Julea - Reinventing Space

Style Your Patio - From Slab to Sensational!

2013-05-16T07:47:00.003-05:00

Don’t let your back sliding door be the end of your living spaces. Now that a warmer season is upon us - your patio is the perfect muse for your decorating creativity, and a wonderful expansion to your home’s entertaining square footage. Give your patio a room makeover! There is a bevy of outdoor furnishings, textiles, accessories and lighting to create an ideal outdoor oasis. With a little professional direction, a bit of creativity and shopping, and clues from your existing “inside” space, the incarnation of your new “living room” is easily fashioned.

Start with color. Whether a new palette or a twist from your interior hues – a designated set of colors will help you set a direction for your space, and make gathering your goods a breeze.
Anchor the space with a great outdoor rug. Create “walls” by using footed lanterns, screens, large potted plants, or benches. The walls will further help you define your space.
Set-up your outdoor room much like you would inside your home, using the same guidelines for flow, function and focal points. Include all the comforts of home, such as throw pillows, ottomans, candles, art, and of course accessories.
Hang a mirror on one of your walls to reflect the beauty of your garden, fountain or focal point. Or use the mirror to mimic a doorway to another space.

Introduce a water feature. The fountain will add an element of calm with its sound, refresh the senses with its movement, and mask unwanted noise from nearby traffic or neighbors.
If your city code allows, add the element of fire with a chimenea, fire pit or fireplace. A fire element can be a hypnotic focal point to a patio space.
Add an array of exterior lighting. From accent, chandeliers or floor lamps to strings of clear outdoor lights – lighting creates mood, and adds a festive feeling.

The use of stylish details can take a plain concrete outdoor space to a whole new level, transforming your patio from slab to sensational!

Resources:

Ballard Design

Julea's Home Stylist Lessons - Decorating Workshops for Homeowners

2013-05-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

We are excited to now offer a new series of workshops - 'Julea's Stylist Lessons'. Do you love to decorate, just can't get enough of HGTV, and wish you could get a how-to guide to styling your home? Get ready for a home decorating and staging educational series, created specifically to cater to the design passionate homeowner – YOU!

Home Accessory Workshop

If you love to decorate and want the inside scoop on styling your home - Join Interior Stylist Julea Joseph as she addresses accessorizing your home. Let’s kick off the summer season with an informative and fun workshop on creating fresh updates for your home using accessories - Both inside and out. From making a mantle fabulous, dressing your el fresco table, to Julea’s top 10 accessory ‘musts’ for every abode. This workshop will not only inspire, but show you the fundamental rules of good design.

FEE: $25.00. (Light refreshments served).
Date: Wednesday, June 5th 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Location: ‘Mitchell’s Flowers & Events’ 14309 Beacon Ave - Located in the lovely Orland Park Historical District. Shop in their designer studio and receive an event discount. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. 708.448.7500 Julea@Julea.com. To register click on my EVENTS link:

10 Great Home Decor and Accessories You Should Buy

2013-04-22T07:57:00.000-05:00

When styling your home, seek out 'Good Bone' pieces that can transform any space in a big way. These home decor items can be shifted to another room at a whim. They have a timeless design and will have a place in your decor and accessory arsenal for many years. Ten great home decorating pieces that you should always be looking to acquire.

1.) A CLASSIC SET OF BLACK TURNED CANDLESTICKS/HOLDERS. Their curves, the color, and their varied height make for a classic lesson in good design. A nice set of candlesticks can be used in any setting - from al fresco dining to adorning an entryway table.

2.) A SILVER TRAY. Modern or detailed, sterling or silverplate - a silver tray sets a rich stage for any vignette. It works for hosting hand towels and mints in a powder room prepped for a party, to a setting place for business cards, holiday cards or daily mail.

Silver tray from Hayneedle

3.) A PARSONS STYLE CONSOLE TABLE. Simple, timeless chic - this mainstay can slide behind a sofa, in a foyer or can double as a desk.

4.) A CHINESE GARDEN STOOL. These little wonders come in traditional and modernized versions and can be seated anywhere.

5.) A SET OF NESTING TABLES. Table chameleons. Can be tucked next to any seating, or be all spread out.

6.) A BOWL SHAPED VASE. From creating a crafty terrarium to showcasing summer peonies, this vase style will bowl you over with its many uses.

7.) 18”x18” SILK COVERED DOWN FILLED PILLOWS. Sized right, organic, textural and totally comfortable. These pillows can dress up any sofa or chair.

8.) A 6’x 9’ JUTE RUG. Rough yes, but in a good way! This style of rug can create the perfect juxtaposition in any space.

9.) A 'WOW' PIECE OF ART. Whatever your medium, whatever the subject, whatever your style - Every home deserves to have a great piece of Art.

10.) A LARGE, REAL ORCHID. Easy to take care of, not too pricy and long lasting - Orchids are just beautiful. Add an orchid on a cocktail table or as a centerpiece and your plain space just got elevated to high style.

White Orchids by Just add Ice Orchids

10 Bad Home Accessories You Should Never Buy

2013-04-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

Certain home accessories should be left at the store when you are decorating or home staging your home. Let's take a look at what I consider to be the most offensive decor-ruiners.

1.) A 6 foot silk ficus tree from a craft store.

2.) Mass produced art that you see over and over again in every
store.

3.) Pillows too big for the seating you are buying them for.

4.) Anything you would consider putting on top of your kitchen cabinets.

5.) An area rug, the width of the cocktail table rather than the sofa.

6.) A large Plain Jane framed mirror for over your fireplace mantle or sofa.

7.) Really short lamps for your nightstands next to your pillow top bed.

8.) Ivy garland to adorn or drape a piece of furniture.

9.) Your 36th photo frame for family pictures.

10.) Anything that has a moose, bear or angel theme.

(All images found on Google Images.)

Selling Your Home? I don’t want to offend... but you don’t belong here - I do the Home Stager.

2013-04-13T08:40:00.001-05:00

Honestly, don’t be offended and don’t get emotional, but you don’t belong here anymore. We all know there is a perfect formula to selling a home and you are not part of the equation - but I am. From your basement crawl space stuffed with holiday decorations to your favorite purple hue you just adore in your master bedroom - when you are ready to sell it's time to remove you from your home.

