Smart Move Design Home Staging and Redesign

Why you should stage your home

2011-11-18T09:28:00.015-05:00

I was recently a guest blogger at Your CNY Home Blog, an informative real estate blog produced by The Pei Lin Team in Syracuse, NY.

I have had the pleasure of working with The Pei Lin Team for several years and have seen first hand the lengths they go to provide top notch service. They know what it takes to get homes in and out of the market quickly and they know the value of home staging.

Check out their very insightful blog and my article on Why You Should Stage Your Home.

Decorated Stair Risers

2011-11-15T10:05:00.007-05:00

I wanted a new look for the stair risers at my Smart Move Design office but didn't want to paint. This was done in an hour using wrapping paper. (I found the paper at Hobby Lobby and it had a nice one inch grid on the back for easy cutting). I cut the paper to size, painted modge podge on the risers, placed the paper on the risers and smoothed it out, then trimmed with an exacto knife.

Cheryl Tiegs visits the Syracuse Parade of Homes

2011-09-10T17:14:00.003-04:00

Cheryl Tiegs, spokeswoman for Cambria Stone Products stopped by the Sciuga Home in the Syracuse Parade of Homes today.

The Sciuga Home has Cambria products for the kitchen counter and island, bathroom vanities, laundry room, fireplace and even the master shower walls. The home is gorgeous!

The Parade of Homes runs Sept 10 through Sept 25 and is located across from Wegmans on Taft Road in Liverpool.

This is the 2nd year Lisa Ryan has worked as the designer and decorator for the Sciuga Home.

Adding Luxury to Your Home

2011-05-14T06:45:00.006-04:00

One of the easiest ways to add luxury to your home is through custom, decorative paint treatments. Sponge painting? Très 1990. Want murals in your kids’ rooms, entry hall inspiration to greet your guests? Maybe harlequin diamonds or a chair rail? Whatever it may be, decorative paint treatments are a simple and chic method for upping the luxury in your home life.

Last year we had the pleasure of working with Sarah Moribito of Sarah Harris Designs in the 2010 Parade of Homes. This year she will be working with us once again and bringing her talents to the Sciuga and Pigliavento homes in the 2011 Parade of Homes. Give her a call to bring her talents to your home.

Redesign Complete

2011-03-18T09:24:00.014-04:00

These before and after pictures are from a recent redesign in Syracuse, NY.
Scope of this project: window treatments, area rugs, some furniture pieces, art, accessories, and putting it all together.

Parade of Homes 2011

2011-02-07T15:02:00.004-05:00

Smart Move Design will be the designer for 2 homes in the Parade of Homes this year. We will be representing Sciuga Builders and Pigliavento Builders. The Parade of Homes will be held in Liverpool, NY in September 2011 with 10 builders participating in the event.

Green Tip(s) of the Weeks

2011-01-12T11:51:00.004-05:00

Going Green - 5 Easy First Steps to Going Green - The Daily Green

www.thedailygreen.com

To get started going green, check out these 5 easy first steps. Bring your own bag, turn off the lights, keep your car tires inflated to the right pressure, shop at farmers' markets and skip bottled water.

Reclaimed wood wall

2010-07-28T07:48:00.003-04:00

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!

2010-07-27T13:40:00.005-04:00

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

2010-07-24T10:14:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-22T13:07:00.009-04:00

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

2010-07-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-12T07:47:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-08T13:59:00.002-04:00

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

2010-05-01T11:37:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-22T10:57:00.006-04:00

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!

2010-03-14T20:38:00.008-04:00

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

2010-03-13T07:53:00.009-05:00

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)

2010-02-25T15:09:00.009-05:00

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

2010-02-22T08:23:00.013-05:00

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

2010-02-19T11:41:00.001-05:00

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

2010-02-18T19:14:00.010-05:00

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.

2010-02-06T10:09:00.012-05:00

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.

