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How to Light up Your Life

Many people are choosing LED lights for their homes these days, but many have no clue where to start when shopping for LED bulbs. We’ve got some great resources and tips for you to figure out just how you can light up your life with cool products that are available.

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Proper lighting is essential to create ambiance and enhance online photos. We are consistently asked about what type of bulb to purchase. The way to go these days is definitely LED bulbs. BUT they can be so confusing to shop for when you are unfamiliar with LED terminology such as lumens. Kristie Barnett, the Decorologist, has a helpful guide to wade through the myriad of options in LED lighting and WHY you should replace the bulbs in your home. Read it here. There she delves into the color (temperature) of LED bulbs and she also breaks down the conversion of watts to lumens for the brightness level of a room.

Sufficient lighting can be a huge problem when a home was not built with overhead lighting into rooms. There may be a switch attached to an outlet in the room that you can use to turn on a lamp, but that switch could be inconveniently located. Or better yet, one lamp just may not put out enough light for the entire room. One of our lead stagers, Kim Jones, found a cost effective solution to this problem in her own home. In the video below she demonstrates how you can light up a room with new smart bulb technology even when you don’t have overhead lighting. Take a look:

Say no to dark rooms and turn on the lights! Lighting technology has come a long way in the past five years. There’s so many cool products out there that provide the right light no matter your problem or area. Better lighting can increase your mood and your productivity levels. AND its especially helpful to have sufficient lighting when selling your home!

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

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The countdown to Christmas in on. Are you ready? Do you have all your gifts purchased? We love to shop local if we can BUT with family in other states, sometimes local just isn’t easy if you are a procrastinator like myself. That’s when Amazon comes in super handy. Santa’s elves here at Staged by Design® have created an Amazon gift guide to help you give some great gifts on a tight timeframe.

Jamie Oliver Cutting Board

This cutting board is so versatile. If you read our blog post about Staging Food, you will be able to use this board to present the most amazing snacks/meals when entertaining or simply just family dinner. It is a manageable size for your charcuterie boards or just cutting up those vegetables for a warm winter soup.

WeatherTech Car Coasters

What is the hardest part of your car interior to clean and keep clean? That would be the cup holders for me. These WeatherTech car coasters solves the problem. They fit most manufacturer’s cup holders and can easily be removed for cleaning. Whether is a male, female or new teen driver on your list, this is practical and sure to please.

Made for Living by Amber Lewis

One of the best design books of 2020. Amber’s designs are beautiful yet, literally, made for living. Her book gives you tips and tricks and breaks down her design thought process so that you can become inspired to create the look that feels distinctly yours.

Bluetooth Microphone

Got someone on your list who loves to belt out some good 80s tunes? This bluetooth karaoke microphone would make the best gift. How fun to have this for a family fun night or just to sing Christmas cheer loud enough for all to hear?! I can’t tell you how many songs our staff member, Wendy, could sing with this little gem.

Nest Candles

These candles smell amazing. Enough said. Everyone loves a good candle and Nest provides a warming holiday scent to fill your “nest” with the smells of Christmas.

Leather Wristlet

Such a great versatile bag for every lady on your list. This purse is made of crazy horse leather and comes in a variety of colors. It can be worn as a small crossbody, carried as a wristlet or as a clutch. This is handy to keep in any work bag for that quick trip in the grocery store on your way home.

Fleece Lined Gloves

With the onset of winter, a great gift is always the gift of warmth. These gloves are perfect for those cold mornings scraping the frost off your car windshield and driving to work. They have a warm fleece lining inside to keep your fingers nice and toasty. Plus they feature fingertips that will allow you to still use those smartphones and tablets. Who wouldn’t appreciate?!

Black Rifle Coffee

This coffee company has recently risen to the occasion of providing a great specialty cup of coffee. This American based company is owned and operated by Veterans and support Veterans, first responders and law enforcement officers. With every purchase they give back. They even have a coffee subscription on their company website so you can enjoy it all year long without thinking about replenishing your stash.

Echo Show 8

Alexa - show me a great gift idea. Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is a great for the techy person on your list or even the not-so-techy. The Echo Show helps you manage your day in one place. It allows you to video message, control your smart home features such as ring doorbells and smart thermostats, entertain you with music and tv and give you information such as the weather forecast for the day. It’s an all in one command center.

Throw Blanket

This incredibly soft microfiber throw blanket is perfect for snuggling up on the couch with a fire and your favorite movie. If you have someone on your list who is hard to buy for, this blanket is the perfect solution. Comes in a variety of colors but we love the neutral taupe. :)

Letter Cork Holder

Do you have a wine enthusiast on your list? Did someone you know get that amazing Costco wine advent box this year? This fun decorative cork holder makes a unique gift for that individual. Made of durable metal and can be hung on the wall near that butlers pantry or bar setup.

