The Principle of Balance

Balance, also known as formal balance, is the principle of design that brings visual equilibrium to a space. There are many ways to achieve balance in a space. The most widely used (especially in formal decor) and easiest way is to use symmetry. Symmetry is simply doing the same thing to both sides of a space or even just a fireplace mantle. You will know you have achieved symmetrical balance if you can visually draw a line down the center and both sides mirror each other. Enjoy your space, Rena

Enjoy your space!

A picture slideshow by Smilebox

Welcome Fall!

Outdoor Eating & Entertaining Tips

Did you know Rena spent over 10 years operating her own Big Apple catering company and is a certified Food Safety Manager? Listen to the archived show anytime.

Pizzaz with Paint

Painting a wall is nice, but adding stripes is twice as nice! Horizontal stripes will make a space appear wider and vertical stripes will make a space appear taller. Hue knew?

Enjoy your space, Rena

Welcome Spring!

Space Queries

What if my space is too large?:

1. Use a paint that is warm or has a dark value (shade).
2. Designate as many seat groupings as you can while still allowing for easy traffic flow.
3. Provide intimacy with lamps.

What if my space is too small?:

1. Use a paint that is cool like blue.
2. Avoid over-scaled furniture or too many pieces.
3. Strategically place mirrors to double your space.
4. Avoid heavy curtains to allow natural lighting.
5. Use overhead lighting.
6. Use appropriately scaled furniture in the space.

What if my space is too narrow?:

1. Paint the space with a horizontal stripe to trick the eye.

What if my space is too long?:

1. Paint the furthest wall a dark hue.

Enjoy your space, Rena

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Curb Appeal Helps Sell Houses

Eye catching curb appeal is critical because buyers need to want to see the interior. At a bare minimum, the flowerbeds need to be freshened, grass mowed, and the walk-way swept. Make sure the little things that are no longer noticed by a seller, but will scream deferred maintenance to a prospective buyer, are addressed. The cracks in the sidewalk must be repaired before they start chipping away at the asking price. It is amazing how much money a prospective buyer deducts from the asking price because of minor imperfections.

Another reason curb appeal is so important is because realtors typically tell buyers to drive by houses to see if they like the outside before proceeding to make an appointment to show the inside. Realtors know how important curb appeal is to buyers.

Remember, if a buyer doesn’t like the outside of the house, chances are they won’t want to see the inside.

Enjoy your space, Rena
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Fixing the size of a Window

Tall Windows: To visually lower the window place a piece of furniture under the window to bring the eye down. If you opt to place a piece of furniture under the window, use a fitted window treatment such as shutters, shades, or blinds to avoid entanglements with curtains and drapes.

Short Windows: To make windows appear larger or elongated, install a row of fixed shutters beneath or above the window and operable shutters on the actual window panes.
Enjoy your space, Rena

Remove Clutter When Selling a House

After the curb appeal test has been passed and a prospective buyer crosses the threshold they decide if they like the house within the first 8 seconds! First impressions are lasting! Pay special attention to the foyer. Make it warm and welcoming instead of a drop off place for shoes, mail, and keys. In addition, clutter must be banished from every area of the house. Buyers are looking for square footage. Clutter is the number one culprit that conceals valuable real estate.

When selling, it is imperative that a house appear as large as it possibly can. If there are boxes or extraneous furniture in the house, a buyer cannot see what's for sale. Most buyers lack imagination and can't visualize what the home would look like if it were not overrun with clutter. Remember to help the buyer see what is for sale by removing the clutter. Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena

Make a Large Room Cozy

Large rooms can be a good dilemma to have. To make a large room more cozy and inviting, consider establishing a seating group that is anchored by at least 1 chair, a table and lamp. Adding area rugs are also helpful in defining areas in a large space. Just remember to take a step back and make sure there is enough room left for an unobstructed traffic pattern. Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena

Grouping Collectibles

Displaying bric-a-brac or collectibles is one of the easiest ways to add personality to a space. More good news is that the items don't even need to be related to each other in terms of size, shape, color, or purpose. What makes groupings work well is arranging them in odd numbers. Try it!

Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena

Painting Ceilings

Go ahead and paint what design professionals call the "5th wall". Why not? Painting the ceiling can make a room cozy and intimate if a warm hue is used or open the space and make it seem larger if a cool color is used. Also, painting the ceiling the correct value of whatever color you choose can give the entire space a nice glow. So, go for it! Just remember to use a flat finish to hide the imperfections typically found in ceilings. Enjoy your space, ReDecorating by Rena