Size Matters

First impressions do count.  Of course I'm talking about your home.  The first impression most people have is when they see your home from the outside.  That is "before" they even get to the front door. Making your home stand out from the rest, is just one of the many reasons to make sure you have the best outdoor lighting, and that means don't undersize it.  The size of your outdoor lights should be an important factor.  Remember an outdoor light looks a lot larger in a showroom than it does on the actual home.  A fixture also looks about half it's size from 30 feet away, from the street.  It should be in proportion to your home, so consider your home's architecture, style & size and any outside angles where there are dark corners and amplify them.  Highlighting the front entry, door and driveway are other areas you should also consider.  

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Choose the correct proportion & style

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Lastly when choosing the lighting most outdoor fixtures use a 60W bulb but if you have multiple lighting that's a lot of wattage and much too bright to light the outside of your home.  The idea with outdoor lighting is to create a soft glow, but bright enough so that guests, etc. will be able to see and for security reasons.  A 15-25W bulb is just the right amount of lighting to create this if there is more than one outdoor light.  40W maximum is best if one is only used.   

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There are many ways to incorporate lighting, but just remember, size does matter. So if you are considering reinvesting some money into the outside of your home, consider the exterior lighting.  One that will bring you a high visual return on your investment. 

Versatile Blogger Award

After having one of those 'blah' days yesterday, it was such a relief to wake up to a new day and to find that a good blogger friend had awarded myself, along with 6 others the "Versatile Blogger Award"!  How special and talk about making someone's day a lot brighter, so thanks to Sheila Zeller of SZInteriors, I was on the road to a great day!  Be sure to check out Sheila's blog, she is one very talented lady with tons of great ideas to share!


Part of this award requires me to share 7 things about myself that you wouldn't normally know.  So here goes:


1. I am a huge Humanitarian-both animals and poverty stricken nations tug at my heart strings.  I wish I could save every one of them on this planet!   If only I would just win that million now I could and fulfill that dream!  But for now, I do what I can, with both time and money. 


2. Having a Scandinavian background, it seems to be embedded into my soul, that I should also decorate and live like one here on the West Coast!  I was lucky enough to live in Norway for two whole years and it feels just like yesterday.  It has to be my most favourite way to be surrounded by relaxing, calming, beautiful white and natural elements!  As I like to say "It is the backdrop to my life!"  Nothing else will do! 


3. I am a single parent and have been for many years.  It can be a challenge to balance everything, however I wouldn't change a single thing (except still waiting to meet my knight in shining armour...lol!)  I am so lucky to have my two gorgeous kids who I can say with pride, are becoming extraordinary individuals and have helped shape me as a mother, woman and continue to teach ME things everyday!  They make me proud!!


4. I'm a bit of a closet philanthropist.  Always looking at the bright side of life and trying to spread the word.  I can't stand it when people complain on a daily basis over meaningless things OR for that matter brag about having too much!  There are so many in this world without the basic necessities!  OK, rant is done...:)


5. I LOVE chalkboard paint!  It's a MUST HAVE in my 'toolbox'!


6. I always wanted to design handbags and shoes and have been fascinated by them ever since I was a little girl...now I dream of having home accessories (think pillows, throws, etc.), to go along with them (think Tory Burch)!  Yes, it's more like a BIG dream:)


7. I used to be a ballet dancer and taught as well.  I still get the itch.  


It's all about the creative side of life for me.  I wouldn't want it any other way! 


The second and last part of this award requires me to send this to 7 other fabulous and talented bloggers and even though I don't them very well I know they deserve this!  Thanks again to Sheila for making my day fabulously fabulous!  You can check out her amazing blog @ sheilazellerinteriors.com

Hope you all have a fantastic day!

Bloggers To Check Out:

Morgan@ http://the818.com/

Avril@ http://www.prepstaging.com/

Victoria@ http://edinshouse.blogspot.com/

Tracey@ http://traceyaytonphotography.com/index.htm

nicole@ http://www.canadianstagingprofessionals.com/pages/?cspid=1512

Kris@ http://blog.hyattstaging.com/

Liisa@ http://www.theinteriorhangout.blogspot.com/

Photo courtesy of Cole & Son

The Value Of Staging

Staging works.  Delivering a big punch and tangible results.  Staging has changed the real estate market and when that market is good, Staging brings in top dollar, which often means an amount over the asking price;  when the market is slow, Staging keeps it moving.  

Increasing numbers of sellers are beginning to understand that Staging can increase the sale price of their home.  A carefully staged home can sell for 6 to 20 percent more than the list price in a modest neighbourhood.  In a high-end neighbourhood, this can be as much as 20 to 25 percent more. Staging does in fact create a ripple effect:  It impacts homeowners, the real estate agent, the neighbourhood, and the mortgage company, which in turn affects the economy in general.  

Your Return On Home Improvement Investments

Investing as little as $80 or as much as $3,000 will bring you closer to the sale of your home.  Below are some home improvements that are sure to increase your home's value.

Lighten and brighten.  Cost, $86-$110, increasing the sale of your home by $768-$935, bringing you an average return of 769%.  84 percent of agents recommend this improvement. 

Clean and de-clutter.  Cost, $305-$339, increasing the sale of your home by $2,093-$2,378, bringing you an average return of 594%.  91 percent of agents recommend this improvement. 

Fix plumbing and electrical.  Cost, $338-$381, increasing the sale of your home by $922-$1,208, bringing you an average return of 196%.  63 percent of agents recommend this improvement. 

Staging.  Cost, $212-$1,089, increasing the sale of your home by $2,275-$2,841, bringing you an average return of 169%.  76 percent of agents recommend staging.  

Kitchen and bath upgrades.  Cost, $1,546-$2,120, increasing the sale of your home by $3,823-$4,885, bringing you an average return of 138%.  83 percent of agents recommend this improvement.

Repair flooring.  Cost, $1,531-$1,714, increasing the sale of your home by $1,714-$2,267, bringing you an average return of 50%.  62 percent of agents recommend this improvement. 

Paint exterior walls.  Cost, $2,188-$2,381, increasing the sale of your home by $2,907-$3,233, bringing you an average return of 34%.  57 percent of agents recommend this improvement. 

Replace carpeting.  Cost, $2,602-$2,765, increasing the sale of your home by $3,585-$3,900, bringing you an average return of 39%.  65 percent of agents recommend this improvement.  

(Proven strategies from the creator of Home Staging, Barb Schwarz and costs are typical and based on geographics only.)