Category Archives: Seller Information

10 Home Hacks for Every Room in Your House

“We always love to find little ‘Hacks’ to make life easier. Here are some for each room in the house.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Our list of top home hacks will help you organize your home and get the most out of each room.

Photo by: Shutterstock

Life is a lot less hectic when you find ways to keep your home organized, simplify storage and find DIY solutions that are affordable and easy. Here are some of our favorite clutch tips for your home.

via The Sweetest Occasion

1. Kitchen

Add personality to every meal with customized dishware that you can make yourself in minutes. You don’t need to be an artist or have special art supplies. Just grab a Sharpie® and draw your design freehand (or use a stencil for more intricate patterns) on your dishware or mug. Clean, white enamelware works well. You can personalize your creation with a name, signature monogram or even a favorite quote. To make it permanent, bake your finished design at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Tip: Start with a cold oven to allow the dishware to gradually come up to temperature. Also, hand washing will help your artwork last.

via Storage Talk

2. Family Room

Family rooms often have to do double duty as a playroom and entertainment hub. But finding room to store all your playthings without compromising your sophisticated style can be challenging. This hack meets that challenge head on: Simply store your puzzles, dice and other game pieces in decorative jars. They’re even fun to look at and provide a unique storage solution so you don’t have to make room for bulky game or puzzle boxes. Choose jars in different sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest and to match your decor. Mason jars, apothecary jars, etched glass jars or pressed glass jars are all great options.

via Buzzfeed

3. Bedroom

Seems you can never have enough storage, especially in the bedroom. This hack lets you add storage and a decorative wall detail at the same time. Just create instant shelves from old drawers. Vary shapes and sizes for an eclectic look. Line the bottom of the drawers with patterned paper or paint for added color. Look for dressers with unusual curved drawer fronts or undulating profiles. Tip: You can often find reasonably priced dressers/drawers at garage sales, resale shops, vintage stores or estate sales.

via Make Space

4. Clothes Closet

It can be frustrating fighting to find your favorite jeans in a cluttered closet. If you’re not ready to slim down your wardrobe, have no fear. This hack lets you retain all your perfectly worn-in pairs, but in a more organized manner: Hang your jeans on shower hooks. Saves a ton of closet space and makes finding your favorite pair a snap!

via Buzzfeed

5. Bathroom

Sure bathroom hooks are essential for hanging wet towels or robes, but no one says you have to use standard hooks that are purely functional without any decorative appeal. Instead, use old doorknobs as hooks. This super simple hack adds a ton of character to your bathroom while it maximizes wall space. Tip: For a cool shabby-chic vibe, use a grouping of vintage doorknobs that have finishes with a little wear and tear.

via Green Idea Reviews

6. Laundry Room

Bet you didn’t know that you could easily conquer dryer static with just some ingenuity and aluminum foil. It’s true! It turns out balled-up aluminum foil can minimize dryer static. Here’s how: When you’re ready to dry your washed laundry, just throw three aluminum foil balls (about 3 inches in diameter each) in your dryer and tumble dry your load as normal. These anti-static wonders are easy to make, economical, reusable for up to 6 months, recyclable and help you avoid toxic chemicals found in dryer sheets. Tip: Heavy-duty foil works best. Wrap a tennis ball in foil. This will help you use even less foil to make a sizable ball and the tumbling tennis ball helps fluff your laundry as it dries.
via Mashable

7. Home Office

Smartphone accessories, like a phone stand, can be kind of pricey…unless, of course, you know how to make it yourself with inexpensive office supplies. This hack makes good use of binder clips, which you probably already have at home. When positioned in just that right way, your binder clips can make a quick and functional phone stand. When you’re done using your ingenious phone stand, just slip the clips back in your desk drawer. Job well done!

via House Logic

8. Garage

Rusty tools are the bane of any true handyman or handywoman. Here’s a great way to make sure you won’t have to worry about that: Use blackboard chalk to prevent your tools from rusting. Just place several pieces in your toolbox. The chalk traps dampness, which helps keep your tools rust-free, giving you one fewer excuse to not be handy around the house.

via Childhood 101

9. Playroom

Playrooms can be a messy prospect, but they don’t have to be with this awesome household hack. Just use an over-the-door shoe organizer for toys or art supplies. The clear compartments make for easy access and easy clean up. So simple, it’s like child’s play.

via Olives ‘n’ Wine

10. Dining Room:

Chances are if you’re hosting and elegant party in your dining room, you’ll want to break out the good china and silver. That means making sure your silver sparkles and shines. Here’s how with just some baking soda and hot water. Line a pot or your kitchen sink with foil. Fill it with very hot water and mix in about 1 cup of baking soda. Add your tarnished items and let soak for about 30 minutes or until you see the black residue lifting off the surface. Then just rinse and dry (or first clean with a mild dish detergent) to use right away! Et voilà, dinner is served!

Originally Published on AmericanHomeShield.com

These Dining Rooms Know How to Have a Good Time

“Regardless of your decorating style, there are always interesting things you can do to add a little ‘fun’ to your dining room.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

To many people, a formal dining area brings to mind a certain antiquated stiffness that doesn’t seem to dovetail nicely with a fun-loving modern world. But this notion couldn’t be further from the truth. The following dining spaces show how any style can convey a feeling of formality while not taking itself too seriously.

