LTDInteriorConcepts

Alright everyone! We are in crunch time! NOVEMBER 1ST HAS ARRIVED! 

As we all know, November pretty much means that our year is wrapping up and our seasonal year is about to throw us into, well.... Hell in a hand basket. I mean yes, leaves turn gorgeous colors, snow is delightful, presents are exciting to give, parties are some of the most cherished memories you can have and traditions surround our souls with joy and happiness! Yet there is this little thing about the holidays that destroy our well being, our energy levels, our wallets, and very well put us right into the nut bin until the first week of January.. Setting it all up..

When I think of setting up a home for the holidays, I first feel excitement, then the coffee wears off as reality sets in with a nice heaping dose of “Where the hell do I start?” Luckily for you, there is a fool-proof blueprint of every room in the house for the holidays. Thanksgiving particularly for this post (Christmas and New Years will follow soon)!

So for one of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, I love to have a high end feel at my table, as opposed to, lets say a country-chic feel at holidays like Christmas or Fourth of July. I think most of that has to do with Thanksgiving being so centered around food and the dinner setting and such, that in my head it calls for a bit of a luxury experience! Now lets be real. No one in their right mind is going to go out and spends thousands on decorating the common areas of their home, high end table set ups, cater their meal by a nationally acclaimed chef, or gift $120 bottles of wine as a party favor. Yet, we all know we would if we could, just to say we did! But let’s face it, we just aren’t Kris Jenner here. 

As I look at this setting, I really think about how I can replicate it for less than half the cost, and here is how!

Okay first off, those salad plates, you can get beautiful looking glass plates that are extremely similar to these at any restaurant supply store! They can run you as low as $7.00 depending on location! Cheap! I love discounts and stuff when it looks like you spend a fortune! 

Secondly, in my opinion, the silverware is not attractive, and I would have preferred solid flatware to focus on the metallic in the tablecloth. Both is way too much for me. In the photo it may look normal but in person it is too busy. 

A specific darker bronze would look very nice here and would give a great dimension with a gold metallic tablecloth without the place mat (To me its one or the other, never both place mat AND tablecloth). 

Now this is a 16 piece “Barnet Bronze Collection” from Threshold. These will run you $69.99 at Target. Now imagine these, without the mug of course, with that beautiful salad plate replacing the secondary plate shown here? It would look perfect! These plates are also extremely versatile and can be used for an everyday meal as well any season! Metal is amazing for versatility and class! Simple wine/champagne glasses can be picked up in the next isle for an amazingly low $12.99 for a four set!

Now I’m really not going to blow smoke here, you can get those cute little candle holders at the Dollar Store, NO JOKE! If you do not have access to the dollar store, you can head to Walmart and pay literally $2.00. All it is, is a tealight holder! SO SIMPLE!

The only thing pictured that can cost you, is the serviette ring for the napkin (I always go with white or red napkins only! Just my taste). However, my recommendation is to run to Pier 1 and search that place until you can’t bear the potpourri scent anymore! If that fails, or you have an overwhelming sense of smell, head to Homegoods, and if not there, last ditch yourself right on into Marshalls! Cheaper and cheaper as you go down the list! 

BAM! There is four awesome settings done for approx. $135.00 as opposed to the $1,850.00 set pictured. I would go with the DIY choice which in my opinion, is way more tasteful. And think of it as an investment as well. It all is saved for years or used the next night for leftovers. Remember, versatility is key! The tablecloth is totally an option that I like, but if you are more into the bare wood look, go for it! It looks just as tasteful and adds a bit of rustic charm. 

On to the next area of concern, PARTY FAVORS!!!! 

WINE, PEOPLE! You can’t screw it up! Go on in to the liquor store and pick up your 4 bottles of Barefoot Moscato or Sangria, Pinot Grigio (Whichever), put a little bow on it and you are done. GUYS, these are $8.99 bottles and they really do taste amazing. Clean and fresh. They are cheaper, BUT THAT’S WHY WE ARE HERE! We really need to save for Christmas, people!!! BOOM DONE!

