My passion for interior design derives from helping people just like you solve design dilemmas. My hope is that I can inspire you through my own life journey and what I’ve learned along the way. Thank you for your support. -Tiffani

Tiffani Michalenko 11/22/22 Tiffani Michalenko 11/22/22

Are The Holidays A Good Time Sell A Home?

Should you put off selling your home until the spring season?

Towards the end of October and the beginning of November, I am often asked "Are the holidays a good time to sell a home? Should I hold off until spring? What will the winter real estate market be like this year?”.

The answer may surprise you. Keep scrolling to find out.

With so much going on at the end of the year… Holiday parties and family gatherings. Living in a home on the market can be a pain in any season, and more so during the holidays. So, if you (or your real estate clients) are in no hurry to sell, it may make sense from a convenience standpoint to hold off until the festive season is past. On the other hand...

There are some good reasons why the holidays are actually a great time to sell a home.

The first of the year is a common time for new job starts, so the weeks leading up to that are a prime time for some house hunters. With the school break, families have an opportunity to relocate with minimal learning days lost. They may also have vacation days that expire at year-end, so this is their window to find a new home.

Yes - the recent mortgage rate increases have slowed some buyers down, but buyers who are still looking are serious buyers. These buyers are often from out of town and are more likely to have a relocation package or submit a cash offer. They are motivated buyers.

Is it OK to style with holiday decor in homes staged for sale?

Try to keep holiday decorations simple, minimal, and non-religious when a home is on the market. Think greenery and possibly a poinsettia. This is true only for showings. MLS photos are another story!!

Listing photos should not have any holiday hints visible.

This goes for any other season as well. When you have any type of holiday decor on display, this can give a clue about when photos were taken and put a visual time-stamp on those images. This tells a prospective buyer about how long the home has been on the market.

Let's put a dollar value on a Christmas tree in a house on the market.

A major factor in home value is the price per square foot. The average Christmas tree consumes about 15 square feet of floor space. Crazy, right? Let’s say the home is priced at $200/sq ft. That means that the tree is concealing $3000 in perceived value. source

All of our reindeer, Santas, and garlands make a home feel so cozy, but in real estate, 'cozy' equals 'small and cluttered'.

My gift to you!

In the spirit of the season, I created a Home Staging Cheat Sheet to help you or your real estate clients prepare their homes for sale. Enjoy!

Staging Cheat Sheet that works for any season!

get it now

Happy Holidays!

Tiffani Michalenko 3/30/22 Tiffani Michalenko 3/30/22

Fresh Take Log Cabin

Lakefront Airbnb gets furniture makeover.

From Cheeky Tropical Beach Decor to Updated Lakefront Comfort

A fresh take on a log cabin Airbnb.

This 1980s log cabin is nestled in next to Lake Norman in North Carolina. The peaceful surrounding environment invites guests to vacation here and to enjoy all that the lake has to offer.

Redesigning the furnishings for this Airbnb was a huge undertaking because the cabin has so many different wood tones to work around. The other main challenges for this redesign were staying true to the architectural style of the home and working with some of the existing furniture pieces. My client and I wanted to elevate the decor yet keep in mind that everything needed to be affordable, comfortable, and practical for short-term renters.

Renewed Details

Upon their arrival, guests are welcomed to their vacation home with a whimsical wooden arrow sign pointing vacationers toward the lake. Fresh new pillows and a new doormat greet them before entering.

The Biggest Transformation

I personally feel that the living room has undergone the biggest transformation. We took The Golden Girls vibe out of this house and inserted a polished yet relaxed atmosphere.

Living Room Before

Side note: I had a very difficult time trying to donate this furniture because I was told: “it was too ugly”! LOL

Living Room After

For the size and shape of the living room, I chose a more proportionately sized sectional that now allows for a better functioning conversational space. Before, the sofa and four chairs were uninviting and made the room feel closed off.

