2018 Before/After Competition – Greater Chicago Chapter

Our very first competition of before/after photos was held this year. Below is a list of the winners determined by a panel of designers and staging pros who were assembled by Susan Powell, our 2018 Chapter President. Congratulations to all of our entrants on great work throughout the year!

Entries were accepted in three categories: Vacant Staging, Occupied Staging and Redesign. Each category had two experience levels: 0-3 years; 3+ years.

Congratulations to Chapter Members on their Winning Entries

“Never miss a moment to celebrate one another” – Robin Sharma

Big thanks to Susan Powell for organizing the judging and for spearheading this friendly competition.

This year, be sure to take those “before” and “after” shots when you’re on the job – they’re great marketing tools and who knows… you could have some great material to enter the 2019 competition!

Ringing in the New Year!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the holiday season and are ready to take on 2019…

A little holiday cheer!

I’m honored to lead the Greater Chicago Chapter of RESA this year, along with our terrific Board. A big thanks to Susan Powell for leading us in 2018. I’m excited to hit the ground running this year with some great topics and opportunities for our members to get even more engaged as a group. We are all craving information – on pricing, leveraging resources, attracting clients, making the best use of social media, growing our business, and picking up great staging and redesign tips along the way.  Below is a sneak preview of what’s in store for 2019:    

  • Regular 15-minute hands-on mini-workshops on Social Media tips and tricks. Yes, hands on. A lot of opportunities to market your business on the spot.
  • Pricing! Can we talk openly about pricing? Yes, we can. RESA National is developing an online, anonymous pricing survey this year for all Chapters. We will use the results of the survey as the basis for what I know will be a lively and informative round-table discussion.
  • Staging and redesign tips and tricks. Whether it’s in the newsletter or during our meetings, we’ll have great ideas for you to implement in your client’s homes. Kicking off our year on January 18 is an event open to the public – an interactive presentation by Feng Shui expert Joan Kaufman. She’ll be sharing her expertise with us just in time for the Chinese New Year. Be sure to spread the word – make it a date and bring your clients, friends, family – it’s a unique topic and presentation that appeals to even the feng shui skeptics out there! Because it’s a special event, be sure to reserve your seat. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Click on Events above for all the info!
  • Online Payments. We’ve partnered with PayPal to create an easy way for you to pay your yearly chapter dues and to purchase admission to our special events. All major credit cards are accepted.
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Dawn Bach Thurman, President 2019 Greater Chicago Chapter

It’s going to be an exciting year, so please be sure to join us again as a Chapter Member. Yearly membership is only $25 and due in January.  I wish you a prosperous 2019, filled with time for family and friends, and much good health to enjoy it all. See you on January 18!   

Warmly, Dawn  


Let There Be Light by Patte Lau

You may have heard the doom about incandescent light bulbs being phased out. Fortunately, the lighting industry has been developing bulbs that offer a greater range of light color and flexibility. So before you rush out to buy the remaining incandescents, keep these thoughts in mind:

Tips for replacing traditional incandescent bulbs | RESA Chicago

CHOOSING LIGHT COLOR

  • Light color is measured in Kelvins (K).
  • A lower K value indicates warmer light or light with red tones, similar to incandescent bulbs.
  • A higher K number equals cooler or blue toned light.

A FEW COLOR RULES TO LIGHT BY

  • To replace traditional incandescents select a bulb with a K value between 2400-2900. This color range will help keep your wall and furniture colors from taking on a grayish-blue cast.
  • In the kitchen a light value around 3500K will flatter faces faces as well as food.
  • Playrooms and reading spots can go slightly cooler, however stay away from the “office” look by avoiding bulbs with a bluish tone.

Tips for replacing traditional incandescent bulbs | RESA ChicagoBEDROOMS

  • Lighting in the bedroom has blossomed into artistry and smart styling for every sleeping space. Introducing a chandelier with coordinating (but not matchy-matchy) bedside lamps accents the rooms decor and overhead fixtures.
  • Bedside table lamps should cast light at about eye height.
  • If only one single light fixture is used for illuminating an entire room…it’s time to refresh.

Need a light fix in the bedroom? Try these quick changes –

  • Replace bedside portable lamps with a set of hanging pendants or small scale chandeliers. It helps draw the eye upward and gain extra table space.
  • Add a 3 way switch bedside. It provides you control of all the room’s light fixtures from your bed, or consider a wireless control system.

