OFFICES CAN BE COZY TOO!

When it comes to cozying up the spaces where we live, don't forget that an office is an important place to bring in some warmth through decorating.  We have had a great time during the month of January redesigning some office spaces at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall, Texas.  Through the use of color and decorative items throughout the design that flow well together, an office can become a warm and relaxing place to wait for an appointment.

THE OFFICE AREA BEFORE WE GOT STARTED...

Great floors and large windows will be a great starting point

This wall will be our main focal wall

With the addition of new faux wood blinds in a warm tone to bring out the color of the floor, as well as a large, colorful art piece on the main wall our goal was to bring color and warmth to the room.  Two large lamps bring the ambient lighting that every office needs to make it more cozy and inviting.  The addition of two new end tables on both sides of the painting, as well as a coffee table in the center of the sitting area anchor the room and give a more homey feel to the space.

The art work throughout the project is full of soft and soothing colors to help create a quiet and warm space and bring a sense of calm to the office waiting area

We chose a bright and colorful rug that plays off the colors in the large art print to add visual interest and give a sense of flow and continuity throughout the design

A peak through the windows as guests arrive at the newly designed office waiting area

Ahhh...much more inviting.  :)

Another very small office space needed a few colorful items to spruce it up, as well.

With the addition of a large, colorful landscape scene and a large mirror, the very tiny space now has a warmer look.  A large vase filled with pussy willows, sticks and dried flowers that compliment the colors in the art print anchors the corner of the room

We loved the color in this framed art piece.
Added to the patient hallway area, the colors in the print flow with the art in the waiting area.

Whether large or small, an office area is a place that needs to feel warm and inviting.
Whether it's waiting for a doctor's appointment or for an appointment with another professional, 
having a space where we feel comfortable and relaxed just helps make our wait much more pleasant,
don't you agree? :)

We would love to help you redesign your office space, home office or any room in your home.

Give us a call and let's cozy up that space

! 

903.746.7535 or 903.918.8023

info@thecozyperch.com

A LITTLE SILVER GOES A LONG WAY

Recently, we had the fun job of working with Mary Peeler of Longview, Texas to help liven up her living area, dining room and kitchen.  With the addition of colorful curtains and pillows in the living area, and bringing our client's silver collection to center stage in her dining area, the rooms are now more lively and take on a fresh and warm look just in time for cozy fireside chats and evenings gathered around the dining table enjoying good company and homemade soups.  This redesign is a reminder that many times it just takes a few little additions to your existing look (and not having to spend a lot of money) to create new interest and update your home with color and style--all just in time to celebrate the joys of autumn!

The living area before the addition of pillows and curtains

Mary added a beautiful sofa table and fall accessories under her family portrait for added warmth on this large wall

The lined curtains came from Pier One & the pillows from TJMaxx
Mary's boxer loves the new look!

MARY'S DINING ROOM HAS GREAT BUILT-IN SHELVING AND PAINTED PANELING.
With the addition of her great collection of her Grandmother's Blue Willow dinnerware
and gathered silver trays from estate sales and family,
the room takes on a dressier, vintage look.

Silver trays added to the paneling squares
and a new framed vintage-inspired art piece add warmth & visual interest

Displaying Mary's heirloom dishes now allows her
to enjoy them all the time.
A grass cloth shade is planned for the dining window in the future
to break up the cream in the shelves and to add contrast
and warmth to the window and to the overall look of the room

Decorating doesn't have to be a project that costs loads of money.  With just the addition of a few items purchased...and using the things in your home that are special to you in a new and fun way can make all the difference and give your home a warm and cozy look this fall. 

So, start gathering up your favorite pieces and let's make your home a cozier place to live!

Teresa Knight & Shelley Krupa

Designer/Consultants

903.746.7535

info@thecozyperch.com

www.thecozyperch.com

Because Everyone Needs a Cozy Place to Perch

Rich Jewel Tones Inspire this Bedroom Redesign

We recently had the fun job of helping to redesign a bedroom with a fresh look that incorporated a clean look, but also an eclectic style.  The colors chosen to work with were jewel toned with the color "Netsuke" by Sherwin Williams on the walls.  We think it turned out wonderfully...take a peak at the items gathered together before the design began:

A special art piece painted by a dear friend 

A new linen lamp to add a cozy ambiance

The main focal point of this room is the wall above the bed.  Gathering together a few of our client's favorite things, here is the end result...

  

The area above the dresser became a fun area to display a decorative mirror and other pieces in an eclectic mix.  An old metal tool kit is repurposed to hold jewelry and other collectibles

We love the way the wall above the bed reflects in the vintage-style mirror.
An old rake now holds favorite scarves.

