything the husband said, “Everything?!”. “Everything” I said. They did such a fantastic job declutering ALL the rooms in their home, making my job so much easier!
When it came to dressing the bookcase, I focused on simplicity and symmetry. Styling bookcases for sale is different then styling for living… the similarity though is about making it look good!

So there it is… my first home staging job.

I had soooo much fun that I can’t wait until the next job!! Don’t get me wrong… I loved designing and building Patti’s bathroom, but the stress of seeing a large project like that through to completion may be more then I’m willing to bear on a regular basis. Occasionally maybe… we’ll see.
BUT… building a staging plan, shopping for decor items for this condo, preparing some of the special items like the art and curtains in the nursery, actually styling the condo… it was fantastic! I loved it!! I could do this over and over again, no problem!!
I just need some more clients!! ;-) Is that you?!
With only a few minutes to impress potential buyers, home-staging is the best marketing tool when selling a home. Achieve top dollar… have Edin Interiors style your home or listing so that it stands out from the competition!!
Edin Interiors services the Greater Vancouver real estate market.

Rewind Wednesday: Designer-wear, Shopping, and a Colourful Discovery

Hello DesignTies readers… today is Rewind Wednesday!!

First off let me shout out a great big THANK YOU to all of our blogger friends who have participated in previous Rewind Wednesday blog parties!! Kelly and I are so very appreciative of your support, and we hope that a few of our readers made it over to your blog for a visit! From this point forward, though – well, unless we change our mind (which we could!) – we’re going to be a bit selfish with Rewind Wednesday and keep it to ourselves. I hope you don’t mind!!!
Also… we had originally planned on running Rewind Wednesday just through the summer. You know… to free up some summer-fun time! But wouldn’t you know it, life gets in the way of all plans! What do I mean? Well… Kelly and I plan on continuing with Rewind Wednesday through the next 4 months. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy our re-played archived posts for a little while longer!

So why are we keeping Rewind Wednesday through the fall?

If you’re a regular reader of DesignTies you know all about Kelly’s design class plans for the fall. And wouldn’t you know it, I’m taking classes this fall too! Yep. I’m enrolled in two courses at our local college: “Colour Theory” with Maria Killam from Colour Me Happy AND, like Kelly, I’m taking a beginner’s drafting course too. It’s a total coincidence that we’re taking the same courses – on opposite sides of our country – I promise! Anyway, we’ll both be busy with school. Not too busy to continue to write great posts for DesignTies, but busy enough that having one free day will make all the difference. I’m sure you understand!
So… in acknowledgement of our much anticipated 4 months of drafting and colour study, I’m re-playing a post I wrote about colour combination discovery! Enjoy!!
What do Dolce & Gabbana Eyewear and Coach Leatherwear have in common? I’m sure if I put some real thought into that question I’d come up with some great answers for you! :-) Actually, these designer accessories-wear came to my attention the other afternoon when my husband and I took his daughter - beautiful Ashley - downtown to purchase new glasses. She’d had her eyes (pardon the pun!) on these D&Gs for several months and was excited that she was finally going to get them. Let me tell you, they look fantastic on her… but then everything looks wonderful on Ashley!!
As we strolled Robson Street window shopping and watching people, Ashley pulled Brian and I into Coach Leatherwear to show us a wallet she’s saving up for. I’m such a bump when it comes to designer-wear – my kids are regularly rolling their eyes at my lack of sophistication and knowledge! True to form, I’d never heard of Coach Leatherwear. As you can imagine, Ashley was excited to introduce this store – and it’s lovely accessories – to her Dad and I.
As wonderful as all of these handbags, wallets & shoes were, all I could see were the fabulous colour combinations! Yep… the time I spend on Maria’s blog Colour Me Happy is starting to rub off… I’m looking at colour everywhere! HaHa!! And – lucky me – I had my camera in my “D&G” knock-off bag (pictured to the right… and purchased obliviously in South Korea; I’d never heard of Dolce & Gabbana at the time and bought it for it’s convenient zipper. Ever practical!)!!
Everywhere I turned in the store I was taken with the colours used in their current line of accessories…

Ashley was laughing at me as I took photos of beautiful things. But she was a little curious, too. I said to her, “look how they’ve combined these colours – you could decorate a FAB room using these combinations!” I was on a roll– and whether she was interested or not (probably not!), I started telling her about colour, texture (pleats in the bags) and pattern (the Coach “C” graphic) - how important they are in decor and how the display-designers had used the same techniques to pull their accessories together in interesting, eye-catching ways.
Of all the displays, this one caught my eye. Everything in the store was bright and fresh – greens and pinks tempered with a browns and blacks. Here, though, they’d taken yellow and paired it with goldish-beige (is that a colour, Maria?!)… almost a grey. So much more subtle then the other displays. I loved it!
And I knew right away that I wanted to search through our favourite blogs for examples of rooms decorated in this colour scheme.

Let me share with you what I found: (Clicking on photos will take you to the blogs where these lovely rooms are discussed)




So what do Dolce & Gabbana Eyewear and Coach Leatherwear have in common?
Well, for me… if it weren’t for a D&G purchase and a D&G knock-off bag carrying my camera… and if it weren’t for my wonderful step-daughter’s love of all things designer made :-) I wouldn’t have discovered Coach’s beautiful, colourful accessories… and I certainly wouldn’t have been motivated to search out these fabulous examples of the pretty colour combination out in blogsphere!

Thanks for exploring a little colour with me on this Rewind Wednesday!!