Mediterranean Comes To Life

When Design Comes Alive- Quand le design prend vie!

Cuisine avec salle à manger adjacente qui avait besoin d'amour.
Kitchen with adjacent dining room that was in need of love.

‪#‎phancydesign‬ ‪#‎interiordesign‬ ‪#‎renovationservices‬ ‪#‎makingoldnewagain‬‪#‎consultations‬ ‪#‎dreamboards‬ ‪#‎designscomealive‬

Prep It - Proper Furniture Refinishing

I promised you a look inside when it comes to furniture refinishing.  I explained in a previous post that I strongly believe in prepping my pieces for durability because I want them to last. There is no point in paying someone to refinish a piece that is not going to last.  Regardless of what you pay, it will simply not be worth it.

Yes, preparation is more labour intensive. Yes, preparation adds time to a project duration so yes, you will have to wait a little longer. On the plus side your piece will be given an extended life.

I will attempt to sum up my finishing process into a tight little bundle but do keep in mind. it can vary based on the products used, the original state of the furniture, whether it's being painted or stained or both (tabletop versus base, for instance), the number of repairs, the desired finishes, etc....

1. Remove hardware and thoroughly clean the piece.

There isn't a paint, stain, or gel that is going to adhere to your furniture if it is not cleaned properly. It has to be completely degreased.

Removing the hardware keeps the new finish off it, lets us get into all those nooks and crannies and gives you a smoother surface.

2. Clean hardware if reinstalling.

3. Light sanding, heavy sanding or stripping.

It's going to require this.  Guaranteed.  For maximal adhesion, you want me to do this.

4. Repairs

Fill in cracks, holes, tighten screws, evaluate and fix.

5. Made repairs?

Then we need to sand those areas again.

6. Clean again.

All that dust from sanding or the stripping residue needs to come off.

7. Prep to Start

This is when we prime or condition the wood depending on the finish and colours you've selected. Priming is especially important on your dark and red woods as there can be significant bleed through when painting.

This is the most expensive Chalk Paint on the market.  It was painted on without priming or prepping first.  See the bleed through and roughness? Credit: HomeStories

8. Get Going

This where the magic starts to happen.  Applying the stain or paint. Nice, long strokes. Being careful not to glob, repaint wet areas, or generally mess-up.  Then you wait for it to dry.  Depending on the manufacturer, this can be several hours or overnight.  Don't forget that temperatures and humidity levels can greatly affect drying and application.

9. Sand Again...

"WHAT?!  But my neighbour told me that Chalk Paint was a one coat, smooth, no prep required application. I'm not done?!"  Noooooo.....if you want a smooth finish that will last forever, you will now sand, CLEAN, and re-apply another coat.  You want this:

Perfectly smooth finish by Phancy Design

And NOT this:

Gloppy, choppy, one coat 

10. So yes, you are sanding again and applying (hopefully) your last coat.  The colour you choose will dictate whether another coat or touch ups need to be applied.  And guess what? You sand again before applying your wax or poly finish coat.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are looking for a faux finish, this will often require additional colours blended in so it's a little (a lot, really) more detailed.  Like this?

This is a five colour, multi sanding, dry brushing, wet distressing finish. Intense but ultimately worth it.  But, takes time.

11. Finishing

You might elect for a wax or poly finish.  I much prefer poly as it dries rock hard.  I cannot recommend waxing on any piece that is going to be used regularly.  It just won't hold up (tabletops, dresser tops, coffee or end tables).  Reserve your wax finishes for dresser fronts, decorative shelves or out of the way items.  Wax will need to be maintained so keep that in mind.  It's a commitment.

The poly finish is my favourite as it's durable, requires no more upkeep than regular dusting and is ideal for tabletops.  YES, sanding is required between each poly coat to give you that smooth finish. On a kitchen/dining table, I recommend a minimum of 4-5 coats of poly.  On a dresser top, 2 should do it.

12. Results

If you have the patience for it to be done properly, you will have a piece that will last and last.  And that's the point, right?  You can breathe new light into your grandma's buffet, your 1st bedroom set or that dining room table.

Do it once and do it correctly and you'll be thrilled for years to come!

13. LET IT CURE - letting your finish cure will also prolong it's durability.  Letting your piece rest for 30 days, prior to putting it to day to day use will greatly prolong its finish.  

