10 Small Changes That Can Yield Big Results

 Photo Courtesy of BHG.com

Spring is a great time of year to make a few changes around your home. Here are a few ideas that can yield some instant results and make a major impact, too. Are you pressed for time or on a budget? These are 10 quick, easy, and low cost ideas that can give your home a fresh new look with a minimum of effort.

1. First impressions count. Paint your front door a new and different color! Add a new doorknocker and add a seasonal wreath or other arrangement that says "Welcome!" Add a few pots of flowers or window boxes to your front entry. You can also replace that old doormat with a new one.

2. Inside your home - Clear clutter from surfaces. The easiest way to give a room a fresher look is to clear away anything that clutters up your space. It's time to let your rooms breathe!

3. Pare down on accessories and knickknacks. A few well chosen accessories nicely displayed will make more of an impact than a bunch of knickknacks scattered on every available surface.

4. Ditch those tired and dated dried floral arrangements, wreaths, centerpieces, etc. that are past their prime. If they are more than a couple years old, have lost their color and freshness - it's time to replace them with live healthy plants, fresh flowers, or a single orchid or bamboo plant. A simple and elegant silk arrangement in a beautiful container would also be lovely.

5. Replace a tired and dated bedspread with a fresh new comforter or quilt. Add some new sheets and pillows. (You can donate some of your old bedding to the local animal shelter!) On a budget? Local area discount and department stores often have special sales or have "bed-in-a-bag" ensembles for very reasonable prices. Favorite resources for moderately priced bedding include The Company Store, Linen Source, Pottery Barn, and Country Curtains.

6. Replace those frilly and ruffled curtains and pillows that were so popular a few years back with something more simple and tailored. Replace the ruffled curtains with simple panels or Roman shades for a more tailored and classic look. Favorite resources for ready-made curtains and drapes include Country Curtains, Smith + Noble, Pottery Barn, and JC Penney.

7. Paint is an easy and fairly low-cost way to transform a room or a piece of furniture. Don't have time to do a whole room? Paint one wall as an accent and see how that can become a focal point. My favorite paints? I usually spec out Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams, but there are other good brands available.

8. Have a favorite lamp or light fixture that looks dated? Replace the lampshade for an easy fix or paint the base a different color. There are lots of options to choose from. Local resources for me include The Lighting Place and Lake's Lampshades.

9. An old sofa or chair can be updated quickly with a new slipcover. There are many options available from inexpensive to custom-fitted. Sometimes a slipcover can be a temporary solution until you can afford to buy that new sofa or chair. Or just add some fresh new throw pillows!

10. Replace an old and leaky faucet in your kitchen or bathroom with a newer model. You can also replace your shower heads with newer models. Most will also help you save considerably on water consumption!

These are just a few tips to get you started. For more ideas, there are lots of on-line resources, magazines, and books available -- not to mention all the home improvement shows on TV!

Ceil Petrucelli is an interior designer, decorator, and home organizing consultant based in Bennington, VT and is the owner of Ceil Petrucelli Interiors and The House Therapist. She can be reached at ceilpetrucelli@comcast.net

30 Creative & Inexpensive Marketing Ideas for Small Business Owners

I was recently the guest speaker at the WBON - Women Business Owners Network Upper Valley Chapter monthly meeting which was held at the historic Norwich Inn, located in Norwich, VT. We had a delicious lunch and I had a great time with an amazing group of women.

When I was invited to speak several months ago, I knew I didn't want to talk about home organizing, interior design or decorating, but about something else entirely - creative and inexpensive marketing ideas for small business owners. Marketing and PR -- something that has really become an "avocation" of sorts for me in the past year or so as my various business ventures transition into different areas. I took a few classes over the past 3-4 years, started to read, learn, and developed lots of resources and started to become a "go-to" person for some local area small businesses, non-profits, and creative types who needed a little guidance here and there. 

I came up with about 30 ideas that are, for the most part, inexpensive, creative, or actually, very basic. Marketing isn't about "selling," it's really about developing relationships. And it's not just about "closing the sale," but about "opening up a relationship" with a customer or client.

Here's a link to the article -- Read and enjoy, and feel free to pass it on.

