Ana's Blog

Unrealistic Staging Expectations....Take a hike, I'm over it!

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:31:54 -0700

I am going to now be less than nice or maybe even downright rude but I need to say it. It seems that homeowners get what so many Realtors and flippers don't and that is the fact that staging is an investment. It's not an expense that will never be recouped or money that gets the flush like government spending. It is an integral part of marketing property....like it or not. You can define staging any way you want but in the end it isa marketing investment with a ROI.

Noun

the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income or appreciation in value.

The majority of my clients are homewowners who understand that in today's market you must invest to sell because condition and presentation are second only to correct pricing. They get it and their agents don't. As with all investments, there are varying levels of what anyone thinks is worth the risk but in staging there really is not a risk as statistics bear over and over as related to sale price and days on the market.... unless you have a total incompetent as a stager and an agent. Do your homework on both.

Now here is where unrealistic expectations come in. There are those who expect to effectively stage something for nothing. I make every effort to be fairly priced and budget concious for clients. I have to be in order to get business. However, you cannot effectively stage a 3000+ square foot property for the same price as a 1500 square foot property. What you will get, even with a good stager, is an incomplete picture. I don't care what you say that is a fact. The only way this does not happen is if a stager is in to losing money and has no clue about running a successful business. Bottom line is we are a business and the end game is profit and I won't apologize for it.

There is a huge graveyard of stagers who have gone out of business in my neck of the woods. I compete with do it for nothing types a lot who are still limping along and unfortunately I have been dragged down to that level more than once just because I hate turning away potential business down the road. Big mistake!

I do have pride. I don't want my work to present poorly. Yes I love what I do but bottom line....I'm not into dipping into my own pocket for every job in the hopes of gaining future business. It doesn't work and only makes me look bad as a stager if I am putting together an incomplete portrait. If you can get a stager to stage your 4000 square foot listing for $2500 HAVE AT IT! I don't need it...go back to watching HGTV and don't call me because I want to work with serious clients who are not into wasting time and money.

I admit it! I am no good at working with nothing. I can shoestring with the best of them but I can't and won't do all the extra you want for the next to nothing price. Do agents work on cut commission all the time? Do flippers like to pay more for a property than it's worth? I think not.

There, now I feel better. I am sure this blog will either get crickets or I will get ripped either way...whatever!

Sincerely yours,

Ana

Ana Hitzel is the owner of AccentPositives Home Staging. Starting in June, you can catch her Fridays 11AM hosting Your Place, Your Space, Home and Garden Radio on KNOC 1680 AM and BeachCiteradio.com. You can also catch her as a regular guest on Politics Today with Jeff & Friends every Thursday. If you are a Stager, Lender, Appraiser, Home Inspector or other Real Estate professional and interested in guesting on the radio and sharing your expertise while advertising your services contact her. KNOC broadcasts to Orange County, the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations and services on site and on line. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951-833-8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com or visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com

Better Living Through “Staging Tricks and Deceptive Design.”

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:22:39 -0700

When I originally posted this blog on Trulia. I was on a rant and did not mention that much of the bold face was tongue in cheek in response to a horrible blog posted by a "real estate agent".

That blog (and no I will not link to it) painted a silly and uninformed picture of what staging is and it's value. Full of myths like stagers use "tiny furniture" and try to trick buyers with a paint job. Because a few of my blog buddies told me they didn't get it and I should clarify here it is again so now you know!

Better Living Through “Staging Tricks and Deceptive Design.”

The days of the “Mc Mansion” are on the wane. The current housing trend is toward smaller multi-functional rooms and greener living. Small spaces can present a design challenge if you want to make do with less but not sacrifice comfort and style. Here are some “tricks and deceptive techniques” that I recommend to all my sellers and redesign clients.

“Tricking” the eye with freshly painted walls is highly recommended. It’s great for “camouflaging” and “covering up” faded and worn looking areas and eliminating stale odors that date a space.

Color is a major player in setting the stage in small spaces. Variations of one color or colors in the same family can expand an area and create freshness or warmth and interest. Tone on tone fabrics and upholstery that coordinate with wall color visually expand a space. Paint is one of the most inexpensive and effective ways to make a space more livable but if painting is not an option, accessories, slip covers and simple window treatments that are a variation of the current wall color will help.

