Staged to a Tee

                                     Photo courtesy of Houzz.com 

Oftentimes I am showing clients homes that have....drum roll here...WALLPAPER.  There actually was a time when wallpaper was, well, hip.  But not so much anymore.  However, designers are still creating wallpaper and there really, truly is a place to play....

School is back in session, the summer is coming to a gradual end and the tournament seems far, far away but it is actually the time to list your home for the longest market exposure you can get.  

Hopefully your yard is in full bloom, your outdoor spaces are looking great, and the sun is highlighting your rooms in a very favorable light.  It's time to whip out those cameras and shoot photos of your yard while it is still in blo...

If you are like me, you are in the thick of wondering WHY on earth you do this rental thing.  (Yes.  Even me.)  This is the hard part...the last few strokes to the end.  But don't lose your game face.  Your house may look at bit "Storm Before the Calm"...with sheets and towels stacked in the living room, bedding folded on the dining room chairs until the morning you actually move out, etc...But you WILL get there!...

Week four of Masters prep has arrived.  This is generally the week where you live in a state of concern...what are you forgetting? (Keep a list on your kitchen counter and free your brain from the fear of forgetting)....Am I going to finish this? (If you've kept up with this blog fairly well, you will)....How do I finish and house while living in it? (I'll give some tips here.)

First on the list, this week is planting week.  Ho...

Welcome to March Week 3.  Hopefully you have dealt with the common areas of your home.  I was stunned to find my kitchen took two full days to complete!  So today I have just one more common area to tackle before beginning the bedrooms and baths.

I begin each bedroom by washing everything that is washable....comforters, bedskirts, mattress pads, etc...  Then I vacuum under the bed and all around each mattress.  Don't...

Mid March, the Ides of March,  is upon us!  Hopefully your yard is complete and waiting a week for the installation of annuals, your windows are showing off the beauty of your yard, and you are ready to finish the common areas of your home.  At this point, you are finalizing the organization of each room.  Yes, you will still live in these rooms, but you are making sure things are ready to go.  

In the livin...

March arrives and holds our feet to the fire!  But keep in mind, everything you do to ready your home this month will be enjoyed by you and your family for the rest of the year.  However, this morning starts the countdown....the final month of weekends.  

This is a good week to work on windows, inside and out.  If you are one who hires this out, good for you.  For those of you who don't hire out, this is the time to p...

As the end of February draws near, this is the week to tackle all things hidden, beginning with....smells.  Once the month of March begins, you'll need to create a home that does not smell of fried foods, ethnic foods, and other strong food scents.  If that is a love for your family, the weather has finally permitted outdoor preparation.  Move your frying to your grill and shut the doors to your home very tightly when cooking...

This week it's time to take an honest look at your outdoor spaces to be sure they are in great condition for your Masters guests.  Begin by looking at your seating areas.  Is your grill in excellent shape?  Do you need to order replacement parts and give it a good cleaning?  How are your cushions, chairs, pillows?  We launder our outdoor throw pillows and respray them with water repellent.  Cushions can be cleaned with a mixtu...

The Masters tournament will be here before you know it.  If you are renting, hope to rent, or just need to get your home perfect for Spring, follow along!

This week, you'll hit your living areas.  Start with your living room. Take the cushions off of the couches and chairs and use a vacuum nozzle to get in between those spaces most of us don't want to think about.  However, if your renters lose their keys between your cushions,...