Author Archives: Linda

Happy Easter to You!

A Very Happy Easter Wish

To all my friends…may this beautiful holiday be filled with family and friends, faith and love, happiness and joy. This Easter I am so happy because there was a rift in my family – but it’s beginning to mend. Everyone will be at the table this year – I am so grateful for that.

 

Happy, Happy Easter to all!

 

Happy Easter

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Leave a comment | Posted in Holiday Decorating, interior design, My Life

Reviving Brown Cabinetry with Paint

A Beautiful White Laundry Room…goes from Dark Brown to White

 

painted white laundry room cabinets

I recently helped a client revamp her Laundry Room. Her dark brown cabinets were getting her down and she needed a change. White cabinetry was the answer – Annie Sloan Pure White Chalk Paint was the tool. It’s so important to make our more utilitarian spaces look beautiful and fun to be in. Most of us forget that (me included). When a room we labor in is beautiful, stylish and functional – we don’t mind being in there and we don’t mind (at least we mind it less!) doing work there.

Selling Your Home? It’s even more important to have work spaces in our homes look beautiful and a pleasure to be in. When selling, you want to keep the notion of the word “WORK” out of Laundry Rooms, Kitchens etc. I always tell clients to hide the paper towels, dish detergent, toasters and the like in kitchens…and the same goes for the Laundry Room.

Here were some inspirational rooms that I used to get the creative juices flowing…..

laundry room with potting table

via Pinterest

laundry-room- center island glass canisters

via Pinterest

white laundry room with baskets

 Pinterest

My client had attempted to paint the cabinets herself with some chalk paint but she was nervous because they weren’t coming out at all like she thought. Chalk Paint is kind of thick and if you put it on too thickly – it can crack and not look good at all. A phone call to me and my painting partner, Marty Wiesehahn – and she could relax and do other things rather than toil away painting cabinets, walls, moldings etc.

Here are some before shots…

before painting the cabinetry with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

client trying to paint with chalk paint on cabinets

 While Marty went to work fixing and priming the ceiling and painting the walls (with a gorgeous color I love to specify, Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore), I went to work on the cabinets. An issue that my client’s room had was that a few of her lower cabinets were white laminate – and the rest were dark wood. She wanted to have all the cabinets match (who wouldn’t? I didn’t ask her why some were white and the rest dark – I was only there to help!) The laminated cabinets had a slight shine to them – so we had to approximate that shine on the other cabinets as well as get the right color white! Luckily – the chalk paint (Annie Sloan’s Pure White) she started out with turned out to be a really good match. We had to do 4 coats for total coverage. For protection, I decided to use a wax that only had a slight, satin shine that would be a very close match to her laminate cabinetry’s shine.

Here are some photos of the process…..

during the painting of the cabinetry with Annie SLoan Chalk Paint

My client had a section of one wall framed – apparently she thought about installing a corkboard.  I suggested that we paint on a blackboard with some Graphite Chalk Paint. This was one of the pics I showed her for inspiration…

blackboard inspiration for a laundry room

Via Dear Lillie

She loved the idea…

 

I left her with a cute saying on her blackboard!

chalkboard sign pianting in a white laundry room

And, of course, I had to stage the laundry room for her. Naturally!

chalk painted laundry room

The most difficult (and frustrating at times) part of this job was that there had to be complete coverage (so, no distressing). We had to match as best we could the white laminate cabinets on the lower left side of the room. We applied 4 coats (plus a wet sanding) and if the underneath color came through – apply more paint! Then a clear wax coat…then a buffing. Tedious – but it was exactly what the client wanted.

 closeup pf white painted cabinetry in laundry room

If I can help you with your laundry room – or any other room you’re not happy with…just let me know. I am only a phone call away – 631 793-1315

chalkboard in laundryroom with white cabinetry

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Leave a comment | Posted in Annie Sloan's chalk paint, Benjamin Moore, Decorative Finishes, Home Staging, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials, Uncategorized

How to Sell Your Home Fast: A List of Do’s and Don’ts

If you are going to sell your home this season, it’s a great idea to make your home look as beautiful, stylish and organized as possible. If you want to sell your home fast and for more profit, here are some top tips from me…

Kitchen 2

  • Look at the competing homes in your area to see how you “stack up.” Are the homes that are selling in your area updated? Granite countertops and new cabinets? All hardwood flooring? Freshly painted? You want to be in line with your competition (but better!)
  • Make sure that you have packed away everything that you need to take with you (that doesn’t need to be “displayed” in your current home/listing online). A clutter-free home looks great and sells fast.

167724-006

  • Check to see how “dated” your accessories are: If your home has doilies, bathroom seat covers and matching toilet rugs, vertical blinds, dusty faux florals, mirrored walls, dark paneled rooms etc. – it may be time for some changes and some updated accessories!

flr_ (8 of 30)-123 Newport St_2818930

  • Do you have wood floors hiding under wall-to-wall carpeting? It’s time to show your beautiful floors. Today’s buyers want hardwood flooring.

