REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE IN DESIGN

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz
 

Monday was Earth Day, and since I have a BA degree in Environmental Studies, I couldn't pass up incorporating my eco-friendly principles into a post.  In the design world, there are many unique and exciting approaches to repurposing various items.  I love the character that comes from the creativity of altering a salvaged object.  I especially love anything that keeps stuff out of our landfills.  I have been somewhat obsessed with the very cool designs that have been surfacing from the re-use of shipping pallets.  Since pallets are often available for free, they are a great option for exploring creative design.  A few things to keep in mind - pallets come in different grades, and with different chemical treatments.  Some of the chemical treatments are not advised for indoor use, so please do a little research before implementing a pallet design into the interior of your home.  Here is a fun "Ideabook" from the folks at Houzz.com with some suggestions on how to incorporate pallet designs into the inside or outside of your home.  Although the ideas in the Houzz article may not suit all tastes, they are merely examples of responsible and practical ways to incorporate environmentally sound practices into design projects.  Even the most high-end design projects have eco-friendly options.
Happy Earth Day!
  

Salvage Style: Reinvent Shipping Pallets

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Home Office Remodels · Staircase Remodels · Gym Remodels · Bedroom Remodels · Basement Remodels · Entry Remodels · Landscaping Remodels ·

HOME STAGING

Key Associates

By: Lue Kirchner

www.keyassociates.biz

 

Key Associates was recently called in to stage a home that had been on the market for three years.  The owners decided to take the home off the market for 90 days during the slow winter real estate market (January through March) to allow time for our staff to make recommendations and implement updates.  After we determined what needed to be done, we enlisted the help of our painting contractor, Paul Jones of Down Home Painting, for the bulk of the work.  All of the wallpaper and borders were removed, and then the entire main floor was prepped and painted in appropriate neutral colors that were selected to complement the existing tile, carpeting, and stonework. 
 

The dated "pickled oak" finish on the kitchen cabinets was sanded down and re-painted in a beautiful, updated neutral color and new hardware was installed.
 

 

At our recommendation, the owner removed some oversized furnishings that they had left when they relocated.

 

 

We also removed or modified/simplified existing window treatments and updated a couple of light fixtures in the foyer. 
 

Just as we were preparing to bring in our "staging" furnishings prior to the home going back on the market, the Realtor arranged to bring a potential buyer through.  That's all it took - we never even got to what we (Key Associates staff members) feel is the really fun part of actually placing the furniture and accessorizing a home to show it off to its best advantage.  After three years on the market, the very first showing produced a contract, and the closing is set for the coming weeks.  All it took was a little "staging expertise", and a lot less wallpaper, to show off this home's potential and prompt a sale. 

Photo Credits: 

©2013 Barbara Donithan Poole,InSight Photography; all rights reserved

EASTER TABLE DESIGNS

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

Although it is officially spring, our weather in Western North Carolina has been anything but spring-like.  We have had snow on and off all week, and it is still frigid outside.  My mom's side of the family is Jewish, so my mom, son, and I made a quick trip to Atlanta for the Monday evening Passover Seder with extended family.  Even in Atlanta, we woke up to snow sticking to the ground...in spring...in Georgia!  Regardless of what Mother Nature is trying to tell us, the holiday's of Passover and Easter certainly inspire feelings of spring.  Although the main Passover festivities have passed, this weekend is time for Easter celebrations.  Like many families, mine is a melting pot of religions and traditions, and so I now prepare for the Easter celebration.  Here are some inspirations for bright Easter or springtime decorating.  Enjoy the holiday!

 

10 Ways to Set the Table for an Amazing Easter

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Decorating Ideas and Photos- For Example:

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REALTORS AND MOVE MANAGERS

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

 

At Key Associates, we absolutely adore the collaborative relationship that we have with our local realtors.  Within the real estate market, there are many different aspects of that process in which partnering resources can benefit clients.  We often refer our clients to realtors for help in buying or selling homes, and realtors often refer clients to us for various services.  For real estate clients selling homes, we can assist with home staging to both increase sales prices and to decrease market time.  For clients purchasing new homes, we enjoy assisting with interior design.  We also very much enjoy assisting older adult real estate clients with senior move management.  By collaborating resources, Key Associates and the realtors we work with, both benefit from offering our clients an increased level of professional service.  Here is a short video that discusses some of the benefits that can be realized when realtors partner with a Senior Move Management provider such as Key Associates.  

 

   

SPRING CLEANING

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

 

Since we just passed the "spring forward" time change, and the first day of Spring is next week, it is a good time to get into spring cleaning mode.  For me, I tend to rotate deep cleaning tasks into my weekly cleaning routine - tasks such as wiping down ceiling fans, vacuuming the baseboards, orange-oiling wood furniture, and washing down cover plates and walls.  I like to pick one task to add to each weekly cleaning session, so as to not have an overwhelming stack of deep cleaning needs.  For many people, spring cleaning also involves decluttering.  That too is something that I try to maintain on a regular basis.  I most always have accumulating piles for thrift store donation, consignment or other re-sale, or just plain trash. 

 

If you are one of the many people who aren't the best at keeping clutter and cleaning at bay, remember that the staff at Key Associates is skilled at helping.  We have one client who was extremely organized and neat in the main part of her house, but who needed assistance with her large basement and garage - which were literally packed full.  Our staff was just the nudge she needed to work through her piles, and establish new approaches.  With our assistance, our client was able to discard a very large truckload of junk, to make a room full of yard sale items, and to implement organization systems throughout her newly decluttered spaces.  Here's an article that I enjoyed on getting help decluttering.

 

 

Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

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DECK DESIGNS

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

 

This morning we woke up to approximately 2 inches of snow on the ground.  Although I wouldn't mind a little sledding time with my son, the arrival of March has encouraged full-fledged spring fever for me.  We had a nice taste of warm weather last weekend, and I took some time to spread pine straw in my flower beds.  Here in Western North Carolina, we enjoy a taste of all four seasons, but summer is definitely my favorite.  There is no place I'd rather be then outside, on my deck, enjoying the nature that surrounds my mountain home.  Since I'm looking forward to warm weather and days on my deck, I thought some deck design ideas might be appropriate.  Enjoy!

 

TIPS FOR RETIREMENT

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

As my parents and I have watched my grandparents address the challenges of aging, we have often discussed their own goals for retirement.  I'm lucky that my parents are very practical, and open to moving to an appropriate retirement living situation before it would become such a daunting task.  My maternal grandparents spent many of the summers of their retirement years working at summer camps.  They received free room and board at camps in exchange for my grandmother to teach tennis and my grandfather to teach rifelry.  I doubt that they received any sort of stipend, but they thoroughly enjoyed teaching the kids and the camaraderie of the camp setting.  It got them out of their retirement condo for a few months out of the year, and gave them some wonderful experiences.

Although my mom still has a few more years of full time work ahead, my dad is already embracing his retirement.  He bought an RV, and my parents enjoy travelling in it on my mom's breaks from teaching at our local college.  My dad also volunteers several days a week at our local food kitchen.  And, once a month, my dad and several of his friends enjoy an afternoon of "old man poker".  They've played together for over 30 years, and their games used to be at night when I was growing up.  Now, that they are retired, they have switched to a more respectable time of day.

Earlier this week I was speaking to an 88 year old lady who is legendary in our small town for the level of activity that she has maintained.  She still teaches water aerobics classes, and was telling me about the upcoming marathon that she is running.  Yes, that's right, at 88 years old, she's about to embark on her umpteenth 26.2 mile marathon run.

Here are some tips from About.com on how to have a happy retirement - 10 Tips for Happy Retirement Living.  Enjoy!