A Few of my Fall-orite Things. Fresh ideas for a new Season

Mornings are a bit cooler, there is a subtle fall scent in the air , and the acorns have begun to fall.  

Summer takes its toll on your home interiors.  Perhaps you have piles of papers in the dining room, a spooky dust covered living room, and the family room’s pillows have been over loved by both the kids and your dog.

A fall home re-style is the perfect remedy for your home’s summer style malaise.  It’s time to try a new furniture arrangement, an accessory shake-up, and some strategic power shopping to put a bit of fall zing into your home spaces. Here are a few of my fall-orite things.

1. Cozy Textiles. The term ‘sweater weather’ comes to mind. Nothing gives a space a fall style refresher than touchy textiles. Throws are the sweaters of home and are an easy up-style choice. Nubby mega knits either handmade or purchased, cozy cashmere blends to cuddle up with, or a vintage hand woven blanket can transform, layer and create that ultimate fall home environment. Shop your own home for more rustic pieces to give your main living area a seasonal transformation. Could you swap a leather chair from the study or flip flop the shag rug from the guest bedroom to achieve your goal?

2. Colors of the Season. Rust, indigo, mustard, ink, and pumpkin tones, - all colors of the autumn kaleidoscope. By infusing these colors into your home decor you will revive your rooms. Can you find a color thread in your art and reposition it, swap out lamps shades to set the mood of the season or re-purpose an accessory or furniture piece with paint? Shop for pillows/pillow covers in velvet, plaid, or kilim are good choices. Add a few new trendy accessories that tell the story of the new season to shake things up a bit.

3. Harvest Finds. Think fall farmer’s market. Your fall decor can come into to play here - autumn leaf, berry and nut swags, pumpkins fresh and faux and dried floral.

4. The Scent of Fall. As that weather changes, so do your senses. The simple sense of scent can bring the happiness of the season. In the powder room seasonally scented soap, on the island a big bowl of apples that evokes the thoughts of that crisp sweet scent and in the foyer, soy or bees wax scented candles greeting your guests. And yes, there is always pumpkin spice…

By changing up your home environment, you refresh not only your space, but you as well. A new seasonal chapter can wash away the staleness of yesterday and give a fresh new perspective of things to come.

-Julea

Love these ideas but just want to come home to a refreshed and seasonally changed home? We have a 3-hour seasonal refresher session special for $525. We use what you have and re-style for the season.

And we can one up that by shopping our favorite hidden haunts for just the right new pieces for you to fall in love with your home for an additional fee.

Calendar dates are limited, call/text Julea for details 708.543.8597

Baby got Back(yard) - Outdoor Space Consultation

Outdoor Space Consultation

It’s right outside the kitchen window, the sliding glass door, or like my client’s situation yesterday, they can see it, but can’t get to it - the Backyard. With most of us sheltering in place, that forgotten, seldom used backyard has become valuable real estate. So baby, if you got back(yard), use it!

I hadn’t worked with this client since 2011, and although we couldn’t hug, it was great to see her and again help her with her home. This project outside is perfect for socially distancing. Most people think I can only help with the inside, but my consultation services can be used for your outdoor spaces too. This consultation was about planning a new deck. Their current deck has no stairs, which doesn’t allow them to get down to their yard. With our home truly a shelter from the storm, and summer on the horizon, why not make your outdoor spaces as usable as your indoor space?

Here are a few tips we discussed yesterday about utilizing your backyard.

1.) Consider how you get out there. What space on the inside gets you to the outside? Are there multiple options? A door out from the breakfast area, and from the family room? Can you easily walk around to the back yard from the front yard? These traffic patterns may determine how each usage area of your backyard is planned out.

Connecting indoors to outdoors (photo: source)

2.) What do your want to do out there? My client had grand plans for her outdoor space: Hot tub, firepit, gazebo and dining/cooking. With those needs, which areas of your backyard are suited for these activities.

