Fall Home Decorating Tips

Summer is almost over and fall is on the way here in Raleigh/Durham NC! With that comes cooler temps, shorter days, pumpkin everything (yum!), changing leaves, and also, fall decorating! Here are some ideas to spruce up your space for the season. 

Add Texture

Think velvet, faux fur, and chunky knits. Thick, warm, soft materials such as these bring a coziness to your space. Items such as pillows and throw blankets are an easy, budget friendly way to incorporate texture. Add some woven baskets for stylish storage. 

Layer

Similarly to adding texture, make your space cozy and inviting by layering fabrics such as blankets, drapes, pillows and even rugs. Use items with different textures, patterns and coordinating colors for a pop of visual interest.

Incorporate Fall Colors and Patterns

When I think of fall, I think of patterns like plaid and colors like burnt orange, burgundy, gold, forest green and brown. Bring these colors and patterns in to your space through art and accessories, pillows and blankets. Luckily Target, HomeGoods and even Michael’s makes this extra easy on you!

Bring Outdoor Elements In

Glass vases with stems and greenery from the trees outside, pinecones, leaves, and small gourds are perfect to create a fall inspired feel inside your home. The best part is you can find most of this for free in your own yard! Or enjoy a fall scavenger hunt by going on a family walk.

Do you have any fall decorating tips we haven’t mentioned here? Let us know in the comments!

- Kerri

Product Review: Nuvo Cabinet Paint

As we mentioned in last month’s blog post, we often tell occupied home staging clients that updating their home will help with the sale. One update that has a big visual impact is the cabinets! Now, I’ve already painted our kitchen cabinets when we moved in. That said, recently I have been eyeing some beautiful navy cabinets on Instagram. Alvin was not on board with painting our kitchen cabinets again (who could blame him?!) but the bathroom cabinets were fair game!

There is this product on Amazon that I recommend to our clients who could benefit from a cabinet update but don’t want to (or can’t afford to) install new cabinets or have them professionally painted. It’s called Nuvo Cabinet Paint. It comes in multiple different colors, all of which are currently popular for cabinets and claims you can complete an entire kitchen in a weekend or less. I went with Oxford Blue for a bold look in our small space.

The kit comes with everything you would need, but I already had a ton of painting tools except the paint so I just ordered the single quart. I used our mouse sander on the old cabinets to give the paint a rough surface to cling to. It’s worth noting that the bathroom cabinets had a laminate surface, which made me a bit nervous that the paint would chip right off. You can see below what we started with.

Luckily, the little bit of sanding I did did the trick! In just an hour we had brand new (looking) cabinets! This includes the time I spent sanding and removing the hardware. The paint dried quickly so I was able to apply the second coat as soon as I finished the first one. Based on this timing, it seems completely reasonable to think you could complete a kitchen in a weekend. I’m also happy to report that it has been several weeks since I completed the painting portion of the project and there have been no chips! Ta-Da!!

Since I wanted a more complete updated look, I also added new cabinet pulls. I ordered these ones from Wayfair and LOVE them. I’ve also added them to Atti’s dresser and our bathroom cabinets. Eventually I will be painting our cabinets with the Nuvo paint as well.

Other updates I’ll slowly chip away at are vanity lights, faucet, and new vinyl tile. These are the ones I’m currently eyeing.

If I were to break the costs down it would be:

1. Paint: $32 (covers both bathrooms)

2. Knobs: $1.80 a piece, $3.60 total for this bathroom

3. Floor Tile: $1.20/sf, ~$20 total for this bathroom

4. Faucet: $56

5. Vanity Light: $84

6. Total: $195.60
   

Overall, not bad! This is a very budget friendly way to give your cabinets and bathrooms a quick update whether you’re planning on listing your home or loving it!

DIY Spring Curb Appeal

Now that spring is here, does your home’s exterior need some freshening up? Boost your home’s curb appeal and make a good first impression with these easy weekend projects.

Add Plants and Flowers

One of the easiest and most impactful things you can do is add greenery and flowers to your home’s exterior. Whether it’s adding a garden, some planters or window boxes, these can all freshen up the look of your home. Do your future self a favor and plant native perennials which will be low maintenance and return year after year.

