Color of the Year: Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)

 
Hey, hey... Sherwin-Williams finally announced their 2021 #ColorOfTheYear! 

As we're homebound and strive to create the ultimate home retreat for reflection and renewal, they turned to a hue whose simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up. “Urbane Bronze” is rooted in nature. Love it or leave it, friends? 👍🏼👎🏼

2020 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year

SW-6244... 

If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right?! I adore the 2020 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year! “Naval” is a slam dunk, in my opinion.

Neutral Paint Boosts Home Value

Fresh neutral paint gives a Seller the most “bang for the buck” in terms of sweat equity, a quick sale, and maximization of profit! In fact, the ROI (return on investment) is astronomical. 💰🏡  I am Brentwood-bound this morning, my Sherwin Williams color deck in hand, for a paint color consultation... 

4th quarter planning and preparation meetings with my upcoming Spring Sellers? My favorite part of the job! Goodbye warm amber tones, hello market-friendly neutrals. 👍🏼  

In St. Louis and contemplating a move in 2019?  The time to start interviewing and conversing with Realtors is NOW!  Proper planning, staging, and preparation takes time.  I would love to be considered...

Sleuthing the Perfect Navy Blue Paint with the Color Snap App

I have been really drawn to the color blue this season, so I am swooning over this recent front door makeover I stumbled upon this AM...

The red berry wreath and the fresh coat of crisp white to the frame and molding they are adding?  Icing on the cake!

I used the nifty Color Snap app-  an incredible free color visualizer that will match anything to the closest Sherwin Williams color- the matches are "In The Navy" and "Anchors Aweigh". 💙

Home Project: Built-in Desk Under The Stairs

Months ago, I shared my Pinterest inspiration photo for a new built-in basement work space in Casa de Nenonen...

We tore out the existing dark (and useless) closet in the journey towards a light and bright basement work space.  Here is a peek at the process, from start to finish, which included a serious staircase makeover from carpet to hardwood...

I am happy to report that the project is almost complete!  We are finishing up the last of the molding right now...

Not a finished staged photo, merely a quick iPhone snap, though what do you think? I am tickled pink!  

In venturing into this project, our contractor assured us that starting with foundation pieces would greatly increase utility while reducing cost.  We started with 3 basic foundation pieces...

1) The base (just didn't use the top):

Find HERE on Amazon.  I didn't know if I would, but I adore the open bookshelf that runs to the back wall as it provides an accessible yet somewhat hidden spot for our commercial-sized laser printer and shredder.

2) Behind the drawer system on the left:  

The IKEA Kallax provides support for the top, storage space, and the perfect depth to complete our "u shape".  Half runs behind the drawers so concealed, but we added the door option to the 2 remaining cubbies to provide more storage. Perfect for printer paper and supplies!

Find HERE on IKEA.

3) Shelf above:

Find HERE on IKEA.

 Our tips for using these pieces:

-The overall height of the system was determined by the Kallax shelf as it is taller and doesn't have legs or a removable base.  It is also the PERFECT desk height in my opinion.  I am 5'4" and my husband is 6'.  We added 2x2s to the bottom of the Amazon desk pieces and then encased everything in molding to create a seamless look.

-We created a custom top with wood and shoe molding from the hardware store.  We opted for 3 pieces which we carefully spackled and sanded for a seamless look, polished with 2 good coats of primer and then paint. 

UPDATE: I have received several inquiries about a few things in the room.  It always makes me giggle to discover what people notice in a photo and reach out about:   

• The chair was a Homegoods find.  
• The paint color is Sherwin Williams Repose Gray.
• We chose Pergo Outlast+ in Molasses for the flooring. It is a high quality laminate ideal for a finished basement space as it is easily mopped and is water-resistant on the top AND underside.  You never know what will happen in a basement as far as water goes.  Our basement walks out to the backyard.  With two teens and a large dog, it was a sensible yet attractive choice.
• The family name medallion came from a local St. Louis artisan...  

I absolutely adore it and get comments galore from everyone who walks in our basement.  It is solid and sizable at 24 inches in diameter of solid wood.  It was around $60. Her link:  https://www.facebook.com/scrapbookinabox

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year: Alabaster (SW 7008)

As the Sherwin-Williams 2016 Color of the Year is "Alabaster", homes across the country are getting white-washed...

The name of the game in 2016 is light, bright, and airy with a pop of color. It will be interesting to see if this will be the final farewell to the "coffee with cream" popularity of yesteryear in the world of Midwest real estate!  

As far as my business goes, this year's return to the neutral palette has aided my Sellers in timely and profitable sales. One of the longstanding Golden Rules of Real Estate is that neutral homes show and photograph better.  They also sell faster and at a higher profit margin due to mass appeal.  

Give "Alabaster" a try!