Although the Upstate is faring better than most parts of the country when it comes to home sales, you want to do what you can to sell quickly. If you are trying to sell, decorative painter Adrienne van Dooren can help. She turned faux finishing into in a million dollar moneymaker.
The Asheville artist is featured in this month's More magazine in an article about women who turned an "oddball business" into a cash cow. "What's interesting is, you get one or two famous people that are your friends to do it... and they go, oh, well if he is doing it, and he's doing it, I better do it!" She's talking about the people who helped her with her book, The House That Faux Built: Transform your Home using Paints, Plasters & Creativity. In it are lots of tips for homeowners.
15 Ways to Make a Small Room Appear Larger
Mirrors can visually double a space…
5 Ways to Visually Enlarge Windows
Attach shutters….
5 Common Decorating Rules You Should Break
Keep houses neutral for resale (not!)…
5 Updates for Grey Concrete
Thin overlays…
6 Visual Tricks for Short Ceilings
Paint the ceilings the same color as the walls…
4 Steps to Making a Large Room Cozy
Apply textures to walls…
15 Unexpected Resources for Inspiration and Cross-Over Painting Items
Boat supply warehouse…
7 Ways to a Greener, Healthier Home
Use water-based green or very low VOCC paints…
5 Steps to a Dry Basement
Check for signs of mold or mildew….
"You don't have to pull out your countertops. You can go right over it, says van Dooren." She shows you how to use concrete to do it. "It's all about the preparation of the surface and sealer after what you do."
Trying to sell your home can be an uphill battle with this downward economy. She says the key can be making small spaces look larger. "Add French doors to bring the outside in." Using art is a way to trick the eye. If you can't afford decorative painting like Adrienne does, she says www.muralsyourway.com can give you the same effect at a fraction of the cost. Another trick? "I don't like white ceilings, because contrary to popular belief actually make the ceiling look lower." Van Dooren says carrying the color onto the ceiling for a monochromatic look can make the whole room look bigger, and "If you've got sconces that light up, than it makes the ceiling look that much higher," according to the artists (who considers herself a painter.) She painted the ceilings of one room - black!
The experts always say curb appeal is crucial. In the book, she transforms dull gray outdoor stairs into a stunning walkway by painting them to look like brick.
While this former military intelligence agent, might make a million dollars doing what she does, "I also have a passion for ugly houses, ugly furniture, whatever; and I will take an ugly house and turn it into a beautiful house.” She says you can do it too and make your home stand-out and sell!
Adrienne is also working on a TV pilot in which she will transform, rather than tear down, homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. All of the proceeds of her book also go to Katrina victims.
7 Tips to maximize your home sale:
Get of all clutter & appliances on countertops - live out of a suitcase if you have to
Clear out closets
Transform wood paneling or popcorn ceilings
Use a room for what it’s intended. (For example, don't use a dining room as an office.)
Realize large ceiling fixtures and fans make room look smaller
Use visual tricks - like painting the ceilings
Paint with contemporary colors. (She says sage and sienna are what's hot right now)
Too see more of Adrienne’s room transformations: http://www.fauxhouse.com/
Murals in place of decorative painting: http://www.muralsyourway.com/
Ways to Build Green: www.MyGreenCottage.com
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