Welcome to the Let Patty Do It News and Tips Newsletter issue number 13.

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Welcome to my latest newsletter. It has been an eventful year. My business has been absolutely fantastic and I want to take this moment to thank you all and wish you a wonderful summer and terrific second half of the year.

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Do you watch HGTV and see how the shows repurpose things or buy new things to give the rooms a stylish look? Do you think you would be more organized if you had beautiful furniture and accessories? Let’s break their system down in a way that we can all understand.

1. In staging, redesign, remix, even Trading Spaces and Clean Sweep-first Everything comes out of the room. If you watch carefully, you will notice that no clutter comes back! That’s your first big tip to having a beautiful room! In my 6 years of organizing and staging, I have found that a pretty room stays clutter free a lot longer. In staging, sellers really like the uncluttered look-they just had not been forced to practice it until they were selling. Many of my sellers invite me to their new homes so they can have the same look we achieved for their old house!
2. Call a friend. This makeover will take some time and some muscle. You must remove everything from the room. That means anything on shelves, walls, ledges, mantels etc. When the room is empty, bring back the largest piece and point if to the focal point of the room, usually a fireplace, television, maybe the view. Ask yourself what do you want guests to notice first. That’s your focal point!
3. Find that piece of the puzzle, and then start adding to it. The last thing you do is accessorize.

Do you watch HGTV and see how the shows repurpose things or buy new things to give the rooms a stylish look?

Do you think you would be more organized if you had beautiful furniture and accessories?

Let’s break their system down in a way that we can all understand.

1. In staging, redesign, remix, even Trading Spaces and Clean Sweep-first Everything comes out of the room.  If you watch carefully, you will notice that no clutter comes back!

That’s your first big tip to having a beautiful room!  In my 6 years of organizing and staging, I have found that a pretty room stays clutter free a lot longer.  In staging, sellers really like the uncluttered look-they just had not been forced to practice it until they were selling.  Many of my sellers invite me to their new homes so they can have the same look we achieved for their old house!

2. Call a friend.  This makeover will take some time and some muscle.  You must remove everything from the room. That means anything on shelves, walls, ledges, mantels etc.  When the room is empty, bring back the largest piece and point if to the focal point of the room, usually a fireplace, television, maybe the view.  Ask yourself what do you want guests to notice first.  That’s your focal point!
3. Find that piece of the puzzle, and then start adding to it.  The last thing you do is accessorize.

What to do with the stuff.
Baskets are a wonderful tool.  Anything you can containerize will give a neater appearance.  Remember, Like things together!  If you use a plastic container (clear is best) Be sure and label the container and put the date on it.

Things that work well in baskets:

• Magazines:
  • When the basket gets full, throw the oldest issues away!  Even if you haven’t read them
• Catalogs:
  • When the new catalog comes in, throw out the old one.  If there is an idea that you like, tear it out of the catalog or magazine and put it in and idea file.
• Toys:
  • If the family room is also the kid’s playroom, baskets will help them learn to put away their toys and are a quick way to clear the space for you and hubby to relax.
• Games:
  • Put pieces and directions in a labeled zip lock bag and boards in basket.
• Bath products: 
  • Baskets are a perfect way to corral your soaps, scents and all those little trial samples you get
• Cosmetics: 
  • A pretty basket on the counter is much more attractive than stuff strewn all over the counter.  It will also show you when you’ve purchase too many eye shadows or lipsticks and it’s time to toss.
    

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Interesting tips from others:
suzeemiller@fengshuiplaza.com

Question:
We have been trying to sell our old home for over a year. We have built a new home a short distance away. The house is empty, it is a beautiful older home with lots of beautiful woodwork. The front door faces West. What can I do to help move things a long to sell the house?
Answer:
Vacant houses are difficult to sell. They become SHA... stale, stuck chaotic energy. I suggest adding "some" items of furniture throughout the house, along with colorful towels, potpourri, candles and a few plants (silk or real), as well as artwork on the walls.

Buyers fall in love with a beautiful and peaceful way of life, not with structures/buildings. It is difficult for people, in general, to visualize a way of life in empty space. Also, houses appear smaller when vacant than when furnished. I suggest you do everything possible to bring LIFE back into your abandoned house... this includes color in the garden as well.

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Does Staging Work?
The above article supports some interesting personal figures that I have. So far this year I have staged 62 properties: 2 were taken off the market to do major landscape work, I have 12 properties staged at this time and the average time on the market from staging to closing is 45days!!! Staging works!

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Interesting new product:
Do you have recessed lights in your home? There is now an easy kit to replace some recessed lights with pendant lights. The lights screw in like a light bulb! What an easy and inexpensive project to help update your lighting. The pendant kit costs less than $50! See them on line at Lowes.com. Search for item #244322 Recessed Light Conversion Kit.

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Remember* Sometimes the best use of your time is to hire a professional!  I would love to help you and I always welcome referrals for which I will give you one free hour of organizing for every referral that you send me that turns into an actual job!

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If you have a group that might enjoy a short presentation about organizing, please call me.  I would love to speak to your group!  If it’s in the South Metro area, I will speak for free!

Have a clutter free Summer!

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Fun Quotes

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning." --
George Carlin

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." -- Mark Twain

"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." -- Pauline R. Kezer

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Need help?
Let Patty Do It!
Patty Salam
303-944-0234
email: patty@letpattydoit.com

www.letpattydoit.com