An old vintage telephone cabinet is added to the wall to display a special book collection;

Aprons and other collectibles find a home on a vintage-style coat rack --

A cozy corner in the room offers up a quiet place to read or reflect.  The chandelier adds delicate ambiance to the area --

Vintage art pieces and a plate collection complete the redesigned look in the bathroom. The colors in the shower curtain and the art and collectibles in this room mimic those of the adjoining bedroom for a room that flows and makes a statement throughout.

Thank you to the Orr family in Longview, Texas for allowing us to share these photos with you.  

If you are planning to redesign your bedroom, remember to pick a color theme, gather much-loved art and accessories and don't be afraid to step outside of the box when hanging things on the wall.  It's the fun and the whimsical that makes a room special.  

If you need help redesigning a room in your home, give us a call at 903.746.7535, or visit our website at thecozyperch.com.  We would love to help make your home a cozier place!

Because Everyone Needs a Cozy Place to Perch

Teresa Knight & Shelley Krupa

Designer Consultants

903.746.7535

info@thecozyperch.com

www.thecozyperch.com

ALL DRESSED UP AND READY TO SELL...

Let's face it--trying to sell a home in today's market is not an easy task.  The market is saturated with beautiful homes to buy, making it a buyer's market.  For the seller, however, it's not quite that simple.  With the housing market flooded with properties for sale, it's a much more competitive process than ever before.  Your house has to look it's best and stand out in the crowd if it's going to be noticed by buyers today.  

Aside from the usual things owners need to do to prepare their homes for the day the "For Sale" sign is placed in the front yard, there is one very important step that should be on the list of final things to do before you show your home to potential buyers.  After you have spruced up the yard, repaired those leaky faucets, cleaned out the closets, repainted and made those necessary home repairs to make your home look its best structurally, it's time to dress it up to look it's best.  In the real estate and designer business, this is called "home staging"and it's a very effective way to attract buyers and reduce the time your home is on the market.


WHAT EXACTLY IS HOME STAGING?
In a recent article by Elizabeth Weintraub entitled "Home Staging & Staging a House - What is Home Staging", she makes a few statements that we feel are right on target when describing what home staging is and why it's so important to consider when selling a home in today's market.


She describes it as "dressing a house for success."  

"It is about illusions.  It's how David Copperfield would sell a house.  It's beyond decorating and cleaning.  It's about perfecting the art of creating moods.  Staging makes your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all, it makes home buyers want to buy it." 

Weintraub goes on to say that "contrary to what you might think, it's about more than preparing the house for sale....it's about adding the small details:  the lipstick, mascara and, for simplicity, a stunning, single strand of Tahitian pearls." To read more of her comments on home staging, click here:  Home Staging & Staging a House


Statistics for 2011, reported by ASP Home Staging, show that "95.6% of staged homes sold on average in 37 days or less.  Non-staged homes were on the market an average of 212 days last year." 

With a chance to sell your home in a little over a month versus almost a year of showings without result, it seems that staging your home is worth the time and investment.  

If your home is vacant, home staging is an even greater necessity.  Dawna Johnson, an Accredited Staging Professional Master (ASP) says "the idea behind staging is to allow rooms to show themselves.  She adds, "if your home is vacant, it is soulless.  Without home staging, it will probably remain on the market for many months."

A STAGED HOME IN LONGVIEW, TX SELLS IN 4 DAYS....

We recently had the privilege of working with the McCrary family to help stage their home for sale.  Having recently built a brand new home, their former home now sat vacant.  When it was time to get it ready to sell, they set out to get the home spruced up.  They re-polished the wood floors, spruced up the landscaping, repainted and made minor repairs to get the home in tip top shape.  With all their preparation done, that's when we were called in to dress it up for sale.  Because the home no longer had furniture, the McCrary's realized the importance of creating an atmosphere that was warm and inviting and felt that staging the home was definitely the way to go.  

We are happy to celebrate with them that their home went on the market on a Friday afternoon and had a contract on the home on Tuesday.  On the market for five days, the cost paid to rent the furniture and stage their home proved to be a very effective tool in getting the quickest sale possible.

  

Here are a few pictures of the differences home staging made in presenting their home all dressed up and ready to sell...

  

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HOME STAGING MAKES A DIFFERENCE

With the addition of furniture rented from Lowell Holloway Furniture in Longview, as well as placing accessories and decorating the rooms for added warmth, the vacant home was transformed to allow potential buyers to see the potential for placing their own furniture and accessories in the home.  

Home staging could be the one thing that makes the difference between your home sitting for a long time on the market to one that stands out in the crowd and makes a quick sale.

If you are in the market to sell your home, or are planning to purchase a new home soon, give us a call today.  We can help get your home all dressed up and ready to make a great first impression--because in today's real estate market, the first impression is the most important.

Teresa Knight & Shelley Krupa

Designer/Consultants

903.345.5680

info@thecozyperch.com

www.thecozyperch.com

Home Staging & Staging a House