updating

The Powder Room: Whimsical & Eclectic

Posted by Mallory on May 6, 2013 Leave a Comment

I recently read a blog post in which someone was trying find a place to hang some lovely wallpaper by Orla Kiely. She makes beautiful & whimsical pieces with lots of bright colors, and guess where this blogger was thinking the wallpaper should go? That’s right: in a little bathroom. Part of me wonders why it is that so many of us feel that we have to release all of our whimsical decorating endeavors into the smallest room of the house — but then again, think of all the wonderfully whimsical things created just for bathrooms! Whether it’s a claw foot tub to soak in, a shower curtain with a fabulously cheerful print or a repurposed sink vanity that you find irresistible, there are so many fun ways to decorate/design a bathroom in unconventional ways. I want to show you a few of the routes you can take to achieve an eclectic, whimsical style in your powder room:

1. Bright, Whimsical Colors!

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Greenbelt Homes)
Here is a lovely, bright color with white fixtures…

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Studio 80 Interior Design
…and a warmer tone with complementary brown ones.

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Tara Seawright)
This is an idea for renters or those who prefer clean white walls; you can still incorporate those bright colors!

2. Eclectic Decor

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Nirmada Interior Architectural Design)
You can display eclectically-themed wall art…

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Elizabeth Gordon)
…OR go big and cover all the walls with a favorite print…

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Carolina V. Gentry, RID)
OR use unconventional pieces for powder room staples, paired with muted yet eccentric designs, like the wallpaper here.

3. Structural Whimsy

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Fivedot Design Build)
I just love this natural wood counter space and the mod shape of the sink basin.

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Jane Kim Design)
This is a beautiful use of classic pieces in an industrialized setting.

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Dan Joseph Architects)
And some more natural wood!

See? You don’t necessarily have to paint or hang wall paper or expose your brick walls to establish an eclectic spirit in your bathroom, though all of those things are great ideas if you’re ready for a more drastic change. Here are a few more pictures I couldn’t quite categorize, but are lovely nonetheless!

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Melanie Stephens)

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Dana Gordon + Roy Gordon Architecture Studio)

(Image from Houzz.com, Designed by Eric Aust Architect)

For more whimsical powder room inspiration, check out our board on Pinterest!

If you want your home to glow, the colors to flow and the clutter to go, contact Patsy Overton Interiors. 770-843-2307 Accredited, Licensed, Insured.

Filed Under: Decorating, Decorating Tips, Pinterest, Redesign, Uncategorized, Updating Your Home | Tagged: Tagged With: Atlanta decorating, bronze fixtures, dated bathrooms, Pinterest, redesign, updating

Atlanta Home Staging “Must Do” List

Posted by Patsy on February 27, 2012 4 Comments

Since the selling season is right around the corner, I’m getting lots of Atlanta home staging calls. As a result, I’d like to share with you the four main things you should do get your home “market ready.”

First, a fresh coat of paint is a necessity. If your walls are covered with dated wallpaper, get rid of it. If they are colorful, neutralize them. When thinking about what you need to do to your home, always think about what most people will be attracted to. While your tangerine walls may be beautiful and right on trend, most people will not want them. Shown below is a bedroom that was painted for selling. I selected Sherwin-Williams 6197 “Aloof Gray.” (If you would like to see more photos of this beautiful Atlanta home that was staged a couple of weeks ago, click here.)

master bedroom painted in Sherwin-Williams Aloof Gray, #6197

Freshly Painted Master Bedroom - SW6197 "Aloof Gray"

Second, take a good look at your flooring. If the carpet is worn, nasty, or in a ghastly color like blue or hunter green, have it replaced. If it is dirty, have it professionally cleaned. If it just needs spot cleaning, I highly recommend Spot Shot or Krud Kutter. Both products are true miracle workers.

Third, remove any dated window treatments. Notice I didn’t say they need to be replaced — just remove the old ones. There is nothing like dated window treatments that screams “so ten years ago” to a prospective buyer. Yes, I have custom window treatments in my own home and know how expensive they can be, but if they are dated and past their prime they need to come down. Shown below is a staged family room with no fabric on the windows. See how nice they look! Even if they had simple blinds instead of the plantation shutters, they would still look fresh and clean.

staged family room by Patsy Overton Interiors

No Dated Window Treatments

Fourth, update tired lighting and bathroom fixtures. Pictured below are before & after shots of an updated basement bathroom. Notice the dated countertops are still there, but what a difference regardless! If you were a buyer, which bathroom would you be more drawn to?

dated bathroom which badly needs to be updated

Dated Bathroom - ugh!