Whether trying to open up a current space or moving to a smaller space, you needn’t run out to the “TINY” furniture store and buy new furniture.

Starting with a review of how you live is essential. Do you entertain a lot? Who uses or will use the space the most at any one time? By doing this you have the starting point for a floor plan that best suits your needs. The flow should allow you to walk about the room freely. Avoid mashing everything along the walls. It’s always best to have dead space behind rather than in front of your arrangements whenever possible. In combination rooms (i.e. grate rooms, living and dining combos), furniture placement will define the purpose of each section.

Less, not smaller, can be more.

By using pieces that are of appropriate scale and serve more than one function, you can achieve a more spacious look. Ottomans are great as they can be used for storage, a coffee table and extra seating. Instead of a love seats which many use as space saving, try a lower profile sofa or a couple of club chairs; roomier seating that does not wall off an entire area visually. One or two clean lined larger pieces anchor a room and also convey a feeling of spaciousness. Remember too many things floating around a small room can make it seem cramped and cluttered. “Tiny” furniture fits in this category.

Finally, proper lighting and the use of mirrors can also help in making a space feel more open. Mirrors reflect light and brightness. Don’t go crazy or you will have a fun house effect but place them where you would a piece of art and make sure they are always reflecting something beautiful or of interest like an outdoor view or a pretty light fixture. Heavy window treatments are depressing and dated. Lighter and flowing fabrics or sleek roman shades and blinds not only expand a room visually they create interest and can define a room as casual or sophisticated or both!

If you follow these simple and inexpensive “deceptions” when selling or considering what could be while looking at a potential living space, you can’t go wrong!

Sincerely Yours,

Ana

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations and services on site and on line. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

Your Place, Your Space...Home and Garden Radio

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:36:13 -0700

Starting June 1, 2012 you can catch Your Place, Your Space Home and Garden Radio on KNOC 1680 A.M. and beachcitiesradio.com.

Tune in every Friday at 11 A.M. for great tips and information on everything Home and Garden related from Landscaping, Interior Design trends and Home Improvement to the latest news on Real Estate sales and trends in Home Mortgages and Home Staging.

KNOC, KSGV and KCLA broadcasts on 1680 on the dial to Orange county, the San Gabriel Valley and LA and also live streams on the internet and archives podcasts. You may also use the TUNEIN app on your smartphone.

It's my goal to give exposure to small Real Estate related businesses on our show. There are so many talented Stagers, Realtors, Home Inspectors, Photographers, Appraisers, Landscapers and Mortgage professonals here on AR that it is a gold mine for Consumers and Homeowners.

If you are a real estate professional interested in Radio exposure and affordable and effective radio advertising please email me at yourplacehomeandgarden@yahoo.om.

Your Listing Should Never Be the "Before" Shot

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:43:05 -0800

The before shots in this set of photos were being used on line to market this property by the previous listing agents. Is it such a surprise that this beautiful, spacious condo with great views and in a prime location sat lonely and unwanted?

As a listing agent or homeowner which photos would you like the world to see? As a buyer, would you be more inclined to consider the before or the after? It is not necessary to furnish every room or spend in the upper thousands to get your point across. A little paint and defined spaces are all you need to get the ball rolling.

Don't let your listing be that "Before" shot.

This property now listed by:

Tom Bashe, Broker - SCA Real Estate

27710 Jefferson Avenue Suite 102 Temecula, CA 92591

(951) 225-3030 - Office (951) 491-5052 - Mobile (951) 253-9077 - Fax

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations and services on site and on line. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com

Food for thought....home staging pretzels or cookies?

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:45:49 -0800

Pretzel (German: Brezel) a type of food made from baked dough in soft and hard varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like shape.

Cookie (ko̵ok′ē)

1. a small, sweet cake, variously shaped, filled, etc., but usually flat and either crisp or chewy.

Your house a pretzel or a cookie? Which sounds more interesting?

Consider this when placing a home on the market. How will your listing stand out in a crowd? Will it be just a run of the mill cookie with the same old cluttered décor and tired or outdated color scheme? Or will it grab a buyer’s attention with crisp, clean, clear and attractive pictures on the internet? Will it be cozy, spacious and inviting in person?