Dalliance Design LLC

1. Transitional

Designer: Nicole Guthreau and Stephanie Tamayo of Dalliance Design
Location: Summit, New Jersey
Size: 272 square feet (25.2 square meters); 16 by 17 feet (4.8 by 5.1 meters)

Homeowners’ request: Bump out a bay window for more space and add bigger, transitional windows. Replace dated furniture and add new finishes. ”Our client really wanted the space to be one-third transitional, one-third midcentury and one-third Hamptons, so to do this we needed to take an eclectic approach,” designer Nicole Guthreau says.

Fun factor: Large (60-inch-diameter) capiz chandelier from a Brussels hotel.

Other special features: Dramatic dark blue-gray ceiling pops against neutral walls. Vintage 1940s dining table. Hardwood floors in half Jacobean and half classic gray stain. Regal tufted wing chairs in denim-like blue woven fabric for the host seats. Lucite drapery hardware.

Designer secret: “Painting the ceiling a darker hue is a simple trick anyone can use to add depth to their space,” Guthreau says.

“Uh-oh” moment: “When the chandelier came in from overseas, we realized that it only had one bulb,” Guthreau says. “We assumed there were going to be additional recessed lights added to the ceiling, but alas the architect probably thought that we would add a fixture with more light output. Cut to the paint already being done and we couldn’t get back in the walls. Luckily, the space gets ample amounts of natural light, and with the addition of some lamps we were back in business again.”

Also on the team: Custom Creations (cabinetmaker); R. Keller Construction Co.; Rosen Group (architect); Andrew Frasz (photographer)

Dining table: The Harp Gallery; host chairs: Jessica Charles; side chairs: Baker Furniture; rug: Restoration Hardware; drapery fabric: Waterpolo Cloud, Kravet; drapery hardware: Lux Holdups; lamps: Visual Comfort; decanters: Joe Cariati; artwork: Julia Contacessi; chandelier: 1stdibs; buffet: Custom Creations

See more of this home

The Very Thing Ltd

2. Traditional

Designer: Leigh Jones of The Very Thing
Location: Burlington, North Carolina
Size: 156 square feet (14.4 square meters); 12 by 13 feet (3.6 by 3.9 meters)

Homeowners’ request: Replace old grass cloth with wallpaper that would work with the existing window treatment and rug.

Fun factor: Large-print wallpaper.

Other special features: Antique walnut drop-leaf dining table, made by Hinkle-Harris.

Why the design works: “Wallpaper often works to balance spaces that are not symmetrical or have no architectural interest,” designer Leigh Jones says. In this case, where the dining room is open to the living room, the wallpaper consolidates both spaces.

Designer secret: “The rugs in both spaces are nearly identical, which creates a flow between the spaces,” Jones says.

Also on the team:Smith Cameron Photography; Mary Beth (stylist)

Wallpaper (discontinued): Designers Guild; valance: Scalamandré; rug: Rosecore; chair fabric: Nina Campbell; lamps: Bradburn; furniture: antiques

See more of this home

Julie Dunfee Designs

3. Contemporary

Designer: Julie Dunfee
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
Size: 336 square feet (31.2 square meters); 21 by 16 feet (6.4 by 4.8 meters)

Homeowners’ request: A clean, contemporary feel with a lot of color and warmth.

Fun factor: Square, lightly distressed table that can seat eight people.

Other special features: Fireplace focal point wrapped in quartzite stone. Colorful dining chairs.

Designer secret: “I love to add a bit of height to any room I design by placing the drapery to the ceiling, and hide the hardware so the drapery can really shine and become its own work of art,” designer Julie Dunfee says.

“Uh-oh” moment: “At one point in the build of the kitchen, the island was made bigger than the original plan, thus making the space where the table was to go a bit smaller,” Dunfee says. “Seeing as we had already purchased the table and chairs, we had to modify the depth of the countertop on the island to make sure everything would fit.”

Also on the team: Davidson Custom Homes (builder); Tommy Nguyen of Flooring Impressions (tiler); Mike Kaskel Photography; Elegant Custom Drapery

Drapery: Kravet; table: custom, Mackenzie Dow; chairs: Designmaster Furniture; fireplace stone: Night Glitter quartzite ledgerstone, Lewis Floor & Home; light fixture: Elegant Lighting; wall paint: Shoreline, Benjamin Moore; chair fabric: Fabricut; hippo sculpture on table: Neiman Marcus

Sullivan Building & Design Group

4. Farmhouse

Designers: This project was a collaboration among Nancy Gracia of Bare Root Design Studio, Molly Hanisch of Sullivan Building & Design Group, Bradley Sullivan of Cider Press Woodworks and the homeowner.
Location: Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Homeowners’ request: A new home that would emulate the Colonial style of the town, with a dining area and kitchen that would appear to have been added on over time.

Fun factor: Window bench with custom cushions.

Other special features: Wood beam that helps define the space. Farm-style table and chairs.

Also on the team:Ralph C. Fey (architect); Paul S. Bartholomew (photographer)

Thomas O’Brien Reed 1-light sconces: Visual Comfort, available on Houzz; New England Stretcher Base table: J.L. Treharn; Windsor-style chairs: similar available on Houzz; rug: Restoration Hardware; 3-light aged brass chandelier: Menlo Park Collection, Hudson Valley Lighting, available on Houzz; cushions: custom; throw pillows: mix of custom, Pottery Barn and HomeGoods

alisha gwen interior design

5. Modern

Designer: Alisha Gwen
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: 180 square feet (16.7 square meters); 12 by 15 feet (3.6 by 4.5)

Homeowners’ request: Use the colors in the existing artwork as inspiration for a top-down redecorating effort.

