Choosing wall colours for your home

Choosing the colours can be another big headache for my clients, thought I find it fun and very creative process. Click for more..

Colours! If you need to choose the colour today.. which colours will you choose? (by Seeds) How to make a room look higher? larger? smaller?

If you want to use several colours in your room, it will appear larger if you choose hues of the same saturation (intensity), no matter if they're pale or bright. To determine similar intensity, look for colours similarly positioned on their individual colour swatch strips. This creates the illusion of space because similar levels of saturation seem to flatten out, with no distracting focal points to spoil the effect.

Warm colours, like red, orange and yellow, are the colours of sunshine and fire. These hues advance (come forward) so walls feel closer and rooms feel smaller. A better choice is to use cool colours, like the blue, green and violet of water and ice. These colours seem to recede or move away, making rooms seem larger and more open. However, if you have your heart set on a yellow (warm coloured) room, select a washed out tint.

Small, square rooms look larger if you paint two opposite walls the same colour, especially one that's deep and dark. Why? The intensity of colour will create depth in the room and visually open up its dimensions. And remember, every room will look larger if it's brightly lit (even artificial light does the trick). 

 Remember! We can always help you. Send us an email with the photo of your room and we will help to find a solution and the right colour www.reDecor.me 

Cleaning Heat and Air-Conditioning and Vents

                                              Cleaning Heat and Air-Conditioning      

Cleaning Heat and Air-Conditioning Vents it is very important!
Time it takes: 15 minutes per unit.

Why it matters: A buildup of dust anywhere harbours allergens. And when you’re dealing with vents, this dust is propelled into the room. Also, excessive dust makes your cooling and heating system work harder and therefore costs you money.

                                                               CLEANING VENTS                                                              

Step 1: Turn off the heat or the air-conditioning. Run the crevice tool of a vacuum over floor and baseboard vents. For ceiling vents, spread a sheet below and wear a baseball cap to shield your hair and eyes; if the crevice tool doesn’t reach, use a tool like the Unger duster, with an extension pole.

Step 2: Remove the vent covers (all you need is a screwdriver); you’ll have to use a stepladder for ceiling vents. Wash covers with dish soap, using a small sponge paintbrush to get into slats (plastic and unpainted aluminium or steel can go in the dishwasher). If you want to soak the covers to get them extra clean, use only hot water—prolonged exposure to soap may take the paint off. Clean inside ducts, as far as you can reach, with the crevice tool or a cobweb duster, which has stiff bristles and a rounded head that fits inside ducts. When they’re dry, replace the covers.

For radiators

Step 1: Dust between the radiator fins with a bottle brush. Don’t use water, which can cause rust.

Try to do this: Twice a year. For more tips for home visit www.redecor.me 

Renovating/Decorating your home

Renovating/Decorating your home might seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Make your renovations as easy as possible with some tips.

Firstly think about your budget.

Consider the living space you currently occupy. Do you own or rent? If you plan on living there for a long time, set your budget accordingly. If you’re not willing to commit to your home, stick to renovating a few key areas.

Invest money in the right rooms.

Renovating for resale is all about making a return on your investment. The smartest spaces to renovate are your kitchen and bathrooms. A fresh look in these rooms makes a world of difference.

Don’t underestimate the simple stuff.

Consider making some topical renovations, such as repainting rooms, installing light fixtures or adding trim around the ceilings. These improvements don’t cost a lot of money, but they can make rooms appear larger, brighter and more inviting.

How to rent or sell your property faster?

Little bit about the real estate now... Renting or selling, it applies for both. All based on many years of property management experience and it definitely works and speeds up the process, so worth every penny and time. If you need any help in organising your property, you can always contact me  trough www.erikapace.com  or for decor www.reDecor.me