House Highlight

2009-12-02T09:11:00.020-05:00

This beautiful center hall transitional is located in Brittany Hills, a private neighborhood on Onondaga Hill. The eat in kitchen steps down to the open family room with fireplace. The first floor has formal living, dining, and a study. The second floor has a master suite and 3 additional bedrooms. The back yard is wooded and during open house we spotted two fawns.

Staging highlight for this home - we chose minimal furnishings to show off the home's best features (large windows, wainscoting, open floor plan) while adding accessories to give it warmth. If a home is overcrowded with furnishings, the beauty of the home can get lost.

Click here for more info on the home or to contact the real estate agent.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Green Tip

2009-11-20T09:08:00.013-05:00

Tis the season for holiday lighting!

Try switching your holiday lights to LEDs this season.

Check out the benefits of using light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs for short)

LED bulbs use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

If you switch over to LED holiday lights, you'll save an average of $50 over the holiday season on your energy bills.

LEDs last about 6 times as long as CFLs and 60 times as long as old-school incandescent bulbs, so you have to change them less often.

They're less likely to cause fires (as much as 90% of the energy consumed by incandescent lights is given off as heat).

Unlike CFLs, LEDs contain no mercury.

Information provided by Ideal Bite

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas

Question of the week

2009-11-13T09:46:00.010-05:00

This week's question comes from V.S. in Liverpool, NY.

Any ideas for storing a sewing machine so it's accessible but not intrusive? All we have is the machine - no table yet.

An armoire would be a nice option. Install a pullout shelf to put the sewing machine on and bring in a comfy side chair.

Another option - keep it on a rolling cart or table in the corner of a room. Hide it behind a decorative screen that can be moved when you want to access your sewing corner or pull out the cart.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas

House Highlight

2009-11-09T18:15:00.001-05:00

Our house highlight for this week is a gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Broadfield Road in Manlius, NY. New construction with one floor living, beautiful hardwoods, stone fireplace, and open floor plan. See here for additional real estate info on this home or to contact the agent.

Staging highlight for this home - we created a restful atmosphere using a palette of browns, blues, and taupes. With an open floor plan, keeping the same color scheme throughout provides a cohesive flow.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

The New and Improved Tax Credit

2009-11-06T09:47:00.003-05:00

Good news - The extension to the home buyer tax credit has been approved. Yesterday, the Senate voted 98-0 in favor of the tax credit extension. It is up to the President now to put his signature on the bill for approval. The tax credit is $8000.00 for first time home owners and has been extended to June 30, 2010. Purchase offers must be in by April 30 with a closing date of no later than June 30.

Better news - The new bill has been expanded to include existing home owners. Those who have owned a home for at least 5 years can receive a tax credit of up to $6,500 when they purchase their next home. There are income limitations of $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for joint filers. The maximum purchase price of a home is $800,000 and vacation homes do not qualify. The same date deadlines above will apply.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Green Tip

2009-11-05T18:11:00.002-05:00

Looking for a way to warm up your toes this winter and keep them eco-friendly at the same time?

Consider rugs that are made with natural fibers (cotton, hemp, jute, and wool), are formaldehyde-free, and then lay them down on grip pads that are not made with carcinogen PVC.

The following are some nice green alternatives.

Prairie Rugs at Target

Felt Rugs at Peace Industry

Jute Rugs at West Elm

Cotton Chenille Rugs at Amazon.com

Information provided by Ideal Bite

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Question of the Week

2009-11-04T07:34:00.001-05:00

This week's question comes from J.R. in Buffalo, NY

What paint should I use in my shower to keep mildew away?

Sherwin William's Bath Paint and Benjamin Moore's Kitchen and Bath Paint are both excellent.
The absolute best mildew resistant paint is Zinsser's Perma-White. It has a 5 year mold and mildew proof guarantee. The only drawback is, it's only tintable to off-whites or pastels.

Besides mildew proof paint, there are other things you can do to keep mildew under control.

Turn on the bathroom fan.

Fans will help pull moisture from the air, preventing the growth of mildew. If your bathroom doesn't have a fan, use a dehumidifier, air conditioner, or open a bathroom window. In the winter, turn on the heat. Heat will help dry the bathroom faster and remove excess moisture from the air.