I have been in the Home Staging business for 14 years, specializing in occupied homes rather than empty ones. Houses filled with people, complete with pets, kids and the whirl of our daily, crazy lives. I get it - I too have a house filled with just about the same stuff (well maybe not the purple bedroom). I am sensitive to understanding the emotional connection we have with our belongings and the place we call home. But if you want to sell your home, it all boils down to you and your stuff - No offense.

Here’s the bottom line, when you sell your home, there is a particular group of people that want to buy it. Your Realtor and I will help make that determination. He/She does this for a living and is familiar with your demographics such as schools, transportation, affordability, floor plan and amenities. I know what people want and what makes your home desirable to someone. One of first questions I ask when walking through your door is “So, who’s buying your home?”

What does this group want? They want to move into your home and not have to do a bunch of stuff. I promise they will not love your kitchen wallpaper, your purple bedroom, or Illini themed basement. They can not see past your overstuffed storage space, Mom's and your collection of Llardros or your cat box.

It’s my job to help you prep, paint and style your home so it is irresistible to that group. Can you do it on your own? Some can but not most. Most sellers are emotionally involved - what you think is great most likely needs to be tweaked. What you think is uncluttered is not, and guess what, I can smell your cat! Pay the price and have a seasoned expert help you detail the most expensive thing you have ever owned. Build your sales team - You, Me and the Realtor. Our goal is to sell your home so you can go buy another one. Now let go and let me in.

Backyard Chickens - Coops are Chic!

2013-02-22T09:58:00.002-06:00

Our Backyard Chickens

Little did I know almost 12 years ago when I got my first batch of chickens that someday they'd be the trendy chic backyard hobby to have. Why did I get chickens 12 years ago? Well, we bought my childhood home complete with a chicken coop on 1.5 acres and being an avid reader of Martha Stewart magazine, had she had chickens and a lovely garden - So why not me too? As a kid we had ducks, bunnies and I rode my neighbors horses, so the little town we had moved to was 'pet' friendly as well.

I share the street with a Horse Rider in my 'pet' friendly town.

My Chicken Coop 'Coup du Jour'

[Turns out my coop is very old, having been the historical estate home next door's coop before they subdivided the land post WWII to build my home. ]

It all seemed serendipitous since not only did I have a coop, lived in a chicken friendly town, but a feed store, aptly named The Feed Store that carried chickens was the same place we got those ducks and bunnies as a kid. A quick chat on chicken raising with the staff and I drove home with 6 baby chicks and bags of chicken chow. I created my French kitchen garden the same summer. Eggs were gifted to me by fall as well as something else - Community.

Colorful Eggs from my Hens

Soon, my friends would bring their kids or grand kids over to my 'farm' to see the chickens and my garden. I would open my mailbox or door and there'd be a note with a bag of egg cartons or veggie peels for my chickens to eat. I was giving my fertilized eggs to the local Montessori School for classes to hatch. The kids even had a field trip to my home to see their fruits of labor and my garden.

My French Garden Kitchen

William -Sonoma Chicken Coop

So what a surprise when I started reading in the paper that the new trend was to have chickens. Even more of surprise when I saw that William - Sonoma had hopped on board the coop train and has an Agrarian collection in which they offer up coops to bee hives. From the city of Chicago to suburbs, the idea of having backyard chickens seems to have hatched! I was visiting the San Francisco Bay area a few weeks back and it seems everyone has a fancy coop, even in property tight Berkley!

Why I love my Chickens:

Daily fresh organic eggs.
The best organic fertilizer for my garden.
All my veggie, bread and fruit scraps that would have been in the garbage - feeds my chickens.
When free ranging, eat bugs keeping my garden pest free.
Creates community.
Fun to have

Packaging a House to Sell - Hire a Home Stager

2013-02-21T11:40:00.000-06:00

Have you ever gotten a gift from Tiffany's? From the lovely velvet pouch, beautiful blue bag and white satin ribbon, the packaging is AS awesome as the Tony gift inside. How many of you kept the packaging too? Genius packaging of a product - Right? Take that same logic when you are selling your home - Home Staging is packaging the product! And home stagers are genius' at packaging a home for sale.

Packaging the House to Sell.

HGTV shows, lots of inventory and busy people who want to move right in without a fuss, make it imperative to hire a stager. If you are selling your home, you need to stage your home - Period. Today's buyer can't image your kitchen without the floral wallpaper, without the clutter, your collection of candles, nor can she picture your empty dining and living room decorated. Instead, she wants to picture your kitchen in her favorite color, with her favorite accessorizes and a fabulous dining and living room styled like her favorite shelter catalog. She wants to picture herself living in the home.

And why wouldn't you want to make sure your home moves to the front of the line when it goes on the market? We staged a home last week that was already awesome, but made it more awesome. They showed it that evening and had an offer. Since then they have four.

You need to package the product to sell, so hire a stager and listen to them. Home Staging isn't a new concept, it isn't the latest thing and the majority of you can't do it yourself - I know, I've been a professional home stager and stylist now for 14 years. Here's why - This has been your shelter, haven and image for years; you're emotionally connected to your home. You think your home is awesome, its your taste, your collections, your image of lovely. Well, guess what? When you want to sell it, its no longer your home but a house that needs to be sold.

By hiring a home stager you get a professional that can look at your space with an unbiased eye, we work with your Realtor to zero in on the demographics of who the ideal client is and prepare your home for sale with that target buyer in mind. We package the goods and the Realtor sells it. This is our trade, we offer an array of services from giving you a D.I.Y. plan to doing it all. We prep, box, wrap and present the perfect package.

Hire a Home Stager!

We're updated on the latest home design and remodeling trends; so if your home needs to be refreshed, we offer expertise for you to make wise, cost effective updates. We know when to spend it and when not to, especially considering your price point.
An experienced home stager is an expert in making the most of a home and how it will look in a MLS photo and in person from curb side to back fence. Buyers shop on-line first and fall in love second and if your spaces don't look ideal, they'll click or walk to the next listing.
From room arrangements, smart inside/out paint color choices to how your backyard patio should look, we're educated, creative and experienced stylists to make your home appeal to the right buyer.
We know people. Nice painters to cleaning people - being in the business has its perks.
We're professionals - This is our business. We do not do this for fun, part time or as part of another business, we are experts at what we do.
We're your partner. We save you time, we know this is stressful, we are here to hep and we want you to sell your home.
We offer an array of services. From a DIY check list for those on a budget, turn-key project management for a vacant property to helping you make your next home your haven, home stagers can help on every level.

