Living • September 1, 2011

Make the Most of the Home You Have

by Windermere Staff

If you have been in your home for a while you may be restless for change. The great part about having a home of your own is you can make improvements and give your home a chance to evolve over time. You just need to help your home live up to its potential! Here is a top ten list of improvements that will help you make the most of your home.

Find your home’s purpose. Each home is as unique as its owners, so in order to fully utilize your home, consider how you view your home’s purpose. Some people like to entertain, others find it a calm space in the frenzy of daily life; some nurture their families and others nurture their creativity. Your home’s purpose can be any combination of these and more, but it helps to consider the function of your space in order to ultimately find its purpose.

Assemble a list. A list always helps me figure out where to start or prioritize what is the most important project. Think about what you want to change in your home, inspirations, and preferences. .

Make an “inspiration board”. An “inspiration board” is a great way to visualize your home’s decor. You can create a board online with a tool like Pinterest to organize ideas you love or you can do it the old fashioned way with a board, magazine cutouts, color swatches, and fabric samples. Doing this will allow you to see all the elements you like in one place so that you can then tie it all together into a room you love.

Create a collection. If you have items that you like to collect, think about how to transform that collection into something you can display. If you don’t already have a collection of loved objects think about what this collection would be for you. You can center a room design around your travel souvenirs, old camera collection, figurines, unique plates, or familial objects. Adding to this collection over time can be a great way to keep your spaces new while maintaining a personal feel to your decor.

Choose a new palate. Shake up your sensibilities and think of a color that will compliment your room while making a statement. It’s easy to fall into the white/beige standby to keep our rooms neutral, but sometimes a color that provides a contrast to your décor will make the room pop.

Repurpose an old piece of furniture. Instead of replacing your furniture give it a facelift. You can have a sofa or chairs reupholstered or make use of a slip cover. Also, Painting and staining can add new life to your wood pieces.

Rearrange. Moving furniture around is another easy way to reinvent your space. Try placing your sofa on an angle to open up your entertaining room or move your lamps to improve lighting. You can also think about moving a piece of furniture into a room to give it new life, like using a unique dresser for a credenza or a chair as a side table.

Make a room of your own. Find some space in your home that is uniquely yours, whether this is the corner of the guest room or an office of your own. It can be very rewarding to have a space that you can organize to fit your personal needs without the worries of others intruding

Find an inspirational object. Have you ever fallen in love with an object that inspired you to want to completely redo a room to accommodate it? Designing a room around an inspiring object can be a great way to create a space that truly embodies your design sensibility.

Find design motivation. Home design evolves over time and can be sustained by finding items that inspire you. Read magazines and books that inspire your interests in architecture, design, art, etc. Or find stores and flea markets that sell pieces that influence your aesthetic. Or bring a camera with you when you’re doing your favorite activities and bring back memories or inspirations. Most of all have fun!

What inspires your home design?

By Tara Sharp

More • August 15, 2011

August Perspective

by Guest Author

The real estate industry has seen a big transition in recent years. During the peak of the housing boom, a house could go from being for sale to sold in a matter of hours. Today is quite a different story; once an offer is accepted, the process can be tedious and lengthy, especially when properties are bank owned or subject to a short sale.

As a result, the real estate profession has thinned out. When the market shifted, those who thought being a real estate agent was the path to easy money quickly realized how much work is really involved and left for greener pastures. We’re back to a place where success in real estate is all about having a good-old-fashioned work ethic, as it should be. But what does the term “work ethic” mean in this age of flexible work schedules, telecommuting, and home offices? Furthermore, how is a strong work ethic perceived through the eyes of younger generations?

Work ethic has been defined as a “belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character.” For many of us, a strong work ethic was instilled from an early age. If you were a part of our family, you washed cars, swept sidewalks, watered plants, and answered phones before being given any serious responsibilities. We had to work for it the old-fashioned way. The same holds true for the next generation of our family, many of whom are repeating the same tasks we were forced to do as kids.

So, we would argue that while younger generations and advances in technology have had a huge impact on how, where, and when we work, a commitment to strong ethics and hard work should never waver. Case in point: real estate agents have never really adhered to the traditional 9-to-5 workplace model, yet they’re some of the hardest working people we know. And in this culture of competition and instant everything, we are constantly amazed and thankful for the work ethic that Windermere agents demonstrate every day.

