Guest Post: Guest Bathroom Remodelling Ideas

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Guest post by Megan Gates

If you own a home, chances are you'll be hosting guests at various times throughout the year. Whether it's for holidays or an old friend visiting, you'll want to have a pleasant space available for them during their stay. One of the most important places to make inviting is the guest bathroom. It should be a comfortable, relaxing environment for those using it, and by
following some of these handy tips, any guests will feel right at home.

Luxurious Layout: One of the key layout concerns of a guest bathroom is the location of the guest bathroom in relation to guest bedroom. Ideally, the bathroom should be no more than two doors away for easy access, making the guest feel at home and able to use it just as they would their own bathroom. It's also more convenient to have a full bathroom with a shower available as opposed to a half - this adds the comfort of being able to store their toiletries and not feel intrusive. If guests have to use your own personal bathroom to shower, they may feel they're putting their hosts out.




Design Ideas: Keep the color scheme uncomplicated and leisurely. Posh hotels and spas usually follow an all white or off white theme because of the clean feeling it promotes in guests. Match this simple theme throughout the linens to coordinate, and have large, fluffy towels and robes for comfort. Add a simply patterned shower curtain, and comfy, plush bath mats on the floor to pull the theme all together. Make sure the vanity space is uncluttered so they can store their things if needed. You can decorate with a great smelling candle or a vase of your favorite smelling flowers for a personal touch, but be sure to leave an ample amount of counter space so visitors can put out their toiletries.



Upscale Extras: You can fool your guests into believing that they are in fact staying at a ritzy hotel by having an abundance of extras tucked away in your bathroom. Additional towels and toilet paper are a must and can be stored in a linen closet or below the sink. Stock your guest bathroom with shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, extra toothbrushes, body lotion and disposable razors so if they forget anything, it's right there for their use.

Traveling can be stressful, so having a comfortable space for guests to stay is tantamount to a pleasant visit, and a cozy, relaxing guest bathroom helps them feel better about staying in someone else's home.

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York Rentals, New York City Rentals and Real Estate, home improvement and the latest architecture, design and fashion. Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

End of guest post
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It's very exciting to have my first guest post on my blog! Thank you, Megan. Interesting how there is that element of staging involved when preparing your house for overnight guests. And just like when staging your home for sale, you want to stir emotions that will capture visitors coming into your home. The key is to create that 'inviting feeling' making any guest who walks into your space feel that they can be comfortable, relax, and be at home. Do you have a comfortable bathroom for overnight guests to use? What do you do to make your visitors feel at home?

Cheers!
Imelda

P.S. I can help you decorate your home for the holidays. If you're having guests, and you want to do something special, give me a call!


Happy Halloween!

Check out these awesome skulls by EdiesLab! Not only are they cool and modern but they're hand made and eco-friendly!




Cheers!
Imelda

Photos: Etsy


Fall Inspiration



Warm up a neutral decor with sumptuous colours of the fall. Here's a nature inspired palette of well chosen accessories in shades of brown, orange, and red. The grey leather sofa provides a neutral base for hits of these warm fall colours.

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here in Canada. We have some beautiful weather in store for us this long weekend, so enjoy!

Cheers! :-)
Imelda

Photos: Pinterest

News Release: New Partnership with Hunter Douglas Studio!

It has now been a year since you've moved into your new place. Don't you think it's about time you do your neighbours a favour and cover up your windows? :-) Lol.

I am excited to announce that Imelda Smith has partnered with Window Fashions by Design-- now offering you the full line of Hunter Douglas products, including the Allustra© Collection and Design Studio™ Roman shades.

Here's some ideas of what we can do for you...






Call me today and let me help you with your window covering needs!

Regards,
Imelda

P.S. It's hard to believe that we are less than 90 days away from Christmas! Don't worry, there is still time to get your house ready and sold before then. You can make that happen if you allow me help you! :-)

Photos: Hunter Douglas

Open House: California Chic Cottage


Being a stager, I often like to go online and look though pictures of real estate listings to see inside the homes. I am always curious to know if work has been done into making sure the house shows well.

Last night I came across a listing that I have totally fallen in love with! It's a gorgeous California style, mid-century modern house, located on the waterfront along Kempenfelt Bay. It would make a fabulous weekend getaway cottage being only an 1 1/2 hours away from the city. However, if you're looking for a more rustic style cottage, this is not for you. For me, I'd sell my house and move in full time since it's only 50 minutes from where I am now! ...if only.

For $1,975,000.00 you get 3,660 sq.ft. with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathroom. The house was built in 1968 and designed by Toronto architect, Harry Bernard Kohl. The inspiration came from Pierre Keonig's famous Hollywood Hills Stahl House. Made of glass and steel, each room in the entire house encompasses beautiful views of the natural setting where it lies.