Where do I Find a Fabulous Home Stager?

A full service Realtor will have a professional or two in their arsenal and can offer a referral(s), RESA - The Real Estate Staging Association is a trade association of home stagers and redesigners for North America, InteriorStylist.org a professional network, and the always handy internet search, zeroed in on your home's area will help you scout the perfect staging partner.

How Much do Stagers Cost?

As little as a few hundred dollars for a D.I.Y. Home Staging evaluation on up - It all depends on the home's needs.

Since 1999, certified interior stylist Julea Joseph has owned Chicago area based interiors and home staging business - Reinventing Space. Your can see her work on HGTV or in the news giving homeowners expert insight on how to refresh, style and celebrate their space -Whether staging their home to go on the market, just settling in, or just in need of a change.

Julea also offers her expertise with mentoring and certification educational offerings to Realtors, Home Stagers and Interior Redesigners in the industry. Visit her site, JULEA.com or Interior Stylist Program. For more information 708.448.7500 or email her at Julea@Julea.com.

Business Cards - Your Visual Elevator Speech

2013-02-21T08:12:00.000-06:00

Business Cards - They are meant to quickly broadcast, inform and remind prospective clients and associates who you are and what your do. They are a small snippet of your branding and identity, your business finger print.

If you're just starting off they should be 1st on your list for advertising and marketing purposes.
Companies such as Vistaprint.com are super easy to work with and can produce a great card.

As your business grows, so should your cards: Your business evolves and you will find what works for marketing and doesn't.

First Impressions:

Afford only the best. Budget restriction may impend the quality of your cards when you 1st establish your business. But as your profits rise, spend the monies to have a card professionally created and executed by a graphic designer.
Print your cards on good quality heavy stock.

Show off your Talents:

Your logo, color and stock paper color can express your talents and reflect that finger print.
Text - Be reminded of KISS - Don't over do the card with too much information. I've seen more logos on a business card that the business identity is lost. Same goes for a multitude of services. You've got 3-5 seconds for them to read it. It should be about you not your associations you belong to.
Font - Make sure it is easy and large enough to read.

As an example - Here is the evolution of my cards:

1999

Fresh out of my specialty Interior Redesign and Home Staging training I ordered these cards from Colorful Images. I called myself a 'Home Stylist' only to be confused at my High School reunion to be a Hair Stylist. I quickly changed my position to Interior Stylist to better identify myself.

Reinventing Space and The House Stager

(Black and White copy of cards)

2000

We had relocated to Chicago where no one knew what a Home Stager or Redesigner was - I hired a very fancy graphic designer to create a new identity for me. Originally my business identity and cards were a split personality. I had them printed on craft paper (I had a whole "Packaging" the product theme) By offering two cards I could showcase my two services which both where virtually unknown in the Chicago-land market.

What I discovered over time -

Square cards don't fit into any protective business card cases, making for a lot of squished and bent cards in my brief case and purse.
Having two identities is ultimately confusing to your clients, associates and press.
Font and text size is too small for anyone over 35 to read unless they have a magnifying glass.
Upscale Craft paper stock although beautiful and coordinating w/the "Package" theme is very expensive and not easy to match and readily available when wanting to do quick marketing campaigns such as post cards, pass-outs, gift certificates and flyer's.

2008

Large font, defined logo and focus on the services that drew the biggest client base.

The House Stager has been shortened to HOUSE STAGER and only used for website marketing and educational purposes.
Square cards still. People love them and identify that I'm in a creative business. Too bad about not fitting in a carrier.
One identity and more personal individual name branding. This goes hand and hand w/my website. REINVENTING SPACE.com which was WAY to long to type, remember, and spell... so I now use JULEA.com. If they can't spell it, they can't find you.
Font and text size adjusted for over 35 year eyes - My target market...
White paper coincides with easy marketing, and is less expensive. K.I.S.S.

2013

New fresh logo and color scheme. Easy to read. I now am building a team of associates as part of my business plan, so the cards offer them a not so overpowering identity of 'Julea'.

So when it comes to your business cards, make sure they evolve with your business identity -

Are professional and of quality materials to ensure the stature of your business, and quickly and effectively identify who and what your do -

Making that visual elevator speech a success!

Fe Fi Faux Plants - How to Use Fake in Your Decor

2013-02-18T16:43:00.002-06:00

Faux, fake or silk plants and floral is fine in your home decorating IF you use it sparingly and they are displayed to look as if the real thing. The whole point of silk is that it looks realistic and doesn't require watering or weekly replacement. Good for us, that there are some beauties out there for us to choose. Here are some rules to use when buying or styling your spaces with faux floral.

1.) Be in-tuned to current styles. Page through shelter magazines, websites, blogs and such to get the scoop on the latest trends and styles. If you've got ivy perched on top of your China Cabinet, Armoire or Entertainment unit, please remove it. Using ivy to adorn the tops of things went out with the dress-up Goose. Instead, re-house the ivy in a rustic glazed urn or colorful pot and add it to an appropriate counter or table as a welcomed accent.

An Ivy Issue... (from uglyhousephotos.com)

Ivy housed in a glazed pot.

2.) Make sure it looks real. From color palette, texture, scale, etc. when shopping, make sure the product is as close to nature as you can get. If shopping for a large tree or floor plant - Think how this species would look in nature.

Fern Terrarium by NDI

Trees should look as if in nature.

3.) Make sure it 'could' grow. I've seen ficus trees in the oddest places, mostly in some dark corner of a windowless room - Common sense says plants need light to grow, so place it near a window where it can pretend to grow.

Place faux trees near a window to mimic a real one.

Trees can't grow in sunless corners!

