According to real estate experts, July and August are two of the best months of the year to buy a house since prices usually drop after the spring buying season.  If you are looking for a new home, maximize your good timing by following these tips!  Purchasing a home should be an exciting time, but visiting listing after listing gets overwhelming if you aren’t ready for the experience.

Image via: Pinterest

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Do your Homework for What Homebuyers are Looking for

Remember the days of research for school projects?  Put those skills back to use and do your homework.  If you are planning for a day of showings, arm yourself with the MLS listing for each one you plan to see, if possible.  In advance, have a list of needs, a list of wants, and a list of disadvantages.  You’ll be able to evaluate homes with a much more objective standard if you can compare each one against values you have already set.

Don’t just look for similar homes in your price range; know what different price points will buy.  That way you can spot a good deal the moment you notice some extra amenities that normally come with a higher price tag.

Think Like a Boy Scout

Be prepared!  This is by far the best way to minimize the stress of buying a home.  Don’t leave home without a camera (one with video capabilities is even better), notepad and pen, comfortable shoes, and snacks.  Yes, snacks.  You’ll be glad for the energy boost halfway through the hunt!

Image via: John Kraemer & Sons

Map the Hunt

You may know where each house is, but do you know how to look at them?  Walk through the house to get an idea of the layout and quickly determine if it’s a contender.  If it is, go through each room methodically, checking the same things in each one: fixtures, wall and flooring quality, amenities, etc.  Take photos, or bring a trusty companion (who won’t try to influence your opinions) to document important features.  As soon as you leave, while the impressions are still fresh, make notes of anything that stood out.  Don’t bother to do this while you are still inside, you’ll be too busy writing to look around.  You will leave all the information you need to feel confident and organized during the peak-buying season!

For more home selling tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you ready to sell your home but you’re not sure what will make it attractive to buyers? Careful planning and a subtle sprucing-up of your home will help it sell faster and possibly at a higher price. Read on for six quick and easy tips to get your house ready for a sale. 

Image via: Reaume Construction & Design

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Fix Leaky Taps

Don’t give potential buyers the idea your house will need a lot of repairs (unless, of course, it does). Go around the house before you show it and make sure no taps are dripping, no vents are malfunctioning and no windows are letting in a draft. Everything in your home should be in working order, without strange sounds or leaks. Don’t forget to check doors too — do they easily swing open?

Re-outfit the Bathroom

Even if you haven’t got the most stylish bathroom in town, you can make a good impression on potential buyers by purchasing new bathroom accessories. Get a new shower curtain and new rods. Match the new curtain to a bathroom rug and get coordinating bath and hand towels for display. Consider changing the curtain rod and toilet seat too, if they’ve seen some wear and tear. Bathrooms are important considerations when a purchaser is looking at a home, so make sure yours is looking its best.

Inspect the Paint

When we live somewhere, we get so used to looking at the walls and floors that we might not notice small imperfections that have developed over time. Go over your interior walls and exterior paint job carefully, searching for dings and scratches. Repair inside dings or cover holes where pictures have hung before with spackling paste and paint. Outside, see if a quick brushstroke or color-coordinated caulking or spackle can cover the damage.

Image via: Cardea Building Co.

Polish the Floors

Clean, polish and shine your floors. If this is difficult for you to do by yourself, it’s worth it to call in professionals to complete the job. Shined floors send a signal to the buyer that you take pride in your house and they should, too. It also helps in reflecting light to brighten a room. In the bathroom, do what you can to shine the tiles and consider touching up the grout if it has darkened or faded from its original color. For the rest of the house, if you have mostly carpeted spaces, schedule a deep carpet shampoo with enough time for it to dry before the house is viewed by buyers. These steps will also improve the house’s smell.

Make it Smell Nice

Our sense of smell triggers memories and sensations — both good and bad. Aim for a positive impression of your home by making sure your house smells pleasant when a potential buyer walks in. Don’t go overboard with chemical smells as that can cause people to wonder what unpleasant odors you’re hiding. Instead, air out the house by opening the windows for a short period of time. Let fresh air come in and remove any staleness. Next, make sure any potential sources of bad smells are minimized — wash your dog, take out the trash and tell everyone to smoke outside. Finally, use essential oils, scented candles or other subtle ways to perfume the house with natural smells.