Make Your Front Door Pop

Boost curb appeal by making your front door stand out. Opt for a bold color that coordinates with the other colors on the exterior of your home. Hint: Blue and wooden doors are in this year!

Take Care of Your Lawn

Lawn care is a big part of maintaining curb appeal. Regular mowing, raking, weeding and watering will go a long way in keeping the exterior of your home looking nice.

Add Lighting

A dark entryway isn’t very welcoming. Change out light fixtures for ones that are brighter and fresher. If you need additional light, add string lights or solar powered lights and lanterns. Remember to light the path to your entry as well with some lights along the walkway.

Upgrade Your House Numbers

Quickly and easily update the look of your home by changing out your house numbers. Choose a style that coordinates with the exterior of your home, but is also bold enough to stand out and catch the eye.

Add New Door Hardware

For a quick and noticeable upgrade, replace your door’s existing hardware with something new. Choose something that contrasts with your door’s color, such as nickel hardware on a navy door or black hardware on a yellow door.

Most of these projects are fairly easy and inexpensive, but can go a long way in creating some major curb appeal. What are some of the exterior projects on your list for this spring?

Decorating For Spring

Spring is almost here! I love the change of seasons and the optimism it brings. The longer days, warmer weather, and beautiful colors inspire me to start fresh and tackle my to-do list. A new season is also a great time to switch up your décor. Add bursts of bright color, energetic patterns, and lively springtime motifs to your home to effortlessly transition it into spring. Freshen up your space for the season and give your home (and yourself) a mood makeover with these ideas:

Choose a springy color palette 

One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of a space is to paint. Choose a springtime color such as a soft violet or cerulean, and paint the whole room, or even just an accent wall. Choose accessories, curtains, and upholstery to coordinate with your new wall color and it will feel like a brand new room.

Decorate with florals and greenery 

Artwork, throw pillows, bedding, and curtains with a colorful floral or bold green leaf print, as well as succulents, greenery, and flowers in a fun vase, will bring spring into your home, making it feel fresh, bright and cheery.

Choose light, airy fabrics 

When switching out your bedding, throw pillows and curtains, opt for lightweight, seasonally appropriate fabrics such as linen and cotton. These fabrics will help lighten up your space and make the room feel fresh and comfortable.

Add an eye-catching area rug 

Choose a coordinating area rug with a fun color and pattern to complement your décor and add some softness to the space. It’ll also provide some warmth for those chilly early spring nights.

Decorate with nature-inspired materials

Create a relaxing space to unwind in by using items made with natural materials such as sisal, wicker, grasscloth, and wood. These materials add texture and create a cozy, casual feel- perfect for relaxing.

A few simple changes in your décor can make your home feel fresh and new again. What is your favorite way to decorate your space for Spring?

Cold Weather Home Styling Tips

I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly ready for it to warm up! The taste of spring we got last week was amazing and I can’t wait for winter to make its way out of here! While we wait for spring to arrive, let’s talk about decorating your home for the cold.

Layer

Layer! Layering isn’t just for clothing. Layer in textured bedding, throws and pillows in materials such as velvet and faux fur, to turn your space into a cozy spot to get away from the cold. You can also layer your window treatments to help keep out drafts. Heavier, thicker drapery panels over sheers will help keep out the cold while still letting light in.

Color

Add color! It’s stark and cold outside, and adding cheery color will brighten up your space and your mood! Add pops of fun color into your space with a bright colored throw, boldly patterned pillow, and colorful art and accessories. Plus, these colorful items can transition into your spring and summer décor.

Light

Hang mirrors and add lighting. While daylight is limited, maximize the natural light available by hanging a large mirror on the wall or over the mantle to reflect the light and make your space seem lighter and brighter. When the daylight fades to night, light the way with lamps, string lights and candles.

Greenery

Add plants and flowers! Bring nature indoors by adding greenery (real or faux) and fresh flowers. These add vibrancy to your space and create the illusion of being outdoors while you stay warm and cozy.

Do you have any favorite cold weather decorating tips? Let us know in the comments!

- Kerri