A Word About Window Treatments

We receive a number of questions regarding window treatments and we have seen quite a few errors in the selection and installation of them as well. It's a complicated subject and we completely understand the confusion. Because of this, many homeowners run to the nearest drapery shop and buy whatever they are told they "need". The question is this - how can anyone possibly know what you need while standing in a shop or department store and not in your home where the windows are? We've seen people spend thousands on shades then balk at the idea of adding curtains to their unfinished windows. "I spent so much on these shades. Surely I don't need more!" We've seen layers upon layers of heavy sheers, linings, and panels installed on windows that barely get sunlight anyway. "What do you mean my room is dark? I had these custom made!" We've also seen panels hung too high, too low, too narrow and too wide. Perhaps the most aggravating is the 4" thick stack of slats sitting on a window sill. It really is easy to trim the bottom of blinds and get rid of the excess!

This isn't just a matter of right/wrong or personal style. Nothing ages a house quite as much as window treatments. They can also suck the light out of a room and make the structure feel poorly constructed if they are installed incorrectly. While this is a complicated subject that requires more than we can fit in a blog, here are a few pointers regarding selecting and installing window treatments:

Draperies can be such a huge investment and it's hard to think that it might be time to take them down. However, if you've had them for more than 7 years they are most likely dating your home. This is especially true if they have an obvious color or pattern to them. So, the fabric that was all the trend when you bought them years ago may be the very thing that makes your home look like it needs a remodel. We recommend going neutral if you are investing in custom treatments. You'll get so many years out of them if you do. If you are planning to buy ready-made treatments, feel free to go with a trendy pattern but be prepared to change them every three to five years. If you have very formal or traditional decor, you may be able to get more years out of a pattern but be sure to pick classic colors. For example, navy/white patterns will last longer than turquoise/white.

Heavy, layered draperies are rarely necessary! These were once regarded for their function as much as their form in the days of single pane, drafty windows. Homes are now constructed with energy efficient windows and many older homes have had their drafty windows replaced. Many of these newer windows also have UV coatings to protect flooring and furnishings from damaging rays. If you are considering investing in heavy draperies because of problem windows, we encourage you to look into replacing the window or adding a UV film instead. It's a much better investment.

Daylight is a good thing! While it is important to be able to control light levels with window treatments, simply blocking out all light is only appropriate in media rooms and bedrooms. Even so, it should be easy to open up and let the light in when darkness is not required. A client recently scoffed at the idea of adding curtain panels to her windows. She had invested in custom Roman shades and thought she had done enough. The problem is that the shades were installed inside the frame less, rather small windows. This is very effective for controlling light, but she was missing out on a great opportunity to add style and drama to her master bedroom. You CAN combine shades, blinds and shutters with curtain panels! Adding long panels to either side of the window, hung from a decorative rod, not only expands the width of the window but the height of the room. You may never pull the panels shut, but their function in adding drama, color, and height should not be undervalued.

Finally, a word or two on installation:

There was a time when "pooling" fabric on the floor was all the rage. Window specialists loved this because it meant they didn't have to be too careful with exact measurements. Truth be told, there are very few cases where this effect looks anything other than sloppy. If you are installing your own treatments, be sure to measure carefully. Hang your panels on the rod and with rings, if you are using them, to take your measurements. Add 1/2" to the total height of your treatment and, measuring up from the floor, mark where you will hang the brackets. Using a long level transfer this mark to the location of all brackets. Have a helper or two hold the whole thing up positioning the brackets on your marks. Stand back and take a look at it. You should allow about 1/2" between the bottom of the fabric and the floor. If everything lines up correctly, go ahead and hang them being sure to screw into studs or wall anchors. If they do not line up correctly, continue making adjustments, moving your marks and checking them before a single screw goes into the wall.

Please take the time to remove the extra slats at the bottom of blinds! To do this, hold up the bottom rail and locate the removable caps. There are usually 3 of them. These caps cover holes that give you access to the cords that operate the blinds. Untie the knots in the cords and gently slide the extra slats and the bottom rail out from the "ladders" that keep the blinds aligned. Reinsert the bottom rail through the ladders so that it rests at or slightly above the window sill. If you have removed too many slats you can add them back at this point. Thread the cords through the holes in each slat and the bottom rail. Trim the cords and tie a knot in the ends. Cut the ladders at the bottom of the rail, leaving enough extra to tuck inside the capped holes. Push the caps back on. If there is slack in the operating string, gently pull on the hanging cords to tighten them. For safety, shorten the hanging cords by either pulling the operating cords and trimming them before you tie them off in the bottom rail or by untying the knots inside the weights, trimming them and retying them. This little step makes a huge difference in the appearance of your blinds.