Image via: Axis Mundi

Change the Light Bulbs

Even if you’re used to your house’s lighting, think of how it will look to someone new. Well-lit houses are more attractive to buyers, so change the interior light bulbs so your house is shown at its highest potential. Dust lampshades (or even buy new ones) and clean windows so all available light is used. When a buyer arrives, open the drapes and blinds so the house feels more welcoming.

About the Author: Ginny Wells is a licensed realtor in Atlanta. She’s been working in the industry for 17 years.

For more home buying & selling tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Back in June of 2009 when I first started Stagetecture my main goal was to make my home staging business into a resource that would help busy homeowners stage their homes with my inspiration or hire me to take the work off of their shoulders! Home staging has been a love of mind while being an Associate Architect, and hence my company name was born – STAGE – TECTURE

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Staging a Home for Sale : Before & After

Throughout the months I have showed you how Olioboard has helped you ‘Get the Look‘ on Stagetecture, and our newest feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘ showcases home inspiration ideas for you home, using this incredible 2D or 3D tool.

If you are new to Olioboard their tagline: “Design a Room and try it before you buy it! Create 2D & 3D rooms that you can save, shop & share.” You can create inspiration boards to help you visualize your interiors, present ideas to your contractor/client or just enjoy perusing through thousands of sets for your enjoyment. I encourage you to join the Olioboard community on Facebook, Twitter, and see helpful tutorials on their You Tube Channel. I used those tutorials and they helped me with my home staging boards I have created below.

Home Staging – The Man Cave

In my year’s of home staging, the most difficult rooms to sell to a potential home buyer are the rooms that a homeowner has personalized ‘too much’. Sure, it’s fine to showcase your favorite colors, hobbies, and interests in your home. Although, the moment you decide to put your home up for sale – it now becomes the potential for a home buyer to envision themselves living in your home.

Stagetecture has a HUGE man cave following So I found it only fitting to feature a before and after man cave for home staging. To show how a overly personalized room can be changed into a family friendly room that could be appealing to potential home buyers, but still has masculine touches to keep the homeowner feeling like they have a place to still relax and enjoy, until their home sells!

BEFORE: Man Cave Mania

Home Staging challenges:

• Man cave is too personalized. Sports paraphernalia overload and darker colors create a “cave-like” feeling indeed! Home buyers who are not sports fans and are not wanting this overly personalized space will be instantly turned away.
• Overly cluttered with furniture, dark colors creates an unwelcoming room. Dark burgundy wall covering makes the entire space feel like you’re in a movie theater rather than a person’s home.
• Mixture of eclectic styles, and too many displayed collections are a sure fire way to turn a home buyer off!

AFTER: Welcoming Media Room

Home Staging fixes:

• Instead of removing all signs of personalization, the man cave has been turned into a media room. A sports/masculine theme is hinted at but the room is now inviting for a family to enjoy, or even non-sports enthusiasts!
• Burgundy wall covering is removed and a neutral palette of colors is used throughout the room.
• Sports collections, and “bar-inspired” decor is replaced with sophisticated decor that still welcomes entertaining & relaxing.
• Display areas are kept contained in bookshelves in specific areas and not placed randomly around the room. Less clutter and more organized!

I loved this home staging challenge because as home owners we love personalizing, but especially in those rooms that are dedicated to one hobby like a man-cave, these spaces can be the reason a home buyer doesn’t like your home. This before and after shows you that you can transform any room into an enjoyable space for any potential home buyer!

Now…Hop over to the other 9 blogs to see their home staging before & after Olioboards:

http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/Design_Blog/2013/01/before_and_afterst.html

http://lisamendedesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-olioboard-hop-quicker-way-to.html

http://asyoulikeitredesign.com/1/post/2013/01/january-oliohop-can-drama-sell-homes.html

http://interiordesignhq.com/2013/01/cost-ways-market-staging-business/

http://design-magnifique.com/2013/01/21/staging-a-home-for-sale-oliohop/

http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-use-olioboard-for-online-home.html

http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2013/01/its-oliohop-home-staging-concepting.html

http://thedecorologist.com/home-staging-advice-from-10-experts#more-16742

http://blog.rarooms.com/inspiration-to-staging-small-rowhomes-dc/

Visit their blogs and comment on which one’s you’d love to have come stage your home!

