Pittsburgh Today Live ~ Ways to Warm Up Your Decor for Winter

Feels Like Home Interiors Nominated for 2011 RESA Rookie Stager of the Year for the Northeast Region

I am so excited and honored to announce that I have been nominated as a finalist for the 2011 Real Estate Staging Association™ (RESA®) Rookie Stager of the Year™ for the Northeast Region. 
Home Stagers from all across North America submitted before and after photos of their work to be considered for this award and then the membership voted to determine the finalists for each region.  The finalists will be judged by a panel of industry professionals and the winners will be announced at the upcoming RESA Home Staging International Conference in January in Las Vegas. 

I am thrilled and incredibly honored to be named as a finalist for this award.  And I am very excited to be heading to Vegas for the RESA Conference in January!

Another Rave Review for Feels Like Home Interiors Staging Services

Another Rave Review for Feels Like Home Interiors

I'm always delighted to hear from my clients how our home staging services helped them.  I just received this from Meryl Neiman, REALTOR® with Howard Hanna in their Squirrel Hill Office: 

"It has been a pleasure working with Mary to help my clients sell their home. Although their house was already in good condition, Mary's suggestions made the property truly stand out in a competitive market. She has a wonderful eye for detail and a genuine knack for knowing what buyers are looking for in a home.


My clients want advice that is concrete, practical, and easy to implement. Mary is on the mark in all these areas and she is very budget conscious as well, which everyone appreciates. I was so impressed with Mary and the impact her advice had on the presentation of my clients' home that I decided to offer her Strategy Session free to all my sellers. In today's market, buyers want homes that are move-in ready and HGTV pretty. I would not hesitate to recommend Mary to help your home shine."

~ Meryl Neiman, Howard Hanna, Squirrel Hill Office
   http://www.picturingpittsburgh.com/

Fall ~ The Perfect Time to Go Au Naturel at Home!

Ok, I am not suggesting you decorate in the buff in order to spice things up at home, although that might get some interesting results. I am suggesting that you stick with what comes naturally when making seasonal fall updates to warm up your living spaces.

Look to nature for your inspiration and many of your materials—and you will create a fresh, organic, warm feeling in your home that will carry you right through Thanksgiving.

So here are some of my Top Tips to Add Spice To Your Fall Décor:

Tip #1: Bring the Outdoors In

Look no farther than your backyard and you will find wonderful natural items that will add life to your surroundings. Beautifully colored leaves, acorns, chestnuts, pine cones, branches, crab apples, bittersweet, and fallen pine needles are just a few of the free treasures nature provides for your decorating pleasure.

Tip #2: Head to the Market

Make a quick stop at your local Farmers’ Market to find more affordable natural wonders to welcome autumn. Look for pumpkins (white ones are a favorite of mine), gourds, Indian corn, mums, apples and pears.

Tip #3: Go with Groupings

Add the biggest impact by layering a number of fall items together in a basket, on a decorative plate, or a fall colored or textured fabric and then display on your dining, entry, coffee or end table. Adding decorative candles in your groupings can warm the look up even more. (Just be careful to have them in safe containers, not to burn them close to flammable items and to never leave a burning candle unattended.)

Tip #4: Warm up Your Palette

Look outdoors for your color inspiration, too. Now is a great time to add glowing gold, warm russet, and spicy orange shades with throws, pillows, and other affordable decorative touches.

So go grab some warm apple cider, a crackling fire, and someone to cuddle with on the couch while you enjoy the magic of an au naturel autumn—both inside and outside your cozy home.