** Each type of finish will vary and the steps above are noted to show you the value of finishing correctly.  Not all finishes will require that intensity although some may require more.  This post is merely to show you what can be involved with having the process carried out in the correct way, which will ultimately prolong the life of your treasures.  We are always happy to break down the process for you to help you better understand your quotes.  Just ask :-) **

Be kind, be well.

For the love of Barn Wood...

Are you loving the new barn wood trend as much as we are? From walls to doors to furniture, the possibilities are endless.  Barn Wood can get mighty expensive so thank goodness we can cheat a little ;-)

Have a look at our favourite, affordable "cheats"

Get the barn wood planks here

This model here

Loving It!

Modern AND Affordable!

Artwork

Interior Decorating versus Home Staging - What's the difference?

Interior Decorating involves designing the space using a mix of what the owner has (in most, but not all cases) and blending it with new. The key difference is that Interior Decorating is done with the clients approval and in line with their personal taste. The client has input in the decision making process and provides valuable information related to their likes and dislikes.  It is then that I capture the essence of what they are looking for and move full speed ahead. Their space, their choices.

Home Staging has nothing to do with the home owner's taste. It is done to reflect the tastes of the widest range of buyers. I start by trying to use what's already in place but as the project moves along, accessories, bedding, window treatments are often provided as part of our rental agreement. It is my task to appeal to the widest range of buyers with or without the seller's taste entering the mix.

At Phancy Design we do not believe in simply "fluffing" up someone's home.  We want to make an impact.  Dramatic transformations happen often with us.  Our goal is always "model home", knock your competition out of the park, and give you ideas for your future home, all at the same time!  We do of course have to work within the budget of the home owner or realtor, so that can be a challenge!

Whether you are staying in or leaving your home, Phancy Design can assist you.  Please contact us to reserve your consultation.

BEFORE & AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Colour and You...

Colour is a powerful communication tool and can tell people a lot about you.The temperature of the environment might play a role in your colour preference. People who are warm tend to list cool colours as their favourites, while people who are cold prefer warmer colours.

When it comes to my home, I now prefer (and I say now because I have gone through MANY phases) the cool, icy blues (my living room) with greys, whites and blacks thrown in for good measure. I am a grey FANATIC.  It's the world's most perfect colour (but I digress).

So what do your favourite colours say about you?

Black: Absorbs all light in the colour spectrum. Indicates power.  Could also indicate mourning or unhappiness.  I LOVE black. Even on the walls.  Oh yes.  But particularly on my doors.  Painting your doors black gives you depth, and drama.  It will make your rooms look bigger and bolder.  I love black.

Liven up a landing

Add depth with black doors

White: Purity, cleanliness, sterile, cold, bright, innocent.  Finding the perfect white can be a daunting task.  I am a fan of the bright, blinding whites and tend to avoid those muddied up versions.  White, for me, should be pure and bright.  Ceilings, trim or a white on white room can truly be a show-stopper.

YasminWhite

Blue: Glorious blue, the colour MOST preferred by men!  Aloofness, calm, serenity. peaceful, tranquil...the list goes on...Blue is a top design choice for many interiors, ranging from the navies to the icy blues.  It will calm you immediately however it is the # 1 choice for the Home Office as it helps increase productivity.  Calm mind = clear head = productivity, I always say. My living room is currently painted in Behr's Cumberland Fog, which to me is the perfect blend of a silvery grey and an icy blue.  It does indeed encourage deep breathing when I need it most.

Red: Intense, exciting, bold. I would not recommend red as a wall colour (accent walls behind them are okay) for children as it CAN cause excitement and feelings of aggression.  Trust me on this, I've seen it.  It's a GREAT accent colour so, as noted above,if you want to paint an accent wall, make sure it's on a wall they are not looking at during bedtime.  Alternately, you can pepper their room room with red accents, instead (bedding, lamps, curtains, etc,,,).

It is however a great colour for dining rooms or again, accented in a living room.  It promotes lively conversation and the appetite!  Word of caution: Red is a hard to colour to paint.  Even with primer.  Be prepared for 3-4 good coats of paint on each wall.