We hope our suggestions help you fulfill all those last minute gifts on your list. All of us here at Staged by Design® wish you a very happy holiday season. We wish you JOY, peace and hope this new year.

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

10 Grandmillennial Amazon Finds That Don't Scream Grandma

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Grandmillenial.  Granny–chic.  Whatever you call it, it’s a whole new style emerging on the scene.  One that may take you back to your childhood if you are a child of the 80’s.  But ironically it’s the millennial crowd jumping on board to Grandma’s style of cozy comfort.

On a recent trip to Grandma’s house, I was taken back to my childhood when I noticed many things had not changed or been updated.  One look at my grandmother’s china, proudly displayed in the china cabinet, caused me to reflect on the current design trends sweeping our country.  Like it or not – it’s the latest and greatest décor trend you will see in every decorating magazine and trending Instagram accounts.

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Do you remember the Laura Ashley floral comforters or the Jessica McClintock dresses? Yep, had one of each. Or maybe you can recall the infamous wicker peacock chairs? Just pull out a school dance or graduation picture from the 80’s and you’ll probably see it. And let’s also not forget the ginger jars or other chinoiserie piece that you probably broke as a kid at some point. All of these make up the components in this latest craze of granny chic.

Being in the staging business we can’t really fall head over heels into one style, but we can incorporate pieces from different styles.  This style is VERY taste specific so you won’t see it in a lot of home staging projects but there’s always room to mingle accessories into transitional styles.

And like most of you, maybe you don’t want to commit to this style, but it might be fun to use subtle pieces around the house to remind you of where you came from.  We went to Amazon to find some great pieces to incorporate in any style you may have in your home. Each gives just a nod to this decor trend but none of them scream grandma.

Which ones give you fond memories?

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  1. Wood Bead Chandelier
    2. Chinoiserie Spheres

    3. Cheeky Cross Stitch Pillow
    4. Gold Leaf Mirror
    5. Ruffled Pillow Shams
    6. Rattan Chair
    7. Floral Duvet Cover
    8. Floral Wall Art
    9a. Banana Leaf Hamper Basket
    9b. Banana Leaf Storage Basket
    10. Chinoiserie Table Lamp

Whether “granny chic” is your style or not, we can help with your personal style in any redesign project. Book online today and let us shine a spotlight on your home!

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided


The Resurgence of Art Deco

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Let’s hear it for the roaring 20’s. 2020 that is. There is a resurgence of the Art Deco design and it’s roaring back in interior design with fresh, organic materials. Art Deco is all about making a big statement. From its bold patterns and shapely furniture to its luxurious fabrics and glamorous feel, Art Deco makes an impression. It’s only appropriate 2020 would trend toward this style with the way it roared in with a global pandemic. Everything good comes back around and so it is true with Art Deco.

Art Deco style first came onto the scene in the 1920s and lasted well into the 1940s. It’s characterized by it’s extensive use of symmetry and geometry in its design (and who said you would never use geometry in real life?!). It is full of exuberant geometric shapes, pops of bold colors, shapely furniture, luxurious fabrics and glamorous lighting. You don’t have to go full on Great Gatsby to incorporate Art Deco into your living room. There are tons of great decor pieces that follow the trend but can be combined with other styles. Take a look at some our our Art Deco inspired pieces of inventory we use to stage homes with a transitional feel.

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Our recent Spotlight on Style focused on the comeback trend of Art Deco. We thought it would be fun to find some great Art Deco inspired home decor on Amazon. The beauty is most of our finds are pieces that can easily be incorporated into any style you may currently have in your home.

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1. Rattan Light Pendant

This light makes a statement with it’s sophisticated curves and also brings in a soft element of organic material.

2. MIRROR

This mirror would be great above a foyer console or a dining room buffet. It’s play on the square shape while adding curves makes this piece pleasing to the eye.

3. VASES

This pair of vases make a great centerpiece and have the iconic detail of art deco.

4. LUMBAR PILLOW

This black pillow with gold accent is small in scale, but large in details.

5. ART DECO SIGN

This fun whimsical sign comes in a variety of choices. It screams Art Deco and the 20s!

6. GEOMETRIC SPHERE

This is a versatile decor piece that can be used on end tables, bookshelves and more. It is a great piece to use with other decor such as books and frames to add dimension.

7. FLOOR LAMP

This floor lamp is SO fabulous. It’s industrial aspect of Art Deco brings a fun element of surprise to a room.

8. BAR CART

Bar carts are back, and what better style to have than this! It was a statement piece then and it will be now.

