Uphostery - New look new life - Part 2

My little project to bring new life to these little gems is progressing well.  After 3 weeks, the removal of countless staples, removal of old stuffing (aka as flock), new wadding, springs and the restuffing process the chairs are coming along very nicely.    I was amazed at how taught you need to get the the hessian and calico, all while trying to hammer in the tacks...truly and art......

Here are some progress pics.   This week will see the beginning of adding the fabric...very excited.

poor little chair is just about totally naked...suprising what is underneath all the fabric - not much at all

Getting back into shape - new wadding and springs...very well secured but it took some time t get them just right....

starting to get dressed

                                                              getting stuffed!!!!

Petticoat on - getting ready for the final dressing and zushing!!!!! 

Upholstery ……New look – New life part 1

I am so excited as last night I started a course I have wanted to do for ages……UPHOLSTERY….I especially wanted to do this as I bought these (2) wonderful little chairs at St Vinnies – they were an absolute bargain.  They are in great condition, think around from 1950’s but need a new fresh exciting look.  

Another reason I have wanted to do an upholstery course is that I love watching Sarah Richardson and some of the things she has done is out of this world.   I also wanted to start making upholstered bed heads and reupholster piece for others…..

I have found a fabulous course held at Padghams in East Moorabbin, so for the next eight weeks every Tuesday night is Padgham night…last night was fun and the class is all women. I must say we were all pretty focused in our task and there wasn’t a lot of chatter happening. I’m sure that will change over time. Adrian and Dianne that run the class are brilliant.

Last night was stripping back our chairs so that we can start to rebuild them and make them look wonderful.   I, like all the ladies in class never knew that an upholstered chair has so many staples and tacks, there seemed to be no end in sight.  It had to be the quickest two hours of my life, but I am glad to say that after two hours of lots of hammering, pulling out staples and some help from Adrian I am nearly there……..This is what my chair looks like now  – not so pretty, but in a few weeks time that will all change!!  

I am going to use two fabrics in the chair, one is a large multi coloured paisley/floral (for the front of the chair) and on the back I will use a complimentary stripe – aren’t these just fabulous.  

 




 Stay tuned for next weeks installment

Cleaning Candle Jars

Are you like me and love the scent of candles burning around the house.  Candles today come in all types of wonderful containers and if like me you buy quality long burning candles  - they are not cheap.

So what can you do with the containers - throw they out - such a waste.  Why not clean them and then reuse them for other purposes - hold cotton balls, buds, paper clips.  New uses are only limited to your imagination...

Let's get started cleaning your containers.  Supplies:

• used candle jar,
• freezer,
• blunt knife,
• old newspaper,
• paper towel,
• vinegar.

Place used candle jar in the freezer for approximately 1 hour to harden the soy wax.

Remove candle from the freezer and with a blunt knife remove excess wax from the bottom and sides of the candle jar.

Empty container of any excess candle wax.

Take clean paper towel and wipes inside of container to remove any wax residue and soot from the container.

Once the jar has been wiped clean, place some white vinegar on a clean paper towel and white all surfaces inside and out to remove any sticky residue.

Lastly, place the container in sink of warm soapy water and thoroughly clean.

Rinse and dry the containers and you are now ready to reuse them......

Chevron Art

I love the clean lines of the chevron design and wanted to include a piece at home.  Here is how I made my Chevron canvas.

Step 1

A plain canvas with a coat of white acrylic paint.

Step 2 

Divide the canvas into even sections - I divided the canvas into 8 (horizontal)  I then cut out triangle template.

Trace the template across each of the lines.

 Step 3

Using painters tape, start to create the lines that will transform into the Chevron pattern.

I found the easiest way to get a clean sharp point is to overlap the tape at each point.

  Using the outline of the tape  - trim the tape to create a clean sharp point.

Step 4 - Now for the fun stuff 

I wanted to create a bright multi coloured chevron canvas and used a range of acrylic paint colours that i picked up from the Reject Shop for $4...

now start painting...  randomly apply the different colours.

Don't be afraid to overlap the colours. The canvas completely covered with paint. 

Step 5 

Let the paint dry and slowly remove the tape.......to reveal an original piece of art.. 

The finished product

Two Ways to Sell

You have decided to sell your home and have agreed a price of $450,000 with your agent.   Your agent has a commission of 5% - based on $450,000 they will receive a commission of $22,500, leaving you with $427,500 after commission, but before costs.