Remember that window treatment installation can be tricky. Specialists go through training to learn how to accurately measure and install them. There are certifications for window treatment specialists with memberships, conferences, and continuing education. This doesn't mean it is impossible to hang your own treatments but it does mean that you must measure, measure again, and remeasure before drilling. If you take your time and enlist some help from a willing assistant, you can install your own treatments correctly.

No More Hectic Holidays

As I see the leaves begin to turn from the lush greens of summer to the fiery oranges and golds of autumn, I am prompted to consider all of the change we have seen so far in 2009. We began with the promise of change and we have certainly seen that come to fruition. No matter the size, intention, or result, the process of change is rarely easy and the current economic downturn has made these changes especially difficult for most of us. Now the holidays are approaching and we must all decide how to handle what has traditionally been a time of excess when many of us are suddenly having to cut back.

Flexibility seems to be the needed attitude to successfully get through the season and be better for it in the end. If flexibility is the attitude, then simplicity is the mode. It's time to return to what really matters. It's time to remember the simplicity of how these holidays began: the Pilgrim's celebration of survival, the humble birth of a tiny babe, the miracle of a lamp that kept on burning. What is consistent among all of these celebrations? Life! So let us celebrate life this season by focusing on our families, our friends, and reaching out to those who may feel forgotten. Let's take an honest look at what we have, not the material things, but the relationships, the knowledge, the experiences that shape us and make us who we are. Let's celebrate this crazy roller-coaster ride called Life and make the most of it this season and into the new year.

Holiday Tips 2009

In the spirit of resourcefulness and simplicity, I offer the following tips for having a successful holiday season this year:

• Update your holiday decor by incorporating some of the new color trends into your existing palette. For Thanksgiving, add warm olive greens or honey yellows to your basic brown elements. At Christmas or Hanukkah, combine your tried-and-true red decorations with one of the new teal blues or warmer grays being shown this season. Replace the worn or stained snow-white ribbons on your wreaths with creamy dove white ones. Incorporate new metallics into your decor through fabrics and ribbons. The idea is to use what you already have and simply add a few new items where they really matter or where the old ones are wearing out. For more information on the season's color trends, go to http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20644&ca=4 . And here's some good news, because home furnishing trends are usually slightly behind fashion trends these new colors will still look great next year!


• Incorporate natural elements into your decor, and I'm not talking about expensive wreaths flown in from Canada or Maine! Go into your own backyard and take a look at your trees, bushes, pine cones, etc. You may already have all the greenery you need. Clip some berry filled branches from your evergreen shrubs and place them on the mantel. Spray paint can turn dead twigs into sculptural works of art that create a stunning centerpiece or an elegant alternative to costly ribbon wrapped around the tree. Use the same paint on pine cones and pile them in a beautiful dish or hang them on the tree. Silver and gold are always elegant, and dove white is beautiful. You can buy flocking spray to achieve a snow-covered effect. If you want to be really bold, paint them a bright glossy red instead! For more ideas on decorating with pine cones, go to Holiday Decorating with Pine cones
  

Here are some tips on honoring Life this season:

• Carefully consider the activities and invitations you accept. Prioritize time spent with family and close friends and be sure to donate some of your time and/or money to a worthy charitable organization. Some of the best times with those you love can be spent volunteering at a soup kitchen or shopping for those in need. If you're not sure where to volunteer your time, I suggest beginning with your local church or synagogue and then take a look at the community section of your newspaper for announcements of meals being served or assistance needed. If you want to make a financial donation, start local and then go global. What better way is there to see your contribution at work than to see the difference in your own community?


• Be sure you leave plenty of time in your schedule to be home and enjoy your decorating efforts. Whether it's a quiet evening alone with a book and a blanket in front of a warm fire or a laughter filled night of baking cut-out cookies or carving pumpkins with the children, we all benefit from enjoying time in our beautiful and comfortable homes.


• And finally, don't sweat the small stuff! So your holiday feast didn't turn out perfect - just be thankful for the time with your guests and the fact that you have food in the cupboards for the next meal. Your decor isn't exactly how you imagined? Be thankful that you have a home and for those who live within its walls. You couldn't buy the perfect gift for a loved one? Remember that love cannot be purchased and find other ways to show your affections. If you find yourself being pulled into the mindset of the commercialized marketplace, remember these wise words:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also." Matthew 6:19-21

Color Trends 2009

I've spent the last several hours researching color trends for 2009 and I discovered that while there were some predictions for "it" colors, most sources agree that the move is more towards palettes of colors and associated lifestyles. It seems that our political and economic trends toward a global society are being reflected in our personal and home fashions as well. There has been a move toward individuality and away from conformity for some time and this is leading to diverse groupings of options rather than singularly accepted trends. Ironically, it seems that even in our search for the unique we still desire groups from which to choose. There was a lot to read and interpret so I've summed it up for you here.

