Round 2 - Curb Appeal!

I made it to round 2 in the SHGC competition!  Our task for this round is to work with Chris Steel in Sunset Valley to make over the exterior of his home with the goal of selling it.  He'd like to buy a larger home for his new life with his fiance.

The competition is fierce this round.  Some of the curb appeal make overs are absolutely stunning and I love them as a completed home, but I had to keep the end goal in mind and decorate it with a goal of selling the house.  That means maximize charm but minimize personality unless there's a very specific type of buyer you know you can attract with a specific style.  I've posted my goals and changes below so you can judge for yourself.

My goals:

One. The home, above all, needs to be attractive and catch the potential buyer's interest the second they see it. They might be viewing a lot of homes, so there must be a focal point for them to remember. The house must be distinctive.

Two. While being attractive and distinctive, the style of the home still needs to fit into its neighborhood. The average buyer is not looking to be the only ultra modern house in a traditional neighborhood. They want a house that is similar to the others but better than all the rest. I studied the neighborhood your house sits in and it is predominantly traditional with a smattering of international influence. You'll see how this has influenced my design decision.

Last but certainly not least, the house must still be enough of a blank slate for the potential buyer to be able to visualize their personality superimposed on it. This means a lack of ornaments or kitschy decorations that might clash with their personality. The house should be predominantly neutral in color so that it's easy to repaint. 

I've kept all of these goals in mind and, I feel, met each in a way that creates a unique facade that will be the delight of the neighborhood. I have taken the "so old, it's new" approach so that the house matches its traditional neighborhood yet attracts buyers of all ages. Since the house directly across the street brings in international influence, I have created a "Sunset Valley Tudor". 

Instead of using the traditional white, I've chosen a light beige color that matches the feel of the neighborhood and is easily repainted. The facial boards on the top level are purely decorative and can be removed easily in case the buyer doesn't like the style. The roof has been evened and opened to allow the lovely decorative boards to be seen. The front porch columns have been replaced with a charming rose-covered basic style and the front door has been replaced as a highly decorative focal point.

Of course, our main focal point will be the small English garden in the front yard. The charming walkways are both decorative, with their beautiful stone, and functional as they provide clean paths to the front door, driveway, sidewalk and even storage shed. I've reused all of your flowering plants and think that the azaleas make a beautiful semi-privacy hedge to hide the walkway. I've also added shrub roses which are a beautiful low maintenance plant that's easy to grow and has a long blooming period. Covered seating allows the garden to be enjoyed in shaded comfort. The buyer will appreciate that it can be easily relocated and the seating is made of a durable stain- and weather-proof material.

The driveway has been relocated slightly to the right so that the large living room windows aren't blocked by a car. This touch may seem simple at first, but it will make a large impact when potential buyers tour the home and experience that expanded view for themselves.

The mailbox has been relocated closer to the home. Again, it's a simple touch yet adds daily convenience for the buyer, and they will notice. The trash can, essential for any home, has been hidden within a storage shed in the backyard.

It was very important to me to hide this out of sight. This has both a short and a long term benefit. Potential buyers will be turned off if they see even a reminder of trash when viewing the home, and when they see the shed they will be relieved to find an outside storage area for their own lawn and garden implements. It's been decorated in a charming style to match the home.  

Other small changes I've made to spruce up the home are to replace the stairs and railings with a less rural style and match them to the home. The back door has been recolored to match the front. Also, the back door light fixture has been replaced and lights have been added to the front. The lovely brick foundation has been stained a darker color and the windows have also been painted to match the trim.

I've had some general tidying done that requires more time than money, such as cleaning all of the windows and removing the clover from the yard which, while I personally find it nostalgic, can been seen as a weed and future work by some. While we didn't touch the inside of the home other than what the doors and windows required, I would suggest putting curtains up, at least on the windows viewable from the road. This lets the buyer know that you care for your home and raises its value in their mind.

