A New View Staging and Redesign, LLC

Oh, Motivation! I long to have you near! Why do you elude me so? Why do you torment me – abandoning me for days while I wait for your touch to appear? Oh, how I long to be able to call upon you when I desire. Oh how I wish I could summon your services, and then dismiss you when I am through. But, alas, you play with my heart, and I am but a lowly servant to your whimsical nature.

All right. Enough. Its time to take charge. . . And just how am I going to do that?

Ever look around, see all that needs to be done, and then, sigh, say “I wish I could get motivated”? As the final days of winter drag on, and the hints of spring tease, motivation is one of those mysterious things. When you have it, look out! And when you don’t, the weight of the world can be on your shoulders.

I struggle with this elusive characteristic. Here is a list of some things that have helped me trap motivation when I need it most. Maybe something will work for you?

1. Buy something new to you. Not something expensive – just something to spark creativity. For me, it was a simple corner TV stand found on a for-sale-by-owner site. I am now motivated to redecorate my family room, living room, front entry, basement media room, and son’s bedroom. See, the addition of this one piece allows me to move other pieces to other rooms. Those in turn allow me to swap out pieces from those rooms, and thus, my house gets a face lift. The cost? $50.
2. Paint something. Okay, the motivation to paint is a lot. Just go pick out a new color. It doesn’t have to be a whole room. It could be a piece of furniture that just doesn’t fit in. It could be a single wall or even just a shelf. The newness of it will spark something that could just turn into motivation to keep on going!
3. Call a friend. Confess your inability to drum up some needed motivation, and go from there. Sometimes having a partner can help you corner that motivation! Besides, two heads are always better than one! Your friend may be able to use the swell of motivation too.
4. Go to a store, walk for an hour, snap a few pictures of ideas, things that you like, etc., then return home. You will likely see something that you want to try. Pick up any supplies, head home, and give it a whirl! The process of being creative (NOT perfect!) releases your thinking and spawns other creative thoughts. Its fun, energizing, and motivating!
5. Read a blog, magazine or other piece related to the issue. My favorite is BHG.com. Other people’s successes may be just what you need to get motivated. If you are the type who needs to get moving, watch one episode of your favorite decorating show while doing simple aerobic activity. I always keep a paper and pen handy to jot down the winning ideas. Then you can go out and implement them.

I am going to make an effort to stop singing the blues about motivation, and get something done on my house this week. I’ll start with that corner TV stand, and work my way around from there.

What other ideas do you have for harnessing the power of motivation? Share your ideas with me! And remember if you need any assistance with generating a new view, give us a call! Hiring a professional home stager/redesigner can also give you a huge shot of motivation! 612-483-4012

Office Before - Undefined space - not very productive!

More Home Office Tips!

Winter blahs? Need a productivity boost? Every room in a house requires a face-lift or organizing once in awhile, and I have found that the room I neglect most is my home office. As I mentioned in my last post, I collect information. Imagine the stacks of paper, and the piles of things I will get to ‘someday’ covering my work spaces.  Practically speaking, home offices are often low on the list of priorities when it comes time to decorate and organize.  If this is your dilemma, take a moment to consider the productivity issues this is also creating.  A quick way to get a boost is to take a day to freshen up your work space!

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a separate room for their home office. The main thing to remember in home office decorating is to do your best with what you’ve got. You may have to set up your home office in a closet, a corner of your living room, on a stair landing or in a spare room. Wherever your home office may be in your home, there are ways to decorate it, making it a comfortable and enjoyable place to work.

Once you’ve decided on a space for your home office, you’ll need a plan. Doing the home office decorating yourself will save time and money. Painting is something you can definitely do. When choosing colors for your home office, consider the mood you want to create.  A fresh lively color can create an energized mood, while a muted tone can create a sense of peace and calm.  Sunny yellow or oranges are warm and bright, while soothing jade or cerulean blue can help keep you calm.  The key is to choose colors that you like! To jazz it up a little, try wallpaper on one wall to enhance the space you have. No window? Maybe create a faux window by installing a frame, curtains and sill – right on the wall!  With simple window coverings, it can really give the space a great effect!

When it comes time to find furnishings for your office, start by looking around your home. No doubt there are pieces of furniture that aren’t being used. Perhaps there’s a comfortable chair you can take for your office. If space is a big issue, you might want to build a desk. Building a desk for your home office decorating project can be as simple as laying a piece of board on top of a filing cabinet or a smaller table. Home office decorating doesn’t mean you have to rush out to an office furnishing store and max out your credit card. You can decorate a home office using items you already have.  If you’d like something different, why not visit a few charity shops or garage sales! You are guaranteed to find something useful that will cost you very little.  Be creative!