Fun factor: Bright colors and patterns.

Other special features: Original artwork. Glass-like tabletop made by applying an aniline dye finish to the wood top. “It brought out the wood pattern in the tabletop and complemented the artwork,” designer Alisha Gwen says.

alisha gwen interior design

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“Uh-oh” moment: “The window is arched, and the placement of the window trim in connection with the ceiling left no wall space to mount a standard rod and brackets,” Gwen says. “We had to get creative and source drapery hardware that mounted to the ceiling.”

Also on the team: Fischer Renovation (construction); Erin Alvarez (photographer)

Drapery fabric: Quadrille; drapery hardware: Kravet; dining table and buffet: Century Furniture; dining chairs: Vanguard Furniture; chandelier: Arteriors

Originally Published on HOUZZ by Mitchell Parker

7 Drought-Tolerant Perennials for Your Home Garden

“Ever noticed that during the hottest part of the Summer, some plants look better than others? Well, here are some that really don’t need a lot of care or watering.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

During the summer, when your lawn and garden is in danger of drying up in the sun, plant these resilient flowers to liven up your yard.

Garden plants need water to survive, but some plants need less than others. Plants that require less water are often referred to as drought-tolerant or drought-resistant varieties and are good choices for gardeners. Keep in mind that just because something is labeled as drought tolerant doesn’t mean that it can get by without any water at all; all plants need adequate moisture to grow. Additionally, not all plants will thrive in all areas, so be sure to choose plants that are suited for your particular growing zone and soil type. Here’s a list of some drought resistant choices that you might want to consider for your area.

Hosta is a perennial that can grow in sun or shade. Known for their easy care, hostas have showy leaves and come in a variety of sizes with white or lavender flowers. When choosing a spot, remember that hosta plants prefer well-drained soil.

• Rosemary is a drought resistant perennial and herb with spiky leaves that adds interesting texture as well as a nice fragrance to the garden. Fresh rosemary leaves are especially good in potato, pork, chicken, and soup recipes. Other drought-tolerant herbs that grow perennially in some parts of the country are thyme, sage, and oregano.

• After they’ve bloomed in the spring, daylilies are another perennial that appear to be high maintenance but actually require minimal water and care. Daylilies come in many of colors and go dormant in the winter.

• After Lantana plants are established, they don’t require much water when compared to many other blooming plants. Lantana can grow in gardens or in containers, and are classified as annuals or perennials, depending on the region. The flower clusters of Lantana are often shades of yellow, light purple, and pink, and may change as the plant matures.

• Oakleaf and Panicle are two hydrangea varieties that are considered to be relatively hardy, drought tolerant plants. Both produce large blossoms that add beauty outdoors or when cut and brought inside.

• Salvia is a drought tolerant annual that produces long-lasting blooms in shades of red, blue, violet, pink, and white. Salvia is actually related to the herb sage. These plants work well in garden beds, borders, or in containers.

• Black-eyed Susan is a classic, popular flower that doesn’t require a great deal of water. It’s ray-like petals contrast with a dark center for an intriguing color combination.

Easy Way to Take Care of Your Perennials

Even if you choose drought resistant plants and shrubs, they will still require some maintenance and it’s important to care for them properly. It’s usually best to water plants and shrubs consistently for the first few weeks after planting to make sure they have enough moisture to get established and to make sure they don’t dry out during the fragile post-planting period. After that, it’s generally best to water perennial plants deeply as needed, instead of frequent shallow watering, during their first summer season to help the plants develop a deep root system, which aid plants in tolerating extended dry periods. It’s also helpful to mulch around the bases of plants and shrubs each year to help lock in moisture. Check with your local garden center to see which drought tolerant varieties grow best in your zone, and how to care for them.

Originally published on American Home Shield

Is it Time to Upgrade Your AC?

“Everyone knows it’s expensive to replace the air conditioner, but we all know it needs to be done sometime. So how do you know when it’s the right time? This article can help you determine just that.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Knowing when to replace your hard-working air conditioner can be tricky. While it’s a major purchase that most people don’t make lightly, nobody wants to wake up to a broken air conditioner on a hot summer day.

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether or not it’s time to upgrade your AC. Here are few questions to ask yourself before you start shopping.

4 Questions You Should Ask When Wondering When to Upgrade Your AC Unit

1. How old is your AC unit?

The age of your unit is the most important factor in deciding whether or not to replace it. A majority of HVAC technicians recommend replacing your AC if it’s 15 years or older. All AC units have a SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Today, the minimum SEER is 13, but if your AC was manufactured before 2006, chances are it’s only rated at a 10. Just by upgrading to the current minimum, you’ll gain at least three points on the SEER scale. Each SEER number you go up increases energy efficiency by 5 to 9 percent, so a 15 to 27 percent boost immediately puts money in your pocket in the form of energy savings.

2. How often should you perform HVAC maintenance and repairs?

The problem starts when your AC needs repair more than once a year. The more work your unit undergoes, the shorter its overall lifespan will be and the more likely it is that it will need repair again. Look over your receipts and calculate how much you’ve spent on AC repairs. If the total amount you’ve spent on repairs exceeds the cost of a new unit, it’s definitely time for a new one.

