When I’m working with first-time buyers, I love reading the words “All appliances remain!” especially when they’re coming from apartments and have nothing but milk crates and mattresses with which to decorate.  It does take time to build up an income to replace appliances and to take on other house projects, so appliances remaining are a huge selling point.

Sometimes, however, the appliances that remain are old.  Functioning, yes.  Attractive, no.  The good news is you can make these appliances look a lot nicer with a little ingenuity and elbow grease.  Apartment Therapy offers some tips on how.  For example,

Many appliances can be fitted and updated by changing their fronts. A great option for renters who are stuck with built in appliances like dishwashers. Contact the manufacturer of the appliance who can provide you with a listing of face panels that will fit existing appliances, and face panels that will require customization.

By the way, my friend who just moved hasn’t yet brought over her fancy new washer and dryer, so she’s been using the landlord’s old-fashioned one that has the rotator.  She said the old one works MUCH BETTER!

Photo by Lara604 via flickr creative commons.

I just took a listing and my seller is just incredible.  She took the concept of staging to the best level possible … to the point that her empty walk-in closet upstairs now has gorgeous padded clothes hangers, some decorative pillows, and a pretty nightgown on display.

She also staged her pantry.  How in the world does one stage a pantry, you might wonder.  It’s really pretty easy if you just take the time to go through it.

1.  Get rid of all old food that’s been there at least a year.

2.  Arrange the cans and boxes so they balance each other - soups together, vegetables together.

3.  Put all “cooking” products together - things needed to top it off such as oil, vinegar, ketchup, mayo.

4.  Turn all products label out.

5.  Heavy products go on the bottom (cases of drinks, water).

6.  Finally, make sure the shelves are all CLEAN - wipe them down, along with the walls, floor and door.

Good luck!

Photo from apartment therapy.

A recent article in The Top Ten Homes List revealed the 10 most romantic homes in America.  included was a home tucked away in the Smoky Mountains, a romantic home in which to get married in New Orleans, an island getaway, and a home with a gorgeous New York view.

But let’s be realistic here.  How many of us can really afford to go out and buy one of these amazing, romantic pieces of lovey-dovey real estate?  Very few, I’m certain.  Instead you can find romance in your own home.  Forget adding the expensive vinyl soffets for her for Valentine’s Day (though I’d honestly be very happy with that).  Instead, get some scarves and spray them with your favorite flavor (vanilla? musk?).  Then drape the scarves over your lamps in the bedrooms (25 watt bulbs only!) to create some nice mood lighting and an amazing yet subtle smell.

My husband hates the smell of popcorn, but to me a wonderful Valentine’s gift would be for him to rent a couple of recent romance movies, pop some corn, and sit under a warm blanket watching them together.  I would love to see Couples Retreat, The Time Traveler’s Wife, or Julie and Julia.  (Heck, I’d even like to watch Zombieland, but that’s not exactly romantic, is it?)

What are your ideas for finding romance at home?

I can’t let these go without a comment, therefore the almost Wordless Wednesday!  From the WebUrbanist, here are some verrrry interesting home decor pieces! And since I said funky, let’s funkify the type!

bEd dEsiGns

My favorite is the trap bed.  Made for human squirrels..

TabLeS

Possibly the single coolest table I’ve EVER seen!

SToragE soLutiOns

What a sensible storage solution!

I’ve seen the Christmas parties where people are supposed to “re-gift” some old something they’ve received in Christmases past but really didn’t like.  Then the crowd plays dirty Santa with the gifts - stealing involuntarily swapping from each other all in good fun and jest.

Earlier this year I gave away a Home Interior wall mirror cabinet and its matching wall shelf sconces (can a shelf also be a sconce?).  I still have stuffed in my attic another brown wicker shelf, an antique dresser with glass drawer knobs, two big rugs, and a collections of other knick-knacks.  I’m loaded and ready for a home decor swap party - or as Sarah Trover calls it on Apartment Therapy, a “Less Than Loved” party,

We’ve all come home from a day of shopping, only to to discover our choices weren’t so great. The placemats might not match the wallpaper just right, or the small birds you bought for that bookshelf… well they kinda give you the creeps (it’s not their fault their little beady eyes follow you everywhere you go).

Fabulous idea!  Happy Friday everyone!

Vase photo (which I love the vase… so it’s for illustration purposes only)
by Jolante using Flickr Creative Commons.

My resolution is to see the year 2010 as a year of growth and opportunity.  I look for job growth, a healthier economy and more consumer confidence, and have my eye on a healthy recovery of the real estate market.  To ring in this positive growth outlook, let’s look at some furniture that can grow!

From Yanko Design here is furniture made to grow,

Inspired in part by the classic game “Jenga,” this furniture bit is made to be a seat for a toddler, a bigger chair for a kid growing up, and a multitude of helpful bits for life! Working with both simple birch plywood pieces and a large stainless steel structure for strength and growth. Is it a seat, or is it a bunch o’ shelves? It’s both!

The furniture is designed by Jung Jae Yup who said,

most of children’s furniture are thrown away, when they grow up.
I want design about that.
this furniture which you can have thorough out all the stages of your life.
from childhood to the adulthood

Love it!

After sitting through a short sale and foreclosure class all day, I’ll have a lot to talk about tomorrow!  But for today, check out this kickin’ lamp shade!

You can see more glowing wood sculptures by visiting artist Billy Hall’s website here.