BATHROOMS

  • Say goodbye to the bar if possible. Install sconces at face height to cast the best glow for shaving and applying makeup.
  • Select a red cast to your bulb so the skin does not look gray.
  • Light layering in the bathroom:
    • Overhead lighting from ceiling fixtures make day to day tasks easier.
    • Portable lamps & strip lighting provide a subtle accent and mood in the space.
    • Options abound from strip lights to sconces around the mirror and vanity makes task lighting easier and a must.

Post written by Patte Lau of Interior Stylist

Trying To Sell a Home With Pets? Read This First! By Taryn Lund

petsStaging your property when you have pets in the house presents a unique challenge for home owners. Most articles suggest removing the pets from the home while the house is on the market, but that can be stressful for both the animals and owners. You wouldn’t send your children away for a couple of months just because things tend to be a little (okay, a lot) messier with them around. So here are a few tips and strategies for keeping your home looking it’s best while your pets are in the home.

General Preparation

  • Have someone that is NOT a pet owner, and that is willing to be completely objective and honest with you, tour your home and point out smells they notice (you might be immune to them at this point and simply not notice).
  • Commonsense: CLEAN! Professionally clean all carpets and use special cleaners (or professional ozone specialists) for areas where pets have repeatedly urinated. One product I have personally used for removing cat urine stains (to great results) is Odorxit. You can also search sites like Yelp and Angie’s List to find reliable move-out cleaning companies in your neighborhood. And finally, look for discounts on sites like Youswoop, Groupon, and LivingSocial.
I would highly recommend changing your litter box to a “hidden” or disposable option. Here are a few choices:planter litter boxGood Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box
cabinet litter boxMerry Products Cat Washroom-Night Stand & Pet House in White
disposable litter boxCats Desire Disposable Litter Boxes

trash can litter box

Mox Litter Tower

Day of Showings

  • Vacuum all rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture and sweep and dry swiffer all hard surfaces like wood floors and tile
  • Clean out (or throw away) litter boxes and remove the trash from your home. Make sure you completely change the litter the morning of the showing and not just scoop it out.
  • Pick up and put away, out of sight, all toys, leashes, and food dishes.
  • If you are able, take dogs with you out of the home during the showing. If that is not a possibility try to place them in doggy day care or with family/friends that are familiar with your pet and that your pet is comfortable with. If pets must remain in the home place the animals in carriers or cages with notes not to disturb. This is for the safety of your pets and to ease the comfort of those that might be timid around animals.
  • Never use scented air fresheners or candles to try and cover odors as they can be bothersome to people with allergies.

Post written by Taryn Lund of Chicago ReDesign

4 Neutral Paint Colors for Staging Your Home by Taryn Lund

Home Staging is the art of depersonalizing your home, and highlighting its best features to make it appealing to the broadest range of potential buyers. So it makes sense that in order to depersonalize, you’ll need to neutralize. According to benjaminmoore.com “The colors potential buyers see when they enter your home should be neutral so that the buyers will not be distracted by someone else’s style. They should see the walls of your home as a blank canvas on which to project their own preferences and style.”

Benjamin Moore colors to consider for neutralizing and refreshing your property:

  • HC-172 Revere Pewter  – an incredibly versatile neutral that looks great everywhere and pleases both contemporary and traditional tastes
  • HC-81 Manchester Tan  – Looks like linen; complement this light neutral with chocolate browns and pops of white and blue
  • HC-26 Monroe Bisque  – A creamy ecru shade with hints of brown that looks great with today’s go-to neutral, gray
  • 1037 Muslin – Use this in bathrooms or kitchens to coordinate with and diminish pinky-beige countertops and tile

staging colors

Some additional paint tips:

  • A low-sheen product will help reduce the imperfections on walls and ceilings.
  • To create the illusion of higher walls, paint the moldings the same color as the wall
  • It might seem counter-intuitive, but white does NOT make a good neutral – without very bright sunlight, white will always feel cold and gray because of shadowing.
  • Add color back into your home with accessories like rugs, throw pillows, curtains, and decorative items. Create a bold yet simplified palette (like turquoise and red or coral and gold) and repeat it throughout the house. The color repetition will catch potential buyer’s eye and will ensure they remember the property after the showing.

Post written by Taryn Lund of Chicago ReDesign