3. Is Your Energy Bill On the Rise?

As it gets older, your heating and air conditioning system may be getting less efficient. If your energy bills increase as the summer progresses, your AC unit may be working harder to cool the same space that it used to — and using more energy than necessary to do the job. When this happens, you’ll see a rise in energy consumption and cost. Upgrading to a new conditioner can reduce energy costs by an average of 20 to 40 percent. The savings you’ll see on your energy bill will help offset the cost of a new AC unit.

4. Is your AC cooling your entire home consistently?

If your air conditioner is having a hard time keeping up with your home’s demand for cool air, that’s a sure sign of trouble. Test this by setting your thermostat to your preferred temperature and walking into different rooms of your home throughout the day. If your AC is still working properly, there shouldn’t be a noticeable change in temperature from room to room. An efficient A/C unit will effectively cool your entire home without as much effort.

Originally published by American Home Shield

Inherited an Antique? Here’s How to Work It Into Your Home

“Sometimes it’s tough to know exactly what to do with an antique, when most of your furniture is more modern. Here are some ideas on how to work them into the rest of your decor.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

It’s wonderful to be given heirloom textiles, cherished ceramics or an old artwork. Antiques have a history and quality worth showcasing, but it can sometimes be hard to make them work with modern decor. Here are some effective ways to incorporate inherited pieces into your home and show them off to their full potential.

Neptune

Celebrate antique style. Antique oil paintings with rich, layered colors look stunning when paired with gray-blues and crisp whites. Here, the pale blue wall contrasts beautifully with the dark tones of the canvas. The red pillows pick up on the dark roses in the painting and tie together the modern bed and antique artwork.

The smaller pieces sitting casually on the floor are a relaxed way to show off art. The room has an “undone” feel that’s stylish without trying too hard. Resting artwork on a floor, shelf or mantel can take away the formality of the piece and give it a modern look.

VSP Interiors

Make the most of scale. If you’ve inherited a large artwork, show it off by giving it a featured spot on a plain wall. Using a vivid wall color behind it will make it stand out. This painting could have looked quite formal on a neutral wall, but the bright teal behind gives it a contemporary twist.

Be brave with your color choice and even pick out a hue that appears in the painting. These homeowners have added to the gallery effect by placing a wall light above the canvas.

Frank & Faber

Display a collection. Inherited an old clock or figurine? It could look a little lost sitting alone on a modern mantel, but it’s a different story if you group a few pieces together to create a display.

Hunt for items of varying heights, perhaps a few with a theme, as these homeowners have done with the giraffes. Visit thrift shops and flea markets to find items that will complement your new addition, and arrange them until you’re happy with the vignette.

Ingrid Rasmussen Photography

Use the piece to create a new color scheme. Rather than finding a room where the art fits, why not fit the room to the art? Be inspired by the beautiful tones within a painting and create a color scheme around it.

Here, the painting on the wall has inspired the palette of the living room. The inky walls make a dramatic backdrop, while the soft furnishings and decor items pick out the greens and yellows in it.

Flea Market Find: Vintage Portraits

Jonnie Andersen

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Mix it up. If you’ve been given a few items that feel unlike anything else you own, you can still incorporate them into your interior. A collection of vintage belongings, such as art, plates, frames, clocks and mirrors, can look great when hung together on a wall.

This is a beautiful way to enjoy random things you’ve inherited. Even an old tennis racket or theater program could be part of the display — anything goes with this one!

Adrienne Chinn Design

Create something new. What do you do if you have Granny’s beautiful old scarf or embroidered tablecloth? If you won’t use it in its current form, there’s nothing sacrilegious about turning it into something like a pillow cover or quilt. It’s far better that it be used and loved — and then one day passed on to a new family member.

Another option is to cover a lampshade. Search online for kits that contain lampshade frames, panels, adhesive and finishing tools, as well as instructions that will walk you through the process.

Adrienne Chinn Design

Give it a facelift. If you’ve been given a large piece of family furniture that you like but can’t find a home for, you could always paint it. This is assuming it’s not a highly valuable antique, of course.

Highlight its contrast to your decor by painting it a bright color. Rub down all the wood with fine sandpaper and cover any glass panels with masking tape around the edges and newspaper in the center. Brush on a layer of primer or undercoat and top with eggshell paint to protect the piece. You can then add the finishing color.

Once you’ve painted it, turn your attention to the details. Handles, for example, are easy to change.

DIY Network

Get creative. You could take the room color scheme a step further and paint a piece of furniture to echo your new painting. It works particularly well if the painting is small and modest, like the one propped on this sideboard. The unusual paintwork on the furniture has created a modern, eye-catching piece that contrasts with the antique canvas.

To paint a similar sideboard, work from the top down and start by painting the pale blue sky area. Let this dry, then apply the lilac. Continue working down, one color at a time, until complete.

Chris Snook

Showcase a collection. It can be lovely to display and enjoy collections. If you like the pieces, use them rather than hide them away at the back of a cupboard. Display them on a dresser or open shelves so the items can be seen and your own pieces can be added.

Embrace the fact that a collection is eclectic and that that’s what makes them special. They span decades and can be added to over the years.

