Now This is Exciting!

If you visit my blog on a regular basis you know that my life has been crazy for the past six months. Well, probably longer~ but I have let those stresses slip away! Well, today I will be done with the Stake Women's Conference presentation that has been nestling in my mind for months now. All seems to be ready, and my new blog on beginning blogging is officially launching today.

magicmemorymaking.blogspot.com This blog is still small but it is an attempt to help people interested in beginning to blog their life stories or special interest blogs get started. It is an electronic handout for my presentation. There is a button on my blog sidebar featuring this lovely blogger:


By clicking on it you will be taken directly to the blog anytime you want. So I am excited to be at least at a resting point on this project, although it will be ongoing, if interest persists in the idea. Especially if bloggers comment/ask questions and it becomes interactive.

So bathroom done...Check
Project done............Check
Tax Prep..................Next Up
Breathe....................After That!

So all those things are great but here is my really big exciting news!

The response from all of you on the bathroom post has overwhelmed me. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments. You are truly my friends. When you work so hard on something it is nice to have people love it! You are all welcome to come over, lock the door and have a nice relaxing bath whenever you want! In fact the guest room is nearby so stay awhile!

And this is the really really exciting thing for me...

Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room linked to my post on her blog!! If you follow the link and scroll down to #6 you will see it! This is a big deal to me because I adore her blog, her decorating and design sense is over the top impeccable, and she has a huge following and I am stunned that she would do this! It is very humbling and exciting. She is the publishing editor I have worked under at Blissfully Domestic (my post for them on Guest Rooms to further entice you to come for a visit.)

This has made for a really lovely way to start the day!
If you see a big flash of light..it is me grinning!

Blissfully Domestic Articles

Recently I have finally found the time to start writing for Blissfully Domestic Magazine in their Blissful Home Department again. You can see my recently published articles if you are so inclined at the following 2 links.

Hanging Art Work

Let There Be Light


Thanks for Visiting!

Optimizing The Sale of Your Home

The Three P’s of Selling Your Home

The link above will take you to the site

November 14th, 2008 by Bonnie
Blissfully Domestic Published Article

It was once said that in selling your house it was location, location, location. Things have gotten a little more complicated these days. Of course in part this is due to the economy but there are other factors that contribute to my new list.

Place:
Of course this is still very important but when you go to sell your home that factor is already established and you have to work with where you already are. As neighborhoods change this can be very frustrating as what once was a beautiful place can change over time. There is little we can do about how our neighbors care for their property although it totally affects the sale of our homes. We also have little influence over new construction around us that can take its toll as well.

Price:
Many people think they can set the asking price for their home. Actually this is not the case. The comparable sales (comps) in the neighborhood actually set your asking price. If you have a good agent you will not be asking more than what the market will bear. There is a tendency to think our homes are worth more than they are, especially since the bubble has burst!

It is not always the best idea to go with a friend or relative as your agent, as they may tend to want to go along with your wishes even when the asking price is too high. Professionalism and friendship do not mix well. If you do use someone you know well make sure there is an understanding in advance of the listing. If you do not like the price of course you do have some recourse, as you ultimately decide to sell at the lower price or remove the house from the market. But if your real estate agent is worth their salt (and many are), you don’t get to say, “I want to ask $1,000,000 for my house because I think that is what it is worth!” when the market will only bear $650,000.

If you are over-priced your house will sit on the market for a long time and you will lose the golden opportunity to sell during that incredible first few weeks when the house is fresh on the market. Once your listing becomes stale it is hard to recapture enthusiasm for it in the real estate community. The rule is the longer the house sits~the lower your selling price will be.

Presentation:
This is the place where you actually have some real control. The market is very competitive and the expectations of people are high. It is industry standard now to have your home professionally staged for sale. Did you know that homes sales are based on emotional decisions most of the time? People want to improve their lives with a better house, better, neighborhood, etc.

Professionally Staged by Interiors by Design

They are often exhausted from the work they have just completely on their own homes and want to move into a great, “work free” environment. Of course we all know intellectually that all homes require a lot of work but they do not want to think about that when they tour your home.

The words flooding their minds should be fresh, clean, beautiful, comfortable, inviting. You don’t want them thinking, paint, updating required, needs new landscaping, fences are falling, terrible carpeting, etc.

Of the three P’s this one is where you can really make a huge difference in the money you put into your pocket as you turn over the keys. Make your home shine like a diamond and you will dramatically optimize your chances for a great sale!

You can find Bonnie on her design site http://www.interiorsbydesigndefined.blogspot.com where she offers various plans for helping you solve your design questions online.

Bedroom Post For Blissfully Domestic Today

Is Your Master Bedroom Your Refuge?