Fabulous isn't it? The terra cotta tile on the main floor wouldn't be my first choice. I would have liked to have seen a lighter colour with a more modern style. But after thinking about it, seeing we are in Canada, the dark colour creates a warmer feeling to the space which it would certainly need during the winter months. Other than that, I would change the dining room table and chairs and make some other minor tweaks in the decor, nothing huge. One other concern I do have is if there would be any heating issues during our Canadian winter months with all that glass. That aside, I love the idea of living California chic in Ontario cottage country!

So, are you ready to make an offer? Is this your style? Would you take this house?

Enjoy your Thursday! We're almost to the end of the week!

Imelda

P.S. Next to Spring, the Fall is a great time to put your house on the market if you're planning to sell-- and now would be a good time to contact me if you need a stager's hand! Don't forget, I also offer decorating help for your home to stay!

Photos: Bernice Whelan Realty Inc.

Life is Good!

I can't believe how fast time has gone by! Here we are approaching the end of August, coming to the end of the summer. It's been a fairly busy spring and summer season, despite the economy. And while in the summertime, the market typically slows down for us, I have been fortunate to have connected with another stager with an established business in the Oakville/Mississauga area. So in between my own staging projects, I am able to remain busy working with her, keeping momentum.

I thought I should take a moment to show my gratitude today-- partly because it was my birthday, and I wanted to say thank you for all the kind messages, email greetings, and cards. I celebrated with my family, starting with a special pancake breakfast prepared by my dear husband, lunch with my extended family at my folks place, and ended the day with a quiet dinner out with my husband. As I am creeping up in age one thing that seems to always be in the forefront of my mind is my health. And I thank God that I am still fairly healthy. A stagers job can be physically demanding, although for me it is a small price to pay for doing something that I am truly enjoying. So not only am I thankful for my health, but I am thankful that I have found something that I can be passionate about!

It took me a while to realize how important it is to always give thanks. Because of my melancholy tendency, I'd find it simpler to be critical and complain about things that are not going right in my life. However, as you know there are negative effects of being that way and later I would find myself depressed and moody, not really accomplishing anything. Understanding and knowing the nature of my personality was enlightening for me. So now, while I allow myself to still find pleasure in wallowing in my misery, I will stop and remember to equally recognize and give thanks for what is good in my life. As a result, I would undeniably find that what is good will always far outweigh what is bad.

Giving thanks gives me strength and keeps me motivated to plough forward and strive to be better in all aspects of my business, family, and spiritual life.

So here's to celebrating another year of life, filled with good health, special friends, great colleagues, and a wonderful family! Thank you, God, for looking after me!



Bright Idea for a Lighting Update


Need to replace that ugly, dated light fixture in your bedroom? Here's an elegant drum shade ceiling light! Cheap yet chic, it's a great find for under $50 at Rona!

Imelda :-)

Seaside Inspiration


Here's a lifestyle selling technique... Came across cute idea for a table setting at the Crate&Barrel -Yorkdale!

Imelda :-)

Home Staging Tips from Sandra Rinomato

Familiar tips you'll hear us stagers say to you over and over. But here HGTV's real estate expert, Sandra Rinomato, confirms its importance and says, "HOME STAGING IS MANDATORY..."

5 Tips for Staging Your Home for Sale

Imelda Smith
Home Staging Design Consultant

www.imeldasmithhomestaging.com

Certified Staging Professionals® Are Awarded The RESA® Accreditation™

Congratulations to CSP™ and to Christine Rae, President and Founder of the CSP™ Training Program, and, who also happened to be my instructor! Having gone through a leading program in the industry, you can be assured that you are hiring the best!

The following article was published February 2nd...

Real Estate Home Staging Course Accredited by the Real Estate Staging Association

Imelda Smith
Home Staging Design Consultant

visit www.imeldasmithhomestaging.com

A Kitchen Makeover to Inspire the Budget Conscious





I am always amazed at how a simple paint job can create such a huge transformation! Here is an example in a kitchen makeover. Instead of replacing the cabinets, some slight modifications were made with a neutral choice of paint colours in charcoal and white. The result... a beautiful makeover on a budget!

It's a known fact when preparing to sell your home you need to make the necessary repairs and improvements. But most times people don't want to spend the time or money because they're moving anyway. As painful as the job may be, it's necessary, especially if your home is outdated and you need to sell fast!

Buyers want a move-in ready home. Even if it's not the latest and greatest kitchen, making these inexpensive improvements will make it feel current and livable with the option to build their dream kitchen in the future, if they so desire.

Now is the time to get your home ready for the spring market! I'm only a phone call away!

Imelda Smith
Home Staging Design Consultant

"Positioning your home for a quick and profitable sale"

www.imeldasmithhomestaging.com

Photos: LHJ, LATimes

Happy New Year!

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”

Edith Lovejoy Pierce





Wishing you all the best for 2011!

Regards,
Imelda Smith

www.imeldasmithhomestaging.com
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