I included a new natural sisal rug layered with an outdoor area rug on top. In a short-term rental scenario, outdoor rugs are more practical in heavy traffic areas. They are easy to maintain and will stay looking nice after many guests have come and gone. It was an added bonus that I could reuse the blue rug found in another room.

New accessories, artwork and throw pillows tie together the blue and white color palette that can now be seen throughout the home.

Depending on the time of day, the two-story open living room can be very dark, so adding a table lamp was a necessity. Not only does the lamp add additional lighting, but the overall style of the lamp and the color white also make it stand out and add much-needed contrast to the wooden walls.

I added faux plants wherever I could to bring nature inside and liven up the interior. Before, the only plants to be found were the pink and green floral prints on the chair fabric, tropical leaves on the rugs, and the floral prints on the wall decor. Live plants would be ideal, however not practical in a short-term rental space.

Don’t Fight It… Work With It

This kitchen has four different wood tones going on! The walls and floors are two different wood tones and then the island is a different wood tone than the wall cabinets! Ay, ay, ay… It wasn’t in the budget to make any cosmetic changes, so I had to figure out a way to work with what was there.

Kitchen Before

Hot Tip:

The log walls in this cabin all have an orange undertone making the walls the bossy main fixed element. By establishing what the bossy fixed elements is, I then determined blue to be the best color to work with this orange tone instead of fighting against it. Orange and Blue are directly opposite each other on the color wheel creating a complementary color scheme. When you choose complementary colors on the wheel, the warm and cool hues play off each other, producing palettes that enjoy the best of both worlds.

Kitchen After

If you notice we kept the blue and white knobs on the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Since this color palette was established, I ran with it and sprinkled blue and white throughout the house to create cohesion. We could have changed the cabinet hardware for something more modern and sleek, but the knobs are a little quirky just like this house!

We did, however, swap outdated light fixtures for these beauties! The elegant glass shape adds a sense of sophistication to the room. I restyled the open shelves and we purchased new industrial-style counter stools to tie in the matte black metal from the light fixtures.

Black and Bold

Before, the dining room was very uninspiring with the outdated dining set. The dining table and chairs were the same wood tone as the walls, which looks washed out and very dated. The dining table almost disappears into the sea of brown.

Dining Room Before

Now making a bold statement, this chic black table paired with matte black metal chairs is more pronounced.

Dining Room After

I love the metal stud detailing on the edges of the tabletop and the table base is so amazing!

That View Tho!

The view from this Sitting Room is breathtaking!

Before this space was underwhelming and honestly, I can’t get past the tropical print on this furniture to even appreciate the view of the lake!

Sitting Room Before

Sitting Room After

The oversized map of lake Norman was unique so we kept it where it was.

Blue accent chairs paired with a leather loveseat offer needed texture and color to this space. A faux fur throw blanket, bright white pillows, a colorful area rug, new sculptural wall art, and small decorative items take this space up to the next level.

Bedroom Styling

This cabin accommodates up to 15 guests. Ensuring guests have everything they need for a comfortable stay is a must when it comes to short-term rentals.

In an effort to save money, we kept and reused much of the furniture that was in the bedrooms. We did, however, update most of the beds with new mattresses and bed linens.

Primary Bedroom

Originally this bedroom had a California King-Size bed. The room is large enough to accommodate this bed size, but I wanted to better use the space and create a more comfortable seating area, so we changed the bed to a King-Size.

Primary Bedroom Before

Primary Bedroom After

I was able to move two bookcases from the basement up to this room to use as nightstands. I found these sleek leather X-base benches for the foot of the bed which tie in the new black metal headboard.

I built my color palette around the existing rocking chair fabric which was in great condition. I purchased a new area rug, throw pillows, blankets, artwork, and accessories. The lamps came from another bedroom and I think they work great in this space.

Secondary Bedrooms

There are three guest rooms on the second floor and one more located in the basement.

