OK...I sold my house NOW what?

Home is where the heart is.
Pliny the Elder

For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, you will know of the journey I've been on the past year of moving across the country to my new "dream" home which turned out to be anything but.  The decision was made almost immediately that I would stay until I could fix up the home & then cut my losses & move on...hoping I had at least made the right decision in the city/state I chose to move to (answer: yes).  I finally finished the work on the house in March of this year & (after some more realtor issues...seriously, what is it w/Charlotte real estate agents?) put the house up for sale mid-May.  It went up on a Fri morning & the first offer came in that afternoon.  After 5 showings, 4 offers & a bidding war that brought the price of the house up OVER the asking price, I accepted an offer 4 days later....Now the fun was to begin...

I thought I had a home picked out...ahhhhh...too many choices, 3 very different neighborhoods I'm attracted to living in...& a quick closing date...Seriously, nothing like living on the edge!  Right now I've got the choices narrowed down to 3 homes, although my 1st choice is a HUD home (THIS will be an upcoming topic of discussion) & there are very strict requirements before you even QUALIFY to put in an offer on the home...2 of which I don't qualify for until AFTER my house closes....Therein lies my current situation...Do I wait, roll the dice that the home I want will still be available & THEN will they accept my offer.  OR do I go w/a lesser choice (which I did w/my current home...it was choice #4) to have the security & knowing that I will in fact have a house upon closing & an easy  (?) transition...NOTE: I can stay in my current home after closing at a reduced "rent" rate so I do have a place to live...I'll keep you posted.

Some more before/after pics...quite the difference some cleaning, paint & new flooring can make!

View of foyer/dining room from stairs BEFORE

View of foyer/dining room from stairs AFTER

Today's topic will be some quick tips on how to make a SMALL space appear larger... Here are my tips for making a space look bigger:

• Use layered lighting, including up-lights to give depth to your space.  This includes: task, ambient, general & accent lighting.
• Use detailed artwork/photos which will help to "draw" people into the space. 
• Do NOT space plan furniture where the "backs" of the main seating pieces are to the entryway-this closes off the space.  Utilize the Power Position (diagonal corner from the doorway) as the starting point for main seating placement.  Utilize an "open" seating plan that is inviting to those entering the space.
• Place area rugs on a diagonal-this helps to give the illusion of the space being bigger.
• Use mirrors on ADJACENT walls of windows with great views-this helps to a) bring the outside in, b) visually expand the space by expanding the view (and light) entering the room.
• If using patterned flooring/carpeting/tile, make sure the pattern does NOT run in straight lines in any one direction (i.e. straight lines running front to back).  Think of parquet flooring patterns or a checkerboard scheme with the layout starting in the corner closest to the door (ex: cut the tile in 1/2 and place in the corner, from that starting point, THEN lay out the tile.  This will help to give the illusion of a wider space).

What's DeAnna up to?...

I'm still continuing my work w/Linda Hunt on our Healthy Down-Sizing project...We are working on a book & have just complete 2 more radio/audio episodes further describing our missing/vision & explaining in more detail what Healthy Down-Sizing is & how to clear up the negative connotations associated with "down-sizing"...it's NOT a dirty word!  Click on the Healthy Down-Sizing link to be taken to the page & listen to new episodes.

I've also been asked to write an article (my annual!) for Animal Wellness magazine on designing for the senior pet.  As this is a topic close to my heart as the doxie duo approach their 12th birthday AND I'll be remodeling a new house...this is timely.

I'm also working on a series of workshops for a wonderful grief & counseling center here in the Queen City which offers services for those who've lost ones due to death, were abused & returning military women trying to integrate back into the community after being deployed overseas.  It's a wonderful sanctuary for those who need some healing & support & I look forward to working w/them & doing whatever I can to be of service.

Until next time...happy Feng Shui-ing!!! DeAnna