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Halloween Décor Tips from Sassy Property Styling
Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to have a play with your interior decor. You can opt for all out scary, or add more cutesy touches. Whatever you choose, here are three easy ways to add a little bit of the stylish yet spooky decorating touches to your home.
Bunting & Banners
Easy to hold up and easy to find, banners or bunting make a great easy way to add a touch of Halloween to your home. If your bunting or banners are made out of a durable material, you can dress your front door up to entice the trick or treaters.
Alternatively, why not add your bunting to entrance ways or across the mantelpiece?
The added bonus is that bunting and banners are very easy to fold away and store as they take up minimal space - perfect for really getting the most out of them.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a given, and we can all have great Halloween fun carving them together. For an extra touch, go all out with pumpkins! You can now find pumpkins of every size in local supermarkets.
Using a variety of pumpkin sizes and shapes has a big impact with minimal effort, and they can even Halloween-ify the drabest of corners.
Think seasonal
If all-out Halloween decor isn’t your forte but you’d still like to do something, there are alternatives.
Autumn wreaths are a subtle yet pretty way to pay homage to the season. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even add a skull or pumpkin decoration for Halloween itself.
Love to see what you have been up to so please share with me on my social media channels
Happy Halloween
Anne x
Follow us at Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Sassy Property Styling Awards
The Best of Houzz in Service for 2023 - the 9th year running!
Innovation and Excellence Interior "Design Professional of the year 2022 and 2023 " by Corporate live wire
HouseWow - Home staging Awards for Best of Customer service winner - 2022
BUILD Real Estate & Property Awards 2020 - Best Home Staging and Interior Design Specialist - North West
Innovation & Excellence Awards 2019 - Winner Interior Design Specialist of the Year in North West
About Sassy Property Styling
Sassy Property Styling offers Award Winning Property Styling services for residential and commercial projects, including show homes and home staging.
A very Big Thanks, to you all for all the support, as could not do it with out all of your my great clients and supporters.
Get in touch with Anne by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Functional interior décor can be practical without compromising on style
It’s one thing having a beautiful home, but it doesn’t mean much in terms of livability if it’s not functional! Functional interior décor can be practical without compromising on style. Here are Sassy Property Styling’s top tips for functional interior décor.
Lighting
Having lighting in your home is a given - and it’s incredibly important in any room, but especially so in the kitchen. What lighting suits one room almost certainly won't suit another - due to variations in size and natural light, as well as the rooms use.
To get the right lighting for your rooms, consider what the rooms' purpose is, for example, your kitchen will need brighter lights in the winter months than in your bedroom.
You’ll also want to consider where other light sources are coming from. Is there a large window across the hall that will naturally let light in? Does light flood in from other rooms? You can probably dial the lighting down if that's the case.
Lastly, remember to consider your safety. You can almost apply the logic of emergency lighting to upper landings, and staircases, with low level LEDs (perhaps automatic) lighting the way.
Pet Friendly Flooring
Our four legged family members are a delight to have around, but not so much if you have to spend ages hoovering a thick pile carpet covered in pet hair.
Opting for pet friendly flooring can save you time cleaning without compromising on style.
Why not try…
Natural Stone - A classic British flooring, slab floors are incredibly hard wearing and are a breeze to clean with either a brush or a hoover.
Concrete - A very modern approach, but poured (and polished) concrete floors are increasingly common... and for good reason, too.
Cork - Another new technique for flooring. Cork is naturally antibacterial so helps prevent a build up of smells, as well as being scratch resistant.
Extra Tips
By making and creating your own art, you can add a lovely personal feed to your own home. As the trends change, you can create new artwork to update your home. You’ll also be less precious when it comes to artwork than if you’re sitting with a Monet in your home.
Make the most of your furniture with multi-functional options. Hard wearing chairs and stools are great in the garden - functioning both as seating and a drinks table!
Sassy Property Styling offers Award Winning Property Styling services for residential and commercial projects, including show homes and home staging.
