A PROJECT IN ORTLEY BEACH

A PROJECT IN ORTley BEACHAN OLD VINTAGE PIECE TURNS BEACHYWorking at the beach

I am so very fortunate in the work that I do….I get to make people happy…It is pretty amazing!!!  As I have developed and grown I have learned many things…One important thing that I have learned is that each piece of furniture that I have painted, waxed, buffed and presented back to the owner; has a  very personal story attached.     It doesn’t have to be heirloom to be a valued piece, it is the memories of who owned it, who found it, what it was used for.

Today I am blogging about a piece that I did for a woman named Barb…She lives in Ortley Beach New Jersey in a brand new reversed living module home with beautiful ocean views….Her original home was swallowed up by Sandy three years ago..

Arial View of a section of Ortley Beach after Sandy

Barb had this piece that was her mother in laws and  thought it would be very useful as extra storage in her new home… We discussed colors prior and decided to paint the interior Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue, and the  Exterior Old White… Here are the results….. We used all of the original hardware we just sanded it down  to the natural wood.

Another thing that has happen along my journey in developing and growing Harmonize Homes, is that I have made so many new friendships which makes me smile…

Checkout our price guide Harmonizing Homes Price Guide (5).    We are taking appointments for November if you are interested in having a piece painted.

OUR NEW PRICING GUIDE

HARMONIZE HOMESOUR PRICING GUIDESince 2009 ~ Corinne Kaas~

Welcome Friends!

We are so very excited about finally being able to publish our our pricing guide… The guide is actually a book like document however for posting purposes we have attached a PDF for online viewing….This guide will also be available in print if you are interested.

We are also very excited to announce to announce that we are now doing kitchen and bathroom designs…We are partnering up with a local cabinet company located in Red Bank NJ….so keep us in mind for your next kitchen or bath transformation.  We have several lines and grades of cabinetry available to us.

So go ahead and click on the link below for a full pricing and service list…

Harmonizing Homes Price Guide (5)

Looking forward to helping you on your next project however big or small…

AUTUMNAL WARMTH

AUTUMNAL WARMTHPERSIMMONThe warmer colors of fall

One of my favorite go to colors is orange.  A spicy orange hue can add an unexpected sophistication to your space and wardrobe.  Now that we are closing in on the fall season, more and more people are receptive to the color orange. They are buying pumpkin lattes, eating pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin spice muffins. Wearing knit orange sweaters and carrying orange purses.

Traditionally, orange is said to stimulate activity, appetite and socialization. In decor it can be a bright pop of color or a more muted background color used to warm up a room.  It looks amazing with blue as you can see in this photo….and great with grey.

I use it through out my home with throw pillows, flowers, artwork, throws on a couch and dishes… The color orange just makes me smile….

Use some orange textured wall paper on an accent wall.

Add a few pillows in orange and a nice warm throw blanket

Add an orange plate on your fall table

Orange has an old world charm

A great combination from Thibult

Our question this week was from Ellen ~”I’d like to update my 15 year old cherry kitchen. I don’t have decorative trim on the tops of my cabinets – what can I do to refresh the look?”

One of the easiest ways to up date your kitchen cabinets is add some new hardware.  Here is one that I think would look great on your cabinets. Top Knobs.  The second would be to add a color to the wood doors.  This option is a bit more expensive.  We do paint cabinets, please contact us for our full price listing.  Another way to up date is to change out some of the solid doors to glass and add some lighting inside the cabinets.

Don’t forget our Friday Feature Days we love to answer your questions….We will be releasing our new price listing next week…Charles worked extremely hard in pulling it all together for us….We are thrilled!!!  I can’t wait to share with all of you! It will only be sent to those of you that are on our mailing list via email.  If you are interested in receiving a copy please click on questions above which will bring you to our contact list and let us know that you would like a copy sent to you.

Enjoy the weekend

A LOOK INTO THE BRODERICK’S HOME

STAGING AT EVERY LEVELA LOOK INTO THE BRODERICK’S HOMESome times it only takes the perfect piece of Art

I hope you all had a nice relaxing Labor Day Weekend!   We had our annual white party ( which is all about wearing white and eating a lot of food).  This year we celebrated my brothers 50th birthday at the event with lots of surprise guests…..The rest of the weekend we just hung out at the beach with friends and family.

I spent a bit of time going through magazines and looking for inspiration for various projects that Charles and I are working on.  While flipping through I came across this article about Laser Focus in Elle Decor September 2015 issue.  I began to read it as I loved the painted steal and copper chandelier.  As I read through the article, the chandelier was purchased a part of the staging inventory for  Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s NYC Townhouse.   The design team of Ash NYC staged their home for sale.   This is the complete article of their home from the NY Daily News ( I rather the NY Post if you were wondering)  New York Daily News  .  So I thought I would blog about the need to stage a home….The Broderick’s reportedly never even lived in their brownstone however, they still had it staged.   When you look at the photo’s which I have included you will see no heavy draperies, only open bright living areas, simple clean lines, neutral paint palettes .  A few vignettes over the fireplace areas… simple and beautiful.    Staging makes all the difference in the world when trying to sell you home.  A simple tip “less is more” when staging (less furniture, less window treatments, less artwork, less  Chotskies (click on link for definition).  Harmonizing Homes can help stage your home. We stage real estate for marketing professionals, developers, and sellers from our ever-growing inventory.   Go to the bottom of this blog and click on the more information link and we will send you our price list.

If you would like us to send you our price listing for any of our services please click on the link and fill out the information. Pricing information.    I hope you enjoyed our blog…and remember we have a great team that is is to help you with your design needs.

