  Too hot for you to get out there and do some summer gardening? Well, if you’re selling your home you’d best be prepared to get out there and liven up your landscaping. In summer’s hot and competitive market, buyers are expecting yards to be parading their “best in bloom” colors, and showing off all their assets. So, slap on that sunscreen and get in gear to optimize your homes final sale price. Here are some quick and easy tips, to get you revved up for potential buyers: Stage Your Garden and Yard It’s very important to create some usable, practical entertaining spaces out of your existing yard and garden. This need not be too elaborate of an addition. It can be as simple as setting up a table and a set of comfortable chairs in the corner of your back yard. Stage the table with a nice linen or cotton table cloth: something airy and summery. Set up some colorful potted plants or flowers around the table to add some appealing color. Another idea might be to buy, or build a bench that takes advantage of a particular view or a nice spot amongst your garden. Water features are enticing elements and if you can “spring” for a well-placed fountain on your deck or in your garden, you’d be wise to do so. The sound of water generally evokes a calming emotion and can serve to drain out any unwanted neighborhood sounds. Be sure to keep your lawn and foliage amply watered. You’ll want all green things to look as green as possible. Also, the wetness will bring down the air temperature for a cooling effect. Flower Power Plant bright colored red and yellow flowers to catch a buyer’s attention. Use them as punctuation to accent around other more mono-chrome or green areas of your yard. Likewise, if you live in a very warm climate white flowers can be nice and add a refreshing cooling effect. Green is Gold Adding lush green foliage is a great way to spruce up empty space that is currently unused. An easy way to add beautiful green, tropical flair to your landscaping is to add hanging ferns Prep the Deck A deck is a great outdoor feature and should be highlighted. Again, with the trend for outdoor “rooms” you should make sure your deck is as appealing and comfortable as the inside of your home. Watch for cracks on structural timbers. Check the deck’s surface and remove any old nail heads or screws that are sticking out- replace them with galvanized decking screws. Once your deck is structurally sound- give it a power wash or re-stain it if it’s thirsty! Next, you can create some staged space out there- maybe a canvas gazebo to provide some shade, and some potted tree and colored flowers for visual flair and appeal. Be creative and have fun. Leave No Stone Un-turned A general rule of thumb, is to make sure all of your outdoor space has been attended to in some way. Often times an area can come to life and be much improved with a simple organizing or clean-up job.  Photo Courtesy of Collov Home Design #homestaging #Floridahomestagers #interiordesigntips #interiordesign #Floridarealestate #homeinteriors #homesforsaleinFlorida #interiordesign
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 Photo Courtesy of Annie Spratt  Photo Courtesy of Maria Orlova Many designers and design publications are saying antique rugs are the hottest thing right now in the home decor market. Fancy resorts, hotels and other high end destinations are all jumping on the band wagon. Rugs which many consider a precious investment, due to their age and value, are now found in the hippest interior designs. Why are they so valuable? Hand woven carpets such as these are a living history, recording memorable people and events. Passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms, these antique rugs are an important part of world culture. Some consider them their most prized possessions, since these antique carpets are works of art which have several practical uses. Skilled craftsmen and designers spend hours weaving intricate patterns and images into them. No wonder they have been used like currency for thousands of years. One of our oldest art forms, described in writings of the ancient Egyptians and Marco Polo. Hand woven rugs are made by many different cultures across the globe from South America to Asia. Although, unlike many art forms, they have stood the test of time, with some being over two thousand years old. A Brief History of Antique Rugs from Europe During the rule of the Muslim Moors between the 8th and 13th centuries, Europe was introduced to rug weaving primarily through Spain. The travels of Marco Polo and Spanish embassies to Venice were mainly responsible. The two most notable styles to originate from Europe are the French Savonnerie and Aubusson styles of the 17th and 18th centuries. French Savonnerie, established in Paris(1628), produced ornate rugs primarily for use in palaces, special order and royal request. Traditional artists were overseeing the production of rug orders, so their influence is highly visible. Scenes from the Savonnerie antique rugs depict the glories of the age, floral garlands, naturalistic flowers and ornamental motifs. Antique rugs with romantic scenes of medieval times also are typical of the latter part of this era. Antique rugs of the Abusson style, rumored to have begun in the 8th century, were formally established in 1743, with the advent of a royal rug and carpet factory. The initial productions from this factory were reproductions of key Turkish and Smyrna rugs. Also, designs were less intricate and expensive than those produced in Savonnerie. Later, a new style was implemented here, based off of Savonnerie, to be less distracting. A Brief History of Antique Rugs from India During the 16th century, Humayan, the son of the first Moghul Shah, was exiled to Persia by an Afghan revolt ten years after the death of his father Babur. During his nine year stay he developed a taste for Persian art, and upon his return to India he brought with him two reputable Persian artists. Well known for their paintings, these Persian artists established the Moghul school of painting which blended their styles with that of the Indians. This was the basis for Humayan’s son Akbar to encourage the development of fine arts and artistic industries. The earliest recorded evidence of rug production came at this time, praising Akbar for nurturing artistic weaving and the arts in general. Early antique Indian carpets and rugs feature free designs, with little symmetry. Floral and animal designs are a common theme, with some of the animals having several heads and devouring each other. Pictorial realism and Hindu mythology are both major characteristics of antique Indian rugs. Abstract symbols and dense ornamentation also distinguish antique Indian rugs from others. Antique Indian rugs, known for their vibrant colors, were produced with their famous dyes. All the colors of the rainbow were extracted from their local flora. The local fauna produced the wool primarily used for weaving, although silk was readily available and used often. In short, it is no wonder these ornate works of art are now on western designers minds. From beauty to usefulness and floor covering to wall decoration, antique rugs are here to stay.  Photo Courtesy of Bradford Zak #interiordesign #interiordesigntips #Tampa #FloridaDesigners #ClearwaterBeach #Rugs #designtrends #timelessdesign #antique #textiles
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Designer, Life Coach, + Realtor® - Candance Toscano"You can design the life of your dreams and acquire that luxurious, fulfilled and empowered lifestyle you know you have always wanted." Archives
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