She was cowering under the bed, unable to move her back legs...

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Three years ago this month, I came home after work one Saturday afternoon to find my dog, Hermione, cowering under my daughter's bed whimpering and unable to move her back legs. 

That night, after the vet pinched and squeezed the little Corgi toes on her back feet with a pliers--and got no response from her--we were told by the doctor that she would never be able to walk again, she would most likely be incontinent, and unless we invested around $10,000 in surgery and therapy (that may or may not successfully return her ability to walk and function normally), the best course of action was to put her down. 

I have learned a lot about imperfection in the years since, and the pain and struggle we cause ourselves when we work so hard to create perfection--perfection that is, after all, unattainable.

Two of my greatest teachers have been Hermione (who MADE A MIRACULOUS And COMPLETE RECOVERY within three months of her spinal injury), and Brene Brown, author of the book The Gifts of Imperfection.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Brown: 

“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: 'If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.'

Perfectionism is defeating and self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception – we want to be perceived as perfect. Again, this is unattainable – there is no way to control perception, regardless of how much time and energy we spend trying." (HERE is the wonderful blog post this excerpt is from.)

SO, what does this have to do with our houses and how we live in them, you may be asking?? 

I see a lot of striving for perfection in our struggles with our homes. Back in 2013, I really saw this for what it was and how it was holding so many of us back. Take a look at the blog post I wrote in response, and see more pictures of Hermione in her adorable cart (which is thankfully now collecting dust in the garage).

Yes, it was really a tornado...

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If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may remember this room from way back in the day....:)

It was featured in Philly Mag's article about my long-time clients' home back in 2014. (You can see that here.)

Ironically, my blog post about that article was entitled "Lightening Strikes Again" but it would be a TORNADO (yes, literally a tornado) a year later that would be the cause of this room's next reincarnation...

In June of 2015 an amazing sudden summer storm hit our area (you may remember it) with violent winds, rain, and tornados.  In the aftermath, my clients found, on top of losing 30 or so trees on their property overall, one had actually struck their home, piercing the roof in their great room. 

The great room was the very last room in their house that we hadn't done a complete overhaul in. Sure, we had tweaked it, purchased a few pieces of furniture, reworked the layout, but the colors and design were much the same as they had been for decades. 

Since things needed to be repaired and painted already, it was decided to jump in with both feet and totally rethink the room, change almost everything, and add architectural details that seemed to be missing in the original design from the 1980's. 

Here's what the space looks like now: 

So, if you look closely you will see that not only has the color palette, rugs, and furnishings changed, but some very important architectural interest was added. For instance, in the photo above you can see that a new, more elegant post has been added, visually connecting the downstairs with the loft above. Also, three beaded beams have been added across the vaulted ceiling, as well as a large chandelier, giving warmth, light and visual heft to the peak and upper corners of the room.

The fireplace was given a total facelift as well. New original artwork, which had inspired the palette for the space, is now highlighted inside a custom panel over a beautiful new mantel and fireplace surround. 

Even though this project started with something quite unexpected and scary, my clients tell me that the results are something that they just love and enjoy whether at home just the two of them, or entertaining extended family and friends. 

So wonderful!

Quirky Yet Irresistable :)

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As you know, I love old homes...the quirkier the better!

However, in real estate circles, quirky homes are NOT known to be easy to sell . As a matter of fact, a funky old home can be seen as a liability. Vintage abodes with unusual spaces and yesteryear charm can sit on the market for months waiting for a person with an imagination to come along. And during those long, frustrating months, the seller may be dropping their price hoping someone will bite. 

How awful. 

SO, I was thrilled earlier this summer when my good friend Michael Eagle, a go-getter of a realtor, contacted me to help his clients as they prepared to put their historic twin on the market. 

I was told from the start, both by Mike and his clients, that this house was quirky--and all involved knew that I do quirky! (I LIVE in quirky! I hail from quirky!) So, employing all of my quirks (yes, there are many), it was my job to help the homeowners highlight all of the beautiful features of this house so that it would no longer present simply as "quirky," but rather as a unique, one-of-a-kind opportunity to live in a piece of history. 

YES! 

The house had a lot going for it, such as newly renovated bathrooms and kitchen, so it was really about editing down the rooms for a clean, simple presentation, highlighting existing square footage, and brightening the spaces so that all it had to offer would be impossible to overlook. 

All that hard work paid off. The house sold in less than two weeks for the price they had been hoping for. 

So, are you considering putting your house on the market in the near future? If you are thinking of listing your home, what are the mistakes to avoid (whether your house is quirky or not) that could potentially cost you thousands of dollars when you go to sell? 

Hmmmmm….let's expose these stinkers, and make you some money:

Mistake #1. Relying on your buyer to have an imagination. Buyers typically reach for their checkbook when they see what they have been looking for clearly in front of them.  The spaces have to be clearly and nicely laid out so that is super simple to see exactly how the rooms can be used. For example, your house has an in-law suite, but currently that space houses your workout equipment.  Even if your listing states it has an in-law suite (something your buyer wants), if it isn't set up so they can SEE that it does, they will walk right on through disappointed…and NOT make an offer. I'm not even kidding. You can see an example of this here. 

Mistake #2. Living as you always have in the house. Once you have decided to sell your house, the best mindset to have is that it is no longer yours. Personal touches and taste-specific decor are not your friends at this time, because as we have already established, your buyer is not exceptionally imaginative. They won't be able to picture themselves and their belongings in the house if all of your leopard print fabric and velvet Elvis paintings are screaming at them, drawing their attention away from how they would live in the house, and from what you want--for them to BUY. 

Mistake #3. Living as you always have in the house. YES I KNOW I SAID THAT BEFORE, but, this is pertaining to the STUFF of daily life…like dings and clutter and dust. Very few of us live in houses that are "q-tip clean" with paint in perfect condition, and rooms perfectly picked up day-in and day-out. Did I mention that your buyer doesn't have an imagination? I think I did. And seeing past chipped paint, dirt in corners, and crap on counters is therefore not their strong suit. 

So, make it clean, clutter-free, and obvious to all who enter that your house is the best house on the block…and watch it fly off the "shelves" at an awesome, profitable price. 

Editing. It's Important.

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I couldn't believe it when I saw this at HomeGoods yesterday. Definitely a sign that this little post I had been thinking of writing indeed wanted to be written... :)

When I write, I ofen....I mean often spend as much time rewriting --making sure things are correct (ahem), removing the unnecessary bits, clarifying the voice behind the words--as I have spent writing the draft in the first place. 

When I am working on a room, either in my house or yours, the same process is needed. 

Move the couch. 

Step back and look. 

Move the couch another 3 inches.

Step back and look. 

Remove the pillows. Try the other pillows.

Step back again...

Powerful writing is concise and to the point. It employs the most descriptive, delectable words to bring thoughts and images to life. A dining room, kitchen or master bedroom can have the same powerful impact when the elements in it are carefully curated and lovingly placed in just the right way to say just what you hoped it always would. This effect only happens with purposeful, insightful editing. 

A room that has brought joy to you in the past but now falls a little flat just might need a little bit of editing to make it sing once again. So, get in there. Roll up your sleeves. Edit, move, rethink, rework and don't worry about making mistakes. Those missteps just help you to better realize what you don't want so you can turn around and get back on track. Clear out extraneous stuff that has a way of collecting,  bring in something new that is beautiful, or rearrange what is there in a new more pleasing way.  

And you will know when it is right--your heart will swell just a little.

You will want to sit down and spend time in that space that feels like home, that cares for you in the way you always hoped it would.