Pillow Talk

PILLOW TALKBEDDINGAddressing a place where you spend a third of your life

Well, its 20 days until fall…. It is the end of the free flow of summer time fun and the start of one of the most beautiful seasons Fall!   The cooler weather brings out warm blankets, comfy pillows, socks and sweaters.

I remember my mother would change her drapes and bedding every year for the fall and winter months…she still does at age 90 God bless her.

Believe it or not sleep scientists have indicated that the quality of your mattress pillows and linen’s actually have an affect on how well you sleep.  So it is wise to choose your mattress size wisely.    Your headboard will actually be the center piece of your room.  Splurge on your bed linens there are so many different kinds of sheets available.   You want something that is durable and has a softness and smoothness to the fabric. The higher thread count does not necessarily mean a superior sheet.

Don’t forget pillows….did you know that you should actually replace your sleeping pillows every 12-18 months.

The random question that we picked from last weeks question(s)

“I am repainting my 2 story family room and hallway. Previously I had 2 darker shades on 2 walls and the rest was a lighter shade. I was wondering if it would be better if I paint one wall darker as an accent wall. If so, would it be the wall with the fireplace and all the windows or the wall to the left. I’m concerned painting both walls darker may be too much” Connie

I love double height spaces!  I would paint all walls the same lighter color, or if you want an accent wall- go for the fireplace walls to keep that the focal point.

Keep sending in your questions….we love hearing from you … Questions

Resources

Tumbler for various black and white interiors – Harmonize Homes Tumbler

I was inspired in a subway train

DECORATING WITH BLACK AND WHITEFRIDAY FEATUREFloor Plan Give Away

My inspiration for this weeks Friday Feature came from the lady below! Craig and I lived in NYC for seven years and when you looked in my closet there was nothing but Black and White clothing….. We sold our apartment in 2012  however, I still go to my physicians in the city, which was were I was going when I had to snap this picture…. I was dressed as I would livingdown the shore…I forgot what the uniform was of NYC… Not to mention how many bags everyone carries around. So this very stoic person was my inspiration ….You never know where you are going to get your inspiration from in decorating…It could be from a magazine,  a piece of art that you found in Home Goods, a piece of fabric, a television show, a movie…(I am always inspired by any movie that Diane Keaton was in.  Her kitchens are always so beautiful ….your starting off point is endless…All you have to do is start.

   

Well, the question we picked from last weeks list was one that is asked so often! “My husband hangs our artwork too high!! At what height should artwork be hung as his eye  and my eye are at different levels” thanks Joan W.  

Our rule of thumb is to hang all pictures at 57″ on center. This is “gallery height” and roughly the average human eye level.

To do this you measure up 57″ from the floor (mark here). You want your picture’s center – whatever size – over this point, so measure your picture – top to bottom, divide it in half, …

subtract whatever distance there is between wire and top of frame and then add that number to your 57″. That is where you put the pin in.

Keep sending in your questions….we love hearing from you … Questions?

Resources

Tumbler for various black and white interiors – Harmonize Homes Tumbler

Are you organized?

HABITS OF A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERORGANIZATIONTips for keeping up with everything

One of the hardest things when you work at home is to stay focused.  I make fun of my self a lot because I really battle with the word focused.   I have anywhere from 8-10 browsers up on my computer at any time and I have an ongoing list of things that pop into my head.    A few things to help stay focused is to keep as organized as you can.

1.  They make their bed every day

Professional organizers make their beds every day!  It is so funny as my sister and I will say oh, I didn’t even get to make the bed today….Making the bed was so ingrained in our up bringing… we had to make the bed!!

“Arguably the most important activity of the day, there’s really no excusing this one. Bed making promotes productivity throughout the day and will pave the way for an organized lifestyle. Plus, it’s a pleasure to get into a made bed at the end of a long day.”

2. Make a list of what to do today.

Writing a to do list for the day – This does work-

“Take a few minutes in the morning to jot down your goals for the day. Having a concrete list will keep you on track throughout the day and give you a sense of accomplishment when tasks are completed.”

3. Deal with your clothes

You know the age old organization for the office as far as dealing with that piece of paper, Act, File or threw out….well it is the same for clothes…deal with them on an on going bases..

“Hang, launder, or fold every garment and DO NOT let anything hit the floor. Neglected clothing can slowly build up and lead to an overwhelming mound.”

4.  The Kitchen 

Deal with your kitchen  on a daily bases, clean out the refrigerator, throw out last week take out that is still sitting there….don’t forget the dogie bag that you had to bring home for the restaurant…

“Your kitchen and sink counters inevitably get dirty every day. So take a minute or two to wipe them down before you head to bed.”

5.  Deal with your mail daily

“Tend to your mailbox daily to avoid a build up of bill payments and to-dos. Immediately toss junk mail into recycling and store the rest in an active inbox so you’ll know where to find it.”  I deal with banking, bills, invoicing etc every Friday…it helps…. I have a bin where I put everything that I must act on.

6.  Take care of your purses and pockets and don’t forget your car

“Take a couple of minutes to throw away any receipts or trash that you’ve acquired throughout the day. Place loose change into your wallet or coin jar and make sure any loose papers are filed or thrown away.”  Okay, this is not me….I seem to dump one pocket book into another….

7.  Before Bed

“Before heading to bed, mentally walk through the next day and do your best to prepare for it. Set aside necessary items and pack up your bag so you can grab it on the fly if need be.

Resource

House Beautiful – 9 things professional organizers do by Jessica Cumberbathc Anderson