Open Concept On Its Way Out??

April 1, 2021

Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of designs with room dividers. Could this trend be the cause of covid? Maybe, but like anything else, design is always changing. 

However, it’s not exactly back to the way it was. Instead, we are now seeing what we call room dividers. These dividers can give you some privacy without completely cutting off the room. 

I really like it.
 

Peel & Stick Wallpaper

March 18, 2021

Peel and stick wallpaper has been one of the best creations when it comes to designs. Why? Because there are so many uses for it and it’s so easy to use. Remember when it used to be called contact paper? Well now it’s been revamped and I love how versatile it’s become.

Think about it. You can use it on furniture, stairs, items (like trays), even ceilings, and sooo much more.

 

Suspended Kitchen Shelves

January 20, 2021
Suspended kitchen shelves are mounted on the ceiling and not attach to the walls. They hang down using metal supports with either glass or wood shelving.

They provide open storage. Definitely a unique look in kitchens!! They have a contemporary feel and blend really well with transitional kitchens. They can float over an Island or Penisula without blocking the view or light.

The one drawback; you have to keep them clean. They easily collect dust and you need to style them, so they look appealing.

Peel & Stick Wallpaper

January 6, 2021

Peel & stick wallpaper have been making their presence known as of late. They are a great alternative to wallpaper. Why? They are easy to apply, making them more versatile. And they are a great source to the renters.

Consider the many options. They can be used on the back of bookcases, on furniture, and in closets!! You can even have peel & stick wallpaper that looks like wood!! There are so many uses for peel & stick wallpaper and they come in many colors and patterns. Give them a try!!

 

Is it wood? Or is it something else?

November 27, 2020

Is it wood? Or is it something else?

Wood flooring has been around for a very long time. But unfortunately, wood was not always possible or even affordable. And wood does not do well on concrete. But today there are so many many wood-like products. You can have the look of wood without the problem wood flooring can create.

1. Vinyl Floors – Great for mudrooms or any room with a high traffic area or moisture issues. Easy to install and affordable. They click together or come in the adhesive that attaches.

 

2. Ceramic or Porcelain Ties – These tiles look so real it’s hard to tell the difference. They even have hand-scrap wood tiles. Great for kitchen or bathrooms.
3. Engineered wood floors – They are resistant to higher moisture levels. They can be glued down and applied over concrete slabs. There is a layer of real wood on the surface. Once installed, it’s nearly impossible to differentiate between engineered and the “real thing.” That’s what makes them so popular. They are also less expensive than real wood.

4. Laminate floor – Relatively easy to install. They can be used over concrete slabs. Less expensive than wood, but they are made from recycled wood fiber, so if they get wet, they will expand. Laminate floors have come a long way since their introduction. The quality is much better, but they are not as popular as they use to be.

Nothing beats real wood. Otherwise, why would they try so hard to replicate it? What is it they say? Imitation is the best form of flattery. Wood must be very flattered indeed.

With all the different types of wood flooring out there, it’s easy to find the look of wood in the selection you like and at a price you want to pay.

At Abella Home Staging & Redesign, we believe any home can be beautifully transformed. We believe in delivering a custom-made look but without the custom-made price tag!! Call us, and let’s get started today!!

Image Via Pinterest
#AbellaHomeStaging

Color in the Kitchen!!

November 13, 2020

Color in the kitchen!

 

Color in the kitchen? Why, yes, please. Today’s kitchen has a lot more color than it has in the past few years. Do you remember the 50’s when colored appliances were all the rage? Since then, color in the kitchen has all but phased out. But I’m starting to see the return of color in the kitchen, and I love it.

 

 

Don’t want to invest in a major (color appliance) purchase? Afraid it may be outdated in a few years? Then how about using smaller appliances?

 

There is so much to choose from. Anyone of these appliances can add so much color to your kitchen without a considerable commitment. Are you tired of the color? Switch it out to another color. It will indeed be expensive to switch out your coffee pot, toaster, or blender, but it’s a lot less than switching out your stove.

 

At Abella Home Staging & Redesign, we believe any home can be beautifully transformed. We believe in delivering a custom-made look but without the custom-made price tag!! Call us, and let’s get started today!!

