Get A Goode Start Decorating

For the Love of Design Do you love to decorate your home for different occasions or seasons? I do and I always feel like after Christmas there is such a long space before I can decorate for spring and Easter.  I think I end up keeping my Christmas decorations up a little too long to fill the void.  But this year I decided to decorate for Valentine’s Day; it isn’t a typical holiday to decorate for, but I think that with a couple simple touches you can bring the warmth of Valentine’s Day into your home.  Here are couple of examples of simple, chic Valentine's-inspired designs for your home. Punch it up with pillows: These two pictures show pillows that you can use throughout your home to give a Valentines vibe.  You can use pillows in your living room, bedroom or really anywhere. And the beauty of these pillows is that they don’t scream Valentine’s Day, and therefore, you can use them year round if you choose.  If the traditional reds and p...

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2016 Surprise! This year Pantone has chosen two colors to represent the Color of the Year.   The colors are a complete opposite of last year’s rich, bold color Marsala.   This year, Pantone chose two colors on the other end of the color wheel, Rose Quartz and Serenity are soft and subtle. "Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,” (Leatrice Eiseman- Pantone Color Institute) I actually love the choice of two softer colors for this year. I think both colors are really versatile and can be used in a variety of color schemes.   Rose Quartz is subtle tone that can really be used as a neutral and compliment a variety of colors.   Both colors would pair well with darker, bold blues and purples, but could also work well paired with whites and creams to c...

By Stephanie Platt, Interior Designer and Staging Assistant, A Goode Start My husband and I are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen, and I can tell you that deciding on which countertop to go with kept me up a couple of nights.   In the end, we went with a classic oak butcher block.   When it is installed and oiled it will really pop against our white cabinets and dark floors.   We had debated whether to splurge on granite, but in the end we chose the more budget friendly option.   Our house sits in a neighborhood of first time houses; in fact, our house is our starter house. When shopping for finishes for your house, you really want to take the neighborhood into consideration.   You don’t want to add something to your house that will raise the price too much for the target buyer.   Kitchens are an eye-catcher when you are selling your house.   It is the kitchens and bathrooms that will set your house apart from all the others on the market...

Five Common Decorating Mistakes By Stephanie Platt, Interior Designer and Staging Assistant for A Goode Start Are you decorating a space in your house or do you have a space that just doesn't;t work and you can't figure out what the problem is? Below is a list of some common mistakes that when addressed can make a big impact on your space. 1. Not Enough Light - The key to creating an effective lighting plan in your space is to use layers.  There are three categories of lighting and all three need to be used to create a well lit space. General- General lighting, also known as ambient light, provides your room with overall light.  The most common types of general lighting is chandeliers, ceiling or wall mounted fixtures, recessed lights and floor/table lamps.  The overall light in a space should be comfortable and allow you to perform tasks and move around safely. Task- Think of task light as light for your work space. It is lighting that helps you pe...

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...