I truly hope that you've enjoyed this curb appeal makeover. I think potential buyers will be entranced by its charm and you'll find that it attracts both older buyers, who love the old world style, and younger buyers, who love the international flair. It's the same lovely style but from two different points of view.

Double a Room's Apparent Size Just Like Myles Washington!

A lot of us decorating on a tight budget know the pain of having a limited amount of space.  Even when we have the room decorated as well as we can, it can still seem cramped and claustrophobic.  Myles Washington used the following trick in his SHGC entry to expand the appearance of the room.  He's essentially getting twice the apparent size!

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors!  The largest impact will be achieved by using mirrors that cover the entire wall, as Myles did.  However, if you don't have the money to invest in full size mirrors, don't despair!  A large mirror over the fireplace or as a focal point on a wall still gives the illusion of a larger room.

When placing the mirror, first consider where the mirror itself will fit as a design element.  Myles used the wall that has the fireplace.  This adds impact to a wall that is already a focal point and makes a larger impression.  However, you will also want to decide how you need to expand the appearance of the room.  If you have a long thin room, making it appear even longer may also make it appear thinner.  Not the most attractive option.  In that case, it's best to place the mirror(s) so that the room appears wider than it would otherwise.

My one caution is to be careful with the number and placement of mirrors.  Keep it to the minimum required to achieve your goal and please please please do not place mirrors opposite eachother.  I know it's interesting to see ourselves dwindle into infinity, but the effect can also be headache-inducing and does not lend itself to a sense of comfort.  The one exception to this is in a bathroom or dressing room where you may actually want to see the back of your own head, but it's still better to have one fixed mirror and a second that can be used as needed.

Thank you to Myles for showing us this tip!

Creating a Unique Coffee Table Using Lance Lott's Trick!

This is an ingenious trick that I think you'll enjoy!  It lets you control the size of your coffee table and lets you change it on a whim.

Lance Lott's collection in the SHGC contest featured a coffee table made out of end tables.  I know, it's both attractive and practical!  Depending on the size of the coffee table you would like and the size of the end tables, you can use anywhere from two to nine end tables.  I wouldn't suggest more than that as you don't want it to dominate the room.  I think Lance's choice of six is the ideal size.

Choose end tables that are all the same design or, if you're feeling daring, ones that are a different design but have the same height and shape top.  Personally, I suggest all the same design but, if you really need to spice things up, paint a few of them a different color or stencil the legs so that they have the same background color with a little pop.

As with any coffee table, place them in an area that can be reached when seated but still allows walking space.  If you must choose one or the other, choose walking space.  I personally would rather stretch for the controller than knock my toes every time I walk by.  Since these end tables should act as one piece of furniture, place them as close together as possible.  I don't feel that a fastening device is needed.

Don't feel that this dictates what type of end table you need to use as your actual end tables.  You can either use the same tables used in the design or use a different one.  Just make sure that the end design feels balanced, attractive and functional to you.  If you used a stencil or accent color in the coffee table and want to use a different end table elsewhere in the room, carrying over that stencil or color can tie them together.

Thank you to Lance Lott for the wonderful idea!

Wall Design Tips Courtesy of Amélie Fabrice

I'd like to share a few design tricks with you from some of the other designers in the SHGC contest.  The first designer I'm featuring is Amélie Fabrice, second will be Lance Lott and then we'll finish out this showcase with Myles Washington.  I think both Amélie and Lance are design professionals, so look them up if you like their work and want to hire them for your own home!

Amélie used a textured effect on her walls that gives an interesting backdrop to decorations or can keep a large expanse of wall from being an eyesore.  You can recreate this swept finish using the following steps:

1. Add water to a premixed drywall joint compound until it looks like thick pancake batter.
2. Apply the compound to the wall with a flat trowel.
3. Use a texture comb and sweep the compound into the design you want.  It's best to always sweep in the same direction.  Experiment with the pressure you use and the length of the sweep to get a design you're happy with!

