Unique Lighting

This light fixture is hanging in a foyer at the Madonna Inn. It is very unique and very large! I suggest staying over at the Madonna Inn if you haven't already. It is a landmark hotel on California's Central Coast. There are many other photos available online at www.madonnainn.com

Porch Swings, A Thing Of The Past?

Are porch swings outdated? When you hear the words "porch swing" do you immediately think "old people" or "country bumpkin?" Don't! Porch swings can be designed to fit all types of design styles. Outdoor fabrics, such as Sunbrella and Perennials, are perfect for swings. They can help coordinate a thick comfy cushion into the rest of your outdoor decor. Add toss pillows (also in outdoor fabric of course), grab a good book and some ice tea and you're set for a relaxing afternoon swingin' in the breeze.

Canoga Mission Gallery

Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 135 is a former stable built in the Mission Revival style in 1936 by actor Francis Lederer.

City Hall - Philadelphia

Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest municipal building in the 
country. Construction began in 1871 and took over 30 years to complete. The first floor is solid granite, 22 feet thick in some places. The exterior is covered with sculpture representing the seasons and continents, as well as allegorical figures, heads and masks. All of the sculpture was designed by Alexander Milne Calder. It is designed in the Second Empire Style.

Selling Your Home-Part 2 The Interior

Now that everyone has had time to finish all the projects from the previous post, let's cover the interior.
I know that not everything can be changed or updated when you're preparing to sell. Why put a bunch of money into a property that you don't want to live in? But, you don't want to be stuck with the property forever either. There must be a balance.
The following list of changes may of course not apply to all homeowners. If it does, you don't necessarily have to hit each item before you list your home. Pick a couple that you think will make the biggest impact and go from there. It may be enough. You can always do more if you're not getting the results you want.

*Clutter - Do I really need to say it? Pick up your crap! No one wants to walk into a stranger's house and see their dirty laundry, dishes, dog toys, children's toys, papers, magazines and recycling lying about. This does not create a welcoming "homey" feeling for a potential buyer.

*Furniture - How much is in each room? You may need to edit some pieces to make the space feel larger, more open. Remove dressers from bedrooms to make them appear bigger. I know the closet is too small to hold all the clothes but the buyer doesn't need to know that! Let them figure it out AFTER they purchase your home.
With seating areas, you are going for appearance not function.

*Flooring - If the carpet is disgusting have a pro come out and clean it. If that's not in the budget rent one for the weekend or borrow a friend's. For hardwood or laminate flooring try using a product like Bona to clean it and bring it to a sheen. If you have tile, get a whitening agent and make the grout sparkle. For marble and granite scuffs and scratches, have a pro buff them to look like new.

*Walls - Putty any holes in the wall. If you see an area that needs sprucing up, put a fresh coat of paint on it. But remember, it is best to go with a more neutral color on the walls. Bright, bold colors are taste specific and you may have trouble selling it.

*Windows - Same as outside, clean them!

*Bathroom - Big selling point. You want it to look it's best. Does the faucet need replacing? How about the shower head? Is the medicine cabinet in good shape? How about a decorative mirror above the sink? A fresh shower curtain and new towels are always a nice touch. Repair any loose tiles and make sure towel bars and toilet paper holders are secure. Put personal items out of sight.

Kitchen - Probably the biggest selling point. Clean counters off. Open counter space sells. Wipe out the refrigerator and clean the exterior. Wipe the front of the cupboards and add/replace knobs for a fresh look. Depending on the type of cabinets, you may be able to paint them to help a dated kitchen feel newer. Consider adding/replacing a tile backsplash. Install a nice kitchen faucet. Fresh paint on the walls.

Ceiling fans - They are not extremely expensive so look into replacing the dated 1990's model in your bedroom.

Light fixtures - Again, not extremely expensive. If you have some out of date fixtures look into replacing them with something more current and environmentally friendly. Also, consider adding dimmer switches to control light levels.

Mini blinds - If you have them, think about replacing them. A roman shade, fabric panels or even wood blinds are a better choice.

Remember, you are trying to appeal to the largest group of buyers. Buyers don't want to work too hard trying to envision what the place could look like once they paint over your turquoise zebra stripes. Most people are looking for a place they can move right in to. Good Luck!

