Reclaimed wood wall

I did this wall at our camp in the 1000 Islands after seeing something similar in a magazine several years ago. Yes, imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery. And I am hooked on finding new uses for old objects. The items on the wall come from salvage yards, an old barn on Oak Island on the St. Lawrence, shutters from my mother-in-law's home, a Chicago flea market, and gifts from friends.

Stage that home to sell!

A picture is worth 1000 words, especially when selling your home. Make sure your home is staged before listing and that you have great photos for the MLS. We offer not only home staging, but a photography service as well. Just bartered getting my toes done in exchange for professional photography for the mls :-)

Household Tip of the Week

Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Green Tip of the Week

In my never ending quest to find new uses for old items, I came across a multitude of creative ways to repurpose today's worn out nylon pantyhose

• Tie up tomato vines and other plants to keep them off the ground.
• Fill a tube with old soap slivers to use every last bit of lather.
• Corral bath salts the next time you soak in the tub.
• Store wrapping paper. Use one roll per leg and hang them in a closet. The edges won't fray and they will stay organized.
• Cover your rolling pin with a tube of pantyhose to prevent wet flour from sticking.
• Next time you lose something small and valuable, wrap a piece of pantyhose over the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner. Sweep it over the floor and your lost item should stick to your new pantyhose filter.
• Crumple up a pair and use as a pot or dish scrubber.
• Fill a leg with lavender or cedar chips and hang in your closet.
• When repotting houseplants place a circle of pantyhose in the bottom of the pot to prevent soil erosion.

sources: green planet, daily green

Lisa Ryan is owner of Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving Syracuse, central, and northern NY.

The Rules of Lighting

To improve the look of your home, its best to know the types of lighting and how to use them. The first is ambient lighting. The purpose is to create evenly distributed light in a room. These can be ceiling lights, recessed lights, and lamps.

The next is accent lighting. These are secondary lights in a room. They help visually separate a room or highlight an architectural feature or art. They must be 3 to 5 times brighter than the ambient lighting. Examples of this type of lighting are spotlights, a sconce, or even candlelight.

The next is task lighting which is used for just that, performing a task. It needs to be 6 to 10 times brighter than the ambient light.

The next is natural light, which we spoke about in the previous blog post, and the last is outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting is important as it provides security and gives your exterior a nice look.

Try layering all types of lighting in a room for an impressive look.

Source: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/5-ways-to-light-up-your-home5.htm

Letting Light In

A big difference can be made in the appearance of your home with the use of natural lighting, and also has proven health benefits. Having more light in the home increases productivity and makes you feel better! Having skylights is a great way to utilize day lighting, but if your home doesn't have them there are still ways to use natural light. Get rid of heavy draperies. Use curtains that are more transparent to let more light in. Opt for no curtains or a valance. Consider adding transom windows above your current windows. It is also a good idea to utilize large windows, or any window in the home as a focal point. Bringing more natural light into the home is like bringing the outdoors in! When staging your home to sell, potential buyers love a home that is light and bright!

Feng Shui in the Home

Feng shui can get quite in depth, however the basics are easy to follow. Color is something that gives a room a new energy. In Feng shui, there are five color elements. They include wood, water, metal, earth, and fire. Wood promotes development and creativity in the home. Metal creates attention and energy in a space. Earth represents the stability of a home, fire represents energy and passion, and water shows wealth and promotes communication. Earth is light yellow or beige. It is to be used in the northeast part of the home or the southwest. Then there is metal which is white and gray. It is to be used in the west and northwest part of the home. Water is blue and black. It is for the north part of the home. Wood is brown and green. It is for the east and southeast parts of the home. Feng shui has many categories and elements to it. The key is to bring in color and light into your home to make it a better place and make you happier and healthier!

Source: http://fengshui.about.com/, http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/

Green Tip of the Week

Aluminum Foil - who knew there were so many ways to re-use it?

* Paint and plaster texture: Use crumpled up foil to add interesting texture to painting and plastering projects. Also when you're painting, old foil is handy for masking doorknobs and other fixtures you don't want painted, and wrapping your paintbrushes and rollers in during a lunch break.

* Wash it and use it again, and again, and again. Wash it with soap and water, lay it flat and smooth it with your hands or a rolling pin. (Do not use it again for food purposes if it has been contact with raw meat.)

* Sharpen scissors and garden shears: fold the foil so it's six to eight layers thick, then cut thru it a few times with dull scissors to instantly sharpen them. To sharpen hefty garden and pruning shears, fold the foil so that it's even thicker.