Turn on the lights

Turn on lighting before, during and after a shower or hot bath. Mildew doesn't grow in well-lit areas. Leave lights on an extra fifteen minutes after showering.

Clean

Mildew feeds on body oils and soap scum trapped on painted surfaces, grout, shower doors, curtains, and tiling. Scrub bathroom shower walls and doors with a solution of bleach and water (1 cup chlorine bleach to 5 cups hot water). Bleach kills bacterias like molds and mildews. You can use regular household bleach or cleaners containing bleach. Wash the shower curtain regularly in hot water, adding a cup of bleach to the water.

Keep the area dry

Wipe down the shower and bath area after bathing to help remove moisture. Use a squeegee or sponge. Wet towels and washcloths are also hot spots for mildew growth. Hang towels, clothing and anything that can collect moisture.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

House Highlight

2009-11-02T07:34:00.002-05:00

Our house highlight for this week is a beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch located in Fayetteville, NY. It is listed for $174, 900. This home boasts hardwood floors, a newly renovated kitchen with breakfast bar, updated baths, a wood burning fireplace and 2 new exterior decks. See here for additional real estate info on this home or to contact the agent.

Staging highlight for this home - we defined spaces with area rugs and furniture while maintaining the open feel of the home.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Green Tip

2009-10-29T06:46:00.009-04:00

When it comes time to move to your new abode consider hiring the services of Green Movers.

Many green movers offer reusable boxes, offset their emissions by planting trees and run their trucks with cleaner biodiesel (instead of regular diesel).

Check out Green Movers USA, they rate their affiliate movers so you can see exactly how eco friendly each one is.

Information provided by Ideal Bite

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Staging a Vacant Home Makes a Difference

2009-05-09T08:00:00.002-04:00

This was a vacant staging job we did for an article in our local paper. The article came out on the cover of today's Home and Garden section in the Post Standard (May 9). You can read the online article here (sans photos).

What the article didn't say: We had 3 days to find a vacant home, pull the furniture and accessories together, then stage the home. On staging day, the "before" photo shoot was at 10:30 a.m., the "after" photo shoot was at 3:15 p.m. leaving us less than 5 hours to stage a vacant 1500 sf, 4 bedroom home from top to bottom! A downpour during the move, airbeds that wouldn't stay up, last minute paint fixes, a few minor repairs, all the while neighbors, realtors, and clients decided to come through unexpectedly to look at the home made for a crazy (but exciting) day.

This home was on the market for 30 days prior to staging. The seller received an offer within a week of staging and the home is sold!

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Transformation - Plum Court Condo in Franklin Square

2009-05-05T06:44:00.014-04:00

Our staging inspiration - we kept a contemporary look using clean lines in cream and black. We drew in red from the exposed brick and green from the stained glasss light in the kitchen area (as well as the outdoor courtyard). We carried the colors throughout the first floor. Upstairs we had the blue/gray carpet to draw from.

The asking price on this condo is $299,900. It is a first floor condo in Plum Court. Open floor plan, 1st floor location with private courtyard, high ceilings, gas stove, hardwood floors, marble, exposed brick, 1st floor laundry, pantry, 2 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

Plum Court is located in a renovated warehouse in Franklin Square, Syracuse, NY.

Email for additional info on home staging or realtor contact info.

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Looking to buy your first home this year?

2009-02-25T07:41:00.005-05:00

If you're a first time home buyer, you'll get a significant tax credit for signing a mortgage this year. The new stimulus bill will give you a refund for 10% (up to $8,000) of the total amount paid for your new house. Just don't sign a subprime mortgage.

What's Your Style?

2009-02-24T12:19:00.011-05:00

I am Cottage Chic.

Shabby, yet stylish. Cozy and comfortable with muted shades taken straight from a flower garden.

Shabby Chic and Cottage work in my home.