September 25th, 2008 by Bonnie

Here's the LINK

Often times I am asked, “Where do I begin to decorate in my home?” This answer may surprise you, but I usually suggest beginning in the most neglected room in the house, the Master Bedroom! Some people find that strange since it is the least viewed by visitors. This may be true, but keep in mind that you decorate primarily for your own family. When making your home a comfortable and inspiring environment-the master bedroom is very important.

Many times when I enter a home to do a redesign consultation, I find that the master bedroom is a catch all for everything. It is not uncommon to find unsightly gun racks, sporting equipment, bags of stuff being donated to charity, craft items, dirty clothes, old newspapers, etc.

Whether you are single or married your master bedroom should be your retreat from this hectic, crazy world. If you are a young mother it is particularly important. You need a special place for just you and your husband. It should be relaxing, romantic and inviting. It is best when oozing comfort and warmth created by using lots of texture and beautiful fabrics. It can feel like a nice 5-star, luxury hotel room but better as you add your personal touches. This need not be overly expensive as you can purchase many things at reasonable prices. Your room should never be cluttered with anything that does not belong in a bedroom. Try making it mentally and physically relaxing and adorn it with things you love.

Recently I helped a client redesign her bedroom. Look at the stunning results.

This room is the epitome of sophistication, elegance and romance!

Remember that lighting is so important in a bedroom. Often overhead lighting is way too harsh. However, in this room a chandelier has been installed replacing a ceiling fan and look how beautiful it is! Add a dimmer switch to create the setting you desire.

New taller bedside lamps were purchased also and we have found that buffet lamps look perfect in a bedroom and actually cast reading light where you need it, when the bed has been elevated.

Dated pink and blue wallpaper was removed and a nice warm paint tone was selected that compliments the new bedding. Always pick your bedding first and then choose your paint. Most people want to do it the other way around and that is much harder.

The bed will be the focal point of the room so make it beautiful with textiles, various textures and decorative pillows. Make it a lovely relaxing retreat for yourself and your spouse. Have fun creating your own personal retreat. You would be surprised how many men enjoy having a beautiful bedroom. I have had several call me and say, “Thank you!” They didn’t even realize it was important to them until they experienced the difference it made in their lives.

Adjusting to the Empty Nest

Adjusting to the Empty Nest

Here is my first published article on the Blissful Family Channel of Blissfully Domestic. If you click on the large title (this seems to work on our PC but not always on our Mac) you can see how it looks in the online magazine!

September 18th, 2008 by Bonnie

Few people experience the empty nest in quite the same way my husband and I did. Our children are all three years apart in age. In 1997 we had three big weddings in four months; something no parent expects! Not only that but within that year I turned fifty, and had a hysterectomy, so you can imagine the state of my hormones and emotions at that time. I was so unprepared for the immediate empty nest. It was a time of many mixed emotions and I never thought the day would actually come. It was a wonderful time in so many ways and we were so fortunate to get three wonderful new adult children. I just wish we had thought ahead more to that moment in time that most assuredly would and did come.

It didn’t take long to realize how much our roles as their parents changed when they got married. These are some things we did right away to ease into the transition.

We created a mission statement as a couple to clarify our goals and expectations of our new roles:

• We wanted to maintain the closeness we had and to include their spouses as equals in a real way in the family. We made every effort to make them feel loved and special to us. We got rid of the “in-law” designation.
• We decided that our role would be one of love and support. We realized how difficult the first years of marriage are and didn’t want to be a part of the problem of their adjustment.
• We made an effort to know the families of our new adult children and to support their relationships with their own families. We had a desire to be one big family rather than having a his and hers designation, that made them feel like they were being pulled in two directions. This helped so much when the grandchildren started to come along.
• We made a conscious decision to give advice only when asked. We became good at biting our tongues! We were no longer the directors of their lives but consultants on call.
• We encouraged good relationships between our married children so they would all want their children to know and love their cousins, aunts and uncles.
• We have made a concerted effort to be the glue in the family.

A happy Grandpa with 8 of the 10!

These things do not just happen without planning and effort. These few goals have made a big difference in how the last 11 years have gone. It helped lay a foundation for the best thing in life yet…being Grandma and Grandpa to 10 beautiful little kids!

Bonnie will be posting about grandparenting and the parenting of adult children in future posts. She loves blogging and uses it as a tool to keep her family united. She also writes about interior decorating on the Home and Garden Channel. Coming soon~ her redesigned blog.

Redesigning Your Home

The Appeal Of Redesigning Your Home

This is another of my article published on Blissfully Domestic


Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

Did you know that redesigning is the most economical way to decorate your home? With redesigning and home staging coming on the scene less than two decades ago, many people are unclear about what the difference is. The easiest way to remember is:

• Staging is for Selling
• Redesigning is for Dwelling

Each of these aspects of interior decorating has a specific purpose and although many of the same design principles apply, the methods and end results are very different. Redesigning is what most of us will find most helpful as we do a lot more dwelling than selling.