The same applies to choosing an agent or a stager. Do both use the same old recipe to market their listings or stage each home? Do they turn the oven to the same temperature always and walk away until the buzzer goes off? How long has your listing been in the oven?

It may be time to change recipes. Start the New Year off with a staging consultaton that will get you on the right track.

A Politically Incorrect Christmas Wish

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:36:48 -0800

Although I don't share the same religious belief as those who celebrate Christmas, I don't really get why people become offended by Christmas greetings and decorations. Every year there are stories of cities and towns being forced to remove wording and decorations from stores and displays. What's all the fuss about? Walk on by....try smiling and being glad people are in a good mood! People tend to perform random acts of kindness not otherwise forthcoming during the rest of the year. Relax, take it in!

For everyone here in the U.S. Christian and non Christian, this time of year can be special if we look past the symbols and reach for the greater meaning. It can be a time of reflection, a time of gratitude and a time of anticipation, especially for kids. Little things tend to mean a lot. Even if you don’t celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus or prepare for a visit from Santa, the air is somehow changed. I know I get pretty jazzed just finding a parking space within 5 miles of my favorite store!

This time of year brings out the best in some and the worst in others. I often wonder why that is. I mean why are people more generous this time of year instead of throughout the entire year? Why are some willing to injure others trying to get to that sale item first or that parking space that just opened up? Maybe it’s because even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, this time of year can be a symbol of renewal and hope for better things to come. To a few it could be the last chance to make the entire year’s trials matter or make sense which leads to crazy stress.

In our home we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukah this time of year. The “purists” say this is wrong and confusing to the children. How could this be? Technicalities aside, both celebrate a rebirth or renewal of faith and hope, a great message for anyone “believer or non believer”.

Although the stories are very different, they are the same, at least they are to me. The message is an important one. The message is that love, faith and hope are constants, not yearly events. Live your lives well and respect all others. No man is perfect and each is capable of learning and starting again each and every day. This is the message I hope my children can understand better as they mature and this is the message I pray finds all of us everywhere no matter what our faith and differences in our belief or non belief.

So in a very politically incorrect and hopefully offensive way… I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and blessed New Year!

Shine the Light

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:36:26 -0800

Lighting Your Home Inside and Out

Now that the clock has turned back and darkness sets in early, it may be time to assess your home lighting situation indoors and out. Good lighting can add cheer and a sense of security to your home whether you are selling or staying put. This is one of the most overlooked areas by sellers. Good lighting is one of the single most important aspects of effectively showing a property. During home staging consultations I often see homes with rooms having little to no lighting and burned out or dated outdoor fixtures. So lets look at the good stuff for staging or just everyday living...

Exterior lights welcome visitors and provide a sense of safety and security while flattering a home's best features be it landscape or a substantial front door or entry. Well placed fixtures that are of the proper scale are like jewelry. They can really make a home shine, literally. Bright porch and garage sidelights can be combined with inexpensive and energy efficient solar path lights that guide people to your cheery door.

Indoors and out, layered lighting is the way to go and is easy to set up even if outlets are not available. When we say "layered lighting" this means using various fixtures and brightness levels to effectively light an area. Inside, combining lamps, overhead can or ceiling lighting with softer "mood" lighting gives a room interest and impressions of bright and fresh to warm and inviting.

Interior lighting can enhance wall and furniture colors or ruin them. It is so important to brighten your spaces. Dark corners and dimly lit rooms are depressing and can bring down and age a home. Single over head lights or ceiling fan lights are harsh and unflattering and just don't get the job done. Main living areas and bedrooms should always have two 2 to 3 lamps depending on the size of the rooms and other lighting available such as overhead or can lighting. In large rooms set up lighting in a triangle so there are no dark corners or unlit areas.

Bathrooms, Kitchens, and laundry rooms should be very bright areas. These can look dingy and don't feel clean even if they are.

Make sure your fixtures in these areas are equipped with the highest watt bulb the fixture will safely allow.

Same rule for garages. Dimly lit garages are scary and dark. When showing your home for sale, remember to check for burned out bulbs, inside and out.

Today, wireless lights and wireless light systems are a growing trend. There are products to fit every budget from simple battery operated switches that you can place where needed to operate a lamp to elaborate systems that not only enable flexible placement but are very energy efficient as well. It's worth your time to check out what is going on in the wireless lighting world.