4.) Floral Arrangements should look too as if a professional florist put it together for an occasion, a store bought or garden arrangement you added to a vase or as an artistic statement for the style of your home. A mega sized rose in an urn arrangement on your dining room table says "My daughter just got married, or I wish I was living at Downton Abbey." Stay true to the bones of your home as well as what would be appropriate (an affordable) if real.

Look for silk floral arrangement that could actually be real.

5.) Display floral in 'season.' Tulips, daffodils, forsythia and forced branches are perfect now, sunflowers, not so much. Consider rotating out or refreshing your floral as the seasons change.

6.) Consider the purpose of the room. A 4 foot vase and sticks is not great on the TV room's cocktail table, a tree in place of the refrigerator in a vacant staged home can't fool anyone and an ivy line powder room shelf, is only a dust collector. Instead, add the curly willow arrangement on your entry table and add just a simple square vase with fresh eucalyptus from your local grocery store.

Curly Willow from Vickerman

7.) Use a Light Hand. Acres of fake floral or tress or plants adorning your home is too much, the best rule of thumb is to use the rule of three. One large, medium and small in a large room and one or two in a small room. Too much of anything looks like your hoarding.

A trio of florals adorn this room. (Photo: House Beautiful)

Lifestyle Functionality is the 2013 Look for Homes

2013-01-14T14:30:00.000-06:00

Lifestyle Functionality is the 2013 look for homes. Easy and efficient is what is trending in Home Design these days. Our no-fuss, fast paced lifestyles demands that our home places are the same. From open floor plans to savvy multi-function rooms, to smart apps to control home's temperature - We want our homes comfortable, easy, and to work for us.

Kitchens:

Work horse not show places.
Cabinets - Natural stains and white. Forget the fuss. Clean, simple contemporary styles is replacing fussy details.

Counters - No maintenance quartz composites are not only eco-friendly, but require no extra work.
Single Sinks - Deep large one sink bowls replace dual to house large pots and make entertaining easier.
Floors - Hardwood - Engineered for simple installation and maintenance and friendly to adding heating element. Wide plank and washed and weathered lighter finishes.

Back splash - Glass or glass tile, subway tile and simple designs - Tiny mosaic on its way out.

Commercial Flair - Under counter refrigeration, hefty 6 burner stoves, pot fillers and multiple ovens - Everyone is a TV Chef!
Kitchen Garden - Growing your own heirloom tomatoes, herbs and veggies from city rooftops to suburban yards is a guaranteed organic on your table.

Home Remodeling

Open floor plans.

Homes that age with us - Wider halls, bigger doors for accessibility, bathrooms designed with aging in mind.

Special Function Rooms - Work from home offices, laundry gets its own room, and tricked out storage and closet space makes the most of every square foot of the home.

Energy Efficient - From window replacement to apps upgrade your home to conserve energy.

Home Decorating Trends

Color - Muted with pops of color.
Wood tones switch from super dark to beech, birch and wicker tones.
Colorful powder rooms get the WOW factor, less saturated living spaces in linens, grey or grey-hues. Pops of color in accents: Emerald Green, Lemon Yellow, Marine Blue and Melon.

Neutrals mixed with bright colors

Materials - Brass is back, updated for the 21st century and showing up in lighting and accents. Calacatta marble replaces Carrara for its more defined veining and color from tile to accents pieces like bowls and vases.
Retro botanicals, over sized floral patterns (Think Lucy Lui’s Golden Globe gown) and textured solids in fabrics and wallcoverings.

Johnathan Adler Brass Lamp

Re-purposed Anything - From recycled denim wall insulation to redoing your childhood bedroom set, to petrified wood accent table - Re-use, re-purpose, reinvent.

Petrified wood John Mazur accent table from One Kings Lane

Statement in home decor - One of a kind art, furniture and accents by local artists and artisans allows the homeowner to put their personal stamp on their space.

Photos: Houzz.com

How My Laundry is Cleaner Because of Pinterest

2013-01-10T16:55:00.001-06:00

As we all know Pinterest is just a wee bit addicting. Pretty pictures, DIY projects and a whole lot of recipes to help you forget your New Year's diet resolution. Most of my Boards have to do with home decorating and entertaining, but I do like scour out cleaning and organizing ideas since it's an area I appreciate, but none too keen on.

So it was a delight when I stumbled on a zillion homemade laundry detergent recipes. Since I do try to be frugal and am conscious of chemical loaded stuff, I thought I could do this! I looked at a bunch of the recipes and came up with my own mix. I've already made a batch and I have to say - My wash is super clean and smells fabulous.

I scouted out all the Products at Target including the jumbo sized covered glass canister (kitchen supply isle.) From home you'll need a kitchen box grater, a large mixing spoon and a scoop of some sort - I grabbed one of my vintage Fiestaware coffee cups. The essential oil can be purchased at (C.O. Bigelow - Essential Oil - Lavender )

All the ingredients are "old school" washing products found in any grocery store.

1.) 1 Box Borax (20 Mule Team)
2.) 1 Box Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer)
3.) 3 Bars Laundry Bar Soap (Fels-Naptha)
4.) Essential Oil

Use 1/2 cup per load.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients

Once you've gathered your ingredients the process is simple. Grate the bar soap. I used the cheese side of the grater. The soap is pretty soft, so to fine grate it would make a mess.

Grate Fels-Naptha laundry soap with kitchen grater.

Clean canister and dry well. Add powdered ingredients and mix well with large spoon. I found it easier to mix in layers tan try to dump everything in at once. I then added some of the essential oil and mixed again. Start with a few drops and increase to your desired scent. The 1st time I made a batch I used Tea Tree Oil, this last batch I used Lavender Oil.

Mix powder ingredients well with large spoon.

The added grated bar soap to canister and mix. For this step I just dug in with my hands and mixed well.

Grated Fels Naptha Laundry Soap

To style the canister, I had some left-over chalk board wall decal - So I just cut out a label with my Pinking sheers and wrote out the label in chalk. The soapy canister looks sassy on my laundry room counter and with just a scoop makes my laundry squeaky clean and fresh!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Merry Christmas

2012-12-23T07:35:00.000-06:00

My Christmas Tree 2012

Wrapped Gifts

Wrap gifts in left over wall paper, craft paper -
Tie with twine or burlap
for a monochromatic look.

