Rather than bringing some flowers wrapped in tissue for your next hostess gift, or opening up the tissue and just putting them into a vase, make them look like you spent $40 at the flower shop.

All it takes is an inexpensive small rectangle or square vase from Walmart or the Dollar Store and some fun ribbon from the clearance bin at the craft store. The square or rectangle vases bring a modern flair to the arrangement.

Cut the stems down so the flowers will be only slightly taller than the vase. Tie a ribbon around the vase and you are done! It’s that easy.

I bought a few vases at Walmart and keep them on hand for my own use or if I need a quick hostess gift. This is also a great way to welcome your guest by putting an arrangement in their bedroom upon arrival. I have ribbon in various colors and patterns for different occasions.

My husband brings home flowers from the grocery store or farmer’s market quite frequently. This is a bouquet he brought home recently and put into a tall vase. It is pretty? Sure. Flowers are always pretty. But……….

……… can it be eye catching instead? Absolutely. A few snipes, shorter vase to make the arrangement appear fuller, a cute ribbon and a $7 grocery store bouquet is easily made into a whimsical arrangement.

Yes, finally Mr. Cutie Pie has his own TV show and it started yesterday. Nate Berkus, Mr. Cutie Pie, had his season premier of his first ever TV show and I am so happy!

I used to DVR Oprah just to scroll through to see when Nate was on the show. He is one of the most talented designer’s plus he is the sweetest guy. Last night I watched his first show that I had recorded.

Of course Nate found a single Mom down on her luck, who had lost her Dad, had been laid off from her job, struggling to keep her house for her boys and it was a shambles. He did a full Kitchen Makeover and I cried through the whole thing.

Nate put into words what I have always thought about the color black. In his words but not exact….something like this: “Black highlights create a place for the eye to stop. It grounds everything in a room. Other colors you use with black end up looking stronger and more powerful”. Exactly!! I couldn’t have said it anywhere near that well. I guess that is why I don’t have my own TV show.  I just know I love to use a little black in every room as it grounds the room and adds strength. But look how he said it!

So, Nate….I am so glad you have your own show and I don’t have to record Oprah looking for your guest appearances. www.thenateshow.com

Rooms With Style was called to do a Vacant Home Staging at this great home in South Minneapolis, MN. A wonderful older two story with tons of charm and character.

Rooms With Style has their own warehouse of furniture and accessories. We pick out each furniture piece down to the smallest accessory specifically for your home to suit the style, size of room as well as the targeted buyer. No two homes are the same and your staging shouldn’t be either.

Living Room Before and After:

 Dining Room Before and After:

I was thrilled when I received a call from the home owner saying he received an offer within seven days and the closing date was already set!

A real man is a woman’s best friend. He will never stand her up and never let her down.

 He will reassure her when she feels insecure and comfort her after a bad day.  

He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret.

 He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires.

 He will make sure she always feels as though she’s the most beautiful woman in the room and will enable her to be the most confident, sexy, seductive, and invincible.

 No wait ….. sorry ….. I’m thinking of wine.

 Never mind. 

(sorry men, it was just to funny to pass up sharing)

Last week I had the pleasure to stage this Vacant Condo in Edina, MN. The investor contacted me the previous week to submit a bid and within a few days we had a signed contract.

The investor had put in new carpet, counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and lighting and now all it needed was some pizazz.

Home Staging provides the wow factor needed to take it from good to great. This previously beautiful but beige home is now beautiful and bold.

Don’t let your listing be forgotten. Have them professionally staged so the buyer will not only remember it but make an offer!