Make Your Own Jackson Pollock Painting

Use a plastic bottle to drizzle paint onto canvas.

Whollah...Finished Painting!

Colorful Christmas Centerpiece

Place long stemmed artificial berries, and vines (available at Michaels) in a decorative vase (Home Goods/Marshalls/TJ Max) and bright green faux apples (available at Target) to hold the vines in place and offer a little color "pop" to the arrangement!

Yule Log

I love birch logs and branches. Any time someone is cutting a birch tree down, I ask them to save the leftovers for me. The log pictured here rests on top of my fireplace mantle. I placed some fresh cut greens and berries on top to spruce it up for the holidays!

Market Update

Real Estate trends indicate a slowing down in the market. Property prices continue to decline. Which means that sellers MUST price their homes at current market value not values from two or more years ago. It doesn't matter what your neighbor got for their home - it doesn't matter how much money you paid for your home - it doesn't matter how much money you put into your home. What does matter is how competetive your home is in the market. Translated this means how your home is priced and what condition it is in compared to WHAT HOMES HAVE SOLD FOR.
So if you are selling your home Now is the time to Price it Right. Every month your home remains on the market your price declines. You MUST CAUSE A BUYER to want to purchase your home. Look at it this way, you will net more money by pricing your home at true market value today, than if you try to test the market. Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

Great Moving Tip of the Year!

Here's a great tip for anyone moving. Take a photo of the items you are packing into each box. Print a copy of the photo and tape it to the outside of the box. This gives you a visual of exactly what is inside of the box instead of writing each and every item on the box. So when you are wondering which box your casserole is in - just take a look at the photos! It's a great timesaver!

Christmas Centerpiece

Make a beautiful centerpiece in less than 10 minutes, using three glass cylanders that are varying heights. Fill the containers 2/3 full of regular tap water. Add fresh cranberries and a votive or floating candle. Cut greens and berries placed at the bottom of each glass container add a special Christmas scent.

Driving the Homebuying Market

According to the U.S. Census Bureau single women continue to be the biggest growth category of buyers in 2006. "You go Girl"

Food for Thought

A recent report conducted by the National Association of Realtors states that the only remodel project that brought in a recovery rate of over 80% was minor kitchen remodel in the year 2007. All remodel projects across the board dropped in return rates from 2006 due to rising costs of remodeling and a lackluster housing market.
If you are considering home improvements, consult a Realtor who specializes in cost vs. value before making changes to your home.
For more information you may contact me at this address: kcutler@comcast.net or call 313-218-3956.

Fast and Fun Holiday tablescape.

A colorful cloth napkin is placed underneath the paper cocktail napkins along with a unique centerpiece of bright colored bulbs piled in a candleholder (Target) and lovely colored wine glasses (Costco) to make any holiday bright!

Inexpensive changes make Big Impact!

This is the same space (before is below), however, we painted the walls, removed the carpet and added a modern dining room set. On the back wall notice the floating shelf with attractive art work. The artwork was made in just minutes by using frames from Target and pastels. On the opposite wall are two finished pictures I purchased at Target. To finish off the room I have a tablescape arrangement for holiday entertaining! (see next photo (above) for table close up)

Transform a dull and boring room...

This photo of a dining room lacks color and emotional appeal. There nothing to really draw you in...it is rather boring and ordinary. In the next photo (above) you will see what a little color on the walls can do with a touch of updated decor!

Is this a bedroom or exercise room?

It is vital to define the space room that makes sense to a buyer when you are selling your home. Below is an example of a mixed use space which sends a message to the buyer that this home is too small. In other words, a buyer assumes that you had no other place to put your exercise equiptment and therefore had to put it in your bedroom.

Design to Sell

A stunning work of contemporary art lithograph. Professionally matted and framed. Antique silver frame with linen mat. Approx size 48" x 36". Very good - excellent condition. Make an offer. Shipping varies depending on area. Quote will be provided upon request. Available for pick up as well.

Coffee Delight

Coffee beans in a tiny bowl make a great way to spruce up a buffet, coffee bar, desert tray or at each place setting for dining. Place a tea candle in the middle to complete the look!

Towering Fruit

Check out this super simple accessory for your kitchen. You can find these glass cylinders at Target, Walmart, Home Goods, and other stores. Just add colorful plastic fruit (as shown) and you have a powerful tower of fruit which makes a big impact in your kitchen. This is a fantastic Christmas gift AND a great project for kids!

Remodel or not?

