Making Your Guests Feel At Home

With the holidays around the corner it's that time of the year now when days are full with company parties, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, decorating the house and making sure your home is clean and ready to receive guests. Out of town family and friends usually mean they will be staying overnight, so why not make their stay memorable by making a room for them that is comfortable and welcoming? Here is a guest bedroom I was asked to finish. We had to work with the existing colours, so the challenge was bringing together the yellow on the walls and the grayish purpley hue of the bed linens to make the colour combination more palatable.

Before

After

Before

After

How would you like to be a guest in this bedroom?

And, to help you with those little "extras," here is a checklist I took from realsimple.com  that you can follow to make your guests feel at home and well taken care of.

• Have a spare key made.Tell guests where it will be hidden (if they’ll arrive while you’re out) or hand it over when they get there, so they aren’t ringing the doorbell every time they return.

• Make the bed with clean sheets.If you have a guest room, freshen up its linens.

• Test the air mattress.If your “guest room” is a blow-up mattress in the living room, see that it’s in good condition. Inflate it to make sure there are no holes, and, if you have time, vacuum the surface so it’s free of dust.

• Gather extra pillows and blankets.Guests may be used to sleeping with two pillows, so an extra set (stored under the bed) is a good idea. Fold an extra blanket and lay it nearby in case guests get cold.

• Make room in a closet.If there’s a closet in your guest room, be sure that it isn’t stuffed with Christmas decorations and such. If there’s no guest room, clear a little space in your own closet for a suit jacket or dress that needs to be hung.

• Buy (or create) a suitcase stand.Clear off a storage trunk or have a folding stand ready for guests’ luggage. It will help them stay organized and keep the room neater.

• Have toiletries readily accessible.All of those mini bottles you've collected from hotels? Use them! Have shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, a bar of soap, and toothpaste in plain sight in the guest bathroom. If you’re sharing a bathroom, leave toiletries in a basket by the bed.

• Set out a spare towel.Consider offering one that’s a different color from your everyday towels, so a guest knows which is hers.

• Buy or make a few snacks.Have breakfast basics on hand: coffee, orange juice, fruit, granola, muffins. Small snacks for the afternoon will likely be appreciated too.

• Create a list of possible activities.Think about what guests might want to do when they visit, and know when shops or museums are open.

• Gather local magazines, brochures, and maps.If you’re heading to work instead of playing tour guide, have the local paper or magazines available with listings of attractions. Get a local bus or subway map, or provide directions if guests are driving.

• Put a few books near the bed.Give guests something to read before they go to sleep. If there’s an interesting book about your town, even better.

• Leave important phone numbers.Put together a list of emergency contacts in case something happens while you’re out. Give the name and number of a neighbor, family member, even a plumber (if you have tricky toilets)—anyone whom guests might need in a pinch.

• Write down household instructions.How does the remote control work? What’s the deal with that newfangled alarm system? Give guests some pointers in case they’re stumped while you’re gone.

Enjoy this time with your family and friends and may your home be filled with Christmas songs, cakes, candies and all the love that this festive season brings!

Decorating for the Holidays: One Room, Three Looks

Your Holiday decor doesn't have to be the same every year.  Switch it up by adding a few key pieces to bring in the Holiday feel and use accessories to create your colour scheme.

1.  Classic Red

Here, we used the traditional colour of red to decorate the room.
The sofa is layered with red cushions and a soft plush throw.  The tablescape sets
the tone for Christmas with a reindeer and more accents-- poinsettias,
a pillar candle with pinecones and Christmas ornaments, all in red.

2. Modern Blue

For a fresh, contemporary look, blue is a popular choice if you want to
move away from the traditional colours of Christmas.
Again, layering the sofa with cushions and a throw to bring in the blue.
 Adding blue accessories and changing the artwork punches up the colour even more.
 To bring in the element of Christmas, we added accessories that sparkle
and decorated the candles with evergreen sprays.

3.  Naturally Beige

If you like a more natural and rustic feel, add accessories made with natural materials.
A light, creamy beige is the accent colour here and we've used accessories made with natural elements--
the wrought iron candle sticks, burlap and linen covered cushions, and a wool knit throw.
The distressed framed art and a rustic bouquet, made with birch bark,
twigs, and pinecones, are the perfect finishing touch.

What colour are you decorating with for Christmas? Do you have a preference out of these three styles?  Which look is your favourite?

--Imelda

If your home is being listed over the Holidays, restrained Holiday decorating is key.
Add just enough Christmas decor to signal festive but keep it to a minimum.
For a home staging consultation, please contact me at
imeldasmithhomestaging@gmail.com or 416.464.1781

Photos:  Imelda Smith

Busy, Busy, Busy

We've got snow outside and all the holiday trimmings up!  It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas! ♫♫♫  Now all I need to do is finish checking off the gift list... my timing is just perfect for the Black Friday sales.  Yes, Canada is embracing the whole idea of Black Friday which, I think, is a good thing!

Happy Thanksgiving, America! And to everyone celebrating Hanukkah, enjoy the season in health and happiness!

--Imelda

Although it's a busy time of the year for everyone, don't put off planning the sale of your home if you want it done in the new year... January is just around the corner!
I'm a phone call away...