Originally Published on HOUZZ by Becky Clarke

Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

“If you’ve ever done some painting, you probably got paint on your clothes. I know we have and some of it is still there. These tips would have probably come in handy.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

I speak as someone who has an entire drawer dedicated to “painting clothes”: Don’t even think about opening that can of paint until after you’ve changed into clothes you don’t mind getting spoiled by spatters. That being said, mishaps happen, such as when you unknowingly brush up against a freshly painted wall and come away with a smudge, or when you set out to do simple touch-ups around the house and get drips on your favorite jeans. In that case, here’s how to get paint out of clothes.

Jennifer Ott Design

Act quickly. This first tip is obvious, but you definitely want to move swiftly when dealing with any kind of stain on clothing, especially paint. The longer you wait to address the spill, the more difficult it will be to remove. Fresh splotches are likely removable, so taking immediate action is half the battle.

Identify the paint. What you use to clean paint out of clothing depends on what type of paint you are dealing with. Water-based paints are much easier to clean up than oil-based, but the latter stay wet longer, which buys you more time to take action. Part of paint prep is making sure you have everything you need on hand to clean up any messes. That includes picking up the proper cleaning supplies in advance so that time is on your side in getting rid of the stain. The label on the can of an oil-based paint will recommend solvents for removing stains.

Note: Always check clothing labels, and test cleaners and solvents in an inconspicuous area of the garment to make sure they won’t damage the fabric.

Lowe’s Home Improvement

Water-based paint. You likely have what you need in your bathroom cabinet to remove water-based paint stains. I’ve had good results using 91 percent isopropyl alcohol to rid fabric of latex paint.

The first step is to flush the stain with detergent and warm water. Depending on how fresh it is, you may be able to remove most of the paint. Next, pour a generous splash of alcohol on the mark and, using an old toothbrush, scrub out the stain, adding more alcohol if needed. Once the stain is gone, rinse out any remaining alcohol and then launder the clothing according to instructions.

If 91 percent isopropyl alcohol doesn’t quite do the trick, try using acetone (some nail polish removers are 100 percent acetone), following the steps outlined above.

Sarah Greenman

Oil-based paint. Paint that is oil-based is much trickier to remove from clothing, but all hope is not lost. You do need to take extra safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator, eye protection and gloves. Also, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area since the solvents used to remove oil-based paint are flammable and you want to avoid breathing in the fumes.

Check the paint can label to see what solvent is recommended — mineral spirits is a common one. Before applying the solvent, dab any excess paint with a paper towel. Next, turn the garment inside out so that you’re working from the underside of the stain.

Kelley & Company Home

Place a generous stack of paper towels underneath the stained area to catch and absorb the solvent. Carefully pour a small amount of solvent over the stained area. Then, using a cotton ball or swab, dab at the backside of the stain. You want to try to transfer the paint onto the paper towels underneath.

Replace the paper towels with clean ones and repeat the process until the paint is gone. Then rinse out the clothing well — removing all traces of solvent — before washing the garment according to label instructions. It is important that you remove all traces of the solvent before washing and drying the garment because of the flammability of the solvent.

Анна Корнева

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Painting can be a fun family project, but as with any other home improvement, the more prepared you are before you start, the better the outcome will be.

Originally published on HOUZZ by Jennifer Ott

9 Tips for Living a (Semi-)Normal Life While Your Home Is Being Shown

“Great tips for when you are trying to sell your home. This article will be shared on a regular basis with our clients now!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – Dc Metro Realty Team

Selling your house? Those frequent showings can be a real hassle. You know it’s worth it to do your best to accommodate them, but that doesn’t make it any easier! Here are tips to make keeping your house ready to show to prospective buyers more doable, plus a handy checklist of what to remember before you clear out each time — from someone who’s been through the process (and lived to tell the tale).

Precision Cabinetry and Design

1. Treat yourself to fresh flowers and other goodies. A bouquet of flowers, a bowl of fresh fruit, the “fancy” soap: These things make your home look extra lovely for potential buyers, but (here’s the secret) they make your daily life a bit better as well. So go ahead and splurge a little — you (and your house) deserve it.

Budget tip: Make a grocery store bouquet go further by snipping a few blooms short and plunking them in bud vases for the bathroom vanity and bedside tables. Or, for a longer-lasting alternative, consider setting out a few small potted succulents and a bowl of bright lemons.

Ashley Winn Design

2. Make a pre-showing checklist. It’s easy to forget things in the rush to get out the door before the real estate agents show your house. A checklist that you can reference each time will ensure that your home is putting its best face forward for potential buyers. And remember, if you have a large household, you may not always be the last one to leave before a showing, so it’s important that everyone’s on the same page and knows what to do.

Since you probably don’t want this checklist on display, consider keeping it on your phone instead. Here are some items to include:

Dishes washed and put away
Kitchen counters and table wiped down
Dirty clothes in hampers with lids on
Bathroom sink and mirror wiped clean and toilet seats down
Hair removed from shower (eww!)
Toys put away in baskets and bins
Coffee table cleared and clean
Entry cleared of shoes and personal items
Window shades open

kelly mcguill home

3. Make your bed as soon as you wake up. If you’re not in the habit of making your bed every morning, you may want to start now, so you don’t have to worry about it if the real estate agent calls to request a last-second showing. If you have kids, be sure they make their beds in the morning too.