While others continue to struggle to get their footing in this new market, we’re proud to say that we have a team of professionals who are showing more excitement and vigor than we’ve seen in a long time. They’re eager to help their clients and enhance their service through whatever means possible. In other words, instead of letting the ups, downs, and unknowns of real estate drag us down, the feeling around here is that we’re just getting warmed up. And that’s a work ethic we can get behind.

Market News • August 9, 2011

Whatever you may think of the Case-Shiller Index, it is worth watching

by Windermere Economics

Personally, I am not a fan of the U.S. housing index that was created by Karl Case and Bob Shiller back in the 1990s. That said, it is a highly watched gauge and worthy of commentary.

To précis this piece, it’s worthwhile discussing briefly exactly what is tracked and how it is put together. The indices are calculated from data on repeat sales of single-family homes; that is the sale of the same house over time (it therefore ignores the new construction market completely). The Case-Shiller index family includes 20 metropolitan area indices and two composite indices as aggregates of the metropolitan areas. These indices are three month moving averages and data is published with a two-month lag.

My biggest concern with the Case-Shiller report is really a local one. I am based in Seattle which is one of the “cities” within the index. My issue is that Case-Shiller defines Seattle as the tri-county area – encompassing King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. In my opinion, this is far too large a geography to have any real relevance. The markets in these three counties vary significantly from each other, so to define what is taking place in Seattle using sales activity in Tacoma and Everett seems nonsensical at best.

So, what’s happening today? Well, as the explanation above states, there is a two month delay by the time the report is released, so the question really isn’t what is happening today, but rather what was happening for the three months between March and May of this year.

Overall, prices rose by one percent from April which is a positive sign. Prices rose in 16 of the cities; they fell in Detroit, Las Vegas, and Tampa, Fla., and were unchanged in Phoenix. The rise in May for Case-Shiller came after the index edged up a fractional 0.6 percent in April, which was the first time prices were higher in eight months. In Portland the index increased by 1.2% and, in Seattle, by 1.1%. We saw increases in all of the Californian markets, with San Francisco rising by 1.8%, Los Angeles by 0.5% and San Diego rounding out the three with a 0.2% increase.

Does this mean that we are out of the woods yet? I do not think so – at least in the way that this index is calculated. Seasonal factors are likely big contributors to the recent increase and I would like to see a few more months’ data before I am prepared to say that we are well into a recovery.

Living • July 28, 2011

A little goes a long way: a top ten list for making the most of your home improvement

by Windermere Staff

This weekend I spent the greater part of Saturday taking care of the ongoing household to do list and the transformation made a huge impact. There certainly is more to do, as is the nature of home improvement, but having a finite list of things to accomplish and making time to enjoy them made all the hard work worth it! Here is my top ten list of how to make the most of your time when tackling home-improvement projects.

1. Imagine your perfect place. Your home should reflect your personality, the way you spend your time, and fit your needs. If you want a place to entertain, to relax and meditate, to create art, nurture your children, or display your collections, you will want to consider your priorities. Once you have explored the possibilities the next step is to prioritize your to-do list in order to make the most impact.

2. Make a list. Some home project lists could go on and on (and on), so it’s a good idea to write out a list and discuss the details with the members of your household so you know where to start and who is responsible for what.

3. Prioritize. Once you know what needs to be done it’s time to prioritize the list. If there is something timely (like getting gutters before the fall) keep that in mind when prioritizing, but also think about those projects that will bring you the most joy in daily life.

4. Do one project that really makes a difference. I recently finished sprucing up the living and dining rooms with new curtains and new furniture for storage and display. These are the rooms I spend the most time in at home, so the difference is palpable to how I view my home. Now we are ready for a big dinner party which is one of the most important things in our household. From this experience, I realized that small changes and some cleanup can make a huge difference.

5. Keep it reasonable. Make sure your list is reasonable. The goal isn’t to get everything done in one weekend, which typically isn’t feasible anyway. Rather, you want the time you invest in your home to be enjoyable and give you the sense of satisfaction (and motivation to do more).

6. Gather your tools. Nothing will derail a project like not having the right tools. Once you know what you are going to accomplish make sure all your supplies are ready. You’ll be far more efficient if you hit the hardware store, fabric store, gas station, etc. prior to getting started.

7. Work together. Some projects are two-people projects. If you share your household, enlist other members to share the work. Some projects need two people to lift, spot, hand tools, push, pull, etc. If you live alone, have a work party by inviting a friend over to help. You can return the favor if they ever need help with a household project.