Selling Your Home-Part 1 The Exterior

If you've ever picked up a home magazine or turned to HGTV, I'm sure you've read all kinds of advice about how to sell your home. How to prepare it for potential buyers, agents, what to put out of site and what to draw attention to. For those who can recite it in their sleep, maybe this post isn't for you, but for those who are hesitant about preparing to sell (especially in this economy) read on.
It's no surprise that the housing market isn't what it was. There are so many homes on the market that aren't selling. There are many many reasons for this. Most people who are preparing to sell think that tidying up and mowing the lawn is all they need to do. In a healthy market that may be the case. In today's market however, potential buyers have a huge selection of homes and because of that, they can be more choosy. So, how do you make your house stand out from the rest? The following is a list that will help you target the areas outside, that buyers want to come home to.

* When a potential buyer drives up to your home, they should be able to see it! Prune shrubs, bushes, trees and plants. Pull weeds. You don't want people thinking about the work that they'll have to do before they even get inside the house!

* Most people like some color by the door. It makes a home feel more friendly and welcoming. So plant some flowers along the walkway to the front door or put a couple pots on either side of the door and plant some flowers.

* Check out your mailbox. Is it in good shape? Is it covered in bird poop? Clean it off, paint the post, make it look fresh.

* Take stock of the siding. Are there cobwebs everywhere? Is it peeling, fading? Use a broom to brush cobwebs away. If possible, touch up areas with paint and/or rent a power washer to take the grime build up off.

* How are the light fixtures outside? Full of cobwebs, bird nests, burnt out bulbs? Clean them up and/or replace them. Fixtures are an inexpensive fix but have a big impact. (some buyers will drive by at night to take in the view and a dark front is never a selling feature) Add some to the walkway too. Remember, safety first!

* Do you have numbers on your house? Are they all there? Broken? Are they located in an easy to read spot? When someone is looking for your house, it should be easy to spot. Don't make them guess between your house and the neighbor's.

* Clean the windows! Children's fingerprints, doggy paw and nose prints are only cute to you.

* Check the gutters. If it's raining on the day the house is being shown you don't want them staring at a waterfall coming off the roof.

* Check the front door hardware. Does it look outdated? If there is a kick plate, is it all scuffed up and dirty? Does the doorbell work? Is there paint peeling off the front door? A quart of paint can have a big impact on an entrance.

There you have it! Nothing listed is extremely expensive. Just a weekend and some elbow grease. If you're not sure about how it looks, take a photo. I find that homeowners are so accustomed to seeing their home, both inside and out, one way that it is hard for them to see anything wrong. A photo is an easy and quick way to view your home from another perspective!

Stay tuned for Selling Your Home-Part 2 The Interior

The Bare Bulb Facts

Goodbye incandescent bulbs, goodbye...
Actually, that isn't entirely true, yet. But it is in our near future. California has already started phasing out incandescent bulbs. By 2014 they will be hard to get. 
That doesn't mean that you should run to your nearest Home Depot and stock up! You won't be stuck looking in the mirror and seeing your face bathed in an awful, sick looking fluorescent light. They have made progress using Halogen and LED's. Plus, they are working on better compact fluorescents.
I know it's hard to conceive, giving up incandescents even though deep inside you know it's the right thing to do for the environment. Yes, they will be more expensive, but they will last so much longer.
So let's look at some options:


    Light Emitting Diode (LED's)
Long lasting (up to 20 years!), low wattage (not hot) great for task lighting in kitchens and illuminating art. **Mercury-free**


    Compact Fluorescent (CF's)
Can be used in most household fixtures, uses 75% less energy then an incandescent, produces less heat and lasts up to 10 times longer then incandescents. Available in soft white, cool white and daylight. CF's do contain trace amounts of Mercury so be careful when handling and should be dropped off at a recycling center.


     Halogen  
Typically last 3 times longer then incandescents, more expensive then CF's, common in outdoor floodlights and small indoor spotlights (such as under cabinets)


One of the most common complaints about CF's is that they take several seconds to reach full light output. We are accustomed to instant light and the flickering can be annoying. Have no fear! GE has created the first Hybrid Bulb which is a combination CF and Halogen. When you flip on the light, the Halogen lights up for about 30 seconds while the CF reaches capacity! Genius!


You can also purchase LED and Halogen decorative bulbs for your chandeliers and wall sconces.
And for all the dimmer lovers out there, not to worry, Lutron and Leviton are introducing dimmer switches that work with CFL and LED bulbs along with the traditional incandescents and halogens.


Well folks, there you have it. All tied up in a neat little bow. But, if you're standing in the light bulb aisle of your favorite hardware store and can't remember anything you've just read, just remember: choose bulbs that give you more lumens per watt.

1x1 Tile Application

This photo of Hearst Castle's indoor swimming pool shows an impressive use of 1x1 tiles. Hearst was inspired by the 5th century mosaics of Ravenna and chose the cobalt blue and the gilt (22 carat) tile after being taken by the mausoleum of the emperor's daughter, Galla Placidia. It took 3 years to complete.