Stress Free Christmas Home Decorating Ideas

2012-11-20T09:23:00.000-06:00

Well it’s that time of year again, we head to our attics, basements or garages and haul out oodles of bins and boxes filled to the brim with holiday décor and trimming. We unpack and reveal years, if not decades of the stuff - Super excited to begin the annual ritual of decking the halls. As an Interior Stylist, it’s my job to give my clients fresh new ideas on how to use their old stuff, shop wisely and celebrate their home in style. Here are some tips and techniques to shake up your view of how to make your home festive for the Holidays. This is the year be a stress free decorator!

1.) Inventory what you have before your start any decorating. To get a fresh perspective of your goods, you need to take a step back and look at what you have.

a. Can it be re-purposed, reinvented, spray painted or need to go?

b. Sort your product into category, rather than room.

Cylinder Vase

2.) Shop your home for “Good Bone" accessory basics that you already have. I love these standard décor pieces because they can be used in so many ways, can be reused in ever season and most of us already have them.

a. Tall Hurricane, cylinder or apothecary vases. These can hold a host of holiday décor and too can be used to set a buffet or service food.

b. Cake Stands. A great anchors or bases for a wonderful display – Perfect to elevate florals, décor, showcase candles or create height.

c. Silver. From silver trays, coffee pots to champagne buckets – Silver makes everything more festive and rich.

3.) Showcase family heirlooms. Although I’m sure we all have treasured holiday items, don’t overlook what’s already in our cabinets and closets. From Grandma’s China, to your own old ice skates to family photos of loved ones passed – Celebrating our family and what we love is the heart of celebrating this season. Think of ways to infuse these things into your decorating. They’ll create conversation and be a gentle reminder of special memories.

Old Ice Skate Floral Arrangement

4.) Create a theme for your décor. It could be as simple as a color, or inspired by a place. Whatever it is, this is the building block of your decorating. This theme will be carried from décor to entertaining.

a. Resist the urge to different theme each room in your home - instead keep a common thread throughout the home.

b. Spread the decorating to every room of your home.

c. Set your holiday table in style using the same common theme.

Carry your theme in each room of your home.

5.) Move your Furniture. Holidays bring hoards of people into your home and are meant for great visiting, eating and celebrating. Remove, shift, move your furnishings so they are conducive to conversations, not TV watching, be aware of traffic patterns so people move freely through your home.

Arrange your furniture for Christmas.

6.) Entertain in style. From setting the foyer as the bar or dessert and coffee area, to setting a show stopping buffet, make use of what you already have, making sure your whole home is enjoyed and most of all being a stress free will make your holidays happy.

Set your holiday bar serving area in foyer.

Cheers!

Holiday Home Selling and Staging Rules

2012-10-19T10:20:00.002-05:00

A simple container garden can showcase the season

With a wonderful up swing in home prices, many people are ready to get those homes staged, marketed and sold! Selling your home in the fall/winter months have a few rules to be privy to, especially when it comes to decorating during the holidays. Here in Chicago, fall kicks off an open invitation to blanket a home with themed decor. Those darn retail stores, catalogs and show-off neighbors put pressure on us to adorn our homes both inside and out with piles of trimmings. Doing that is fabulous when you aren't selling your home... but if selling - restraint is the urge. Beyond the holiday decor, weather too can be a problem when lookers come knocking. Leaves, snow and wet can be a hindrance to both the prospective buyer and your wood or carpet floors. Let's make looking at your home a good and positive experience.

Make sure your home's entry is buyer friendly by maintaining walkways and having a lovely entry rug to land wet feet. A basket full of those blue booties can keep your floors clean and make your guests comfortable when walking about your home.

When seasonally staging/decorating a home keep true to the bones of the home and the decorative style of the interior. Be very careful when staging and styling the home keeping in-tune to the price point, architecture, and decorative interior style.

Accessorize to the style of your home.

When decorating, limit your accessories and decor -think "Holiday "Lite" when unpacking your festive boxes. Holiday and seasonal decorating make homes feel real and buyers happy. But too much, too personal, or too many colors can obscure views, make rooms feel smaller and distract buyers from their true purpose: deciding whether or not your home is right for them.

Go Holiday "Lite" when selling your home.

Create simple curb appeal when selling during Holiday months.

This same rule applies to the exterior of the home. Keep it simple. Two lovely urns seasonally dressed flagging your entry adds classic appeal, rather than a large blow-up Holiday character to greet guests.

Think twice before displaying decorations specific to your religious or cultural heritage, it makes it more difficult for others who don't share your background or beliefs to envision themselves living in the space.

Battery operated candles offer a cozy feel and keep your home safe, Fresh seasonal flowers or greenery in vases, bowls of ornaments are simple ways of celebrating the season when selling.

Stay safe when selling your home

Tap the spirit. Light the fireplace if you have one. Decorate with a pretty throw or pillow, add the scents of the season. Make your home cozy, inviting and warm someone else might want to move right in.

Make your home cozy when selling in fall and winter.

Wallpaper Decorating Ideas

2012-10-17T06:39:00.000-05:00

Wallpaper can create a room's personality.

Wallpaper is back and I am hopping on the band wagon! What a wonderful way to add texture, depth, personality or ambiance to a space. No longer to be abhorred and painted over - This little wall flower has come a long way and with technology and innovation is very easy to remove, can duplicate anything and is on the forefront of interior chic.

If you are a Pinterest member, visit my Wallpaper board: http://pinterest.com/juleajane/wallpaper/

With all the wallpaper buzz, the Interior Stylist Network had an educational field trip to a wallpaper store. From beautiful patterns, to paper that removes if you are a renter, to elegant papers that have glass beads embedded on them.

Here are a few tips on working with wallpaper.

1) Wallpaper can hide hideous paneling. If the panel grooves aren’t too deep or wide, a simple liner can be applied first, followed by your wallpaper of choice.

2) If you are planning on redecorating a room – Pick the paper 1^st, then choose a paint color.

As a headboard

3) Always prime your walls before you paper . Painted walls are not an option! Shieldz® UniversalWallcovering Primer-Sealer. (Make sure you wait 1 day before papering.)