Urban Reality
Based on the contemporary urban style of the past, this structured look continues to evolve with the development of new technologies in materials and manufacturing. The colors are rooted in a range of grays and inky blues with accents of metallics and shaded reds, plums and greens. A clean look for business professionals and those with a penchant for the modern, this palette is based on dark neutrals with the addition of shaded colors and seems to reflect the moody seriousness of the current economy. This look is perfect for masculine studies, corporate offices, or any formal or streamlined space.

Natural Comforts
With a nod toward romance this palette of dusty hues and neutrals is all about a return to the basics. Femininity is embraced along with organic fabrics though this palette is meant for both genders. It is a casual palette with a neutral base of beige and soft browns and layers of dusty blue, violet, rose and peach tones. Perfect for a beach house, country cottage, or any space that merges antiques with casual comfort, this palette is set to create a soft retreat for the end of a hard day.

Enchanted Forests
Think "Lord of the Rings meets Environmental Activist" and you'll have this palette nailed. You could say this trend follows the distressed style of recent years, though the downturn in the economy has fewer of us wanting to purposefully look poor, so it is a more cleaned-up version. Patterns include washed plaids and checks as well as nature-inspired and animal prints. It is based on the idea of enchanted forests with sprinklings of sunsets and morning skies. It is full of khakis, many shades of green, earthen oranges, warm grays, and stormy blues. Perfect for any Eco-conscious consumer this palette is especially pleasing to those who love the outdoors and earthy palettes. It is well-suited to public and private spaces and can be dressed up or relaxed.

Techno Youth
More than the grays and blues of past techno palettes, this new trend is influenced by the development of art in the world of technology. With unusual combinations of warm and cool colors, strong graphic patterns, and both organic and lightweight tech fabrics, it reconciles the hard edges of technology with the no boundaries freedom of the art world. Truly a palette for the future, this mix is appealing to youth, those with bold personalities and anyone who is unafraid of color. A great choice for kids' bedrooms, kitchens and anywhere you're bold enough to use it.

In terms of singular color trends, look for yellows to make a strong return this season. It is one color that works with all of the palettes and has a welcome cheerfulness that everyone is seeking. You will see it combined with gray in both structured and graphic patterns, in metallic accents in woven fabrics and adding a little brightness when partnered with dusty or earthen shades.

Don't feel that you must throw out your old to incorporate these new palettes as they are all rooted in past trends. An easy update? Add throw pillows to sofas, a new vase to a bookshelf, or put your old comforter in a new duvet. In terms of investment, buy quality pieces in neutral finishes that will endure the test of time. If you keep your backgrounds of furnishings and walls neutral you will have the perfect canvas for inexpensively adding new colors now and in the future.

How to Choose Paint

Whether you are decorating your home or staging it to be sold, painting is likely on your "To Do" list. You've heard it before and it's true that paint is the most effective and least expensive decorating tool. It can instantly update, renew, and even change the mood of a room - if the right color is used. That's where it gets tricky. How do you choose just the right color? Well, it's not as hard as it seems.

Have you ever really watched the machine at the paint store add the color to your gallon? If you have, you may have been surprised to see red, green, and even black among other colors being added to your gallon of yellow paint. You probably asked yourself how such strong colors could possibly create your soft shade. The answer is in color theory.

Basically, all colors have different amounts of other colors in them. Take a look at a fan deck, that hinged tablet full of possible paint hues that painters and decorators live by, and you will see that yellow has its own section of cards sandwiched between greens and oranges. The colors are organized this way because they have different undertones. Every color has an undertone, though some are more visible than others. Taking a look at the colors in the fan deck that are nearest your selected color will help you determine its undertone. If it is nearest the greens, then it will likely have a green undertone and likewise for those tones nearest orange.

Colors may also appear different at home than in the paint store. This is because the undertone can be made more or less dramatic due to the colors next to it. So if you select what appears to be a nice buttery yellow at the paint store and it turns to macaroni and cheese on your walls, it may be the red-toned wood floors doing the cooking. There are steps you can take to avoid this change:

1. Get a fan deck! Even if you have to purchase one it is worth the investment. Take the deck home and assign a paint chip to every surface in your room. It is a common mistake to forget about the color of even the most neutral carpeting or beige furniture but even these "neutrals" have undertones. Also take a look at your lighting. Does it glow yellow, peach, or even blue? Lighting will definitely affect color.


