Home Staging Pennsylvania- Hart & Associates Servicing the Main Line, Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

I have been curious about this show for a while and thought I would try out for season 2 BUT I was too busy staging. Last season I wanted to lose 30 lbs (and I still want to lose 10)  So why the heck not this season?!

I just posted my portfolio on the site so please take a look:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_69254,00.html?sortby=views&vw_arra.

I can be fun, I can be a diva, I can work under pressure and still be graceful. Wish me luck! kh

hey all,

I just got back from a consult and I am impressed with what my client is willing to invest into her townhome. She has not told me what her budget is but I have an idea that it is 10-15k to make improvements. I have some ideas for her kitchen that I want to run by you and get your reaction. Sorry I do not have pics. thanks for the advice

Scenario:

Home has hardwood floors throughout first floor.

Beige carpeting in bedrooms, Beige berber in lower level.

Prob is that the floor are pickled from the early 90's and will not work with today's buyers styles.

Client is willing to refinish floors. I  got a quote and it is about 3,000 to refinish and stain. I have recommended English Chestnut from Minwax- it works with the stairs and railing and is a warm medium tone that will work with traditonal furniture  and more transitional decor. Most people in these units are young professionals or downsizers and favor a more traditional look.

The bathrooms are 15 years old but have white tile and white fixtures. We are painting them and adding some new shower curtains and bling.

We are also removing wall mirrors from 4 rooms and repainting.

The problem is the kitchen. It has the same pickled floors and pickled cabinets. It also has white appliances that are in great condition. It has formica and beige/peachy tile backsplash.

I have recommended:

Stain Floor

Paint Cabinets Oil based paint in a semi gloss white that matches the appliances so they do not need to be replaced- add beadboard to the island and new brushed nickel knobs

Replace the light fixture with a brushed nickel fixture

Add white subway tile backsplash to coordinate with the cabinets- it is cheap- less than $1.00 per tile.

Add granite counter- color I have selected is sapphire blue (dark color) it is a level 2 and affordable.

The issue I am having is whether to keep the wood cabinets stained pickle? or to paint them white? or to stain the cabinets the same as the floor ? If they are stained the appliances will have to be replaced since they will look like white  teeth sticking out! We will then have to do a more expensive tumbled stone backsplash.

I love a white kitchen and it will be bright and cheery or are medium wood tone cabinets better? or do I keep the pickled?

Ok well not really but that title caught your didn't it?

I need some advice and know you will give me candid feedback:

• I am curently renting a storage unit for almost $1000.00 per month. It has no lights and no heat (or a/c)
• It is 20 minutes from home
• I have considered building a storage space onto my home and doing a basic project will cost between $20-25 k. Even though this will add equity to my home I do not want to invest this kind of money given the state of the economy right now.

I think I am going to purchase a used truck trailer- THE BACK OF A MOVING TRUCK-and park it in the parking space next to my garage!

The trailer/container will lie flat on the asphalt and will be painted white. It has a garage door, a transparent day light roof, wooden floors,  and lighting!

My husband thinks I am nuts and is not thrilled with the idea of a trailer parked next to the house but this is a family biz after all! 

Of course I will not keep there if I ever sell my house but I think it could be cute. I could add topiary trees and a door mat and some plantings around it!

Please share your ideas with me and tell me if you think I am nutzo!

The best part? It will cost me $1600!

kh