4) If you are working with freshly painted walls, wait 7 days before you prime.

5) Paper is no different than fabric. Check the repeat to see how much you need.

6) And just like fabric, there are commercial grade papers that have a higher durability factor as well as fire code protection.

7) Never paste a pre-pasted paper.

Re-fresh a China hutch with wallpaper

8) Consider papering a single focal wall, a niche, powder room or foyer if you have wallpaper fear.
9.) Wallpaper can be used to update a piece of furniture, line drawers, inside a China cabinet or as art

Upgrade a plain dresser with wallpaper

This cheeky paper is called "London Toile."

Super size your style in a tiny space.

Use Wallpaper as your Art for the wall

Great Wallpaper Sources:

http://www.americanblinds.com/wallpaper/

http://www.thibautdesign.com/

Fall Table Decorating

2012-10-16T17:19:00.000-05:00

I have really tried not to go prowling around stores to buy more fall decor. This is my favorite time of the year and have oodles of boxes of decor already. This year, I've tried to be creative in the process and come up with some new arrangements and reinventions of the stuff I already own. Luckily, I had a kick this year because I was interviewed by a writer of a magazine on tablescapes and set the stage for inspiration.

Burlap seed sacks from Home Depot - End to end.
Southwestern accent rug used as additional layer.
Decorative paper suitcase and faux books used to create height.
Wire covered cake stand used in my garden makes for a rustic statement.

Anchor your arrangement with fabric or textiles.

Plate chargers can be used in multiple ways.

Chalk board paint chargers.

Buffet napkins with rosemary sprig.

Napkins can be bundled with your silverware and a fresh sprig of lavender from the garden.

The covered cake stand was a launching pad to another arrangement. This time I re-purposed some old bamboo bird cages I had in the garage. Sprayed with dark bronze paint, they went from give-away to a style statement. I can easily swap out the fall seasonal finds to winter!

Birdcages capture pumpkins.

And the last one I couldn't resist, my cat Carmen as part of an arrangement! She's a very fancy cat with her lovely mane. Meow!

Carmen the Cat

Resources:

Staycation Ideas fresh from my Vacation

2012-07-14T08:23:00.000-05:00

Craving that vacation feeling, but are back to the grind? I’m fresh back from a two week vacation on a sleepy, shell filled key in Florida. That beachy, coastal living feel can be brought into your home by reinventing your spaces, repurposing or showcasing your vacation treasures. Here are some ideas to make your vacation last a bit longer.

Bathroom Decorating (Coastal Living Photo)

In the bath: Add a bar of soap in a scent that reminds you of your vacation, better yet, add sea glass to the dish for a reminder of those morning walks along the surf.

Dress up Your Foyer (Coastal Living Photo)

Your Foyer: Create a beach themed entry. Your foyer table is the perfect muse to set-up a tropics inspired tablescape both on top and underneath. A bowl of shells resting on a "treasure chest," framed maps, tropical fronds and a display based lamp with a sandy bottom will make your forget your daily worries when you get home.

Sunset on Manasota Key (Photo by Julea Joseph)

Your Walls: Create Art. Costco and many other store have photo blow-up options. They transfer your photo to canvas.

Jute Wrapped Trash Can ( The Creek Line House)

Accessories: Jute It. Give old stuff a nautical lift by wrapping it with jute or twine. From lamp shades to trash cans, this material give your plain jane things a bit of coastal pizazz.

Sarong covered pillows (Design Sponge Photo)

Living Spaces: Beach cover-up to Pillows: Your trusty sarong can be retooled to cover pillows.

Stinky Homes Don't Sell!

2012-06-04T10:10:00.000-05:00

As a professional home stager, I can give sellers oodles of tips, techniques and sage advice on making your homes attractive to buyers. I can sweep in and make your house look like a model home. But after all the preparation, want to mess up the sale of your home?

Don’t address the way it smells.

A client sold her home in three weeks. The home would have been sold the first day if it hadn’t smelled like smoke. She had lots in her favor, a great suburb to live in- it ranked in the top 100 in the country by CNNMoney. The home was one of a few in the entire subdivision that backed into a spectacular park with country club like vistas. A great floor plan, 3 bedrooms, an office, four levels of living space and a beautiful added sun room off the back. She de-cluttered, painted, cleaned the carpets, scrubbed and made smart, simple updates. The public areas were beautifully staged, a great Realtor was hired, and the house looked good!

But there was one update, one big change that wasn’t made - Smoking in the house.

The house hit the market and there was instant interest. The 1st lookers surveyed the backyard as the Realtor fiddled with the lock box. They were thrilled by the lovely views, they wanted to buy in this area, and they were so excited to see the home! They passed through the front door only to be hit with the stench of stale smoke. The excitement was gone, the criticism started... When the Realtor asked for feedback, the potential buyers said their clothes smelled.

All that excitement and in the end their take away comment was - “Smelly Clothing,” not “WOW what a view or this home is perfect for a family.” In the end and three weeks later, those 1st lookers ended up buying the home at a negotiated lower price. Lots of lookers, lots of keeping the home tidy, clean and leaving for showings - They had so many lookers and they all said the same thing, great house but it smells like smoke.

Preparing your home for sale goes beyond making it look nice. It has to smell nice too. Odors suggest all sorts of feelings and conclusions about your home. If your home has any aroma that evokes an unfavorable response by the potential buyer, you are sabotaging the sale of your home. We smell it, you don’t, you’ve been desensitized. So what can you do if you’ve got a home with halitosis?

1.) STOP the smell making behavior. If you smoke, don’t, if you love to cook, stop, if you have pets with issues, keep them away from carpet and have them groomed.

2.) Clean, clean, clean. From carpets to curtains, everything gets a good cleaning. Use a vinegar and baking soda solution (Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. ) lemon oil for woods.

3.) Have your carpets and upholstery professional cleaned and inform them of the issues.

4) Open the windows - air the home out.

5.) Replace or clean all ventilation filters.

6.) Use an order neutralized such as Fresh Wave (www.fresh-wave.com).

7.) Rent a special machine that removes odors.

8.) If cleaning carpet and walls does not work, you may have to replace the carpet and paint the walls. Many paint brands now carry odor eliminating formulas.

