When preparing to put a home on the market, people tend to put their focus on decluttering, painting and interior style. To be sure, these are all high on the priority list, but don’t forget about creating curb appeal with a polished exterior! Image: Ravishing Rooms Whether a buyer first spots your home home on the internet, on a stroll through your neighborhood or a when pulling into the driveway for a scheduled showing, your exterior is their first impression. So it's important to consider: Will it catch their eye? Is it warm and inviting? Does it fit the neighborhood? A general rule of thumb, and maybe the obvious, is to always keep a well manicured lawn when selling your home, that includes: lawn mowed, weeds pulled, fresh mulch, watered flowers. Here are some additional tips to spruce up your curb appeal ...
If you’re thinking of selling, consider a staging consultation with one of our team members before you begin. We’ll help you decide the best way to spruce up your curb appeal!
Making our way though cold and flu season has us thinking about how health starts at home. There are so many ways to approach fostering a healthy environment: from physical to emotional to mental wellness, it can all be created and encouraged at home. We wanted to share some of the ways that we think about health in the home: Of course, we're going to kick it off with a subject that's near and dear to our hearts: decluttering. Whether simplifying your space for staging or for yourself, it's an effort that helps with visual and mental clarity. We're big believers in the power of keeping a visually clean space, and we've seen how decluttering can de-stress. That's especially important in the bedroom where a clutter-free space might just help ease your mind into a good night's rest. Image: Ravishing Rooms Plants serve a dual purpose: we love the look of big, leafy ferns and long, dangling vines, but we also appreciate them for their role in purifying the air. It's essentially their super power. From fighting indoor pollutants to boosting oxygen levels, different plants have different abilities and strengths. Check out this round-up from Sunset for ten purifying plants. We're all for the many ways that tech makes our days easier and more fun, but we also need a good break from the screen every now and then. Creating a cozy space that's dedicated to tech-free time is a great way to encourage the occasional detox. Stock it with books, a journal, easy-to-use art supplies or non-digital games and see how you and your family are inspired to use your time when Instagram isn't an option. It can be difficult to find the time to fit physical wellness into the daily routine. Okay, finding the inspiration early in the morning or at the end of a long day can be difficult, too. But like establishing a special spot for tech-free time, carving out an intentional area can make exercising and meditation easier and more enjoyable. We're not talking about adding a '90s-style workout room, but rather, making items more accessible and top-of-mind, like mats for yoga and mindfulness sessions. Include an aroma therapy component, candles and beautiful colors to make it super inviting. From home staging and staging consulting, to interior decorating and interior design consulting, Ravishing Rooms has been transforming homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the metro area since 2008. Contact us to find out how we can bring style to your space.
The temperature has dropped and it's time to get cozy. We know there are only four seasons to pick from, but fall is one of our faves. Sure, breaking out the chili recipe and drinking hot chocolate at the kids' outdoor sports games are a couple key reasons, but we also love the look of autumn, and all of its plaids and earth tones and hearty textures. We've surveyed the Ravishing Rooms team to share the styles that everyone is crushing on this fall. Take a look and let us know if we can help you create these looks in your home!
Welcome back, plaid! Of course, we can't talk about fall style trends without saying hello to plaids. It's practically the official pattern of the season and we couldn't be happier to welcome its return. This year, we're putting it outside to warm up patios and front porches. It's a versatile design that's at home where ever you need a seasonal style statement. Image: CanadianLiving.com Image: CommonGround-Do.com And those with a more modern preference can still get on the plaid wagon with two-tone and neutral lines. Incorporating it with reserve is a great way to create a chic seasonal look. Image: PotteryBarn.com Unexpected arrangements We're heading into the season of accessorizing. And this year, we love arrangements that aren't in traditional tones. Think about skipping the usual colors and keeping things simple with seasonal items in neutral hues. It's a fresh take on the festive look. Image: Teddy Berndt From home staging and staging consulting, to interior decorating and interior design consulting, Ravishing Rooms has been transforming homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the metro area since 2008. Contact us to find out how we can bring style to your space.
Selling your home can be a daunting and sometimes stressful task. In our Staging Consultations, we often say that a good rule of thumb is to remove 1/3 of your items in your home. Many homeowners wonder, "What do I keep out, and what do I box up?" Here are our top tips on what items must go and why we recommend removing them. Personal photos Some people believe that leaving your personal photos up can make the home feel “warm and lived in.” While leaving your photos up is a personal choice, we have two key reasons to remove your photos -
Image: CrateandBarrel.com Ask us!
