Category: Uncategorized

Upcycling.Everyone’s doing it!

Posted on by Avril Brown

Sometime’s you have to think out of the box when it comes to home decor, especially when just starting out.Feathering the nest can be costly but with a keen eye and lots of imagination you can get the look you want for less. Upcycling second hand items keeps things out of the landfill and can give your home a custom look. I love to find a great item that needs some TLC and put my own twist on it.

This is one of my recent finds,a black metal frame $2.99 and a piece of granite found at Habitat Restore for $15. Originally I was looking for a piece of glass but this granite was the perfect size and too good a deal to pass up.If I see a great item I grab it,even if I don’t have a plan right away, I will use it eventually. I love my new side table for under $20. I saw a similar one in a store the other day for $199, quite a saving!

 

Another of my favourite pieces is an ottoman I found at Value Village for $20. The salmon floral fabric was a litte Laura Ashley for me but I splurged on a piece of navy and cream zebra print.Much better! The ottoman was in great shape and easy to reupholster.All I needed was my trusty staplegun and a little patience.

 

 

Spray paint works wonders on so many items. I love the look of all white accessories so earlier in the Summer I gave some of my pieces a new lease of life and an updated look. Grouped on a shelving unit they make an impressive display.You could use any colour that takes your fancy, or different shades of the same colour (oh,oh,I see another project in my future) Look for interesting shapes and don’t worry about condition. The items I painted were in every colour and finish from brass to black wood. Just vary heights and shapes to make it interesting. I just need to add some Christmas ornaments or greenery to change the look for the Holidays.

 

 

Another project recently was my desk. I wanted a large surface for my home office but didn’t like the price tag on anything I saw. Habitat ReStore came to my rescue again. A door for $30, a small can of grey stain and some elbow grease later and I had the rustic look I wanted for minimal cost. Now I’m on the hunt for some brushed nickel legs to complete it. It even had the hole drilled for a handle which was great for the lamp cord and laptop wires!

 

This next one was an “Aha” moment. I purchased some glass jars at the Dollar Store for office supplies. They looked too plain to me, plus paperclips are not too pretty, so I remembered I had a book of  black and white cardstock purchased at HomeSense. I cut a few pieces to line the jars and a glass lamp base I had, a $2.99 Value Village find. Voila, quick, easy, inexpensive. It even coordinates with my black and white canvas, a stroke of luck.

 

A box of “Lonely Planet” postcards had been sitting on my desk waiting to be transfomed. The phtography was beautiful and all that was needed were some Dollar Store frames in a brushed nickel look. I now have a small gallery wall of beautiful artwork. You could do the same with old book illustrations or wallpaper. Just group together for more impact. If you have unused frames or find some second hand, spray paint is your friend once again.

 

Below is a great site for some Upcycling inspiration.Have fun!

http://www.upcyclethat.com/

Staging bathrooms.How to get that “spa” look.

Posted on by Avril Brown

Bathrooms are a big deal for homebuyers,so if yours is a little lackluster you need to up the glam factor.
Removing all the clutter and all of your personal items is a given when prepping your home for sale .Buyers don’t want to see your hair brush,tooth brush or your cat’s litter.Now is the time to sort through what you really need to keep,give away,sell or throw out. Recycle where you can.Counter tops should be clear with the exception of a few accessories.

Artwork adds interest in a bathroom

Clean until every single thing sparkles in this bathroom. If you have a shower curtain buyers will pull it back to see the condition of the tub so clean all the grout until it is white.
One of the biggest changes and best investments is painting your walls. Choose a neutral paint colour that will go with the colour scheme of your home.Think ‘spa’ and calm.Aqua blue with white always creates a fresh,tranquil feeling.

Calm tranquil colours work best when staging for sale

If your lighting fixtures are outdated,you can find very current brushed nickel or chrome light fixtures for very reasonable prices at Home Depot,Ikea,Lowes, Canadian Tire or Costco.The old brass or “hollywood” fixtures just don’t have the look home buyers want.
Flooring does not have to be an expensive item for your bathroom update. There are many excellent products on the market. Peel and stick tiles work beautifully in small bathrooms and powder rooms, or of course tile is the way to go if budget allows. Choose a neutral tile not too dark and not too bright. Avoid using carpet in a bathroom at all costs.

Paint a tired looking vanity

Inexpensive replacements for sinks and counter tops can be sourced at ReStore Habitat for Humanity, Costco, Home Depot, Canadian Tire or Lowes. There are many excellent low cost laminates that you can use for new counter tops.
Toilets that are dated in colour such as green,pink,burgundy or blue should be replaced with new white toilets and toilet seats. Try and keep all of the furnishings in the bathroom white or off white. Tubs and shower stalls can be more of a challenge if they are old and full of mildew. At the least clean as much as possible. Sometimes you can create a cleaner look simply by using a strong environmentally friendly cleanser and a toothbrush;then add a new grout.Another option is reglazing if a tub or shower is in really bad shape.Well worth the expense.

White shower curtains,a good choice for staging

A new shower curtain in a fabric rather than plastic will add warmth to the room. White is always the best colour but other colours may work if you coordinate well.Think‘spa’and hotel ensuites.
Cupboards and shelving should be white, off white or a dark chocolate brown with nickel hardware works well. If you have wood such as oak now might be the time to consider painting it. You can buy a primer and then a latex paint to update the look.
If your mirror is cracked or slightly damaged now is the time to replace it. The current trend is to individual mirrors rather than one large mirror often found in homes. Find a mirror that suits the style of your home or consider framing your large mirror to create a more polished look.

Two mirrors are better than one!

Depending on the size of your bathroom hang some art that is restful to the eye and in soft colours. Select contemporary accessories for the finishing touches. Avoid using bathmats when showing a bathroom. You can cozy up the room with your paint colours, towels and shower curtain. Keep the floor clear and clean to maximize square footage and ditch the garbage can for viewings and online pictures.