Leave No Window Undressed! Why & How To Wow Your Windows...

I was going to write a long article to explain the whys and hows but someone else did it for me. I could not have said it better myself! http://http://www.househunting.ca/drape+your+windows/3068211/story.html

Small Spaces ~ Functional Spaces!

Even the smallest spaces can prove to be functional spaces. The key in dealing with small spaces is streamlining, assigning it a function and maximizing the square footage available.

Workstations are easy spaces to create almost anywhere. Landings, nooks, open, large closets and even kitchens.

Storage:

• We’ll start thinking vertically again! Bins: Pile them high and label them for easy access

• Closets: Installing two (2) to four (4) horizontal rods instead of the typical long horizontal rod will double or even quadruple your hanging space. Unless you are fortunate enough to own a bevy of ball gowns (and use them!), the smaller rods are a perfect solution. Between you and me, ball gowns should have their own private space anyway.

• Shelves for shoes, belts and hand bags keep the space organized, tidy and readily available.

Bay Windows: A beautiful, architectural element to any space but people often wonder what to do with the somewhat awkward space left over. Forego the array of tropical plants we often see and consider a reading area with two small, comfortable chairs and a functional table.

Better yet, a reading nook with a custom made (a simple d.i.y. project) with all your favorite books housed underneath and a cozy cushion on top for you and not your plants, to bask in the sun. If the window is in a spare bedroom why not add a day bed for little ones visiting with their parents?

A Small Entry Way? This I can relate to. With a small closet and narrow entry way numerous guests arriving at the same time can prove challenging. A narrow bookcase, turned on its side and dressed up with cushions provides bench seating and a place for storing shoes and boots!
In The Kitchen:
• Lacking counter space? Rolling bakery carts can provide a great workspace and double purpose as a serving cart when guests arrive.

Don’t be afraid to leave your dishes and glassware on display if cupboard space is lacking. There are great decorative shelves out the made for just that!

• With many apartments/condos being built with galley kitchens, break out the barstools and try countertop eating. This element is quickly becoming a part of every day design.

• A small, 2-seater dining table (preferably round as it takes up less space) is also great for coffee and reading the morning paper.

• Consider custom booth seating (similar to what you see in restaurants) for larger families. Booths take up wall space versus floor space and the tables can be moved and used at different angles.
Custom Furniture:
Do not overlook custom furniture out of fear! It is not significantly more expensive and contrary to big box furniture, custom furniture is built to last! Having worked as a Sales Manager for a custom furniture manufacturer and assisted with restaurant, commercial buildings and hotel designs, buying direct from the manufacturer is any designers dream!

Small Space Hints: There are many companies designing for smaller spaces now. Here’s what to look for:

• Living Room: Forego bulky furniture as this take up more space. Look for clean lines and low back furnishings.

• Televisions: Flat panels, installed directly on the wall save valuable floor space. No flat panel? Install a low corner cabinet to house bulkier televisions.

• Bedrooms: Use gorgeous shelves, installed at the appropriate height instead of night stands. Invest in a tall armoire with both doors and shelves instead of long dressers. Armoires are also great for hiding entertainment equipment in the bedroom such as televisions (a bedroom no-no!) and CD players.

• Children’s Rooms (Teens too!): Shelves, shelves and more shelves. Decorative baskets or funky containers installed directly on the walls. These hold small trinkets and toys leaving the floors clean, and keeping you from stepping on them in the middle of the night (we’ve all experienced that!)

They are also great for portable game players, CD’s, magazines and IPODs.

Age appropriate loft beds with a workstation underneath are great for school aged children and teens.

Lastly, remember that furniture does not always need to be placed along your walls. Really it doesn’t. Play with your space, you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised.

Hanging Your Artwork ~ Mystery Solved!

I would have to say that in 90% of the homes I visit, whether for business or pleasure, treasured artwork, photographs and shelves are hung at the wrong height or are not in proportion to the space.

This alone can throw off the design of the room and in many cases cause neck cramps. I joke but really, one should never have to look up to their wall furnishings.

Let's solve this mystery shall we?

Height: Measure 60" up from the floor. Lightly mark this spot in pencil. Measure the vertical side of your artwork and divide by two (this will be the center of the piece). The CENTER of your piece should be hung at the 60" mark. See? Piece of cake and foolproof!

Proportion: Crucial as well. How many times have you seen a 5x7" portrait hung over a Queen sized bed? Looks a little lost doesn't it?

Rule of thumb: The larger the wall, the larger the artwork. If you are hanging artwork over a bed or a sofa, for instance, you would be best suited to hang horizontal, wide artwork in order to create a focal point in the room or a grouping of the same size. A narrow, tall wall is best for vertical artwork.

Groupings: Same rules apply. Create your focal point first THEN add the additional prints/photos around it.

The mystery has now been solved folks so please, run off and re-hang!

Why Stage Your Home?

Home staging for the discriminate buyer.

Homes on the market today have been designed and decorated with the owner in mind, and rightly so. We all have our own décor palate preference and we are all collectors of treasured items however, very few of us are trained to see past what’s presented before us.

It has been proven that when home shopping, the potential buyer knows within 15 seconds of visiting a home whether this is a home to be considered for purchase. Additionally very few people can see past paint color and furnishings. Buyers, particularly 1st home buyers do not budget in advance for paint or general repairs.

This is where PHANCY comes in…we can refresh a home from top to bottom and assist in getting the home sold. Please keep in mind that when we redesign or stage a home we are doing it with future buyers in mind. We want them to see all of the space and potential the home has! This may mean painting a room, re-arranging and removing furniture or changing window treatments. Rest assured that this is a small inconvenience for a large return!