2. Spread all of your existing color paint cards on a white sheet of paper and then put the card with your new color next to them. Does the color still seem true or has it shifted? If it has shifted, do you like how it looks with the other colors? Look also at the other colors next to the new one and see if you like how the paint will change their appearance. Continue to try paint colors next to your existing shades until you find one or two that you like.


3. Now it's time to shop. You need to purchase a small amount of the paints you are considering in the sheen that you prefer. This is important because flat paint colors look different than satin, semi-gloss, or gloss paints. Also purchase a large piece of white foam core. Paint squares of each paint, at least 12" by 12", on the foam core and allow them to dry. Cut the squares apart and tape them to the wall in your project room. Step back and take a look at the colors to see which you like best. Be sure to try them on different walls and at different times of day as well. In a day or two, you should be able to determine the paint you prefer.


4. Now it's time to paint your room! If you follow these steps you should have a pleasing outcome and will have, quite possibly, transformed your room for the low cost of a gallon or two of paint.

If you use this process for selecting every color you add to your room (fabric, wood tones, etc.) you can avoid the biggest decorating mistake we see - fighting colors. Often harmony can be found in selecting the right paint for the walls to neutralize the competing undertones. If you find yourself stumped by the color selection process, don't fret. Give us a call at 302.526.4268 or send us an email at info@TribecaDesignStudio.com and we can do a color consultation for you.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Prepare Your Home Now
For Spring's Selling Season

The holidays are upon us and our thoughts are filled with visions of sugarplums. It's a time for being with friends and family and nestling in our decorated homes. But what happens when the beautiful packages become piles of shredded paper and bows, the candles are puddles of wax and the tree has dropped all of its needles? As we head into the depths of Winter we need to think ahead to Spring, especially if you are thinking of selling your home. Spring will be here before we're ready and just as nature begins life again so the real estate markets springs to life. It's the beginning of the selling season and those with a home to sell must be prepared. Unfortunately, these are tough economic times and we're all finding ways to pinch a penny and stretch a dollar. Homebuyers are no different. Gone are the days when the ability to sign your name guaranteed a mortgage approval and new buyers are no longer looking for the fixer-upper since it's now tough to get the financing to make improvements. It's a grim outlook, but it doesn't have to be if sellers start thinking like marketing executives!

Selling a home is no different than selling a product on the store shelf. Take a stroll down the office supply section of your local store. Have you ever noticed how many pens are for sale? They come in every size, shape and color of ink imaginable. Many have features like cushioned grips or safety features like indelible ink. Every one of those pens has been designed, packaged and priced to compete with the other pens on the shelf. You wouldn't take a cheap looking pen with no features and sell it for $10 when the one right next to it is full of features, looks great, and sells for $5. Who would buy the $10 pen when they get a better value for less with the $5 one? Just like the marketers who promote those pens, you have to consider 5 P's when selling your home: Packaging, Placement, Pricing and Profit, and Publicity. And all these decisions must be made in light of what the competition is doing. So how do you, the inexperienced marketer, make these choices? Let's examine each "P" in terms of your home.

Packaging
This is how your home looks, inside and out. Did you know that most buyers determine their interest in the inside of a home after viewing the outside for only 15 seconds? If you don't impress them before they get to the front door, they may never even open the door! So make sure your lawn is in good shape, your bushes and trees are trimmed and the exterior of your house is looking fresh and maintained. Do you need to clean, replace, add or paint your shutters? How about that front door - could it use a new coat of paint as well? Check all of your exterior light fixtures and make sure they are working. Take down seasonal decorations and flags and prepare to plant colorful flowers as soon as possible.

