What's old is in, again!!

What's old is in, again!! I love the rustic look. It adds so much charm and warmth to any decor. I was in West Elm the other day, and they had some great pieces.

I don't know why, but every time I see pieces like this, I'm reminded of Greece!! Could be the jar factor?!!

White is very big. I love the way it looks, so crisp and clean. Just make sure you add some warmth or it will be too sterile!!

So much out there sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. Don't be afraid to use a Decorator. In the long run, it may even save you money!!

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Wall paper is it making a comeback?

Is wallpaper making a comeback? Wall paper was very popular in the early 1900's but since then it has hit hard times. Just recently in the past, wallpaper was synonymous with chintz-loving grandma or high-end designers. But with the internet, homeowners are re-discovering wallpaper once again.Wallpaper can dress up a room or hide imperfections on walls. As a decorator, I love using wallpaper. And as a home stager, I have at times, recommend using paint-able wallpaper to hide the flaws on the walls. So what should you know before you go out and buy wallpaper?

• What are the cost? Retails brand can run from $25 to $250 a roll. Designers can cost up to $500 a roll.

• Should you hire a professional or do-it-yourself?  If your walls aren't plumb or the paper is high-end, you may want to consider hiring a professional. Professional charge anywhere from $30-60 a roll. Not counting the cost of the roll or the removal of old wallpaper.

Once the decision to wallpaper your room is made, the next decision is, what type of wallpaper should you use? Plain paper? Vinyl? Metallic? Non-woven? Embossed? Or Grasscloth?

Whats Ur Home Story

• Paper- Can be coated or non-coated. Non-coated makes stripping more difficult to remove.Usually coated with thin vinyl or acrylic film for better stain removal.

Chic Tip

• Vinyl- Durable sheets of rubbery plastic, laminated to paper or nonwoven backing. Stands up to scrubbing, scrapes and splashes.

Wall Murals Gallery

• Metallic-Metallized films and foils are laminated to either paper or nonwoven backing. Metallic can add sheen and piazza to any space but they tend to highlight flaws so be careful!

DIY Network

• Embossed-Raised patterns pressed into vinyl or paper. Great at hiding flaws in the walls. Some may even be paint-able!

Decorator Best

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  Grasscloth-This is wallpaper made of strips of real grass woven into sheets. Backed by either paper, fabric or nonwoven materials. It gives a natural element into any room. Delicate, best used in low traffic areas.

Amazon

• Non-woven- Easy to hang and strip. Made of synthetic and paper fibers glued and pressed together.

Which wallpaer can be used where?

• Kitchen- Vinyls stand up to the grease and moisture. Great for easy clean-ups.
• Bathrooms- Nonwovens and vinyls. An ideal room to use bold prints, since the room tends to be smaller it won't overwhelm the room.
• Entry Hall- Embossed vinyls, hides bumps and scuffs. And nonwoven, which are easy to remove should the wallpaper became damaged.
• Dining Room- You can use just about any wallpaper here. Use the wallpaper above a chair rail.
• Bedroom- Grasscloth is perfect for the bedroom since it is a low-traffic area. Plus it gives it a serene effect.

Now that you are armed with all this information, go out and explore the world of wallpaper and see what you can do to a room!!  And if you're not sure how to proceed, you can always hire a decorator!!

#abellahomestaging.com

Granite or Quartz? Not Sure?

Granite Vs Quartz: Which is better? We all know that granite has been all the rage for kitchens and bathrooms for some time now. But I see quartz gaining momentum and even surpassing granite. As a Interior Decorator as well as a Home Stager, I try to keep current of what's hots and what's not. And lately, I've notice a trend towards quartz. And with good reason, here why:

1. There is no need to seal quartz, you do have to seal granite (unless engineered) every year.
2. Quartz is less porous then granite, making it more resisted to bacteria.
3. Quartz, although a natural stone, it is mixed with polymers resin, making it the best of both worlds, manmade and natural.
4. Granite, unless engineered gives off gasses called radon, which has been linked to lung cancer.
5. Granite has veins which can crack or chip. Quartz does not.
6. Quartz comes in many different colors.
7. Nothing beats the look of granite natural patterns.

According to the countertop industry trends, there has been a shift from granite to quartz. As a matter of fact, quartz has seen of growth of 13% as oppose to granite 5%. More and more designers and architects are choosing quartz over granite.

So what is quartz? Quartz is a silicone dioxide and forms individual crystals, patterns and colors. Quartz is then manufactured with a mixture of 93% quartz and 7% pigments and resin. The ratio can be change, the lower the quartz material, the lower the price and quality.

Falls of the Ohio State Park

Granite for all its beauty, has flaws. Engineer granite has the flaws engineered out, just like quartz.  Quartz seems to be the better choice, unless it's engineered granite. In which case, they became equal.

