Get A Goode Start Decorating

Neutral Colors Rock! By Stephanie Platt,  Interior Designer and Staging Assistant with A Goode Start My husband and I recently purchased new living room furniture.   I have always had a hand-me-down couch, something that went perfectly with someone else’s style.   This was a big purchase for me and one I took very seriously. I drug my husband to the furniture store on a Saturday morning where we proceeded to sit on what seemed like a never ending array of couches.   I fell head over heels in love with this trendy couch in a soft teal.   It was comfortable and gorgeous. I was ready to redo my entire living room in order for this couch to fit. And that is when my husband burst my bubble.   He wanted something that worked with the aesthetic that we already had and I had to agree. In the end we went with a nice neutral soft brown couch with clean sophisticated lines. When making big furniture purchases it is best to go with something neutral that will ...

Adding Pizzazz to Your Home with   Accent Walls By Guest Blogger, Stephanie Platt I am a sucker for old houses, there is just something about walking into a home that is unique and has lots of character. When my husband and I went searching for a house I really wanted to choose one that oozed character, but they were either out of my price range or needed way to much work for us. So we ended up settling for a builder’s grade duplex that needed some work.   I wanted to punch up the character and charm without going overboard on the budget.   Accent walls are a great way to introduce some character into your home.   An accent wall , or feature wall, is a wall whose design differs from the design of the other walls in the room. The accent wall's color can simply be a different shade of the color of the other walls, or have a completely different design in terms of the color and material . Accent walls are a great way to break up large spaces or to highligh...

By Guest Blogger, Stephanie Platt, 2012 Graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh   So you have decided to sell your house and get it staged.   Staging is a great way to showcase your home and it really lets buyers see your home at its best.   It is important to not forget about the outside of your house.   Curb appeal is so important when selling your home.   Don’t miss the opportunity to make a great first impression.   Here are some quick and simple things that you can do to make your home stand out.     -Maintenance: Even though the outside of your house might look clean it will still benefit from a once over with the power washer.   Siding and brick especially collect dirt and pollen over the years.   While you have the power washer be sure to go over the patio and walkways. Also be sure to trim any trees or shrubs and pull any weeds. -Paint: You don’t have to go crazy and paint the whole house but touching...

This article has been written by the newest addition to the Goode Start team, Stephanie Platt.  She is a 2012 graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.   As the seasons change and the temperature warms up, I start to count the days until I can dip my toes into the ocean at the beach.   As a child some of my best memories are at the beach walking and endlessly searching for treasure.   I would come home with pockets full of sand, shells and my favorite, sea glass.   It is a tradition that I am delighted that my children have adopted.   We have amassed quite a collection, and these gems are on display in a vase in my dining room.   It is a constant reminder of the beach even on the coldest days.       Recently I came across this color palette on pinterest (originally posted by Better Homes and Gardens) and I fell in love.   The most common colors of sea glass are white, and light blue- green.   ...

So you get the call. Potential buyers are coming in an hour and you’re still in your robe with coffee in hand. There are spilled Cheerios on the floor and kids running through the house. How do you keep it all together while living in a staged home?   1.       DO keep all the cleaning supplies you use in one place. Having them in a basket or caddy is a great idea. If you have multiple levels in your home, it may also be helpful to have one for each. You don’t want to be running around trying to find the dusting spray! 2.       DON’T leave your laundry, dirty or clean, out for everyone to see. Make sure your dirty ones are in the washer or hamper. If you haven’t folded clean ones yet, bring them with you to fold when you leave. It’ll kill time while you wait for the showing to be over. 3.       DO make your bed first thing when you wake up. When your bed is made, it can instantly make your room...

When “redecorating” comes to mind, dollar signs probably do, too. Take a quick look to learn how to shop in your own home and save some cash! First things first—room layout. By simply rearranging furniture, rooms can be given a whole new feel. A good room has good traffic flow. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there IS a lot of traffic, just that it is easy to walk into and/or through. With this in mind, think about what you might want to move around. Would the chair be better against a different wall? Is it frustrating to have to walk around the bed to get to the dresser? Take a walk around your home and “shop”. Focus on what you’re looking for. A small trunk could double as storage and a coffee table, or maybe an old table could be used as a desk. Don’t forget the attic and basement—you’d be surprised what you can find! Once you have the furniture together, it’s time to accessorize. Think unconventionally by turning a top sheet into a shower curtain. Use teacups from t...

Was, “De-Clutter” on your New Year’s Resolution List this year? Do you get so overwhelmed that you put keep putting it off? Whether you need to get your house ready to put on the market or are simply looking to better your interior spaces, here are a few tips and tricks to help you tackle messes (and keep them away)!   1.        Start Small. Don’t try to do everything in one day or all at once. This is how many people lose interest and energy in organizing. Instead, set a goal of something to complete and if you want, a timeline. Split up the time and the amount of work reasonably. If you know you have Aunt Martha coming to visit in 3 weeks and you don’t want her to comment on your messy closet, dedicate an hour each day until then to work on it. The time will add up and you will still be able to keep up with your busy life! 2.        Have a Place for Everything. When you have a designated spot for something...