This bathroom has updated lighting, fixtures and the ugly wallpaper removed.

Updated Bathroom - much more appealing!

There’s lots more to share about how to get your home ready for the spring selling season, but the things I’ve listed above are a MUST! Please don’t neglect them.

If you want to sell your Atlanta home, then staging it is no longer an option but a necessity. Gone are the days when you could just have your real estate agent stick a sign in the front yard and wait for the offers to roll in. Call today to schedule your home staging consultation to prepare your home for the spring market. We stage both vacant and occupied properties.

If you want your home to glow, the colors to flow and the clutter to go, call Patsy Overton Interiors. 770-847-2307 Accredited, Licensed, Insured.

Filed Under: Home Staging, Home Staging Tips, Staging Before & Afters, Updating Your Home | Tagged: Tagged With: Atlanta home staging, decluttering, home staging consultation, updating

Cumming Staged Home Under Contract

Posted by Patsy on September 27, 2011 Leave a Comment

In May of this year I received a call from Sherry Ajluni, a “go-getter” Keller Williams agent. She had a new listing in Cumming which she knew would show better with home staging. (Smart lady!) I met Sherry at the house where I did a home staging consultation with Cindy, the homeowner. Cindy had already done a GREAT job of decluttering and removing personal items, but I saw a few things that still needed to be addressed. For example, take a look at before & after pictures of the living room:

Living Room - before

Living Room - after

As you can see from the first photo, the room needed “grounding” so I added the rug. In addition, a rearrangement of furniture was in order to draw the eye from the blank sofa wall in the “before” shot to the wall of windows in the “after” shot. Normally I never place anything in front of a window as it blocks the light, but in this case it was called for in order to “weight” the room on the right side. In addition, there is a 3rd window not shown above, so there was still plenty of light in the room. To finish the look, a few key accessories were added.

Next, the dining room which was opposite the living room, separated by the foyer.

Dining Room - before

Dining Room - after

In the “before” photo of the dining room you can see that it needed a little sparkle to set it off. I added pictures on either side of the china cabinet and dressed the table. The table runners look much brighter in the photo above than they did in the room. They were actually a much better blend than what you see here. One more thing to take note of: in most cases I would’ve removed the rug in order to make the room look bigger. In this situation it wasn’t necessary, as the room was quite large. Also, upon entering the house, the potential buyers already had great visual exposure to the hardwoods in the foyer extending to the family room. The main objective here was to dress the room with appropriate accessories.

Master Bedroom - before

Master Bedroom - after

I love these photos! This great master bedroom, first and foremost, needed an updated paint color. I always like to use a color in the master suite rather than a neutral to set it off, but it must still be in the neutral palette. In this case we used Sherwin-Williams “Grassland” SW6163. The homeowners were so pleased with it they said they will be painting their new bedroom the same color. While the room was being painted, I went shopping for new bedding. Now the room looks fresh and updated.

Master Bath - before

Master Bath - after

In the master bath the walls were neutralized. In this case I selected Sherwin-Williams “Sands of Time” SW6101, which was a nice blend with existing floor tiles. In addition, a few accessories were added to bring the room to life.

The results? This Cumming staged home is now under contract! The homeowners are busy packing and selecting finishes for their new home. And I’m happy to report that they’ve asked Patsy Overton Interiors to help them get settled in their new home.

If you want your home to glow, the colors to flow and the clutter to go, contact Patsy Overton Interiors. 770-843-2307 Accredited, Licensed, Insured.

Filed Under: Home Staging, Home Staging Success Stories, Home Staging Tips | Tagged: Tagged With: accessories, Atlanta home staging, consultations, Cumming home stager, decluttering, home staging consultation, updating

Paint Is Still Your Best Friend

Posted by Patsy on August 1, 2011 1 Comment

Whether you are updating or staging your Atlanta home, paint is still your best friend. It will forever give you the biggest bang for your buck.