Who Needs A Designer Anyway!

Actually, you might. Many people today think that they either can't afford an Interior Designer or can do just fine on their own. In some cases that may be true but in many, they are selling themselves short. While it is true that some people have a "knack" for pulling a room together in their own house, it is quite different to design for someone else. Many Interior Designers I know will tell you that they would rather design for a stranger then for themselves! I am afraid that is true for me as well. It is so difficult to choose furnishings, paint, materials, etc. for my own home that I drag it out for months, years even! I have a theory about why this is. Designers have a wealth of knowledge inside them that continues to grow with every new furniture manufacturer, paint vendor, flooring company, lighting showroom, etc. that they know too much!
They are decisive about their client's projects because most clients like a certain style or want to evoke a certain feeling in their home. A good designer will be able to breathe life into the often cluttered words and images clients hand to them. Many clients simply do not know what they want or what is available. This is why people hire Interior Designers. Clients want someone to translate their 5 years worth of magazine pages and feeling words into their dream home. A good designer can do this for you and more!
Designers are here to help you in whatever way you need. If you want to hire a designer just to help you shop for or design the perfect dining table, that's fine. You can choose to hire professional help for certain parts of your project or for the whole thing. Just remember, you will get a more solid and cohesive project if you involve a designer from the beginning.

Ever Seen a Thatched Roof?

Seattle, Washington

Trends

Magazines have a way of making you feel bad about your home. Whether you recently remodeled or are in some various stage of completion, magazines have a "great new idea you must try" or a "new color trend you'll love." If you've just put the finishing touches on say, your dining room, and the next day you pass a magazine that says "smokey gray is the new neutral," for a split second, don't you feel like maybe you made a mistake and maybe you should think about repainting? You're not alone. Lots of people feel great about their space until the next issue of their favorite magazine arrives in the mail. 
Colors, styles and trends, are just that, trends. They are ideas, suggestions and inspiration. Powder blue libraries will be a thing of the past next month. There is no need to feel bad about your Tuscan inspired kitchen because the latest issue of House Beautiful has a "romantic island" inspired kitchen on the cover. Magazines are always looking to sell magazines! Of course they are going to put a beautiful room on the cover and claim this and that. It's what they do. It's your job as a consumer to say" that is a lovely room, not my personal taste, but lovely." Or maybe you love the room or the paint color and want to file it away for the future. Go for it! In two years when you want to repaint the guest room, if you still like the color, paint it! Don't ever feel bad about your space and don't ever compare it to a magazine! Use magazines as inspiration for your own personal spaces. Who wants an exact copy of someone else's room anyway? Unoriginal and boring!


What about if you love the current trend? Of course you can apply it to your current space. BUT you don't need to throw out everything and start over. Incorporate little things here and there. Toss pillows, candles, inexpensive knick-knacks, place mats and napkins. Hand towels, pretty bar soaps, a rug or lampshade, it doesn't need to be dramatic. Then in six months when you're tired of it or onto a new trend, it won't be as costly to replace them as it would have been if you had recovered your sofa in coral pink! You can do it, just be smart about it! And as always, if you struggle, there are people out there who can help you.


Now, that's not to say that magazines should not be highly regarded in some areas. Magazines are a good source to look for new companies and new products. Frog tape? Amazing stuff. Read about it in a magazine. Someone tested it against old blue painter's tape and was blown away! If I had come across it in the store on my own, I wouldn't have bought it. It's twice as much as the blue tape and how do I know it works as well as the label says?
Lightbulbs. Do you have buzzing lightbulbs in your house? Are they on dimmers? Me too. They used to drive me crazy. Then I read about a company that sells bulbs that have a thicker filament than your typical hardware store bulbs. I called and ordered some. No more buzzing! Those finds to me as a designer are priceless. That is information that I can pass on to my clients and friends to make their life that much easier.


Remember, not all ideas are good ideas for you!

Welcome Home!

Congratulations and welcome to 'Love The Home You Have.'

Here at Love The Home You Have, we want to help you do exactly that. Not everyone is in the position to hire an Interior Designer but that doesn't mean that you can't have your dream house!

What you can expect from us; Articles written by professional Interior Designers about topics you need and want to know about, current trends, links to other helpful sites, your questions answered, photos of projects we're working on and the occasional poll to help us understand what our readers are thinking.

We are very excited and hope you are too! Thank you for stopping in to our home and we hope to see you again soon.

P.S. Don't forget to sign up to receive the latest posts and goodies!