mirror, mirror…

{Note: from time to time I will have special guests contribute to “just a little rouge…”. This week’s blog is written by my very good friend, Tracy Bennett. Tracy and her husband, Julian, run a successful home-based business called Firefly Digital Media. Smart, creative, wonderful, and leading the busiest lifestyles of anyone I know – not to mention raising two amazing kids – their home is my favorite “training ground & test kitchen” when it comes to trying out new rouge ideas. Always willing to give me free reign of their space, Tracy shares her thoughts on what that’s like from her perspective.}

By Tracy Bennett

I’ve had the good fortune of being on the receiving end of many wonderful things in this life, the lucky gal that I am. It must be said however, that one of the most uplifting experiences I’ve ever had was working with a stager to de-clutter my home.







Okay, so this might sound like a gross exaggeration. I assure you, it is not. Please allow me to explain.

I am the kind of person who can become completely overwhelmed by the state of my home. I try to pick one room at a time to sort out but I panic and don’t know where to start. I find myself thinking that there must be too much wrong in the room. Is it shelves I need? A closet? More places to hide the mess? And where the hell does all this paper come from? Ack! Then, that’s it. I’m out. Can’t do it. Give up and exit the messy room in question.

Decorating magazines don’t help me at all. Am I the only one out there in this situation? They just make me feel even more inadequate about my inability to create a soothing, comfortable home. Looks so easy, I just don’t know where to start.

I’ve got clutter, chaos, children, pets, more neighborhood children and to top it all off I run a business with my husband and our office is in our house. There is an awful lot going on in one little dwelling.

They say what we see in our lives is a mirror of what we see in our minds. Well, I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way, but when my brain is overloaded with life, my life gets overloaded with stuff. Then of course, all the stuff everywhere makes me feel worse. This mirror thing seems to be working against me.

I think you’ve got the messy, unorganized picture that is my home. So imagine with me (because I like to revisit the happy memory of this day) that one day, into my house walks a stager full of ideas, energy and a keen eye.

For some amazing reason, she seems to know exactly what to do with all the crap in my house that has been driving me crazy. She knows how to make all my stuff, some of it that I don’t even like, look much better. She took all my things, moved them around and made it feel brand new. It still looked like my house and my stuff but all the negative feelings towards my space were gone. I don’t think I’ve ever liked my house quite so much as that day. As she went from room to room I felt like I’d had lost weight, had a makeover and a new wardrobe all in one day. Now that’s saying something.

The only sad part is that old habits are hard to break. I’m still messy and when I buy something new I’m still not sure if I got the right thing and put it in the right place or not. Good thing I know a stager who loves tackling my design challenges. I think people like me require some kind of frequent flyer program.

take it outside!

Whether preparing your home for sale or just looking for ways to spruce up your home this spring, here are 20 (ish) staging and design tips that will greatly increase your curb appeal.

 Leaves and debris – they constantly accumulate, so clean them up and be diligent about maintaining a tidy look
 Replace all dead plants and flowers
 Remove all decorations from the front yard, porch and door
 Remove all kids toys from the front yard (and the backyard, if selling)
 Garbage and recycling days – don’t miss them! Put out your cans and bins just before garbage day and commit to putting the cans/bins away again as soon as you can after it’s picked up.
 Check garbage cans to make sure they are neatly stored and not overflowing or smelly between scheduled pick up days. If possible, store out of view from the main approach to your home.
 Hose down or power wash driveway and all pathways to the house
 Hose down or power wash patios and decks
 Power wash house (if applicable)
 Repair any crumbling stone, brick, or concrete
 Replace any rotting wood on stairs, railings, and porches
 Clean the bbq and any outdoor furniture & accessories
 Paint front door (see painting tips below)
 Embellish the door further with a new knocker and/or a polished-metal kickplate
 Add new matching house numbers – place them somewhere near the front door & make sure they are easily visible from the street, even at night.
 Make a small entryway more inviting with a pair of urns or planter boxes flanking the entrance, or display a hurricane lamp on a small side table next to the door
 To create drama, install lighting along a walkway, between shrubbery, or in trees
 Consider what indoor lighting looks like when viewed from outside. A light in a small round attic window lends character to a home's exterior

A few tips on painting:

 Historical paint colors with grey undertones always work best for exteriors
 Warning: the sun makes strong colors appear bolder and vibrant colors appear brighter. Save bright & vibrant colors for accessories like sun umbrellas, side tables or porch chairs
 Paint your front door with a strong color so that it stands out from the rest of the house
 The color of house trim should complement the color of the roof

These easy tips can dramatically increase your overall curb appeal and make your home look well taken care of, much more inviting and welcoming. This is your one and only chance to make a first impression…and you know what they say about first impressions!

news at rouge.

