Kit Davey, Interior Designer
18 Years in business - Over 2,600 homes transformed!
Newsletter: August 2008
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Contents:
1) Quote
2) Fun Websites
3) Recipe
4) Clutter-busting ideas
5) Realtor needed
6) Profitable Booklet
7) Classes
8) Open house invitation
1) Quote of the Quarter:
Perfection is reached not when there's nothing more to add, but when there's nothing left to subtract. -Zen Saying
2) Fun Websites to visit:
www.takegreatpictures.com. Great “how to” tips, product reviews and loads of photos.
www.GasBuddy.com. Find out where to buy the cheapest gas in your neighborhood. Type in your zip code for a list of stations and the most recent prices.
3) Recipe
Kit's Fruit Schmear
Ingredients:
1-cup non-fat cream cheese
1-cup Trader Joe's frozen mixed berries
3 tablespoons water
1 tsp. cornstarch
Splenda or Stevia to taste
Sliced apples, strawberries or pears
Directions: In a saucepan, over medium heat, mix the berries and 2 tablespoons water. In a small bowl mix 1-tablespoon water and cornstarch. Bring the fruit to a boil and stir in the cornstarch/water mixture. Let cool. In a blender, mix the cooled berries and cream cheese. Add sweetener till the schmear is sweet enough for you. Serve with sliced fruit.
4) Clutter-busting Tips
• A good way to become aware of how some types of clutter enter your home is to try this “spending awareness” experiment. Don't buy anything, except food and gas, for a week. You will be amazed how often the urge to buy will crop up! Being aware of our impulses can help us short-circuit the desire, and reduce needless spending, resulting in less stuff entering your home.
• Here's another experiment: Keep a log of all your expenditures for a month. Put a small notebook in your wallet to record every penny you spend. Notice tendencies, or why you feel compelled to buy (honest need or momentary fulfillment?). See where you are willing to cut back. Start a savings plan to capitalize on your spending reductions, or just create a budget which you can follow.
• If you really must buy a new book, CD, t-shirt or tool, establish the “one in, one out” policy. If you buy something new, get rid of one of the old ones (donate, give away, sell).
• You probably are fairly disciplined when it comes to recycling. If you are accustomed to going out to your garage to deposit recyclables, set up a recycling box for charity donations in the same area. Every time you find something in your house you no longer want, carry it out to the “donation” bin.
• Spend 5 minutes at the end of the day putting things away.
5) Need a realtor?
If you are thinking of selling your home and don't have a Realtor, give me a call. As a stager, I work with the most qualified and experienced agents on the Peninsula. I am happy to refer one to you: 650-367-7370.
6) Booklet will make you thousands!
I have written a home sale preparation and staging booklet which can help you get a quick sale at a great price. It includes home improvements you can make now to increase your home's resale value later, home projects to avoid, a room by room staging checklist and how to stage a vacant home. Send a self-addressed, legal-sized envelope, with $0.60 in stamps affixed, and your check for $5 (which already includes tax) to:
A Fresh Look, 1539 Granger Way, Redwood City, CA 94061.
7) Class: "Stage Your Home for Sale to Maximize Your Profits"
Wednesday, Sept. 14. 7:00-9:00 pm.. 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. To be held at the Palo Alto Adult School, 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto ($35, plus $5 materials fee).
Call the Adult School to register: (650) 329-3752.
First Ever Saturday Staging Class! (Same as above)
Saturday Oct. 8th, 11 am to 1 pm
De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
Cost: $35, plus $5 materials fee
To register, call (408) 864-8817.
Decorating Class: "Room ReDesign: Take Your Home from Blah to
Beautiful in 8 Hours or Less!”
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7:00-9:00 pm. Learn how to redecorate your house by creatively rearranging the furniture and artwork you already own. You'll discover how to define your personal style, how to create new furniture arrangements, and how to balance a room with color. Quick, easy accessorizing techniques for bookcases, artwork and displaying collections will also be shared. To be held at
Foothill College, Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills. Fee: $35, plus $7 materials fee.
To register, call (408) 864-8817.
8. Save the Date: Nov. 12th!
Please come to my annual Arts and Crafts Sale and Open House on Saturday, November 12th from 12 to 5 pm. You are welcome to tour my home and also to shop for jewelry, paintings, sculpture pieces, greeting cards and other works created by 10 outstanding artists. This is a wonderful opportunity to pick up a special gift or something for you. Bring your friends!
To be held at my home: 1539 Granger Way, Redwood City.