You are already 80% of the way there...really.

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Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule? 

Even if you haven't, I can tell you that you are most likely already 80% of the way there with many of the rooms in your house. Take a look, and see what I mean. 

That last 20% is huge though--both for getting the highest offers when you go to sell your house, or when you want to get the most enjoyment, peace and beauty out of that place you pay the mortgage on each month. 

In this space-- which we are prepping for my client so that she can put it on the market later this year-- we simply repurposed, restyled, and redesigned mostly what she had on hand. Some custom curtains that could look a bit dated were simplified and rehung, bedding was rounded out with new decorative pillows, new artwork was hung...

With fresh paint, a fresh perspective, and a few added accessories, it is now updated, simplified, beautified and ready to impress. 

Here are a couple of still shots so you can see the "Before and Afters" without having to watch it speed past in the video...lol

So, look around you and see all the possibility! You are already 80% of the way there!

Haven't found the PERFECT thing yet? It's ok...

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Here is this week's little Saturday Morning Inspiration message!

Have you been looking for a LONG time for one thing....the PERFECT thing...so that you can create a room you would enjoy? We sometimes let perfectionism get in the way when we could just accept things that are darn good (since things can't ever truly be perfect), move forward with the space in a meaningful way, finish that darn room, and start really loving our houses. 

Hope this morning's short video gets you thinking in a new way about YOUR house and how you LIVE in it. :)

It is time for some sweeping change around here...

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It is that time of year again! (Even though it sometimes seems lately that Mother Nature doesn't know it yet...)

IT IS SPRING! 

And with all the wacky weather we have had these past few months,  I am willing to bet that most of the time you have spent on your front step or porch lately has been time spent shoveling....ugh and ICK.

It is windy today...ok AND COLD, but I hear it is going to be warm tomorrow, so MAYBE it is time for our annual quick House Whisperer SPRING ASSIGNMENT --- helping you love your house a little more in 15 minutes or less!!!

When the sun comes out tomorrow (just ask Annie, IT WILL), grab your timer, your broom, and your best tune to whistle. I'll meet you outside!

  1. Set Your Timer--Just 15 Minutes: Once the timer starts, grab anything and everything that is still on the front porch that says "winter" (practically a dirty word at this point). No lingering pine cones, dead evergreens, decorations with snowflakes (what were we thinking?!?)--and for goodness sake, grab the snow shovel that is still propped there.  Put all of these things away wherever they go--either in the trash, storage or in your car to donate.
  2. Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!!: Lift up the mat, pull out the porch furniture, get behind the pots... and sweep, sweep, sweep all of those old dead leaves and drab winter grit right out of there! YAY!
  3. Hope You Are Whistling...it is required. :)
  4. Just Before The Timer Goes Off-- straighten chairs, and put things back in place. Be sure to step back and admire your work!

Don't forget the finishing touch-- Stop at your local garden center and treat yourself to a happy little six pack of pansies. Plop them in your planters or in the ground near your front door. They don't mind the cold, and will greet you with cheer and color from now until summer....

Happy Spring, dear friends!!

{VIDEO} No longer a dark, scary basement...

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Do you have a basement that feels dark and foreboding?

Do you long for a bright, airy, fun space to hang out in and entertain? A place for the kids to go play when it is cold and SNOWY (like that ever happens around here...HA!)

Take a look at the room we have been working on....

And, since my camera work is EXCEPTIONAL :), I thought I would also include a few still photos so you can see the room a little better. 

First, here is what this space looked like when we started: 

And here is the room now: 

A bright, happy place for this wonderful family to enjoy for years to come!