Green: Glorious green - you either love or hate it.  True story.  People have some really strong feelings about green.  It's calming, it promotes good health & vitality.  What's not to like?  Much, apparently. It may be a question of finding the right green.  I have had green in my house and it was lovely, but none now.  Not even as an accent colour.  Although I do have an orchid in my kitchen.  Does that count? Greens can be vibrant or muddy.  I am sure there is a green out there for everyone.  It's simply choosing the right one.

Maddeco

YELLOW- I hate this colour.  With a passion. Yellow can raise feelings of frustration and anger.  No kidding!  When I moved into this house, the kitchen and living rooms were yellow. Bright yellow.  And I kid you not, three of us were ready to tear each other apart.  It became really urgent for us to get yellow out of the house, lol. I just can't live with it.

Others (not me) find it cheery and warm. Because of the amount of light that it reflects, it can be hard on the eyes.  Men, in general, do not like it because it can be a libido killer (not a joke).  Try yellow as an accent colour instead.  Pair it with whites, greys or blacks.

My house BEFORE.  There are simply no words for this,

BROWN: Oh brown, salt of the earth. Nature, warmth, security. Brown has been a decorating staple (disguised as sand, chocolate, taupe and the like...) forever.  I've had chocolate brown walls and I loved it.  It was like walking into a warm hug.  I teamed it with raspberry coloured furniture and it was outstanding.  You don't have to take brown straight up.  Its variations can keep you decorated for life.  It's a solid foundation that can be played up with virtually any colour.

Multiple uses of brown - Candice Olsen photo because, well, I love her.  Yeah. I really do.

So, thoughts...Does your interior reveal something about you? 

Phancy Design
www.phancydesign.ca

Plus qu'un rêve - More Than Just A Dream

C'est plus qu'un rêve. C'est notre avenir. Notre passion nous amènerons à travers le Canada. Vos maisons à vendre, notre meilleur travail.  Des forfaits abordables parce que vous voulez vendre rapidement, avec moins de négociations et passer à votre prochain client.

It's more than a dream.  It's our future.  Our passion will take us across Canada.  Your homes for sale, our best work.  Affordable packages because you want to sell quickly, with little negotiation and move onto your next listing.

Phancy Design

514.605.1799

www.phancydesign.ca

Tracy's Top 5 List of Do's and Don'ts

Home Staging season is in full swing!  Whether you are hiring a professional Home Stager (recommended!) or attempting it on your own, here's our top 5 list of FAUT and "FAUX pas"!

DO....

1) A thorough cleaning
Your home should shine during photos, visits and open houses.  This is not the time to go on a house cleaning strike.  The home is still yours (although you should now be looking at it as a "product" you are selling) and you must maintain it.

2) De-Clutter
This is the perfect time to dispose of anything you aren't using any more.  Prepare donation bags for those clothes that no longer fit, throw out any broken toys or small appliances, get your home office in order.

3) Air it out
It's been a long winter.  Really long.  Take advantage of any rises in temperature to open those windows and bring in the fresh air.  It's good for you, it's good for your home and it's good for visitors. A few times a day, if only for 5 minutes, will do a world of good!

4) Evaluate your floorplan
Are you really showing your home at its best? Or have you moved the furniture around to accommodate babies and pets? Your home needs to flow properly. Remove any roadblocks and play with your furniture.  Resist pushing all your furniture against the walls (this does NOT make your rooms look bigger) and create airy spaces that your visitors can circle, walk through freely and envision their own furnishings.

5) Repairs
That to-do list you have been sitting on?  There's no time like the present to get it done! In fact, it's critical.  You know the staircase to the basement requires a handrail. Do it!  The building inspector is going to tell you anyways.  Get it done now and that's one less thing on his report! House needs paint touch ups? Do it now!  As unimportant as that seems, it's one less reason for your potential buyers to turn around and walk away or bog you down in negotiations.  Think TURN-KEY, finished home with nothing to do.  Think model home.

Home Staging is not just about making it pretty (although that is also a HUGE "DO" on the to-do list). It's about creating functional, welcoming, clean spaces.  About showing your home at its best. About creating that turn-key vision for your buyer. Not sure? Contact us for a consultation and let us help you get your listing on track.

FAUX PAS

1. Pets

You love them. I love them (have 3 pups of my own) but your buyer may not.  Even the animal loving buyer does not want your dogs jumping on them, following them around or just getting in the way.