8. Enjoy the process. Blast music, take breaks, and step back to reflect on your household improvement. If you need to dedicate a weekend to doing your chores, you may as well still enjoy it!

9. Get the list done. If you’ve taken the time to make your list reasonable you shouldn’t have any trouble completing it. Doing so will reaffirm your sense of accomplishment, so when you look at what was done, you won’t be thinking about what you have to do next.

10. Bask in your success. Focus on the improvement, enjoy your space, and most importantly, use it! If you made your bedroom a sanctuary, light a candle and relax with a good book. If you reconfigured your kitchen for more efficient use, have your own Iron Chef moment and cook a huge meal. Just remember, all your planning and hard work should be enjoyed.

What are your tips for making the most out of your home?

More • July 20, 2011

Building Better Communities, One Home Sale at a Time

by Windermere Staff

We couldn’t be more excited to share with you the progress of our Building Better Communities campaign! Yesterday we met with kids and community members from the High Point neighborhood to design their dream park and playground on a site that serves low-income, multi-cultural families. In partnership with the High Point Open Space Association and Neighborhood House, the Windermere Foundation will build a park on September 23^rd. We plan to get our hands dirty with more than 125 of our Puget Sound brokers serving as build captains and volunteers.

The Windermere Foundation has been active in our communities for more than 22 years, but this year we decided we could do more: building parks and recreational facilities in communities with a lot of kids, but not a lot of resources. Here are some of the projects that we have been working on with our communities:

Portland offices partnered with the Trailblazer’s Boys and Girls club in renovating space for afterschool and summer programs

The Oregon Cronin & Caplan group have completed a home and continued community development at Bridge meadows, a multi-generational housing program for adoptive families of foster children

Windermere offices on the Eastside are supporting multiple scholarship and community programs that help youth achieve their academic goals. This year Windermere offices are raising funds to support fifteen annual scholarships and the Fourth of July Lake Sammamish Community fireworks show.

Spokane offices came together to clean up and improve a county park, to make it safer and more accessible for families

Offices in Waimea and Kona, Hawaii are planning to renovate five acres of land into youth soccer fields

And more to come!

If you would like to get involved, donate, recommend a project, or learn more about what is happening in your area go to www.windermereandyou.org.

More • July 11, 2011

July Perspective

by Guest Author

Like many of you, our family has a high school senior who graduated this year – she is both eager and excited to embark upon the next phase of her life (even if we aren’t!). It wasn’t all that long ago that for graduates, like ours, community service was something they did to pad their college applications, but now this important exercise is a requirement at most high schools. That’s because a common belief is that community service links together the academic, social, and emotional elements of learning while giving kids the chance for personal growth through helping others. And hopefully those same kids will grow into adults who will continue to be engaged, positive citizens in their community.

We couldn’t agree more.

That’s why every year Windermere closes its offices for one day to help make a positive difference in our local communities. It all started in 1984 with our dad, a handful of agents, and a dilapidated chain-link fence at a nearby elementary school that needed some TLC. Twenty-seven years and more than 800,000 hours of community service later, we’ve continued this tradition through neighborhood-enhancing projects in the areas where our Windermere teams live, work, and play.

We agree that community service shouldn’t end with a cap and gown. Over the years, our team has proven this time and time again by embodying the notion that service to others is not something you do, it is who you are.

Living • July 1, 2011

Take it outside!

by Windermere Staff

Dust off your grill and get ready, it is the kick-off to barbecue season! Hopefully your summer is on its way to a good start and the weather is cooperating. The 4^th of July always feels like the official start to the summer for me (perhaps because Seattle doesn't usually get too sunny and warm until after the holiday). Now that the sun is shining and the air is warm it is time to spend more time outside.

Extending your living space to the outdoors is nice for relaxing and entertaining. Here are some quick ideas to make your backyard patio more comfortable all summer long.

Grounds

Take a look at your surroundings and make some little changes that will make your outdoor time more enjoyable. Some easy updates for your backyard can be functional, like setting your sprinkler on a timer, so technology can water your yard and you can spend more time relaxing. Or find aesthetically pleasing replacements for necessary items like your hose storage. Other improvement can help transform your space into a sanctuary, like planting flowers to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Furniture

The best outdoor furniture looks nice, feels comfortable, withstands the elements and is easy to store once the weather turns. You should consider how you plan to use your space: for lounging and reading a book, playing with the kids, entertaining, or all of the above. Treat outdoor spaces as an extension of your living room or dining room. Pick items that reflect your taste and serve your needs. If you grill a lot, extend your kitchen prep outside with tools and a surface ready at a moment’s notice. Or find a neat bar cart to have drinks accessible for your parties.

