Minds on Main

Are you trying to grow a business, but not sure how to go about it? You may want to follow the lead of six design divas who gather once-a-month at a trendy coffee house on Main Street to brainstorm ideas over a cup of joe. 

The Connecticut interior redesigners are putting their businesses on the fast track to success since they began their monthly rendezvous in October 2009. A few rules govern these brainstorming sessions: be open to suggestions and criticism, be willing to contribute to other’s success, regardless if it is your competition, come prepared to problem solve and lastly, no complaints allowed!

What is it that the design divas formed? Their very own “Mastermind Group,” based on the best-selling book, “Meet and Grow Rich,” by Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler. 

The women all have careers in Interior Decorating, Interior Redesign and Home Staging, and have built up a circle of trust, comfort and honesty to critique, suggest and encourage forward movement in their businesses during a time when many are experiencing an economic halt. 

“Forming this group has probably been the single most important move I have made in growing my business,” Lisa Leonardi said of her experience in the group. “The benefits are immediate because the group holds me accountable for the business goals I set for myself and may have been fearful to previously pursue,” said Leonardi.

Owner of The Room Doctor in Madison, Conn. Leonardi decided it was time to take her interior redesign and home staging business to the next level when networking groups and industry conferences left her feeling disappointed. She took matters into her own hands and developed a business support group.

According to the book, “A mastermind group is a powerful alliance between people who help support and enlighten each other on the road to success.” The book promises to “Show you how an effective mastermind group works, how to create and operate one yourself, and how to use it as a stepping stone to financial success.”

“We each get 10 minutes to describe a goal we would like to achieve, or to discuss a problem that needs a solution.  After each member has their 10 minutes in the spotlight, the group collectively offers suggestions to each member.  We really follow the guidelines given to us in the book, that way we stay focused,” Leonardi said. “And by the end of the meeting, each of us leaves with a specific, tangible goal to work toward before the next time we gather.”

Vitale and Hibbler write that you must start on time, end on time, not fill late members in on what they’ve missed, utilize a stopwatch during their “soap box” moment and to choose a leader to make sure everything is going according to plan. 

The group has intentionally decided to limit the members to an intimate group of six in order to form an atmosphere of trust and provide a better opportunity for individual attention to each member’s needs.

“I leave there excited; you know you’re going to be accomplishing something you might not have done without the support of the group,” said Leonardi.

If money talks, well then listen to this: Roger C. Parker, author of 38 self-help books in the publishing and marketing fields, is estimated to be worth $32 million, and is a mastermind group member. 

Leonardi says at their next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the group will officially declare a name for themselves. Should it be …Coffee Clique on Design?…Inspired Designers on Main?…or Master Minds on Design? Send us your vote and don’t forget to tune in next time to find out!

If you are an HGTV junkie, you are most likely familiar with a hot design concept known as Interior Redesign. Using the furnishings you already have, an interior redesigner gives your rooms a fresh new look through the  rearrangement of furniture, wall art, and accessories. The best part…it is all accomplished within one day! An interior redesign is the quickest, most cost-effective way of redecorating your home…and in this challenging economy it is just plain SMART! Whether you are perplexed about how to integrate your old furnishings into a new home or you are simply bored with your décor and looking for a “green” way to redecorate, an interior redesign may be the answer to your decorating dilemmas.

The redesign process begins with a consultation during which the redesigner and homeowner together define the decorating goals. The redesigner establishes whether the room is used for entertaining, tv viewing, office space, reading, etc. Through the owner’s feedback, the redesigner determines what is working, or more importantly, not working with the current design of the space. If the room is lacking essential elements such as lighting or accessories, the homeowner and redesigner “shop” the rest of the home for possible solutions. Often times the redesigner will find hidden treasures in the basement, attic, or other rooms of the home that the homeowner would never think to use. You’d be surprised how those old pieces you’ve discounted all these years can be repurposed into wonderful accents. 
In some cases, the homeowner requests that the redesigner make new purchases for the room. Sometimes after shopping the home it is evident that there is not enough available from other rooms to utilize, so then a reasonable budget for shopping is determined. The interior redesigner will shop for those finishing touches that homeowners never seem to have the time or desire to do.  

