Love it or List it by U&I

August 15, 2013August 20, 2013Leave a comment

Love it or List it project:

Our new clients called Judy Boone Realty regarding the decision to list their home or fix it up. Judy called U&I Home Decorating and Staging because she knows we specialize in several options for staging and remodeling.

We discussed options and budget with the client and they decided to go with remodeling to a certain point and then decide if they were going to List it or Love it.

Plans began in Oct. 2012, finalized in Dec. 2012 and began in Jan. 2013. Several completions points where made in the remodeling projects along the way to create a listing option for the client or a re-evaluation point for them. At each point they wanted U&I to continue.

THEY LOVE IT. With the help of our supporting sub contractors, U&I have given the client a beautiful home on their waterfront property to love for many years to come.

Projects completed for the client consists of a new HVAC system with all duct work complete with gas lines, weather proofing all over, new siding and gutters, new windows, new kitchen with an open wall concept, custom table top built into cabinetry, custom radiator covers, new flooring throughout downstairs in wood and porcelain tile, new leather furnishings, lighting, art work, accessories, Karastan wool rugs, ancient marble wall color from Sherwin Williams, new Kettle sun room furnishings, Bali faux wood blinds throughout, all new closet system shelving, upholstered dining chairs in a Ikat fabric from Second Yard with matching pillows for sofa, new ceilings, a makeover to the both bathrooms; the downstairs a complete remodel, and a clean up and face lift to the landscaping; which is still in progress.

Thank you Judy Boone of Judy Boone Realty for offering U&I the role creating a complete new living environment for the happy owners.

U&I like to support LOCAL Hampton Roads employment, and offer our thanks to all of our supporting Sub Contractors: Construction with Robert Bates Construction with Bobby Bates, Larry Dudack and Michael, PSD with Shawn Ford, Mike Jagow, Mickey and Cindy with MC Bryd Flooring, Dixon Paints with Jason and the Boys, Tile work with Alan Gaskins and Chris, Electrical with Wade Casto and Floyd, WT Anderson (gutters), Sea-thru Windows, Decorum furniture, Mark Gonsenhauser (Diane Samareh), HVAC Warehouse, Lowes, Home Depot, Second Yard, Innerspace Closets, Boo butcher block, The Kellisons for miscellanous labor, and my wonderful and supporting husband Christopher Lutz for all sorts of areas in this process.

Thank You Ladies and Gents for all that you have contributed to this project and bringing my Design to life for the client.

Deborah Lutz, Owner

Before U&I Home Decorating and Staging

After U&I Home Decorating and Staging

Here is a link to the after photos in a slideshow https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=72B48645312C2A44!702

Who says white is boring?

March 25, 2013Leave a comment

Who ever said white is boring, has never thought of it as a background for all other colors.
My completed project in Newport News is a success. The client wanted everything modern and slick with color added through furniture, art and accessories…..
She wanted to surprise her son with a makeover for his new condo. We met in November while she was visiting Virginia, to discuss design and budget.

I sent many suggestions from November to January until we had it complete, down to the light fixtures all being changed out with new modern style shades.
January to March was filled with on-line shopping, e-mails and phone calls. U&I Home Decorating and Staging had everything delivered to their office and stored all the items awaiting the day of install in March.
My client is thrilled and I couldn’t be happier for her and her son. I think we all need a Mama like her don’t you agree!

The day in the life of a Project Managing Decorator

March 9, 20131 Comment

The day in the life of a Project Managing Decorator…..

When people ask me what I do I will say “I’m an Interior Decorator”

“I’m a Landscape Designer”

I also do Home Staging with Custom Art thrown in

I hear “How exciting, I always wanted to do that for a career”

It is a rewarding career choice for me and I have to change constantly to stay up with all the new styles and ideas. Which I like that about my job.

There are some aspects of my job that people do not know and that is the Project Management side.

It is tedious, meticulous, constant, 24-7, hands on, different types of sub-contractors in one day, several location and car travel daily. Changes to the designs never fail.