The non-animal lover or allergy sufferer could walk right out.

Down boy!

Please do not show pets, their bowls/toys in your listing photos. You'll alienate a big portion of your potential buyers.  And DO keep your pets outside during visits or better yet, take them off the property completely. Allow your buyers to take the time they need to view your property and not have them feel rushed because your animals are over-excited.

2. Lighting

BEFORE

AFTER

Do not neglect the power of lighting. Artificial or natural. Let the sunshine in and show your best light (s).  People are looking for bright and airy spaces. Heavy, dark curtains that block the light may be fabulous for energy conservation but not so great when we want to let the light in.  Consider light weight, light filtering, FLOOR LENGTH (I cannot stress this enough!) curtains to add light, drama and a breezy feel to the room.

Fixtures.  How old are yours? Is great grandma's Tiffany lamp hanging over the dining room table? Is it suitable for this room and its existing decor? Consider changing fixtures in the kitchen and dining room to something more modern and current. A small investment for a BIG return.

3. Setting The Table

Hands down my BIGGEST pet peeve and a HUGE faux pas! HUGE. Just.Don't.Do.It.

Why?

Believe it or not there is a psychology to Home Staging.  As a matter of fact, it's largely psychological with a big dash of magic.

a) How many times in your life have you set the table, then left the home? Once? Twice? NEVER, perhaps? So why do it now? That is not the way you live and we want to show buyers they can live as you have.

b) It's an outdated practice from the 90's.  When Home Staging first became popular, this was one of the 1st tasks accomplished.  If you have been advised to do this. STOP.RIGHT.NOW.  Because here's the psychology around it....

So your table is set...

Scenario 1: You have a 4-seater table and it's set and ready to go...Your buyer tours and oooops (!)...this room can only host four people!! But, we're six! And all those dinner parties we love to host? There's no room! It only holds four!

The buyer does not see all the EXTRA space around your table.  YOU know your dining room can easily accommodate a table of 8.  They cannot as they are too focused on the fact that your table only holds four people.  Suivant, next!

Scenario 2: You have an 8-seater table and it's set and ready to go...Your buyer tours and oooops (!)...this room can host eight people!! But, we only have a 4-seat table! We can't afford a table for 8 right now! Our table is too small! This room is too big!  Suivant, next!

A simple centerpiece is all you need!  

THIS is how we do it.

So, I repeat...

a) How many times in your life have you set the table, then left the home? Once? Twice? NEVER.

b) It's an outdated practice from the 90's.  STOP.RIGHT.NOW.



4. Collections

So you're a collector...Comic books, owls (guilty!), porcelain dolls...this is the time to put them away. First of all, they are probably worth a fortune.  Both monetary and from an emotional standpoint.  We don't want them broken or stolen during visits, so do put them in a safe place.  More importantly...non collectors will have no appreciation for your treasures. To them, it's just clutter.  And focusing on clutter, takes our attention away from your home.  Let you buyers focus on your fabulous home, not your bobble-heads ;-)

5. The Empty Home

While I always encourage you to de-clutter (see item 2 of the DO's) there can be too much! And listing your home without furniture, all together, may also work against you.  Buyers need to see how you live.  They need to visualise the space.  The majority of buyers really struggle with putting a room together.  They need your help.  It doesn't matter if your furniture is not the same as theirs.  If your sectional fits in the living room then they can rest assured that their sofa and loveseat will as well.

Your buyer may be upgrading to a larger home, which means they may not understand your floorplan.  They need guidance. It's their first dining room.  They've only eaten in a small kitchen. They want to see the possibilities.  YOU know it's a dining room, they only see an empty space. What will they do with it? What is this room? They may not know. And that can be scary.  With Home Staging, we can show them, guide them, Think MODEL HOME.

Still unsure? Well, that's Phancy Design's speciality. We have had the privilege of staging homes for over 10 years and it's my passion, my life. Let's chat at 450.458.7001 and get your home ready and SOLD!

Before

After

Kudos

WELL, I just have to say...the girls at Southern Honey Chawk Paint have BLOWN me away! First of all, getting some of the more well known chalk paint distributors to ship to Canada is like asking them to give birth. Painful. And most won't.

