Dippity Do!

Right now I am loving all the wonderful Spring colours that are popping up, both pastels & neons and I'm happy to say (this IS coming from a "WHITE SPACE" lover don't forget), that I'm finally embracing colour people!  I will be definitely adding some of these gorgeous hues around my home and in my life♥.  If you've already made that step and aren't afraid of colour, I applaud you...Yay!!  For me, I'm just dipping my toes in it for starters (not literally)...I'm talking about this current obsession of mine-the dipped paint kind!  It's a great place to start for chickens like myself, lol...Don't judge me!  Dipped spoons, cups, furniture, fabric & even jewelry...the possibilities are endless-take a look!

What would you dip?

Sources:

1.Wooden Spoons 2.Salt & Pepper Shakers 3.Dipped Cup 

4.Neon Yellow Table & Bench Legs 5.Chairs 6.Tangerine Rope 

7.Neon Pink Table Legs 8.Spoons 9.Chopsticks 
10.Coral Necklaces 11.Matchstick Bangles 
12.Straw Bags 13.Wooden Spoons 14.Ombre Desk & Chair  

Fabulous Friday Find

I've been thinking about my walls lately.  Well to be more precise, ART on my walls in fact.  I came across this amazing artist and her watercolour prints recently, just by fluke and absolutely love her vibrant and quirky prints.  She does a bit of everything.  From abstract to portraits, she is one very talented lady in my opinion and can I just say...very funky!  You can take a look at her website here to find out more.  

These are some of my favourites of Marta Spendowska...you can't help but be happy looking at these!  

Have a great weekend!  

Happy Friday!

Shelley.xo

Tips From A Makeover Master, Tommy Smythe

Photo Courtesy of H&H Magazine (www.houseandhome.com/makeovers11)

Want a stunning reno or makeover?  Do you know where to start?  Luckily in the latest Canadian House & Home Special Makeover Issue, Tommy Smythe guides homeowners on how to get the most bang for your buck...if that's what you want of course.  See what he shares on good design principals and the triangle of expectation.


One of the top tips to keep in mind when doing a reno or makeover is if there is more work than retiling a backsplash, get out of that house!(His exact words!).  You are probably setting yourself up for more than you bargained for or for disappointment in the long haul.  


Always look at how a room will be used, how many people will be using it and at what time of day or night will it be used.  The first thing clients should be aware of is "The Triangle Of Expectation".  Good, being at the top point, fast and cheap being on either side.  These three cannot exist all in one reno or makeover, so pick two and decide on how it's going to be.  It's entirely up to you and if the bones of a house are right, the rest falls into place and will come together as it should with the decorating.  

Tommy's Budget tips and tricks

• Houseplants
• Paint
• Tile
• Spray Paint Is Your Best Friend
• Edit, Edit, Edit!

Cottage Style In And Out Of The City

"A mostly neutral palette allows the view to be the star attraction"

MARGOT BELL, INTERIOR DESIGNER

We all remember going to the beach as a child.  For most of us, we are now taking our own kids there and reliving the days of splashing in the ocean, soaking up the sun, taking in the smells  of the sea air and making new memories.  But there is something stronger that we long to hold onto and that is bringing the calm, fresh, airy feeling into our homes all year long.  There are many ways to get the look and feel of a cottage, while still staying true to your everyday life.  Here are just a few.  

Built-in Character

Panelling & painting in a warm white injects character

Make The Kitchen Roomy

Incorporate an island and large table for guests

The Warmth Of Wood

Adds classic cottage charm for the casual-contemporary feel of a home

Mix Old & New

The marriage of old & new works well for a classic cottage look and feel

Have Fun With Fabric

Hits of colour feel fresh making the space feel light filled all year long

Keep It Neutral

Camel & Cream

Blue & White

Green & White

Brown/black & white

White on White

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.)