I'd also like to share some of my favorite books by Seth Godin, best selling author, blogger, speaker, and marketing guru. I follow Seth's blog and he offers some great ideas and really brilliant "aha!" moments every day. The man's a genius and inspires many of us.

     

If you are a small business owner or creative-type person in the Southern VT area and need a little help with your marketing, PR, or social networking, get in touch and perhaps we can work together! (I'm also available for workshops and speaking engagements)

Thanks!

More Favorites on Organizing and Living with Less "Stuff"

Here are a few more favorites on organizing, clearing clutter, and living with less "stuff."

From Julie Morgenstern

       

From Peter Walsh

   

From Others
       

For more books, information, and resources on organizing, decorating, and more, please visit my On-Line Store.

Lots of great books for sale on my On-Line Bookstore! Please visit!

If you live in Southwestern VT or the Berkshires, I'm available for in-home consultations. For more information, please visit my website or contact me via email to set up an appointment. I run seasonal specials and can be available for either short-term or longer term projects. Reasonable rates and great references! 

Did you know I have a weekly radio show on WBTN 1370AM, Bennington, VT's local radio station? You can listen to House Therapy and Design every Thursday at 11 AM (EST) on WBTN 1370 AM. Outside the Bennington, VT listening area, shows are available on-line.

You can also follow me on Twitter and The House Therapist has a page on Facebook, too! Hope you'll check us out there!

Some Favorite Books & Resources for Organizing and Clearing Clutter

A New Year and a great time to get organized and clear out some of the clutter. Here are a few of my favorite books and resources.

From Donna Smallin
 

Visit my On-Line Bookstore for more books on organizing, clearing clutter, decorating, and more!

Visit my On-Line Store for more home organizing and home decorating products and ideas.

'Tis the Season of Giving and Sharing

15 Ideas and Tips to Give More, Spend Less, and Share More Time with Friends and Family During the Holiday Season

The holiday season should be a time to enjoy, share good times with friends, family, co-workers, and other special people in our lives. But, too often, it becomes a very stressful time of year for many of us because we're trying to do too much, cramming in as much as possible during a generally very hectic time of year, and then often feel guilty if we sometimes fall short of our expectations or plans. This year especially, with the economy still not rebounding, many families are faced with smaller budgets, working longer hours to make ends meet, and many people are still unemployed or under employed. But we can still find ways to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones without spending a lot of money and going deeper into debt.

Here are a few ideas:

