The turkey is gone and we're all shopping like crazy, right? Aside from searching for the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on your list, there are plenty of other reasons to keep an eye on sales this holiday season.
If you own a short term rental, this is the perfect time of year to think about any updates needed in the space. Take a quick inventory of your kitchen items and linens - is there anything you need to replace? Do your towels need a refresh? Have guests indicated they were looking for extra pillows? How about your furniture - is everything in good shape and securely assembled? You don't want that wobbly table to fall apart while you have guests. Now is the time to make sure everything is in top shape! How about your own home? My dishes have taken a beating this year. We actually pulled out our china to use for Thanksgiving because we didn't have enough place settings of our everyday dishes! So I'm on the lookout for a great sale on dishes. And, I have purchased high ticket items like vacuums during after-Thanksgiving sales. There are so many sales happening, it's a great time of year to think of shopping beyond Christmas gifts. What items need refreshing at your home? Here are some Cyber Monday deals that just might be too good to pass up :) Please note, we are an Amazon Affiliate and can earn from qualifying purchases.
We hope these items spark some interest for you. While we are still on the hunt for the perfect dish set, one search will continue! Happy shopping!
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As Thanksgiving nears, lots of planning goes into what to cook and eat. Should we have both apple and pumpkin pies? (YES!). But don't forget to give some thought to your Thanksgiving table - where you'll eat those lovely pies. Make sure you have enough place settings for your crowd (placemats, chargers, plates, napkins, flatware, stemware). Yes, it's a lot to think through. And yes, paper plates work to make this easy if need be!. But how about all of the other pretty things on the table? The tablecloth or placemats, runner, centerpiece - don't forget these opportunities to create a beautiful table! And yes, I know you could put FOOD on the table to serve. And you still can with a some light decorations. Or, you can utilize a sideboard or folding table nearby and really create a beautiful and memorable table. Here are some items we've sourced from Amazon to bring it together.
Here's our vision for these items... Place the runner down the middle of the table. On top of that, place the greenery runner along the length of the table. It's okay for it to serpentine a bit. In the middle, either on top of the greenery or with the greenery alongside it, place the large hurricane glass, and the large battery candle inside it. Along the runner, sporadically place the glass votive holders. Place the battery votives in them after placed. And finally, the pinecones can be placed along the runner for a natural, earthy touch. At each place setting, set a placemat, with charger on top, and white plate on top of that. The white pumpkin placeholder can go just above the placemat, facing each seat. Thread napkins through the napkin holders and place on top of the white plate. And grab a wine stem for a festive drink! We hope that these items inspire you to get excited about the holiday, and to spend time with those you love. Happy Thanksgiving! Fall is in the air! Cooler air and beautiful colors are coming - and we are shepherding in the season with some front porch love! Nothing says fall like shades of orange, yellow and red. Pair that with some pumpkins and neutral colors you have the perfect combo. Here's a run down of our perfect fall porch. Click images for affiliate links What a special, cozy space you can create with these items! Let us know what you love about your fall porch :)
We know for some back to school can also mean back to college-and-living-and-the-dorm. So, we like to highlight ways to make dorm rooms feel like home. Today's version of dorm living is inspired by Chapel Hill! We've had a few visits there this year for our high schooler as she searches for college options. I'm not sure where she'll end up, but I'm thinking Chapel Hill is pretty great! So if you've got a Tar Heel young lady in your life with some school spirit, I hope she enjoys this design.
Shopping affiliate links are below as well! August may be one of our favorite months - there’s something about school supplies and getting back on schedule that is rejuvenating and awakening (not to mention it’s my birthday month!)! It’s kind of like a mid-year regroup for all those resolutions made in January. I find myself gearing up to use my planner more, make time for workouts, and get through all the to-do lists this month. How about you? How does your August look? In real estate, this is the last push to sell or purchase real estate before school starts, which is a big deal for families. Is it too late? Nope! Just takes a little time get a house ready to list, and then things often take off. Thinking of giving a late summer run at selling a house? Only have a couple days to get it listing-ready? There are top priority items to focus on to make the most impact. While they will be a very busy three days, attending to these tasks will be rewarding and buyers will appreciate the efforts! If possible, grab some friends or family for some extra hands to speed up the process and share the workload. If you need more guidance, remember we are always here to provide our Occupied Consultation which includes a Staging Report, outlining all of our personalized recommendations for the property. Happy Staging!
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We are excited to explore Amazon deals today! Here are some ideas to help kick off fall decorating for your home.
