As you may or may not know, the Michigan Design Center has a sample sale 2 times a year.  This is an opportunity for the general public to get a great discount on home décor and furniture.   Consumer days are Jan. 27th and 28th.  There is a $5.00 admission with a portion of the proceeds going to COTS.  For more information you can visit www.mdctrade.com.

Darla Rowley, President
Impact Interior Design Solutions, LLC

When decorating I often come across the fact that my clients have many small items to use for decorating.  It can be decorative items such as knick knacks, or in this case small art or photos.   In this example we took a grouping of smaller images to create a dramatic effect.  The sum of the parts is much larger when grouped together.  Since the subject matter is also complementary, it enhances the presentation.  This represents a good way to transform small items into a larger scale presentation.

The same application can be used for accessories; group smaller size items together, sit on books or decorative boxes to give you different heights to add interest.  Small items singularly displayed often look like clutter, so this is a good solution.

This is a great way to save money when looking for larger scale items to fill a larger spaces.

Why is the design of your fireplace so important?  Fireplaces are usually a major focal point in the room and it is important to have it be the most dramatic item in the space. In the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s there was a tendency to use the trendy brick of the time.  Unfortunately it does not hold up to today’s standards of what is deemed attractive, and unlike red brick, does not have the timeless appeal.   The reality is, if it is ugly what’s the point of having one?

If you have a dated fireplace there are economical ways to update. (I can hear brick lovers cringe when I suggest this) Painting the brick is a good way to neutralize.  When combined with adding a new mantle, you can achieve a dramatic update for very little cost.  This is a great approach if you are selling a modest, lower price point house.

In higher priced homes, ugly fireplaces can kill a deal.  So do not go cheap, because in this case painted brick will not add value.  You need to do it right.  In the photo below we made over a fireplace selecting ledge stone veneer which pulls from the colors of the ceiling, the lake and the kitchen cabinets.  It feels like it was always there.  The design should complement the architecture of the space, modern vs. modern, historical in a historical setting.

We asked ourselves is we should add a mantle. We selected no mantle, because it wasn’t needed.  The stone acts like artwork in the space.  In a more traditionally shaped fireplace or setting this approach would probably not be appropriate.

For more decorating and staging ideas, please visit us at impactids.com

 

Many individuals use the New Year as an incentive to take on challenges and or desires for changing lifestyles in the New Year.  As homeowners we all have the “honey do list” of projects needed to either sell a house, or simply live better in the house they are living in.  Homeowners often just do not know where to start.  Impact can make this process much easier by helping to prioritize and coordinate the implementation of the plans.  Summarized below are some New Year’s resolutions Impact Interior Design Solutions can help you with:

Getting organized:
Our team of stagers and organizers can make a huge difference in just one day.  For many getting organized is a huge breakthrough.  It can be as simple as getting the basement cleared for making a play space, or office paperwork.   Organizing a house can be a big challenge.  We recommend breaking in down into smaller projects, and tackling them one at a time.  At the same time put in place a structure that will allow for you to find things, and keep it organized. Read the rest of this entry »

by Donna Kosnak

When you invite people to a party you make sure everything looks nice because you know your guests will be looking at your home.  Have you heard about “party-peekers?” They’re the people who use the opportunity to peek in private places like closets or your medicine chests. It happens to nearly everyone at one point; you may even be a “peeker” yourself.
Well, you will be inviting lots of people to shindigs at your house, but you will be calling them “showings.”  Be prepared!

Things a homeowner looks past everyday can really stand out to buyers; they look everywhere!! Make sure your closets are cleared of anything you don’t use on a weekly basis – get rid of the rest or put it in storage. If your closets are crammed buyers won’t notice how big it is, only that your junk takes up all the space. The same goes for cabinets; keep only what you use. You can put your things in baskets to make them easily movable and it will look neat and organized.  Here are some easy tricks I have found to help me keep up surfaces that everyone looks at:

1.     Magic erasers.  You know, those white foam sponges. They really are magic! It doesn’t matter if you buy the national brand or the store brands.  I use these on my walls around light switches,  on cabinet doors where little (and big) fingers have been,  that inevitable coffee drip right down the cabinet door,  any scuffs or marks on painted surfaces or anywhere you don’t want to use an abrasive cleanser.  These are especially good on surfaces with texture so you can get into the nitty-gritty; the door handle on my refrigerator is the usually suspect. Read the rest of this entry »

Impact Interior Design Solutions will be interviewing candidates for the 2012 Apprentice program.  Our deadline for selecting candidates is January 31, 2012.

Candidates must be:

1.  Outgoing

2.  Physically fit, able to lift a min of 40 lbs, and willing to help with moving staging inventory

3.  Willing to represent Impact Interior Design Solutions upon completion of program

Candidates must also have flexibility with schedule to work when staging work is scheduled.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.

During the interview we will discuss the scope of the training and what you can expect.

Impact is currently interviewing apprentice candidates.  Candidates should call or email Darla at 248-761-3320 to learn more.

Super boring to super cute!  Even “budget”  houses benefit from home staging.

This picture shows how staging adds personality.  Now sellers can envision a family gathering, or sit and contemplate an offer.  This house is on the market for under $40,000.  It is a demonstration of how staging works for any price point.  I would love to see how you stage budget houses.

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This represents a house we recently provided investor design services along with a vacant staging package.  The before picture is not a mistake, we actually combined a super small family room with an adjacent bedroom to make a great room.  We still have 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, so removing the 4th bedroom was a small compromise.  We created a much more family friendly space buyers are sure to fall in love with.  We do not expect this one to last long!

Please share with me your dramatic makeover on a budget!

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1912 N Connecticut Ave, Royal Oak, MI
Bed 3, Baths 2
SqFt: 1,119

Great Well Maintained Bungalow W/ Xl Garage! Features Hardwood Floors & Coved Ceilings. Large Master Bedroom W/lots Of Closet Space. Finished Basement W/large Full Bath. Large Front Porch. Close To Freeways, Shopping & Schools! Not A Short Sale Or Foreclosure. Includes Appliances.

MLS 211104717

Contact: Mike Sher of Max Broock, Realtors-Bloomfield (248) 644-4700 x242