NEXT! HOME DECOR!

So to make this easy as anything, keep it sooooo simple guys. I am talking like, pumpkins on the porch and add a few mums if you want! Do NOT OVERCROWD, its tacky! I really like putting pumpkins in planters like above! So for inside, I really like to not have a lot of decorative crap all over because its just too much! I keep it in the dining room, foyer, kitchen, and bathroom! Here are some examples. 

Alright, the foyer is only decorated on the hallway table and that is IT! Keep it there, nice and clean! 

The bathroom is pretty self explanatory! 

Your kitchen is only decorated in areas were you do not usually work. Stick to above the cabinets, corners of the counter, and the middle of the island (you can move the island decorations when cooking if need be). 

The less you decorate with, the more clean and fresh it looks! 

So, I was with a great client couple yesterday and I totally thought that I had the perfect unit for them as first time renters! I thought I really had this one wrapped up! It is modern, brand new, great area, and a block from the beach! It is located within walking distance to local bars, and retains an amazing police force to keep everyone safe and sound! The units interior boasts vaulted ceilings, skylights galore, a new kitchen with upgrades. The beautiful, luxurious bathroom features an over-sized walk-in shower, and a bedroom with the most gorgeous natural lighting. But, the best part is...it is its own, stand alone building at $1,250 per month at an ANNUAL RENTAL STATUS! Most units in this area for an annual rental list at an asking price of $1,450-$1,600 per month (For the condition similar to my subject property). This unit is just a steal! So my clients filed an application out and they are moving in on the first of November! JUST KIDDING! They passed it up, and for a reason most people would tend to agree with, myself included (Pre-design and real estate knowledge). From what I gathered and understood, was that the property felt way too cold, and lonely. Well, those are two feelings that I am sure not one of us enjoy. 

So now, let us go over what made this property feel so lonely, and cold to the touch. GRAY! The most versatile color I have ever worked with! Gray, my favorite color, betrayed me and botched my lease agreement completely, HAHA! Thanks Gray, always there to make things interesting! This color is the most basic, boring and cold color that most people can think of, besides white. Many, many and more of my clients, not only in real estate but with other business ventures, utilized gray walls in the long time Jersey Shore fashion of perfect width white trim paired with pine/red oak hardwood floors... or as I like to call it “Straight outta Bay Head”. As much as this look creates a clean space, it does leave you in a bit of a cold, desolate type of atmosphere.  With the right touches (i.e. Furniture, wall art, misc. decor), however, it can create impeccable elegance, class, and warmth. 

Lets go over some ways to “cozy up” a gray space with ease with these examples!

1. Furniture colors: Go with Brown... Dark Brown.

When in a gray space, I always love to pair it with some dark browns to bring the space to a good meet in the middle between industrial and loft-chic, or even cold and comfy. 

Cold and comfy:

Industrial and loft-chic:

2. Pillows: YELLOW EVERYWHERE! Hear me out....

People Love gray, but never know how to make it inviting and warm. Well, Yellows and oranges are great colors to add to a gray space to keep it fresh, modern, and warm! 

Orange

Yellow

3. Exterior Accents: Lets go to the dark side. 

When you have a gray exterior of the home, in my opinion, black accents make for an inviting and oh-so-classy appearance. Check out these accents to see what you think. If you are not feeling the black and you want something a bit more colorful, green or red is my go to! 

Black

Red

Green

4. Natural Stone Accents: Kitchens/Bathrooms or fireplaces only!

Natural stone in any gray space will look spectacular, but it will inspire envy in kitchens and bathrooms! I am a major fan of natural stone used as an accent piece or the main material used in the project!

Bathroom (Also ties in dark browns!)

Fireplace

Kitchen

So as I said in the first post, I will be predominantly focusing on issues that my clients have faced and new clients will continue to face in the wonderful world of setting up their new home.  This article, in particular, I will be discussing the type of living that many people would not touch with a ten foot pole. This semi-challenging, tight-squeezed living is known as... Studio Living! The two main reasons that I am told, by my clients and others, that they will not even CONSIDER the idea of living in a studio apartment are because “I don’t wanna see my bed while I’m cooking dinner”, or “Where would we even put a couch to entertain?”. Well, here is a solution that I have found to keep my clients and others just ducky, full of smiles, and signing those lease agreements! 

