Living Room Gets A Facelift
By Eileen CoaleHave you ever seen one of those home makeover shows on cable TV where they do over a room for $500 to $1000? While I enjoy watching them, it's been my observation that the reason the makeovers cost $1000 or less is because the homeowners don't have to pay for anybody's labor. If they had to pay for the design consultation or the labor, it would bust their budget. Or so I thought... [Read More]
Home Makeover Doesn't Have To Gut Your Wallet
By Eileen CoaleIn my last column, I talked about the makeover that's underway at my home. Kathy Meckley and Beth Smith, owners of the newly launched Transforming Spaces organizing and re-design business, have helped me with a home makeover that is not only affordable, but also life changing. Last time, I talked about how much more beautiful and functional my living room is now. That's partly because of how we handled the coat closet. [Read More]
Staging Can Help In Selling A House
By Eileen CoaleIt's no secret that painting your walls a neutral color and replacing worn and dirty carpet will help your home sell faster when you put it on the market, but these days, there's a whole new trend emerging from those old bits of advice. "Home staging" is a new phenomenon that's been steadily gaining ground – and praise – for the past four or five years. [Read More]
Sometimes It's Worth It To Spend A Little Money
By Eileen CoaleIf you've been reading my column for any length of time, you know that I'm basically a cheapskate. Well, brace yourself. I just dropped about a thousand bucks redoing a closet. And I have no regrets.
A dyed-in-the-wool do-it-yourselfer for most of my life, I've had some big "aha!" moments recently when it comes to spending decisions. I've learned that no matter how many how-to books I read or HGTV programs I watch, I still fundamentally lack the ability to decorate or organize my space so that it works well and looks great. The beauty, functionality, and measurably lowered stress levels I've gotten in exchange for a $1000 closet makeover are worth every penny. [Read More]
More Notes on Makeovers for the Budget-Conscious
By Eileen CoaleI was never much of a TV watcher, but I've developed a new addiction: HGTV. Perhaps it's because after 18 years of marriage and four kids, we finally have the budget and time to spend on fixing up the house. If you're a fan of all those decorating shows on cable TV, perhaps you too have wondered if you can really make significant changes in a room for just $1000 or $2000. [Read More]
Facilitating the Transformation
By Stephanie Tracy, The ExaminerAnnapolis - For many professionals, the key to balancing a fulfilling life of work, family and personal time is often organization.
Annapolis resident Kathy Meckley knows firsthand how busy life can get trying to juggle a personal and a professional life. She owns Transforming Spaces, an organization and interior re-design business, offering services to help clients reclaim their homes and lives from clutter. [Read More]