If you’ll be spending a fair amount of time in your home office space, it is important to include details that will inspire you such as artwork or music. Lighting is also essential in a workspace. If you are decorating a small area, lamps may be best for lighting. Plants are also nice in a home office. Choosing a favorite plant to put in your workspace would surely be inspiring. Photos of family and happy memories are nice to have in your home office – especially when printed in black white! If space is an issue, you may want to choose one wall to hang your artwork and photos. Another wall can be used for shelving, to store your office supplies, books and necessities for your work. It would be great if you could leave at least one wall fairly clear for your eyes to rest. Too much is often distracting and can create a feeling of overwhelm.

Office After

If you seem to be a standstill with your project, make use of some of the great resources available such as home office decorating magazines and catalogues, television decorating programs and the Internet. Each of these suggestions will provide many useful ideas for home office decorating.  And if you can’t seem to find the motivation to get started, try and uncover the reasons you feel stuck. For me, its usually because I am overwhelmed. My solution?  Call a friend and ask for help. Make it fun! Then celebrate in your new space your friend.

Planning a home office project doesn’t have to be expensive.  If you are still stuck, perhaps you can afford a professional decorator to transform your home office. Creativity goes a long way when you are home office decorating, and the benefits in productivity will be well worth the effort!  Call me if you are interested in a low cost phone consultation or ideation session.

For me – stay tuned. I’m going to get busy on my space.  I need the productivity boost!

An Idea for Information Collectors!
Recently, I responded to a blog that I follow with an idea for ways to organize information. I collect information. Sure, that doesn’t sound like it would take up much space, but when you consider all the notes, ideas, and swirling pieces of data that might just be useful someday, it can get out of hand!

Here is an idea for getting those thoughts and notes organized – and a way to tame the paper that may be taking over!
Information Organization

Okay, it is a bit of a problem. I love to gather information. Being in a creative field, I love to save inspirational pictures, tips, tricks, etc. Anything that might be useful for a future project goes into the black hole of information. My PC is filled with information. I sometimes don’t know where to put it. If I print it out, it just gets put into a file, and likely buried on my desk. Even the books from courses I take are littered with side notes and thoughts (which seem too good to not write down at the time). Every time I try and ‘organize’ I get inspired by the first few things I read and they lead to – – – yes, another list – of ideas from the ideas. I have discovered that writing it down, leaving it, and then coming back to it later allows time for the idea to either become great, or fizzle.
One way I have found to organize this is with an index card file or a rolodex. I create categories (like marketing ideas, design tips, newsletter article topics, wants, etc.). Each idea gets its own card. Then if I get an offshoot of the idea, I can add it to the card.
This way, the ‘list’ is no longer a list. It is a set if cards, that I can quickly sort through, reprioritize, discard, or reorganize easily. And it is portable. I can grab a stack and take it with me. Its great when I have down time or feel overwhelmed. I can simply ‘sort’ cards and get back a feeling of organization.
I also clip pictures from magazines, and attach to the card (if its bigger than the card, I fold it up and make it easy to open up by attaching it at the top. I can also add subcategories (like by room or item) if I get too many things in one group.
Its fun to see all the ideas in a box, and know that if I ever get bored (ha!), I can always grab a card and take action on it.
My recommendation for this month: Take a day and create a card file to help get information organized. Note where computer files are stored, and titles of reference materials you forgot you even had! This may help keep you inspired and on track toward an organized home! Then if you need to find material on a specific topic, you can simply pull out your reference cards and gather the information! This also works great for “To Do” items. Rather than multiple lists, put items on individual cards. Then simply add cards or toss them when an item is complete. It is very satisfying to see the deck dwindle!

Time for a little honesty. Every time I go to stage or redesign a house, I get nervous. The kind of nervous that makes me a little bit anxious, a little panicky. You’d think that I should be over that, considering I have done this many times. I know what I’m doing, and I know that things always turn out fabulous. So why the nerves? Why not just take it in stride – its just a house . . .

Well, to me, every client’s home is a masterpiece waiting to happen. Every client’s home is an opportunity to create something extraordinary. And every client’s home is unique. It is not just another house, another staging job, another decluttering, or furniture placement gig. It is so much more to me. It is an opportunity to connect. It is a chance to help a new friend create the home of her dreams. It is a way for me to share a unique gift or talent that comes so easily to me with someone that struggles to achieve the look that is waiting to be exposed.  Maybe that’s a bit emotional for you. I said I was going to be honest.

This, my friends, is so much more than a job to me. No wonder I get a little nervous. We’re talking about creating emotional connections within the home, between family members, and hopefully, if all goes well, between clients and me.  Its about creating moments people can enjoy. Its about adding warmth and beauty. Its a chance to clear the clutter – which affects how people feel.  And if the clients feel great, then they can then impact those they touch with a bit more warmth and ease. Do you see the how it can spread goodness?