Lighting

Make sure you can enjoy your space after the sun goes down with the right lighting solutions. Candles are nice, but they can be a hazard if someone knocks them over or you forget them after you go indoors. Consider the mood you want to set and what you need to adequately light pathways and stairs. There are many options ranging from homemade to high-end and solar to electric.

Entertaining

Keep your entertaining supplies ready for impromptu gatherings with outdoor furniture that doubles as storage space. That way you don’t have to go searching for plastic table wear every time. Same goes with outdoor toys and games; use a closed plastic bin to store croquette sets, inflatable pool mats, and other fun gear. Another fun idea is setting up your own outdoor theater for late night showings and double features.

These are just a few of the ideas I’ve considered for upgrading an outdoor living space. How do you make the most of your outdoor space during the summer?

More • June 16, 2011

2011 Community Service Day, Northwest

by Windermere Staff

Tomorrow is a very special day here at Windermere Real Estate, it is our annual Community Service Day. Every year our Northwest offices dedicate a day to working in our community to make things a little brighter for our neighbors. Our Southwest offices have Community Service Day on October 21^st.

We appreciate your patience if it takes us a little longer to return your call or respond to your email.

Every year since 1984, Windermere associates have dedicated a day of work to complete neighborhood improvement projects as part of Windermere’s Community Service Day.

Creating vibrant communities is one of the things that inspire all of us at Windermere to be involved in Community Service Day as it gives us an opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work.

After all, real estate is rooted in our communities. And an investment in our neighborhoods gives us all a better place to call home.

See a list of some of the projects happening across the region. More information about the projects, organizations and photos will be share on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/windermererealestate.

Office
Organization

Hawaii

Kahului – Maui
Boy’s & Girls Club- Makawao

Paia – Maui
Boy’s & Girls Club- Makawao

Kona – Big Island
Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii

Waimea – Big Island
Kawaihae Canoe Club

Oregon

Bend
Bend Community Center

Cannon Beach
Gearhart Elementary School

Eagle Point
Upper Rogue Community Center in Shady Cove

Lake Oswego
Yard Maintenance for local Lake Oswego Elementary School

McMinnville
Julliette’s House – home for abused children

Portland Heights
Ainsworth Elementary

Portland – Lloyd Tower NE
Habitat for Humanity

Boys & Girls Club/ Blazers/ BBC

Portland – NW Johnson
Friendly House clean-up and organizing for after school program

Portland – Raleigh Hills
Yard Clean-Up at Hopewell House Hospice in Hillsdale

Portland – Westmoreland
SE Neighborhood Yard Cleanup for Low Income and Elderly

Shady Cove
Upper Rogue Community Center in Shady Cove

The Dallas
The Dalles Parks & Recreation

West Linn
West Linn Food Pantry- Local food bank

Stellar Group (Officers Row & Mill Plain-Vancouver)
Food Drive for Clark County Food Banks

Washington

Arlington
Centennial Park

Auburn – Lakeland Hills
The Auburn Food Bank

Belleve
Jubilee REACH

Bellevue Commons
Little Bit Riding Stables

Bellevue East
Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue South
YMCA in Lake Heights

Bellevue West
Evergreen Court Retirement Home

Bonney Lake – Lake Tapps
Auburn Food Bank

Brinnon
Quilcene Community Clean up

Burien
Ruth Dykeman Center

Camano Island – Camano Country Club
Davis Place Teen Center and the Community Resources Foundation

Cle Elum
HopeSource

Everett South
The Little Red School House & Hand in Hand

Federal Way
Truman High School- Community Gardens

Issaquah
Baby Corner

Kirkland
Juanita Beach

Kirkland – Northeast
Friends of Youth

Kirkland – Yarrow Bay
DASH- Downtown Action to Save Housing (Evergreen Court)

