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  

Do you take sugar?

I love me a big cup for my morning bevvy and I can never seem to find one that does the job & looks amazing.  Yes, call me picky, but in the morning, I just want to enjoy my cup without having to continually refill...no thanks.  Well, when I came upon this amazing designer, there were many things to love about Dave Hakkens, but always on the hunt for great mugs this was just what I was looking for! There is so much to love about this.  The colours, the SIZE (devine), & you can even personalize it-did I say you could personalize it?  ALMOST the best part!  Never fear, "Your Big Tea Mug" is here!

Personalize it!

 Loving all the colours! 

Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my sipping...

Happy Monday!  

(Find out more about Dave Hakkens). 

Features That SIZZLE or Sell A Home - PART 1

KITCHENS 

It's no secret that a kitchen is one of two rooms that sell a home.  In order for you to get top dollar and to sell quickly you're going to have to include features that sizzle or will help to sell the home.  For instance, solid surface countertops and recessed lighting are almost a standard now in today's market, and depending on the comparables in the neighbourhood, you might want to add such features as a pot filler, wine fridge, or a wall mounted flatscreen TV.  There are two features I want to talk about that if you do anything, these two things will definitely add more SIZZLE.  Those of course would be undercabinet lighting and a custom tile backsplash.  Lighting is already an important feature in the home, so adding undercabinet lighting is not only a great investment, but it's actually very cost efficient and economical to do.  Creating a custom tile backsplash sets your kitchen apart and makes it appear more high end and will get you a higher return.  Skip the 4 or 6 inch lip from the counter up the back wall, and go with the tile.  

(Photo courtesy of Valerie Pasquiou Interiors & Design Inc.)

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.)