It’s good thing that I am the Decorating Designer on the job to quickly approve the changes and keep the ball rolling.

The job sites must be touched in some way each day via hands on visit or phone calls to Subs, making sure everyone is showing up for work and if they are not call them to find why when and where?????

I have great set of guys that Sub Contract for me (I refer to them as THE BOYS) and even then there are always delays that can not be helped from UNFORESEENS (always). Schedules get pushed back, jobs then get pushed back, and before you know it one small cabinet not being hinged correctly has put a kink in the whole month’s schedule.

BUT that is why clients hire me….I am paid to be the calm one that presents to them solutions instead of problems, answers instead of questions, time schedules instead of delays…it’s what I do and I love it.

To my own demise at times being up all hours of the night figuring out jobs and what else needs to be done that may have slipped by me.

I am a huge note taker and have sticky notes everywhere, voice mails to myself to stay on top.

All in all it is about the client and I do my very best to give them their home back as soon as possible. All polished and new just as they imagined it Sometimes that is not the easiest part of my job…but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Loving’ my career choice and I’m getting paid to do what I love!!!! Dream big and work hard…that is the way to have success in your life.

Deborah

15 excellent secrets to Staging from HGTV link

January 3, 20133 Comments

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/15-secrets-to-selling-your-home/pictures/index.html
This link has excellent photos and tips to getting your home ready for the market. You can’t go wrong of course by simply de cluttering your rooms…there is a lot to be said for neat and clean when it comes to staging. Fixing and repairing any old projects, and simply giving a fresh coat of paint….3 simple things to give your home a quick facelift….check out the HGTV link for lots of great information on getting your home sold.

U&I Home Decorating and Staging Mini Mag

November 19, 20121 Comment

Here at U&I Home Decorating and Staging we are gearing up for a fabulous few months of decorating and celebrating. We have put together a Holiday Mini Mag for you to enjoy filled with helpful tips and hints. Enjoy

http://yourminimag.com/DeborahLutz/holiday/

Staging Consult

August 22, 2012Leave a comment

Staging Consult yesterday with a wonderful family. They have such beautiful antiques that are going to be sold in an Estate Sale soon to follow. The most important thing is to get the house painted, curb appeal, organized, and staged for the open house….lots of work to do and it’s a great idea to get other professionals involved when you have so much to do. Paying someone to do the painting is a huge worry off of your list and they can get in and get out…while you work storing items that won’t be sold, and organizing the ones that will in another area than the staging area. Taking a home from 1980 to 2012 requires work, so roll up your sleeves and let’s get busy. First chore call painter!
Deborah

The Wedding

April 27, 20122 Comments

Planning for months has finally flourished into the Magical Enchanting Day of the Wedding. All the worry gone from a mothers heart of being asked by her daughter to decorate the most important day of her life….I was honored and humbled at the same time. The planning and deciding had begun and I had to make sure it was perfection, down to the last sprinkle of silver on the table, it was finally complete.

I want to thank Rebecca, Brenda, Sharon, Christina, Christopher, Jeffrey, Erin, Amber, Carlina, Mandy, Dream makers linen and Reidun Paulson from the Grandview for your help. I could not have pulled off the two hour decorating marathon without you.

If you are in the Chattanooga area U&I Home Decorating and Staging http://www.UandIHomeDecoratingandStaging.com highly recommend the Grandview on Lookout Mountain, Georgia http://meetatgrandview.com/photos.htm for your special event….Reidun’s customer service is impeccable and the vista view backdrop is enchanting.

We started at 2:00 and pushed forward as fast magical and enchanting moment creators and completed the decorating in record breaking time…Delegating my daughters wants and my vision to my wonderful volunteered group of Family helpers we were dressed and ready for photographs by 4:30. Unbelievable feat!