Outdoor Dining (photo: Wayfair)

3.) How big do these areas need to be? The stuff you need to use for the activity determines the size of the space. If you want a fire pit area - the key element is the firepit . Size that, then add in the seating around it with correct safe distances from the heat and flames.

Establishing activity areas (Photo:source)

4.) What surface hosts these activity spaces? Grass, concrete, decking, paving stone?

Backyard surfaces (Photo:source)

5.) What are your backyard existing assets or hindrance? Do you want to use that tree as part of the design, or will it need to go? Take advantage of a great view, or not block a view? My client had a beautiful pond in her back yard, and wanted to make sure that gazebo wish didn’t block her neighbors from the great view.

Lastly, have fun with your backyard. You can be inspired by your indoor space color theme, but that’s not a rule. There are oodles of ideas to peak your patio design, but if you need a keen eye, or extra ideas, there is help a phone call away.

Julea - Reinventing Space 708-448-7500 B 708-543-8597 C Julea@Julea.com

!ZOOM that ROOM! E-Design Services

I was chatting with a colleague about how we have to evolve how we do business. I’ve always been a glass half full gal and look at this new form of life not as an obstacle, but as a challenge to stay connected, and to keep my business current. Although I can’t just hop in my car and head over to see a client, I can hop on the internet and phone and resolve a decorating dilemma. From creating a lovely space with the help of on-line shopping to remotely evaluating a home that soon will be going on the market - Let’s Zoom that Room!

With most of us staying at home, we’re finally getting some of those home projects done. From painting a space to re-decorating a whole room. And I should be your first step. Since our ‘stay at home’ chapter, I’ve been busy with remote home staging evaluations, room re-decorating, and even a new Florida townhouse decorating plan for a client that is relocating soon to the sunshine state.

Here’s how it works - take pictures of the space (s) that has a design dilemma, add any burning desires, notes, or rants about the space. I’ll review and suggest in a presentation - then we’ll setup a time to go over it all. It’s as easy as that. You get to work on your space, I solve your design dilemma, and the end result is a beautiful room. Text me to begin 708-543-8597.

Decorating Ideas to Refresh your Space While We’re Staying in Place

With home the focus of our daily life right now, it’s a great time to rethink some of our spaces. Whether re-styling a bookcase, seasonally decorating, up-styling something we already have, or leaping into a bigger project - here are ideas to refresh your space while we’re staying in place.

Paint. -A new color can give a room a fresh look. From spring greens or trending blue hues, paint packs a big punch to giving a space a new view.  Most paint stores will let you phone in, order on-line, and offer curbside pickup. From painting an accent wall, up-styling a bookcase by painting the back, or painting a piece of furniture - infusing a new color into a room can really reboot it.

Paint. -A new color can give a room a fresh look

Rearrange. -Spring has arrived! It’s a perfect time to rearrange a room for a new season.  Give your space a new perspective with a new furniture arrangement. Perhaps swapping pieces from other rooms. Try switching a chair, a table, art; they’re all good swapping ideas to give a room a different look. Lighten your space by removing heavy rugs to simplify a room. Change the sitting area to a new focus from the fireplace view to taking in the nature from the view out the window. By giving your space a new perspective, it gives you one too.

“Give your space a new perspective with a new furniture arrangement. By giving your space a new perspective, it gives you one too.”

— Julea Joseph

Pull out that Sewing Machine. - If you have forgotten how to use it, YouTube has hundreds of instructional videos on how to sew and use your machine. Sew up a new pillow cover, table runner, or add contrasting fabric trim to a ready made window panel on the edge, top or bottom. Re-purpose table clothes, napkins or tea towels into usable yardage.  Fabric can too transform a lampshade, or cover an ottoman. 

Pull out that Sewing Machine.

