Fresh Look Redesign Newsletter

November 2007

I Don't Need It...But It Was FREE!!!

I've had the same challenge within the past several months with more than one client facing the same decorating dilemma. Redesign or Staging, the issue seems to be the same...too much furniture. Not that this is unusual in and of itself, but what is surprising is that these items were not "chosen" if you will, by the homeowners. They were cast-offs, discards, hand-me-downs, even trash to some. The overwhelming response to why they have these things that...

1. Don't work in the decor.
2. Are too big for the space they occupy.
3. Have no purpose or redeeming value when closely scrutinized.
4. Are uncomfortable or just plain unfortunate looking.
5. Make absolutely no sense in the rest of the room's decor.

Is that they were FREE!!! My first questions to them is, do you love it? Answer - No, but it was FREE!!! Now I understand when we are first starting out, free is a wonderful thing. In fact, I applaud (as well as have a business built around) things that don't match, mix it up a little and help make them look great. But there is a line to be drawn here and just because it was FREE doesn't mean that it works, looks great or fits the space it occupies! What needs to be done is some very serious inventory of the facts to see if these things are worthy of keeping, or better yet, let's stop saying yes before they ever enter the space! By asking yourself some extremely tough questions, and answering honestly, you can break the "But it was FREE" habit and restore peace and harmony to your rooms.

1. Do I love it...free or not?
2. Am I considering it because I need it, or because it's FREE?
3. Am I going to re-purpose it to give it new life making it a useful addition to my decor?
4. Is someone else's need greater than mine? Can I suggest donating to a local charity to help those less fortunate?
5. Am I creating chaos and clutter in my environment by taking in all the FREE strays that people offer to me?

The things that surround you in your space should be things that give you comfort and peace of mind, memories with friends and family, joy of times spent in wonderful places. Revel in the dining room set handed down through the generations, or the end table you remember as a child, but be cautious of the pieces that enter your space without purpose or meaning, they will never truly have a home.

Embrace your space,

Judy

Fresh Look Interiors
The Staging & Redesign Academy

Cookie's Corner

"For those who live stylishly with their furry friends"

I just came back from Dippin Doggies for my monthly hair appointment. I'm wondering how many other doggies are not staying on their usual routine these days at the doggie salon, getting a bath, haircut and their nails trimmed...I know I couldn't go without it!! Since I'm an equally important part of the family, Mom especially doesn't want me looking like some stray living on the street...and especially not with the Holidays coming up! And speaking of the Holidays coming, now is the time to think about appointments for your furry little or big ones to be sure they look the best when Aunt Mille and Uncle Fred come calling. For me, Paula and the girls at Dippin Doggies are the best, they tell Mom I'm great (even though she still wonders and says I'm a pill) and they take great care of me; understanding my temperamental side. Sometimes when times are little tough or stressful, your four legged friends are the first to feel the pinch, remember, we are part of the family too, loving unconditionally with all we have. Taking care of us is a gift and we appreciate it from the tip of our wet nose all the way to the bottom of our tails!

I'd like to take a moment to remember my wonderful friend Lothar. I don't let just anyone share my home, but on occasion Lothar would walk four houses down and spend time here when her family went away. Lothar was the most gentle, kind, faithful friend anyone, four or two legged could have. I could growl at her and she never growled back, she was a kind soul. Some people don't understand, but she had the best Mom, and Dad and two legged brothers, they miss her terribly, and always will...to Lothar, we love you!!!!

Well, that's it for my second edition, I'd love to hear from other furry friends, please send photos, ideas, treats, you can send them to me at:

Fresh Look Interiors
Attn: Cookie
P.O. Box 531
Crystal Lake, IL 60039

I'm off to get a belly rub and take a nap. I look forward to lot's of animal!

Till next time.....Happy Tails,

Cookie

In loving memory of my brown furry friend Lothar,
1996-2009
I'll miss you Loth
 

10 Minute Makeover

"Quick fixes for busy lifestyles"

Every month we will bring you this feature on quick ways to spruce up your home inside and out to sell or to dwell. Sometimes all you need is a quick tweak to make a room feel fresh and new again!

If you have visited us on Facebook or read "The Decorators Notebook", a collaboration of articles by SDP members, you may have seen my tips on how to quickly change out your fall decor from fall to Halloween to Thanksgiving. By decorating with the basic fall colors, brown, orange, purple, and yellow, then changing out your main theme, be it switching a witch to a turkey or maybe a ghost to a pilgrim, you can keep the same decorations going for several months, saving not only time, but money also! Keep in mind those pumpkins are a stylish fall accessory all the way through Thanksgiving!

Fall picture for 10 min makeover

Sign Up Now For Winter Classes

The kids are back in school, so isn't it time for you to go back also!. Start Today! Sign up for one of the 5 Day Redesign & Staging Classes, or the 2 Day Professional Decorator Refinement Class before they fill up. Class size is limited to 4, so classes fill up quickly. Your children are working on their future, why aren't you working on yours?

Happy Designing,

Judy

Sign Up Now For Winter Classes

The kids are back in school, so isn't it time for you to go back also!. Start Today! Sign up for one of the 5 Day Redesign & Staging Classes, or the 2 Day Professional Decorator Refinement Class before they fill up. Class size is limited to 4, so classes fill up quickly. Your children are working on their future, why aren't you working on yours?
 

Upcoming Events

5 Day Certified Redesign & Staging - January 25 - 29, 2010
2 Day Professional Decorator Refinement - January 7 - 8 , 2010

DIY Decorators Workshops coming in 2010

* For those who love decorating.
* Just the place if you're always moving you're..or someone else's furniture!
* Perfect for those who haven't met an accessory they didn't love.

A fun, educational and inspirational series of workshops to feed your inner decorator. Learn redesign tips and techniques used by the pros!

Workshop 1 - Furniture Placement - Creating conversation groupings, understanding flow and balance.

Do you have to shout to speak with the person seated across from you? Do your guests feel disconnected from each other in the same room? Is there a constant flow of traffic between the television and the people viewing it? Do you ever wonder why people "just won't sit in that room"? The answers to these and many more arrangement dilemmas will be answered in this two hour workshop. Bring pictures of your rooms to work through your own conversation crushers!

Date - Thursday, January 14th 9:30a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Until Next Time.....