Our photographer was Marsha Smith of The Lightbox Photography another high recommendation goes out to her for capturing this lifetime of precious moments on film for us. You can view the entire wedding, starting with Engagement, to Pre-Ceremony, The Ceremony, and The Reception on her website http://thelightbox-marshasmith.smugmug.com/MyPortfolio/RoyBrandiWedding/22567268_kRRQtm#!i=1806223854&k=jdvG2nq

A special thank you to my Brother in law Jeffrey for capturing some amazing shots with his camera for us…I will forever be grateful for your kindness and photographic eye.

We had a bit of a stir from Mother Nature with some dark clouds and a minor sprinkling but Reidun’s crew pulled out large tarps and covered the tabletops and saved the day. Her calm was my salvation at that uncontrollable moment. The decision was to made stay outside or inside…The Groom said outside. We had faith….it was the right the decision. I have been told it is good luck to have rain on your wedding day…..It was just enough!

The clouds lightened up, the drizzle stopped and off went the tarps exposing the unscathed décor and our beautiful white mophead hydrangeas. Time was counting down and we were ready for the line up….My father officiated the wedding making the evening even more special for us. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was a hit.

The Bride and Groom couldn’t stop smiling. We were a success….

Thanks be to God for their happy union.

Deborah

Process of Decorating a room “Completed Example room”

April 5, 2012Leave a comment

We started with Style “Polished Casual with Natural Allure” decided by Better Homes and Garden decorating style quiz
Wall color “Sherwin Williams Hopsack SW6109, Trim White SW7757”
Furniture “Landon Collection Pottery Barn and Slipper chair Leyland Ballard design”
Rug “Addarug.com”
Drapery “Thai Silk Restoration Hardware”
adding all of our accessories….Viola’….

Our completed room. I hope you have enjoyed the process of decorating a room with U&I.

Process of Decorating a room

April 2, 20121 Comment

I have been posting about an example room on my business Facebook page and wanted to share with my blog followers. If you would like to follow via Facebook here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/UandIHomeDecoratingandStaging

To recap and catch you up…we were working with a Better Homes and Garden quiz to pick your style

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/quiz/?ordersrc=google1decoratingquiz_app&s_kwcid=TC%7C5599%7Cdecorating%20style%20quiz%7C%7CS%7Cb%7C7295502418

You can take the quiz and find a beautiful power point photo and description of your style pulled from answers that you give doing the quiz…try it it’s fun.

My personal style came back Polished Casual with Natural Allure: Description You love to mix and match your favorites from several styles, so Polished Casual is the best way to describe your look. Crisp, fresh, and always comfortable, this approach anchors itself in neutral, subtle hues and furniture that isn’t fussy but isn’t slouchy either. Pair your clean-lined sofa with a dark leather wing chair or a weathered metal table—anything goes, but simplicity is key.

That is so me!

I am using my style to do the example room to explain the process of decorating a room. One of my Facebook followers ask about the process of decorating a room. I thought it would be fun to walk her through it with posts of U&I decorating a room.

So far we have chosen our style Polished Casual with Natural Allure, room color (neutrals because I love to change often), and neutral Living room furniture…again because I fall in love way to easy and I want everything…part of the beast I must tame often in my line of work…hahahaha. Below are my choices via internet for our example room.

The room color choice SW6109 Hopsack and all trim SW7757 High reflectence white, Furniture Landon Collection Cream Twill dark wood legs, Sofa $1800, Chair $1300, Ottoman $600, Slipper Chair Leyland from Ballard Designs $419 and last but certainly not bland our color inspiration for the example room a Low Pile 8×10 modern striped rug from Net channel Inc. (addarug.com) $1000

I’ll keep you updated as we proceed in the process of Decorating a room with U&I Home Decorating and Staging.

Deborah Lutz

Landscape Design on the Lafayette River

October 11, 20112 Comments

U & I has completed an exterior design for a returning client. I can’t think of anything this designer loves more than a returning client and referrals. We had a long hard job ahead of us but with lots of planning, researching, sub contractors, and ingenuity the job is almost complete with a few minor details to be worked out. Of course, with all designs things flux and change once the job begins and quick decisions and solutions can be brought together to please the client. I am happy to say the clients are thrilled with their new view of the Lafayette.

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