4. Hide laundry in a lidded hamper. An open hamper filled with dirty laundry isn’t the sort of thing you want prospective buyers to be greeted with in your bedroom, right? Get a hamper with a lid to conceal the whole rumpled mess instead. (In a pinch, you can use a storage bench.)

Ashley Winn Design

5. Put nightstand drawers to work. After making your bed, be sure to tuck out of sight any odds and ends that have accumulated around your nightstand, such as magazines, hand cream and jewelry. If your nightstand doesn’t have drawers, keep a lidded box under the bed or atop the dresser, and stash your stuff in there before leaving for the day.

Studio Stamp (formerly STAMP INTERIORS)

6. Simplify children’s rooms. If it’s too difficult or takes too long, putting away toys in your child’s room before showings will become a headache for all involved. My advice it to pack many of them in boxes or bins and tuck them in a closet or storage area, leaving only ones that fit easily within your current toy storage. This way, even if allthose toys were strewn over the floor, it wouldn’t take more than about 10 minutes to get the room looking presentable again.

AM Dolce Vita

7. Stash cleaning wipes in the bathroom. I tend to choose reusable microfiber cloths for normal everyday cleaning, but when you’re selling your house, things are decidedly not normal. I found it incredibly helpful to have a pack of cleaning wipes within reach for wiping down the sink, faucets and around the toilet. Then you can just toss the wipe in the wastebasket and walk away.

ZeroEnergy Design

8. Keep a spare stack of fresh towels on hand. A neatly folded stack of fluffy white towels can make any bathroom look instantly fresher, cleaner and more spa-like. While selling our house, I kept a few new white towels folded in the cupboard and put them out before showings. It sounds fussy, but it was actually less stressful than worrying about whether the towels were clean all the time. And we got to enjoy using those nice towels after the house sold!

Viva Luxe Studios, LLC

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9. When in doubt, add more baskets. Honestly, it’s so easy to scoop stray items into baskets and close the lids, you’ll be glad to have a few extras. Big baskets are great for clothes, blankets and toys, while small baskets and lidded boxes work well for papers, magazines and random assorted clutter.

Originally published on HOUZZ by Laura Gaskill

10 Small-Scale Agaves Just Right for Containers

“Small containers and only a little watering, what’s not to love about this idea?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

There are more than 200 species of agave, ranging in size from 6 inches to more than 12 feet wide. Due to their modest size and compact root systems, smaller agave species make an excellent choice for growing in containers. They require only infrequent watering and do well in summer, even in the heat. Their spiky shapes add dramatic interest to many garden spaces, big or small, along with patios, poolsides and entryways and as outdoor table centerpieces.

Here are 10 agave species that are perfect for smaller areas, with varying cold tolerances, exposure requirements and sizes to ensure there is one right for you.

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

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1. ‘Compacta’ Queen Victoria Agave
(Agave victoria-reginae ‘Compacta’)
Native to Mexico

This smaller version of the slow-growing Queen Victoria agave barely reaches 12 inches wide. The dark green leaves with bright white margins make this species highly desirable. This miniature native of Mexico doesn’t produce offsets (volunteers) like many other species of agave do, and it looks great when planted in groups of three or five.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it can handle filtered shade for a few hours a day
Mature size: Up to 8 inches to 1 foot tall and wide

Curtis Horticulture, Inc.

2. ‘Blue Glow’ Agave
(Agave ‘Blue Glow’)
Hybrid of Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui

Every few years there is a new plant arrival that takes the gardening world by storm. In the succulent world, ‘Blue Glow’ agave has done just that. While it doesn’t resemble its parents, the mixing of their genes created an agave that has dark blue-green leaves with yellow and red margins that seemingly glow when backlit by the sun.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it can handle filtered shade for a few hours a day; filtered sun is best in low-desert zones
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) adds height behind a globular golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) and a spiky rosette of black-spined agave

3. Black-Spined Agave
(Agave macroacantha)
Native to southern Mexico, including Oaxaca

Black-spined agave’s powder-blue leaves and maroon tips provide great color contrast in the garden. This agave produces numerous offsets, creating a clumping appearance. Its narrow leaves and open rosette growth habit add welcome texture in containers.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 10 to 16 inches tall and wide

BuenoLuna Landscape Design

4. Agave Schidigera
(Agave schidigera)
Native to Mexico, including Chihuahua and south through central Mexico

The curly white fibers that grace this small agave’s bright green leaf edges capture the attention of passersby. White markings on the leaves increase Agave schidigera’s visual appeal.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun or light shade; filtered or afternoon shade is recommended in low-desert gardens
Mature size: 1 foot tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

5. King Ferdinand Agave
(Agave nickelsiae syn. Agave ferdinandi regis)
Native to Coahuila, Mexico

The resemblance of this agave to Queen Victoria agave is unmistakable, as both have dark green leaves, similar white margins and sharp terminal tips. At one point, it was thought that King Ferdinand agave was a naturally occurring hybrid ofAgave victoria-reginae; however, this is no longer considered to be true. Its unusual shape and open rosette form make it look great planted singly in containers.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’ growing alongside totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var.monstrosus), ‘Blue Elf’ aloe (Aloe‘Blue Elf’) and golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii).

