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kiki interiors ottawa

stittsville-walk

Stittsville Walk is a community that is currently under construction. I recently sourced and styled the model home just last month.  It is located in a great nook of the city and we love the quaint feel of main street mixed with the chic style of the finishes in this model.

Stittsville Walk – Take the Tour:

These newly built townhomes are perfectly located in this village like setting – the exteriors have a timeless colour pallete with a touch of a modern edge, take the tour inside to see the amazing features and finishes of Stittsville Walk.

I wanted the look to appeal to a younger demographic so I opted for some furniture pieces that suited a first time home buyers but also interior finishes that embraced what’s current without being too trendy.

I love a two toned kitchen but I wanted the look to be light an airy – so I stuck with a classic white shaker style cabinet in the main part of the kitchen.

I then decided on a ‘driftwood’ tone for the kitchen island – this cabinet has a grey-ish hue with a visible wood grain.  The light fixture adds a bit of an industrial element with the metal ‘pipe’ look and vintage bulbs, along with the grey industrial style stools.

The living room is a blend of soft grey tones, cow hide, reclaimed wood and some knitted textures. I didn’t want to add too many bold colours in the space – so just a pop of bright yellow pillows is all you need! A series of three mirrors with wood frames fill the wall space by the sofa.  This living room is cozy but also chic!

This designated dining space suits a mix of modern ad industrial styles.  The Eiffel chairs in white echo the white kitchen cabinets – when I design I love to see common threads throughout an open space to make the connections throughout the entire look.  These chairs are a classic modern element and I love the contrast with the table.  I added some simple small storage with the glass console table and these accessories add some visual interest.

Stittsville Walk – Get the Look:

I found these amazing pieces for great prices…let me show you how to get this look!

I wanted some grey colour on the walls but nothing too deep, too dark or too blue….what did I pick? Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray. It is become one of my favourite paint colours to work with …

30″ Bar stools  These come in a bunch of colours – neutrals to brights – I opted for the light grey to keep the space looking very light and clean.


This 12 bulb light fixture has a bit of a mid-century modern look but if you change out the bulbs to a vintage bulb (like I did) the look is much more industrial

A pouf is a great alternative for a traditional foot stool, it is also a good seating option if you are in need.

In smaller spaces, it can be challenging to find the right size furniture and we struggled with finding a coffee table so instead we used 2 of these wood accent tables instead.

SHOP THE LOOK…

This cinema light box from amazon is a fun accessory to any space – we love it in the dining room but it would be fun in a den, office, TV space, styled in a bookcase….so many possibilities!

I love the versatility of Eiffel chairs – they add that classic mid-century modern look to any space giving the whole room an updated look.  I found these white Eiffel chairs with wood legs on Wayfair.

I added another great light fixture to the space – over the dining room.  Because the fixture in the kitchen over the island was so visually interesting I knew the one over the table had to work with the industrial styling of the larger chandelier but it had to be simple.  I found this one – on sale at Lowe’s – I love the simplicity of the pendant paired with the pieces in the room, it has a touch of a scandi-industrial look

I love how this model home at Stittsville Walk came together,


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wood-bead-garland-decor-trend-love

The Wood bead garland is a trend that we just love! I used some recently in an urban farmhouse inspired model home, not to mention I have some in my own home … I love these simple garlands and let me tell you why and how I love to decorate with them!

Photo credit – PrettySimplyStudio

What is a wood bead garland?

The wood bead garland is probably best described as ‘jewelry for the home’.  It adds a great texture and a new shape to a space.  These wood bead garlands come in different lengths and colours, some even come with different size beads.  The beaded garlands have a touch of rustic which is why they work so well with farmhouse decor.

How to decorate with a wood bead garland?

There is no set way on how to decorate with the wood bead garland but it works best in a relaxed arrangement.  I personally have mine at my front entry draped over some books and a Dutch clog from my husband’s family.  It adds to our entry vignette

The wood bead garland works well draped over a vase, vintage trophy, glass or pottery piece or even draped over a wreath…it add another element of texture.

Photo credit – PrettySimplyStudio

We also love the look of draping these garland in a bowl or tray – hung or coiled or a combination of the two works – just keep it looking casual…

Photo credit – PrettySimplyStudio

Wood bead garland also work beautifully in Christmas decor – if you like a woodland or natural look, try an extra long natural wood garland in your Christmas tree

Photo credit – The Merrythought

Mix it withe some greenery to and add it to your fireplace mantle – it has a woodland look with a touch of Scandinavian inspiration.

Photo credit – Oleander + Palm

Where can you buy a wood bead garland?

If you are crafty, you can make your own wood bead garland….

I purchased my wood bead garlands through a great little shop on Etsy, PrettySimplyStudio I love the quality and the handmade craftsmanship, plus there are even customization options for colour and also some custom tags too.

Photo credit – PrettySimplyStudio

I love the texture and the shape that these wood bead garlands bring to a decor scheme…what other ways to you see this trend working in your home decor?

SHOP WOOD BEAD GARLANDS…

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home-staging-mistakes

Take a look at these 8 home staging mistakes home owners make before putting their homes on the market.