FROM THIS                                          TO THIS

• Entrance: An inviting entrance creates an important first impression!
• Check that things such as roofing, guttering, paint, woodwork and paving are all in good condition. Spending money to fix these things can potentially earn you a better price and faster sales/rent.
• Clean windows or any glass balustrades you may have. Also consider having your house professionally cleaned, this way is an inexpensive way to instantly lift its appearance.
• Mow the lawn regularly, particularly before an open for inspection, trim hedges, rake up the leaves, if you have a pool make it sparkle and hide away any pool equipment.
• If you are selling a tenanted property, consider offering the tenant a cleaner to come before the inspection. It is money worth spending and a good way to keep your tenant on side.
• Bathrooms and kitchens are the most scrutinised by buyers, ensure they are pristine. Soap scum, mould, old shower curtains and dirty bathroom mirrors should be cleaned, removed or replaced!
• Make all the beds, fluff the cushions, vacuum floors, dust shelves and remove cobwebs that may be lurking inside and out.
• Ensure your home maximises light no matter what time of the day it is. Open the curtains and check all light bulbs are working. If you’re holding an evening inspection, light up cozy lights inside the house and switch on the garden/pool lights.
• Selling your home is a great time for a spring clean, less clutter creates an impression of space so remove anything you don’t want to take to your new home. Most local councils will come and collect your rubbish free of charge or for a small fee. Another option is to consider giving your unnecessary household items to a charity.
• Pets: sometimes it can be a big turn off for buyers so ensure there is no trace of your pet during inspections. This may mean steam cleaning carpet, hiding away their food and water bowl, toys and bedding. There are many people that are simply allergic to pets.....

GOOD LUCK! and remember if you need any assistance, please contact me:

www.erikapace.com  or for decor www.reDecor.me 

When moving to the new house...

Today I would like to point at one a very common issue /problem that we (Interior Designers) have when called out to meet new house owners...- "Moving in together" or "shared house with the family". Can't be more complicated for us to try to balance between all "advisers' that suddenly become experts in interior decorating. 

Moving in together certainly has its challenges, especially when it comes to merging your tastes in decor. You like floral prints, silver and he likes black and white, mum likes traditional wood and classic, sister psychedelic styles  … so how do you make it work???? Few tips:
When moving to YOUR house, where YOU are going to live, make a list of YOUR 'likes' or trust the designer. Your sisters, brothers, mum, neighbours, cousins, colleagues are not going to live there! Sadly and unfortunately, that I crossed such clients...and it wasn't the best moments of my carrier when I was put in a position of family counselor or be blamed for anything just because my clients couldn't agree on the colours and styles between them.. 

Moving in with the partner? Work with the oversized TV, don’t fight it. The chances of you getting your guy to downsize to a smaller TV are slim to none, my friend. So, don’t fight it. Work with it.
If she likes floral and prints and he likes black and white, there are tons of ways to make both parties happy. Consider making the backdrop of the room (like the sofa, the paint colour or the wall unit) a neutral colour like beige, or something soft and masculine, like olive green. Then, dress up the room with pillows, throws and candles to add a dash of femininity to the design scheme.
Strike a balance between warm and cool.
Guys tend to love colder textures like steel; women tend to go for warmer and softer textures. When it comes to living room or bedroom furniture, you’ve got to make sure you have pieces that make both parties feel at home. So, if your guy loves oversized leather furniture, consider making space for his own comfy leather chair, which can sit next to a plush, velvet sofa.
You’ve got a leather couch and he’s got a dog? The dog wins.
If you’ve got a leather couch or wall-to-wall carpeting, consider opting for the more pet-friendly option. Hardwood floors are easier to clean than carpet. Treated microfiber couches are more hassle-free than leather.
Remember - its all about compromising and cutting the list of 'advisers' and this is where and why you call the professional help - Interior Decorator/Designer! www.reDecor.me

About ReDecorMe

I‘m a design-loving decorator,  who is slightly obsessed with a lot of things . . . mirrors, lamps, rugs, colours. The usual. Launched reDecor.me as a place to share my finds, follow my passions and live a creative life. I love to design and create beautiful spaces on tight budgets. It seems like my mind is constantly spinning with ideas and I am passionate about mixing colour, pattern, and texture to create unified spaces.

As I’ve decorated, restored and rebuild my homes in Europe, also helped others with theirs over the years. My style has evolved and my “eye” has been trained to find some unique pieces that personalise our spaces. Combining estate sale and vintage finds with classic pieces makes all the difference . . . One style does not fit all. I started the website – reDécor.me - to help other people decorate , organise or just make their houses into cozy homes and find a personal style.