I for one, am a fan of line of sight. This basically means that I want to see across a space with no obstruction, being; furniture, walls, etc. So, when it comes down to it, people like myself should find studios a dream being that they are just one open room. BUT NO! All of a sudden they want walls galore, as if they are a rare, endangered commodity. Unfortunately, unless you purchased the unit, you are not to be building any walls. Here is where my experience has proved to be beneficial. 

CURTAINS! Yes, you read that correctly ladies and gentlemen. Curtains. Now before you totally disregard my fabric-filled solution, allow me to slowly transition you to a calm place where every idea is heard and considered. Sit back, relax and listen to the following. NOT ALL CURTAINS GO ON WINDOWS! NOT. ALL. CURTAINS. GO. ON. WINDOWS! So since you can not put up a wall which will block light and make the room seem so much smaller anyway, we move on to the modern, fresh, and breezy look of a thin, unlined, light color (usually a light eggshell or a pale grey) curtain suspended from the ceiling along a track. It will cut the room for privacy while allowing light to still pass through. The best part is, they retract because its on a track. If you are having a hard time picturing this, think of a hospital curtain in a two people room (BUT NICER). For a studio, this is a go-to for me to recommend to my clients. Its clean, fresh, and CHEAP! This is the way to go when you need a divided room. Now you have the rest of the space to entertain, and even put your couch.

EASY AS ANYTHING AND IT LOOKS AMAZING! LANDLORD FRIENDLY TOO! Pictures will follow this post! See you next week!

Here are the Rods: 

So for starters, why are you reading an article about interior design? You are either doing one of Four things; 1. You just bought a new house and now that you have been living in it or a week, you are thinking to yourself, “WHAT DID I DO!?”. The wallpaper is peeling, your furniture is either falling apart from the move or its non-existent, and you may have taken a loan from mom and dad for the down payment and you have been eating pork lo mien since closing day. 2. You are 24 years old, you have just leased your first studio apartment, and you have not a single clue how to get away from those Instagram/Pinterest based chalk board welcome signs and useless coat rack-cinnamon spice-mason jar-Starbucks combined hallway knickknack tables for the hallway that you don’t even have, and you may or may not have a bit of anxiety infused claustrophobia due to the fact that your fridge, bed, couch, and toilet are within the same four walls, or 3. You are of age to have just purchased your very first estate in your nearest prestigious adult community oasis! Let the association fees of joy roll on in! But, how do you turn “the crazy cat lady” paw print wallpaper in the kitty castle, I mean “spare bedroom”, into the bright and airy sitting room you may very well would want to die in while reading your prized Nicholas Sparks novel, or 4. Your backyard is literally, well, a disaster. Oh and to top it all off, its about 12 deep from the back wall of the home and a 30ft length is generous! You probably cant even sit outside without the annoyi...I mean lonely neighbor coming out to tell you about his prized harmonica collection! Well, look no further! Your wallet, your time, and your sanity are saved!

My name is Jordan and I am a RE/MAX agent located on the beautiful Jersey Shore. Along with my full time career as a real estate professional, I have the passion for making any space, interior or exterior, a lavish and welcoming vista that would be the envy of any neighborhood, no matter what the space is. I want to show everyone that luxury does NOT require the salary of a anesthesiologist, and “keeping up with the Jones’” is far from impractical. So, in short, I am here to show you how to design a room like a Kardashian, with the “Dolla make me holla; Honey Boo Boo” price tag. As blogs are concerned, most are based off of readers questions, comments, and concerns. Although this is true for mine as well, much of the content that will be present on this blog, will come from real life experiences with my clients, and their dilemmas regarding their home design flaws, decoration malfunctions, and backyard backlashes. Post #1 to follow; “Where do we even put the couch?”.