Sometimes, the elements that make your house your home are features that prevent buyers from seeing the potential to personalize. If you’re thinking of selling, consider a staging consult with one of our team members before you begin. We can help you determine how to show your home in its best light! Summer is winding down and bringing vacation season to a close. But you don’t have to travel to enjoy the suite life of luxe hotels; small changes can make your bedroom feel like a year-round escape. While every room in your house is important, we believe that the bedroom serves as a special spot to relax, unwind and recharge. Remember how it feels when you first open the door to a gorgeous hotel room? You breathe a little deeper and feel a little lighter. That’s how we want you to feel when you enter your bedroom. The first step to upgrading your room to the suite life is to clear out the clutter. We know, it’s not easy; but it’s necessary. Check out our last blog post for tips on decluttering. By limiting the items in your bedroom and ensuring that it’s down to only those that are intentional and useful, you’ll be simplifying your style and easing your mind. That said, we all have stuff. So where to put it? Make use of drawers in nightstands and under-bed storage baskets. Keep items out of sight and out of mind so that you can focus on productive bedroom tasks, like de-stressing and sleeping. We don't have to travel far to find inspiration. Even though it's for short-term stays, the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis boasts plenty of drawers and cabinets for visitors to stash away their things. Over in the North Loop, the Hewing Hotel offers another idea: Warm it up. The woodsy interiors ensure that you'll never have a cold night even when the temps plummet. Wool and tweed textures along with plaid and herringbone patterns give their suites a cozy "up north" feel. Of course, we're also documented enthusiasts of the bright and airy look, and for that we travel to Chicago where The Ambassador offers light and inviting rooms in a quite neighborhood just north of the Magnificent Mile - and down the block from one of our favorite stores, Restoration Hardware (go for the furniture, stay because you can sip champagne while you shop). The en suite bathroom is also part of the experience; and while mini amenities are harder to come by at home, you can still create the feel of a posh bath by, again, keeping the room clutter-free and limiting it to the items that you love to use - and look at. The Thompson, also in Chicago, features black and white bathrooms that are as chic as they are simple. So even if your autumn plans are sans vacation, we would love to help you enjoy a getaway right at home. Bon voyage! From home staging and staging consulting, to interior decorating and interior design consulting, Ravishing Rooms has been transforming homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the metro area since 2008. Contact us to find out how we can bring style to your space.
When selling your home, one of the first and most important items on the “to do” list is decluttering. In our Staging Consults we tell our clients that a good rule of thumb is to remove 1/3 of your items in your home. But, in some cases, it could mean more than 1/3, especially if you have lived in your home for a number of years. Why is Decluttering so important? The majority of today’s home searches start on the internet, which means your photos are your “first showing”. This might sound surprising, but you only have about 30 seconds to 2 minutes to capture the buyer's attention and get them to schedule an appointment to view your home. Cluttered homes, bright wall colors, large scale furniture making rooms appear small are all things that can quickly deter a buyer's interest and lose a prospective buyer. Balance is the Key They say ninety percent of buyers have a difficult time walking into your home and removing your things to picture what their furniture would look like in its place. This is why staging has become so prevalent in today’s housing market. A well staged home helps the buyer envision living in the home. On the flip-side, I have seen people take decluttering too far and remove too much furniture, making the home feel a little cold or sterile. Ask us!
If you're thinking of selling, consider a staging consult before you begin! A staging consult with a trained professional can help you determine what to box up, how to position your furniture, what color to paint, if painting is needed and take the guess work out of your decisions. A room-by-room checklist can eliminate stress and set your home up for success! Summer should be a time to slow down and enjoy the sunshine. But let's be honest, it often feels like the busiest time of the year — and that's why we're loving bright and calming spaces. The simplicity of a visually undemanding space, seems to take things off the mind, instead of adding to it. But don’t get us wrong, simple isn’t code for boring. There are many ways to make a light and airy room as interesting as it is easy going. We recently came across this My Domaine tour of Ali Fedotowsky’s home and it’s the perfect example of light and stylish. What a bright and airy home lacks in color it makes up for in textures. A variety of materials - from woods to woven - will keep the eye engaged but not overly busy. Add natural interest with eye-catching plants and greenery. They fit right in without demanding a spotlight. Keep color stories low-key, We’re not saying keep color out - just be picky and keep it to one or two color families per room. Go ahead and create a little drama. Neutral statement pieces add interest without interrupting the natural serenity of the space. All images: MyDomaine.com Whether you want to stage your home or give your place a fresh look, a sunny and simple aesthetic is easy on the eyes (and the mind). Give us a call to find out how we can brighten up your space.
From home staging and staging consulting, to interior decorating and interior design consulting, Ravishing Rooms has been transforming homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the metro area since 2008. Contact us to find out how we can bring style to your space. Summer in Minnesota is our chance to get - and stay - outside. And while we’ve passed the half-way mark of summer break, we still have many sunny days and warm, starry nights ahead of us. So, it’s not too late to make your outdoor space a place where you love to spend your time. Your deck or patio is an extension of your home. It should be a continuation of your interior style, so consider a look that brings the indoors out. Think of this area as the original open floor plan -- and one that’s perfect for entertaining. We see decks and patios as outdoor areas that function as al fresco living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be a huge space to be stylish and functional. It also doesn’t have to be expensive. Everything is a little more relaxed outside; it’s just important to have fun with your vision. Of course, there are some tips and tricks that we’ve learned along the way. Here are four simple ways to make your outdoors feel like a real room. 1. Bring patterns outside Nature is beautiful. So are textile patterns. Don’t be afraid to bring bold motifs to your deck or patio. It’s a sure way to make the space feel like an intentional room. Image: ElleDecor.com 2. Accents head outdoors Artwork, items collected from travels, indoor-looking end tables - bring it all outside! Certainly disregard that order for precious items that you wouldn’t want to be touched by the elements. But, all the decorative pieces that make your indoors feel cozy can find a place outside, too. Image: ElleDecor.com 3. Light it up Your home doesn’t have one central source of light; your outdoor space shouldn’t either. We love (love, love) accent lighting on the patio or deck. It makes the area usable after dark and also incredibly cozy (or romantic!). Image: Lonny.com 4. Designate areas with potted plants If you have a wide open deck or patio, it can feel like your furnishings aren’t taking up enough room. We like using potted plants to define outdoor areas and create visual interest in expansive “white spaces.” Potted herbs to the job as well - and ensure you always have something on-hand for fresh vinaigrettes and pastas! So head outside and enjoy all of the rooms that your home has for you. And remember, a little heat lamp and some warm wool blankets will extend the use of that space well into the fall. From home staging and staging consulting, to interior decorating and interior design consulting, Ravishing Rooms has been transforming homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the metro area since 2008. Contact us to find out how we can bring style to your space. Categories |