What's your style? Follow the link below and click on "restart quiz". The site may prompt you to sign up for a free account at HGTV, so go ahead, sign up. Then click the link below again and find out what your decorating style is.

What's your style?

Reclaimed Timber Wall

2009-02-23T07:59:00.008-05:00

I have been inspired in the last few weeks to take a closer look at eco friendly products and materials.

We are re-doing our camp in the 1000 islands and found this cool wall at Livingetc. It is made out of reclaimed timber.

I could see doing one wall like this. What a great focal point it would make!

Staging Fixes

2009-02-17T09:39:00.011-05:00

Problem: large outdated furniture, wall print too small for the space, no coversation area, awkward flow

Fix: Rearrange furniture to create better conversation area and flow, replace small print with large print, separate furniture, add pillows and throw to distract from outdated furniture.

Problem: Bookshelves look messy, broken ottoman stored under shelf, bar and kitchen area is lost behind clutter

Fix: pack away half the toys, remove ottoman and organize bookshelves, clear bar to show the potential of kitchen area

Problem: furniture and packed boxes stored here for moving. Area shows messy and with no purpose.

Fix: Packed boxes moved to an outside rented storage unit. Oversized and outdated kitchen set was moved downstairs to give this space purpose and free up space in the kitchen. Stereo was removed from the over crowded living room and moved down to the family room.

Home Staging Tip

2009-01-28T15:08:00.005-05:00

Here are some handy dandy household uses for dryer sheets. Some would be quite helpful for quick clean ups when showing your home.

1. Freshen smelly shoes. Insert a dryer sheet into the offending pair and let sit overnight.
2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Wipe the surface with a sheet.
3. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the spot where Fluffy left her fur.
4. Replace a sachet. Keep a dresser drawer smelling fresh and clean by placing a dryer sheet on the bottom of it.
5. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a fresh sheet in the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm tap water, and let sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.
6. Tackle suitcase and gym-bag odors. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag so your clean clothes won’t take on the odors of the dirty ones.
7. Prevent old books from smelling musty when in storage.Stick a dryer sheet between the pages of your beloved copy of Pride and Prejudice.
8. Wipe up sawdust after working in the garage. Rub a dryer sheet over the fine wood particles.
9. Prevent thread from tangling when sewing. Run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin your handiwork.
10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds, then wipe up and down with a dryer sheet.

credit: www.realsimple.com

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Staging and Redesign Tip of the Week

2008-10-28T08:01:00.006-04:00

Choose a focal point

Try to give each room a focal point, whether it's a fireplace, a window with a great view, the television, a bed, etc. Determine what your focal point is and then rearrange furniture to bring attention to it. A focal point will make the room look more unified.

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Bring the outdoors in

2008-10-18T10:17:00.011-04:00

Now is the perfect time to bring some nature into your home and add a little "wow"

Cattails make a dramatic display - Cut them down to place in a vase on your mantle or table.

Leave them long and put them in a large vase in a corner of the room.

Add some of those feathery reeds you see along the side of the road.

You can also turn your bed at an angle in a corner of the bedroom and place your display in the corner behind it. Don't forget to coat the cattails with hairspray so they don't explode!

For another look - pick up some dead tree branches and spray paint them. Put them in a vase, alone or in an arrangement. Black is dramatic, but don't stop with black - experiment with different colors and coordinate with a set of dishes, a decorative pillow, a throw, etc.

Pinecones are plentiful now and look great in a bowl as a centerpiece. Add some acorns and nuts. Use individual pine cones as place card holders at your next holiday dinner.

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Home Staging Tip of the Week

2008-10-15T10:45:00.004-04:00

When getting your home ready to sell, giving your rooms a fresh coat of paint has a big payoff. HomeGain surveyed 2000 Realtors and statistics show the return on investment for painting interior walls is 150%.

Pick a neutral color palette - this does not have to mean white or beige! Try Benjamin Moore's Adam Gold, Celery Salt and Richmond Gray. Or Sherwin Williams' Divine White, Softened Green and Humble Gold.