Have fun with it, experiment and see what makes you feel best, chances are it is what will give potential buyers a good impression also. Even if you are not selling, these tips will make your home more comfortable for you!

Staging For Less Is More

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:17:27 -0800

The staging materials allowance for this 1300 square foot condo was around $800 that includes the paint.

We added lighting, a ceiling fan, cabinet hardware in bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room and also changed sink fixtures and painted every room. No fuss low cost window treatments cover dated but expensive to replace verticle blinds.

We reused or repurposed many existing pieces such as the old and dated dining room table. Getting creative in the money saving department is a must in today's market so every penny saved is a penny earned for a client.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations on site and on line. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

Winterize Your Interior Design

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:27:12 -0700

Fall is in full swing and winter is on its way. We here in California are more fortunate than other parts of the country when it comes to climate this time of year. While most don’t think of winter design themes other than holiday décor, there are ways to bring the nicer parts of winter into you interiors and get that refreshed look that complements the season.

Adding splashes of white to your decorating is the obvious and easy way to give your home a neutral base you can work with. However, bringing the outdoors in will really make an impact and cheer you up during the blah cloudy days of winter. Make the inside of your retreats more like a snowy day with clear bright skies. This can be done with accessories, good lighting and the addition of indoor plants that can thrive in your home if cared for properly. Here are a few suggestions.

Potted Gardenias make great house plants and bloom year after year. They bring that splash of dazzling white to your interiors and the bonus of great fresh smells. Place them where they will get full sun during the day and water them regularly two to three times a week. Put them in decorative containers that fit your décor in colors like darker greens and steely blues and grays that say winter…but in a good way!

Potted Lavender is another great choice. Its silvery grey leaves and dark blue or pink blooms bring color and a pleasant scent to any room. It also has the added bonus of being an herb that has many uses. Keep it in bright sunny spots all day or in well lit bright rooms like a kitchen or sunroom. They don’t need much water so keep them mostly dry and water when the top inch of dirt feels dry.

Begonias come in many colors. Their foliage is rich looking and beautiful when the plant is not blooming, which is not often. They adjust to the lower light levels of winter very well and will bloom throughout the winter.

Topiaries, not often thought of as indoor displays, can make great house plants that infuse winter color and scents to your living spaces. You can prune them into interesting shapes if you are the artistic type! They are also a great way to bring height and interest to a room. Some bloom and they blend well with most color pallets.

As with any house plant, make sure all your containers drain well so you don’t end up with unwanted bugs or rotted roots. Pick off dead leaves or blooms to keep them all growing healthy and looking fresh.

Winter doesn’t need to be dull and gray. Fresh white and greens can be cheery and cozy too! For more tips and information visit our blog at www.accentingspaces.com or visit us on face book/AccentPositives.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging and Redesign consultations on site and on-line. We are located in Corona and serve the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529 or email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com or www.accentingspaces.com.

Good Grief...I'm Toast!

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:15:34 -0700

Aaahh…fall is upon us; crisp cool nights, sunny bright days and darkness descending at 5 P.M. Who doesn’t like this time of year? The promise of holiday fun is just around the corner. First stop Halloween. Spooks, gouls, candy…..and hideous decorations!

Yes, the holiday season brings out many things in many people; good cheer, generosity, a tad more food and adult beverage consumption and yes…the need to express latent decorating and design passions. People morph in to Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor. You all know what I’m talking about right? Every year I marvel at the money, energy and passion poured into the fine art of holiday décor, especially Holloween, or The Great Pumpkin night as we call it around our house.

Look it, I’m no witch but people come on! You make it almost impossible for me to do my job during this time of year. I am the fun police. As soon as I say “tone it down and pack some of it up” I’m toast! That’s right toast! I am no longer the professional Stager come to save the day….I’m “Ana the WITCH”!

Less is more, less is more.....LESS IS MORE! How many ways must I say it…drat. Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online. We are located in Corona and serve the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

Anthony Bourdain…making me mount the soapbox on "courage"?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:12:48 -0700

I have always been a huge fan but lately I am thinking maybe Anthony Bourdain should be required viewing. Yes…he’s sarcasm on overdrive…yes he can seem crude to the over sensitive type… and yes he seems skeptical of all that is “sacred“… but the one thing he is not is a waste of time or another stupid uninformed celebrity using his reach to preach his views on what we should or should not believe. His program more often than not is the messenger of good, interesting and thought provoking information when it comes to viewing other cultures. It’s not all about the food.

