Chalk Paint Uses

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Avril Brown

Crazy about this stuff !

Everyone is singing the praises of chalk paint and for good reason. It really is a fast, easy way to update just about anything. Minimum effort, maximum wow factor. Here are 2 projects I worked on this week. A makeover on a bench that was a tad dated, where I painted fabric for the first time with great results and a chalk board paint project on a $2 yard sale find. Check them out.

Bench Makeover

First step coat of Paris Grey chalk paint

To finish apply Dark wax to fabric and legs

Waxing the fabric gives the look & feel of leather

Tips for painting fabric with Annie Sloan chalk paint

1. Soak fabric a little before painting or do as I did and thin paint with water 50/50 so it absorbs well.

2. If you want to do a design e.g. stripe, mask off the area with masking tape once the base coat is dry and apply your second colour.

3. Most important step, apply wax to protect finish. Annie Sloan wax comes in clear and dark. The clear wax only slightly darkens the paint colour and the dark is very dark and gives a more antiqued look.

4. Let the wax cure at least overnight but a couple of weeks is optimal. I buffed my bench to make sure the finish was even.

Painting ceramics with chalkboard paint

Loved the shape of this urn, pattern not so much. A coat of chalkboard paint later and a design drawn with a chalk pen and it has a new lease of life.

Caulk paint works well on ceramics — Chalk paint works well on ceramics

This guy knows

My Holiday House Tour

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Avril Brown

Holiday Decor at my crib

It’s been a busy week of decorating, styling and tree trimming at Prep Home Staging but I’m ahead of the game with my own decor, which usually gets done in the last week before Christmas (if I’m lucky). I went all out this year with the glitter so I expect to be sparkling until about mid February 🙂

Here’s a mini tour of my home. Enjoy.

A woodsy centrepiece — A woodsy centre piece

1939857_978845562132848_6518133287801635018_n — Oh Paris!

Ready for crisp,cold nights

Staging tips for the Holidays

Posted on November 19, 2014November 18, 2015 by Avril Brown

Home Staging during the Holidays

How much is too much? Should you put up a Christmas tree? Is it PC to do so?

One thing to consider is who are your target buyers? Do your neighbors decorate their homes for the season? Do you live in a family oriented neighborhood?

If you do decide to decorate for the season while your home is on the market, this is not the year to turn your home into Santa’s grotto. You don’t want prospective buyers to concentrate on your collection of 75 nutcrackers or your village complete with train station, you can enjoy those next year in your new home.

Keeping festive décor to a minimum will ensure buyers will still notice your home’s beautiful features and not be distracted by too much visual clutter, plus crowded spaces feel smaller.

When placing a tree be careful not to interfere with traffic flow in the room, remove a piece of furniture if need be and place in another room or storage. Choose your colour scheme wisely and try to coordinate with the rooms décor. Keep it subtle and sophisticated and save the macaroni ornaments made by your toddler and the paper chains for next year.

If you have a fireplace play this selling feature up and do a tasteful arrangement on the mantle to create a beautiful focal point in the room. One display in the centre of the dining room table and a few natural elements in the kitchen will carry the theme through.

Last but not least curb appeal. Leave those inflatable, flashy and cute items alone, much as the kids want you to put them out, just don’t. This is the time to really use restraint – less is more. A simple, lovely wreath on your front door and small evergreens in pots at either side of your door with twinkling white mini lights will say “welcome” and appeal to buyers without going overboard.

Category: Holiday home decor