Flat and eggshell paint tends to work best when selling -it hides imperfections and dries to a smooth finish.

Adventures in color

2008-09-07T14:17:00.005-04:00

Is choosing paint color your worst nightmare? For many homeowners it is.

Amy Wax, author of Can't Fail Color Schemes, says color combinations you feel most comfortable with will make up your unique signature palette.

Take a cue from nature and your surroundings. Collect items with the colors you love and you will begin to see a pattern. Think about the mood you are trying to project in each room.

Calm and serene? try shades of blues and greens. These are calm, cooling and relaxing.

Optimistic and happy? Yellow is the color for you -and it can stimulate conversation and memory.

Passionate, energetic and stimulating? Red and orange colors are great for eating, socializing, and feeling confident!

There is a wealth of information in books and on the internet to help you nail down the colors that will work for you and your home. But if you are not a do-it-yourself type of person - hire a redesigner, color consultant or interior designer - they can help.

True Value has a fun color quiz for you to take to get you started - click on the link and it will bring you to the quiz. Color Quiz

Lisa Ryan is the owner of Smart Move Design, a Home Staging and Redesign company serving Central and Northern NY.

What you see (and smell) is what you get

2008-08-04T11:18:00.013-04:00

(photo from hgtv.com)

At least that's what most buyers think when viewing a home for the first time.

That's why, when selling, making your home neutral is so important.

If your home has distracting colors, strong decorating elements, or noticible odors (food, pets, tobacco, etc) then a buyer will have a hard time visualizing their things in your house.

So neutralize the bold wallpaper, paint colors, & carpet.

Take down those political, religious, personal "statements" & family photo groupings.

Put away the cat litter box, refrain from cooking with garlic, onion or curry before a showing, and smoke outside.

Make your home the kind of home that ALL buyers walking through the door will see themselves living there.

Lisa Ryan owns Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Home Staging Tip of the Week

2008-06-30T11:30:00.005-04:00

Let the sun shine in.

Buyers love light and airy living rooms. Open up your window shades to let some light in. Cheat some sunshine with a light-colored paint and lots of artificial lighting. You can never have too many lamps. Uplights are an inexpensive way to add lighting behind furniture and plants. Last, arrange the space with lightly colored furniture, and you'll have a living room that brightens your chances of a sale.

A recent vacant staging lighting dilemma -

This charming room had nice big windows in the front and these two side windows shown in the picture. Unfortunately, the three large front windows opened to an enclosed porch which darkened the room. It also had no ceiling light.

Light paint, light furniture, and 3 floor lamps placed in a triangular pattern helped give this room a nice glow, especially in the evening.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Let's barter!

2008-06-16T07:56:00.005-04:00

Barter: To trade goods or services without the exchange of money.

I've always been a trader at heart. From trading marbles and rocks, barbie doll clothes to books, the love for trading hasn't changed since I grew up. My most recent "trade" is for salon services.

I am redesigning a small salon space in return for pedicure and manicure services. What fun! Not only do we both get to do what we love, she gets a new look to her space and I get some lovely guilt free nails and toes.

While bartering can't happen all the time as there are bills to pay, I definitely will barter when I can. Hmm, wonder if they would take staging services for my car payment this month?

Do you barter?

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

TIps to beat that summer heat.

2008-06-08T18:36:00.004-04:00

This weekend in Central New York temperatures hit the 90's.

A/C is great for staying cool and so is a pool, but here a few alternative suggestions to beat the heat in your home and maybe even save some $$.

Change up your wall color this season. Cool colors will make your home feel cooler. White, gray, light green and light blue on the walls reflect the light away and won't retain heat.

Pair your wall color with white for an extra cool, summery look - white trim, soft white muslin drapes, and white accent pieces will give the room a breezy cottage feel.

Remove heavy rugs and throws and opt for lighter materials. Bamboo rugs are a great natural element to bring in (and they are inexpensive too).

Pull in a few accent colors from your garden - orange and yellow are especially vibrant against cool colors.