A couple of months ago I was called on to provide home staging services in Cumming. The first step was a staging consultation with the homeowner and Realtor. Cindy (the homeowner) had already done a fine job of decluttering and the house was in great shape, but it still lacked a little updating to bring it current. Here is the before shot of the master bedroom:

Master Bedroom - before

As you can see, the room is painted yellow with blue and yellow bedding. While there is nothing wrong with this color scheme — especially if it appeals to you personally — it is not so much the “look of the day.” I love to use a soft green in the master bedroom for a calming effect and to set it off from the other neutrals in the main living spaces. Here, I recommended that they get new bedding and paint the walls “Grassland,” Sherwin-Williams #6163. Take a look:

Master Bedroom - after

While the painting was being done, I shopped for bedding and accessories. In addition to the new comforter set, we also added the scroll artwork above the bed, a white floral to the left and greenery to the right to soften the look. What a difference! Cindy decided right away she wanted to purchase the new accessories from me and announced she will be using “Grassland” in her new home.

Please keep in mind when you are staging or updating your home, paint is still your best friend; and by combining a fresh paint color with a few key accessories, you can have a new look.

This beautiful, spacious, well cared for home is at 1555 Blue Bird Way in Cumming. It boasts 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and is priced to sell at $450,000. For more information call the Sherry and Maria Team at 678-283-1710.

If you want your home to glow, the colors to flow, and the clutter to go, contact Patsy Overton Interiors. 770-843-2307 Accredited, Licensed, Insured.

Filed Under: All About Color, Home Staging, Home Staging Tips, Updating Your Home | Tagged: Tagged With: home staging Atlanta, staging consultation Cumming, updating

WARNING: This Post Contains Graphic Images. Viewer Discretion Is Advised.

Posted by Patsy on December 2, 2010 1 Comment

For those of you who don’t know, my husband and I will be putting our house on the market in the spring. I’ve tried to prepare him, but he still doesn’t seem to grasp the fact that we’re actually going to move. While he comes to grips with the situation, I am busy updating the house.

Today we are focusing on the master bath. Yes, this is where the “disturbing images” come in. At this time, please remove all young children and pets from your computer screen’s viewing area. Ready? Here are a few “before” shots:

master bath vanity "before"

Master Tub "Before"

What was I thinking????? Believe it or not, at one time (some 15-20 years ago) this wallpaper was quite lovely! Okay, so don’t believe me. I have a hard time believing it myself. I’ve really been wanting to get rid of it for years, but never quite got around to it. But being the professional decorator and home stager that I am, it has occurred to me that there are probably a few buyers out there who won’t be impressed with my choice of wallpaper, not to mention all the gold fixtures and bird cage, so I set out to make some changes. If you are thinking of updating your bathroom, let me share with you a few questions you need to be prepared to answer before undertaking this task:

What size tile do you want to use?
What color tile do you want to use?
In what pattern do you want it laid?
What color grout do you want to use? (The chart contains about 30 selections.)
What size tile in the shower?
How do you want it laid?
How far do you want the tile walls to extend?
Do you want a feature strip? Which one? (1,2,3,4 or 5?)
What sort of fixtures do you want?
What finish?
What kind of shower door?
What surface do you want for the vanity?
What color?
Do you want an undermount sink?
What color?
What kind of light fixtures?
Etc, etc, etc………

Do you see why you need a trained professional to help you make these decisions? One day when I was in the middle of answering yet another string of questions, I asked the shower door guy, “Did you ever watch Seinfeld?” He replied, “Yes.” “Do you remember the episode where Jerry was having a cabinet guy build out his kitchen? He finally got fed up answering all the questions associated with the project and yelled, ‘No more questions!!!! Just do it!!!’” We both had a good laugh, seeing ourselves in the episode.

