Archive for the 'House Calls' Category
Stupid to Smart and Chic in Today’s Blog Roundup
September 25th, 2008 Categories: Blog Watch, House Calls
Today’s Blog Roundup:
Homeowners Wendy and Doug Grills in Clifton, VA submitted their “stupid” room to the Washington Post’s House Calls and came away with a smart, chic office. Click here to see the work of designers Patrick J. Baglino and Megan Blake.
Want to know more about the rapidly growing world of eDecorating and the world of Web-based designers? Click here and keep your eye for our young friends, Sherry and John, from Richmond, VA.
Need help with fall chores? Click here to reduce your heating costs, clean a chimney, install insulation, make your doors draft free or ready your garden for winter.
Want to turn flea market finds into something fabulous? Check out what Eddie Ross is doing.
Now, you may ask yourself - why is a real estate agent so interested in room makeovers, interior design, chores or flea market finds? I’m interested because they are all things that go towards making a house a home. Rarely does anyone move into a property (new or old) and not do something. Instead, it is that ability to see and think “what if” that can make the difference between a house bought and tenderly loved or a house unsold.
So look around and when you find something that has that “what if” quality, call me at 703.927.4554 and we’ll make it happen.
Michael
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House Calls Tackles A Big But Underused Bathroom
September 11th, 2008 Categories: House Calls
This week’s challenge involves a large bathroom (the good news) with a rarely used large tub (the bad news). Designers Sherry Ways and Susan Schemm of Design Scheme Interiors in Washington suggest a sleek new design.
It makes you wonder - who convinced builders that everyone wanted a large whirlpool tub in their master bath?
Michael
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One Great Way to Get a Free Room Makeover in Northern Virginia
September 4th, 2008 Categories: House Calls
One of our favorite weekly features in the Washington Post is “House Calls”. The Post invites Northern Virginia residents (well, really anyone in the greater metropolitan area) to submit photos, room dimensions, and information about a particularly challenging room.
In return, the Post recruits a local designer to do a free virtual room makeover for one lucky homeowner. The results are published every Thursday in the Home section of the Post.
The designers change every week but the idea is the same. The homeowners describe what they want to accomplish and the challenges they have encountered. They can even declare certain pieces of furniture, wall colors, carpeting that they need or want to keep.
Then the designer gets to work. Suggestions include paint colors, furniture, lighting, accessories, draperies and, what I think is most interesting - furniture placement. It’s amazing how just rearranging furniture can completely re-energize a room. The proof is in the before and after pictures.
One thing I really like is that prices and sources are listed for everything and most of the products are available in local retail stores or on line. Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Ikea are notable favorites. This makeover is not about breaking the bank!
You may not always like the suggestions or agree with the color choices but just seeing what could be done is an inspiration. It’s also a great way to get a tiny glimpse at new construction designs or room sizes in older homes.
Take a peek at today’s makeover room and maybe you’ll be inspired to submit your own problem space. This week’s designer is Elizabeth Krial of Elizabeth Krial Design in Reston and the homeowner is Debra Long in Haymarket, VA.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do,
Virginia
Thanks to my spouse and managing partner for introducing this new weekly feature.
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