For more tips on adding texture, check out http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/usingtexture/a/wall_texture.htm  Note the tip to never texture over wallpaper!  It can get messy, and then you'll have two jobs... cleaning up the mess and then redoing your walls.


Amélie also used various style and color frames to create an interesting wall design.  While these are all high quality frames, keep in mind that any from your local second hand or dollar store will work fine.  Don't like the finish?  Repaint it or stencil it!  You can even paste on an appliqué!  If you have a focal color for the room, such as an accent of bright red, this is a nice place to incorporate that color.  Just don't go overboard!  I think the most important thing to remember is spacing.  The design will look cluttered if they are too close together, yet put them too far apart and they won't look like a set anymore.  I suggest using Amélie's design as an example.  There's about two or three inches in between each frame.

 I hope you've enjoyed these tricks!  Thank you to Amélie for letting me share these ideas!

Gathering Techniques from Other Designers

Even though the other contestants in the SHGC competition are my rivals, some of them have shown some good techniques that you can recreate in your own homes, probably for less than it cost them!  I'd like to share some of them with you, so I'm working on getting permission from the designers to use their ideas and, hopefully, names and pictures.  I of course want to win the contest and I can hold my own, but I think I might continue highlighting the techniques the contestants use even if eliminated.  This is just too good an opportunity to pass up!

I'll let you in on a secret...  I'm a little starstruck over one of the contestants!  She's had a superstar design career even though she's fallen on hard times now.  I used to watch her on several shows, and her DIY tips are what gave me the confidence to recreate styles I love.  While I reuse furniture because it's inexpensive, she also reuses furniture in an effort to be environmentally conscious.  You have to admire that!  I hung around during the auditions and found out that she likes rockabilly music just like me.  I think we might be kindred spirits, but I'm too intimidated to walk up and say Hi.  Maybe I can work up the courage by the end of the show.  I can't let this opportunity to get to know her pass me by.  I mean, she lives in Sunset Valley now, so maybe we could become friends?  I'm off to pace around the floor and second guess myself. Now don't tell anyone my secret!  :D

SHGC's Next TV Star Competition

Aaii!  I didn't want to share this until I found out whether or not I was accepted to the show, but I'm a contestant in the Sim Home & Garden Channel's Next TV Star competition!  I can barely believe it, and I'm so excited I think I'm going to scream.  Again.  My sister and nephew have started flinching whenever I open my mouth because of all of the shrieks of joy! :D

The competition is open to the public so it's ok for me to share the details with you.  There are 15 contestants, myself included, and there will be several elimination tasks to pare down that number.  We're only in the first challenge so far, and I'm trying to stay confident.  Some of the most famous designers from around Sunset Valley are competing, although there are also hobbyists, like myself, and some with just an interest in decorating and a desire to learn.  I thought that last group wouldn't be any competition, but I was wrong!

Our first task is to create either a living room or bedroom collection and present it with both pictures and a description.  The first batch of entries has come in, and they're just beautiful.  Even the rich girl put together a stylish collection.  I'll try to refrain from bitter comments towards people with more money than they can use.  We shouldn't resent another's good fortune.  We should use it as inspiration to be successful ourselves.  Now if I repeat that 50 times, maybe I'll believe it.  Anyway, enough about that!

I wanted to share my entry with you because it includes some tips for reinventing furniture with a new theme.  I hope you enjoy the color scheme!  I find it very relaxing.
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Collection Name: Parisian Charm

I'd like to present Parisian Charm to you. My goal was to take low cost and used furniture common to Sunset Valley homes and reinvent them with a dash of French inspiration. Instead of repairing with expensive materials, the focus is on using techniques that can be replicated at home on many different pieces. None of the seating, except for the dining chairs, is from the same set or even decorated in the same way, but they have been given complementary patterns and colors. 

