Topping off the Counter Top

Whether at a Staging Evaluation or teaching a Home Stage Workshop/Seminar, one of the most common questions I get is - "WHAT ARE THE TRENDS IN COUNTER TOPS?" My reply is always the same - if I'm wearing my Stager's hat I'll tell you "GRANITE-GRANITE-GRANITE," but when wearing my decorator hat I'll tell you "...We're so over GRANITE!"

It's a predicament for those of us that wear more than one hat. As a decorator, it is our job to be privy to what is hip and happenin' in the field, but when it comes to staging a home, we're skilled to what is universally appreciated, valued and accepted.

Top that off, (pun intended-) Here in the Chicago-land area, most established homes have a bit of competition - NEW CONSTRUCTION, - And when it comes to counter tops, 99.998% all of those new homes will have that collectively & universally adored product - GRANITE - So we'd better keep up w/those Joneses.

Although it would be delightful, refreshing and hip and happenin' to recommend, say Corian to a seller, it wouldn't be what is commonly excepted or valued at this time.

So when it comes to counter tops - when you STAGE IT - Say YES to Granite, but when you DECORATE IT - We have lots of options...

WANT THOSE OPTIONS? An attendee from one of my last seminars sent this to me -

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/garden/10counters.html?ex=1208577600&en=c763c1ad7e1c0409&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Perfectly Preparing Your Home for the Spring '08 Market

Soon, the crocuses will be popping up as well as "FOR SALE" signs. In today's buyer market, a home has to be perfectly prepped and polished to out-shine the competition. Here are a few strategic tips to perfectly package your home for the market:

#1 BRUSH UP ON TRENDS -
Educating yourself on new trends in home décor & design will help you make smart updates to your home. Today's buyers are a savvy bunch and want their perpective homes to be totally "In Stlye-" (Hey, they watch the same home shows as you do!) From GREEN products, the latest lighting looks, to great new appliances - being in-tune with today's styles will make your home stand out from the crowd.

#2 CREATE A "TURN KEY" HOME -

Understand that just like you, the buyers of your home have the same lifestyle -BUSY! By packaging your home as move-in ready, you'll create desire. So get that bad wallpaper off the wall, stage your home to look like a page from the Pottery Barn catalog, and invest in little updates such as closet organizers, upgraded lighting, and ceiling crown molding. Never assume that the buyer will want to make changes. Create a home that is perfect "as is!"

#3 COLOR IS YOUR KEY -
This spring color is key! Although you should always obey the home staging commandment "Neutral Colors Appeal to All," using splashes of saturated color creates, continuity, momentum and flow to a home -both inside and out.

* Quick Tips on Adding Color *
· Faux lemons in vases, jars, or bowls
· Shutters
· Table runners used on any flat surface
.· Fresh flowers all in one color
· Container Garden specimens
· Outdoor furniture
· Picture frame matting
· Window Treatments
· Decorative Storage Containers
· Landscaping
· Doors
· Pillows, Bedding & Towels
· Stoop Mats
· Accessories

In a Pinch with Leechey Labels? - Use PAM

A new added product to my Interior Redesign/Home Staging "Bag 'o' Tricks" will include a can of PAM cooking spray.

• I film monthly this little local cable cooking/entertaining show (which I affectionately call 'The Wayne's World of Cooking Shows,') and was preparing for the shoot yesterday. I had purchased new glassware for the tropical table setting, and was soaking the glasses in the sink - I was going for a whole "Wish I was at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean - Instead of Here" look for the show.

With 45 minutes till the crew showed up, I was Red Bulling through my kitchen prepping for the show. With no time to waste, I pulled those glasses out of the water filled sink thinking that the labels would just slip off, only to find them firmly stuck to the bottom of the glasses like leeches on an Explorer's leg in the Amazon.

With a clock ticking down, my kitchen not in order, no lip stick applied, and those labels stuck - I reached for the closest thing to me - PAM.

With a little squirt, I got an end finally lifted up, and to my shock those puppies came right off. With a second squirt and some elbow grease, the layer of adhesive came off too.
I kissed my can of PAM, which reminded me I needed to apply that coat of lip stick, and put the glassware on the table.

The filming went off w/out a hitch, my table was a hit, I had lip stick on for the filming - A can of PAM - Saved the day!





--Post Note: Shopping Explorers BEWARE - Tuesday Morning has discovered a pricing label that defies all physics - It is made of some sort of plastic that is impervious to water, and has an adhesive bond that can compete with those crazy commercials for bonding materials that you can pull trucks with...