I had to use this picture from the backyard of my former Milwaukee home of "my" sunflowers. Sunflowers ALWAYS make me think of summer, the sun & abundance...along w/all the birds that nest & feed in their. What fun. OK...today's column, I wanted to offer some tips on inexpensive ways you can re-design your space without having to incur the expense of a contractor. Now before you think I'm anti-contractor...I'm NOT. I think hiring a good, well-referenced, experienced contractor is vital for helping increase the value of your home, the safety/security of your home & helping to keep your home properly maintained. I couldn't do a lot of what I do WITHOUT the help of some fabulously talented contractors. This is especially important for any project that includes plumbing, electric & structural changes to your home. Due to all the code changes & additions, it's hard for even professionals to keep up for all that's required, let alone a homeowner who just wants to add another sink in an older master bath. While you may think that you are "saving money" now, this will cost you in the long run when you decide to sell the house or your property gets "adjusted" regarding tax values. The following are for when you're looking to update or you just want a change of energy in your space. These are also items that I include in design consultations, & for my "regulars" that have me come in annually to do an energy re-charge after the New Year. 
Some updates of what's going on here in my new abode & with Bante Design LLC....The renovations on my new home continue. While I still haven't "bonded" w/the new house, it's turning out to be one of my crowning design achievements, & I can't wait to share the before/after photos of the house. The flooring is finishing on the first floow, painting is about halfway done & lighting fixtures are being changed out. I've also been doing some filling in in the landscaping, as it was "done", I'm personalizing & planting some fruit trees & will be adding a fence. Next up is renovating the 2nd floor bonus room & converting it to a media room. While I was in the attic checking out a noise last weekend...a "check" that actually turned into a scavenger hunt as I found many items IN THE INSULATION which were stored there for whatever purpose from the previous owner. I "found" ups & fedex shipping boxes, stackable filing shelves AND BRAND NEW WINDOW SCREENS. Yes, while there was numerous broken, bent & damaged screens in place on the first floor, brand new screens were "hiding" in the insulation. I've stopped trying to comprehend or make sense of the actions of the previous owners....What I also "found" in my scavenger hunt is a walled off section above the garage, which is also insulated & a "floor" installed...but there's NO DOOR into this space from the 2nd floor bonus room. SO, when I get more into Phase 2 of my renovations, I will be installing some sort of doorway into this space & either use as a reading nook/office or as storage space. Seriously...there are no words as this is approx 250 sq ft of usable space that they walled off.
***Things like the above are the types of things that you NEED to be on the look-out for during your home inspection (this is a whole other topic) & when you are looking at homes to purchase as any time you can add square footage to your home, you are adding value & increasing your investment.*** At Bante Design LLC, we are also re-focusing our products & services. I will no longer be offering 1-on-1 consultations via the web or in-person, but rather focus on email. Pricing will be based on square footage of the project & will include design, blue-print analysis, color consulting, space-planning & Feng Shui. There will be an approximate 2-3 week time-frame for this. Same procedure from the Design Questionaire & follow-up report will be provided/included. This change will go into effect September 1, 2012. I will be focusing my energy on teaching (groups, appearances, video & webinars), as well as writing (new book) & the radio show, CasaVerde. This was done after much soul-searching, however, I feel this is the right path to help as many people as possible, & in response to our growing client-base in other countries...of which I'm very grateful. I'd also like to bring to your attention to our new Author Page on Amazon.com which includes video, all available books & upcoming book signings/appearances. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/cqtqsrt I've also been doing a LOT of media recently for some large publications, make sure to follow us on Facebook & on Twitter to get the links & be updated in real time. HOT topics include: color therapy, children's healthy bedroom design, moving & office design. What fun! Until next time...DeAnna :)
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 Hi All- Due to popular request AND this being a perenial MOST ASKED QUESTION at events & key word search on the website, here is a re-print of chapter 14 from my first book, Designing the Life of Your Dreams from the Outside In, which focuses on indoor air pollutants & steps you can take to combat it & improve your indoor air quality. Want more? Just click on the book cover to the left, & you'll be brought to the book's website. Have an ereader & want to read the book that way? Click here. 
