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HOLIDAY
entertaining season is upon us, and in some households
it will run clear through to Super Bowl Sunday on
February 3, 2008.
But what
to do now if you cringe each time you look at the
stained carpet, fret that the draperies look so
last-century or that the living room could use a little
something, though you’re not quite sure what?
We asked
five experts—a real-estate agent, a model home stager,
an interior designer, a professional organizer and a
cleaning service owner—what three or four things they’d
recommend to spiff up the homestead, even if time and
money are tight.
Decluttering was at the top of several lists, way ahead
of shopping for throw pillows and scented candles.
“For
most people, it’s a question of taking things out, not
adding them. And it’s free,” says Donna Evers, president
of Evers & Co. Real Estate in the District of Columbia.
“Tackle
paper clutter first,” urges Susan Hayes, an organizer in
Bethesda, Maryland. “If you can’t get rid of it or clean
it up, put it all in a plastic bin and hide it somewhere
in the closet. You don’t want that to be the first thing
people see when they walk in.” Clear off kitchen
countertops as well, she says.
Once the
extraneous stuff is out of sight, basic cleaning sets
the stage, says Rita Leigh, founder of East Coast Maid
Service in Hyattsville, Maryland. “The main thing are
the floors; they are a big part of the house. If they
are worn and stained, get it done,” says Leigh, who uses
a residential steamer to clean her own carpet.
Other
general housekeeping chores are important—dusting,
sweeping, mopping and vacuuming—especially if there are
pets, she says. Window-washing can make a house sparkle.
If you can’t do it yourself, you can call in the pros,
but with commercial firms charging $5 to $8 a window,
the cost can quickly add up. “If you’re on a budget,”
says Leigh, “have only the downstairs windows washed.”
With
cleaning out of the way, what next?
Evers
recommends buying a few throw pillows for chairs and
sofas to brighten a room; she’s a particular fan of
holiday red. For those more ambitious, consider painting
the dining room, which can probably be done over a
single weekend. “It’s the cheapest thing you can do to a
house,” Evers says, and changing this prime party space
“can warm it up, make it dramatic.”
Realtors
know the value of curb appeal, so Evers also suggests
giving the house a once-over from the outdoors: “Go
stand in the street and look at the house as if you’ve
never seen it before. Shrubs that are too tall? Cut them
way back or get rid of them.” And add a few hardy plants
at the entrance.
Organizer Hayes has another exterior suggestion: spiff
up the oft-overlooked backyard, because it is visible
through doors and windows. “Decorate with small white
lights and ribbons on trees, which makes a beautiful
backdrop,” she says.
Tynesia
Hand-Smith, whose Metro Design Interiors in D.C. has
furnished dozens of model homes, recommends painting a
single accent wall in a room to make it pop. If that’s
too daunting, conduct a housewide search for mirrors and
artwork that can be moved from one spot to another to
change the look.
Hang a
mirror over a dining-room sideboard for drama and to
reflect light from windows or flickering candles. Or
replace an existing mirror with a painting, print or
piece of fabric. Swap tired curtains or shades for new
ones.
Welcoming aromas can set the mood for a party. Hayes
suggests simmering spices on the stove. She likes
Williams-Sonoma’s Mulling Spices, but you can make your
own using cloves, cinnamon, allspice and orange peel.
Decorator Matthew Swingly, owner of McMaster Wallace
Interiors in D.C., is also a fan of candles with a
seasonal aroma. He is careful not to use them near the
dining area, however, where the fragrance can interfere
with the food.
He buys
lots of “disposable house plants” such as orchids,
cyclamens and paperwhite narcissus from the grocery
store or Ikea: “They make people feel important.” For
inexpensive cut flowers, he hits Costco, which sells two
dozen roses for $14.
Other
suggestions by Swingly:
■
Decorate the table with (free) evergreens, berries, pine
cones and nuts from your own yard or that of friends or
neighbors.
■ Get
new pillows or a throw in warm wintry colors and, for a
change of scenery, try swapping the living-room and
dining-room rugs. |