There’s been lots of exciting things happening at rouge, so I thought I’d share a few highlights with you…

rouge staged a home that sold in one day – to the first person who saw it. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Next up, was helping the same client move into his new home…a 500 square foot condo with an incredible waterfront view. Downsizing to the ultimate in downtown living, this was a design challenge where every single piece brought into the new space had to be highly functional. Creating a new design in a different space by choosing from the existing pieces in the old space was great fun!

rouge was also hired to refresh an existing living space – a lovely old home built in the late 1800’s located in Lunenburg, NS. From top to bottom, this is home offered lots of living space that was practically bursting with fine, old character features. The homeowner is a collector of many eclectic and wonderful things – artwork, furniture, handicrafts, family heirlooms and more. Unfortunately, these treasures were simply taking over the home and interfering with the ability to actually live comfortably in the space. Lots of elbow grease in sorting was required here…deciding what to keep, what to store, what to give away or sell. And more than a few tough decisions about what would best fit a whole new lifestyle. This home “makeover” was an emotional journey that was well worth the effort. Pictured below are just two of the rooms that saw big transformations – a space room turned guest room/dressing room and the master bedroom.

As a member of Home Stagers Atlantic (HSA), rouge is proud to be the chair of this year’s community project. Each year, the members of HSA choose a deserving organization and redecorates their space. This year, a community resource centre located in a low income housing neighbourhood will get a new look. The folks here do incredible work with very, very few resources and we are thrilled to be able to make their space more welcoming and comfortable. The project planning is moving forward nicely, and we are on track to take over the center during the last week of June. The entire project will be done in one week, so we can give the newly revived centre back to the staff and community. More to come on that one!

Behind the scenes, rouge has been a beehive of internal activity from late winter to early spring, too – everything from getting the website designed and launched, designing and printing business cards and all other marketing materials, to building a portfolio and writing the weekly blog. Not to mention making some great new contacts in the industry and exploring a few intriguing opportunities. Phew…

Thanks to all rouge clients and supporters – you know who you are.

Looking forward to what the spring and summer may hold…bring it on!

xx Suzanne.

You big faker!

I have an instant dislike of all things fake – fake people, fake tans, fake boobs. And while I agree that most things sound better in the beautiful French language, I’ll continue the list with faux finishes, faux leather and yes, even the “fauxmance”.

I will choose, 99.9% of the time, real plants over fake ones. Plants add life to a space both literally (they add oxygen to the air and act as a natural air purifier) and figuratively in the context of staging and design. But I will acknowledge that once in a while, a real plant just won’t work in a space that is practically screaming for some life.

So, for today, let’s consider the fake plant.

If you must explore this direction, look carefully and be creative before buying. There are lots of options that don’t make me shudder – natural wood sticks, palm leaves, life-like flowers, and even plastic grasses can add life to a room and work well within a design. But beware: there are many, many more options that look truly terrible (where you’d be better off having nothing at all)…and you’ll have to search for the right solution.

Like real plants, there are a number of things to consider to help ensure you make a good decision. Here are a few tips:

1. location – where will it be located? At eye level? On the floor? Consider how far from eye level this plant will be in your space. Be sure you look at it that closely with a discerning eye…and if you think it looks too fake, or if you can’t decide, then it is probably not a good choice.

2. lighting – what will the lighting be like in this location? Bright lights will only highlight the plastic or unreal look of it. Darker and dimmer areas are much more forgiving. Remember: adding beautiful little white lights to a fake plant is ALWAYS a bad idea.

3. potting – most fake plant options seem to come in horrible looking pots (why is this??). If you see an option where you like the plant part, but don’t like the pot, make sure you can take it apart when you get home. If not, give it a pass. There are lots of fake plant options that come without containers. I like these better because you can make them look much appropriate for your space. Plan to put your faker in a nice pot or container. One that fits your existing décor. Be creative, but keep it simple.

4. rocks and soil – I recommend “planting” your fake plant in something more natural to balance it out and increase the style quotient. Choose natural colored sand (white, tan, light grey-ish), rocks or real soil.

5. dusting – just as your real plants should never be dusty, neither should your fake plants! Take a minute to do this very small task and keep your fakers looking as “fresh” as you possible can.

6. price – don’t be fooled. More expensive is NOT always better or more real-looking. I have found some lovely options and have paid anywhere from $1 upwards, but am always happiest with the ones I’ve pulled together myself.

If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create a one-of-a-kind solution that fits within your décor and your style. Used sparingly, the fake plant option can effectively add life to your troubled space.

Just don’t hold your breath waiting for oxygen…

{Editor’s note: I realize I am writing about fake plants on the heels of Earth Day. Understand that I’m not advocating the consumption of more plastic products here. Please know that I try to treat every day like Earth Day…and know there is always more each and every one of us need to be doing to be kinder to the great Mother Earth.}

China cabinet makeover

I was in desperate need for drawer space in my little walk-in closet, so I hit my favorite second-hand stores in search of an old, tall and skinny chest of drawers to refinish. But, I wasn’t having much luck finding something that wasn’t too wide or too long for the space.

Finally, this 1950’s (ish), art deco (ish) piece caught my eye. While not at all what I was originally looking for, I fell in love with the curvy shape and determined it would fit in the space. After blowing off many layers of dust, I saw the $50.00 price tag and loved it just a little bit more. So, I stuffed it in the Honda civic hatchback and headed home.