* Reduce static cling: I don't understand how it works, but if you throw a crumpled piece of aluminum foil into the clothes dryer, it seems to magically reduce static electricity. A true miracle of cheapskate science.

* Deter pets and other animals: cats, dogs, and other animals can't stand aluminum foil! Use it to break their bad habits.

* Make metals shine: Scrub rust off of steel and chrome with a wad of aluminum foil, it works even better than steel wool!

* Shim a table leg: Ball up some old foil for under the short leg of an uneven table to make it a level field once again.

* Scrub grills and baked-on messes: A wad of used foil makes a great scouring pad for cleaning the gunk off BBQ grills and stuck-on food from pots, pans, and inside ovens.

* Repair stripped threads: got a nut, bolt or screw with stripped threads? Wrap a little aluminum foil around the bolt or screw and try gently tightening it again. A quick temporary fix.


Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/save-money/aluminum-foil-recycled-460210#ixzz0lqNfATLx

Lisa Ryan, Owner
Smart Move Design
Professional Home Staging and Redesign
Serving Syracuse, NY and surrounding areas.

2010 Parade of Homes

Smart Move Design has been chosen as the design company to work with Sciuga Builders this year on their home in the 2010 Parade of Homes.

The Parade of Homes will take place September 11-26 at Mallard's landing in Manlius, NY. Eight distinguished Central New York builders, representing the latest in design, decorating, construction and energy-saving techniques are participating in the 2010 Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is open to the public and usually sees 20,000 or more come through to view the homes during the 16 day event.

Sciuga Builders are three generations of artisans working together to create the finest in custom homes today. The home featured in this year's parade is a Craftsman Style Home. We look forward to working with Sciuga Builders to create a showcase home at this event. More info to come in future weeks!

Lisa Ryan, Owner
Smart Move Design
Professional Home Staging and Redesign
Serving Syracuse, NY and surrounding areas.

First Impressions Count!

The first step in our staging philosophy is first impressions.

What is the first impression when someone pulls up to your home?

Is the yard picked up, fresh paint on the house and/or front door, no debris in the yard? This determines if buyers will get out of the car or continue on by.

What is the first impression when you step into the home?

Is it cluttered? Do you have outdated lighting such as gold or brass fixtures? Are there backpacks and sneakers and a catch-all clutter place front and center? People form an impression in 15 seconds. Make sure it's a good one.

What is the first impression as you go into each room? Turn a corner? Open a door? When we stage we look at ALL rooms to ensure the first impression is a great one and the home flows well.

Lisa Ryan, Owner
Smart Move Design
Professional Home Staging and Redesign
Serving Syracuse, NY and surrounding areas

Home Staging Philosphy

I attended a lecture this past Thursday given by author and architect, Sarah Susanka, on The Not So Big House. I love her thoughts on what makes a place feel like home.

As an HSR certified home stager we use an 8 step philosophy to stage homes called "Feel Home". During the lecture I could find many correlations between the way we stage a home and the way she designs.

When Sarah designs a home she designs with these attributes:

Beauty and Balance

Harmony

Home as Sanctuary

Sustainability

Well Being

Details Make it Personal

Each week I will post one of the eight "Feel Home" steps we use when staging homes. First step will be on Monday.

To learn more about Sarah Susanka and The Not So Big Home click here

I'll Huff and I'll Puff and I'll Blow Your House Down (not)

Photos: Brett Weinstein/Realty Advocates

Why would someone build a house out of straw? Because if you are eco concious and looking for a sustainable product, straw is undeniably green! Packed tightly, straw in the walls helps to retain heat, keeping a home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and minimizes the home's carbon footprint. Straw is also a sustainable material; it is the leftover stalks from grain that would otherwise be burnt. Aside from the environmental issue, if looking at the home above is any indication, straw homes can also be beautiful structures. It is a perfect reflection of the owner's respect and care for the environment. What a cozy and unique home this would be to stage or decorate!

Lisa Ryan owns Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company servicing Syracuse NY and the surrounding areas.

To flip or not to flip

As a home stager I work with several home "flippers" to stage their homes prior to going on the market. And with a great success rate. Hoping to flip a home myself one day, I've been compiling info on flipping. Here are a few general rules of thumb if you are thinking about entering into this business venture.

1. Have a Plan
Flipping is a business and requires a business plan. Do your research - research materials needed, housing market comparables, budget and carrying costs, and create a time line to stay on track.