Image Via Pinterest
#AbellaHomeStaging

Should you paint your fireplace?

October 16, 2020
Painted fireplace, is it a good idea or a bad idea? Tough decision!! As a home stager and redesigner, I often see fireplaces in my client’s home. Some are in great shape, some not so much. When I recommend painting, I usually get this reaction, “Really, you think I should paint it?”.  If your fireplace looks outdated, then it’s definitely worth painting it.
What a Difference!!
But what if your fireplace looks like this? Then what? Do you still paint it? I have to say; I like the fireplace before it was painted. I also love it after as well. So what do you do? To Paint or not to paint? That is the question. In my opinion, if it looks nice, then leave it alone. Not everyone may like painted fireplaces, and if they do, they can always paint it themselves. Only paint it if it’s in bad shape!
 
Remember, when you’re selling your home, it’s essential to eliminate any potential problems buyers may have. An ugly fireplace is a potential problem. So don’t be afraid to paint the fireplace if you think it may be an issue!

At Abella Home Staging & Redesign, we believe any home can be beautifully transformed. We believe in delivering a custom-made look but without the custom-made price tag!! Call us, and let’s get started today!!

 

Taking on DIY projects

August 20, 2020

Taking on DIY projects

In today’s economy, we’re seeing more and more homeowners doing DIY projects. DIY projects can potentially save the homeowners hundreds of dollars and increase the value of the home. Although I give kudos to anyone attempting to improve their home, it can be a disaster. How many times have you walked into a house and thought, “who botched up this job?” only to find out that the homeowner did it?

I understand that people are trying to save money ( who isn’t?), but I say don’t take on more then you can handle, or the outcome can cost you money.
When considering doing the job yourself, use these simple guidelines to ensure that you can handle the situation and that it’s being done right.

  • Use resources like Home Depot or Lowes to get ideas of what the project is going to cost and how difficult it’s going to be.
  • If you don’t have the right equipment, consider renting it rather then buying it. That can save you money, of course, you should consider buying it if you intend to do more projects.
  • Ask friends or family who have experience to help you out. You can offer to pay them or barter out your service if you have something to offer them.
  • Find your local trade school and see if they have an apprentice program. Sometimes these apprentices are looking to gain experience or hone their skills. They might be willing to work for very little pay. You will get a knowledge student and a helping hand.
  • Research the project on the internet. You have vast tools at your disposal, use it.

If, after doing your homework, you find out that this might be a bigger job, then you thought, consider hiring an expert. This way, you know it will be done right, and it will probably cost you less in the long run, especially if you started a project, botched it up, and now have to hire a professional to fix it. 

#AbellaHomeStaging


Vacant Staging, why is it such a tough sell??

August 6, 2020

Vacant Staging, why is it such a tough sell??

Why is it such a tough sell? When you take the cost of carrying the mortgage plus expenses like utilities, times that by the many months it has “Sat” on the market, it can add up to a substantial amount. Staging a vacant home could potentially save the homeowners thousands of dollars, yet they cringe when you show them the cost of staging their home.


Some stagers state the fact that the reason some homeowners don’t want to stage is that they would have to dish out the money. While reducing the listing price is just “paper money.” This may be true, but if you have the chance to increase your profits, why wouldn’t you take it?? Vacant staging works because buyers can’t see the potential of the house. Have you ever looked at MLS listing of a vacant home? Can you tell me what purpose the room serves? 


I recently had a call from a homeowner who had a vacant home on the market. When I looked at the MLS listing, I couldn’t tell which room was the master bedroom, dining room, or family room. The only space I could identify was the kitchen (for obvious reasons!). This was a 3.6 million dollar home!! I should have been “wowed,” but I wasn’t. It has been on the market for over seven months. Imagine the expenses the homeowner is carrying?? Yet when I told her the cost of staging her vacant home, she didn’t want to spend the money. Call me crazy, but I don’t get it. 


When you break it down, vacant staging is worth the cost, so why can’t homeowners see that? The fact that they would rather continue hemorrhaging money is baffling to me. If you take into consideration what it will cost you in the long run, staging a home will save you money. And that my friend is a fact you can take to the bank.
#AbellaHomeStaging