When the redesigner returns to makeover the room, the process begins by completely clearing the room. By emptying the room, the redesigner has a blank canvas on which to work. If there is a pre-existing focal point such as a fireplace, entertainment center, or a fabulous outdoor view, the redesigner will design the room around the focal point. The furniture is arranged with function in mind that will support the family’s lifestyle.  Next lighting is added to not only create ambience, but to accommodate tasks such as reading or homework. Wall art is strategically hung with a discriminating eye either individually or in eye-catching groups, showcasing family photos or artwork that is meaningful to the homeowner. Finally, accessories are placed in all the right places to add color, texture, and interest to the room. The results are dramatic and never cease to amaze or delight the homeowner.

Interior Redesign is a winning combination of your personal style complimented by the designer’s artful eye. The designer is able to take those possessions that are most important to you and display them in a stylish and cohesive way. In a matter of hours, your space can be completely transformed. Old, tired furnishings suddenly take on new life and your house now feels like the home you always wanted it to be. And we all know, there’s no place like home.         

Click here to view some before & after shots of The Room Doctor’s interior redesigns. 

Have you ever walked into a model home and been so captivated by the tasteful décor that you long for that home to be your very own? If so, you’ve been influenced by an interior decorating technique called home staging. In today’s real estate market, home staging is one of the hottest trends for making the most of your home’s attributes in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers. Staging has continuously proven to be successful in increasing the value of the property while reducing the time a property stays on the market.

So what exactly does staging involve for the seller? Typically an initial 60-90 minute staging consultation involves the professional stager walking room by room through the seller’s home making recommendations on how to make each room “show at its best.” Suggestions might include ways to neutralize, depersonalize, de-clutter, or maximize space. A comprehensive written “Action Plan” is provided that entails the professional stager’s recommendations that will enable the seller’s home to stand out among its competition. The seller then has the option to hire the stager to rearrange or remove furniture in order to optimize space and highlight the home’s finest attributes, to fix problems that detract, and add décor that will make the home appeal to the majority of buyers.

Why consider staging when selling a home? Studies show that staged homes sell up to 3 times faster than non-staged homes and they sell for top dollar. In today’s competitive market, sellers must take steps to make their home stand out among the rest. Buyers view staged homes as homes that have been well maintained. Today most buyers also depend on virtual tours to help them in their selection process. A staged home shows better on a virtual tour making it more likely to draw potential buyers.

Another feature of home staging that can be advantageous for the seller is the option to bring in furnishings to make a sterile or sparsely furnished room more inviting. Stagers can also make arrangements to furnish entire homes if the property is vacant. Vacant homes lack warmth, force buyers to rely completely on their imagination, and offer no distractions from the home’s imperfections. Buyers are much more likely to notice dingy paint, scratches in hardwood flooring, and dated fixtures in vacant homes. Buyers also find it difficult to envision a floor plan for their furnishings. Staging provides a picture of how the home could look if they lived there and the scale of furniture necessary to achieve the look.

Remember… marketing a home is not the same as living in one. Many realtors offer staging services as part of their listing package, or can recommend someone in the industry. A professional stager will look at the home with an experienced, tasteful and objective eye. Buyers want to feel comfort, warmth, excitement, and inspiration when shopping for a home. Ultimately, effective staging maximizes those feelings, creating a home the prospective buyer will simply not be able to live without.

Thinking of selling your home, but uncertain how to increase its market value? Most homes require simple upgrading before they go on the market, such as replacing dated wallpaper with fresh paint or refinishing worn hardwood floors. However, occasionally it means large scale renovations. Updating your home is likely to make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers and therefore make it easier to sell. By creating quality aesthetic features throughout the home, buyers perceive that you have provided great care toward maintaining your home.