Few home improvements will return the full investment when you decide to sell. Do your homework before you decide to remodel your home. Know what the market will bear by consulting a Realtor that specializes in this area of expertise. Kitchens and bathrooms are the number one home improvement "hot button" for buyers, however it is important to understand how much money you should spend on redecorating and upgrades according to the market trends. Should you remove the old cabinets or paint them? What kind of countertops granite or laminate? New appliances or not? There is a lot to consider before jumping in.
If you have questions please feel free to email me at kcutler@comcast.net. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Gage Your Energy Usage & Save $$$

If you really want to save some big money and learn great tips and how to do it, check out my son's (Jeff Jones) website http://www.carbongage.org/ - you will not only learn a great deal about energy, you will also learn about important enviornmental issues. Jeff includes information on everything from automotive news, to how much energy your hairdryer uses. Have you ever wondered if you could get insulated window blinds to keep the cold out during long dark winter nights? Well, check out Jeff's website and see! Carbongage.org is loaded with a multitude of interesting and useful information. I am proud to say that this is the creation of my son and he is doing one heck of a job! Way to go Jeff!
www.carbongage.org

Design Challenge

Can you guess what's wrong with this photo? Let's start with the clutter. There is too much going on with all of the furniture and knick nacks you miss the focal point of the room - the fireplace! I wonder what the light fixture is doing in the middle of the room? I bet there are beautiful hardwood floors under the carpet too.

Think about what you would do with this room. How would you use it? How would you decorate it?

Paint Sample Art

I purchased a box of frames at Staples the other day and wondered what I could come up with. In passing a hardware store, my eye caught a display of paint samples. So i ran inside and grabbed several free samples, placed them in the frames (as shown) and arranged them on the wall. So easy, I know you can do this too!

Easy Art

Want to make a cool picture in minutes? Here's an easy, fast, and low cost way to create really cool art. Purchase a frame and look around the yard for some multicolored leaves. Press between the glass (above) and this is what you'll end up with.

Dining Room Panache

This dining room set has been transformed using chair covers that add color and make the area more inviting. Before this addition, the dining room felt very formal and even a little old fashioned. Now it appeals to a younger generation. A fast and easy fix!

Design Portfolio

If you want to learn how to decorate like a pro, my book is a must read. It really takes you step-by-step through the process. Here's a tool to keep you organized like a pro. This Design Portfolio comes with colorful erasable dividers, graph paper for sketching, clear view pockets, and a master Designer Guide that includes information about every room of your home. Portable enough to take all of your home design information (fabric and paint swatches, tear sheets, photos of your room(s), and more) with you where ever you go.

Halloween Fun

It was a BLAST! The girls and I got together for some Halloween fun...we ate, drank, danced, and made cookies, candy and crafts. Our candy corn cookies dipped in chocolate were a big hit, as were our homemade suckers! Check out the picture in the center of the photo. The frame was purchased at the dollar store, we cut letters out of magazines, and glued our phrase on brown paper backing then inserted it into the frame. You can make up whatever phrase or quote you like. This would make a fantastic Christmas/hostess gift.

Create A Mondrian Painting!

If you don't have art for your walls try making it yourself! The Mondrian painting (above) is colorful and brings life to this space. You will need a pre-stretched canvas (available at Michael's), acrylic paint, and a paint brush. Tape the areas and fill in the blocks with color.

It's as easy as that! Complete step-by-step detailed information is available in my book, Cashing in on Design.

www.cashinginondesign.com

The "WOW" factor

I'm great at thinking outside of the box and with a little inspiration, I know you can be too! I believe that every room should have what I call the WOW factor. Something that makes the space stand out and makes a person say wow! Here's a good example of thinking outside of the box to get that wow response. I took a clear glass vase and filled it with colorful hand soaps instead of flowers. It is an unusual way to display and use both the vase and soaps - and it will make a lasting statement.

Real Estate 4 Factors

It is crutial that everyone who owns a home knows about this! There are four factors that effect the sale of a home:
1. Price
2. Condition
3. Location
4. Competition

Two of these factors YOU as a homeowner CAN control. The other two you cannot.
PRICE and CONDITION are the two factors that you can control. For more about what you can do to get the most out of your home whether you are selling now or in the future, refer to my book "Cashing in on Design."
To order click here:
http://www.cashinginondesign.com/

After Kitchen

After:

We removed the wallpaper and cleaned the space so it sparkled showing the area and potential this kitchen had.

The result is a charming warm space to enjoy cooking and eating in!

Kitchen Clutter

Before:

This was a house I had listed. This is

what it looked like when we signed

the paperwork. The kitchen was dated and it had wallpaper on the walls. In addition, the kitchen was used as an office.

Art Idea!