In this first bedroom, I updated the bedding and used large Euro-size pillows to make up for the lack of a headboard. I incorporated nautical elements through the rope detailing on the lamps, oval mirror, clock, and coral throw pillow.

Bright white bedding freshens and brightens up the otherwise dark room.

The smallest out of all the bedrooms is also the darkest. I selected soft light blue bedding that has a slight sheen to it to help reflect light. Details like the embroidered “Welcome” pillows and plush area rug soften the space and create a more inviting atmosphere. Light-colored artwork also helps to break up all of the dark wood on the walls.

Bunkbed Rooms

We decided to keep all of the bunkbed frames. They were in great shape and only needed a little updating.

I liked the colorful nautical decor that was already in this room. I thought it was playful and perfect for younger kids. I added bright yellow clamp on reading lights and fleece blankets to each bed.

This white coffee table was originally in the living room serving only as a place for the internet and cable electronic boxes to sit. By moving the table to this bunkbed room and adding adorable poufs, young guests now have a play table area.

Creating a more sophisticated yet cool hangout space was a must. Updating the bedding in the basement bunkbed room allowed me to design a space better suited for teens.

I liked the leather settee that was there. To update the look though, I added textural faux fur throw pillows, a rug with a trendy boho pattern, and an interesting coffee table. Each bed now has updated more mature bed linens, a soft fleece blanket, and a reading light.

Game On!

The garage space already had so many games and activities in it, but it felt cluttered and incomplete.

Game Room Before

We added two arcade games and for an added pop of color on the walls, I chose four adventure-themed movie posters from the 1980 era to speak to the time when this house was built.

Game Room After

The garage space is ready for guests to spend some quality time together!

All the Amenities

Enjoying the lake is only one of the great outdoor activities to do in Lake Norman.

I liked how this house has a fire-pit, built-it horseshoe game, basketball hoop, and of course the dock with a paddle boat.

Jump in and make a splash!

This Airbnb has it all.

Plan Before You Plunge

To show my client design concepts, I used my eDesign platform to create renderings so they could see my vision.

Every design should have a vision or mood board. It isn’t possible to fully put together a cohesive look without planning ahead and seeing everything put together.

find out more

Interested in staying in this cabin for your next vacation?

book your VRBO stay here

book your airbnb stay here

Planning for your own Short-Term Rental?

Download a FREE copy of our Short-Term Rental Checklist for all of the necessary guest accommodations.

download now

Tiffani Michalenko

HSR Certified Home Stager & Expert eDesigner

Tiffani Michalenko 1/6/22 Tiffani Michalenko 1/6/22

Post-Holiday Winter Blues Got You Feeling Down?

Embrace the awkward season between the holidays and spring with a refresh to your home decor.

The holidays may be over, but winter certainly is not.

Do you feel sad after all the holiday decor is stored away? I know I do. I miss the ambiance in my home from all of the Christmas tree twinkling lights and our special mementos that I decorate with. My home looks a bit dull and lacking once everything is put away. Did you know that the post-holiday winter blues are a real thing? You might be experiencing it if you feel a bit down after your Christmas decorations go into storage.

With winter in full swing, it's too early to decorate for spring and it may feel like holiday decor is the only option to decorate with right now. Have no fear, post-holiday winter decor is the perfect way to add an extra dose of coziness to your home!

I’m not talking about Christmas holiday decorations either, I’m referring to making updates that go beyond the holiday season and will maintain a sense of coziness.

Have you heard of Hygge decor? Pronounced hue-gah, this decor style is a Danish concept that focuses on embracing life’s simple pleasures and comfort. Introducing this concept into your home will help take you through to the next season.

Read on to see how you can embrace the awkward season between the holidays and spring!

1. Edit Your Home

The New Year is a great time to go through your home and edit (aka declutter). Take a day or a weekend tackling one space at a time and reflect on what is useful in your home and what is not. By hitting the ‘reset’ button on your home, you’ll be able to cleanse your space… and your mind. Visual clutter can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Donate those items that no longer bring you joy or serve a meaningful purpose. Make room for what is important to you and your family!