1. If you're buying gifts this year, buy gifts that support a favorite cause. A few websites to check out include www.thehungersite.com; www.thebreastcancersite.com; www.theliteracysite.com; and Bidding For Good www.cmarket.com Another one is Prosperity Candle which helps women in war-torn areas to rebuild their lives . You can buy a gift and know that a % of the sale is going to help others.
2. Don't exchange gifts at all! Instead make a donation to a favorite non-profit. This can be done in honor or in memory of a friend, family member, or a client. A few years ago, members of my family started to make donations to favorite causes in lieu of exchanging gifts. One year, we made donations to a local hospice; another year we "adopted" a child in Central America; another year the local animal shelter; and a few times, we made donations to Heifer International www.heifer.org and made a difference in the lives of several families in Africa.
3. Host a holiday pot luck gathering for friends, neighbors, or family. Ask that everyone bring a non-perishable food item to the party to be donated to a local food bank. Or ask everyone to bring a gift that can be donated to Toys for Tots or some other organization that is donating toys and clothing to less fortunate children and their families.
4. Host a party for your kids and their friends to make handmade holiday ornaments, gift tags, and gifts. Invite parents to come along to help supervise. Ask everyone to bring an assortment of paper, paints, glitter, etc. Provide light refreshments, healthy snacks, and drinks. You can find some great holiday ideas at www.bhg.com/holidays
5. Enjoy singing? Get a group together to go caroling around your neighborhood some evening. After you're done, invite participants to have hot mulled cider and homemade cookies. Another twist is to gather a group together to visit local area nursing homes. This is a great way to bring some cheer to folks who may often get lonely during the holidays if they don't have family nearby.
6. You don't have to spend a lot of money on gift wrapping! Especially now when we are all doing our best to recycle, reuse, repurpose, and conserve. Instead of buying new gift wrap, use whatever you have on hand and make it look festive by adding different embellishments. Tissue paper, kraft paper, a roll of newsprint paper, or white drawing paper are all good choices. Decorate with stamped designs, stencils, leftover trims and ribbon, beads, pine cones, appliqués, press on letters, etc. Go to Real Simple www.realsimple.com for some inexpensive and creative ideas.
7. Create beautiful, inexpensive, and memorable holiday decorations from natural materials such as fruits, nuts, berries, pine cones, evergreens, bark, twigs, leaves, etc. Go to www.bhg.com/holidays for tips, information, and instructions.
8. Instead of buying "new," shop at local antique stores, flea markets, and second hand and thrift shops to find items which can be repurposed or made into something "new." If you're handy, you can make a lamp from an old crock, jar, or container. Buy a new lampshade to fit, and voila! A new lamp! You can find some great ideas in a book by Judy Lake, aka "The Lampshade Lady" from Pawlet, VT -- The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life. Go to www.lakeslampshades.com for more information.
9.  Another idea - find a pretty teacup and saucer and include it in a gift box with assorted teas, and maybe a vintage teaspoon. Add a package of shortbread or little tea cakes. Better yet, include   some home baked cookies. Yum!
10. Vintage pins, bracelets, earrings, brooches, stick pins, and cuff links can often be found very inexpensively at flea markets, antique shops, and second hand shops. These all make great gifts!
11. Host a recycle, reuse, re-purpose (and Oh, No!) re-gift exchange with friends and neighbors. Attendees can bring anywhere from 1 to 5 or more items that they'd like to part with and exchange with others at the party. For example, you bring a book, a framed print, a set of martini glasses, a basket, and a set of mugs. These can be exchanged for other items brought to the party by others. 
12. Another twist on the same idea is to have attendees bid on various popular items and the highest bidder wins. The money is then donated to a local charity. Any gift items that are left over can be donated to the local Goodwill Store, Thrift Shop, or Salvation Army Store.
13. One of the easiest ways to get your home ready for the holidays and reduce some stress is to spend some time de-cluttering ahead of time. Before you start to decorate, make sure you get rid of anything you don't need, want, or absolutely love to have around. This may also be a way to find some gift items for that holiday "exchange" party or find some things that can be donated to a local homeless shelter or someone in need. 
14. We all like to have our homes looking their best during the holidays, especially if we're planning to entertain. But what if your furniture has seen better days and you can't afford to buy that new sofa or chair just yet? You can cover it with an inexpensive slipcover or throw, or use a quilt or coverlet to hide a multitude of sins. Add a few new throw pillows in festive holiday colors and your ugly duckling has been transformed into a swan.
15.  If you're still mailing out holiday cards, buy cards that support a cause such as UNICEF, or at the very least, buy cards that are made from recycled and repurposed materials. If you have some extra time and want to get creative, you can make holiday cards yourself. Or send holiday postcards which will save you a few cents each on postage. You can also send holiday E-Cards via email to friends, family members, and business associates as long as you know the recipients won't be offended. That will save you a lot of money on postage. Check out www.bluemountain.com for a wonderful selection of e-cards.

So, have fun this holiday season! Spend some quality time with friends and family doing and sharing activities that have meaning and will create some treasured memories for years to come.

You don't have to spend a lot of money on gift giving and entertaining, this holiday season. Get creative! Be inspired! Enjoy yourselves, share the joy and have fun with some of the simpler things. Be generous with your spirit and perform random acts of kindness to strangers. Sometimes, a smile and a cheery "hello!" will make a huge difference to someone who might not be having a great day.

Happy Holidays!

Late Summer News & Special Offers from The House Therapist

It's almost September, Labor Day Weekend is coming up fast, the kids are back in school, it's starting to feel "fallish" here in Southwestern Vermont - leaves have started to turn in a few places. I've been working on some new ventures and new projects, too.