Longview
CAP Help Warehouse in Longview

Mercer Island
Mercerdale Park

Methow Valley
Yard work

Moses Lake
Washington Fish & Wildlife Fishing Kids event

Port Ludlow
Port Ludlow Community

Property Management – Bellevue
Camp Korey

Property Management – Seattle
Whitman School

Property Management – South
Kent NW Harvest

Pullman
Pullman Chamber of Commerce

Quilcene
Quilcene Community Cleanup

Redmond
Hopelink

Seattle- Relocation & Referral Services
Noel House

Republic
Rebublic Elementary School

Seattle – Ballard
Golden Gardens

Seattle – Capitol Hill
Pantages Apartments

Seattle – Downtown Services
Ryther

Seattle – Wall Street
Kinnear Park

Seattle – Wedgwood
Theodora, an affordable housing complex for veterans

Seattle – West Seattle
Delridge Cottage Grove Park Cleanup

Seattle – West Seattle/Fauntleroy
Seattle Parks and Rec

Sequim – East
Sequim Food Bank

Sequim – Sunland
Sequim Food Bank

Shelton
Turning Pointe

Shoreline
Food Lifeline

Silverdale
Clean up Kitsap County Fair Grounds

Spokane – City Group
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – Liberty Lake
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – Manito
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – Manito South Regal
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – Mullan
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – North
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Spokane – Valley
BBC: Spokane County Parks Clean up Gleneden Park

Tacoma – Central
Emergency Food Network

Tri-Cities – Richland
Jubilee Youth Ranch

Woodinville
Camp Korey

Living • May 31, 2011

Spatially Limited Gardening: The Indoors is the New Outdoors

by Guest Author

It is the official start to the gardening season! For those who have large outdoor spaces, it is the perfect time of year to make a trip to the home and garden store, work in your gardens, and plant new growth. For those who live in smaller city quarters and whose outdoor space comfortably holds little more than a potted plant, we are forced to be more creative with our green space.

Decorative plants and nurturing vegetation is something that makes my house a home, even if small city living quarters has forced us to learn to take the outdoors- in and work with what space we have. Indoor plants, flowers, and gardens are a pleasing alternative when you do not have the space or the desire to be outdoors. Adding some green to your home can be decorative, fragrant, and even edible. Planting and nurturing your growth is a fun do-it-yourself project that can be a whole household activity.

Where to start

How will you grow and what supplies will you need? First decide on your method of growing.

Traditional Potted Plants are a great starting point for the non-gardening types. Potting plants is relatively simple, cost efficient, and spatially low maintenance. Check out these ideas for potting and planting in small spaces.

Vertical Gardens break away from the customary terracotta pot. They are both modern and space saving. In a vertical garden you are able to grow a variety of plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetables. They can be practical and decorative inside or out. Learn more about creating your own vertical garden here.

Hydroponic Systems are a soil-free gardening solution that can involve little to no pesticide use. Green Tree’s Hydroponics reports that the growth rate of a hydroponic plant is 30-50 percent faster than that of a soil plant. Here’s what it takes to build your own, however you can also purchase hydroponic systems online.

Terrariums are “making a comeback” according to the New York Times. Terrariums can be uniquely ornamental and perfect for tight spaces that need a hint of green. Check out some samples and get design ideas here.

What growing methods have worked well for you?

What to grow?

That are good to eat …

Herbs: growing edible items can be very rewarding. Herbs are my go-to item to grow inside because they are low maintenance and take up little space. I prefer to pot basil, parsley, chives, thyme, cilantro, and oregano.

Grasses, like wheat grass, are becoming popular to grow indoors and decorate your home with.

Fruits and vegetables tend to take up more space and are more demanding. However tomatoes, peppers, radishes, leaf lettuce, potatoes, and carrots are a few fruits/vegetables that will grow well indoors.

That are good to look at …

Several flowers and house plants will flourish and bloom indoors. I enjoy the fragrance of Gardenia and the appeal of a Boston Fern in a hanging basket. However, using a plant encyclopedia will help you find which plant is right for you and your home.

What do you prefer to grow?

Making it look good?

The great part about bringing your garden inside is that it lets you use vegetation as a decoration. Whether you prefer to arrange flowers, string kokedama, or paint a fun plant pot, your vegetation and the way you display it can have an impact to your overall décor. How do you decorate with your vegetation?

Brittany Lockwood works in Marketing at Windermere Real Estate. She is the in-house expert on weatherizing, yard-sales, and interior design. She lives in Seattle in a renovated condo which she

Living • May 26, 2011

Weekend Warrior: Quick projects to upgrade your home

by Windermere Staff

Memorial Day traditionally represents the kick-off of summer. Kids are getting out of school, families are making summer vacation plans, and backyard barbeques are on everyone’s minds. This is also a great time of the year to get your house in order and ready for the summer season. The following is a handful of ideas and tips to help you with this process.