Here are the steps to this makeover project:

1. thorough clean with a damp cloth, wipe dry
2. lightly sand all surfaces
3. another good cleaning to remove all dust from sanding (tip: slightly damp cheese cloth is great for this!)
4. take off all the doors, knobs and shelves
5. prime all surfaces (wait to dry)
6. three coats of paint on all surfaces (wait to dry between all coats)
7. reattach all doors and shelves
8. replace knobs

I chose a bright and fun blue, because I really liked the idea of mixing an old piece of furniture with a new and vibrant color. Here, I also painted the inside back panel a light grey to add some contrast and lighten up the inside of the cabinet.

This 3-day project was done on a shoe-string budget that breaks out like this:

cabinet - a steal at $50
primer - left over from past painting projects, $0
paint – mixed for another project and wasn’t used, $0 (tip: always a good idea to hang on to paint for a while because what was a mistake on one project may have a fantastic use later on!)
new knobs – three used from a value pack of 6, approx $4

Fitting perfectly in my closet, this cabinet offers tons of space to house my socks, tights, underwear, pj’s and other dainties. The bottom of the cabinet stores long and short-sleeved tees, all my yoga wear and a couple of hoodies.

The result is a truly unique and functional storage solution that I am proud of because it’s an unexpected new use for something old (go gorgeously green!)…and because I did it myself for $54 bucks!

“The Unsellables” – best staging stat, ever.

Sofie Allsopp, host of HGTV’s fantastic show “The Unsellables”, gave an incredible stat in a recent episode. Here it is:

“Every box of clutter removed from your home during staging is equal to $800 - $1000.”

Read that again.

Consider that the reverse is also true…every box of clutter you don’t remove before staging / selling your home will cost you.

Remember that “clutter” means personal items, collections, extra furniture…etc.

Here’s another gem from the show:

“Having your home professionally staged can increase your selling price by up to 30%.”

Enough said.

(oh…and if you really want to learn more about staging, this is a great show. One of my absolute favorites. In a short ½ hour episode you get a real picture of how & why staging works. And always some good how-to’s for simple DIY projects.)

color trends for 2010

Last week, I went to the Benjamin Moore Color Trends Forecast for 2010. Designed for “Color Professionals & Architects”, it was presented by their Color & Design Manager and detailed their projections in terms of color, design and trends for 2010.

Hard to say what I liked best.

There was a bit of talk about how the entire industry is changing so that it’s much more green. A combination of things like new technologies and VOC regulations are driving this. That’s not a bad thing in my books.

There was also some interesting information on two of Benjamin Moore’s new products including “Aura”, which you’ve probably already seen commercials for. It’s a new 100% acrylic resin paint that promises some great features: dries in 1 hour, 2 coat maximum, contains self-primer and self sealer (read: you don’t have to use primer and it still promises that you’ll never need any more than 2 coats!), is durable & washable, and has exceptional hiding power.

The second product is called “Natura” and is their greenest product. Actually, it’s the first of its kind in the industry. It promises to be odor-free, fast drying (also 1 hour), and VOC free. This one does recommend the use of a primer (they also make a “Natura” primer) and colors will be available in flat, eggshell and semi gloss. This product will be in stores in May. Sounds good to me…I hate the smell of paint and really try hard not to think about what I’ve been breathing in.

Now to the sexy stuff. This part of the presentation was a combination of music and tons of photos from around the world that included the very latest in fashion trends, new design influences and, of course, colors.

It was such a visual feast, my brain was buzzing for the rest of the afternoon. I’d show you pictures, but the color chips aren’t available just yet…

Here are the three color themes that Benjamin Moore is predicting for 2010:

One – “genesis” which is all about real colors found in the natural world. From green to yellow, the greyscale continues. Carbon color footprints. New beige and white. Monochromes in colored and earthen neutrals. Beautiful hues of browns, creams, greens, reds…think sand, flowers, grasses, root vegetables. Colors include: wild mushroom, forest moss, yellow finch, frostline, granite.

Two – “the new luxury” which is more about values and less about wealth. Sophisticated deep and rich tones. Bold translucency and art-inspired brights contrast against beige grounds. Gold, bronze, copper. Sustainable color choices accented with luxurious chromas of organic brights….think eco-chic. Colors include: sandlot gray, granite, wild orchid, caponata, summer plum, gold.

Three – “ingenuity” which is considered more out of the box and fun. Unexpected and free. Sporty hues and glimmers of metallics. Playful color tones. Prismatic color, ombre effects. Bold and vibrant yellows, blues, oranges…think freedom of expression and right-brain thinking. Colors include: seaweed, midnight navy, salsa, fairview taupe, bronze.

I'm excited and have lots to think about in terms of new color combinations. But the two biggest burning questions for me are:

Who’s job is it to aptly name each and every one of the new colors & write the prose that describes these color trends?

…and…

How do I become part of the “North American Creative Forecasting Team” that travels the globe to identify color, design influences and themes of new fashion trends?

Give me a call, Benjamin Moore. I’m available.