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!