Turn on that ceiling fan - ceiling fans help keep you cool while using less energy than a 100 watt bulb.

If you do use A/C, make sure you keep your A/C unit in a shady spot - direct sunlight on the unit decreases efficiency. No shade? Plant trees or bushes around it to make shade.

And finally, switch from cotten sheets to linen on your bed. Linen will keep you cooler as it has better wicking properties.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Tip of the Week

2008-06-01T06:15:00.005-04:00

One of the hardest parts of getting your home ready to sell is de-personalizing it. In order to make it appeal to more buyers, you'll need to remove your family photos, all personal belongings and yes, even your collectibles. If a buyer feels they are "visiting" your home by seeing the family photos, collectibles and decor, then they can't picture themselves living there.

So when you are getting ready to sell, don't get overly attached to your things “We buy all our furnishings and accessories because we love them. We have a tendency to think everyone else loves them, too, and that’s just not true,” says Barbara Jennings, author of several home-staging guides. Look at your furnishings with a critical eye and remove anything that doesn’t complement each room’s best features.

Don't forget your belongings will move with you for a treasured place in your new home, so pack them away now.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

One Minute Organization Tip

2008-05-23T10:16:00.006-04:00

For remote controls and small “cluttery” items, store in a decorative basket or tin on a shelf or table where you will only see the container. It's an easy way to do a quick pick up and you can do the same in all rooms.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Tip of the Week

2008-05-22T11:52:00.007-04:00

When staging a home I often have to move furniture to create better flow in the room.

Several times, in a carpeted room, I've been left with deep carpet indentations made from heavy furniture legs. I learned about this quick fix from a realtor I work with, and it is a great quick fix.

Place one ice cube in each indentation in the carpet left by the legs of whatever piece of furniture you've moved. Simply leave the ice cubes there, and as they melt and the water is absorbed by the carpet, the indentations vanish. The water evaporates and the carpet looks like it should. Any leftover trouble spots? Use the tines of a fork to gently fluff plush carpet fibers back to their original height

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Before and After Pics

2008-05-14T06:31:00.016-04:00

Everyone always loves to see before and after pics.
Here are a few from a recent staging.
This was an older vacant home and it wasn't showing well.
When there is no furniture in a room, potential buyers' eyes are drawn immediately to any imperfections in the room. Furniture shows you the room's possibilities.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

update - Purchase offer put in by the first couple who walked through the door - sold in one day!

Let's talk Curb Appeal

2008-05-06T08:36:00.005-04:00

There are three things that will bring buyers into a home.

1. A good realtor.
2. Good photos of the home on the internet.
3. Great curb appeal.

It's the spring season - the grass is growing and flowers are blooming, so let's talk curb appeal.

Great curb appeal is what gets buyers out of their car and into the home. Without curb appeal, potential buyers will think twice about getting out of the car and some will just keep on driving. Here are the "must do's" for curb appeal.

Mow the lawn and get rid of weeds.
Edge sidewalks and remove grass or weeds growing between the walkway spaces.
Remove trash, debris, garden tools, toys - in other words, declutter the yard.
Clean the windows
Clean the gutters.
Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home's roof.
Give the front door a fresh coat of paint. Think color.
Plant or place flowers. Give the home a splash of color with hanging baskets, pots, and window boxes of flowers.
Replace or add a new welcome mat.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Staging a vacant home.

2008-04-28T16:52:00.002-04:00

Everyone knows vacant homes don't sell well.
Here are just a few thoughts potential buyers can have when they walk into a vacant home:

What is this room for?
Wonder if my furniture will fit?
Oh, it's vacant they must need to sell so will probably take less money.
Why is it vacant? What's wrong with it?

Only 10% of potential buyers can visulize the potential of a vacant home.

So in answer to that problem, some owners or realtors think "we''ll just rent some furniture and that will take care of the problem"

But filling space doesn't make a cold and sterile environment less cold and sterile. It's the warmth of a room and the emotional connection points that make buyers think "ahh, I could live here"

Here is a visual example:

vacant

with rental furniture

fully staged

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Fees are Tax Deductible

2008-04-25T05:23:00.001-04:00

Tax tip: Home staging fees are deductible expenses

In today’s market, real estate professionals will be even more competitive in their approaches to attracting buyers. The home staging business is quickly becoming a popular tool used for making one’s home more appealing.