6. Agave Lophantha
(Agave lophantha)
Native to the Rio Grande area of Texas and adjoining Veracruz, Mexico

The leaves of this succulent are a lush green color, with curved maroon teeth along the edges. The center of the leaves often has a lighter stripe that runs the length. There are several varieties of Agave lophantha,including ‘Quadricolor’, which has yellow margins on bright green leaves. Plant it with other succulents for maximum effect.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

7. Artichoke Agave
(Agave parryi var. truncata)
Native to central Mexico, including Durango

Wide blue-gray leaves with maroon spines bear a striking resemblance to artichoke leaves, hence this Mexican native’s common name. Prized by many for its beauty, artichoke agave is a popular choice for container gardening, whether used in rows of three in a long, narrow container or singly in a modern pot. It does produce a few offsets, which can be used elsewhere in the garden or given to friends.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full, reflected sun or filtered shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

8. Twin-Flowered Agave
(Agave geminiflora)
Native to Nayarit, Mexico

The finely textured leaves of this bright green agave set it apart from most other species. Twin-flowered agave tolerates a range of exposures, from full reflected sun all the way to full shade, which makes it an asset in most situations.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full reflected sun to full shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

9. Mescal Ceniza
(Agave colorata)
Native to Sonora, Mexico

The decorative leaves of this midsize agave species are loaded with interesting features, including well-defined imprinted patterns and deeply toothed edges, which add a wavy texture to the landscape. Mescal ceniza’s blue-gray color adds a visually cooling element to hot outdoor spaces.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide

Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

10. Queen Victoria Agave
(Agave victoria-reginae)
Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of Mexico

Often described as the most beautiful agave, this one, named after Queen Victoria, lives up to its queenly name with dark green coloring and vibrant white markings. The tight rosette shape and smooth leaf edges that terminate into a single spike add to Queen Victoria’s visual appeal.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 inches tall and wide

See how to grow Queen Victoria agave

Agave growing tips:

First select a pot, with a drainage hole, that is a little larger than the root ball, as agaves do better when their roots are slightly crowded. No saucer is needed, and is in fact discouraged, as sitting water can lead to overly moist soil.
All agaves require well-drained soil, which can be created using one part compost, one part sand and one part perlite or pumice.
Water when the top two-thirds of the soil has dried out. Water deeply, until water runs out the bottom. Watering should be done weekly in summer when temperatures are above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and very little in winter.
Fertilize once a month during the growing season, which is typically late spring and summer.
Repot every three years or so once the roots have little soil left to grow in.

Originally published on HOUZZ by Noelle Johnson

The Polite House: How to Deal With Noisy Neighbors

“With so of us people living in closer proximity to our neighbors than ever before, unwanted noise can be a problem. Take some tips from here on how to keep your cool and best deal with the situation.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

First and foremost, when dealing with neighbors, safety is your priority. If your neighbor isn’t someone you feel comfortable confronting, then don’t. Use neighborhood associations, or even (if necessary) the police, to manage someone you feel unsafe around or unsure of.

But whether it’s a barking dog, a lawn mower, a crying baby, a kid with a basketball or a loud sound system, unwanted noise is one of the most frustrating aspects of living near others. We want things quiet when we want to sleep or concentrate or enjoy some peace, but we also don’t want to be challenged when we are the ones who may be making noise.

To help you decide whether you can feel good about lodging a complaint or whether you should shake it off and move on, here are some things to think about when it comes to noise in your neighborhood:

Try to determine if the noise is intentional and avoidable. Who is making the noise and how much control do they have over it? Before I let myself get bent out of shape or start thinking nasty thoughts about my inconsiderate neighbor — thoughts that will only amplify the whole situation in my head — I try to identify who is making the noise and if they have any control over it.

A crying baby in a neighboring apartment — sure it’s not fun to listen to, and the crying happens at very inconvenient hours, but there isn’t much that parents can do about it. Clearly they would rather have a happy baby too, so I know it’s not intentional; I know it’s temporary, and knowing this helps calm me down.

Zansitis Painting Inc

Think about duration and tolerance. How long does the noise last and how much does it disturb you? There is a kid who dribbles a basketball on his way to school each day, and his walk time is the last hour of my sleep time in the morning. In that sweet month or two when I don’t need my window air conditioner on and can sleep with the windows open (heaven in my book!), I realize I’m going to hear him and it’s going to last about three minutes. That’s enough time to wake me up and make me realize I’m awake, but I also recognize it’s short enough that I’m going to be able to get back to sleep. It’s something I can tolerate.

Can you tolerate an hour of trumpet practice? What about an afternoon of wood shop noises? Sometimes just knowing that the noise will end is enough to make it tolerable. You can always say, “Hi, Nancy. I was wondering if you could tell me how long Nate plans to practice his trumpet.”

One of the first steps toward finding a solution may just be finding out how much of a problem this noise is really going to be.

Lowe’s Home Improvement

Be understanding and ask about or offer solutions. If it’s my neighbor’s lawn mower at 6:30 a.m. or son’s trumpet practice at 10 p.m. that’s disturbing the peace, well that’s something that might lead me (depending on who the neighbor is and my relationship with that person) to go over and ask if it’s possible for lawn mowing or practicing to happen at a different hour. “Hi, Jim, I was just wondering if it would work with your schedule to mow the lawn later in the morning or even afternoon or evening?”

It never hurts to ask, or at least to let your neighbor know that the activity is affecting others. Jim might respond, “Oh, I like to get it out of the way so that my day is free.” You can reply, “I totally get that; it’s just that it’s waking me up each morning long before my alarm, and I was hoping there was a solution that might work for both of us.” This can at least get the conversation rolling.

