Tip Jar: Granite VS Quartz to Sell a Home
What are your thoughts on Granite vs. Quartz? Is the extra price for quartz worth it for resale?
Quartz is the newest trend that people are using for countertops. But granite is still the top choice by many. My suggestion is that if you are re-doing the kitchen and the look of the Quartz really completes the look, then use it!
An Uber-Modern kitchen may really demand the look of a solid color Quartz countertop where as a more traditional luxury kitchen may lend itself to the natural patterns and colors found in Granite. There is so much variety in both choices that the price difference should be relatively close. Dollar for dollar, there will be no return but like I mentioned above, if a solid color Quartz or a swirling multicolored and patterned Granite really pulls the look of the kitchen together, that fine aesthetic may seal the deal for a sale. People are usually emotional buyers who fall in love with as little as one or two features in a home.
Practically speaking, Granite needs slightly more care such as occasional sealing of the surface. But, that being the popular recommendation, I sealed my low cost Uba Tuba Granite counters in my kitchen only once in the last few years and they still look beautiful. Quartz does not need that extra care. Also, though Granite is not man-made it is comparatively not a more sustainable choice over Quartz. Granite is a limited resource and if you're going for a "green", sustainable kitchen countertop material, Quartz may be the way to go.
We are so fortunate to live in a country where 1) we have so many choices and 2) we are in a position to take advantage of those choices!
Related:
9 More Things People Want in a Kitchen
Tip Jar: Keep it Real with Real Artwork
The next time you're tempted to buy that mass-produced so-called "art" that you find at one of those home goods stores, think again. Just because it's cheap and your wall needs a little something doesn't make it a good idea!
For Cheap Art that you can Cherish, check out your local galleries. In Philadelphia, we are lucky to have an annual event for the penny-pinching art seekers out there. It's called Art for the Cash Poor and everything is priced under $199!
We've gone every year for the last few years and it is always a great time. The Crane Building is one of the most dynamic buildings in the Kensington South district. This area is also known as Old Kensington. But make no mistake, the Crane Arts Building in the most Southern part of Kensington has been a beacon of culture and advancement of the Arts that has really helped put the Old Kensington neighborhood on the map.
The Crane building is a converted industrial space that is now a facility that houses dozens of art studios, workshops, and gallery space for artists looking for a place to create, network, and show. This year's AFTCP art sale will run on June 11-12, with live music, food, and an outdoor vendor section. Everything is affordable and it is the one place you really can find that special work of art that you will make your home look like a million bucks.
Keep it real, people! There's great art out there at bargain prices.
Tip Jar: Knock Knock. Who’s There?
Knock Knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo Who? Don't Cry! Today's tip will cheer you up after that knock-knock joke.
Why did I start with such a groaner? To drive my tip jar point home. Unlike my knock-knock intro, your front door is no joke when it comes to the beautification of your home.
In Philadelphia, door decor is, for some people, somewhat of a status symbol, for others a way of communicating their personality, and yet for others their front door is a terribly neglected part of the home. Many people use their front doors to differentiate their home from other rowhomes on the block. It is not unusual to see people all over the city decorate their doors with holiday themes or even salvaging retro doors to create a unique and welcoming entrance. But there is nothing more sad than a neglected, paint-stripped, or plain old ugly door. Your front door needs love, too, and whether you realize it or not, it says a lot about you.
In case you need some help, here are a few tips to keep your front door from being a senseless victim of my knock-knock jokes.
1) Choose a unique color for your door, one that really pops.
2) Add a beautiful outdoor wreath made of natural weatherproof materials so it lasts.
3) Try decorative accessories such as stainless steel address numbers or a nice accent mailbox.
4) A custom door or salvaged door makes an amazing statement but is a bit more costly.
Related:
Tip Jar: Curb Appeal in the Concrete Jungle
[photo from our awesome Collins Street properties!]
Tip Jar: Ground Breaking? Not Really.
You do not need to break ground or break your back to have a beautiful and rewarding city garden. Potted planters make the perfect terrain to fulfill your desires to do some planting this season.. You don't need a degree in horticulture to make it beautiful, either. Here are some tips on what kinds of plants grow easily in the harsh summer climate in Philadelphia.
1. Shrubs and tree species do best in potted gardens and on decks.
2. Bamboo is brilliant because it grows in direct sun and there are non-invasive species that won't overwhelm your space.
3. Mint and lavender have always grown exceptionally well on my deck and there are so many varieties of herbs that will thrive.
4. Cherry tomato plants are a favorite to use as a deck veggie and are easy to pluck, wash, and pop into a salad!
With very little space, you can unearth your green thumb and transform your balcony, deck, window box, or a small patio garden. Your success will be measured not by how big your garden is, but how well it grows! Selecting the right plants is the secret.
What other plants have you used that have grown well in the city?
Related:
Decks & Patios: Creating an Urban Oasis in Philly
Outdoor Furniture for the Ultimate Urban Retreat
Tip Jar: Don’t Let the Walls Cave In on You, Paint Them!
Before:
Back to our powerful painting transformation over at 912 E Passyunk Avenue in Bella Vista.
We swapped out the red, which made the hallway appear narrow, for a widening gray. Ahh, much more spacious already!
Perhaps the most neglected part of a home is the hallway. Scuffs, poor lighting, bad paint colors all can make an already small hall space seem even smaller and claustrophobic.
- Remember, dramatic color is great for your wardrobe but not always for your walls.