Awards for 2023
We are delighted to announce that I have picked up a national award Innovation and Excellence Interior "Design Professional of the year 2023" by Corporate live wire
A huge thanks to you all as my amazing team and of course you my wonderful clients , as I could not do this without you all.
love and thanks
Anne x
Awards include Innovation & Excellence Awards 2022 & 2023 - Winner Interior Design Specialist of the Year UK , Best for Customer Service House Wow 2022 ans also Best of Houzz Service for the 9th years running 2023 for service
According to the Nationwide falling house prices coupled with the fact that the Bank of England might have to lift the interest rates again, means it becomes an even tougher market for house sellers.
What can the home owner who has to sell their house do?
It’s simple. Stage it.
We all know that beautiful photos make us look at a property on the internet. Therefore, it stands to reason to ensure your property is staged so well that it’s easy to take those fab photos. Having a video so that the potential buyer can take a stroll around your home is even better. This means that your home has to be picture perfect.
In my experience the majority of buyers want to move into a property that’s ‘key ready’. They are looking for a home for their family that will be comfortable, and more than likely, a step up on the market ladder than the house they are in now. In other words, they really don’t want to have to launch into major decorating or renovation projects. A small amount of work is acceptable, but what is the most enticing in a property is if they can simply move in and feel comfortable without too much effort.
Therefore, ensuring your property appeals to a wide market of buyers is crucial. I hear it all the time from sellers who say they want to keep their quirky style and eccentric furniture and layout. “But surely the buyer will see passed that!” they say.
I politely remind them that the likelihood of a couple coming into their home who have the exact same taste in décor as them, is highly unlikely, and that by continuing along this road they seriously limit their market. That pink bedroom and bright orange living room has to go! Then I remind them that they are in fact moving out of this house and that they can work their quirky magic on their new home!
79% of protentional buyers are put off empty or cluttered and dirty homes.
My tips are - when potential buyers enter your home, they need to see a house they can picture themselves living in. Make it easy for them by ensuring that each room has its rightful identity. That each room is clutter free, clean and tidy and its décor is stylish.
This doesn’t mean you have to paint everywhere magnolia! It means that each room has a coordinated colour scheme that is dressed so well that it cries out to be enjoyed. It is also important that the décor of each room complements the rest of the house. So, don’t have an art deco style in one room, Victorian in another and a contemporary in another. This may sound obvious but believe me I have seen it all!
The flow of your home has to be stylish, easy and inviting.
If there are houses for sale in your immediate location, take time to have a look and see what they have done. Then make sure your house is even better. It means a bit of investment, but take it from this expert, you will get that investment back when you don’t have to drop your asking price to sell it.
If you need any help or advice, give me a call. I love staging homes, and I have an excellent track record.
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The biggest mistake people make is to think they have to fill the room with lots of small furniture. Doing this will only succeed in making the space look smaller.
Going against those instincts can be daunting, but it’s the only way to go, trust me.
A bigger sofa and rug will actually make the space appear larger. You could then put in a smaller chair and smaller side tables.
The rug should be a bit longer than your sofa, and be able to accommodate a coffee table and a chair.
light
Be aware of where your light is coming from during the day. Here are a few questions for you to answer before you start to decorate and will help you design the layout.
How big is the window/s, where does the light land in the room? Which wall does it light up predominantly? What time of day is the light brightest?
At night think about how you will light the room effectively. And how you want to use the room is very important. Is it going to be a cosy intimate space? Do you want it to be a family room? The answers will help you decide on colour and lighting for your living room.
Going Neutral
Choosing light colours or pastels can seem like the easy safe option. But unless you add pops of colour with your soft furnishings the room will look bland and nondescript.
So, be clever to choose the colour scheme that will bring the room to life. This can be with colourful cushions, curtains and a rug. It will also allow you have a statement piece of furniture, a chair or sofa, that is bright and colourful.
Be aware though, that fashion changes and your hip stripy sofa may look tired and out of date in a few years.
I like to stick to two or three key colours to create a tranquil cohesive colour palette making the room feel snug and welcoming.
When choosing a sofa remember neutral doesn’t mean it has to be plain. Look for the one that has delicate curves, buttons or fluting and lovely detailing that gives it a stylish quality.
You can always liven it up with cushions and throws in bolder shades and patterns.
Shelving could be built into an alcove, painted and lit, or
Try selecting a neutral with a hint of yellow or umber that will bring warmth into the room. The Little Greene Company have a wonderful selection of paint and wallpaper colours.
