Ah, I just came across this: Home Sizes Shrink with Growing Concerns over the Economy and Energy Costs. There is also a press release released by American Institute of Architects.

From the Press Release:

“The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.”

Baker continued, “With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.”

Inman news disagrees. “But the latest government data on housing characteristics does not support the survey findings, as the average square footage of homes remains (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

(photo by ShutterSparks)

I recent took on a client who wants me to redesign her existing home right now but at the same time preparing it for sale 2-3 years down the line. When I suggested green finishes, she was very open to it.

This is why:

a) Green finishes are healthier to live in the home, especially if you have young children and pets. They roll around in those finishes every day on the floor, touching the wall, you want to make sure the finishes are quality green materials that is safe to live in. It’s also better for your installer, they don’t need to breathe in those terrible chemical smells. Moreover, you are not exposed to off-gasing from non-green materials or chemical glue. In typical carpet installation, the chemical glue emits toxic off-gasing for 8 years after it is installed. 8 years!!! Do you want your children or grandchildren to breathe that toxic in for 8 years?!

b) Quality green finishes and materials perform just as well as non-green finishes, if not better. Take the new green fabrics for example, they breath well therefore reduce the chance for skin allergy. They are not processed in chemicals so they are healthier to wear or to sleep in. You are not rubbing those chemicals off your skin that can cause irritations and rashes, you sleep better. You sleep better, you perform better during the day. Not a bad bargain at all.

c) Green finishes increase RESALE value. It’s true. By being more environmentally conscious and by installing green finishes and green appliances, you are reducing the costs to maintain your home, utilities and helping the planet out. With an rapid increase awareness of being green and eco-friendly, using green finishes and materials make the (more…)

Popularity: 6% [?]

One of the groups that I am involved in is pow.wow: networking the power of fabulous women. Next Tuesday, we are having an event on this new and increasingly popular concept of doing business: GREEN.

(photo by Tomatoskin)

But what does it mean to be Green? Do you actually save money? Or it just makes you look good? Another way of marketing?

Popularity: 8% [?]

Today is Earth Day so I will share what I personally do in my business to be more eco-friendly!

(from google: what would you do for earth day ‘08?)

Staging can be a wasteful industry, because we purchase, use and transport a lot of furnishing day in and day out. Here are a few things that I do to be more eco-friendly:

*Reduce garbage, reduce overhead– I plastic wrap most of my hard furnishing to protect them during transport, consequently we used to go through plastics like crazy. Moreover, we have a lot of cardboard boxes that came with the furnishing that we ordered. When I buy accessories, they also come with a lot of wrapping papers and plastic bags. I now reuse plastic wraps, re-purpose the cardboard boxes and reuse the plastic bags & tissue papers.

The Results worked toward my favor: less plastic wraps to buy, MUCH less garbage to throw away, much easier on the overhead. When the plastic wraps are super tired out, we use those as wrapping materials instead. I also cut apart cardboard boxes to put between the artwork to protect them. Moreover, I don’t buy trash bags at all, I just reuse the ones we got from the store. Oh, as a former yoga teacher, I also accumulated a lot of lost and found yoga mats from teaching. Those became the bottom layers of my artwork shelves to protect the frames from being scratched on raw wood.

*Build things consciously– I hired people to build custom shelves in my warehouse and we use screws instead of nails for putting the shelves together. Because screws can easily (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

Jello, anyone?

(wonderful work by artist Liz Hickok)

Have a delightful and yummy Friday

xoxo,

Cindy

Popularity: 6% [?]

With market conditions being what they are and houses sitting on the market longer, many people are turning to the Ancient art of Feng Shui to sell a home. Both Realtors and Homeowners alike are trying this and some are seeing astounding results.

For many years people have believed in the Power of St. Joseph Statues, buried in the backyard (upside-down) to make their homes sell and many still use this method as well. But with the new consciousness of Energy, more and more people are turning to Feng Shui Methods to help sell a home.

Everything around us is Energy. We are surrounded by it every single day by every single place that we occupy. Have you noticed that some homes just “FEEL” better then others? Although they may be similar in both location, price and amenities, one may just have a different feeling to it that draws us in.

Feng Shui is literally translated to mean “Wind/Water” and its methods seek to change the energy flow in a space to a positive one; to make a home feel warm and inviting and give it a sense of peace and harmony. Often times Realtors will work with Feng Shui Consultants to get that home off the market and get those moving trucks moving.

Feng Shui adjustments do not need to be expensive. We believe in the thought process as well so present owners need to Intentionally “let go” of their home before it can sell. What might be some of the adjustments a Feng Shui Consultant might use to achieve the goal of selling a home? We first look at the outside “forces” : Street energy, T Junctions and Cul de Sacs can be addressed easily and inexpensively with mirrors. The Front door, also know as “The Mouth of Chi” is also very important, it is considered to be the place where all good energy enters. A good pathway to the front door, a fresh coat of paint, a welcome sign are all wonderful additions.

Inside we seek to instill a good flow of Energy in the home. Using the furniture that is presently there, we may often rearrange it to allow the energy to flow smoothly through the space. Changing the energy flow has a deep and profound impact on people as it’s what helps instill positive feelings that we can create in a home. We also look at the Five Elements. Color selections and lighting to achieve a feeling of harmony and balance that draws new occupants IN and makes them want to stay there.

One thing that is often not discussed quite often in Feng Shui that absolutely helps clear a home of the old and stuck energy and infuses it with new energy are blessings. They are non-denominational and rid the home and the grounds of any negative energy from former occupants or anything that occurs on the land.

Remember, there’s a reason why some homes seem to reach out to you and you just “have to have it” because you’ve fallen in love; and that reason may very well be Feng Shui!

By: Carole Provenzale
Certified Feng Shui Consultant
http://www.FengShuiLI.com

Popularity: 9% [?]

Dial Directions is an amazing service that is free (except long distance charges may occur depending on your service plan) You don’t need to give them anything or register. All you need to do is dial the number and give them the directions, then you receive a text message (see the nifty comics above). Pretty cool, huh?

Do you have any other excellent tips for finding your way on the road? If so, jot it down here in the comments box.

Popularity: 6% [?]