Helping Kids Through a Move

 

Dear Homeowner,

 

     When moving your family to a new home, it's especially important to be aware of what your children are facing — new friends, new neighborhood, new schools — and help make the transition as smooth as possible.

 

Before you move:

·        Find out as much as you can about your new community. If possible, take your child with you on house-hunting trips.

·        Visit your child's new school. Ask if there is a dress code and see what kids are wearing.

·        Help your child plan a going-away party. Give guests stamped envelopes with your new address to encourage letter-writing.

·        Plan a family outing to say "goodbye" to some of your child's favorite places.

·        Pack a few of your child's belongings to take with you in the car or carry on the plane, in case there's a delay in moving your possessions into your home.

 

Once you're there:

·        Help arrange and decorate your child's room right away. When the kids are situated, work on the rest of the house will go much more smoothly.

·        Encourage your child to join extra-curricular activities. They're a great way to find new friends with common interests.

·        Get a map and help your child learn his or her way around. Find out where the nearest locations are for activities your child enjoys.

     

The best things you can do for your children are to present a positive attitude about the move, keep them informed and reassure them that you'll be there to help them face new challenges.

 

 

For more moving tips, call Val Ogletree (209) 559-5725 or email valo@ valogletree.com

 

 

Wicker Picker Uppers

 

 

Dear Homeowner,

  

     Once relegated to the porch, wicker is now a permanent fixture inside. Wicker mixes easily with other styles of furniture and readily assumes a new personality with a coat of paint or other embellishments.

 

On the fringe

Embellishing any wicker chair with a little frill is easy. All you need is a hot-glue gun and fringe hefty enough to be seen against the textural wicker.

·      Measure your chair from the end of one arm to the end of the other; add 2 inches. Measure around the bottom of the chair; add 2 inches. Purchase 5-inch-long fringe in these amounts.

·      Seal the fringe's cut ends with hot glue. Starting at one end of the chair and using a hot-glue gun, glue the fringe along the chair's arms and back. Glue the fringe along the bottom the same way.

·      Don't use a low temperature glue for this project. If the chair will be subjected to high heat or intense sun, use upholstery tacks or white glue instead of a glue gun.

 

Aged to perfection

To give a new wicker rocker an old look, create layers of colors that mock how coats of paint would be worn away.

·      Paint the chair with a dark base coat. When the paint is almost dry and slightly tacky, use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth or steel wool to remove the paint and expose the wicker in areas of high wear (seat, back, arms and skirt). These areas should be uneven to appear naturally worn.

·      After this coat dries, add a lighter coat and remove some of it the same way. Dark paint and wicker should now show through.

 

 

For more home decorating tips, contact Val Ogletree at (209)559-5725 or email at valo@valogletree.com.

 

 

Decorating Tips

 

Dear Homeowner,

 

      It doesn't take an unlimited budget to make your home feel more expansive. Try these inexpensive decorating tricks to make your rooms live bigger.

 

• Paint walls and ceilings with soft whites, pastels and neutrals to reflect light, making the surfaces recede from view and seem larger.

 

• Paint woodwork, trim and doors the same hue as the walls. This makes them "disappear," which in turn makes the room seem unbroken and larger. Bolder colors can be used in furniture, artwork and accessories.
• Light rooms with recessed features that add brightness without dangling in view.

 

• Use the same floor, window and wall treatments in adjoining rooms to avoid breaking up the spaces.

 

• Keep furnishings in scale with the rooms. In small rooms, use slim rockers, open-back chairs or a simple sofa or love seat rather than overstuffed furnishings to avoid overpowering the space.

 

• Knickknacks should be sparse. Rotate between display shelves and storage.

 

• Use mirrors and metal surfaces. They bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger.

 

• Use glass-front or mirrored cabinet doors to make spaces feel large and uncluttered.

 

• Tall plants, artwork, pedestals and vertical stripes emphasize height. You can also draw eyes up with a flower arrangement on top of an armoire or breakfront.

 

• Don't fill every bare spot. Let the space speak for itself.

     

 

For more home decorating ideas, call Val O (209) 559-5725 or email at valo@valogletree.com