Outdoor spaces

Gardening– It’s not too late to start your garden! This weekend I will be planting an herb garden; I planted summer vegetables a few weeks ago. If you’re thinking of doing the same, just make sure you use starts because many summer harvest vegetables won’t start from seed this late in the season.

Outdoor living– My home has an outdoor space with great potential, including a partially covered patio perfect for entertaining. This weekend I plan to upgrade the space with small touches to make it summer party ready. This includes finding outdoor lighting options, updating the seating and cleaning up the barbeque.

BBQ- Make sure your grill is ready to go this season by making sure everything is clean and in working order before you fire it up. In the northwest that includes making sure the fuel lines are spider-web-free. Also, make sure you have propane or charcoal on hand for impromptu dinners.

Clean Windows- Now is a great time to clean your windows, inside and out. Sun shows more dirt and smudges.

Lawn care- Prepare your lawn for the months ahead. Depending on where you live this means different things. Check your sprinkler system to make sure it wasn’t damaged over the winter; upgrade your lawn care to ensure fuller greens, check for and remove moss to prevent dead patches and start your weeding regimen.

Pool prep- If you have an outdoor pool get this ready for a summer season of fun in the sun, (unless you are lucky enough to enjoy your pool year-round). Same goes for hot-tubs. Make sure your equipment has been serviced, chemicals are available and your pool is clean and ready to use. OR, head to the local hardware store and buy your kiddie pool now before they run out, as I learned one particularly hot July!

De-winterize- I once was doused head to toe when we were turning the water back on to our exterior pipes because the pipe had split in the winter- so make sure all your pipes survived the cold, check your winterized projects and prepare your house for summer. This is also a good time to look around the exterior, checking roof, gutters and siding.

Summerize- Check or replace AC filters, window screens, and household fans to make sure these are all functioning and will help provide maximum circulation in your house. Consider installing an attic fan or vent to help pull heat out of your home all winter long. Pack away excess cold weather items such as heavy blankets, jackets and other items so they aren’t in your way. Same goes for any sundry items you only use during fall and winter.

Inside spaces

Lighten the Space- Though I likely won’t spend much time inside once the mercury rises, I want to keep the house as light and cool as possible. I have found that replacing the curtains with a lighter shade lets the light in, but also keeps the rooms from overheating from sun exposure. Summer always makes me want to lighten up with the accessories- lighter colors, more whites, bright accents and less clutter.

Rearrange – Freshen up spaces by rearranging some of your wall art. If you don’t have enough wall pieces to rearrange regularly it may be time to add to your collection. You can find inexpensive original art online at stores such as Etsy or in person at local galleries. You can always play with other items like framed images from books, vintage posters or record albums. Here are some terrific ideas for using what you have to add interest to a room.

Air it out- Open all the windows, shake out the rugs and update home fragrances to fit summer moods (citrus, freesia, clean linen, coconut, melon, fruits and tropical, etc.). You can create your own diffuser with essential oils to distribute fragrance. This may be more symbolic than practical but it always makes me feel ready for summer.

Paint- If you have a room you really want to refresh, a three-day weekend is a good time to take on a project of scale, so you have plenty of time to prep, paint, dry, and clean up. Painting is one of the least expensive ways to really transform how a room feels. Need help picking colors and paint type? Here is some good advice.

Garage or Basement- Tackle a big space that makes a big difference. Our garages and basements often become year-long dumping grounds for seasonal decorations and clothing, items that don’t fit in cabinets, memorabilia and maintenance tools. Go through your items and sort by keep, throw out and donate/sell and then group your keeps by function. Make sure your tools are accessible for easy gardening and entertaining by making sure your tools are accounted for, ready to go, and easy to reach. Here is a useful video on garage organization.

Yard/Garage Sale- If you have overflow at your house, plan a yard/garage sale to get rid of items you no longer need or want. Just make sure to pack everything up and donate it at the end of the sale otherwise you are just letting the clutter back in!

Plan a party- Once your space is all cleaned up and redecorated you will want to show it off! Plan a summer BBQ, dinner party, pool party, picnic or any other gathering.

What are your planning for Memorial Day weekend?