Thanks Olioboard for this awesome feature for Stagetecture readers.

-Ronique

For more home staging ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Ever wondered how your property can get that ‘display home’ charm and enticing feel? What if all the hard work of designing and planning was left to the hands of the professionals, saving you time and money in the process? Home Staging (or Property Styling as it’s referred to outside the U.S. and U.K.) is the best way to create a good first impression of your property, making it ready for the real estate market – and hopefully maximizing the chance of a profitable return.

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What does it involve?

Home staging can be as adventurous and thematic as the owner wants, going from small scale accessory hire (cushions, lamps, vases), to complete interior and exterior home packages. It all depends on how much owners are willing to invest in the cost of enhancing the aesthetics of their property, and what scale of styling is needed for the property’s size. Some examples of home staging include:

• Vacant Home Styling
• Rental Property Styling
• Complete Staging (entire home)
• Accessory & Prop Hire

Isn’t it just another form of interior design?

Most would ask if there is a difference between the two, especially if there is a sizeable financial investment involved. Home stagers have more of a real estate focus than interior designers and will be able to gauge the buyer market more strategically through their property styling process. Sydney-based property styling company Home Presentation describe the difference between the two as a matter of one being more suitable to make a property ready for sale than the other:

“Be aware that they (interior designers) may not be appropriately qualified to offer a home styling service that will make the most of what you already have in the property and may spend large amounts of money in a makeover – presenting a property for sale is not a makeover.”

What does it cost?

Like any tailored professional service, home styling is more of an investment than a cost. However, if you were asking to sell your home for over $500,000, would investing 1% of your overall properly value ($5,000) seem like such an unrealistic expense if you were to increase the likelihood of a profit?

Property stylers will most likely charge either by the hour, or by the size of the home; i.e. a one bedroom apartment may have a standard hire rate of $3,000 for a period of three weeks. A styling setup like this may be suitable for someone with a number of open inspections over a period of time.

Property styling companies also offer complete home design packages, which extends the presentation of the home to the garden in addition to the interior rooms. This is a more expensive approach, but what is more likely to increase the likelihood of a property sale – would it be a home that is presented with basic, day-to-day furnishings or a property that is staged ready to seduce buyers with an enviable lifestyle?

What are benefits of hiring home design?

Apart from removing the organizational stresses of presenting a home for sale, hiring a design for a property is one of the best ways to boost market value. According to Home Presentation, properties that are styled to sell have attracted a 3-6%* minimum increase in their market value, with selling margins going as high as 16% in the United States.

With static real-estate markets in America, and similar growing trends in Australia and in the United Kingdom, property owners need to be strategic in their selling approach so that they are not forced to drop the market value of their real estate. If the initial investment seems a little daunting, most companies offer a non-obligation free quote before committing, and will be able to give property owners an indication if it is the right selling approach for them.

For more home staging ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

It’s a buyer’s market. This fact alone makes selling your home even more difficult than ever before. Homebuyers have so many options; new construction seems to constantly compete with the sale of older, ‘used’ homes – making the staging of your home a key criterion for a quick sale. After all, what better way to compete with new construction than to make your home look like new?!

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De-clutter:

In order to make your home appealing, you will have to de-clutter.  Grab a few boxes and begin packing up the non-essentials.  Your home may not be sold yet, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a jump on the packing. Clear out and pack up all your closets, cupboards, counter tops, and drawers of everything you don’t plan to use in the next month or so.  Also, be sure to pack up all those decorative items such as picture frames, trophies, candles etc…. These are all personal items that will not help to sell your home. In fact, some studies show that personal photos can deter buyers, making them feel like it is not their home. If you want to sell house fast, then remove all personal items related to yourself and family for a neutral interior.