In this week’s installment of No Reservations you could possibly walk away with a lesson or reminder of what we as Americans as a whole seem to have forgotten. It was a look at Kurdistan, the semi autonomous region of Northern Iraq. A region and people who have long fought and suffered to retain their identity as a people and live freely.

In one segment over a feast spread out before Bourdain, the subject of politics was discussed. Aside from the stated fact the consensus of Kurds is they are grateful the U.S. took down Saddam, the stand out statement of this discussion was one made along these lines…everyone in Kurdistan is involved in politics “because they know what they spent to get this freedom.”

Now ascending my soapbox…..

In my opinion we as Americans have no notion of what that means any longer. I go crazy when I hear some lame person, politician or celebrity declare they have the “courage” to speak up against whatever it is they are speaking up about. Really? What’s courageous about saying whatever you want in a society that was founded on the right of free speech to begin with. Is someone going to show up at their home in the middle of the night and drag them away or kill them?

The courageous are those who fought and died (and still fight and die) to give even the stupid and ill informed the right to do it. Ask the Kurds about sacrifice and courage. When Saddam was committing his mass murders and gassings of the Kurdish people, where were these brave “courageous” types. Were they in Kurdistan speaking up? No wait… here at home “courageously” fighting for the right to line their own pockets.

Over the generations, Americans have sacrificed good men and women to spread the gift of freedom to others and preserve our own freedom. A gift many take for granted each and every day. We in our apathy re-elect the same scum over and over and then complain…complain…complain……Many Americans can tell you what happened on American Idol and what Charlie Sheen just said but they don’t know who their own congressman and senators are. America GET A GRIP! Look at who you have accepted as your “representatives” Maxine Waters? just sayin…

Descending my soapbox now. Ahhh, I feel much better, can’t wait for next weeks episode!

Does the house come with the TV?

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:49:04 -0700

DOES THE HOUSE COME WITH THE TV?

I first posted this blog about a year and a half ago but it is always a relavent topic when preparing a home for sale. Televisons seem to be getting bigger and bigger each year. The bigger TVs have become so affordable to most that they are common place. They have gotten so big that Tim "the tool man" Taylor would grunt his approval!

Today the average American home has more TVs than people. Over half of all homes have at least 3 or more sets. Even in homes of families considered below the poverty line, televisions are plentiful.

Big screen, flat screen, everywhere a screen screen. Those dang outlets are everywhere and such an eyesore when trying to present a property for sale. Not to mention the sets themselves.

Not everyone who buys a set takes into consideration how it looks and where it will look and fit best. They wing it and many times end up with something too large for the space or too awkwardly shaped to fit against the wall leaving an eyesore of exposed cables and wires. Poor choices are often made when it comes to the size and placement of furniture used to house the TV or set it on.

TVs are even being substituted for or presented as art. I guess that's ok, I am not really of that mind but they certainly are more stylish than they used to be.

You will see them over fireplaces like this. Many times they are placed too high, a common mistake made with art pieces also. You need to crane your neck to view the screen. I am not a fan of this placement, as in this photo, I think it takes away from the lovely fireplace.

I think the TV would look nicer in the big empty hole to the left. If a TV is to be wall mounted, mount it as art at eye level. As a seller, I would want to have the prospective buyer notice the beautiful stonework that stays with the house, not the cool TV.

How many homes have you been in where the very first thing you see is the TV? The picture below is a good example of how a large TV can really cut into small spaces if not placed in a more open location suited to its size. This home has beautiful wood floors and a great view to the outdoors but as soon as the front door is opened and you step inside... boom! There it is!

Funny how house hunters can be put off by this but have the same going on in their own homes most likely. I always tell sellers to pack em up, all but one. The horrified expressions are mind boggling. It's like you may have told someone to pack grandma off to the old folks home. TVs in bedrooms and bathrooms detract and are huge dust collectors.