Okay, before I show you the “afters,” here’s a nice transition shot I think you’ll enjoy:

toilet in the jetted tub

There’s nothing quite like a toilet in the jetted tub to class up your photos! Okay, now for the “afters”:

Master bath vanity "after"

Master bath tub "after"

Updated Master Bath Vanity

Undertaking a master bath remodeling project is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the effort! Now I’m convinced that many buyers will find this space appealing. Today’s tip? Hire an accredited home stager to guide you through this process. You could make costly mistakes. Patsy Overton Interiors is here to help you will all your updating and remodeling needs. Call today! 770-843-2307

Filed Under: Home Staging, Home Staging Tips, Updating Your Home | Tagged: Tagged With: Atlanta decorator, Atlanta home stager, home staging tips, updating

Updating Gold Mirrors and Hardware

Posted by Patsy on December 2, 2010 1 Comment

When updating your home, remember the little things DO make a difference. It’s all in the details.

The powder room is a place you don’t want to put much money into updating, nor should you have to. I have outlined for you here what I did to bring mine into the 21st century:

Got rid of the (busy) wallpaper, then painted the walls a neutral color.
Updated sink fixtures from gold to bronze.
Replaced the gold light fixture with bronze.
PAINTED the gold mirror.

I would upload a before & after shot, but my one and only before shot is not very good. Here is the after:

What I want you to notice is the mirror. It has been painted with Rust-oleum metallic “oil rubbed bronze” paint (see below). I love this stuff! It completely transformed my ugly, gold, dated mirror to something that looks current and works beautifully with the other bronze fixtures.

Rust-oleum metallic "oil rubbed bronze"

In addition, I also discovered a spray paint which will allow you to give most any finish an updated look. This paint comes in several different colors. Shown below are “hammered bronze” and “satin nickel.”

: Rust-oleum “hammered bronze” and Krylon “satin nickel”

I spray painted several large brass planters with the hammered bronze paint. They look great! I also used the hammered bronze on a downrod for the new master bedroom ceiling fan when I had a hard time finding one to fit the new fan in the correct diameter. What I like most about this paint is that it is textured. Either of the spray paints can be used on any type hardware or a multitude of surfaces.

Today’s tip: rather than replace gold hardware and accessories, you can paint them. Yes, this can be a little labor intensive, but it can save you lots of money.

If you live in the Atlanta, GA area and need help updating your home, call Patsy Overton Interiors at 770-843-2307. Don’t make costly mistakes. Let us help you do it right the first time.

Filed Under: DIY Tips | Tagged: Tagged With: bronze fixtures, metallic paint, updating

You Might Be a Redneck Home Stager If…

Posted by Patsy on December 2, 2010 1 Comment

I live in metro Atlanta, which is Jeff Foxworthy country. Last I heard, he lived about 20 miles up the road from me. We all love him around here.

Last week my husband and I went to the local diner for dinner (supper?) where they have a Jeff Foxworthy calendar on the counter. He has a “You might be a redneck if…” line for every day of the year! That got me to thinking that some of us in the profession might be redneck home stagers, but just don’t know it. I decided to come up with a list which will help us determine if we fall into that category. If you see yourself (or your stager) in the stipulations below, I don’t advise fessing up to it. Here are the determining factors:

You might be a redneck home stager if…

at any given time, at least one of your clients is named “Bubba.”
your hunting dog accompanies you on every job.
when tackling curb appeal, your main dilemma is how to camouflage the Chevy on blocks in the front yard.
decluttering involves getting the homeowners to par down the number of appliances on the front porch.
your favorite staging greenery is kudzu.
you’ve created a CD “mix” for your clients to use during their open house. It includes such favorites as “My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Miss Him” and “If the Phone Ain’t Ringin’, It’s Me.”
your staging fragrance of choice is “fried catfish.”
when updating, the homeowners typically replace their “comics” wallpaper with an Elvis mural.
your staging “trademark” is a greased cast iron skillet placed on the stove.
you always leave the toilet seat up.

If you have additional criteria to submit, please feel free. We must get the word out before it’s too late.

If you know of someone suffering from “Redneck Home Stagers Disorder,” please have them call our Stagers Anonymous hotline at 1-800-GET-HELP. Time is of the essence!

Filed Under: Home Staging | Tagged: Tagged With: decluttering, home staging, Jeff Foxworthy, redneck, updating

The Powder Room: Whimsical & Eclectic

Atlanta Home Staging “Must Do” List

Cumming Staged Home Under Contract

Paint Is Still Your Best Friend

WARNING: This Post Contains Graphic Images. Viewer Discretion Is Advised.

Updating Gold Mirrors and Hardware

You Might Be a Redneck Home Stager If…

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