DIY Holiday Urns

As I get older, I despise the cold weather we have during the winter season and I dream about one day moving closer to my sister who lives in southern California.  There is, however, something to be said about being in the cold climate during Christmas... it just doesn't feel right otherwise.  And seeing the snow fall on Christmas Day-- there's nothing more perfect..with all the Christmas lights and decorations, I get the warm and fuzzies and suddenly the cold isn't so bad!

One of my favorite things I love to see this time of the year are winter urns. They are perfect for bringing life to your front entry and help create a warm and inviting feeling for your home.  Here are my winter urns and I've decked them out with red touches for the Holidays...

Supplies:  an urn with soil, pine, cedar, spruce, dogwood, magnolia leaves, decorative balls and mesh ribbon. The spray bottle is a product called 'Wilt Proof' and you apply it on the greens to prevent moisture loss.

And, here is how you put it together...

Canada Day Inspiration

Replay Sofa by EQ3

National Flag Linen Pillow from Etsy

Canada Flag Shoe from DSquared2

Red White Nike Dunk High Heels from highheelsusa.com

Korhani Home on the runway...

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Season's Greetings

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone. ~Deborah Whipp

Hope this greeting finds you well this holiday season. Thank you for a great 2012. And I look forward to serving you in the years to come!

Imelda :-)

Guest Post: Guest Bathroom Remodelling Ideas

***
Guest post by Megan Gates

of Elliman.com

If you own a home, chances are you'll be hosting guests at various times throughout the year. Whether it's for holidays or an old friend visiting, you'll want to have a pleasant space available for them during their stay. One of the most important places to make inviting is the guest bathroom. It should be a comfortable, relaxing environment for those using it, and by
following some of these handy tips, any guests will feel right at home.

Luxurious Layout: One of the key layout concerns of a guest bathroom is the location of the guest bathroom in relation to guest bedroom. Ideally, the bathroom should be no more than two doors away for easy access, making the guest feel at home and able to use it just as they would their own bathroom. It's also more convenient to have a full bathroom with a shower available as opposed to a half - this adds the comfort of being able to store their toiletries and not feel intrusive. If guests have to use your own personal bathroom to shower, they may feel they're putting their hosts out.

Design Ideas: Keep the color scheme uncomplicated and leisurely. Posh hotels and spas usually follow an all white or off white theme because of the clean feeling it promotes in guests. Match this simple theme throughout the linens to coordinate, and have large, fluffy towels and robes for comfort. Add a simply patterned shower curtain, and comfy, plush bath mats on the floor to pull the theme all together. Make sure the vanity space is uncluttered so they can store their things if needed. You can decorate with a great smelling candle or a vase of your favorite smelling flowers for a personal touch, but be sure to leave an ample amount of counter space so visitors can put out their toiletries.



Upscale Extras: You can fool your guests into believing that they are in fact staying at a ritzy hotel by having an abundance of extras tucked away in your bathroom. Additional towels and toilet paper are a must and can be stored in a linen closet or below the sink. Stock your guest bathroom with shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, extra toothbrushes, body lotion and disposable razors so if they forget anything, it's right there for their use.

Traveling can be stressful, so having a comfortable space for guests to stay is tantamount to a pleasant visit, and a cozy, relaxing guest bathroom helps them feel better about staying in someone else's home.

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York Rentals, New York City Rentals and Real Estate, home improvement and the latest architecture, design and fashion. Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

End of guest post

***

It's very exciting to have my first guest post on my blog! Thank you, Megan. Interesting how there is that element of staging involved when preparing your house for overnight guests. And just like when staging your home for sale, you want to stir emotions that will capture visitors coming into your home. The key is to create that 'inviting feeling' making any guest who walks into your space feel that they can be comfortable, relax, and be at home. Do you have a comfortable bathroom for overnight guests to use? What do you do to make your visitors feel at home?

Cheers!
Imelda

P.S. I can help you decorate your home for the holidays. If you're having guests, and you want to do something special, give me a call!

Creating Winter Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is so important, especially during these cold winter months. If you're putting your house on the market or simply in the Holiday spirit, draw attention to your home and bring on that warm and inviting feeling!

Create a focal point by hanging a handsome wreath on your front door. Or, fill windowboxes and urns with beautiful evergreens and your front entrance will come to life!



Add some colour with red dogwood and berries...



...or decorate with colourful Christmas baubles!



Creatively adding lights to outdoor sculptures make the garden sparkle and keep statues visible in the snow.





Most buyers will come view the house at night and with the sun setting earlier in the day, make sure your home is well lit by adding flood lights.



Decorate the deck! Show off the backyard as an extension of the home.



Leave your hot tub open and running for showings to help buyers envision a lifestyle they can have during the winter months!



And don't forget to make sure that walkways are shovelled and pathways are well lit!



Winter curb appeal is probably something that most sellers living in snowy areas would easily ignore. Because of that it is so unexpected, making it a delight to see for those looking to buy!

To my American friends and visitors, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! And to everyone, I wish you joy and happiness as you celebrate throughout Holiday season in the days ahead!

Imelda Smith
Home Staging Design Consultant

visit www.imeldasmithhomestaging.com