A good coat of paint:

Once your home is cleaned up and clutter-free, it is time to patch all those holes left from picture hooks, and other dents from wear and tear. Pick a neutral paint color, such as a buttery, toned-down yellow or beige and begin painting – everywhere. Nothing says welcome to your new home more than a clean paint job.

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Keep things neutral:

Your personal decorating style may be the right choice for you, but not every potential buyer may agree. If you have items that may not suit everyone’s tastes then again pack them away. For example, maybe you have an affinity for the French country style so you have long toile drapes all over the house. These drapes may turn some buyers off, and block the view of great windows. It is best to take these down and replace them with plain white wood blinds that can rolled up, opening up the window frame and making the room feel larger.

Having a friend come by to look at your home from a different viewpoint can always help. They may be able to pick out items that are distracting since they don’t live in the home. While they are there maybe you can convince them to stay and help you pack!

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Talking about how to stage your home for sale on a budget, we need to know that staging your home for sale goes beyond merely cleaning the house and decorating it. It rather centers more on creating the right moods. Therefore, if you are preparing your home for staging, you should work towards making it look brighter, bigger, cleaner and also feel warmer, such that buyers will easily be drawn to it. What then happens if you are on budget and do not have much money to spend on staging your home? While you may not think people look at windows and doors, closets, and in your kids’ closets, think again. If you need help with your windows, consider getting everything fixed before you put your home up for sale.

Not to worry because listed below are some of the ways you can actually stage your home on budget without borrowing or emptying your pockets.

Image via: Houzz

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House curb appeal ideas:

House curb appeal ideas are a must! Since you need to make a good first impression, you should start by making sure your yard is clean and alluring. How do you do this? By simply trimming overgrown trees and bushes, especially those that tend to make your home invisible from the street and the ones that are blocking views from the home’s windows. Ensure the lawn is mowed. If there are no flowers planted, you can go ahead and plant flowers along the walkways, preferably the yellow flowers since yellow is known to sell very well. Wash the outside of the windows and replace the foot mat at the front of the house. If the front porch light is bad, get it fixed.

Declutter:

It is not everybody that likes a home filled with much furniture. More so, when you remove some of the furniture, it makes the home look bigger and smells fresher. Remove one or more furniture from each room, including the living room. Clear out the non-essentials from the closets and drawers. Carefully rearrange the items in the bedroom closets, kitchen pantry and closets. The books in the bookcases should be pack up or properly arranged.

Image via: Decor Pad

Clean the house:

If you have kids or grown ups in the house, it can save you up to $300.00 or more since you don’t need to hire professionals to do the cleaning for you. The carpets should be thoroughly cleaned instead of replacing them. The window frames and doorways should be dusted while flooring, whether of wood or ceramic, should be carefully and painstakingly polished. Don’t forget to wash the ceiling fan blades and light fixture coverings.

Armed with these few tips on how to stage your home for sale on a budget, you can stage your home without worrying yourself about unnecessary expenditures. You can also paint the interior of the home and give some time to putting the bathroom in order by placing clean and sweet smelling towels in there. Wash the bathtub and replace the toiletries. With all these, you are surely going to sell off your home at good price within a short time without spending much on the stage.

For more home staging ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

You may or may not be aware that the master bathroom can require a pretty large budget when it comes to an overhaul, but it can also deliver a decent return on investments when you opt to sell your property down the road. However, if you don’t have a large budget to work with and you’d rather not accommodate a contractor and his crew for weeks on end, there are several upgrades you can do on your own at a lot less expense. While this strategy may not get a new whirlpool tub installed in your bathroom, it can definitely allow you to do away with the outdated wallpaper and tile that make your bathroom look like it belongs in the home of Mike and Carol Brady. So here are just a few tips to create an updated look in your master bath with a limited budget and a DIY attitude.

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1. Paint

The absolute easiest area to address is going to be the wall color. Even if you’re dealing with wallpaper, you’ll be surprised at how easy the removal process can be when you use the right tools. The best option is generally to steam off old wallpaper with a simple and inexpensive hand steamer. From there you may have to do a bit of scraping or sanding, but a belt sander (and a light touch) can make the work go a little more quickly so that you can get to the painting. As for covering existing paint, consider using a paint and primer in one so that fewer coats are needed, and always use a satin or gloss finish that is moisture-resistant and easy to clean.

