Stage Your Success: Entry Lighting

We are kicking off the new year with our "Stage Your Success Series" for Home Sellers. 

This series will spotlight the most common dilemmas and the easiest solutions- 

with style of course!

We've spent 8 years staging homes and surprisingly, most homes share the same challenges. 

Our goal this year is to put some happy in your home & we hope you'll join us in making 2013 the best year yet!

 Now onto ENTRY LIGHTING...

Okay you know who you are! We've all had them or seen them, those builder grade light fixtures 

that came with the house 15 years ago. If there is one thing you need, regardless of whether or not you are selling or staying, it's 2013 y'all- Update that entry light!!

The MUST GOs!!

It's time for your house to shine it's brightest light, exclaiming to the world...

"I am worthy!!"

And I know what you may be thinking, "I don't want to spend a lot of (or any) money." However, here's the deal. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a HUGE bang for your buck on lights. And truthfully, if you do not have $100 to spend on updating tired light fixtures, I would kindly recommend you speak to your Realtor about ensuring you're prepared for your closing costs. (I say that with all due respect, I'm not trying to be a smarty.)

Anyway- back to lights. I took a little trip to Home Depot and Lowes the other day to check out what light fixtures they have available for quick and inexpensive solutions.

 I must say, they are stepping up the selection and have some really great options.

Here is a mix of high and low solutions for different budgets.

From Lowes Allen + Roth Bronze pendant light $ 164

Lucy Pendant from Robert Abbey $471.90

via Shuffle Interiors Houzz


If you need a flush mount option, I absolutely adore this Basil Flushmount from 
Circa Lighting although it's a bit pricey at $462

This light is a  great solution from Lowe's for $88

via Lauren Liess

Love brass infusion! Get on board! This Sausalito 3 Light is a great option for mixing a little bit of transitional into an older home. And for $436- it's a great price.

If your lights are brass from the late 80's or 90's, you can probably bet that they're not the "new" brass that we're talking about in the year 2013. On the Bower Power Blog , I found a great example of a dated brass fixture going to black and it looks FABULOUS!!

Old lights can be great in a clean, polished space!

A town and country mix is always a win.

 

And don't forget the porch!! Great lights and planted boxwoods work every time!!

When was the last time you changed your entry light?

Mixin' It Up In the Kitchen: Design Trends

Kitchen design has never been busier for us than lately. Those who do not plan on moving to a new home  are using some daring, new finishes, mixing colors and going BIG with amazing countertop selections. And for those who are selling, it's so nice to see new construction moving along and units we stage are selling within 30 days of staging!(Our recent model sold in the first week and sold out all 6 units in 3 weeks!)

Here's a peek at what our clients are asking for in the world of kitchens:

MIXING GRAY AND WHITE- Transitional with vintage accents is top o' the list!

And honorable mention to using lanterns in the kitchen.

 (via Greige Design)

WHITE & BROWN

WHITE AND DARK GRAY or BLACK

Via Rachel Halvorsen  

COUNTERTOPS: Mix-in it up with Carrera Marble. 

 

 

Okay- I know, I hear it everytime, "It stains". 

Here's the thing, when you want it, you want it. I have it in my kitchen and I have plenty of clients that do too and they love it. I have not had any issues on my kitchen counter and it makes me happy every single time I look at it. The kids eat at this counter every single day- juice, fruit, PB&J's, papers, mail, handbags and even a Sharpie(marker) encounter at least once a week. It's all good- this is life. 

I did do gray quartz on the sink side of the kitchen just in case. ;) 

(my kitchen counter)

 

 Mixin' it up with black.

 via Houzze

INDUSTRIAL MEETS MODERN: Mixing stainless with a rough stone.

Honorable mention: Rachel Halvorsen designed this kitchen(below) and this unbelievable light fixture.

If you haven't visited her blog, please do, because this girl is the real deal. She is gorgeous, stylish and talented to boot! I dare to say that she is my favorite design blog because she doesn't just plug in the" trend du jour" and call it design, she knows just how to execute what's trendy, make it look fresh, and- she's a Designer that actually designs things! She rocks.

 

GLAZED CABINETS: The distressed look- mix it up!

 

(Not your average) BRASS CABINET HARDWARE!

Go ahead and make that face but mark my word, if you don't want it already, you will.

I'm not talking about that brass...

 

 

Yes, you know it.

via Sasha Seymour's kitchen House and Home Mag.

 

Brass kickplates too! Um yes please. Lacquer cabinets + antique brass= so MAJOR.

Check out Violet Slipper's Etsy store for some fun finds. Mix it up!

Another accoutrement for the kitchen that can set you apart from the rest is,

"NOT YOUR AVERAGE" VENT HOOD

My current obsession is copper, but any unique vent hood with the proper scale is a good idea in my book.

 

 

Zinc hood and LOVE those beams!

 

SHINING STARS IN THE KITCHEN:

We've seen the lantern lighting going strong but if you're not into it, from industrial to vintage mod- 

lighting is a major player.

 

Good ole Hicks pendants.I first saw these back in 2011 via Nicole Cohen of Sketch 42 and had to have immediately. Now we see them popping everywhere and I do love them so.

I'd love a vintage version of these or something equally fabulous. (If you find them- please share!!)

I'm so inspired by Rachel's lighting (up ^) that I want to design my own pendant lighting with some vintage lanterns or antique brass chain link or some found industrial object + nautical rope.

 

Another tried and true,

What's your favorite trend? 

Are you getting ready for a kitchen update?

 (Bueller? No one ever comments ;) 

Have a great day ya'll!