Discover Your Styling Skills.  After you’ve painted the back of your bookshelves, you’ll need to fill it back up.  Refill it with accents from other spaces, organize your books by color, or even recover them with bright papers. Small art that was lonely hanging on a wall, can find a new home on the bookcase back, or perching on an easel decorating a favorite table. Style an entry table with accessory, or seasonal odds and ends to tell a story - books are great to add height, color and interest to a vignette.

Discover Your Styling Skills.

Need additional inspiration or help with styling and decorating? We now offer consultation remotely.

-Julea

RESOURCES

https://www.acehardware.com/onlineorder

https://jclicht.com/jc-licht-open-coronavirus-response/

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/special-offers

https://www.lowes.com/l/store-pickup.html

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Falling Back in Love With Your Home - Fresh Ideas for February

Re-Arrange Your Furniture.

This gives your rooms a new, fresh perspective and offers a chance to love the stuff you already have.  Keeping furniture in the same spot makes your home stale and boring. Try re-positioning your seating first, followed by tables, then lighting. With the new arrangement, your accessories will get a needed shake up too.  Don’t be afraid to flip flop pieces from other rooms.

(Photo: Julea Joseph)

Celebrate your Heirlooms.  We all have them. Inherited, passed down, or gifted from our wedding. Don't let them languish in a dark closet - get them out and celebrate their heritage. Use your wedding vase with a big bouquet of tulips you picked up from the market. Re-purpose a passed down dresser or desk with a trendy paint color and some sassy new knobs. Pick up some fun wallpaper and line the drawers. Plant a succulent garden in Grandma's tea cups and put it on your window sill.

(Photo: Source)

Buy Something Fancy. Invest a cashmere throw to keep you cozy till spring. Splurge on crisp, high thread count sheets for your bed. Buy your very favorite expensive candle. Even better, buy all three!

Photo: Throw found on William Sonoma Home

Paint a room. Paint is easy. Paint is fast. Paint can change a room's environment in a day. 2020 has some great paint color inspiration that can reinvent a space. Be daring and paint away.

Photo: Behr Paints Color: Back to Nature

Buy a Plant. Whether blooming, 7 feet tall, or hanging from a retro macrame holder - plants make any space come alive, clean the air and make you think of warmer days.

(Photo: Source)

What I'm Shopping - A Buffet for Home Staging

A WEEKLY HOME DECOR SHOPPING GUIDE

I had two home staging clients last week in need of pulling the dining room together in preparation to sell their home. Both had the essential table and chairs, but lacked a buffet to create that visual & emotional recipe of an authentic dining room.

Although the dining table is the emphasis of the space, the buffet is the styling muse of the dining room. A staged dining room should tell a story of visual appeal and a lifestyle of family and friends celebrating. Add art or a mirror above the buffet and its top surface has unlimited options for accessorizing for a visual and lifestyle win.

STAGING TIP: Dining rooms have an important mission when selling a home - They are one of first rooms a Buyer sees when viewing the home, and need to make a GREAT 1st impression.

Although the dining table is the emphasis of the space, the buffet is the styling muse of the dining room.(Photo: Danielle Moy @Properties)

What I’m Shopping -

My 1st client’s existing dining set was a simple dark wood IKEA set. I found a buffet at HOME GOODS that would fit perfectly in their space and will add interest and elevate their simple table with it’s textural doors and varied wood tones. It looks much higher end for its price tag of under $300.00.

HOMEGOODS Buffet (Photo: Julea Joseph)

My 2nd client’s existing table was a well loved Shaker style table and chairs in natural oak. Because of its age, the table had a yellow undertone. I found an up-styled painted buffet on FB MARKETPLACE that would complement and modernizes the Shaker set, and with its gray Chalk Paint. The gray color will tone down the aged oak table hue and catch the buyer’s eye with its casual, farmhouse look. The price tag was under $200.00.

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE (Photo: Source)

The BONUS for both of these home sellers is, they get to move these pieces to their next chapter of home. Either piece can be used as a media piece, in a guest bedroom, or right back into a dining room.

Join me next week for “ What I’m Shopping”.