I've given the collection one focal point and then mimicked its colors and textures in the other pieces. As the focal point, the armchair is one of the most expensive pieces in the collection. However, the style of chair that has been used is one that is common in many Sunset Valley homes. This chair can be recreated by reupholstering it with a scenic fabric, I've used a lovely scene from Paris, and then using a faux weave finish on the wood to hide any imperfections. This finish is continued on the coffee table, end table, dining chairs, couch legs and sideboard. The scenic fabric is only used in one more place: the seats of the dining chairs. Limiting the use of the fabric allows it to be a focal point instead of a chaotic mess.

The colors of the scene are then repeated on the couch and loveseat. The couch is decorated in a baroque pattern to evoke a faded elegance. The wood of the loveseat has been stenciled with a charming pattern which is repeated in negative on the dining table. So as not to overwhelm the loveseat, the upholstery is kept simple with a light woven fabric.

Metal accents are a dusky gold and are mimicked in the picture frame. The large rug ties the seating area together just as the curtains frame the breakfast table. If you have a lovely but short fireplace, it's easy to extend it with a mirror finished in the same material as the mantel. I hope you've enjoyed this French redo of a country home.

 

Laundry/Bathroom Combo

Sometimes we don't have enough space in our homes for a separate laundry room.  If it isn't the right time to build an addition, the washer, and dryer if you have it, needs to be incorporated into a preexisting room.  That's never a pretty sight, but you can ease the pain.

If you can't do more than plunk a washer down in a room, I suggest using the bathroom.  A garage would probably be ideal for getting it out of the way, but 1) who has a garage? and 2) who wants to actually pad out there when it's cold?  The bathroom is at least a room where people expect to see plumbing and appliances.  Also, people don't usually discuss what they found in there with others.  It will be less used than the kitchen, and the living room and bedroom just aren't options if you want to have a comfortable home.

As seen below, if you keep the washer away from the entrance and blend it in with the wall colors, it will be less noticeable.

Other options, if you have the space and budget for them, are using a wall, half-wall or even room divider screen to hide it from sight.

Welcome to DSI's New Home

I've mentioned in past blog entries that I wasn't satisfied with my hosting site, and several of you asked why I didn't do something about it and relocate.  Blogspot was suggested to me many times, so here I am!  For those who are reading my blog for the first time, let me give you some background information on myself and what I do.

My name is Ayana Gray, and I love interior decorating.  I studied interior design and art history in school although my degree is in English.  I love traveling and seeing new architecture and styles.  During one trip to Shang Simla, I absolutely fell in love with one of the houses there.  I knew I couldn't afford to buy it as a vacation home, so when I returned to Sunset Valley I tried to recreate the look in my own house.  I'd like to think that I was successful, and I did it within my budget.  Since then there have been some changes in my life, such as family coming to live with me who take up more of my budget, but I continue to recreate the styles that I love in friends' homes and in my own.  I focus on taking cheap or used furniture and reinventing it using interesting fabric and techniques.  I like to repurpose items like taking old drapes that are being replaced and turning them into throw pillows for the couch.

How, you ask, do I support myself since I don't advertise as a professional redecorator?  I write!  Writing is my passion, as I'm sure you can tell by now.  I've been submitting articles on budget redecoration to several design magazines and am starting to get a few things published.  I know freelance work is the bread and butter of a writer, but I'm really hoping to get something more permanent, like being taken on permanently by one of the magazines.  Since I am a fairly accomplished photographer, I have also been submitting ideas to publishers on a coffee table book called International Design a Budget or something similar.  No takers yet, but I'm still collecting pictures in case it gets snapped up.

To make ends meet, I work at the local Hogan's Deep Fried Bratwurst Biergarten.  You're welcome to come on over and say Hi, although I warn you that I look like a child in my uniform and pigtails.  :D

I hope you enjoy my blog and will check back often.  And if you need any tips on redecorating on a budget, post a question in the Comments area and maybe it will become one of my blog topics!