Its that time of year for cozy Christmas decorating and warm winter faux fur throws! Throw in some fun reindeer art and you have instant cozy Christmas décor! I have gathered a few of my favorite things so you can can have your own cozy Christmas!
I’m in love with this inspiration pic from firefly-collection.com/chalet de l’ Or Blanc so I did some sourcing…here’s what I found, see the links below…happy decorating!
There’s nothing more photogenic than snow so let the winter pics begin! I hope you love snow like I do! You would never think that white or snow could be cozy or warm but it has its own special magic that creates the feeling of warmth on the inside!
The crispness of a white bed or a white bedroom to match a crisp view! I’ve had a white bedroom for as long as I can remember…and I’m still working on the view…
Having a neutral home creates a fresh, organic vibe…and the right whites can take you to a whole new level of comfy cozy! View or no view… designer Victoria Hagen tells us how to get this crisp, cozy look that will make you feel like you’ve found a winter wonderland!
Sources for article and photo: Designer Victoria Hagan/ Article: Veranda Magazine/photo William Waldron, Nancy Hass/Photo: Architectural Digest Magazine/Lisa Romerein
3D rendering of cozy living room on cold winter night in the mountains, evening interior of chalet decorated with candles, fireplace fills the room with warmth.
Congrats! If you decorated your home for Halloween or fall then you just staged your own home! You staged it to look and feel like a theme or holiday, which is my fav thing to do! A perfect example is our feature pic from cowhidesinternational.com. Decluttered, defined and neutral…and the candles, lanterns, fireplace and lighting really bring the cozy factor!
Source: cowhidesinternational.com
You probably even did a “vignette” which is a group of items that tells a story! See…you’re not as design-challenged as you think…if your staging your home to sell then read on…
Staging is as easy as 1,2,3,4. Assuming you don’t have a vacant home or are adding furniture (which we’ll talk about later) it’s easy to get your home ready for the photographers and the buyers that are about to emerge!!
HOME STAGING IS “STYLING” A PROPERTY FOR SALE
So swallow your pride and realize that your home may be a perfect fit for you but this is about making it perfect for EVERY prospective buyer! So…repeat after me…
”I want to sell my house quickly and for the most money I can” and I will not take it personal”!
So here we go…and #1 and #4 are the most important!
DECLUTTER – Either throw it away or pack it away…yes that means all your little treasures, even the cute valance you just bought that’s blocking the view…everything…don’t forget the exterior space.
LESS IS MORE SO OPEN IT UP
TAKE AWAY, TAKE AWAY, TAKE AWAY
DEFINE – Areas and rooms…don’t just fill it up…a bedroom isn’t storage space so don’t cram everything in the closet because buyers will open those doors. A large space or great room should have multiple groupings not just furniture lined up on the wall to create the feeling of space; in fact it will create the opposite…
TELL A STORY SHOW THEM WHAT THAT SPACE IS CAPABLE OF
NEUTRALIZE – Drapes, bedding, towels, linens should be neutral colors…you may like all your colors and patterns, but your future buyers may not…neutral color projects clean, crisp, new…a pop of color is OK…absolutely no personal items… and please double check your art, it may have meaning to you but may not to someone else…
NEUTRAL COLORS WILL OPEN UP A SPACE COLORS, PATTERNS AND ART CAN DATE A HOME
PUNCH LIST – I saved my favorite for last! I can definitely do a mean punch list…just walk through your space and look at every nook and cranny…cleaning is a must!…look for worn, broken, chipped, scuffed, scratched, faded, and dated. This includes items that are not working or were repaired as a quick fix…no, duct tape is not acceptable…lol you’d be surprised…
IF BUYERS SEE ANYTHING WRONG, THEY START LOOKING FOR OTHER THINGS THEN THEY THINK THEY NEED TO DISCOUNT THE PROPERTY
I do believe in the cozy factor but keep background music simple, be careful with fragrance, and keep it natural, many people are turned off by certain fragrances. Bonus points for lots of lighting…so light it up for pics or showings, and if you have a great view, that’s your number one priority!…make sure NOTHING distracts from it…
So there you go…get your home ready, sell it fast and get top dollar!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me!!