9. TRAY

The curves on this multi functional tray are reminiscent of so much of the Art Deco style. This tray can be used as a coffee table centerpiece or on a kitchen island.

10. DESK LAMP

This small lamp creates a fun vibe to any desk.

11. ACCENT PILLOW

Fun geometric design on this pillow can be used along with many other patterns or bold colors. This pillow is currently unavailable in this pattern but here’s another option we love.

12. OTTOMAN

The fur on this ottoman is fun and glamorous. Just a small touch of luxury to add to a room or vanity area.

13. ART

This trio of art is a great way to incorporate a natural element to a room. The organic nature of it brings in life and simple lines to the room.

14. SOFA

The curves and the emerald green color are exactly what Art Deco re- imagined looks like for 2020!!

15. SIDE TABLE

This abstract design of this side table brings in those geometry elements and make this an piece with interest while the wood brings in those natural, organic elements

16. CHAIR

Art Deco style had high contrast of black with gold to represent wealth and industry and luxurious velvet fabric was used often. This chair would be a great addition to any room.

If you would like to add a little Art Deco to your life but aren’t sure how, we would be happy to help. Book a redesign consultation with us online and let’s see how we can add some geometry to your life and design!

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

The Mother of All Quarantine Holidays

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Mother's Day is right around the corner! Friday is May 1st. The Mother of all quarantine holidays is quickly approaching! Mother's day is the 10th (just in case you don't know what time, day or month it is right now....we get it). But don't worry, our staff has rounded up some great Amazon gift ideas for mom.

We can't count on those precious homemade gifts this year for Grammy since kids aren't in school. And social distancing, as well as a short time frame, have limited our resources. So, our staff picked out some great Amazon gift ideas for mom you can ship directly and act as if you had a plan all along. These gifts are sure to please the mom you haven't seen in a few months due to COVID-19, or the mom who is working from home and juggling online school with her kids. AND if you're a mom reading this, there's no harm in forwarding this on to special members of your family to "suggest" a nice gift idea. Let's be honest - sometimes they need a little push in the right direction. Am I right?!?

If you missed our blog earlier in the year on Top Picks for Design Books, these make GREAT gifts for some design/decorating inspiration. We are all getting rather bored with our homes at this point and wanting to freshen up our spaces. Go check it out!

Now for our Staff picks:

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Leigh - Half Baked Harvest Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard

This is great for those who are home cooks that are pressed for time or just starting out. It's a go-to for hassle-free meals that never sacrifice taste.

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Wendy - Harney & Sons Tea Sampler + Cute tea mug

Tea lovers will enjoy the variety in this sampler pack and who wouldn't cherish a mug that reminds them of the greatest song ever by Whitney!

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Lauren - Best Mom Ever Wine gift set

What mom doesn't need this during quarintine? Enough said.

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Kim - Hand lettering workbook by Amy Latta + Tombow dual tip pens

We could all use a little distraction in our days - why not learn a new hobby? Create beautiful art with easy step by step instructions.

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Tracy - Biking outfit

Since the gyms are closed, try something new. Biking the trails is fun and why not look cute while you do it?!

If mom is a "hard to buy for lady" - try to support a small business with a gift card. We offer online redesign consultations. You can book online at https://sbd.appointlet.com/ - distance is not a problem! Find a way to honor mom - THIS year she deserves the attention since we can't be together! We hope you all have a safe, relaxing Mother's Day 2020.

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

Zoom Room Makeover

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Zoom meetings have replaced the usual company/client meetings these days thanks to COVID-19. And society as we know it may just continue using this wonderful new way to communicate. However, if you are like me, do you find yourself inspecting your meeting attendee's room backdrops? Asking myself are they real or a green screen type backdrop? Deciding what they should do in order to freshen up their room. All those designer thoughts. Well, maybe now is the time to think about that zoom room makeover to give you a polished look in your meetings. We all know first impressions mean a lot! Zoom meetings are going to stick around well past COVID-19 so we might as well freshen up our work space in order to give that good first impression.

If you read our last post (and if not click here), you know we gave you some fun new office accessories to brighten up your office space. This time we went a little further and created a whole room for your zoom backdrop! The beauty of this zoom room makeover we have curated is it's all click and ship with Amazon! So in 2-5 days you could have a total makeover and woo your co-workers or clients with your hip new office space. AND have absolute social distancing while purchasing.

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Paint color selected for this room was Benjamin Moore Gray Owl with an accent color of Sherwin Williams Iron Ore.

This zoom backdrop gives you a polished, subtle look so people can focus on you and your ideas and not your space. If you would like a more tailored look for your zoom space, give us a call at 703-552-4545 or book a virtual interior redesign consult online. We would love to shine a spotlight on your home office!

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided