Forward Thinking: What's Trending

Style is ever evolving, and yet, always seems to receive inspiration from past design eras. I'm loving the 70's influence and looking forward to adding some new decor to the house. Here are a few of my favorite new products.
                                     -Stayci

1. Red Loops from Minted is one of our favorite resources for stylish, affordable art, with sizeable options & quick shipping!
2. Can't wait to use this HOT off the press Miles Redd print from his new line with Schumacher. Deconstructed Stripe in Greige. 
3. I seriously cannot get enough of the pottery from Suite One Studio. 
4. West Elm is looking more sophisticated than ever with their new decor. Loving this Metal Frame Chair.
5. West Elm's Tumbler Side Table. 
6. West Elm's Marble Topped Pedestal Coffee Table {I'm buying this today!!}
7. West Elm's Christopher Wynter Linear Wool Rug

Sprucing Up for the Holidays

As the holidays approach, {I can't believe I'm saying that!} it's time to get our homes ready for visits from family and friends. Aside from the typical door wreath, centerpiece, etc., I thought it would be fun to share some inexpensive ideas to perk things up.

For me, I like to have a festive look but I also don't want to make it a huge production to clean up when it's all over. Here are 3 of my favorite ideas I plan to implement this Thanksgiving and the holidays.

Love this gold door knocker. With a big, green, pine wreath around it, and some added antlers, pine cones, twigs, etc. It's a perfect mix of glam and earthy. < side note.. If you're selling your house now or like I'm selling this Spring, it'll have to be switched out for a non-personal knocker> 

Find it Here

If you're hosting the dinner parties this year, I love this idea of creating a coffee station somewhere in the house. Perhaps a little out of the way of the kitchen traffic, but somewhere close enough that your guests can help themselves whenever they like.

image via pinterest

I love to add natural elements into the holiday decor and I'm not big on faux florals, especially when having guests over. Aside from the typical table tops, doors and fireplace, I want to make sure I add some little sprigs, figs and garnishments to the often missed.

Keeping it super simple.

via Rue Magazine. Get the recipe HERE

I absolutely LOVE cutting boards as chargers. We did this for a wedding client and I thought it looked amazing! If I could, I would have each one personalized so the guests could take them home. Okay- maybe a little over ambitious...but I'm going to shoot for that. :)

Staging A Home With Current Trends

Selling your home can be a tricky process. When prepping your home through staging, the strategy is about updating your home to appeal to the widest audience. 

But, how do you make your home look "on trend" without being so trendy that you only appeal to a small audience? How do you keep your home's decor "neutral" without being too dull?

                          

Staying current in your home's decor without tipping the scale over to too trendy can be a tough balance. It's true that keeping it neutral is a good strategy for staging your home however, adding some memory points is the key to capturing a buyer. When we stage a home, we start with discovering who the likely buyer will be (we work with the Realtor), and answering some questions about the targeted buyer. 

(Notice we don't ask about the Seller's preferences.)

• What type of buyer is this? A first home, a trade up, an early nester, etc.
• What type of lifestyle are they looking for?
• Where do they shop? What shelter magazines do they read?

Why does this matter? This is the lifestyle we want to capture. Picture your home as a blank neutral canvas, and let's add in the elements of the BUYER's desired lifestyle. 

We want to turn up the personal volume of the Buyer, turn down the volume of you, the Seller. The point of adding in some trends is for your buyer to recognize what they WANT.
They'll say things like:
"Oh! I just saw that in the new Pottery Barn catalog and I want it!
vs.
"Oh look, they have our old table."

So let's get to some ideas on how to keep it neutral while adding in a few subtle (new and hot) trends.

I get it, "You're still living in the house!" How do you live there and have kids and dogs and laundry and life, all the while worrying about keeping the house perfect for the new buyers?? I know. Keep in mind; selling your house is inconvenient. The goal in staging is to shorten the selling time, thus shortening the time you and your family are inconvenienced. 

LESS TIME ON MARKET= LESS INCONVENIENCE FOR YOU

Utilize these staging tactics and stay positive! 
Focus on your new house and don't take your staging personal. 
You're onto the next chapter in your story. Enjoy it!

Shop the looks...

West Elm Wish List

Whether you're looking for some great gift ideas or perhaps you're ready to give your holiday house a makeover, West Elm has got it goin' on this season. If you're on my xmas friend list, you can bet that you'll be getting a little something from the West Elm elf.
Here are my fave's... it's a long one because they've got such good stuff!!!

And the whole place setting for that matter!

And this brass metal wall mirror is BONKERS in person. It also comes as a floor mirror!

I would spray the ring andirons gold but, FINALLY, affordable & stylish andirons under $200!!! They're actually $79 bucks! C'mon now.

I would ask for this for Xmas yet, I'm not going to be able to wait. So, I'll be buying this later today when I place my monogram orders. 

Umm, this is also happening in my living room. I have been waiting to find something fabulous to replace my Pottery Barn cabinet below the TV and this is definitely it.

This would also be so fabulous in a dining room for bar accessories, extra china etc. 

This table would be a game changer in any room. For a quick update, 

changing the coffee table can get you the biggest bang for your buck.

Every year my table consists of WestElm pieces here and there. This year, my table will be

shining bright with these fabby little numbers. 

Okay, I won't be waiting to get this as a gift becasue I need it asap. But the good news is that I can put my new jewels inside. wink wink Ralphie. 

This little skull and cross bones monogram is just what's up.

(I'm doing the oil and vinegar bottles with the skulls)

And, last but not least. I know it may be a little more expensive but I love the idea of using bags instead of wrapping paper for gifts. This is no new idea but I have to say, last year, it really got to me how much paper was thrown away. So, I'm all about giving cute bags this year.

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Only 7 more weeks!!