A little French Country Revamp!

Jen & I are loving working with the Maison Blanche Chalk Paint. We've acquired this lovely French Country Breakfast/Dining set that was refinished in a lovely 80's golden toned stain. Pretty. In great shape.

But....

Not quite the look we want to see! Soon this little curvy legged beauty with her lovely can backed chairs will be Revamped!

So with our ice tea in one hand and our paint brush in the other we will brave this Texas heat & get this beauty all dressed up!

Check in soon to see her new look.

Home Staging!

Home staging still remains important for helping your home stand out against the others out there on the market.

You've cleaned, you've done all the basic repairs, you've mowed the grass & trimmed the bushes but your home is just sitting there on the market.  Maybe it's time to hire some help!

Hiring a Home Stager does more than have someone "pretty up" the place.  It helps you get your home ready for someone else. Home staging will give your home that pulled together look and make the house feel welcoming and inviting for a new family.

Fees for home staging are more affordable than an interior designer and give you options for the home that can either stay with the house or follow you to your new home.

When looking to hire a Home Stager look at their portfolio, ask for references, get a clear written contract for fees and what services are provided for that fee.  Make sure you feel comfortable with the contract and then be willing to listen and follow through with the advice and work that the Stager provides.

Here's hoping you find the right person to help you sell your home! 

Holiday Fun Around the Metroplex!

Halloween is over & Thanksgiving is around the corner.  Love all the fun that is found from October all the way through February! 

If you are looking for a few holiday activities that are close to home, here are a few to consider:

Starting things out with a run...
The Ft. Worth Turkey Trot!

http://www.fwtrot.org/



Fun Holiday Plays:
At the Nasher Sculpture Center, check out a "Masterpiece Holiday" through Dec. 31st at 2001 Flora Street in Dallas. For the prim and proper go to afternoon teas and savor classic coffee and tea service, finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. Festive Family 
Masterpiece Holiday

Neighborhood: Nasher Sculpture CenterDallas, TX 75218

Saturdays include children's art activities, carriage rides, ice-sculpture demonstrations, and music on Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Late sleepers can take in holiday brunches with a traditional fare and gourmet coffee on Sundays from 11-3. For the young dancer in the family take her to Breakfast With A Ballerina which includes a brunch menu, opportunities for children to meet "Nutcracker" characters, and a reading Dec. 9th and 23rd from 9-11 a.m. For more information, call 214-242-5152 or go to nashersculpturecenter.org



This site also has a list of holiday parades all around Texas!
http://gotexas.about.com/od/festivals/tp/05HolidayParade.htm



Train rides & light shows!

GRAPEVINE: North Pole Express – The Grapevine Vintage Railroad hourlong holiday trip includes carols, stories and an encounter with Santa Claus. Before or after the trip, enjoy the Christmas lights, bounce house and photos with Santa. At the ornament factory, make a decoration for free. Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21. Departure times vary. Tickets: $16. Children under 2 are free. Remote parking and free shuttles.

817-410-3123 ; http://www.gvrr.com/ (click on "Special Events").


PALESTINE: The Polar Express Train Ride – Journey to the North Pole on the Texas State Railroad's hourlong holiday runs on which riders meet Santa while enjoying caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, 12-15, 17-22, 24 and 26-27. Friday, Saturday and weekday departures are at 5:10, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Sunday trips at 5:10 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets: adults, from $28; ages 2 to 11, $18 or $19. First Class Car service includes cookies served on silver trays and hot chocolate in a collectible mug. Adults, $49.95; ages 2 through 11, $24.95. 1-888-987-2461



Light displays:

FORT WORTH: Chesapeak Energy Parade of Lights – Fort Worth's holiday season starts with a parade of more than 100 illuminated, decorated floats, horses, carriages and marching bands topped off with the lighting of the 56-foot-tall official Fort Worth Christmas tree on Main Street between 3rd and 4th streets. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or two to be collected for needy children. Sundance Square, Nov. 28. Kids' activities begin at 2 p.m.; parade from 6 to 8 p.m. 817-336-2787 ; http://www.fortworthparadeoflights.org/.



Holiday Home Tour:

FORT WORTH: Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place Holiday Home Tour – Includes five Ryan Place homes built in the early 1900s and listed on the National Register, decorated for the holidays, plus historic St. John's Episcopal Church. Light snacks and refreshments at the church. $20 per person. Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.; Dec. 6, 2 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 7, 2 to 6 p.m. http://www.historicryanplace.org/.



Through Dec. 21st experience Victorian Christmas at the Heard-Craig House that are set to reflect what the mansion, built in 1900, might have looked like when the family was getting ready for the holidays at 205 W. Hunt Street in McKinney. Tours of the home started Nov. 24th and will continue Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. For more details, call 972-569-6909

Lakewood Home Festival
The Home Festival began in 1976 when the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) staged a tour showcasing five distinctive and historic neighborhood homes as a fund-raiser to purchase playground equipment for kindergarten children. In the past five years alone, LECPTA has raised more than $750,000 for Lakewood Elementary, J.L. Long Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. With part of last year’s funds, Woodrow Wilson is working to establish their International Baccalaureate program.



Dates and Times

Candlelight Tour November 13th 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Caddyshack Auction Party November 13th 7:00 PM

Home Tour & Market November 14th 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Home Tour & Market November 15th 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

http://www.lecpta.org/lakewoodhomefestival/default.htm


Holiday Shopping:

CANTON: First Monday Trade Days – This is your last chance before the holidays to shop Texas' foremost flea market for antiques, home decor, arts and crafts, tools, plants and more. Nov. 27-30. 903-567-6556



The Holiday Urban Bazaar at the Market will showcase Dallas Farmers Market Friends and Make Crafting Studio and sale items such as home accessories, furniture, jewelry, clothing, handbags, art, and photography Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 10th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dallas Farmers Market, 1010 S. Pearl Street in Dallas. For information, call 214-256-3061



The McKinney Avenue Contemporary presents "The Blue Yule," its annual fundraiser featuring unique handmade holiday ornaments designed by various artists Dec. 9th from 5-7:30 p.m. at 3120 McKinney Avenue in Dallas. For details, call 214-953-1212


And for a lot of free & fun holiday kid activities you might want to check out

North Park Mall
8687 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX.



Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!

Staging is more important than ever!

I just help sell another home that I staged!  It was a small home in Lewisville & had been on the market for 60 days with no furniture in it.  Clean basic white walls. 

We painted it a neutral warm color and staged each room to show a simple, tasteful purpose for each room & the home sold in 21 days.  We did not even lower the price in this home.  Sometimes a buyer needs a vision.  Don't overlook what a few minor changes can do for a space.

If you can't seem to find a vision or have the time to make it happen then hire a professional.  It doesn't have to be cost prohibitive!  Most Stagers, such as myself, have different price points based on what you need and what you want and it does make a difference in todays economy in getting that home SOLD!