Every home I work on is another chance to turn ordinary into extraordinary – a masterpiece.  And every home and homeowner is certainly worthy of that.

For more information about our services, please call Theresa at 612-483-4012.

The summer is quickly coming to a close and it is already time to start thinking about registrations and preparation for school!  As we were out and about last week, I noticed the fall clothes and decor hitting the shelves in all the stores. 

To join in and help you begin the transition, we are offering a CRAZY August Redesign Special!  Book a 1 room redesign for ONLY $150!  That’s a 50% discount! 

There are limited time slots available – and this is only valid for redesigns done in the month of August. Obviously, we recommend getting yours scheduled right away. Call 612-483-4012 with any questions or to reserve your slot today.

Ahh. Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy sunshine, beaches, warm weather outfits, swimming, watermelon, gatherings with friends around the fire pit and yard games ’til late at night. Don’t forget the weddings, pool parties, graduation ceremonies, fireworks, festivals, and the list goes on! Yes, there are mosquitos, and sunburns too. Yet, I really love summer!

Are you ready? How about your home? Does it need a little lightening and brightening?  Need to declutter, clean out a closet, freshen the sheets and sort through clothes that don’t fit the kids anymore? Have you washed away Ol’ Man Winter’s mark? Or do you look around and think “Wait! My house isn’t ready for all of this!”  And how can you enjoy all the summer things with a huge list of to-do’s?!  Don’t panic just yet. Here are some practical tips and steps you can take to get your home in shape for the summer!

Step 1: Schedule time. If you don’t, it will likely not ever get done. I schedule a week, and spend 2-3 hours per night on one room. Kitchen, family room, living room, bathrooms and laundry room (all in 1 evening – they are pretty easy), and finally, rec room.  When the weekend comes, I tackle the master bedroom one day, and the kids room’s another. You may need to adjust your schedule based on what you have going on. This is the hardest step! With kids finishing school, dance recitals, soccer games, and summer camp sign-ups, scheduling can be a nightmare! If you need to spread it out over a couple of weeks, do that. Just get it on the schedule. Include the whole family. It really can be fun and allows them to appreciate the spaces, and feel the same sense of accomplishment you will. Plus, they’ll keep it cleaner!

Step 2: Remove everything from the room you are working on. I leave the big furniture and just strip everything else out. Sometimes this means taking down artwork, curtains, and accessories – even the ones on top of the kitchen cupboards. I know it seems like a lot, however this step is necessary to give you a fresh view of the space.

Step 3: Once it is out, clean. I do the windows, walls (don’t forget the cobwebs in the corners) floors, and all remaining surfaces in the room (tops of cupboards, sofas, tables, etc.). Work your way down. Swipe the tops of door frames and window frames too. Take out the window screens and give them a good scrub. Wash the inside and outside of windows for maximum effect. This step really helps to infuse the house with the fresh, clean scents of summer!

Step 4: Whew! The hard work is done. Now you can begin to rebuild the space. Find your focal point. Then place the largest piece of furniture across from it. Play around with furniture arrangement until it feels right. it does not have to be pushed up against the wall. Try angling for something different. It is okay to take a piece out if you feel you have too much! Sometimes removing a piece really lightens up the space. Wash and rehang window treatments if they still work. If you want a new look, sheers are perfect for summer. They really can add a touch of elegance, and work great because they are light and airy!  Add lighting in a triangle if possible.

Step 5: Accessorize! Add pictures (be sure to hang at the proper height) and accessories to accent key areas, like coffee tables, end tables, and counter tops or islands. Keep the clutter out! You want to have open spaces for your eyes to rest. Stick with consistent colors, and group like items together. Stroll around your house and use pieces from other rooms! Get creative and find unique ways to display items. Don’t just put everything back the way it was.  Add a splash of color with fabric. Remember to add fabric in the kitchen to soften all the hardscapes.  Try to use larger items to create a more dramatic look. And group things in odd numbers.

Then step back and admire the work!  Your home will not only look fantastic  . . . it will feel fantastic!  Stir up the memories of summer and let your imagination run wild!  Enjoy A New View for summer! 

If you are overwhelmed by this project, we can help. Give me a call to schedule a block of hands-on assistance. We come to your home and work with you to create dramatic changes in less than a day! Don’t wait – times fill up fast. We specialize in creating new looks using what you already have. You’ll be amazed at what a difference a day makes! 

