5/3/14

Home Staging Redesign Mother's Day Gift Certificates~Houston/League City/Bay Area

Redesign Etc. HOme Staging Mothers Day Certificate

For that busy Mom, Grandma or special Lady that has everything, why not give her a customized gift? One that she won't have to fight traffic to the mall to return!

This year, give your Mom the gift of an Home Staging Redesign or Interior Redesign Consultation.

We will come to your home and redesign one room or your whole house. Using what you already own in a new and creative way giving you a whole new look. A mini-makeover in less than a day! We can transform your home while Mom's there or surprise her when she comes back home for the day. She will love it and be the envy of her friends!

Or we can help Mom with updates that shes been wanting to do but just hasn't been sure of how to pull everything together, or to know if it will look right. We offer an Interior Redesign consultation to help with colors, paint, hardware, countertops, flooring, light fixtures or any cosmetic changes she may want.

Customized pricing, contact us for details.
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4/24/14

13 Secrets Personal Organizers Would Never Tell You for Free

13+ Secrets Personal Organizers Would Never Tell You for Free

Industry experts reveal the dirty details to help keep your home organized and clean.

Joshua Scott for Reader's Digest

Create 5 piles.

When you’re organizing, you should sort everything into five piles: move to another room, donate, give to a specific person, throw away, and, finally, the “marinating” pile. Pack up the marinating items, and label the box with a date that’s six months to a year later. If you never open the box before that date, you can safely discard those items.

To make an organizing project go faster:

Create rules about what you’re keeping and what you’re discarding. In your closet, for example, you can decide to give away any clothing that’s not between size x and size y, that’s stained, or that needs to be repaired. With periodicals, you can decide not to keep anything that’s more than a year old.

It will always take you at least five times longer

to sort through a box of personal papers than you think it will.

Avoid lids...

...on laundry baskets, bins, and other containers. They just make it harder to put things away. For other items, I’m a huge fan of clear sweater boxes. Not only do they hold sweaters in your closet, but they’re perfect for holding beans, rice, and pasta in your pantry, Legos in your playroom, the stuff you collect at trade shows, and more. They fit on almost any shelf in any home and can hold most of the stuff in your house. I order them by the case.

Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Your goal should be to remove the clutter, not create more storage space.

People who think they’re disorganized always run out and start buying baskets, containers and hooks. You come home and try to use them, and they’re not the right type or size, because you didn’t sort through your stuff first. That’s just backward. All those new containers just end up adding to your clutter.

The number one problem for all my clients? Too much paper.

The whole idea of a paperless society is a complete myth. People are seriously scared to get rid of it. Remember, 80 percent of the paper you get you don’t need to keep. So it’s imperative to keep weeding out every single day, whether that's magazines, catalogs, mail, receipts, or anything else.

Are you holding on to a big piece of the past?

If you’re keeping something that doesn’t fit in your home for sentimental reasons—say, Aunt Jenny’s blue recliner or Grandma’s chandelier—recognize it’s the memory you cherish, not the item. Then take a picture of it and give it away to someone who actually has space for it who will love it. That said, if you really love that paperweight collection, grandma’s old photographs, or that heirloom quilt, why are you letting them get ruined, moldy, or eaten by moths in cardboard boxes in the attic? Honor your favorite keepsakes by getting them out and displaying them.

iStock/Thinkstock

Sure, you could sell that item on eBay.

But are you interested in finishing your organizing project or starting a new career hocking used stuff? Unless you sell online all the time or need the money, I recommend just giving things away so you can move on.

Monkey Business/Thinkstock

Watch out for flat surfaces...

...which can quickly become drop zones for clutter. When my clients have a dining table that is always getting covered with junk, I’ll have them clear it off, put a flower arrangement in the middle, and set it with place settings. That usually prevents them from parking stuff there.

iStock/Thinkstock

Anything that needs to go somewhere should be in your car...

...not in your house. Keep your coupons there in a clear folder so you have them if you need them. Get an errand basket to hold items that need to be returned. Use crates to store kids’ toys and emergency supplies. Also, a car trash bag is a simple thing—get one!

iStock/Thinkstock

Put everything on your calendar.

Even errands, exercise, cleaning the house should go on it. Then make sure you prioritize the things that are important to you. If it’s not on your schedule, it’s not on your life.

My biggest secret?

Don’t procrastinate. If you postpone things that take a few minutes, it adds up and suddenly you’re looking at several hours to clear your clutter. Always open your mail right away, do dishes right after you use them, and put things away as soon as you’re done with them.

If you have lots piles of papers you’re always looking through,

that’s a big time waster. Here’s what I suggest: every time you look at a piece of paper, put a red dot on it. If you’re ending up with 10 or 20 dots on one piece of paper, you need a new system to deal with your paperwork.

Hemera/Thinkstock

Please, get rid of that storage unit.

You could buy all the stuff that’s in there for the price of the annual rental fee—and that doesn’t include the cost of the moving truck and your time. Plus I’m sorry, but the items you own are almost never worth as much as you think. And even if they are, who cares? That’s still not a good excuse to hold onto things you don’t use.

Polka Dot/Thinkstock

My favorite tip for a roomier kitchen

...is to adjust cabinet shelves; it can create a lot more space. Also, get that popcorn machine, bread machine and the other huge appliances off your counter. If you don’t use it every week, store it in the attic or basement and get it out only when you need it. And do you really need all those plastic containers? Most people have cabinets full of them, but they only ever use a few. Figure out which ones you really use and donate the rest.

Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock

Here’s my favorite little kitchen tip:

Always load the dishwasher in an organized way. So instead of throwing all the silverware into the utensil box, put the forks in one area, the spoons in another, and the knives in another, and then when you’re unloading you just grab all the spoons and put them in the drawer.

Emrah Turudo/Getty Images

Go into your closet today and hang everything backward on the rod.

Once you wear something, hang it the normal way. A year from now, if you still have some things still hanging backward, you’re obviously not wearing them, so get rid of them.

Here’s a simple way to transform your closet:

Switch to one type of hanger. It makes a huge difference. If you have varying kinds, they get caught on each other, they’re not the same height and you can’t see everything as well. I especially love the thin hangers that are covered in velvet. Because they’re super slim, you can fit more into your closet, and your clothes won’t slip off them.

Maximize your closet space

by putting in an extra tension rod so you can hang shirts on top and skirts on the bottom, and always add hooks to hang jewelry and scarves if you have extra wall space. You can even put a chest of drawers in there if you have the room.

I love hanging shoe bags.

In addition to shoes, I use them for gloves and hats in winter, for sunblock, sunglasses and goggles in summer, and for crafts, toiletries and makeup.

Moms who have desks:

It's probably in an office on the second floor or in the basement, and you never use it, right? Instead, set up some kind of a portable office near the area you spend most your time, which is probably the kitchen.

You’re going to be more motivated to get an area organized

if you make some changes you can get excited about. When you’re doing your closet, for example, throw up a coat of new paint, put down some cool floor tiles or a rug, or add a beautiful fixture. It will make you want to keep it organized.

Fuse/Thinkstock

Ditch the cardboard.

One client asked me to help carry a bunch of cardboard storage boxes into her newly renovated house. As I opened the first one, out came hundreds of cockroaches. That’s why you should never use cardboard. You name the pest; I assure you it loves cardboard.

Stockbyte/Thinkstock

I swear I’m not a neat freak.

Being organized doesn’t mean everything is in its place; it means everything has a place. If you can get your house ready for a surprise guest in 30 minutes, then you’re organized. Believe it: I have not one, but two junk drawers in my kitchen—and I sleep just fine at night.

iStock/Thinkstock

Your kids will be so grateful...

...if you label and organize your photos now and if you stick a note on keepsakes explaining their significance. We settle a lot of estates, and it’s frustrating to the next generation when they don’t understand why something was  left to them.

Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock

Parents feel so guilty...

...about throwing away their children’s artwork. My solution? A Li’l Davinci art cabinet. It’s a beautiful frame that you can hang up, but you can also store up to 50 pieces of art inside it.

Fuse/Thinkstock

My biggest motivator for being organized:

I have more time to have fun and be spontaneous.
Sources: Professional organizers Kate Brown, owner of Impact Organizing in Sarasota, Florida; Laurie Martin,  owner of Simplicity in Charlotte, North Carolina; Julie Isaacs, founder of The Uncluttered Home in Scotch Plains, New Jersey; Melissa Picheny, owner of declutter + design in New York City; and Maria Gracia, author of Finally Organized, Finally Free and owner of getorganizednow.com.

