Hello, this is Dana Smithers

With Spring just around the corner it's time to think about refreshing, rejuvenating, revitalizing your home and painting is one of the best ways to do this - for living or selling.

How do I pick paint colours
for my home,
I am not moving
but need something new?

This is my most often requested consultation service that I provide to my clients. This is what I suggest you do:

• Find something with at least 3 colours in it that you LOVE - it can be a picture, a piece of fabric, a card, a dish, a vase, whatever.
  
  
• Pick out 3 colours that you LOVE from it; choose 1 to be your Primary - 60% of your colour scheme and use it on the walls; choose another Secondary - 30% which will be mainly on your furniture fabrics; finally choose your accent colour - 10% of your colour scheme found in vases, cushions, throws, florals, etc.
  
  
• If you are concerned about 'colour trends' check out 'decorating color trends' by doing an internet search and you will come upon many. Colour trends are picked 2 years in advance by the Color Marketing Group and they dictate what is going to be 'trendy'.
  
  
• If you are not concerned about the latest color trends then stick with your 3 colour choices and use them throughout your home in all of the rooms. Mix it up and use lighter or darker paint of the colours you have chosen.
  
  
• If you have an 'open concept' home then it is best to stick with one colour throughout; the more colours the smaller the rooms look as contrast decreases space.
  
  
• Consult with the professionals in your favourite paint stores and show them what you have selected and to ensure you get the right type of paint for the walls.
  
  
• For doors and trims I am a big Benjamin Moore CC 40 Cloud White fan and use this in a semi gloss.

  

NB:  Colour selection will be one of the topics at the May 9th Budget Decorating Without Credit Card Debt workshop - click here for more information.

I am selling,
so what are the best paint colours to use?

My guideline for paint colours for selling is to: Use neutral colours on your walls and accent in trendy colours. For my selection of 'neutral' paint colours for selling click on this link - Best Color to Paint a Home for Resale.

  

Media Updates Click Here
Stay tuned for CBC LIVING VANCOUVER
March 24th 3pm

We taped this show last month for CBC Living Vancouver and it will air on March 24th. It took us about 6 hours to stage it and it will be condensed into a 3 minute segment! The house that we staged SOLD in just one week after the staging! Now that speaks volumes about the market picking up AND the benefits of home staging!

Upcoming Talks & Workshops Click Here

1. April 4th at the Langley Library - Redesigning Your Home for Living or Selling click here for information
2. May 8th for Professionals wanting to gain confidence doing Client Colour Consultations - click here for information and to Register
3. May 9th Budget Decorating Ideas Without Credit Card Debt - click here for information and to Register

PRES Staging Resource Centre 'GIVES BACK'
'FREE' Home Makeovers
Training Home Needed For Calgary
March 26th or March 27th

We at the PRES® Staging School wanted to come up with a way to participate in 'Making A Difference' in our communities. We decided to request that if your home qualifies as a Training Home for Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria and/or Calgary that you make a comparable donation on our behalf to your favourite charity. We love charities that educate and empower women, and help animals but it is your choice! To find out how you qualify click here.

Want to become a
PRES® Home Stager & Redesigner Click Here

Home Staging & Redesigning are 2 of Canada's hottest growth industries. Find out how you can make your dream come true. Our average student is 40 - 55 years old and loves to decorate everyone's home for FREE!

Looking for a
PRES® Home Stager & Redesigner Click Here

Our PRES® graduates are the best trained in the industry. Upon completion of the intensive staging and redesign training our graduates our available to help you meet your staging and redesign needs. To find one in your area check us out!

Send me your Questions

As much is humanly possible I will answer your general questions in my newsletters at some point in the year. Send them to me at dana@sunonmybackredesigns.com

With Gratitude,

Dana J. Smithers
Founder & Creative Director
Sun On My Back Redesigns

PS: For all of you Do-It-Yourselfers stay tuned for our new eBook coming out in the Spring 2009

Do-It-Yourself Home Staging: Home Staging Made Easy!