Stay tuned for part 2 where we discuss; paint/flooring, vacant homes, adding furniture, your exterior.
My first cozy crush this year! This bedroom is amazing and I am obsessed with this ceiling!! Its either painted reclaimed wood or reclaimed tin squares…either way I just want to wake up every morning to snowflakes on my ceiling!
Source: Gull Lake Retreat via bigwoodtimberframes.com
You can find reclaimed wood bedframes like these from Etsy, find them at your local furniture store or have one custom made!
Whether using painted wood or weathered tin you’ll still have to add a few snowflakes. I just looove that they did an aged, rustic weathered look and not perfect snowflakes all around. You can find snowflake stencils everywhere like these from Amazon!
Black doors are trendy, impressive and dramatic but when it comes to holidays they are my fav to decorate! I love this fall farmhouse look from boxwoodavenue.com. So cozy and the black just just makes everything pop! If you already have a black door yay! If your thinking about a change here’s some door inspiration!
Source: runtedrun.com
The perfect accessory for holiday decor!!
Source: pinterest/joyfullygrowingblog.com
The perfect accessory for any style porch!
Source: carlaastor.com/Amy Curtis floristry
White stand aside because It doesn’t get any better than greenery on a dark door!
Source: Homebunch.com
It also looks great on the inside!
A great DIY project with a big impact! So what do you think, ready to take the plunge?
There are so many ways to decorate for fall! I love fall and all the colors that go with it! Having a neutral home I like to pop some color in for holidays and seasons, but sometimes I like the quietness and simplicity of neutral on neutral like this white on white pumpkin, hydrangea, faux antler decor!
Here are some great ideas if you want to tone it down and go neutral with nature!
Source: Thriftyandchic.com
Source: Pinterest
Source: Thepaintedhinge.com
Everything doesn’t have to be white…muted colors work great with neutral style! Rust, metals and wood are my fav accents with any neutral decor!
Have fun fall decorating! I would love to see your pics!
Good morning all my rustic friends! Grab your coffee and let’s talk hardwood floors! You love them, you want them, but…your overwhelmed by all those choices and think they are way too spendy! Wrong! These are the days of savvy shoppers like you…you can order your own flooring, call an installer, and have quick, beautiful floors under budget! Every time I post pics I get a lot of questions on hardwood floors so here’s the 101! (photo from elledecor.com).
QUICK START GUIDE
TIP: OAK IS A POPULAR, DURABLE CHOICE AND COMES IN MANY COLORS, WIDTHS AND FINISHES. WHITE OAK IS A LITTLE STRONGER, LESS GRAINY AND A LITTLE DARKER THAN RED OAK. MAPLE AND CHERRY ARE A POPULAR CLOSE SECOND
WOOD OR ENGINERED WOOD
Totally your choice, you know what’s best for your lifestyle, I usually just spell out the differences and leave this one up to my client.
ENGINERED WOOD is best for basements, rooms with high moisture and can be glued to concrete subfloor. It can be installed over radiant heating and is better with kids and pets. Engineered has a thin layer of wood over other components and can only be refinished once or twice. But it will still last a long time and is more durable than hardwood. When buying make sure it has at least 3 layers. House value goes up!
REAL WOOD has a high-quality look, it can be refinished over and over and lasts a lifetime. Its strong and durable, easy to clean and will add value to your home. It has great acoustics and healthy air quality. Yes, there are different levels of hardwood, but bottom line is how you take care of it and your daily lifestyle.