This covers the basics of dealing with unwanted noise in your building or neighborhood. With most amicable neighbors, you should feel confident discussing this issue.

And remember that you can always proactively check in with your neighbor. “Hey, Mike, I just wanted to let you know I’m working on a new project, and the chipper shredder is going to be making a lot of noise. Let me know if you need a break from it. I know it can be intense sometimes.” I bet Mike will think you’re a very considerate neighbor, and it may inspire him to return the kindness in the future.

Originally Published on HOUZZ by Lizzie Post

How Much Paint Do You Need?

“We are always involved in painting projects with our clients and these tips make perfect sense.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

My husband and I are avid DIYers, and whenever we start a new project we joke about the number of trips to the home-improvement store it’s going to take to complete the task. A “one-trip job” is considered a smashing success. The unfortunately more common “five-trip job” tends to feel slightly less triumphant.

Lisa Teague Design Studios

I would argue that running out of paint midproject is especially frustrating. Dashing out to the store is the last thing you want to have to do while deep in the throes of painting. But you also don’t want to overbuy either, because custom-tinted paint is not returnable.

Fortunately underbuying or overbuying is easily avoidable. It just requires a bit of measuring and some basic math before you head out to purchase the paint. Here’s how you can answer the question, “How much paint do I need?”

Min | Day Architects

Depending on the manufacturer, a gallon of paint will cover 300 to 400 square feet. Check with your paint vendor, or on the paint manufacturer’s website, to find the estimated coverage.

Once you know the coverage rate of your chosen paint, you need to calculate the square footage of the walls or ceilings to be painted. To get this figure, simply multiply the width by the height (for walls) or the length by the width (for ceilings). You then need to subtract the area of anything within the plane that is not being painted, such as windows and doors.

sophie loubaton / photographe

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For example, let’s say you want to paint an accent wall that measures 25 feet wide by 10 feet high, which has a door opening within it that measures 3 feet wide by 7 feet high.

1. Multiply the width and height of the wall:
25 x 10 = 250 square feet

2. Multiply the width and height of the door:
3 x 7 = 21 square feet

3. Subtract the door opening from the area of the wall:
250 square feet – 21 square feet = 229 square feet

4. Divide this figure by the estimated square footage coverage amount of your paint. In this example, let’s say the coverage is 350 square feet per gallon:
229 ÷ 350 = 0.65

5. Round up to the nearest whole number to get the number of gallons needed. In this example, you’d round up to 1 gallon, to apply one coat of paint.

Note: If you need to apply two coats, you simply double the square footage to be painted and then divide by the coverage:
458 ÷ 350 = 1.31
(Here, you’d round up to 2, so 2 gallons of paint would be needed to apply two coats.)

Alden Miller Interiors

Painting multiple walls in a room? Here are the steps to calculate the square footage of a sample room that measures 12 feet by 20 feet with 8-foot ceilings and door openings that measure 6 feet wide by 7 feet high:

1. Add together the width of each wall to be painted:
12 + 20 + 12 + 20 = 64 feet

2. Multiply this sum by the height of the walls:
64 x 8 = 512 square feet

3. Multiply the width and height of the door:
6 x 7 = 42 square feet

4. Subtract the door openings from the area of the wall:
512 square feet – 42 square feet = 470 square feet

5. Divide this figure by the estimated square footage coverage of our paint. Again, in this example, we are going with 350 square feet per gallon:
470 ÷ 350 = 1.34

6. Round up to the nearest whole number, in this case 2. You would need 2 gallons to paint one coat.

Note: Again, for two coats of paint, you double the square footage to be painted:
470 + 470 = 940

Then divide by the coverage per gallon:
940 ÷ 350 = 2.69
(Round up to 3. You would need 3 gallons of paint to apply two coats.)

Benjamin Moore

Math not your strong suit? No sweat. Most paint manufacturers offer a calculator on their website that does the math for you. You still need to measure your space and plug in the square footage, but the calculator does all the rest, based on the paint you plan to use.

Sherwin-Williams

Of course, there are a few other factors to take into consideration when calculating how much paint you need. Darker colors, especially red hues, require more coats than lighter hues. If you are going with a deeper, darker color, talk to your paint vendor about prepping with a tinted primer before applying paint.

PPG Pittsburgh Paints

Also, take into account the surface you are painting. Rougher surfaces as well as more absorbent surfaces will require more paint than smooth surfaces. And if you are painting a lighter color over an existing dark hue, you will likely need extra coats. A tinted primer might also be useful here, depending on the existing and new hues.

The quality of your paint will also affect the amount you need. Higher quality paint tends to offer better coverage, requiring fewer coats, whereas a lower-cost paint may be thinner and therefore require more coats for proper coverage.

LOOKA DECO

Finally, a few tips I’ve learned the hard way: There can be subtle differences in hue and sheen between two different cans of the same paint brand, finish and color. So try to stick to one single can of paint for the top coat of each wall or ceiling. You likely won’t notice a slight hue or sheen difference from wall to wall, but within the same plane it could be apparent.

Also, it’s a good idea to keep a record of the paint brand, colors and sheens you used, so if you need to touch anything up down the road you know exactly what you need.

Originally posted on HOUZZ.com by Jennifer Ott

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