Wallpaper is making a big come-back lately, and using wallpaper certainly does provide more variety and options to create the perfect look and feel to your room.
You could also think about choosing a darker neutral shade like this Hazy Morning by Dulux. It has been applied to the wall that is flooded with daylight from large windows. Its been married with a cream sofa and few pops of colour from the cushions.
‘Wild Wonder’ is what Dulux have chosen as this year’s colour trend. Here it has been applied to a corner that is not particularly illuminated with daylight. Therefore, it works well bringing light to the space.
Going Bold
If you have done the safe option before, how about going bold this time. Darker tones on the walls can look fab in a small space, creating a cosy atmosphere of calm and relaxation. Adding statement pieces of furniture that contrast will add interest and keep your room feeling vibrant.
Think about painting the skirting boards I the same bold colour to ensure that the room looks taller. Only paint them white when you have light pale colour scheme.
Make sure you get your lighting right. Avoid a bright central light that will make a nonsense of your room at night. Choose instead soft wall lights, a standard lamp, unit lights and small table lights. All these will provide a wonderful glow to the room. You can always incorporate a reading standard lamp that will provide enough direct light.
Large surface area will have impact
The large elements of a room, like the walls and floor, have a huge impact on how the small space feels and works.
Flooring has the power to enlarge or reduce the feel of the space. Laying floor planks, laminate of real planks, remember that chunky floorboards will work better in a small space than slim ones. Laying the flooring across the room will bring the space in, whereas laying them running from the door to the opposite wall will create the feel of space.
Ensure that the floor area is not cluttered, a correctly positioned coffee table, footstool, and small side tables will make sure the room feels clutter free.
Well hope that help and love to know what you do with regards to decoration please share to my Social media
Wishing you all the best
Anne x
Get in touch with Anne by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Anne Sowerby multi award winning interior designer
Sunshine, daffodils and cobwebs!
It’s so lovely to see the sun streaming in through our windows bringing with it the promise of summer.
However, it does light up all the cobwebs, tired wallpaper and paint work! Time for a serious spring clean and maybe a change of décor.
I think we all realise how important our living room has become after such tumultuous times. No longer is it the show piece to impress our friends, but a place where we live, work and play. It has to feel right for our way of life, and how we want to feel when in it.
Colours and texture are very important and getting it right for us and our family can be daunting. But after spending so much of our time at home during the pandemic we now understand that all these things really matter.
Blue and all its shades is the one colour that requires our eyes to do little-to-no adjusting, making it easy to live with and restful. In fact blue is predicted to be the top colour for 2023, starting with sky blue for its calming effect. This can be married with a punchy electric blue, gold and even green with a hint of purple on cushions and accessories.
Bringing nature into our homes has become very important and Dulux predict that their Wild Wonder warm neutral barley colour that can look more green on one wall and more gold on another.
Dulux colour of the year 2023 Wild Wonder has a unique property | Ideal Home
Let me help you with some ideas.
If you already have a neutral colour pallet then this is an ideal base on which to paint vibrant colours with all your soft furnishings.
Very often I create an entirely different room just by changing cushions, curtains, rugs, small tables, lamps and accessories. All of which are not expensive and the job can be achieved quickly, making a rather satisfying exercise.
Wash and box up all the older soft furnishings and store for when you want to change things around again. This way you will build up a number of seasonal colours and textures to choose from.
While a velvet sofa is luxurious and sumptuous, we have to think about the practicality of it when weighed up against a twill fabric. A light colour against a dark. You really want your sofa to look good for as long as possible, and be easily cleaned.
Money saving tips
Consider renovating tired old furniture like a sideboard, small tables and lamps. Wooden furniture can be sanded down and either stained or painted and then varnished or waxed to finish them off. You would be surprised how satisfying this is. There are lots of ideas and tips on the internet that will help you through this process. Think of the money it will save.
Lamps bases can be spray painted and a new shade fitted to make it look brand new. It’s always great to upcycle items.
If you do want to go the whole hog and invest in new wallpaper, then have a look at these links for ideas.
