rouge 101

rouge is celebrating a milestone – this is officially the 101st posting for the just a little rouge blog!

Who knew I’d have so much to talk about? Who knew anyone would be interested in reading it?

Certainly not me…in the beginning, at least!

Sending my gratitude to all just a little rouge readers – whether you are one of our many faithful readers or brand new – and no matter how you found rouge…through my personal facebook page, rouge website (www.littlered.ca), or via haligonia.ca or halifax.infomonkey.net. I’m very happy you are here!

As always, we love to hear from you…so please send your feedback, suggest topics you’d like to hear more about, or just drop us a line.

Here’s to the next 101 posts that will try to add just a little rouge to your life!

xx rouge.



For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

living room need a boost?

rouge did a home consultation two weeks ago for a client who wants to refresh their living room.

The room is a challenge in terms of layout, as it opens to the dining room/kitchen via French doors, and has a doorway on the opposite of the room leaving to the front hall.

This busy family of four have a tv room in the basement, but this space is where some tv watching takes place, family game nights happen, and of course, some adult entertaining.

The main goal was to offer suggestions that would update the room and not break the bank by incorporating as much of the existing furniture as possible…namely, the large brown leather sofa and love seat.

Here is what rouge recommended, along with some pictures to inspire:

* repaint to update look and feel
* consider removing French doors
* rearrange existing furniture – best use of space for function
* create a defined conversation area by adding oval or rectangular area rug, adding a fun occasional chair
* create a defined reading nook by adding comfy chair (suggest grey or cream), floor lamp (suggest brushed nickel), and existing side table
* address tv – (a) remove from room, (b) get a flat screen tv, (c) use existing.
* suggest removing armoire. Consider using existing coffee table as tv stand.
* add less substantial, softer coffee table/ottoman
* add layered lighting specific to living room uses -- two table lamps and reading nook floor lamp
* consider new window treatments to allow for light, yet retain or increase privacy.
* replace curtain rod with more substantial, dark brown rod
* mount further outside of edge of window, so that when curtains are opened, they hang over wall and don’t cover any window.
* suggest curtains with grommets. Consider patterned and/or textured to add layers to the overall design (white/grey)
* add floating shelf (s) to display family photos and artwork. Either in lieu of existing bookshelf or as a row behind couch.

I’ve since heard from the client who was indeed inspired by rouge’s work. They’ve gone out and purchased a couple of end tables, table lamps, a floor lamp and have their eye on some curtains….

Keep us posted, please!

decluttering – is it really worth it?

Let’s face it. “Decluttering” is not the sexiest part of a staging or redesign job. But I’d argue that it’s the most important. As far as staging goes, it can dramatically affect both the price and speed at which a house sells.

I recently read that “…an uncluttered home will help you achieve inner peace.” Wow. That’s a large, bold statement. Could it really be that easy to achieve inner peace? It made me giggle. Then, it made me think.

I’ll admit a cluttered space does make me crazy. Cluttered and cramped spaces do cause me some anxiety. I just want to clean and organize them. I can’t help myself. These spaces make my thoughts feel just as cluttered and cramped. I can ignore other people’s clutter to some extent, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also mentally organizing things around me when I find myself in such a space.

“Clutter” can be hard for home sellers to recognize. It can be as obvious as piles of newspapers, clothes, mail, files and magazines. But it can be photos, shoes, toys and dishes….the list goes on. It can also be an expensive collection of antiques or collectables.

Try to imagine what a potential buyer feels like when looking at a house that’s cluttered. They are not imagining themselves living in the space. Instead, they are distracted by, and focused on, the people who currently live in the space...and wondering what’s the story behind that collection of roosters?

They will likely leave your home feeling negative emotions that are daunting, overwhelming & consuming. They will identify your home as the one with the {insert item name here}, instead of the one with the {insert wonderful feature / strongest selling point here}. That’s it. You just blew your opportunity to make a good first impression. And first impressions are what will make or break you here.

Trust me, it has nothing to do with your decorating style or your taste. It’s not personal. As a home seller, you must remember that you are trying to sell the space, not your stuff. If a potential buyer can’t see past the things in your house, they certainly won’t be able to see and appreciate the space. And then you’ve lost them. This is why how you live in your home is completely different from how you stage your home for sale.

Let me say it again – this is why how you live in your home is completely different from how you stage your home.

Some say that your space is a reflection of your life. I whole-heartedly agree. It stands to reason then, if you are trying to sell your space, it should not reflect your life. Instead, it should reflect the life someone else could have in it.

Go on, be brutal in your quest to declutter your home. Let potential buyers be wowed by the space, the natural light, and all the wonderful details that they will want to own and enjoy for themselves. Pack up those treasures and safely store them while your house is on the market. You’re moving anyway, right?

Achieving inner peace? I’d say I’m a believer.

Be sure to read next week’s blog for room-by-room decluttering tips.