Ashley from Southern Honey was all smiles and sweetness. And she shipped, quickly and reasonably. Now...the paint. OH MY GOODNESS. Unbelievable coverage, unbelievable application, unbelievable colours. I am officially in love. No, really.

Thank you Ashley for your fabulous attitude, service and product. You have a believer!!

#southernhoneychawkpaint #Imabeliever

The Art Of Home Staging

Have three professional Home Stagers assess a property and you will come out with three very different interiors. Why? Because Home Staging is an art and each person will interpret the space differently.

When I walk into a home, my vision starts to form immediately.  Yes, immediately.  I can see where the furniture will be placed, what furniture to use, my colour pallet, and the fine details that will round out the space. The space speaks to me,  Sounds crazy, right?  But, it's true.

After assessing the space, there is much planning that surrounds the staging.  Having a vision is one thing, making the vision come to life is another.  I am always so grateful when the home owner allows us to set the stage.  They have faith that all will come together.  They believe in the process.

It's not always that simple. We have clients who insist on staging themselves, picking up on our comments during the consultation process, trying to grasp everything we intend to do.  A difficult task as they cannot grasp our visions.  As such, those homes often languish on the market and are not being shown at their true potential.

Too often we are seeing;

1. Too much de-cluttering.  Yes, there can be too much!  You don't want to remove all personality from your home.  On the contrary, we want the buyer to want what you have.

Planning Stages

2. Too personalised: What you love in your home (artwork, busy prints on fabrics, bright, bold walls) is probably not what the masses will want.  Think MODEL HOME.

3. Furniture in the wrong place: You can double the sizes of your rooms visually if your furniture is placed correctly.  Don't assume that placing all the furniture against the walls makes your room look bigger.  This is rarely the case.

4. Clean Up: We have seen far too many listings with laundry on the floor, dishes in the sink and clothing stockpiled on chairs.  You are selling your home.  You must show it in pristine condition.

5. Bad photos: If possible, your agent should be providing professional pictures or at least, take them properly.  Remember, you are not selling what's in the home, you are selling the home itself.  Photos of the bed or curtains are not relevant.  We want to see the room, in its entirety, in its best light. And PLEASE keep your pets and their accessories OUT of the photos.

There are certainly many facets of home staging that cannot even be communicated.  When in doubt, call in the professionals,  Your home will sell FASTER and with LESS negotiation and that in itself, can set your mind immediately at ease.

Consultations available by appointment at 450.458.7001.  PHANCY DESIGN

Selling Your Home In The Near Future?

So you're thinking of selling your home in the near future. Are you selling between $ 280K and $ 400K? If that's your selling range, you own what is considered (location dependant, of course) an "average" priced home.

You are appealing to young families & professional couples just starting out. What does it mean to sell an "average" priced home?

It means there's a lot of choice out there for buyers and your competition on the market will be fierce because you are one of many.

This is where the importance of HOME STAGING comes in… It is now an essential service when selling your home. Why?

Because when competition is high, you need to own that one house that stands out in everyone's mind. You need an edge. You need a reason for people to choose your home.

FACT: Home Staging will increase the Visual Value of your home (and in some cases, can increase the market value).

How your home is presented in photographs is a crucial part of the selling process. Even curb appeal is now second to photo appeal. It's all in the visual. Images have a huge impact on how a buyer evaluates a home.

95% of buyers start their search online. A buyer can assess within less than 5 minutes whether they will buy your home (or NOT).

BUYERS KNOW: Being comfortable and loving your home can dramatically improve your well-being and impact all areas of your life. Buyers will make concessions based on emotion versus logic. HOME STAGING appeals to the senses, gives a buyer something to hold onto, makes your home the memorable one.

FICTION: HOME STAGING is only for executive homes and estates.

On the contrary! When competition is fierce, it's time to step up. Average priced homes should be the areas that are focussed on first. Imagine where there are four homes on your street alone that are for sale; up to 10-15 in your neighbourhood perhaps?

WHAT will make your home the one that stands out? The one that everyone gravitates towards? The one that everyone wants?

RUMOUR: HOME STAGING is expensive and a big bother.

Not true. Why?