2. Bring the Outdoors In

This rings true for any season… but especially in winter when we can’t frequent the outdoors as often as we can in warmer months and also because most of the plant life is dormant. By bringing in greenery, you will add life and warmth to your home. Eucalyptus and Boxwood are types of greenery that feel especially wintery. Both last a long time and are beautiful even when they dry out. I love eucalyptus the most because of its calming effect and soothing scent!

Did you know that different types of greenery go best with certain design styles?

Mid-century Modern, Minimal, Eclectic styles = eucalyptus
Traditional styles = redwood, pine, blue spruce
Farmhouse styles = juniper, cedar, and magnolia
Boho styles = seeded eucalyptus

Source

HOT TIP: Living plants not really your thing? Faux greenery will give you the same feeling of warmth and life without the guilt of a dying house plant. Ikea is a great source for inexpensive faux plants and planters.

3. Incorporate Textures

Without texture, design is flat, two-dimensional, and boring. Rooms need varying textures for visual and physical interest. You could incorporate textures throughout a room by layering pillows, soft throw blankets, area rugs, and other cozy textures. I like to layer in textures such as boucle, sheepskin, tweeds, faux fur, mohair, and velvet. Chunky knit throws and natural elements would take your space to the next level! If you can splurge, consider a cashmere throw blanket. The extra soft texture is sure to be an indulgence.

HOT TIP: Create balance in your room by layering textures evenly throughout so that no one piece of furniture or area in the room feels lonely or without the cozy factor. I like to keep things simple with just 1-3 pillows on sofas and larger chairs paired with a cozy throw blanket.

4. Add a Plush Rug

One easy way to help your home feel cozier is by adding in a plush rug. Real or Faux Sheepskin rugs can be layered with your existing area rug to create a comfy corner in your space. You could also add one to the side of the bed so that the first thing you place your feet onto in the morning, is a plush warm furry rug!

5. Use Accent Lighting

Accent lights are the perfect way to create a warm glow and brighten up your home in the darker winter season. In an entryway, you could consider layering a table lamp in addition to the overhead lighting you already have. Smaller decorative table lamps sprinkled throughout your home will add additional light and style.

HOT TIP: Candles have a way of adding light, warmth, and an ambient mood to any space. Layer in candles anywhere that you want a comforting glow. There are so many wonderful winter scented candles, try to stick with 1-2 scents throughout. Flameless battery-operated candles are a great alternative for kid-friendly spaces!

6. Embrace the Winter Blue Hues

Blue is and will always be a timeless color no matter the time of year, plus the color blue has the added bonus of seamlessly transitioning into the spring! Breathe new life into your home with a fresh cheery color palette.

The color blue could be incorporated into almost any room. For a winter color refresh, consider crisp blues paired with cheerful yellows to keep your space feeling bright. Swapping out throw pillow covers is an inexpensive way to instantly add shades of blue. Introducing pillow covers with interesting patterns has a way of making your space feel renewed and fresh.

7. Time to Update Your Bedding

The winter months can bring in a much colder climate depending on where you live, so it might be a good idea to update your bedding. Flannel is a go-to choice for sheets. You may want to also switch to a heavier down option for your duvet comforter. After you establish the bedding basics, layer the bed with a cozy quilt or throw blanket. Weighted blankets are trending for optimum relaxation and coziness.

8. New Artwork

Support your post-holiday winter color palette by incorporating artwork into your home. You could swap out for any art that inspires you and makes you feel at peace during the winter. Swapping out art can be small and simple or large and impactful. Winter scenes make for great art - think snowy mountains, snow-covered architecture, or impressionist wintery landscapes.

Are you the DIY type? Framed pressed winter flowers or greenery would make for great winter art.

HOT TIP: Canvas art is lightweight, easily stored, and inexpensive!

I hope that you are able to combat those Winter Blues. How will you refresh your home for the winter months?