Source: floorzz.com
COLOR
YOU PROB ALREADY HAVE A FAVORITE BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS AND OPINIONS
CHOOSE YOUR COLOR BASED ON ROOM SIZE AND THE MATERIALS IN THE ROOM
GO DARK TO LIGHT STARTING AT THE BOTTOM (the floor) OF YOUR ROOM
CONTRAST YOUR CABINET COLOR
WATCH OUT FOR REDS – THEY CAN OVERPOWER
LIGHTER COLORS MAKE A ROOM LOOK LARGER
WIDTH
5” IS THE NEW STANDARD THESE DAYS
MOST POPULAR CHOICE IS 4”-6” (I wouldn’t go less than 3 ¼”) UP TO WIDE PLANKS AT 6”-12”
CHOOSE YOUR SIZE ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF YOUR ROOM FIRST AND SECOND THE STYLE OF YOUR ROOM
FINISH
CHOOSE YOUR FINISH BASED ON MAINTENACE, TRAFFIC, AND LOW VOC
MATTE OR SATIN ARE THE MOST POPULAR
VIEW SAMPLES AND GET INFORMATION
THE RUSTIC LOOK
OK AND NOW TO MY FAVORITE…IF YOU WANT THE LOOK OF
RUSTIC. WORN. DISTRESSED.
OPT FOR HAND SCRAPED, WIRE BRUSHED, OR RECLAIMED WOOD FLOORS
Source: Architectureartdesigns.com
IMPORTANT
*ALWAYS GET SAMPLES TO TAKE HOME AND LOOK AT IN YOUR SPACE
*ALWAYS CHECK THE WARRANTY INFORMATION
*ALWAYS ORDER 10% MORE THAN YOU NEED SO YOU HAVE EXTRA FOR REPAIRS IN THE SAME DYE LOT
*ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK WITH YOUR INSTALLER BEFORE ORDERING YOUR CALCULATED AMOUNT. THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU WHAT EXTRAS ARE NEEDED SUCH AS TRIM PIECES, T MOLDING, STAIR NOSE ECT.
WOOD IS UNIQUE…YOU CAN MIX IT UP, GET CREATIVE AND STYLE YOUR OWN CUSTOM LOOK
Source: goodwoodnashville.com
WHERE TO BUY? Here’s a few suggestions…Home Depot, Lumber Liquidators, Lowes, Floor and Decor, Build.com, Flooring America, Pro Source, Green Building Supply, Wayfair, Overstock and don’t forget your local small businesses!
I HOPE THIS HELPED…YES, YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN WOOD FLOORING AND SAVE A LOT OF MONEY! Just make sure you find a good installer and always check at least 3 references!
TIP: INSTALLATION RUNS APPROX. $4-$8 FOR HARDWOOD and $3-$10 FOR ENGINERED WOOD
I’d love to hear from you, contact me with any questions and happy shopping!
What is it about “chalet style” that makes us feel luxurious, cozy and relaxed? Probably because many of us stay at mountain chalets for vacations, relaxation and recreation so it makes sense that we would feel that way when we see an amazing pic of a mountain chalet interior! So…why not add a little “chalet style” to your home and feel like you’re on vacation every day! This amazing home designed by Locati Architects via Onekindesign.com is chalet style at its finest!
If your lucky enough to have a mountain home I envy you…but in a good way:) Here are some tips on how to create a little mountain magic!
Faux fur pillows throws, chair covers, rugs…(please go with faux)
Yes, its time to get out the fall decor! There’s seasonal inspiration everywhere for DIY ideas! But… what about Halloween? I like to mix fall and Halloween so I have a little bit of both. Kind of like the vignette from Onekindesign/athomewithjenna.
Photo Source: Pottery Barn
If your more of a fall person but want just a pop of Halloween just add a few black bats or some black and white buffalo plaid!
Photo Source: Onekindesign and @vintagewhitefarmhouse
Do you like to separate fall and Halloween or mix the 2 together?
Lighting is one of the most important things you can put in a room not only for function but also to display your style. The wrong lighting choice can ruin a perfectly planned design!
I love the “Clancy” pendant light with a clear glass urn shade from Hinkle Lighting! Rustic, transitional and sure to make a statement! They come in 2 sizes and 4 rustic finishes: Aged zinc, brushed nickle, buckeye bronze, polished nickel. You can find this anywhere from lamps plus, to overstock and it has a great price point!
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