A staged home spends less time on the market so take this advice and although some tips may seem expensive or time consuming, it won’t be too long and it will be worth your while.

 

8 Home staging mistakes (to avoid):

 

1 –Just because you love it does not mean that everyone else will too.

Ensure your property appeals to a broad market of buyers. In other words, keep it neutral, a bright colour reflects your personality and style which can be too much for buyers to get past.

This room looks great but the dark paint colour on the wall is a bit personalize and may turn off some buyers.  If thiese walls were painted in a lighter and neutral tone the room would look bigger and brighter.

2 –Edit your storage places too.

Buyers will poke around, opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets and closets spaces too. Be sure to spend some time organizing those area too. A cramped spaces sends the message to buyers that there is a lack of storage.

This room doesn’t present well.  It would be very challenging for buyers to see past this mess.  even though the furniture doesn’t come with the house – this much clutter says to buyers that there isn’t enough space.  Be sure to clean, declutter and organize!

 

3 –Scale and size of furniture.

Be sure that items such as furniture, plants and other decor pieces are in proportion with the room. You are selling the house (the space) not the items in it. Even if the rooms look somewhat empty, that is way better than over stuffed rooms. Story your larger pieces in a temporary storage locker or ask friends and family if they have some storage space you could borrow.

You need to make sure that a room has good flow.  The buyers (during the showings) need to be able to walk around freely without obstacles.  There is a lot of furniture is this room and although very attractive it’s too much for when you are selling your home.  

4 — Clean, clean, clean.

I know this means something different to everyone so keep your self and your home on a regular cleaning schedule – if you have to contact a professional to help you out – do it, it will be worth the extra cost. Be sure your home is in ‘showing condition’ at all times. You may receive a call from your realtor about a showing while you are at work and your dishes from breakfast are still in the sink – that leaves a very bad impression.

You really need to be on top of your house work while you are selling.  No one wants to come to view a property with dirty rooms, dishes all over the place etc…This leaves a really bad first impression.

5 — Your pet may be your best friends but he isn’t every one’s.

Some buyers are immediately turned off by any signs of animals in a home so keep pet hair to a minimum by vacuuming everyday, crating your furry friends or keeping them outside of the home while it is up for sale. When we were selling our home a few years ago, I went as far as paying my younger brother to “babysit” them during my open house.

6 — Pay attention to the details.

Don’t hide your flaws , either repair them before you go on market or have your price reflect that there is some work to be done. It is tough for a realtor to justify selling a house for top dollar when it is not in top condition.

7 — Upgrade periodically.

Change up your light fixtures, hardware, taps, faucets and drapery. You will likely get a better reaction from buyers plus it shows that the house has been maintained and cared for. Plus buyers are willing to pay more for a property that has already been updated.  Not sure where to update or what to do? This is where your real estate agent and home stager can really come into play.

A new light fixture can make a huge difference in a house.  It gives the whole home a fresh feel and look – opt for a style that is transitional (that means it works with different decor styles and this way this will work for most people).

8 — Don’t rush.

Get your house on the market once it is ready. Meaning get the little jobs done, listen to your realtor and home stager to help you get top dollar, an incomplete house is exactly that and buyers will not respond in a positive way. So take that time to finish up incomplete projects or tackle the to-do list from your stager – painting and small repairs can set up apart. Any time of year is a good time to sell, but when there is a lot of competition on the market (such as the spring season) you must be in peak performance.

Consider a fresh paint job in the home in a neutral tone, this instantly gives the whole home a fresh new feel and it looks clean and bright!

Selling can feel personal but it isn’t – you need to now think of your house as a product that is up for sale.  Like a product in a store you want it to sell so put the time in to make it a product that a buyer will want! Be sure to avoid these home staging mistakes,

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statistics-dont-lie

 

If you ever wondered if staging your home to sell was worth it, here are some

statistics that should convince you! 

Staged homes SELL 50% faster than unstaged homes

Staged homes sell for (on average) 6 to 10% more than unstaged homes

94% of staged homes SELL in one month or less

98% of staged homes SELL for more than asking price

77% of home buyers view homes first on the internet before booking a showing

63% of buyers are willing to spend more money on a house that is move in ready

87% of buyers said that the overall home presentation was a major factor in their decision to buy

Home staged PRIOR to listing SOLD in 42 days (on average).

Homes staged prior to listing SOLD 79% faster than those staged some time after being listed.

Homes staged post-listing SOLD in 189 days (on average)

Once staged, homes spent 73% less time on the market.

Over 95% of ‘Buyer’s agents’ say that home staging has at least some effect on the buyer’s view of the home.

Over 81% of buyers find it easier to visualize the property as their future home when it’s staged.

Only 10% of Real Estate Agents believe that staging “has no impact” on the dollar value of a home.

Bathroom renovations may net you 75-100% return on your dollar. Kitchens renovations may net you 50-75% return on your dollar.

79% of buyers indicated they would be willing to pay a premium for a home with an updated kitchen.

Storage space–86% ranked it 7out of 10 or higher and 43% ranked it 10 out of 10

Top three interior features for selling were — freshly painted, organized storage and current flooring (from HGTV)

Your investment in staging costs less than the first price reduction.

Buyers only know what they see, not the way it could be!

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