eNewsletter Archives

January 2008: Trends 'To Trend or not to Trend'

Hello, this is Dana Smithers from Sun On My Back Redesigns,

I think we are in for a very exciting time in 2008! The trend is all about 'Going Green' by energizing a 'tired' home for living so that the space feels new, fresh and vibrant. We are more conscious of buying and using environment friendly supplies and products and home decorating suppliers are responding!

When we Redesign we use all or most of our existing furnishings in new and different ways. Occasionally after a Redesign we purchase a few items that are more 'trendy' to spice things up. Home Staging can be accomplished in the same manner by using some or all of your existing furnishings. It does require an objective eye so you will be deleting a lot of personal belongings, decluttering and creating broad buyer appeal with an updated look. There are times when you are staging your home that it is better to rent 'trendy' furnishings than to use your own.

TRENDS

Choose the trends that work well with your existing furnishings.

Buy 'trendy' accessories so you can change more often!

The definition of 'Trend' in decorating is: a prevailing style: a current fashion or mode such as the latest trends in designer home décor, etc. Trends do come and go so I recommend you buy ones that really show off your personality – have FUN this year with colour and whimsical choices. After all, we are always changing and we want our home to reflect the changes of who we really are becoming!

When deciding on which trends to go with in 2008, here are some TIPS:

1. Colour Palettes – while neutrals are still popular a variety of shades of 'grey' are being shown this year; nature is a good palette of earth tones such as leafy greens, warm browns, seashell & ocean blues are in.
2. Accessories – black & white is a new trend which we are seeing in vases, cushions, bedding, lamps and lots of black & white photo art; bright colours are in mixed with your neutrals – throw your multicoloured pashmina over your sofa or dining room table; choose bright coloured candles.
3. Textures & Pattern – play big roles in this year's decorating. Large abstract patterns mixed with smooth, shiny, hard, nubbly, soft & cozy fabrics – think global and fair trade. Microfibres are still popular as is leather.
4. Metals & Glass – brushed nickel and stainless steel look is still popular and antique bronzeis coming back. Use the golden rule of '3' and mix different metals. Coloured glass or crystal chandeliers are ever present if you are looking to add glamour to your look.
5. Casegoods – mirrored dressers and side tables are a popular trend if you are looking for sophistication; dark woods are still in and teak has made a comeback.

Overall Trend is for more elegance, glamour and functionalism especially for small space living. If you are buying furniture or casegoods look for items that have more than one function. Ottomans can turn into dining room tables and even guest beds!

SPECIAL: TRAINING HOME offers for REDESIGN & HOME STAGING

February 18th – 22nd and March 10 – 14th we will be looking for Training Homes for Living or Selling in the Vancouver BC area.

March 31 – April 4th we will be looking for Training Homes for Living or Selling in the Victoria BC area.

Special Offer: $75 Consultation & $150 for our One Day Home Makeover!

Each month we are looking for the 'right' Training Homes that we can teach our students Redesign for living, and Redesign Staging for selling. All of our Training Programs involve some component of hands-on work in real client's home. Check out our website for more details under SERVICES.
To be eligible for our REDESIGN OR STAGING TRAINING HOME you need:

• enough furnishings for us to work with - rearrange, regroup, showcase
• 3 rooms we can make over such as living room, dining room, family room, etc.
• typically you will have 1500+ square feet in your home

A recent client testimonial:

"Well, love what you all did in my house! My most precious moment I have to say was that 2 1/2 years after my dad passed away, one of his most precious memories is now on my wall, riding with no helmet! Having my most precious valuables, my family pictures, in one place so that I can see them everyday touched me more than you could ever know. My home is now how it should be and I thank you and your team for such a wonderful job throughout the house. Our furniture looks great and the play room is so much fun. My great aunt pictures have never looked so good, her memory is now with me forever and reminds me of drawing in Central Park, NY with her when I was 12, my first official art lesson.

Thank you all so very much for my memories being now so prominent in my home."

Regards,
Cherie

*******************************************

Our Appearances

If you are interested in learning more about my Top 5 Tips for Home Staging – Getting to 'Open House Ready' then come and visit me at the BC Home & Garden Show Saturday February 23rd at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. and Sunday February 24th at 1:30 am and 3:30 pm. find out more information here.

DVD for Top 10 Tips for Home Staging coming soon!

In Complete Gratitude,
Dana J. Smithers

« Return to eNewsletter Archives Main