You can listen in every Thursday at 11 AM to "House Therapy & Design with Ceil and Linda" the new radio show on WBTN 1370AM that I'm co-hosting with Linda Dilworth, of Dilworth Decorative designs and finishes based in Manchester Center, VT. If you're out of listening range, you can listen on-line by going to the WBTN website. It's been a fun experience so far and we have interviewed Barbara Lappos-Mullen of Kitchen Art, Inc., Manchester Center, VT and Paula LaPorte of Paula's Weaving Workshop, based in Bennington, VT. Paula is also one of the founding members of the Bennington Arts Guild.

Our next guest will be Joanne VanDeusen, owner of The Lighting Place, Manchester, VT and our topic will be "lighting." That show will air on Thursday, September 9, 2010. Please tune in!

I also had an opportunity recently to connect with Amber Chand at the home of a good friend. Amber owns The Amber Chand Gift Collection and The Women's Peace Collection and her mission is to help and support women who live in various countries around the world that are facing some extremely difficult living circumstances. Included in the collections are handcrafted items from Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Uganda, Darfur (Sudan), Guatemala, and other countries in conflict. By buying a gift from the collection, you are helping to support the hopes and dreams of many women and children around the world who need to know they can make a difference and are not forgotten.

I decided that it wasn't too late to offer a few special home decorating, home organizing, and "House Therapy" packages for new and returning clients. I'm offering a few special deals which are good through September 30, 2010 and you can find more information HERE. In addition, there are lots of great tips, information, and resources included on the page which you can get to by clicking HERE.

After taking a bit of a break, my newsletter will be making a return this fall. If you'd like to sign up, there is a sign up button on this blog or you can click onto this link for more information.

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks before fall really arrives. Lots to do and see in the Bennington area between the VT Garlic and Herb Festival at Camelot Village and The Bennington Irish Music Festival  at Colgate Park - both happening Labor Day Weekend and within a mile of each other on Route 9 West just past Old Bennington. Be prepared for some traffic jams, especially if you live on the west end of Bennington! 

The North Bennington Plein Air Competition takes place in North Bennington from Sept 9-12. Then the Bennington Antique and Classic Car Show runs Sept 17, 18, and 19. That's at the old Green Mountain Racetrack in Pownal, VT. And if you love wood, there is the 2010 7th Annual Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival in Woodstock, VT being held Sat and Sun, Sept 25-26. 

Don't forget that the State of Craft exhibit runs through October 31, 2010 at the Bennington Museum. This is not to be missed!

Enjoy! Have fun! This is a great time of year to be in Vermont!

Books for Sale & More

Photo Courtesy of Real Simple

Recently, I've been following my own advice and have been spending some time clearing clutter, going through closets, storage areas, bookshelves, and cabinets to find things that I no longer need or want. Various items are being thrown out or sold, donated, recycled, re-purposed, and/or reinvented.

I live in a fairly small space and I also operate my interior design business from a home office. As a designer, things have a tendency to accumulate and even though I try to stay organized and on top of things --- well, sometimes, it just gets to be "too much."  So, it's time to do some purging and clearing.

There are some items, like fabrics and trims, which are going to a workroom to be fabricated into throw pillows, bags, totes, bulletin boards, and a line of "Funky Footstools." Most of these items will end up at my new venture with Linda Dilworth, of  Dilworth Decorative Designs & Finishes, based in Manchester Center, VT. 

Linda and I have teamed up and have rented space at the Vermont Wreath Company Antique Center located in Danby, VT on Route 7. We have a 10x10 corner space on the second floor which we're calling the Designers' Corner. We're right across from another designer, Ruxana Oosman, of Ruxana's Home Interiors, based out of Rutland, VT.

In addition to lots of fabrics, trims, and other supplies, I have a huge collection of books, books, and more books. Even though I periodically purge, donate many to the local library, trade or give away to friends and family, or sell on line, I still have too many. Never did I ever think I'd say I had too many books! Many have been a part of my design, decorating, and general home improvement library for awhile and they are no longer getting much use. So, time to sell some of them!

Several will make their way to the Antique Center in Danby -- especially those geared toward decorating with antiques, flea market finds, and tag sale treasures. The others will be sold on line through my Amazon.com store.

I'll be adding new selections on a regular basis and included in the mix are books on decorating, design, home organizing, antiques, country living, self-help, and popular fiction. Click here to check out my on-line book store!

Enjoy! And hope you'll visit my on-line bookstore!