Take a look at the interior of your home. It has qualities and features that you found desirable so make a list of the things you liked about your home when you first bought it. Unfortunately, every home has a few blemishes so make a list of those too. You have time before Spring to fix the problems and freshen up the features so take advantage of that. Take a look at paint colors, furniture, art and accessories. Ask yourself: Are these things helping my home appeal to most people or are they very personal? If your personal feelings don't want to paint over those neon green walls your finances may suffer as those walls turn off potential buyers and leave your home sitting on the market far longer than you had planned. It's also time to get rid of clutter. A good rule of thumb? If you haven't used it in the last year then it's time to get rid of it. Also, take down family photos, awards, name plaques and anything else that identifies the residents of your home. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves in the home and not feel that they are trespassing upon your territory. Additionally, as you begin to have strangers walk through your home at open houses and showings, do you really want them to know your daughter's name or your son's position on the high school football team? Sadly, we must think of safety in this day and age. Arrange furniture in a way that makes your rooms feel large but cozy and get rid of any extra pieces that are just wasting square footage. Finally, clean, clean, clean!!! Pull out the mops and buckets, dust rags and even Q-tips! That's right, Q-tips! Your house needs to sparkle as if it were brand new. Once you've done all of this work to make your home beautiful you must keep it this way. It would be shame to do all of that hard work and then have a buyer walk in to see socks on the floor and dirty dishes in the sink. Presentation is everything so make the most of your presentation!

If all of this seems overwhelming or you can't seem to take an unbiased view of your home, then call an Accredited Staging Professional like the ones at Tribeca Design Studio to help you make the most of your home. ASPs are trained to view your home through the buyers eyes and offer a variety of services to help you prepare your home. Whether giving clear directions so you know where to put your energies, working alongside you to keep you motivated, or bringing in rental furnishings to update and round-out occupied or vacant homes, ASPs get the job done in just about any budget. And statistics show that Staged homes really do sell faster. In a recent study, 94.6% of Staged homes sold in an average of 35 days while non-staged homes sat on the market an average of 175 days! Think of all those mortgage payments they made while waiting for their homes to sell!

Placement
Placement is how a product is positioned among it's competition. Is it the bargain basement version or the high end one? Most likely it falls somewhere in the middle. Take a look at the houses in your neighborhood and how your home compares to them in lot size, square footage, and upgrades. Is your home well maintained or does it need a little work? Does it make a great first impression or is it rather average? Think of ways you can increase the placement of your home while spending as little money as possible. On the other hand, if your home is the best in the neighborhood you may need to realize that its value could be greater than what the neighborhood can handle. Don't expect to sell a $500,000 home in a $300,000 neighborhood. In this case you have a few options. First, don't sell if you don't have to! Consider waiting until the economy improves, you have more equity to work with, and buyers are willing to spend more. Second, if you must sell then realize that you may have to make less profit, or in some cases break even, in order to sell the house. Your home will most likely take longer to sell so be prepared and don't fight your Real Estate Agent regarding the price. They want you to make the most money possible too but the longer your home sits on the market, the less likely you are to sell it. This is not the time to price it high and consider a reduction later. Your best chances of selling are in the first 30 days so you really have to put the best product with the best pricing out there from the start.

Pricing and Profit
What is the first step to setting your price? Look at your competition! Take a look at the other houses that are listed for sale in your neighborhood. It doesn't matter what homes have sold for in the last 6 months as things are changing on a monthly basis in this economy. If a buyer can purchase a home similar to yours with similar features and an appealing decor then why would they pay more for yours? Also look at new developments in your area. What are they offering? Many builders have reduced their prices and are offering free or reduced rate upgrades. Most buyers would prefer to build a home with all the features they desire than have to fix-up an existing home, so new construction is definitely part of your competition. Remember also that the buyers don't really care about how much you want or need to make on this sale. If you can't price your home competitively then don't try to sell it! Don't be the $10 pen on a shelf of $5 bargains!

Publicity
You can't sell a product that no one knows about so get the word out! Hire a Real Estate Agent with a good marketing plan, but even more importantly, with a good standing among the network of local agents. When people respect your agent they will be more interested in taking their buyers to see that agent's listings. Tell all of your neighbors, friends and family that you are selling your house. Who knows? They may know someone who is looking to buy. Ask your agent for some of his/her business cards and write your address on the back of them. Whenever you meet someone who is looking to buy a home you will have the information about yours ready to hand them. Make your home available for showings as much as you possibly can. After all, we can't buy that pen if the store is closed! And be sure you keep your home clean and clutter free the whole time it is listed so you can make the most of those showings. One of the advantages of Staging your home with Tribeca Design Studio is the additional publicity every one of our listings receive as part of our services. We list your home on our website and StagedHomes.com and we even put a sign in the yard advertising your home as a Staged Home with our web address. Buyers love to view Staged homes because they know they are in good repair and look great!

So enjoy the holidays! Have fun with your loved ones and make lots of memories. Eat the cookies and drink the eggnog. When the holidays are over, as you put the decorations back in the basement or attic, start thinking about what you can do now to sell your home in the Spring. If you need help, call on the ASPs at Tribeca Design Studio. You can reach us by phone at 302.526.4268 or email info@TribecaDesignStudio.com.