Brimfield Flea Market Style

Flea market style is a staple in the design arena. Whether mixing industrial elements into modern style or creating a shabby chic vibe, most of us love the rush that comes from the "hunt" for the perfect piece. Walking around a huge flea market is such a fun creative outlet. Every year I try to head to Brimfield Antique Show (Massachusetts) and at least get a full day of design inspiration. Since it's coming up next month, I thought I'd start getting ramped up with my shopping plan.
Last year,  I was wrapping up building my house so I went with a short list of key items I wanted to find. I was looking for a dining table that was 9ft long and narrow. Voila... I found just the thing.

The past few years I've gone, I always take a bunch of pics and think I'll do a post but then I never do. So here it is. In case you've ever thought about going, here's a peek into the world of Brimfield. If you're lucky, you might bump into Nate Berkus or Joanna Gaines. If you're really lucky, you'll bump into the perfect piece you never knew you needed.

 (My table)

FLEA MARKET SHOPPING {What to know, before you go.}

1.  Walk through your house or space and make notes of the spots you want to decorate and measure the area so you know what will fit. I always write the minimum and maximum size of what I'd like to find.
2. Bring cash and then add some back-up cash just in case. The ATM is usually a long walk and the fees are high.
3. Clean out your car in preparation for bringing back randomness you never imagined you'd buy.
4. Dress weather appropriate and wear comfy shoes. You will walk in dirt for miles.
5. If you're planning to buy something large, estimate the cost of getting the item to where it needs to go and factor that into your budget.
6. Get there super early on first day to find the really good stuff. If you really want a strategy to beat the likes of Ralph Lauren & Tommy Hilfiger store buyers, you should research the map and go to the hot spots first. And bring your wallet. :)
7. If you're a Designer or business owner, some booths will give you an extra discount. Don't be afraid to ask.
8. Bring a back-up phone charger and a rolling cart or backpack. Carrying your handbag is a huge pain (literally). 
9. Young kids will likely not be able to hang in there. It's usually hot or raining and it's a gazillion miles of walking in and out of small spaces. If you want to spend the whole day, I would recommend leaving the kiddos at home. 
10. There's not many places to eat nearby, actually, there's not much in the area except for traffic. Grab a bite at the food court before you leave. 

Happy hunting!

2015 Statistics on Home Staging

Week 14 & 15

We're getting down to the wire in our challenge and it's time to start thinking about some of those final details with staging. If you're thinking about calling a Realtor, do yourself a big favor and

CALL A HOME STAGER FIRST!

This week, I challenge you to grab your camera or phone and go around your home taking a few shots of your rooms. It's such a great perspective to see your house through the camera lens. 

I snapped these photos of house I staged last week. The photographer was on his way over but I wanted to ensure I had everything in it's most photogenic place.

The other little project tackled last week was fixing some heating baseboard covers. These things are the worst because they such a huge pain to replace. I found these covers at Home Depot and they actually did the trick! They're not exactly inexpensive but they save so much time and headache.

A home stager will make sure your home is prepped and ready for a Realtor to come through and give you their highest and best evaluation for a selling price. 

To fully understand the power of home staging, a major study came out this month from the National Assoc. of Realtors called 

2015 Profile of Home Staging

Here are my favorite highlight, but make sure you read the study. 

Modern Makeover: Basement Renovation

After many months of designing as well as acting as General Contractors on this large renovation, Jennifer and I can FINALLY share our finished product! This home has been our "baby" for the past 2 years, going through quite a transformation, including being used as a character home in Joss Wheadon's film, "In Your Eyes."   I've waited to post these photos since I hate reading blog posts on unfinished projects- I'm such an instant gratification junkie, I just can't stand the suspense.

These fabulous "after" photographs were taken by the talented Sarah Winchester.

In the basement:

Backstory- Our client travels often and wanted a "hotel vibe", reminiscent of the W Hotel. 

BEFORE

 The fireplace was covered in large slabs of Antarctica Granite. 

 Cork flooring perfectly suits this uneven basement floor.

 After searching for close to one year for high gloss cabinetry that comes from the US, doesn't absolutely blow the budget, but does however blow your mind with fabulous-ness, we are thrilled for our first installation of our new custom line of high gloss-lacquer cabinetry. This stuff is perfection.

This is a gray finish with a darker gray inset within the cubby features. 

New Bathroom

BEFORE (This was the previous owner's photo, not our current client's before)

AFTER

MASTER BATH BEFORE

AFTER

POWDER ROOM BEFORE

AFTER