2. Tile

You might be a bit worried about the ease of removing and installing new tile, but the process will probably be a lot easier than you anticipate. Removing old tile is simple enough if you’re not trying to save it; a hammer and crow bar should do the trick. Then you’ll have to scrape the old grout and concrete away to create a clean, smooth surface. From there it’s just a matter of marking your layout, mixing up your concrete, and securing the tiles. If you’re unsure about the steps involved simply pop by your local Home Depot or other hardware store to inquire about lessons. Many offer a variety of workshops for free as a way to drum up business.

3. Lighting

Replacing light fixtures doesn’t have to cost a lot if you frequent Craigslist, hit up garage sales to find steals, or opt for reclaimed furniture and fixture outlets instead of buying brand new. From there it’s just a matter of turning off the proper breakers and installing your new lights.

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4. Cabinets and counters

You don’t need the expertise of master builders in order to address this area of the bathroom. The truth is that you can easily demo existing cabinets and counters and replace them on your own. Generally, you will want to buy pre-built cabinetry, and you can either find it reclaimed or check out discount stores like IKEA (or even Overstock.com) for affordable options. Then it’s just a matter of measuring for the countertop surface so that you can order it cut, finished, and ready to install (the cost depends on materials).

5. Accessories

Mirrors, towel racks, shelving, and other bathroom accessories may be the last items on your list, but you can find second-hand options in abundance at a greatly reduced cost. And with a little TLC these accessories can make for a fun family project that adds character and appeal to your master bath.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

One of the best areas of your home is the bathroom and ultimately relaxing in the bathtub. It is amazing how the water in a bathtub can naturally relax and rejuvenate your body.  Adding to its comfort is the fragrance of bath soaps and bubble bath solutions. Before you can get to relax in a tub, how do you go about deciding what is best bathtub material to choose?

Having your own bathtub can be a necessity and not a luxury. With all the stress and fatigue that you have all day, it is definitely a must to find a place at home to revitalize your body. A cool and refreshing plunge in a bathtub is something your body deserves. One of the things to consider in buying a bathtub is the type of material it is made of.

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To give you some of the best bathtub materials, you can choose from the following:

Fiberglass

This one is lightweight but sturdy. A gel-coated fiberglass bathtub is best for people who are on a tight budget since it is less expensive compared with other bathtub materials. Fiberglass bathtub can be fabricated according to how you want it to look like. It also comes in different colors as preferred. It is easy to maintain and naturally glossy.

Acrylic

An acrylic bathtub is naturally shiny like a glass. It has similar characteristics with a fiberglass like it does not fade and stain resistant. This material provides natural warmth and typically lightweight. It is easy to fabricate and can last a long time. Acrylic is one of the most popular bathtub materials in the market today.

Porcelain

Porcelain-made bathtub is quite expensive. This type of bathtub requires a sturdy base because of its substantial weight. Unlike acrylic, a porcelain bathtub is naturally cold. It is scratch-free and highly durable. A porcelain bathtub is noticeably elegant and stylish. It comes in different shapes, curves and colors.

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Marble

This type of material for your bathtub is more expensive than acrylic but lesser than porcelain. You can find several designs for this type but customizing one will be very costly. Marble bathtub requires more maintenance.

Whether you are getting ready for a bathroom remodel or you are looking at moving soon, choosing the right bathroom material for your budget and lifestyle is essential. Use these tips to make choosing the perfect bathtub material easier!

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Not all of us have the luxury of space in our living room. You often find it very difficult to accommodate the furniture you have so as not to create an impression of getting your living room too crowded. Having a limited space will restrict you from choosing the furniture you like; hence, you will be bound to its dimension or size.

But having a limited living room space does not mean you cannot have a comfortable living space. You only have to be creative in furniture arrangement to embrace the little space you have. There are several things you can do in order to achieve a cozy and inviting space for entertainment and relaxation.