I was recently in an automobile accident in which a woman hit the side of my car and glass went flying everywhere. I saved the glass and placed it in a vase to hold an arrangement together. The result is quite stunning - and it glistens when the sunlight hits it!

Problem Solver

This was a badly warped board under the kitchen sink, and cleaning supplies kept tipping over. My client was renting the house and the homeowner was out of the country. The idea was to get a quick fix without spending a lot of time and money.

I covered an old cookie sheet with contact paper and placed it on top of the warped board. My client now has a flat and secure surface to store cleaning supplies on.

Nest Candle Holders

These darling tea candle nests will look adorable at place settings, or as part of your table centerpiece or buffet. Made of sturdy metal they are spun to look like bird nests. Excellent condition, like new. Candles are included. Set of 5 for $10.00 plus shipping $4.00. #rj3431

Free Harvest Photo

Colorful and artistic this photo will compliment the others and bring out the best in your Fall Season. Enjoy reproducing this arrangement of squash and gourds that I shot at a local farm market.

Harvest Photo Companion

A lovely companion photo for the Harvest collection. Print and frame or use your imagination.

The Pumpkin Patch

Create a series of wall photos with the photos I took for you today. Start by printing the photo and place in a store bought frame (frames with precut mats are available at Target and WalMart) to make a wonderful housewarming gift for Thanksgiving.

Harvest Photos

Happy Thanksgiving! Click on the image to enlarge and print. Create note cards, pictures, Thanksgiving place cards. I shot this photo today to share with all of you!

Southwest Fertility Stone

Hand carved stone with stand. Originally purchased from artists in western United States. Excellent condition. Beautifully etched and treated for longivity.

$10.00 with stand shipping $4.00 total: $14.00 item #mg1954

Pheasant Feathers

This makes a stunning statement. All you do is drop a handful of pheasant feathers in a vase, and wholla, you've got art!

The Art of Pasta

Pasta isn't just for eating anymore! Use clear glass containers to display pasta in a unique way! These glass cylinders and pasta are available almost everywhere, you may already have everything you need at home!

Heavenly Leaf

Captured falling from the sky, this is a leaf in flight. You can frame it or create note cards. Michael's or JoAnn carry pre-cut cards that you can run through your printer (black and white or color) to make beautiful note cards. Click on the photo to enlarge to reproduce for framed art.

Winter Wonderland

I'm really not trying to push winter on you .... but it will be here before you know it. So here's a companion photo to go with the red berries I posted earlier. I have both framed and hanging in my guest bedroom. I purchased the frames with pre-cut double mats at Target.
Simply click on the image to enlarge photo and print.

Easy as ABC

What a fun and easy project. Start out with a favorite quote or saying and start snipping! Cut the letters from magazines to spell out your saying then glue onto a backboard and place in a frame. It makes a clever and personal gift. You can pick up a frame at JoAnn, Michaels, Target or Dollar Stores.

Circle Dome Art

Do you ever see these dome dishes and wonder what the heck you do with them? You can hang them on the wall (concave or convex) or place them on an stand as an art display . The shape,

texture, and form will add interest to your room.

This decorative dish was purchased at Target, one of my favorite stores!

No More Laundry Room Blues

Add some atmosphere to your laundry room with a little art, lighting, even snacks! Make doing laundry a treat instead of a dread. Guests and "buyers" will ooh and aah over the charm and warmth of this delightful room.

Spring to Autumn Arrangement

You can change the seasonal look of an existing floral arrangement by adding colorful flowers. It's as easy as 1 - 2- 3 ! This spring time arrangement looks ready for fall with the addition of brilliant sunflowers. I purchased these sunflowers at Michael's and the original tulip arrangement at Target.

HGTV 2

Hgtv Intro

Free Photo from Venice

Ahh Venice, a photo opportunity everywhere you turn. This is a picture from our trip to Italy last fall. Venice is a beautiful magical place. I would like to share this picture with you. Just click on it to enlarge and print. It is an amazing photo in black and white as well as color. Enjoy!

Furnishings Help Sell

This home was new construction with an impeccable interior and stunning appointments. However, when it was empty it left buyers feeling "empty" as well. Once the property was artfully staged, the home connected with the buyer and YES it SOLD!

"Buyers make decisions based on fact, and purchases based on emotion."

-Kathi Jones-Cutler

Lost Your Marbles?

Marbles make a unique and unusual statement as a design element. Place them in a glass vase to allow the color and shape to make a visual impact.

You can select multi-colored marbles or two-three colors to coordinate your room's color scheme.

Marbles are available at dollar and department stores. It's an inexpensive way to get that WoW response!

Marbles

Marbles

Marbles

Marbles