167724-022

  • Does your home have bold colors in flooring, walls and accessories: It may have been great for you and your family but think about how today’s buyers might think. Not everyone can “move in” with purple walls, teal carpets and floral wallpaper: Today’s buyer needs a neutral palette that can accommodate any kind/color of furnishings. They want to be able to move right in.

dining room after

  • Use color wisely – don’t overwhelm a buyer with it but employ it to bring attention to important characteristics of your home (fireplace mantels, large windows etc). Buyers will remember a home and its assets that way.

flr_ (10 of 30)-123 Newport St_2818932

  • Use a professional photographer for all of your photos. Great online photos will bring more potential buyers to your home. Over 90% of home searches today start online.
  • Look at (really study!) the homes in your neighborhood that sold quickly. Did they sell because of price or because of condition? If you don’t know how to do this – ask your realtor or look at a website like redfin.com. You can check to see how long a listing has been on the market, how many price reductions – and who the realtor is. This information is so invaluable to you. Please – do your homework before you list your home!!

Here’s some of my company’s other photos of homes we have staged. Most of these homes sold before or at the Open House – or in less than a month. Please call us to help you. Preparing and staging your home can make a significant difference in the sale of your home (quicker) and the profit (more than your competition!)

Don’t make the mistake of being penny-wise and pound foolish. Every day that your home is not presented well and staged properly could be costing you thousands upon thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

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2 Comments | Posted in Home Staging

July 4th: History, Fun, Family and Some Recipes

“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” – Ronald Reagan.

a Fourth of July trifle from the Kitchn

So why not at our own dinner tables…on July 4th especially?  Do we really instill the reasons why we celebrate the 4th? We need to – more and more. Our family had its share of political talks but also of the reasons why we wanted our freedom – and why this is so important. But, of course, the celebratory part took over.  I wanted it to be a memorable one for our family so I tried my best – I think it worked. Here are some pics from the party…and a recipe for a Summer Sangria, if you’d like to make something special for your guests this season.

devil's food chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing and blueberry and rasperry decoration

I am still trying to get the hang of icing cupcakes – but this cream cheese icing (usually what I use for carrot cake) tasted delicious with the devil’s food cupcakes. It was entirely by accident that I did this. I ran out of the vanilla icing and I needed a substitute. I had cream cheese in the fridge – so….

July 4th trifle made of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, angel food cake and whipped cream

My attempt at making trifle…and making a star out of raspberries!

a Fourth of July trifle from the Kitchn

My inspiration from thekitchn.com

My family was greeted at the door with some colorful décor. This part was a lot more fun for me than the baking!

Welcome Aboard pillow and blue pillows for July Fourth celebration

Because we’re a sailing family, I had to include some nautical decoration.

red geraniums and a red star for the entry on the 4th of July

red geraniums and a painted lantern for a porch decoration

My oldest granddaughter, Meghan, arrived first. I am so proud of her. She graduated from college this year (full scholarship) and she is now going for her Masters in Psychology. I know …she looks like she’s 14! She was just awarded a grant from NASA too. She’s a brilliant young lady.

My granddaughter Meghan arriving

But she’s still young enough to eat the star shaped watermelon, blueberry and cheese kabobs I made for my 3 year old granddaughter – who wasn’t that interested in them!

Meghan with fruit skewers

I just did a simple red, white and blue for the outdoor table setting. I didn’t want to do that much ‘cause there was the threat of rain – and it did come. But it didn’t rain that hard and, thankfully, it didn’t last that long!

red, white and blue table setting for the Fourth of July

I snapped a few Limoncello Sangria shots before it started sprinkling. My husband and I had visited Italy last October and we ordered several bottles of Limoncello when we were on the Amalfi Coast. We still had a few bottles left so I thought that I could use some for a different kind of Sangria.

Limoncello Rose Sangria

 

Here’s the recipe. You can make your own Limoncello, or buy it online (much easier!)

Limoncello Sangria

Serves 6
3/4 cup limoncello
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries
1 750-ml bottle chilled demi-sec rosé champagne
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced, seeds discarded

In a large pitcher, combine the limoncello and the strawberries. Top with the chilled rosé champagne and stir in half of the lemon wheels.

Pour the sangria into ice-filled stemware. Scoop some fruit into each glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Limoncello Sangria with fruit and ice

When the rain subsided, it was time for fun – in the pool. My granddaughter Peyton had so much fun with her dad. She would have stayed in for hours…but by the time the rain was through, it was about 4PM.