Things here in NC continue on...the house is still in a state of shambles with some progress being made. Although every day brings another challenge in terms of "hidden" damage & cost. If you still don't believe that lack of cleaning and/or care can cause serious, long-term damage...please read past blog posts. Truly astounding...One day I may like the house, however, right now only the dogs are happy & I'm just looking at this house as a project in which to finish & then put up for sale....What an incredible waste. Oh well...someone will benefit from all this work...:(
On a positive note, this house will be a jewel in my design portfolio as it's a complete remodel. Too bad it's my house that I have to live in & wasn't planning on or WANTING yet another fixer-upper. Ironic that I've lived in much older homes (50+...while this new house is ONLY 10 YRS OLD) that have required LESS work. Alright all...have a great week...Try & stay cool: (remember to change your HVAC filters if you haven't done so recently & make sure that the area around your AC unit outside is clean & clear of any debris). Cheers...DeAnna WOW...TWO blog posts in TWO days...I know...right? I think it's the heat & the forced being inside-or-you'll-melt-and-do-your-best-Wicked-Witch-of-the-West impersonation fear...Even the normally "I'll stay outside & bake until I'm literally a Hot Dog" Ossie is comfortably ensconced on the cool, newly installed wood floor under the fan! So, with all this staying inside, heat, humidity & wondering if anyone else is feeling the same...I got this GREAT idea for a 4th of July summer promo for Bante Design to celebrate the fabulous FREEDOM we, many times, take for granted without the fear of something expoding, burning or stuck in traffice. Here it is: Staring TODAY...7.1.12...through 7.4.12 at 11:59p EASTERN time...You can get 1- 70 (SEVENTY) minute design or Feng Shui consultation-(NO clutter-busting sessions offered for this promo...sorry)- at 40% OFF the rpice of a 60 minute (1 hour) consultation. This is a $200 dollar savingso ff the hourly rate PLUS the extra 10 minutes!! RULES: (bummer, I know): - There is a ONE (1) consultation limit per person for this offer. - Offer only good for a DESIGN (color/space-plan) or a FENG SHUI consultation - You must use your consultation in one sitting (i.e. no splitting it up into 2-45 min consultation). - All consultations must be scheduled (initial request received by stated time & subsequent Design Questionaire returned) by 7/15/12 & take place by 10/1/12. - This offer is for a VIDEO consultations via Skype, PERFECT for our "other coaster", Canadian, UK, European and Aussie friends...IN- PERSON or Room Packages NOT included in this offer. - Email us HERE by 7.4.12 at 11:59p est stating you'd like to take advantage of this offer & we'll forward you the Design Questionaire & get you scheduled. This offer EXPIRES at 7.4.12 at 11:59p est. - We accept all major credit/debit cards, along w/checks, money order or certified check. For our international tribe, if you need us to convert currency, let us know. I so look forward to working with you all & helping you "design the life of your dreams" to help make the 2nd half of 2012 fabulous!!! A great article on the importance of teaching kids home repair & maintenance skills...I wanted to share this article from associate & author of the GREENspiration blog, Trish Holder. As I go through the continued "process" of what lies in wait for me as I continue to work on my new house, I feel that "if only" the previous owners knew even a couple of maintenance skills, a lot of the damage would have been avoided...:(... Here is an article from her blog entitled, When All Else Fails, Be a Thinker, Mentor or Example by Anthony LoCoco: We’re failing our kids. The younger generation is not getting the collective guidance they need from us when it comes to hands-on instruction in the care and maintenance of the home. Over the past 25 years or so we’ve distanced ourselves from basic knowledge and skills that were once routinely passed from mentor to student, father to son. Today we call on service people for the most minor of tasks, from clogged drains to changing the oil in our car. What is the solution for all this…. helplessness? I’m no expert on sociological change and I know I can’t single-handedly change the generational tide. But I do have influence over what I consider my one lasting legacy in life: my son Jake. read more here... DeAnna's Summer-izing Design Tips for Your Space: An extremely cool take on a porch swing where individuals can "swing" at their own pace...LOVE this!! Here are tips I offer in my workshops (and radio show/column) to help people change "with the seasons":
Stay cool. Rehydrate often. Until next time....DeAnna :) |
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