- Avoid dark colors or colors with too much pigment. Avoid hanging too much artwork or oversized pieces in a small hall.
- Add accent mirrors, light paint colors, and bright lighting to open up a hallway.
After:
Related:
You Know it is Time to Paint when…
You Know it is Time to Paint when…
1) Your guests say, "Wow, these colors are definitely, how should I say it? Umm... Creative! Yeah . That's the word."
2) Your mother picks the ugliest painting at the Flea Market and says, "This would look great with your lime green ceiling."
3) The prospective buyer's Realtor leaves showing feedback like this, "The black and orange walls were too bold for my client's taste."
A fresh coat of paint or a new color can change everything about a room. We headed over to a home for sale in Bella Vista to see how we could transform this property with a little bit of color. We had received some feedback particularly about the colors of the walls, so we called on the experts at Busybee Design to do a color consult with us. They came to the rescue and we have no doubt that this property is going to look dramatically different after its color makeover!
The after photos will be posted next week. Stay tuned to see the power of a fresh paint job!
Tip Jar: A Little Green Goes a Long Way
We love neutrals, grays, and blacks just as much as most fashion-savvy folk. Even a cloudy day can be irresistibly chic.
But whenever we feel like something is missing, there's no pop or spirit in a room, on our plate, or outside a window -- we turn to green. A little green goes a long way.
1) Adding a green plant to a room can be the perfect finishing touch and will freshen the air.
2) Slipping in something green to every meal will improve your nutrition.
3) Replacing old fixtures, systems, bulbs and appliances with Energy Star rated versions will increase the value of your home and save you money on energy bills.
4) Use touches of green to make a room instantly calming...ever wonder why guests on talk shows wait in the "Green Room"?
5) Every bit that you recycle or dispose of through a garbage disposal or compost translates to less overall garbage. That means less trash to take out, less bags to buy, and less that ends up in landfills.
Got any green advice for us?
Tip Jar: Precious Metals
I am an Alchemist when it comes to home finishings and home decor. I love to mix metals with gold tones and silver tones. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a designer No-No. In fact, when properly combined, mixing metal finishes can create a unique and eclectic style completely your own.
For example, try using brushed or antique gold-toned frames with brushed nickle and silver frames on a wall.
Use throw pillows with a mix of metal ornaments.
Try clustering gold and silver tabletop vases to create a metallic bouquet of sculptural elements. Gold tends to soften a room that feels too stark or cold.
Silver and steel elements in a room can immediately modernize an otherwise old-fashioned looking space.
If your furniture has accents of brass upholstery nails or steel legs, do not feel obligated to be too matchy-matchy. Experiment!
As a self-proclaimed Alchemistress and licensed Realtor, I have been in thousands of homes. And I will warn the novice Alchemist to avoid one major faux pas which will surely create a bad chemical reaction. Never mix standard brass hardware that you find on doors and cabinetry pulls with silver or stainless faucets such as kitchen and bath fixtures. That type of experiment in metals will surely explode in the face of your good intentions when it comes to finishing touches to your home. I find that this is a common mistake made by many well-intentioned developers and it translates terribly to potential buyers.
So go ahead and mix it up! Just keep your hands off of those fixtures.
[image via west elm]
Tip Jar: Why Try Ply?
Here is a home remodeling tip that may make many of you traditionalists roll your eyes at me.
Plywood Floors.
That's right. I was just showing a client a property in Fishtown that had finished plywood floors instead of the more expensive alternative, hardwood. I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it looked. It was not the first time I had seen plywood floors as the main flooring material. I had seen painted plywood used in restaurants and artist studios before as well. In fact, The Triangle Theater Building in Old Kensington has one floor that is plywood, painted white, and it really makes a statement without impacting your bank statement, if you know what I mean.
Hey, if you don't like it, that plywood can become your sub floor for when you want to go with the more traditional hardwood or tile.
Plywood Flooring is economical, easy to install, and comes in a variety of veneers. When researching Plywood Flooring I noticed that there was some concern about the thickness and durability of the veneer as well as the amount of time it would take to sand and finish these large planks of wood. Either way, it is a good alternative that in the short term will save you money and create a unique look completely your own. So if you have a low budget, are a do it yourself-er, and are not encumbered by traditional trends, then Why not Try Ply?
[photo of 100K House via Dwell Magazine]
Tip Jar: Use It or Lose It!
One chore I dread every approaching spring is unpacking my winter wardrobe and replacing it with my wpring things. Since we live in a condo with limited closet space, minimalism is a hard and fast rule. But even so, somehow every approaching Spring Season that rule melted along with the winter's snow.
If you find yourself in the same predicament this spring or if you are considering selling your home and are preparing it for showings and the critical eyes of visitors, then we've got a tip for you...
Use It or Lose It!
Get rid of the things that are cluttering your closet while you are doing the seasonal closet switcheroo. If you are not sure what should stay and what should go, then the following will help you get started.
It must go if:
1) You have not worn it in a year.
2) It is too big to wear or too small to squeeze into.
3) It is not your style.
4) Your Great Aunt crocheted it.
5) It has moth holes in it.
6) It has stains.
7) You wore it in college.
8) Worse... You wore it in High School!
The process will be liberating for you! Making room in the cluttered closet often allows you to make the most of the best clothing you have. You can donate many of the items that are in good shape. And if you are preparing your home for a sale, a decluttered closet gives a prospective buyer the sense that your closets are just the right size for them. The last impression you want to leave them with is that your closets are too small for their needs.
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