Tag Archives: Organize

(20)10 Resolutions for a Stylish New Year

 

new years 2010 graphic 

The holidays are over, and now is the time to begin planning ahead to make 2010 a show stopper! Take a look at our New Year’s Resolutions, and let us help you make your space more than ready for the holiday season next year!

 

1. Spruce Up Your Work Space

Make work fun again by organizing your home office. Hang your 2010 calendar and buy yourself your favorite writing utensil. A Design Lines favorite is the Pilot Precise V5/V7 Roller Ball pens in classic black. Consider using a crystal glass or a short vase as a pencil holder just because you can. Get organized & surround yourself with only images or objects that inspire you.

 

2. Focus on the Heart of the Home

Did the flow of your kitchen this Christmas cramp your party? Now is the time to start thinking about how functional your kitchen really is, before the holidays roll around again.

 

3. Beat the Winter Blues by Preparing for Warmer Weather

Outdoor living spaces can add up or may seem overwhelming but if you plan ahead and tackle it at the beginning of the year, you will be able to sit back and relax this summer while enjoying your new outdoor space. 

 

4. You Don’t Like it, So Why Keep It?

Sometimes you love everything in the room – except – that old, ugly ————————. ( you fill in the blank) So – why not go ahead and delete it from your “hate it” list and replace it with a fresh new piece or an old piece that has a new look. You won’t regret it and you surely won’t miss the eye sore.

 

5. Simplify – Less is More

“Out of clutter find simplicity”-Albert Einstein. If your rooms feel cluttered, evaluate what you really need and simplify your life. Remove what you don’t need or don’t use!

 

6. Help your Kids Love Your Home

If your kids are getting into their teenage years, take a look at how your home could change to fit their lifestyle. Maybe a game room, pool table, or theater room would make your home the hang out and keep your kids within your watch.

 

7. Re-imagine Your Unused Spaces

Take charge of your house and use it for what it is worth. Create rooms that work for the whole family and rooms that you will actually use. Make a list of the rooms in your house that could function or feel better, take photographs, and decide as a family how everyone would love to use them. Compare your lists and go from there. For example, you may have a formal living room that you never step foot in, consider using it instead as a music room, study, or game room!

 

8. Think Big – Even in Small Spaces

Sometimes the smallest changes in a room can make a big difference. Consider changing out throw pillows on the sofa, re-designing the family room draperies or painting a particularly boring door an exciting color. Need new accessories? Or the walls are looking dull; change it up with a piece of art. Sometimes a trip to the Powder Room can speak volumes about your house to a guest, consider wallpaper.

 

9. If You Keep Putting it Off, it Will Never Get Done

Does your home to-do list look unmanageable or overwhelming? Sometimes as Nike would say, “just do it”… or you could contact a professional! We can help set your priorities and start the design process so that your to-do list melts away.

 

10. Refresh and Refinish Your Floors

After a hard season of traffic on your hardwood floors – the wear begins to show. Perhaps you are used to it but as a guest – the path most traveled in the house becomes very noticeable. Refinishing hardwoods is a daunting thought but the end result is very worth it. It is like getting a fresh coat of paint or new carpet. The other thing that happens is you get a chance to totally rearrange your rooms after the furniture returns!

Spruce Up Before You Sell Your House

 

Earlier this fall, Design Lines was asked by Triangle Blvd and  Howard, Perry & Walston to give some simple design tips on how to spruce up your house for the big sale. Molly and Lauren made their debut as tip experts!

 

To see more videos head to Triangle Blvd.tv and click on the real estate channel. Below you will find the list of tips given by Molly and Lauren.

Tip 1. Organize, Organize, Organize
People want to walk into a space that is clean, uncluttered, and organized. You can get there by:

· Take a serious look at your closets, especially your master closet, linen and pantry closets.

·Organize, get rid of things you haven’t used or never will, add a closet system (easyclosets.com or the local home improvement store)

· Clean the garage so it looks like cars will actually fit. Organize the tools, bikes, toys, garden equipment and golf clubs. Perimeter storage would go a long way in helping to sell the house. Be sure the walls and garage floor are clean.

· Organize the kid-room clutter. Put the toys away and neatly display collections.

Tip 2. Lighting is key
Whether natural or artificial, providing pleasing light levels for each room is key.

· Be sure to have the right wattage in all fixtures and lamps, install dimmers on key important fixtures. Check for missing bulbs.

· Remove dark or heavy window treatments…simple blinds are sometimes better than cumbersome drapery.

· Update table and floor lamps with new shades.

Tip 3. Paint and Finishes
Nothing creates an emotive reaction more than color. You want that reaction to be positive. Here is how:

· Neutralize and lighten your wall colors. Some favorites or ours are SW Accessible Beige and BM Natural Cream, Pale Oak and Tapestry Beige.

· Remove dated wallpaper and borders…borders tend to make a ceiling look lower and they are outdated.

· The exterior is as important and the interior. Check your front door…could it look good painted a bright color maybe red? Or does black seem to be just the right color. One we use is SW Tri-Corn Black. This may lead to a face lift on the shutters too.

· New exterior light fixtures and visible house numbers will also add to the curb appeal of your home.

· You can update that shinny brass dining room fixture with a can of black spray paint! Desirable (sellable) finishes are: satin or patina brass, bronze, and silver tones.

· Another easy finish update is cabinet hardware. Be aware of the plumbing finishes if you are not changing those but new cabinet hardware can give your whole kitchen or bath a face life.

Award Winning Interior Design | Raleigh, NC