Waiting for Buckley (incorporating minimalist fine art in any interior design)

This afternoon I am looking forward to having coffee with a cherished new friend, fine artist Dick Buckley. You can visit his website and read more about his work and inspiration. Yet rather that write too much, and take away from his fine art, I’d like to SHOW you a few” flights of fancy” that his work … Continue reading →

Everything old is new again! (chalk paint is an easy & economical DIY solution in interior design)

I got a lot of great feedback from folks who liked my post on updating old furniture. It’s a great solution if you’ve inherited a piece of furniture, but it is just not in keeping with your modern style. I also find fabulous vintage furniture in local thrift shops and even on the side of the road! Most often … Continue reading →

Don’t Judge a Book… (deconstructing old books in DIY design)

I’ve had a life-long love affair with books. Since childhood I loved losing myself between the pages and getting lost in the current of a great story. As an educator my favorite subject to teach was writing – helping children find their own voice on the page. Is it any surprise I married a writer? Yet I … Continue reading →

My Woman Cave (Stage 1 of home office/guest room makeover)

Welcome to my combination home office / guest room / meditation space. I found this little nook under in my walk-in closet and under the stairway! BEFORE (realtor’s pics) The previous owners used this room as a nursery.   AFTER Green is my favorite color.  It brings the outside in and is soothing and cooling. Yet this … Continue reading →

Pantry – Laundry – Utility Room (economical DIY, home improvement)

This pantry is a nod to my paternal grandparents.  I adored my grandmother’s tiny pantry right off the kitchen where she often had brownies cooling for us. I always wanted one of my own. BEFORE AFTER CLEARING THE SLATE I first saw jars hanging from shelves like this over my grandfather’s workbench. These hold a … Continue reading →

The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it (DIY home improvement, combination dining & living space)

Welcome to our combination living/dining area. Our condo was built in the 80’s and had little character compared to the historical homes in our neighborhood. We love antiques, but wanted a modern vibe too. When we combined our homes after we married we were amazed by how well our things blended. Please visit our kitchen space which … Continue reading →

A crust of bread, a bottle of wine and thou! (DIY home design for Galley kitchen)

Ours was a typical condo galley kitchen. We’ve begun our transformation by painting the melamine cabinets and adding a warm Venetian plaster to the walls. My husband Dann hand tooled the copper countertop. Now the “fast food” pass-through is a usable space! We love antiques and wanted an updated traditional feel with a touch of … Continue reading →

Plan for the spring real estate market with a FREE CMA of your home NOW!

It’s snowing outside, but it’s never too early to start planning for the spring real estate market, or even get an early jump on it as there are still a whole lot of frustrated buyers out there looking for their new home. With pent up energy in the housing market and low inventory, 2014 is predicted … Continue reading →

Finding the Perfect Home in Another State (Real Estate Relocation Tips)

The following is a repost from Coldwell Banker Blue Matter (Oct 30, 2013) Relocating for a new job or simply to start over can be an exciting venture. However, it can seem challenging to find a new home when individuals don’t know the nearby towns, neighborhoods or other features of their new location. There are several steps … Continue reading →

10 Things That Turn Off Homebuyers

The following is a repost By Jay MacDonald , Bankrate.com Special to abcnews.go.com Oct. 28, 2013 It’s no longer a buyer’s market in real estate. With home prices rising at double-digit annual rates, home sellers now have the edge in many places. In metro areas such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, … Continue reading →

Take the Plunge! 7 reasons to buy a house BEFORE 2014

(The following is a repost written by By Sabah Karimi from LISTED, a blog by MSN Real Estate/USA World Report) Thinking about taking the plunge and buying a home? The next few months might just be the time to do it. If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge and buying a home, the last … Continue reading →

Monthly Home Maintenance Guide (Home Ownership, Protecting your Real Estate Investment)

(The following is a repost from New EnglandMoves.com) Owning a home is one of life’s greatest joys and investments. But, as a homeowner, you also know that maintaining the value of your No. 1 investment requires a lot of time, energy and elbow grease. To help you stay organized with the “must do” tasks every month, here’s a … Continue reading →

Home Buying Check List (Real Estate tips for the Home Buyer)

(The following is reposted from New England Moves.com) Whether your dream home is new construction or an existing home, you will want to know what to look for as you begin your home search.  Think of features that are important to you and create a checklist to serve as your roadmap for buying a home. Review the … Continue reading →

CAN’T TOUCH THIS! (beat high rents with an easy commute) #Cambridge #Boston, Somerville #Chelsea

Wondering how you can avoid the astronomical rents in downtown Boston? Check out the penthouse view of the river and rooftops from this  quiet oasis in the heart of urban living; fine dining, shopping, Peabody Essex Museum, river, harbor and beaches close by; movies, theatre, culture & nightlife! The much sought after Essex Building features an elevator … Continue reading →

The Changing Face of Salem! (5 new building projects and more)

Salem has changed so dramatically since my husband and I moved here 6 years ago. I have already noted all the wonderful things that drew us to the community in the first place, yet the list of amenities that continue to make us sink our roots into Salem are growing every day. If I had to … Continue reading →

DOs and DON’T to Make sure Your Loan Closes!

DOs and DON’T to Make sure Your Loan Closes! The information was presented at a recent workshop with Adam Moore our fabulous and knowledgeable mortgage specialist with N E Moves Mortgage, LLC an Affiliate of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Do NOT apply for new credit! Credit inquiries can affect your FICO score Documentation will be needed … Continue reading →

Secrets to Buying Your First Home

The following is a re-post from Coldwell Banker Blue Matter blog (Image courtesy of Zeldalilly.com via Creative Common The basics of looking for your first home are an often discussed item within real estate circles. I should know because we dedicated a whole week to it. But as any experience homeowner or real estate professional will … Continue reading →