A New View Staging and Redesign, LLC is headquartered in Brooklyn Park, MN. Our mission is to help budget-minded homeowners, home sellers or renters prioritize their needs, and create beautiful spaces with ease and for less money. We help overwhelmed sellers prepare their homes to put on the market and busy families create organized, peace-filled, efficient spaces for improved living.

As I spend time reflecting on my work and the projects from the last few weeks, I am in awe of the great strides made by my clients. I truly love my clients. I love their passion, their enthusiasm, and their willingness to step into the uncomfortable place of allowing someone to help them change their most personal space – home. Whether we are working on redesigning a kitchen or staging the entire home, many emotions and personal connections erupt and bubble to the surface.

Often, the thought of making these changes in your home can be exciting -whether it be redesign or staging to sell. You may think about how great it will be to finally have a place that looks and feels great. You might imagine what you can do with the extra money earned from the sale of your home. Maybe you dream about the next phase of your life. You may anticipate the chance to learn new skills and the pride that comes with doing it yourself. You may even find an inspiring photo and have a grand vision of what could be. If you are really anxious, you may even begin to shop, sort, rearrange a few pieces, etc. And this is where the process usually ends. The initial excitement begins to wain. The daunting thought of the work ahead is more than you can bear. Maybe tomorrow.

If you have a step-by-step plan, a checklist, due dates, support, affirmation, and guidance the process is much easier.  That is where a professional redesigner/home stager can add value.  This is also where a professional who understands the emotions involved in transitions can bring an intangible benefit. For one, they can help you get the job done. More importantly, it won’t leave you stressed, anxiety ridden, and frustrated. 

A few final thoughts. . . Transition is inevitable. We all have goals, hopes and aspirations.  Turning them into reality involves effort and work. The process we go through is as important, if not more important as the end result. It is transformational. Consider what you are learning from the experience. Don’t wait until you reach the end result to enjoy it. Have fun. Partner with someone who understands and inspires you. Seek out support and guidance. Make the experience a positive one.

Today, take a moment and take care of you. Your home is supposed to be a place of peace, a haven from the stresses of the day. Your home should feel comforting. You should sigh a breath of relief. It is an extension of you and a reflection of how well you are taking care of yourself.  How are you doing with this? Where would you rate your home?

Before:

After

A friend in one of my classes wisely commented (and I’m writing here for your benefit) that when your home is put together, well decorated, perfectly accessorized, organized and showing its best, you feel good BEING in it; just like you do when you put on a fashionable, well-fitting outfit that compliments your figure, have your hair done, and add make-up and accessories to enhance your natural beauty.  You look great. And more importantly, you FEEL great.

We deserve to feel that great EVERY day. As my friend said, “with the stresses we all deal with on a daily basis, our home should be a place that helps us de-stress.” I couldn’t agree MORE!

Pamper yourself today. Take a moment, go through some photos, look around and make a decision to ‘dress up’ your space. I am going to begin work on a video series to help you through this process. The first step is to decide its time. As the videos are created, I’ll keep you posted on how you can get access to this guide to help you through the process – one step at a time – with all the support you need.

Here’s to you and to living well!

Don’t want to wait? Call A New View Staging and Redesign and find out if our services can help you!  612-483-4012. We also offer e-staging – a unique way to get guidance without having anyone step foot in your home!

A New View Staging and Redesign, LLC is headquartered in Brooklyn Park, MN. We specialize in helping homeowners get the most out of their homes!

What a difference a day makes! We staged a house that is getting ready to go on the market today. The homeowner’s took the preparation of their house seriously and the results show! As we were leaving, the homeowner (seller) remarked that in the 20+ years they had lived in the house, it had never looked that great. And when they move to the next house, they want to have it look fantastic from Day 1. Kudos to the sellers for their work. Their efforts will help them generate success in the sale of their home. And kudos to the agent who referred us to them.

The biggest lesson in this house was simple and profound. Don’t wait to enjoy your home. Don’t wait until you move to see its potential. Don’t wait until you can ‘afford the perfect house’. Make the most of the home you have. The rewards can be reaped daily – each time you relax in your perfectly redesigned space.

For more information or for help in discovering your home’s potential, call A New View Staging and Redesign, LLC. We can even work ‘virtually’! (612-483-4012).

Some of the homes I have seen in Brooklyn Park, MN really could benefit from a professional home stager. You may have noticed that products in stores with the most attractive packaging, and listed at the right price point usually sell first and for more. Professional home stagers must be effective and will make sure that every last detail is analyzed and scrutinized. You may wonder if buyers even notice? I can assure you with a resounding “YES”!  You may recall that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Do you realize that 85% of buyers shop online before making a visit to the property? Quality photos and videos show details that you would otherwise miss.  Other times, photos make our property look like the ‘generic’ brand – (when decluttering is taken a bit too far). Image is everything for a home!