The Little Greene Company provide great ideas on how to create wonderful results with wallpaper, they even give you tips on how to hang the paper. How to Use Wallpaper Throughout Your Home | Little Greene
It is so easy to create the wow factor statement in your living room with the right wallpaper. Remember to choose a thick wallpaper to ensure it doesn’t stretch when hanging, as the thinner less expensive ones tend to do which makes matching up the pattern impossible. Its definitely worth spending a little bit extra on a good quality one.
Give me a call if you need any help.
Anne x
M: 07725 246434 T: 01697 320732
E:
Lighting up the dark
During this dark time of year its important to get the lighting right in our homes. There are many studies that show light is extremely important to our mental health. Lack of it can cause depression or a general feeling of sluggishness and lack of energy.
So here are a few tips on how you can improve the lighting in your home to promote good health and happiness for you and your family.
1. On a dull rainy day stand in your living room and notice where the dark areas are and think about how you would like to make them brighter. It doesn’t have to be lighting, it can be a well-placed mirror.
1. Carry out the same exercise in the evening when its dark outside. Think about how your living room is used now and how you want it to be
used.
2. Is it mainly for watching TV, or is it a sociable space for the family to interact? Think about the mood you want to create.
Do you want it bright? Should it have a reading corner? Do you want it to be cosy and intermate? Or do you want a combination of all three?
If it’s the latter, then you will need to create zones.
3. The same exercise can be carried out in your hall, kitchen, dining room and bedrooms. Each room will have its own unique requirement.
4. Inexpensive way to add light and create warmth is adding hurricane lamps and candles. These look great and will increase warmth, cosiness
and will be inviting too.
5. Increase the glow from candles by placing them in front of a mirror or window to increase the reflection. This is why in Scandinavian
countries they have lights in their windows that create a warm glow where otherwise it would be darkness in the winter.
6. A kitchen will need plenty of lighting that is strategically placed above work and cooking surfaces. Lights to illuminate shelves, and cupboards
are also a possibility.
7. The hallway can feel very small and dark especially if there isn’t a window letting in natural light. This space needs to feel warm and
welcoming, yet bright enough for family and guests to remove their shoes and coats easily. A well-placed mirror or two will bounce light
around and make the space feel bigger.
8. The dining room is a more intermate space that has to set the scene of welcome and cosiness while still being bright enough for people to
see what they are eating. A nice light just above the dining table is always a good idea for starters. Then think about lighting around the
room that could illuminate pictures and maybe a Welsh dresser. Candles on the table will add that special touch too.
9. The bedrooms can be a tricky place to light, and I find many people tend to simply forget about this room and leave it with a bright central
light. These rooms are just as important because each one fulfils a number of requirements from; a sanctuary from a busy family life, to a
place where the occupant can relax and prepare for the day ahead, to a room where children do their homework, or guests feel cherished
and comfortable.
So, think about each bedroom and its function then think about how it has to perform those functions better. Getting the lighting right will help each room perform well.
10. Tips on blubs - Switch your bulbs to LED ones, that use up to 90% less energy, is a good move now. LED bulbs are just as pretty, but not as damaging on the environment or your electric bill! How about trying solar powered lights especially in a window.
Has this blog been useful? If you would like more information and help with lighting your home, take a look at my Pinterest for ideas, or give me call or email to discuss how I can help you.
love to hear what you have been up too
Anne
Get in touch with Anne by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Christmas Decor Tips for you home by Sassy Property Styling
The countdown to Christmas is on! If you’re looking for some extra inspiration to get you into the festive spirit, this blog post will help you do just that. From little touches to make your home feel that extra special, to eco-friendly ways to feel merry, read on to be inspired!.
It’s all about the lights
One of the easiest ways to embrace Christmas is to bring out the lights. Fairy lights can be added to door frames, mirrors, and mantelpieces for that extra bit of twinkle.
If having your Christmas lights on feels like you're punishing the planet, there is an alternative that’s eco-friendly.
Eco-friendly Christmas lights are LED lights which use up to 90% less energy. Or, you could use solar powered lights. Just as pretty, but without the electric bills price tag!
Repurpose old decorations
Be honest, do you have a pile of Christmas decorations from years gone by piling up in your attic or basement?
If you can’t bear to part with the memories, give your old decorations a new lease of life!
Excess baubles can be placed in bowls and vases as a way to make a pretty Christmas centrepiece on the table.