Part of the real estate professional’s job is to suggest ways to improve the likelihood of quicker turnover of their inventory. A professional home stager provides a service designed to sell your home.

From this perspective, if you hire the stager directly, then they are performing a service with the specific purpose of selling your home. Therefore, yes, the cost and expenses incurred for hiring this professional would be considered deductible when selling your home and may be netted against any gain on the sale, along with commissions paid to the Realtor and legal fees.
Specifically, home staging would be considered “advertising fees” and would fall under the allowable selling expenses.

Second, you may be able to negotiate with your Realtor and add the expense to the commission paid for selling the house. Either way, the same result is accomplished, and the services provided will be considered deductible.

That said, if the home stager recommends the entire interior needs a fresh coat of paint, these selling expenses are not allowable deductions.

Bottom line: Paying for the home stager’s services is deductible, while expenses for repairs, maintenance or permanent redecorating of the house are not.

Link to article: http://www.kansascity.com/business/v-print/story/551615.html

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Stage Your Home.

2008-04-07T10:12:00.000-04:00

1. You will make more money.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will sell, on average, 17% higher than an un-staged home.

2. Your home will sell faster which = less headaches and hassle.

The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a staged home.

3. The cost of Staging doesn't cost a dime.

In a 2003 Home Gain Survey of over 2000 Realtors, it was discovered that sellers who spent up to $1000 staging their home recovered almost 200% of the cost of the sale of their house.

4. Home sellers cannot view their house objectively, thus stage effectively.

Our homes are like our children, we don’t always see all of its flaws. We’ve gotten used to the way it looks and in fact it is difficult emotionally to change it.

5. Less guesswork and "do it yourself".

A professional home stager can manage your projects from start to finish. Or, they can give you a detailed enough report based on their extensive knowledge and training to have you "do it yourself".

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Tip 2

2008-04-04T11:10:00.000-04:00

No this is not a paid ad for Spot Shot carpet cleaner.

But I am highly recommending it.

Clean or new carpets are a must when selling your home. If your carpets are still fairly new (under 5 years) or still in good condition, chances are you won't need to replace them. For carpets that have a few spots on them, I picked this up at our local Sam's Club and tried it on our carpet here at home. and guess what? Presto - no more spots!

The cost was $7.99 for 4 bottles. Sure beats the price of a professional carpet cleaner.

But if the spots are too many to tackle, go for the professional carpet cleaner.

And if having the carpet professionally cleaned isn't going to help your current carpet, spend the money and replace with an inexpensive, neutral carpeting. You'll see a 40% profit on your investment.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.

Home Staging Tip 1

2008-04-03T12:52:00.000-04:00

but not when you're selling your home!

One of the first recommendations Professional Home Stagers and Realtors give their clients is to "declutter, declutter, declutter!" Less is definitely more when showing your home.

And this usually works well prior to your first open house, but what happens during the selling process when you have to live in the home and work around kids, pets, work schedules, etc?

We give our Home Staging clients a handout on how how to stay decluttered and stress free during the selling process. The handout provides suggestions that are simple and easy to maintain and helps deter frustration during the selling process.

Here are a few tips from the handout:

If bathroom storage space is minimal, give each family member a portable shower caddy for transporting toiletries from bedroom to bathroom and back.

Place under-the-bed storage containers in each bedroom for quick pick ups. Slide em out, fill em up, slide em back.

Solve the problem of what to do with bathrobes and wet towels with an over-the-door peg rack.

Do a 5 minute pick up every night before bed. Assign family members to each room. Hand little ones a pillowcase so they can help with nightly clutter rounds.

Smart Move Design is a Home Staging and Redesign company located near Syracuse, NY and serves the Central and Northern New York areas.