eNewsletter Archives

June 2007

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

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletters. I appreciate your comments and the changes you are making to the way you live in your home. For those of you who are selling I know you are getting the message!

This month we are looking at our  Step 5 in our 10 Step No-Fail Formula for Redesigning or Staging your home to create harmony and balance throughout. 

If you are just receiving my newsletter for the first time go to my HOME PAGE and click on Archived Newsletters on the left and you will have information on Step 1. FUNCTION; Step 2. FOCAL POINTS; Step 3. CONVERSATION GROUPINGS and Step 4 CASEGOODS( furnishings other than sofas, beds, chairs).

Step 5. FLOORING  for Living

Flooring has changed dramatically over the last 10 years for a number of reasons. More people have allergies and many suppliers are accomodating this need. The biggest shift in flooring has been hardwood replacing carpet. Some of the changes are also due to the fact that women do not have the time or energy to spend on cleaning carpet. The type of climate you live in will also affect your flooring choices.

Most of our decorating guidlelines work around the 'Magic Number 3'. We apply this when we are creating rhythm and unity throughout our homes with regard to flooring too. 

On any one level in your home keep

the number of different types of flooring to 3.

1. Entranceways & Foyers - newer homes are showing larger ceramic tiles, marble or linoleum tiles.
2. Living Rooms -  if you have a formal living room then carpet is a great choice. Select a plush carpet with a thick underlay sp that you sink into it when you walk into this room.  
3. Kitchens - there are some fabulous kitchen flooring options available now. You can choose tiles, hardwood or a good laminate. Cork is a popular flooring product because it 'gives' when you are standing on it for a long time. I would not recommend choosing a light coloured tile (beige) in the kitchen because it needs cleaning daily.  Hardwood or a good laminate is also an option.
4. Family Rooms - a good quality laminate or hardwood is perfect for the family room. 
5. Bedrooms - some people prefer hardwood or a good laminate in the bedroom with some attractive area rugs. Personally I love the feel of carpet on my bare feet especially for colder months.
6. Colours - Look at the undertones of your flooring and make sure they work together. this creates flow and continuity not separation and contrast.
7. This can be an expensive investment so take your time planning for the present and your future flooring choices. If you are not good at this hire a redesigner and/or a decorator to help you select the right flooring.

TIP: Area Rugs - the correct size is determined by being able to place your area rug between 3 - 6 inches under the legs of your furniture. For dining room area rugs you should be able to pull your chair back and still have the chair on the rug. However this is not always an option and some area rugs work being placed between the furniture without the furniture legs on it, or with the legs partially on it. 

TIP: It is a decorating 'No-No' to put an area rug on carpet . Carpets will bunch up and people will trip over them. However if you do decide to do this, try putting heavy duty double sided  tape on the area rug...not advisable but I do understand!

A perfect combination in a new home - tiles, carpet, hardwood all in the right undertone.

Beautiful hardwood with an attractive area rug!

 

Step 5. FLOORING f or Selling

In 2005 a Canadian National House Staging Poll was conducted by Maritz Research for Royal LePage. One of the questions asked was: 

"...excluding the kitchen, if there’s a particular room in the house where the floors were in poor condition, which do you think would be the most helpful in selling your home?"

83 per cent cited installing hardwood floors while 14 per cent chose carpet.

• If you are selling your house all of the above tips apply.
• DO NOT put an area rug on carpet for showing. 

Unfortunately 52 tiles were cracked on the main floor. They wanted a quick sale...

By replacing the cracked tiles with hardwood this house sold in 3 days!

Remember for SELLING, buyers want to see something current and clean,  

so that all they need to do is just move in!

SPECIAL: TRAINING HOME offers for  REDESIGN & HOME STAGING 

SIGN UP FOR OUR WAITING LIST!

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: 

"   I can't tell you how much I appreciate the redesign of our home. What a difference it has made! The living room is so much more inviting and we have been enjoying looking out to the garden and facing the two windows. The bookcase has some colour added into it and the cupboards below now hold the stereo and cd player (nicely hidden away). We have enjoyed our separate dining area and does not look so cluttered. We've lingered longer at the table talking because the ambience is so nice. I love what you did with the family photos on the bar table and my Family and Friends sign above it. I loveeee my new office with my couch added into that space and have now named it my "morning room" as the bright sunshine comes into that room and have enjoyed relaxing and having my morning coffee planning my day. 

It was really great to meet your team of redesigners & stagers. They were so pleasant. Dana, this has been such a treat and really has made a difference to me and my family."

Tracy ~ Langley

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5 Day Professional CRDA Canadian ReDesigners Association intensive Redesign & Home Staging Course:

Only 1 space for Kelowna June 25 - 29, 2007.

July is full but you can sign up on a waiting list.

August is almost full so sign up soon to save  your space!  

Receive your DESIGNATION & CERTIFICATION

 CRSS Certified Redesign & Staging Specialist 

My new video clip will be up soon!

 

ONE DAY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES 

CLIENT COLOUR CONSULTATIONS - SATURDAY JUNE 16TH 9 - 4pm 

There are 2 spots left for this one day course. This is for professionals to learn more about conducting colour consultations. CRDA Graduates $149 plus gst; others $199 plus gst. Check out our website on our Home Page.

Contact: info@sunonmybackredesigns.com or phone 604 836 7174.  

Warmest Regards, 

Dana

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