Kit Davey, Interior Designer
18 Years in business - Over 2,600 homes transformed!
Newsletter: October 2003
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Table of Contents:
1) Quote of the Quarter
2) Time Management Tips
3) Stop Telephone Solictors
4) Decorating Tips Website
5) Free Appraisals
6) Useful Website
7) Catastrophe Update
8) Lessons from the Catastrophe
9) Annual Open House and Art Sale
10) Art Sessions
11) Classes
12) Classifieds
1) Quote of the Quarter
"Dost thou love life? Then do not waste it, for that's the stuff life is made of."
- Ben Franklin
2) Time Management Tips
- Check your email twice a day—once at the beginning and then at the end of the day. Don't let the compulsion to check your mail gobble up your time and energy!
- Use only one calendar, preferably one with hourly slots.
- Make a daily "to-do" list. Prioritize your tasks and place a time estimate by each one; plug these into your calendar.
- Pick a place to put your house/car keys and hour purse or backpack. Make it a habit to always put them in the same place—you'll save time not having to hunt them down!
3) Stop Telephone Solicitors from Calling!
The "do-not-call" registry is up and running. Call 1-888-382-1222 or visit www.ftc.gov/donotcall and sign up to be removed from telemarketing lists. California has its own registry: nocall.doj.state.ca.us.
4) Decorating and Organizing Tips
My website has dozens of articles on topics from decorating for dogs to giving your kitchen a facelift. Visit www.AFreshLook and click on "Tips".
5) Free Appraisals
Ever wonder what Aunt Mabel's tea set it worth? Clars Auction Gallery (5644 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland) gives free clinics on Thursday mornings for up to 5 items. Call the Gallery for more information: 510-428-0100.
6) Useful Website
Want tips on to clean anything? Visit www.HowToCleanAnything.Com.
7) Catastrophe Update
On Dec. 16 of last year, the beautiful 350-year-old oak tree in our back yard came crashing through our roof as we slept. Most of our home was damaged and we had to move out immediately. Since then we have been renting a stylish, brand new home in the Emerald Hills area of Redwood City. Our insurance company finally came through with a partial settlement and we began construction on August 12th. It will probably take 4 to 5 months. I am excited about having a brand new kitchen, master bedroom and bath, and a living room WITHOUT a fireplace! No fireplace, you ask? We rarely used it and with the redesigned kitchen open to the living room, we'll need a wall on which to place the sofa. I know we will prefer the new view to our garden over the black hole of the fireplace!
8) Learn From Our Disaster
Here are a few things I learned from this catastrophe which I pass along to you:
- Keep a flashlight and a pair of sturdy shoes by your bed. After recovering from the initial jolt I was able to find my way through the rubble and not worry about cutting my feet.
- Know where your insurance policy and your agent's telephone number are. Keep a copy of your insurance policy off-site (with a relative, in your office or with a neighbor). Write your agent's number in your wallet, your Daytimer or palm and keep a slip of paper in your car with that info, too.
- Know what your policy covers. We had no idea what our deductible was, what the company would pay for and what we'd be responsible for. I would have made some different decisions if I'd been acquainted with our coverage.
- Keep your cell phone, or a phone that doesn't require electricity to work, by your bed. The electricity went out in part of the house and the phones didn't work. I had to climb over branches and broken glass to get to the phone that still worked.
- Have a disaster plan. We had 5 minutes to gather a few possessions, as our house was condemned and not safe to re-enter. I was in no condition to figure out what we needed. What would you choose? Make a list and know where things are. Have a plan for where you will stay if your home is destroyed. It was the middle of the night and we didn't know where to go. Fortunately, my brother invited us to stay with him. I am so glad we took him up on the offer---it felt good to be with family after what happened to us!
9) Annual Open House and Art Sale
Set aside Sat., Nov. 15 from 1 to 5 pm! You are invited to visit our beautiful temporary home and browse the work of 9 artists: Kit Davey's home, 2460 Park Rd, Redwood City.
10) Art Sessions
If you are a budding artist, or have a craft project in progress, come to an art date at my home. We'll gather around my dining room table, support each other's creativity and DO ART. I only have space for 5 artists, so please call to let me know you are coming: 650-367-7370. Sessions are held from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, on Friday Oct 3 and Oct. 31. Location: 2460 Park Rd., Redwood City.
11) Class: Staging Your Home for Sale: How to Maximize Your Profits
Thinking of selling your home in the next few months or years? Find out how to invest your time, money and energy so your home sells quickly at the highest possible price. You'll learn what potential buyers are looking for in a new home, which improvements and updates give you the most bang for the buck, how to give your home "curb appeal" and how to stage each room of your house. Wed., Sept. 17, 2003, 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Palo Alto Adult School, Cost: $25, plus $5 materials fee payable in class. To register, call (650) 329-3752 OR Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Cost: $35, plus $5 materials fee. De Anza College, Cupertino: Call (408) 864-8817 to register and for room location.
Class: Backyard Decorating: How to Create an Enchanting Garden
Do you love to putter in your garden? Are you looking for ways to improve and tweak it? Would you like your garden to look and feel more creative? Come learn how to add humor, mystery and spirit to your garden. You'll learn:
• How to use unusual objects to decorate your garden
• How to give your home even more curb appeal
• How to create and enhance zones for outdoor living,
• Sources for outdoor accessories and gardening ideas
• How to create vignettes or scenes viewable from inside your home
• How to make mosaic/pique assiette orbs and stepping stones. You'll be inspired to create a garden that truly expresses who you are!
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, 7:00 9:00 pm. Cost: $35, De Anza College, Cupertino Call (408) 864-8817 for room location and to register.
12) I have two brand new, still-in-the-box, never-been-used kitchen appliances for sale.
• GE 450 Watt Juice Extractor. Create a variety of healthy, fresh tasting juices! Easy to clean, large capacity; pulp bin, compact design with cord storage. Recipe book, foam strainer and cleaning brush included. $25, you pick up at my home.
• Waring "Kitchen Classic" Blender. 40 oz. capacity with glass carafe. Heavy-duty RED metal base; can crush ice or mix bread dough with multi-speed controls. Price: $25, you pick up at my home. Call or email if you'd like either one!
Beauty, order and harmony,
A Fresh Look Offers:
• Room Transformations
• Staging
• Design Advice
• Professional Organizing
• Feng Shui Consultations