2. Pick the right house in a familiar neighborhood.
Know your neighborhood, then don't buy the biggest house on the block. Start small - a little fixer upper that needs mostly cosmetic changes is a good beginner flip.
3. Get an inspection.
Do not overlook this step. An inspection will cover all major aspects of the home (plumbing, electrical, foundation). Not getting an inspection can be a budget breaker in the long run.
4. Find a good contractor.
A good contractor is gold in your pocket Get referrals, see the work the contractor has done, and then check references. A good contractor also knows what permits are needed. Not having the right permit can hold up work and cost you money.
5. Do what you can yourself.
Painting, swapping out light fixtures, new hardware in the bathroom , landscaping-these are areas where you may be able to do the work yourself and save some money.
6. Over estimate costs
Figure out your budget then add 10-20% on to it. This will help you deal with any surprises that may come up during your flip.
7. Hire a good realtor.
Find one that knows the area and is experienced. A good realtor will help sell your home faster. For a "flip" you want to do just that, sell fast. Which leads us to number 8.
8. Understand the value of home staging.
Home Staging is putting the icing on the cake. Home stagers pay attention to detail and create a warm and welcoming appeal for your buyers. They can help with paint color, interior finishes, and give creative suggestions for space. They bring in the right furniture and accessories for the home style. The bottom line? Staged homes sell faster and for more money.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company serving Central New York (syracuse, camillus, liverpool, fayetteville, and all other surrounding areas

Home Staging Question of the Week

This week's question comes from M.A. in San Diego, CA.

What is the best color to paint your front door to invite in more buyers?


traditional entry design by new york architect Kevin Quinlan Architect LLC


modern entry design by san francisco architect Feldman Architecture, Inc.

Take your lead from the landscape outside your front door. Bushes, trees, colorful flowers, brick, stone, and other natural materials can provide some great color options. You can coordinate with roof, trim, or shutter color as well. Take a look at your neighboring homes. Choose colors that set your house apart, without clashing with nearby buildings. Blend in, stand out, but don't clash!
Great curb appeal makes buyers take notice and gets them inside the front door.

Here are a few colors I personally like:

Benjamin Moore Moroccan Red 1309 is a great color especially if you have a south facing door. In feng shui a south facing red door welcomes in strong, yang energy.

Benjamin Moore Goldrush 2166-10 is a gorgeous pumpkin color. It is warm and welcoming and looks outstanding with many home colors.

Sherwin Williams Black Emerald 2936 is a green so dark it looks almost black. It is sophisticated and rich looking.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company serving Central New York (syracuse, camillus, liverpool, fayetteville, and all other surrounding areas

Green Tip of the Week

Olive oil, not Popeye's goil, and not just for cooking and eating either.

Here are some surprising household uses for olive oil

Polish Furniture and Metal (and Condition Leather)
Silverware, copper and other metal items can be polished with ketchup or toothpaste. After you're done, rub a bit of olive oil on to prevent streaks, corrosion and tarnish.

To polish wood, use two parts olive oil mixed with one part lemon juice. Pour just a few drops on a soft cloth, wipe away the dust, scuffs and fingerprints, and make wood shine.

You can also condition and revitalize leather goods by rubbing in olive oil. Let set for 30 minutes, then wipe away any excess.

Fix Squeaky Doors
Olive oil can actually be used as a lubricant in many applications. It's safe to keep around the house, so you don’t have to worry about children or pets getting into it. Try it out on squeaky doors, hinges and any where else you might consider using WD-40 or another lubricant. While WD-40 may work well, it's also based on hydrocarbons, so any time we can use less of those we're taking a step toward a cleaner world

and olive oil for home staging? try a grouping of decorative bottles on the kitchen counter, behind glass cabinets, or on a shelf. Useful but oh so pretty too.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/olive-oil-benefits-uses-460609?click=main_sr#ixzz0fw8BNBCd

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company serving Central New York (syracuse, camillus, liverpool, fayetteville, and all other surrounding areas)

Staged and Sold in One Day.

The scenario: on the market for five months with very little traffic and no offers

The problem: faux paint and stenciling throughout gave the home a dated look. No furniture kept potential buyers focusing on negative details.

The solution: bring in neutral paint color and beautiful furnishings to accentuate the home's positive aspects.

The result: First buyer in the door after staging made an offer and the home has sold.

Smart Move Design is a home staging and redesign company located near Syracuse, NY. We serve central and northern ny.