National Park service

Which ever you chose, you can't really go wrong. It's just a matter of preference.

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Wet Basement Problems?

Recently I was hired to come up with some design plans for a basement. The issue with the basement is, it sometimes gets flooded. So I had to come up with a viable solution. Carpet was no good, mold issue. Wood out of the question. Laminated floors, adhesive gets wet, making the tiles pop up. Floating floor, water will damaged the particle board. So what do you use for flooring?

Vinyl tiles or planks. Completely waterproof. Unlike conventional laminated floors, it won't swell or buckle in high humidity. And if you get flooded, you just pick up the tiles, let it dry and put them right back in!! What is the secret? It's an interlocking covering that is adhesive-free. Simply snap it together. No need to prep floors. No underlayments or moisture barrier. Simply put it over you old existing one. Damaged a tile? Simply pull up the tile and replace it. Easy to maintain, just damp mop using regular cleaners.

Place N' Go Flooring

Floors To Your Home

You can see why vinyl flooring is the way to go for flooring in your basement.  But it doesn't  have to end there. You can use this type of flooring in your mud room or even in your kitchen! Use it anywhere where water is an issue. I love this product!! Need help designing your room? Contact me!

#AbellaHomeStaging

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!!

Fabrics, Textures, and Materials: What are some of their names?

I'm sure you've come across the name of a fabric that was unfamiliar to you and thought, "What does that look like?" How many times have you seen the fabric after you've learned the of name and though "Ah! So that's what it's called!" I know that has happened to me many times!! Here are just some of the fabrics, textures, and materials, and their corresponding names. I can't list them all. The world of Textiles and their terminology is huge!! There are just too many out there, but this may help.

Jacquard

Lame

Matelasse

Moire

Boucle

Brocade

Chambray

Crewel

Batik

Burn-Out velvet

Chintz

Some names you may recognized, others you may not. The world of textile and fabric is a huge one. Decoding the names may be at bit overwhelming!! Arming yourself with knowledge is key to deciphering that code. But let's face it, that is a daunting task!! This is a good start!!

#AbellaHomeStaging

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!!

Eight Biggest Design Mistakes People Make!

As an Interior Decorator and Home Stager, I have seen my share of homes! Many times the mistakes people make are the same. Sometimes, they are easy to fix. Other times, not as much!! By knowing what to do, and what not to do, you can avoid these mistakes.

1. Furniture. Having too much or not enough. Most of the time it's too many pieces. To avoid the
    mistake of having the furniture not fit, measure the room first. You would be amazed at how many
    people DO NOT do this simple task!!

2. Color Scheme. Often it's a lack of color. Or they add color, but it's in one area only. For example; 

    yellow pillows on the sofa and but no where else. Notice how you eyes linger on those yellow 

    pillows? 

The Eagle's Nest

3. Wall Art. Most of the time, people hang wall art too high.  Good rule of thumb, 60" from floor to center of the picture. With an exception of wall art hanging over the sofa, then it's 8" off the sofa.

Proud Home Staging

4. Clutter. Nothing ruins a good design faster then clutter. Less is more!!

5. Lighting. Here's a formula you can follow, when deciding if you have enough light in a room. 

    Multiply length x width of the room, then multiply 1.5 = wattage.  For Kitchen, multiply 2.5 

    instead of 1.5 for wattage. Don't forget about ambient lighting.

Arcadian Home

6. Focal Point. Each room should have a focal point. In the bedroom, it's the bed. In today's home,

    the TV seems to be the focal point. Group your furniture around the focal point, and if necessary, 

    use an area rug to ground the space.

Houzz

7. Matchy-Matchy. A look that is outdated and boring!! Add piazza and character to your room by 

    designing a room that co-ordinates rather then match.

Designing Home

8. Accessories. Don't line your accessories in a row. Instead, group them in odd numbers, 3 being the perfect number. You can add in different height, texture and color (all blue but different shades of blue). Don't forget about scale.

Design Rooms

These tips should guide you in achieving the room you desire. If you would like your room to be filled with happiness every time you walk in, contact us!

#ABELLAHOMESTAGING

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!!

Radiant Orchid: Pantone color for 2014!

Radiant Orchid is Pantone's color of the year for 2014. Expect to see this color everywhere in the next few months. What a beautiful color!  “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm". said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. I couldn't agree more!!

Pantone

In Style

The Haughty Hedgehog

So my friends out there, keep your eyes open. In the next few months, you will see an influx of Radiant Orchid out there! Will you be using this color in your design theme? Perhaps purchasing some item of clothing instead? My guess is, no matter what, you will probably have SOMETHING in this color!!