Any bows, ribbons, or other trinkets used to decorate gifts can be used as decor around the home, or reused for another years of gift wrapping. If you have ribbon lying around, why not add them to pillows as an easy eco-friendly Christmas decoration.
Christmas Tree Alternatives
A Christmas tree is what comes to mind when many people think of Christmas decorations, but did you know that it doesn't have to be a real tree?
There are so many alternatives on the market which can be reused year after year, and offer a more sustainable alternative to chopping down trees.
A good quality, realistic artificial tree will last for years. Or, for something more unique and handmade, you could use varying length sticks to create your own Christmas tree and decorate with baubles. This could be another fun one to do together as a family.
Both options are guilt-free!
love to know what you do with regards to decoration please share to my Social media
Wishing you a wonderful festive season
Anne x
Get in touch with Anne by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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Sassy Property Styling has been keeping an eye on this year’s design trends. We’ve summed up some we love for Summer 2022 and beyond.
Unique Shapes & Shades
Photos: RealHomes
A curvaceous headboard is a striking and head turning take on your traditional angled headboard that can give a more luxurious look.
Sculptural vases are ‘in’ for 2022. Think abstract, voluptuous shapes that make for a great shelfie.
Pale shades, known as ‘Sanctuary Shades’, give your home a subtle elegance that’s flexible to the rest of your decor.
Bold Enough
Rough and ready textures have had a revamp. This year, it’s all about unfinished wood, natural wools, and woven seats for a more tactile approach to the texture trend.
DIY is in. Handcrafted accents are not only stylish, but sustainable, too. A win-win.
Embrace nature in your interior by adding house plants, making use of natural wood, or other natural accessories such as shells, fossils, and stones. This could be another opportunity to get crafty, too.
Bathroom Brilliance
Don’t forget your bathroom! This year, bathroom’s are big on tiles, lighting, and bright colours.
Tiles have taken a down to earth approach with rich, earth tones.
Lighting has gone from fluoro to toned down. Layered lighting is in for 2022, giving you a more diverse approach to illuminating your bathrooms. Think shaving lights, light-up mirrors, and dimmable overhead lights.
Bring the fun with bright, bold colours for your bathroom.
Houzz Best of Service 2022
Sassy Property Styling has won the award for the Best of Houzz in Service for 2022!
About Sassy Property Styling
Sassy Property Styling offers Award Winning Property Styling services for residential and commercial projects, including show homes and home staging.
Awards include Innovation & Excellence Awards 2020 - Winner Interior Design Specialist of the Year, BUILD Real Estate & Property Awards 2020 Best Home Staging and Interior Design Specialist - North West and 2022 Best of Houzz Service for the 7th year running.
Why not get in touch with Anne today ....
by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Home staging can help you to sell your home quicker.
On average, a staged home will sell for 6 to 8% more than a similar sized, un-staged home based on average house prices in 2022.
What is home staging?
Home staging’s primary goal is to make your home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers when you put your home on the market. The idea is that home staging helps you to sell your home faster and for more money.
Sassy Property Styling has helped numerous clients use home staging to sell their home faster and for more money, even when the home had previously been on the market for weeks with no enquiries.
How does home staging work?
By an interior designer such as
The home is staged in such a way to make the most of your home’s positive features, as well as help potential buyers to envisage themselves living there.
What are the benefits of home staging?
Having your home staged by a professional has numerous benefits, including saving money - Staging your home will always cost you less than your first price reduction.
Sassy Property Styling helped a property that had been on the market for five months with only a couple of viewings and feedback stating that potential buyers were put off by the amount of work they thought they’d need to do. After Sassy had worked their home staging magic, there were a total of 17 viewings, and the property was sold at asking price in just 5 weeks.
Get in touch with Anne by emailing
Follow Sassy Property Styling on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
About Sassy Property Styling ltd
Sassy Property Styling offers Award Winning Property Styling services for residential and commercial projects, including show homes and home staging.
Sassy Property Styling offers Multi Award Winning Property Styling services for residential and commercial projects, including show homes and home staging.
Awards include Innovation & Excellence Awards 2020 - Winner Interior Design Specialist of the Year, BUILD Real Estate & Property Awards 2020 Best Home Staging and Interior Design Specialist - North West and 2022 Best of Houzz Service for the 7th year running.