Life Laundry

There is no time like the present -- but especially if you are selling your house or contemplating a move -- for getting organized. Check out these recommendations from Slate on where to go for advice.

Designers Guild

For those of you who are weathering out the storm of the weak dollar with your secret stash of British pounds -- you know who you are -- or for those of you who just like to browse the world of interior design, check out the website of Designers Guild -- great stuff!

The Next Big Thing: Storage Condos

Where to go with all those mantoys when you "downsize" to a smaller home or condo? How about a storage condo, where, as the Times puts it, you can store your gear and play with it too. Forget the sterile atmosphere of yesteryear; these units come with"cable television, high-speed Internet, individual thermostats and even clubhouses." You might be surprised how many people watched the superbowl from one of their units!

There's always Ikea!

Ikea: it's not just for decorating anymore! Comedian Mark Malkoff has moved into a New Jersey Ikea warehouse while his Manhattan apartment is being fumigated. (His live-in girlfriend will not be accompanying him. Malkoff's comment: "For some reason, she didn't want to live in a store.") Follow Malkoff's progress (?) here.

Worth a Try?

Here's an original piece of advice for people having trouble selling their home: ever considered throwing in a personal chef? The younger set might be more interested in a permanent nanny...click on the link for more, or to make your own suggestion.

Color Me Beautiful

Domestik Goddess (listed on our favorite links) is featuring a great tool today -- the online, limited version of "GenoPal," which can be purchased in an expanded edition for about $50. The fun thing to do is upload a picture, such as that of this living room above, and then push the button to receive a palette of colors that reflect and complement its decor. Click on the above link to see the palette for this picture, and here to see a detailed palette based on a single color (green):

http://www.genopal.com/online.php?hex=949A6B

It's lots of fun! --And a great tool for decorating or home staging.

Empty Nest: Loss or Opportunity?

"The New York Times" has a great article today about the psychology -- and the decorating decisions -- of empty nesters. Well worth a look!

Self-Watering Plants

For Labor Day, we thought we'd share something that can save you some work. "Domestik Goddess" has drawn our attention to these little planters that come with their own IV drip. A great gift idea for the doctor, patient, or "black thumb" in your family -- if the drip is empty, it's time to refill! Have a good holiday.

Staging Your Home

Have you considered the benefits of staging your home?


Our website offers advice in that direction as well as a new link to How2HomeStage.com...








http://www.goldcoastresidences.com/how2homestage



We'd love to hear any personal stories you might have on the matter.

Remodeling: Home Owners' Seven Deadly Sins

Daily Real Estate News July 31, 2006

Remodeling isn’t always a good idea, says Holly Slaughter, brand manager and consumer-experience expert for RealEstate.com.Here are what she calls the seven deadly home-improvement sins to consider before committing to projects that may work against you and lessen your resale value.

Over expanding. Outdoing all the homes on the block is never a good idea because it makes the house more expensive than the others and therefore harder to sell.
Making your home into something it’s not. Changing the style or the architecture is usually a big mistake.

Changing the purpose of a room. Keep kitchens as kitchen and baths as baths. They were built that way for a reason.

Under budgeting. People routinely under budget 20 or 30 percent fewer dollars and underestimate even more in guessing the time the job will take.

Doing the job yourself. Unless you have first-rate skills, hire somebody who does.
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Don’t waste money on renovations that won’t pay off. Buyers won’t necessarily pay for what makes a seller happy. Siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms are the home improvement winners, according to Remodeling magazine.

Neglecting regular upkeep. They may seem boring, but cleaning the gutters, keeping the house painted and trimming the shrubs are the most valuable home improvements.

Source: Marketwatch, Amy Hoak (07/30/2006)

© Copyright, 2006, by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

5 Simple Kitchen Remodels

Along with getting a great return on your investment, making the space work for your needs is important when considering a kitchen remodel. The most beautiful kitchen will only create stress for a homeowner if it isn't designed properly. Consider these tips for a kitcehn remodel that will simplify your daily routines.

Kitchens

Probably the busiest room in the house, a kitchen can serve a multitude of functions these days: cooking, eating, entertaining, and family gathering place.
1. Remodel by the work triangle. Designers have been using the kitchen work triangle to create efficient kitchens for many decades. The work triangle refers to the arrangement of the three basic work areas: the refrigerator, sink, and stove. You don't want these to be too far apart or you will spend a good deal of time running back and forth. Click this link to read more about work triangles.
2. Consolidate kitchen contents with a pantry. Walk-in pantries have become very popular as they allow a homeowner to quickly take in the kitchen's contents without having to search through the cupboards. If you're tight on space a pull-out pantry can be installed into areas as small as a few inches wide. A kitchen pantry is a great way to keep the kitchen traffic localized to one area, so that you can cook without interruption.
3. Don't waste space. Install cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling add baskets and shelving inside to maximize storage space. Add a hanging rack for pots and pans to free up some cabinet space.
4. Let appliances do some of the dirty work. A dishwasher with a third rack can cut down on the number of times you have to load that dishwasher. Self-cleaning ovens are everywhere today. If you are in the market for energy efficient appliances, consider a dishwasher or even a refrigerator with the Energy Star rating. Click this link to read more about Energy Star Appliances.
5. Create areas for your kids. A couple of stools at the kitchen counter create an easy, informal place for kids to eat. Also, consider keeping your kids' snacks and beverages on lower shelves where they can easily access them.

Most everyone knows that kitchens have the best return on investment for remodeling projects. However, many homeowners get caught up thinking about granite counters, solid wood cabinets, and hardwood flooring trends and forget to consider how a kitchen lives, its flow, and whether or not it is energy efficient. Don't overlook these simple solutions to when choosing your kitchen remodel.

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