There you have it! Some of our fall favorites! Hint hint... some of these work perfectly year round, too! They just happen to work really well with our natural rustic fall theme, too :)
Enjoy shopping! More ideas to come for other occasions and design styles. -Amanda All online shoppers, rejoice! It's Amazon Prime Days! If you're looking to refresh your space, here are some of our top picks available at a reduced price for Prime Days. Happy shopping! *affiliate links below We are talking about Occupied Staging today! This form of staging is especially challenging. Guiding homeowners to alter components of the home they've created requires sensitivity and quick thinking. But it's incredibly rewarding to observe the transformation and see first hand how staging works. So how does Occupied Staging work? At First Impression Home Staging & Design, we have different packages to choose from that work for different needs. Let's walk through them... Occupied Staging Consultation for $350 Just like our Walk + Talk, but includes a comprehensive written report that outlines all of our staging suggestions, and how to implement them. This consultation option is perfect for: - those that are planning ahead and have a little more time to get the home ready - our report will be a great reference to go back to - homeowners that are comfortable digging in to get things done on their own Hands On Occupied Staging for $350 We're digging in! Instead of talking about what could and should be done, we just do it! This is great option for: - homeowners looking to get the home ready and listed asap! - those that are overwhelmed about all this - let us come and do it for you. Includes 3.5 hours of staging time. Touch Up Services for $105 Listing photos are the First Impression buyers will have of your home. A touch up service will put the finishing touch on the home to make sure your photos look their best! - Great for ALL listings! Here are some photos from some favorite Occupied Staging moments where we used the homeowner's major furniture items! Want to learn more about our Occupied Staging Consultation Packages? Reach out today at 630-308-6364.
-Amanda Something about January brings a yearning for order and organization. Maybe it's the chaos of December - the busy calendar, stashing of gifts, and extra STUFF around the house. I love Christmas, so I'm not complaining - it's all part of the holiday! But, it's a lot to juggle and by the end of month we're ready for the crazy to end. New calendars signal a fresh start that comes with a new month and year. Bring it on! As I think through our home's function and putting things back to 'normal' after removing all the Christmas decor, I really give thought to how I want to use each space. For instance, our Christmas tree sits in front of some new cabinetry we have in our family room. I didn't realize it until the Christmas tree was there that some of the cabinets were not accessible with the tree in place. So while the tree is down, I might move some contents around for easier accessibility for things I may need. Also give thought to storing the new things acquired during the holidays - serving ware, gifts, decor. Maybe dig into a pantry or closet to make room for new kitchen gadgets or serving dishes. Did your kids get more legos? It may be time to finally figure out a storage plan for them (because the floor is a bad storage container - and painful!). While you are at it, it's a great time to purge items you no longer use or need. Less stuff is cleansing :) Here are some of our favorite storage solutions for around the house. We hope you'll find just the right solution for your home. Happy organizing! If we can help problem solve any areas that you want to organize in a decorative manner 😅, let us know!
-Amanda We're officially in the thick of holiday season and the best deals are NOW! It's a great time to take advantage of some deals on things for the home, or inspiration for your wish list! Here are some of our favorite things we found at Target. Take a look at these, and other goodies available online and in stores. Cyber deals end today! Layer up! Beds look great in layers, and it's very practical in the cooler season to have extra blankets on the bed. Down alternative blankets perform well and we liked the colors available in this one. We love white bedding, but sometimes it's nice to add a little color. Explore the options available in this item. Chairs can add a lot of personality to a space. They are great to add to the corner in a bedroom, living room or office - adding a pop of color and comfort to their new space. Instantly update your space by bringing in new chairs - it's a game changer! Barstools are a staple in most kitchens and are used heavily. It's not uncommon to have to replace them more frequently than other furniture items because they can take a beating. If you kitchen needs a barstool refresh, these are a great, updated option! This is my favorite deal for the home! Super charming, neutral, substantial chair... and it's half off! It works in a traditional or farmhouse style space and will provide that neutral backdrop that is great to work with in any space. Get it while it's available for this great price. Another amazing bargain that is 50% off! I love to use these tables around the house. Add baskets and they provide functional storage. Add a lamp for additional light and ambiance. And, a couple books stacked can add personality. I love to use them in staging and design. Our moodboard shows the 'rustic oak' version, but all of them are great. This is a great deal - two stylish lamps for this price! And, they include light bulbs! These are nice bedside lamps, or on side tables in the living room. It's hard to beat this deal. I'm definitely taking advantage of this one today. And now for the fun stuff - pillows! Nothing adds coziness to a space like pillows. This works with the green hue of the above mentioned chair, so we liked that. Keep in the mind the palette of your space (3-4 colors only) and play with options within your palette. Fun! Hope this provides some inspiration for your home and wish lists. Happy shopping!
-Amanda |
AuthorHi! I'm Amanda David, wife, mom of three young adults, and owner of First Impression Home Staging & Design. I get delight from creating spaces that people love. Follow along for decor ideas and staging tips. Archives
November 2023
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