Most sellers would much rather put their money into a new house instead of spending it to upgrade a home in which their time is limited. However, studies indicate that most renovation projects do increase the price of the home at resale. It is important to note that not every update is a cost effective improvement. In many cases, extensive projects such as remodeling the entire kitchen or replacing all the windows in the house may simply not pay off. With major renovations, you take the risk of not recouping all the money you invest. The good news is more modest updates often get you more bang for your buck and help to expedite the sale of your home.

Take a look at some low-cost updates that yield a high return.

1. Make things sizzle in a dated kitchen by either refacing or painting kitchen cabinets and adding brand new hardware. You’ll have cabinets that look new for a fraction of the cost. If your kitchen appliances don’t match, you can order new doors or face panels from the manufacturer. Hint: sometimes dishwasher panels are white on one side and black on the other. Simply unscrew it and flip it to show the side that matches your other appliances.
2. Switch out old lighting fixtures with brighter, energy-efficient lights that create aesthetic value. Attractive pendant lights over a kitchen island add instant appeal. Brushed nickel sconces that flank a bathroom mirror, or an eye-catching chandelier in the dining room is sure to light the way to a top-dollar sale.
3. Step in the right direction with fabulous flooring. In living rooms and dining rooms, replace worn wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood to increase your home’s value by up to 10 percent. Dull kitchen floors can economically be replaced with a variety of choices in either sheet vinyl or linoleum. These popular floor options are durable, easy to maintain, and some even resemble marble.
4. Buyers demand spacious master bedrooms. If possible, bump up a ceiling to add height and airiness to the room.
5. Dark wood paneling dates your home. An easy fix is to prime and paint the paneling a light color, or sheet rock right over it.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So impress buyers the first time around with these cost-effective, high-return updates.

When selling a home, most homeowners take basic steps to win buyers over, such as making minor repairs, keeping the home tidy, and cleaning up the yard. Nowadays, that may not be enough to acquire a quick sale. Buyers are savvy and selective. They are looking for a home to which they feel an emotional connection. So how can sellers stimulate the buyer’s imagination in order to create those emotional connections?

First, grab buyer’s attention before they even step foot in your home. A lovely urn with colorful pansies next to an attractive welcome mat will surely beckon buyers to the front door. Generate drama in the entry hall by flanking a striking silk flower arrangement with lamps on a decorative table and placing an oriental-style rug on the floor. Add ambiance by lighting the lamps along with an aromatic scented candle to create a warm and inviting feeling.

Showcase your home’s best assets with a little creativity. Use color, lighting, and props to highlight top-selling features such as fireplaces, bay windows, cathedral ceilings, wood floors, and gorgeous views. Even though you may never use your fireplace, pretend like you do. Place white birch logs inside the fireplace and adorn the mantel with matching topiaries or a row of candles to attract buyer’s attention. Next to the fireplace, drape a soft throw over a favorite chair and place a hardcover book on top to give the illusion of a relaxing, comfortable environment. Highlight cathedral ceilings with an attractive ceiling fan in a tone that stands out rather then blends in with the ceiling, or hang an appealing oversized clock at a high point on your wall to draw buyer’s eyes up. If you have great water views or overlook a sprawling lawn with fabulous landscaping, make certain your furniture is situated so that it capitalizes on the view.

Set the scene in the dining room with a table that evokes feelings of cozy dinners enjoyed by family and friends. Embellish the table with pretty place settings, a colorful centerpiece, and glowing candlesticks to make buyers long to entertain in this room. In the kitchen, set a cheerful scene with an open cookbook next to a ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk. Conjure up memories of Mama’s home-baked goodies by baking some cookies before a showing.

In a pristine master bedroom, a tray placed on the bed holding a cup and saucer next to a newspaper is sure to make buyers feel right at home. Candles and soft, fluffy white towels surrounding the tub in the master bath, will help buyers envision themselves relaxing in this spa-like setting.

Do not underestimate the power of staging. By creating appealing images that will remain in the buyer’s mind, you automatically increase your chances for a speedy sale. So give your home that “wow factor” and buyers will think their house hunting days are over.