3/8/13

What Renovations Have The Best Resale Value?

(Click to enlarge)

Source: eLocal.com

1/19/13

Home Selling Tip: What Buyers Want To See In Vacant Home

12/25/12

Merry Christmas from Redesign Etc. Home Staging of Houston

It's Christmas and we just wanted to say

"Thank You" and that...

It's been a pleasure working with you this past year...

Hope you and your family have wonderful Holidays and...

A Happy New Year!www.redesignetc.com

12/13/12

Home Staging Holiday Gift Certificates for Houston

Redesign Etc. Home Staging Christmas Gift Certificate

Home Staging Holiday Gift Certificates for Houston.

How about giving a gift certificate for one of our many services? A great gift idea for the person that has everything, or that is hard to buy for. Do you live out of town but have someone in or around Houston that is on your Christmas list? Surprise that someone special. This is a gift that anyone can use!

It's great for Singles, Newly Marrieds, Blended Families, Empty Nester's, Mom & Dad, Family members, Co-workers, Neighbors, Friends, Pastors, Secret Santa, College Graduate!

Excellent for Real Estate Agents to give to their clients or as listing incentives.

Here are some of the services Redesign Etc. provides:

Home Staging (We stage your home getting it ready to put on the market to sell.)

Interior Redesign/Mini-Makeover (Rearranging your rooms by using your existing furnishings. This is a service for when you are living in your home and want a new look.)

Home Staging Consultations

Color and Paint Consultations

Vacant Home Staging (We offer furniture furniture and accessory packages for unoccupied vacant homes)

"Lite" staging Packages (Using less furniture and accessories in key rooms for unoccupied vacant homes)

Move-In Decorating

Check out our services page. If you don't see what you're looking for just ask, chances are we offer that too!

Please contact us for prices or more details. To make it more convenient you can pay with PayPal.

* Gift certificates are valid for one year from date of purchase.

12/6/12

The Pantone 2013 Color of the Year is Emerald!

Pantone's color of the year - Emerald Green for 2013!

Image sources from top left: Studio M Interior Design on Pinterest // Marie Bourlet onPinterest // Lynn Galloway on Pinterest // Nuria Arfa on Pinterest // Kirtsy // Grant K. Gibson // Marie Bourlet on Pinterest // Centsational Girl on Pinterest // Redesign Revolution on Pinerest

via life in sketch

11/14/12

Home Staging By Redesign Etc.

Living Room Before

Living Room After

All-Inclusive Personalized Home staging Consultation Includes:

Preview home and take photos.
Verbal "Walk-n-Talk" from curb, home to the back fence. (Written report is available).
Specific room-by-room recommendations and evaluation.
On-the-spot recommendations.
Top 5 Priority "Sellers To Do" List for the highest R.O.I
How to showcase features that may get overlooked by buyers.
Suggestions on updates or cosmetic changes.
Do you need to make upgrades? We'll tell you whether it will be cost-effective for the sale of your home.
Cost effective tips and Ideas.
Ideas for furniture and accessory placement.
Recommendations of possible items (if needed) to purchase and where to purchase them.
Hands-on redesign of furniture or accessories if time permits.
Paint and Color recommendations.
Address any necessary items, issues or deferred maintenance.
Ideas for awkward spaces or floor plans.
Clutter control tips.
Showing Instructions.
Hands-on staging estimate for vacant & occupied homes (furniture & accessory placement and arrangement).
DIY staging plan if sellers want to implement changes.
Furniture & Accessory Rental estimate if applicable for unoccupied vacant homes.
Flooring recommendations.
Hardware, Lighting recommendations.
Curb Appeal including landscaping Ideas.
And More!

Most home staging consultations are $150 depending on the size and location of home.

RESA 2011 study proves "it does not benefit the homeowner to list their property first to see if it will sell. When they invest in staging before listing, they sell 79% faster".
RESA 2011 study showed "84% of buyers (some estimates are higher) look on the Internet to preview homes before they go to see a home in person. Properties with beautiful photographs will be looked at first. A staged home photographs better and looks better on the MLS".
RESA 2011 study showed"Professional stagers can “see what the buyer sees”. Buying decisions are made very quickly. Professional stagers know how those decisions are made and create an environment that allows for a favorable decision to be made when buyers look at a property".