We live in a society with a mindset that things are primarily disposable. If something breaks and needs repairs, or if we are just tired of it, we often just go buy a new one! With the current economy, many are rethinking that mindset.

Redesign is the re-purposing and recycling of things we already have and love. Often just a new arrangement will make a world of difference in how inviting a room is. What could be more prudent and resourceful than that? Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping and getting new things for our home as much as anyone. But I save money by buying and keeping the big pieces we really love and adding new accessories. Redesigning gives new life to your treasured furnishings and is budget friendly as well. Often it has less to do with what you have, than it does with the placement of your furnishings and accessories.

Before redesigning this room was uninspiring and boring!

By proper furniture placement and accessorizing with things you love, it works!

In one day and without purchasing anything new, this room is now beautiful, warm, and inviting!

Here Are Some Ways To Begin Your Redesigning

• Remove the clutter and get organized. Allow yourself to take time to do this. Do a room or a drawer at a time until you feel great about the results. See Fly Lady for some help.
• Look at ways to improve the look of what you already have. Do you need a coat of paint on the walls or some elbow grease on that favorite piece of furniture to update and lift the room?
• Can a great slip cover make your sofa feel fresh and new again?
• Can a can of spray paint and some fabric make your old lamps look awesome?
• Make a wish list of things you’d like to purchase and shop your own house before buying more stuff. Often there is a thread connecting the things we love. Are you a seashell lover or a collector of brass candlesticks? Find a way to use them differently than you have in the past.
• Enjoy the process as you go along. Decorating should be fun and reflect who you are and how your family lives. Form should always follow function for comfortable living. Take your time and build on your accomplishments.

Updating to blend with your current color scheme and style is a great way to redesign and recycle something!

One Helpful Tip: Have an overall plan for your home but work on only one area at a time. Follow the plan until that area or room is completely done before moving on.

The homes I am called in to redesign are often ones that have a little bit of something in the works in each room and nothing completed. This is overwhelming and discouraging for all of us. Having one room that is beautiful and completely done is great motivation to keep redesigning.

If you are not a DIY person, you may prefer to have a professional redesigner’s help. Check here for an IRIS Trained Redesigner in your area. You will find the fees very reasonable. Gone are the days when you had to be wealthy to get some help creating a beautiful and functional home. And the best part is many rooms can be completely redesigned in less than a day! You can have a lovely day out and come home to the big reveal! You can have that same experience you’ve witnessed on HGTV a thousand times!

* All photos: Interiors by Design

When not writing for Blissfully Domestic, Bonnie can be found redesigning and staging homes for sale through her company, Interiors by Design, on the west coast. She also enjoys writing on her own blog (interiorsbydesigndefined.blogspot.com)

Try Something New!

Too Invested in your Decor? Try Something New!

This is my first publication on the Blissful Home Channel of Blissfully Domestic
If you want to see how it looks on the site just click the large print title!

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

I saw these flowers on Simply Stated
and thought they looked so pretty. I wouldn’t have thought to put them
in black and white vases and that made me ponder “thinking outside the
box” when creating new possibilities for our homes.

Sometimes in
decorating our spaces we become so emotionally invested in the comfort
of things as they’ve always been, that we don’t try anything new. That
is one reason why another pair of eyes is often helpful.

One
thing that I have learned as a professional home stager and redesigner
is that change is difficult for all of us. That is why when our
Interiors by Design team goes into a home to stage or redesign it, we
need the home owner to be gone for the day. It is hard for them to
envision the change while it is in process. Clients are strongly
influenced by the emotional aspects of the changes and the preconceived
notions they have carried with them for so long. It is best to go with
the “big reveal” when the project is complete.

How are you when
it comes to changing things? Are you open to the suggestions of others?
Have you been pleasantly surprised trying different options? Poke a
hole in that box you are in and peek outside. It is fun and besides,
what’s the worst thing that could happen? It is better to look for the
possible benefits. Without trying…how will you ever know?

Flickr

Try These Things To Help Get The Process Going

• Look at your room with a critical eye. What works and what doesn’t?
• Get rid of the space fillers you don’t love.
• Get some furniture slides and start trying different furniture arrangements.
• Make a wish list of things you’d like to add to the room as your budget allows. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
• Allow yourself a few days to get use to the new arrangement. Adapting to change takes time.
• Enjoy! Make your home a place you and your family love to be.
• If you need assistance call a qualified professional for help.

Bonnie Mattson writes about change and decor at her blog, http://interiorsbydesigndefined.blogspot.com/