Here are a few tips to arrange your furniture in a small living room:

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Choose neutral colors for all your furniture.

Having a neutral color of furniture all over your living room provides an illusion of having an extended space. This tends to push back the walls and your living room will look more spacious in the eyes. You may have a combination of light brown and beige color tone on your furniture and walls. It also helps when the floor complements the shade of neutral colors you choose.

Use small and sleek furniture that is appropriate to the scale of the room.

There are several small scale furniture designs that are suitable to your need. Make sure that it is not too small that it will take away the comfort and convenience you get from bigger furniture. For instance, you can opt to get an armless chair as it is more hefty and boundless. You can also take on tulip chair and parson table for your living room. Also, custom-made furniture can be a great option.

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Add a window seat.

This is a great idea to maximize the area of your living room. A window seat will not only provide addition accommodation but an extra relaxing place in your living room. It offers an excellent view outside your home and can be a picturesque area for your guests.

These are some of the things you can do to arrange your furniture and make the best of your living room. While you may not have the largest living room, using these tips will make your small room feel welcoming and comfortable for all.

For more summer home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/how-to-arrange-your-furniture-to-make-your-room-look-larger/feed/ 2 27644 https://stagetecture.com/stagetecture-to-launch-ebook-111-simple-tips-for-your-everyday-home/ https://stagetecture.com/stagetecture-to-launch-ebook-111-simple-tips-for-your-everyday-home/#respond Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:11:31 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=27654 Entry #1248, June 3, 2012

I’ve have exciting news that I have been trying to keep secret for months now! If you subscribe to the Stagetecture – Everything Home Newsletter – you already know the exciting news! For my subscribers get daily updates and monthly features that is exclusive to them. Well without keeping the rest of you in suspense any longer…

Stagetecture is launching an ebook

111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home

in late June 2012!

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To most of my readers, followers and friends you are yelling at your screen, “It’s about time Ronique!!!”.. ha! Well… I’m here to say, yes it is time. Stagetecture has reached many milestones in it’s 3 years of existence including: Over 1200 blog posts, over 500 guest blogs and over 4,000 gorgeous images to give you home inspiration daily. While the idea of an ebook has always been an idea of mine, I really didn’t know how to compile the essence of Stagetecture into a source that would be helpful, beautiful, and inspiring for every room in your home.

After many sleepless nights and talking with many of you, I realized that all of the information that is contained on Stagetecture is what readers already love, so compile the best tips in short snippets with beautiful images and create a room-by-room decorating and organizing ebook for everyone to enjoy!

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So why did I pick 111? Whether you believe in numerology or not, I have learned that 111 means:

“Whenever you see the sequence 111 or 1111 show up, it is a great sign of a golden opportunity. Both sequences mean that a “doorway” has opened up in which your intentions and goals will manifest extremely quickly. The Angels have taught me to focus my thoughts and intentions whenever I see 111 or 1111, almost like making a wish when a cake with candles is presented to you.“… Angel Scribe

While I was compiling my tips and ideas for this book I daily would look at the clock at 11:11, or I would have 111 views on Facebook at a particular time, or I would have 111 emails waiting to be read! After further research I realized my door of opportunity to share my ‘home love’ with the world was now.

Thus the naming of

111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home

All the details aren’t finalized, but I can give you a sneak peek of the rooms covered in the ebook:

Front Entry

Hallways

Kitchens

Bathrooms

Kids’ Rooms

Home Offices

Small Interiors

Outdoor Home

& more!

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While I love to peruse through interior design magazines and online design blogs, isn’t there times you want to know how to make your small living room look larger now? Or your hallway seems long and boring and you want to add visual interest without taking 2 hours searching design magazines before getting the answer?

I made the ‘111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home‘ just that, SIMPLE. You can ‘flip’ right to the room of choice and find instant tips to add color, space, save money, get organized, in your everyday home.

I can’t wait to tell you more details as we get closer to the launch date. As we get closer I will have more surprises in store!

Thanks everyone and stay close!!

-Ronique

Note: All images in this post do not relate to the ‘111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home’ ebook, they are strictly used for inspiration and are not related to promotion of the ebook.