9.) Remove window treatments if you can’t clean them.

Peonies and Coffee

2012-05-26T07:08:00.000-05:00

A fresh bouquet of flowers celebrates any space - A kitchen counter, a night stand, a patio table. This floral, fresh cut from my garden is simple peony stems and variegated Hosta leaves. In a favorite vase given to me by an old California friend, makes it even more special. As I sit in my kitchen and take my first morning sips of coffee, this simple floral arrangement starts my day in a beautiful way.

The Art of Displaying Art

2012-05-22T08:54:00.000-05:00

Art does not have to be found at a gallery or require a college degree to make the right selection. Instead, "Art" can be anything that pleases your eye and makes you smile. From trash to treasure finds to your own jewelry collection - ART can be anything.

When it comes to hanging art, there are many techniques that can inspire you - Here are a few:

This romantic room showcases a "Head Board" of unique and personal finds.

The white washed painting of the display items - vintage shutters, picture frames and mirrors, creates unity and connects all the pieces. The scale of the art collage makes for a great representation of the traditional head board too! The use of personal items layered into the display softens and by centering the display on bed AND the night stand, adds just the right whimsy and a casual feel.

Hang it up with re-purposed vintage pant hangers

A simple vintage pant hanger makes for just the right prop to showcase photographs. We could all picture the dapper gentleman, the subject of the photo, hanging up his trousers on those hangers. Don't be afraid to alter a photo to create a new look, repeat the photo for impact or use a unique hanging device.

Especially in a dining room, use art as a conversation maker

A dining room is your special place in your home to sit with family and friends and celebrate! This art display celebrates the space, showcases the scale of the room and expresses the style and personality of the homeowner. The largest piece is the starter point of this display; note the smaller, yet darker framed/matted pieces are placed above the largest piece to bring the eye up and the entire collection is hung lower on the wall, since the viewers are most likely sitting, not standing in the space.

Wall sconces as object holder and art itself

Art need not be flat or hung with a nail. In this display, the Art IS the sconces. The secondary subject is the organic, from-the-sea finds. The impact of many, the juxtaposition of the high gloss white painted sconces to the organic beach finds, makes for an interesting display. (Note how the less detailed sconces are hung above the more detailed ones...)

Adding color block back drops for an art collection (Photo: West Elm)

This clever wall display, which would be perfect above a couch, in a dining room focal wall or down a hall, showcases smaller art collections with a color block background. The art or smaller pieces would be lost just hung on the wall or displayed in a curio. But by making mini collections with the use of shelves and by painting the wall behind, makes this display fabulous.

Showcase your Jewelry Collection

Have you been collecting jewelry for years? Why not display it as art? Use picture frames backed with cork, ribbon or wallpaper to display your favorite items. From broaches to pearl strands, your jewelry can showcase as art!

2013 Color and Trend Forecast

2012-05-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

Just digested this morning the 2013 color and decor trends which includes "Western" and "Americana" as the new trend as you'll read below. Then picked up a copy of this new magazine - http://www.romanticprairiemagazine.net/ - From denim to washed linen, American casual is the hot new trend. With the election on the horizon and economic recovery - we celebrate American determination and durability. Our "Super Bright" colors have been going strong for awhile and will incorporate more neon's. Super fun, with just the right POP - These can be used as accents to pull spaces together. On the flip side, "Art Deco" inspiration makes us celebrate classic "city" design with glitzy metals, sleek lines and the sultry mystic that era represented.

How can you incorporate these color trends? Use the theme as an inspiration as you redesign or rotate a room. What things do you already have in your home that can be used to freshen a space? Use the color cues for a new paint hue for your walls, a fabric for a chair re-do, or a palette for a remodel. If replacing lighting, floors or cabinets, let some of these color trends be your muse.

The Old West: Color palettes with shades of brown evoke tones of worn saddles leather and weathered wood, while those with strong hints of red recall clay and prairie land. Faint greens and bolder yellow-greens add out-doorsy diversity, along with stone blues and charcoal grays.

Old West Inspired Space

Americana

Colors palettes inspired by the American Flag and the Old West will make a splash in textiles and upholstery. Classic denim blue, off-white and autumn red will be a strong presence as well us rustic brown and cowhide patterns to represent the old West trend.

Americana

Bright Colors:

Primary colors in their brightest form will command attention in 2013, however the neon trend is not expected to re-emerge. Upholstery is trending towards bright reds, light, crystal blues and high impact yellows.

Bright Colors

Art Deco:

The muted palette of 20^th century art deco is coming back. Dulled silvers, greens and yellows will be a presence in some upholstery and home décor patterns.

Art Deco Inspired Room

Decorating Trends 2012/2013

2012-04-18T07:49:00.000-05:00

View of Chicago from TRUMP Hotel

Yesterday I enjoyed a delightful event at Trump Hotel presented by Ethan Allen and Sherwin Williams. From the history of decorating needs for homeowners, new demographics, today's lifestyle, color and design trends - I was chocked full of inspiration and education. I also received this week from the folks at High Point, an interesting trend report which I have reprinted. With a bit of interest scouring, I've attached a few pieces from our favorite decorating retailers who have introduced the same.

Let these trend inspire you when shopping, thinking of making a few color changes or incorporate them into what you already have - Julea

The UK-based trend-forecasting agency Trend Bible began working on its autumn/winter 2012/2013 in early 2011. The experts observed social, economic, cultural and consumer behavior to build a picture of what they thought the future might look like. What they found is the resurgence of “casually styled” spaces, where decor is mismatched yet sentimental and where tactile handmade goods take center stage.

Anthropology Talisman Stool

Undone: “Artful, eclectic curation to reflect a sense of personal style” sums up this trend. Salvaged, “rustic, weather-beaten materials and finishes sit alongside warm and cozy fabrics,” according to Trend Bible. “In essence, this trend is about the celebration of tactile qualities in a post-digital era, where products that tell a story and bring a wholesome, unrefined attitude are valued.” Think reclaimed rough wood, rusted metal, hand-knitted and crocheted fabrics as well as felt, leather and wool. Distressed finishes on furniture add a tactile quality as well.