Buyers do like to be able to visualize where their set or sets will go though. If the spot where the set sits is awkward and cumbersome, consider moving the outlet to an area that makes more sense. Builders choices and prior owners choices don't always make sense. Moving an outlet is not a huge cost.

The local cable company charges $19.95 to move an outlet to another wall or room and will put it on the regular cable bill. A small price to pay for better flow and function. The whole look and balance of a room could change on simply moving one outlet. this applys to lighting as well.

Many times it is hard to talk a client into these small but effective changes but it is worth the effort and result. As a seller, you don't want the buyer wondering if the house or your TVs are for sale!

Fish or cut bait...Stage it or not.

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:56:54 -0700

Verb

fish or cut bait

(idiomatic) To choose between taking action now, or forgoing the opportunity and putting that energy into another endeavor; to decide.
It's time to fish or cut bait: either we buy this house now, or we must start looking for another one.

[edit] Synonyms

fish or get off the pot (merged to avoid the vulgar word)

Do you want to hook a big fish or not? Does your listing say not? Which says not and which is bait?

Does this really look like bait? Seriously, why would you even think of marketing with this photo?

Just Sayin....

Sellers and Agents, if your listing is not moving or getting offers, re-examine what type of bait you are throwing to buyers. A staging consultation may point out the obvious if you are not able to see it. A professional Stager specializes in pointing out the obvious and the not so obvious. We can be the difference between you hooking the big fish or just chumming for scraps.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging and Redesign Consultations on site and online. We are located in Corona and serve the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.

Chandeliers...the superstar of light.

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:10:45 -0700

You may know me as a confessed lampaholic but lately I have been on a chandelier kick. In staging we always talk about how important lighting is when presenting a home for sale and how it’s just plain important for everyday living. Lighting is the one feature of a home that can lift it up or bring it down.

Nothing says luxury more. Chandeliers are not just for dining rooms and entry ways. Modern, contemporary or traditional, they're a fixture that impacts a room. Today's design trends include them in places like master baths or master bedrooms. Think of hanging a mini chandelier in little side sitting areas or reading rooms. You can really snaz up a boring apartment bedroom by switching out the existing fixture, go on...you can always take it with you when you leave.

You can find chandeliers that look great at very affordable prices….no excuses. If you are wanting to update your current fixture and if the proportions are right for the room, you can easily change the look by painting and adding, changing or removing shades and sconce covers.

Take in to consideration the finishes going on in the room and choose accordingly. You don’t need to match exactly…difference and mild contrast is interesting. Many homes have combined living room and dining room areas so the lighting finishes should compliment not clash.

Frame them properly. This means correct proportions are a must. In a foyer you can figure what size you need by the dimensions of the space; add the width and length of the area. This will give you the diameter of the fixture to choose. If you have a tall or transom foyer make sure the light is hung centered and visible through the window. Don’t go squat, if the space is tall and open the fixture should have some height also.

In closed in dining areas, a well placed mirror will reflect the beauty and light of your superstar. The fixture should be about half the width of the table hanging 30 to 36 inches above depending on how tall the ceilings are. You don’t want to hang it so low that it’s in the way of your beautiful candelabra or table accessories, or as I have seen way too often, you almost can’t see the person on the other side of the table …it drives me crazy! If your electrician or handy man is arguing with you about this hand him the phone... have him call me please!

I came across this link where you will find more great tips and information about installation of chandeliers and style. Happy hanging!

Top Ten Customer Complaints...How do you rate?

Sat, 14 May 2011 20:17:57 -0700

Do you think about the things customers may say about your business and the service you provide?

10. Unable to make a problem solving decision quickly

9. Not understanding the problem

8. Dishonesty

7. Over promising and under delivering

6. No website

5. Lack of concern

4. Lack of follow up

3. Lack of product/service knowledge

2. Slow response time

And the number one customer service complaint is......

1. NEVER ANSWERING THE PHONE!!!!!!

All of these complaints I compiled by asking friends, colleagues and peers what their biggies were when it came to customer service and the lack of it and how they choose who to do business with.

What sets you apart from your competitors? Price is not the biggest consideration for as many customers or potential customers as you might think. Why do high end restaurants succeed, why do personal service businesses succeed? If people did not want to pay for good service, certain industries would never exist. People pay for expertise, convenience and SERVICE.