Fun in the pool

She was exhausted – but she had to do some “fireworks” – some safe ones (snaps). Safety first!!

safe fireworks on the Fourth of July

All in all, it was a great day. A big thanks to my husband, Richard, who did the barbequing (great job!!) and my daughters who brought appetizers, libations…and their children (most important!).

my husband Richard did the barbequing for the July 4th holiday

And to my family – kids, step children, grandkids, brother Dan and sister-in-law, Marie…I love you all. Thanks for such a great day!

my beautiful grandkids

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1 Comment | Posted in Holiday Decorating, My Life, Uncategorized

Home Staging: Elmont NY Home Sells Even Before the Open House

a staged living room in Elmont NY
We staged this unfurnished home for a real estate investor that we had worked with before – and the home sold even before there was a public Open House. Here are some of the before pictures.

before renovation and home staging in Elmont NY
 
When staging a home for sale, I feel it’s very important to give a potential buyer a glimpse into what his or her life will be like if they buy the house. Giving the home (even very modest ones like this one) some elegant touches like a bar cart with drinks and accessories in the living room, allows the buyer to dream a little. Even if they never put a bar cart in the space once they move in – it’s important to fashion a beautiful lifestyle in the home.
a staged bathroom in Elmont NY
a staged Master Bedroom on Long Island (Elmont NY)
The layout was a little problematic – and that’s where I believe that home staging really can make a huge difference in whether a home gets purchased quickly or not. Narrow living rooms, small bedrooms, open floor plans – these kinds of spaces confound a potential buyer. If a buyer cannot figure out where to place their furniture and if they wonder if their furniture will even fit – most likely they will not make an offer.  It’s always best to stage an unfurnished home. It’s also important to rearrange and edit furnishings in a home for sale that has furniture. Most people have too many furnishings, accessories etc. in their rooms  and the spaces look cramped and small. Here are some other pictures from this project.
a staged kitchen in Elmont NY Long Island
kitchens and baths are key rooms to stage if you want to successfully sell your Long Island home
 
home staging on Long Island; staged living room
staged living room in Elmont Long Island
If you would love some help getting your Long Island or Queens home sold, please give me a call at 631 793-1315.
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Sold in 2 weeks: A Successful Staging on Long Island

staging a living room to sell on Long Island

We staged this vacant home in Dix Hills in mid October of this year and it sold before the month was through. (more…)

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Vacant Home Staging in Long Beach NY

 

cobalt blue bottles, pale blue kitchen towels and green tray for beachy decoration in kitchen

I was so happy to hear from Dan Adams of Real Living Innovations Realty in Wantagh, NY. Dan hired me several times when I was a fairly new home stylist, so I give him credit for helping to jumpstart my business. The first vacant property I staged for him sold in 1 day for list price! This was back when my inventory consisted of a cream love seat, a sofa, 2 faux TVs, some pillows, several end tables, two nightstands, a coffee table, a few console tables and occasional chairs – and some art and accessories. Hardly a small corner of a warehouse – to say the least! But, I put what resources I had to good use and with the money I made from that home staging – I bought more. (more…)

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2 Comments | Posted in Home Staging, interior design, Makeovers

Birds, Reindeer Moss, Sea Turtle Art, Coral…Sea Fans: A Summery Coastal Mantel

Creating a coastal inspired fireplace mantel

I have a habit of changing the decorations on my great room mantel pretty often…but sometimes I am guilty of being lazy and not changing it soon enough. Up until a few days ago my mantel was stacked with bunnies and nests – so it was surely time for an overhaul! (more…)

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6 Comments | Posted in interior design, Makeovers, Tutorials

Painting Upholstery: A Tutorial on How to Use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on Fabric

How to Paint on Fabric to Transform Upholstery

I had to give this a try…been reading about it so much on different blogs. I watched Annie Sloan’s YouTube video on the subject, read some other tutorials as well (11 Magnolia Lane  ) and I just decided that I would just jump in and see what happens to a loveseat that I had purchased a few years ago that had seen better days.

 old damask loveseat after Annie Sloan Chalk Painting

Of course, I started with something “big” instead of a small seat cover – that’s my nature…just go for broke. The worst thing that could happen would be that it looked terrible and I’d have to scrap it or bite the bullet and get it reupholstered. (more…)

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6 Comments | Posted in Annie Sloan's chalk paint, Home Staging, interior design, Makeovers, Paint, Tutorials

The Beauty of Real Craftmanship in Handmade Furniture

The Unmatched Beauty of Bespoke and Handmade Furniture: A Guest Blogpost 

Here is another guest article from my friend, Jo Lee of Swedish Interior Design, in our “View From Europe” series. Handmade furniture from craftsmen who are applying timeless, painstaking techniques to make beautiful, lovingly crafted pieces, are being edged out it seems in this economy of fast, soulless, cheaper MDF-type case goods. Here Joe looks at the benefits to be gained by ordering a custom made piece of furniture.

The world of interior design is increasingly cluttered by poorly made reproduction furniture in a wide range of styles coming from China and the Far East. This is all to satisfy our unshakeable desire for something new, different or exciting in this world of transient tastes and ever changing fashions. We forget, as we spend to maintain our ‘habit’, about the attendant environmental costs of mass manufacture, carbon intensive shipping and cheap Third World labour. These become ever more important as resources become scarce and the quality of human life lessens – just remember the recent factory collapses and death tolls in India as a direct result of our need for new things. (more…)

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3 Comments | Posted in interior design, View from Europe