You love your house however; decide that you don’t want to spend any money on preparing it for sale as you believe although a needing some work it will sell relatively quickly (within 6 weeks), plus the new owner can update the house to suit them.  

Fast forward three and half months, the market has slowed and you still have not sold.  You have reduced your asking price to $425,000.   Feedback from open homes has been that work is needed on the house compared to other homes at $425,000 – even after you have reduced the price.  You are adamant that you will not reduce your price further even though your agent is suggesting you should.

Did you know that since putting your house on the market:

• You have paid $6800 on mortgage repayments
• $1500 in outgoings
• 14 weekends interrupted by open homes
• Had increased stress because you haven’t sold
• Forgone $25,000 in your sale price, and
• Your agent has only reduced their commission by $1,000 at your current price of $425,000.  

Long Sale - Home not staged (min 3.4 months)
Asking Price	$425,000
Less
Mortgage payments	$6,800
Outgoings	$1,500
Commission	$21250
Subtotal	$29,555
Net Profit $395,450

If you don’t get an offer this month, your costs will increase and your profit will decrease, particularly if you reduce your price again.  Not a good situation.

Now consider the alternative.   You decide when listing your home for sale to get some assistance in preparing your it for sale and engage a Home Stager at a cost of $2,000[1].    The original asking price stays at $450,000 and the property sells in 6 weeks.  

Quick Sale  - Staged Home        (6 weeks)
Asking Price	$450,000
Less
Mortgage payments	$3,400
Outgoings	$750
Commission	$22,500
Staging Costs	$2,000
Subtotal	$28,650
Net Profit     $421,350

What a result, you have made an additional $25,900 in profit – reduced your stress levels and sold your home in half the time!!   

HomeStaging does make a difference.  If you would like find out more, call Décor Interior Style on 0430 195 940 and ask for Vicki.

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[1] This is an indicative price only, the actual cost will depend on the condition of the house, work required and if hire furniture is needed.  

Autumn Colours

Summer is such a great time of year, but I must admit I prefer the cooler months.   I love the crisp clean air, the warm colours as trees change to vibrant reds, yellows and oranges and the warmth of a roaring fire.

The pace of life during this time gets slower not only for us, but also for the housing market.   There is a common trend that during this time of year, there are not as many houses listed for sale compared.  However did you realise that there are some real advantages in listing you home for sale during autumn and winter.  The most important one is reduced competition in the market.  How great is that.  As a seller it means that not only are you having to compete with fewer homes in the market, but potential buyers have fewer homes to compare!

Although you may have less competition, it is still vital to remember that if you want to sell your home in the shortest possible time, you need to make sure it is picture perfect.  Buyers are still looking for their dream and your home could be it.

Here a re a few simple things you can do to make your home inviting is:

• let in as much natural light as possible and always have all your lights on when your house is being viewed.
• place warm and inviting throws over the lounge or your favourite chair to make buyers feel like this is the home they could curl up in, and read a great book.
• light a fire or make sure the house is warm and inviting.
• introduce some warm colours in accessories such as red and oranges to reflect the season and bring a sense of warmth to your decor.

Remember that if you need advice or assistance in creating the the place buyers want, call Decor Interior Style and we will be more than happy to help.

Outside Appearances are Important

Scanning the internet of homes for sale in my local area is always interesting as a Home Stager.  It is interesting because it gives me an idea how in many cases, home owners do not understand the importance of looking at their home through 'buyers eyes'.

Looking at a home through 'buyers eyes' needs to start at the outside of a home and continue all the way through to the back garden.  The outside of your home is your first impression, so you need to make sure that you create a great first impression so that you can entice prospective buyers out of the car, down the path and in your front door!

This home is on the market for mid to high $500,000.  The garden although established is overgrown, not only obstructing the view of the home, but also providing prospective buyers with the impression that they will need to spend a lot of time tidying up and maintaining the garden. 

There is structure and symmetry to this garden, but again it has become overgrown and does not create a good first impression.  

This house screams work, work and more work!












So if you are thinking of selling your house, or are wondering why it hasn't sold, walk outside and take a look at the first impression you will be creating through 'buyers eyes'.   Remember the outside is just as important and the inside.