Curiosity: Dramatic yet whimsical romantic elements will carry over from spring/summer 2012. “Products have a playful quality and reminds us of our childhoods, as adults retreat into child-like worlds in times of political, economic and environmental confusion,” according to Trend Bible. Along with the romantic elements come bold, graphic patterns and “feather-light” fabrics. Decor elements include chandeliers; pendants, flowers and nostalgic, vintage decor make up this trend story, plus soft lighting, plush rugs, flowing curtains, hand-drawn illustrative characters and damask patterns.

Ethan Allen Rachelle Chair

Grey Gardens

This trend forecast gathers inspiration from the 1970s documentary and subsequent 2009 film Grey Gardens, which tells the story of the decline of a 1920s household and its inhabitants. Once decadent and luxurious, the bohemian home slowly decayed, resulting in “flickers of faded grandeur,” reports Trend Bible. The agency’s forecasters say the trend also was inspired by the effects of the global recession, resulting in “down-at-heel glamour.” More elements picked up from the original Grey Gardens include the concept of a garden inside the house, such as wrought iron and rusty finishes, birdcages and fresh flowers; lux finishes like plush velvets, paisley patterns and furs; and chinoiserie.

Restoration Hardware Deconstructed Wingback Chair

Wild spirit: This trend story celebrates different culture’s traditional handmade goods. Patterns and crafts from “Scandinavia, Mexico and South America” and Native American goods like “dreamcatchers and feather trims influence decoration and print,” according to Trend Bible. The trend includes a multicolored palette, primitive decoration, simple illustrations, handcrafted textiles, pieced and patched fabrics and wood, raw and rough-edged ceramics and strong angular geometric patterns.

Horchow Collection Worldy Oasis

5 Home Staging “Musts” in This Market

2012-04-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

In today's buyer's market, unless you present your home as the best product - You've just sold the competition.

1 Create a Turn-Key Home - From curbside to back fence every home has to be move-in ready today. Clean, updated, freshly painted, and manicured – Detail the home like you’d detail a car.

2 Selling Your Space. Organize, edit and reduce every room, closet and storage area. Simple room arrangements, sparse closets and personal belonging editing makes for a home that says “I’ve got plenty of room for all YOUR stuff!”

3 Tug at Heart Strings. Create ambiance, emotion and showcase the character of the home with well thought out placement of sensory and lifestyle components. From lovely container gardens, cozy fireside seating arrangements to vases of fresh flowers from the garden – Tell a story of the lifestyle the buyer will have in the home.

4 Live the Model Life. All that elbow grease & updates have to be sustained during the selling phase. Procure a cleaning service, consider dining-out, doggy day-care and maintain the “Model Home” look till the home is sold.

5 You’ve Got One Shot. First impressions are lasting – From wonderful MLS Photos, perfectly coiffed marketing materials, well groomed exteriors and HGTV show worthy interiors - you’ve got one shot to make a lasting impression to your target market.

Julea Joseph of Reinventing Space has created her own recipe for success with her signature Interior Stylist Philosophy. She helps you develop your style, celebrate your home and makes the most of what you already own. Julea has been featured in countess articles in newspapers and magazines, HGTV’s “Decorating Cents,” “My First Place,” and array of Chicago TV, and even hosts two hometown cable Cooking & Decorating shows. Over the past 13 years her expertise has extended to educational forums ranging from industry certification educator, library workshops to a Board of Realtors Instructor. Follow more posts by Julea on Bob Vila Nation. #bobvila.

2011 Home Buying Statistics

2012-03-29T09:09:00.000-05:00

Reviewing statistics of the general population when either buying or selling a home is a smart stepping stone. If you are a part of the formula like I am - A Home Stager, these statistics are just as important. My job is to help the seller "package the goods-" From smart updates, deciding what goes and stays, styling the home, creating curb-appeal - I'm the pro who wraps the package.

Reprinted from April's edition of Illinois Realtor

A SNAPSHOT OF TODAY’S HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS

First-time buyers accounted for a smaller share of the U.S. housing market in 2011 and down payments were slightly higher, according to the latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:

37 percent of U.S. home buyers were first-time buyers in 2011, a drop from 50 percent in 2010.
The use of the Internet in home searches dipped to 88 percent from a high of 90 percent in 2009 as the demographics of home buyers shifted to slightly older repeat buyers from younger first-time buyers.
The median down payment for all home buyers was 11 percent, ranging from 5 percent for firsttime buyers to 15 percent for repeat buyers, a percentage point higher than 2010.
89 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.
About half of home sellers traded up to a larger-sized and higher-priced home and 60 percent purchased a newer home.
87 percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home.
The typical buyer was 45 years old, a jump from 39 years old in 2010.

(Source: National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2011)

House Staging your Home

2012-03-08T11:18:00.000-06:00

This Chicago home staging in an occupied home was the perfect recipe for a beautiful, sell-able home. The paint colors were great, furnishings fine, but this space seldom used, became the drop spot for stuff... With a lovely sun room off one side, a focal point fireplace and plenty of room for friends and family, this space needed to be a Family Room.

BEFORE: Seldom used rooms in occupied homes sometime become a drop-off place for stuff... When selling, every space has to look fabulous, have purpose, showcase its best points and invite the buyer in!

AFTER: A family room revealed! From a lovely layout with proper flow, an invitation to conversation, and highlighted fireplace - This now market ready family hub is ready to attract a buyer and function while on the market!

HERE'S A FEW THINGS WE DID TO HOUSE STAGE THIS SPACE:

1. Clear the clutter. Remove EVERYTHING from this room before you arrange and style.

2. Find the good stuff. We retrieved products that we thought fit best in the room, appealed to the ideal target buyer, helped define the room and showcased the best features.

3. Arrange for walkways. With multiple entries to this room - Sun room to left, garage to the right and staircase behind - The furnishing welcome in the buyer, and showcase clear walking patterns.

4. Light it right. In a darker room, make sure that there is plenty of light to illuminate - Remove window treatments, upgrade bulbs, add lighting and use furniture pieces that light-up.

5. Simple Style - When staging a room, a few well placed accessories bring a sense of continuity and comfort. From pillows, to scaled walled art, styling the room is an important component.