The return on your investment (ROI) is guaranteed. Staging will cost you less than your first price reduction – do not reduce your selling price, increase your Visual Value!  You will sell faster, with far less negotiations than your neighbours may face and carry your home for a shorter period of time!  Staged homes are considered “turn-key” homes and therefore are among the 1st to be visited.

PHANCY DESIGN has staged all types of homes. From the starter home to the executive home to the country estate...And contrary to what you may see on television you will not be forced to move-out, there will be no tent set up in your driveway with a team of ten people tearing through your home, nor will you have to take out a 2nd mortgage (our services are tax deductible for real estate brokers). Unless your home is already empty we will, whenever possible, work with what you already have available.  But have no fear!  We have an impressive inventory to help get you through.

We know how to make your home appear more spacious, more functional and visually appealing to the market at large. This is never a reflection of your decor talents, it's a reflection on what the market demands and craves.

PHANCY DESIGN does not hold the memories of the home that you do. You are emotionally attached to your home which is completely normal! Because we can view your home as an outsider, we can provide you with the tools needed to update your space and appeal to a large demographic – your potential buyers!

WHAT WE CAN DO:

PHANCY's ultimate goal is always to make your home the one that everyone wants. Appeal to all their senses, beyond the visual. Your home may need only need a few tweaks or it may need a complete transformation, but whatever it needs, we can tell you, show you, do it for you!

Your home will be photo ready (complete with professional photographs as part of our service) and visit ready before you know it! That's the PHANCY way!

450-458-7001 tel

phancydesign@live.ca

www.phancydesign.ca

Open house preparation also available!

Throwing Out The Box - Part Deux

"Home should be your sanctuary.  Today's world can sometimes sadden me - we are overworked, often underpaid and scrounging to make ends meet yet we are constantly connected to our phones, our computers, our work.  We all need a place to unwind and what better place to do that than home?"

You remember this from our last discussion?  The rules still apply :-)  So what other elements can we apply to your home so that it truly IS your sanctuary.  Items 1 through 3 were VERY important so I hope you have given them some thought.  Let's keep up the momentum, shall we?

4. Organic:
Keeping your home alive is the best advice I can offer you.  Now I am not telling you to change your life, start eating organic (although there's nothing wrong with that) or change your lifestyle.  I am telling you to keep your interior real.

Nature has HUGE healing properties.  And while you may not be "in tune" with nature (case in point, myself, who has a healthy dose of respect for nature but for goodness sake, don't ask me to sleep outdoors!) you can introduce some of the elements to give the illusion of bringing nature inside.  NO, I do not want to see a home full of houseplants, no I do not want you to go from modern to country, and no, I am not trying to convert you.  I want you to have the feeling of the great outdoors, with a giant twist.

Introduce greenery...an easy-to-care for Bamboo plant, PAINT, decorative rocks or stones, SHAPE.  I cannot stress the need for organic shapes enough.  Shape is important, shape is real, shapes are soothing.  Some examples of all these...

Bamboo in a window sill will bring a room to light

Shapes are calming - shapes are true

Sage green grounds this space

 See how easy that was?  Need more? Fresh flowers on a wood table captures nature effortlessly.  A metal wall hanging in a traditional room grounds a space...the possibilities are endless.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP THAT I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH - REALLY.

Dried flowers are a thing of the PAST (really cannot stress that enough)  - Toss them.  Immediately.  Dead flowers equal dead home.  Go on, do it.

Wood comes alive with greenery and river rocks (courtesy FreshHome)

5. Mix and Match
Most often heard "argument" between my clients - We Don't Have The Same Taste!
PSHAW, I say!  Do not be afraid dear readers.  So you are modern and he is country.  So he is traditional and you are eclectic.  Fear not.  As you were married, we can marry your tastes and styles.

His shabby table - your modern chairs (credit RH)

Your country paired with his traditional (note the table greenery!!) (credit: RH)

Credit: Prairie Perch

Do you see how all the elements work together?  You can have brilliant spaces by mixing and matching the tastes and preferences of everyone in your home.  It works!  Not sure how exactly? Consult with us...

6. Finally, Let There Be Air

Nothing is more stifling to your psyche than dead air.  It's harmful to your well being and can impact your days and nights.  Baby, it can be hot outside.  Baby, it can be cold outside.  OPEN UP THE WINDOWS.  The biggest "pick-me-up" I can offer you is fresh air.  Even in the dead of winter, opening up the windows can clear your mind.  Take 5 minutes to open up every window in your home (regardless of the temps outside) and BREATHE.  Just for 5 minutes then you can close it back up.  Air circulation does the mind so much good and you will infinitely feel better in your space.

And let there be light...Do away with those heavy draperies and open up your space.  You can purchase light weight draperies that offer heat insulation properties now so you are longer weighed down by heavy fabrics and light blocking draperies.

In the evenings, turn off the lights and light some candles.  Not only is it romantic, it's so calming.  You'll have no choice but to relax.  The harshness of bright, overhead lights are tough on the eyes and do us no good.  We don't need bright, artificial light - dim the bulbs, enjoy the ambiance - make a change.

www.partylite.biz/phancydesign

I hope I have allowed you to take a few steps forward to your new and improved living arrangements.  Baby steps and an open mind are all it takes.  Don't be boxed in by the box, and don't feel you have to think outside of it.  Forget the darn box!  It it feels right, do it.  If it makes you happy inside, do it.

If you need assistance, please feel free to contact me.  It's difficult to address all the steps in one blog post, so if you need more, just ask.  It's what I'm here for.

Enjoy the peace my friends.

P.S. Next week we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions I get.  Stay tuned.

Throw Out The Box!

Some people have trouble thinking outside the box.  So let's throw out the box, shall we?

Decor choices can be overwhelming, no?  From Pinterest to television to magazines, we are constantly being reminded as to how quickly trends can change, the do's, the don'ts and the what-were-you-thinkings when it comes to decorating.

I want to dispel a myth or two about how you should (or should not) decorate.  If you are currently living in your forever home (no plans to sell within the next 5-10 years or your last residence until your kids put you in a really nice, 24 hour butler service nursing home complete with spa) then traditional rules do not apply.  For the most part.

1) Your home should be a reflection of you and your family.  Modern? Traditional? Eclectic?

2) Your home should be comfortable.

3) Your home should be livable.

4) Your home should be functional.

We took on a home not long ago that was in desperate need of an design intervention.  This beautifully laid out home had not only been badly built (we had to address and fix those issues as well) it had been horribly decorated.  Horrible is a strong word, no?  It was horrible.  Really.

Having heard the history of the previous owners I had no problem believing that the house had a huge impact on how they were living.  The colors were aggressive, bold, had no rhyme or reason and just looking at those colors made me feel agitated.  Yes, agitated.

Home should be your sanctuary.  Today's world can sometimes sadden me - we are overworked, often underpaid and scrounging to make ends meet yet we are constantly connected to our phones, our computers, our work.  We all need a place to unwind and what better place to do that than home?

You should want to unwind, relax, unload and BREATHE the minute you walk in the door.  And you can.  No, really you can.

1. Paint: Color has a HUGE impact on our lives.  Color is meant to make a statement, yes.  But it should be geared to make the statement YOU want.  Soft or carefully selected bright colors to soothe or bold, brash color to provoke?  It's your choice. Consider the room, the lighting, the environment first.  What do you want to accomplish in that room?

2. Clutter: Oh the dreaded clutter.  I am not suggesting you part with your treasured collectibles.  I am merely suggesting you control them.  Find them a spot, a niche of their own.  Mail, long forgotten papers? Trash them!  Nothing clutters the mind like a cluttered home.  If you can adopt the "everything in its place and a place for everything " way of life your general, overall happiness gauge just went up :-)

3. Functionality: Is your home functional?  Here's a thought...it's not because the previous owners or the builder of your home called the dining room the dining room that you have to use it for the dining room.  Capiche?  Maybe your family room would make a better dining room?  May be you don't need the dining room at all but it would make an outstanding home office?  There's the box again.  DO NOT feel stymied by your floor plan.  Shake it up a little.  Move it around.  Make your home what you need it to be and not what people think it should be.

I will talk about this some more next week but let's start small, shall we?  Try tackling numbers one through 3 and get back to me.  Jot down your ideas, comb through magazines, find those interiors you love and make a plan.  Unsure?  Contact me. Baby steps. Baby steps before we go full throttle and change the way you look at your home forever.

Phancy will have you relaxed in no time.