My Home's Laundry room Face-lift

So, the good news is, I've been busy doing all of the Realtor things!  The bad news is, I left my blog hanging with a promise of more before and after photos of my home's transition.  I apologize for the delay and I hope these before and afters live up to the long anticipated wait.  😊

Laundry Room:  I've always wanted a fabulous laundry room.  My mindset was that the bigger, more organized "a place for everything", fresh colors and high-end finishes, the happier I'd be to spend time there.

Yet, when given an opportunity to go all-out in the laundry room with our Alabama build, I found myself hesitant to go through with the expense.  Instead, I was more excited about spending that budget money on a special ceiling in the foyer and master bedroom, or a custom "hidden office space" behind a rustic barn door.  That experience helped me cope with the state of my Georgia Home's work room.  The upside to the tiny laundry space, is that I could go with more elaborate tile finishes with little impact on my renovation budget.

The Before laundry room featured an emerald-green, marbled vinyl flooring.  It had a tear in it from moving machines out, so even if I wanted to try to work with the outdated floor, it had to go.  I replaced it with a retro black and white small basket-weave ceramic tile flooring.  To the wall above the washer/dryer, I added a black geometric back splash tile with white grout.  The old, large, bucket style utility sink was replaced with a more modern- yet still retro style- sink/cabinet combo.  A bargain from Wayfair.  The small boob light was replaced with a farmhouse black and nickel light.

While I'd still love more room to move around in the laundry room, the cute retro farmhouse feel of my refreshed tiny space makes it totally liveable. The entire cost of my laundry renovation came in right around $1,200.

               Before                           After

My Home's Before and Afters

Over the next couple weeks, I've decided to re-share some of the updates we did after purchasing our home last summer.  The simple updates and additions we made completely changed the feeling of the 20-year-old home, making it feel new, modern, and most importantly "ours," but still full of all the character and traditionalism that mature landscaping and architectural design provided, making us fall in love with the house at first look.

A good realtor will always advise buyers to consider the things about a home that cannot be changed, when determining if it's "the one" for you.  That's sometimes easier said than done.  It's easy to determine if the physical condition of the land or location of the lot is satisfactory.  But, on the inside, where you'll spend the majority of your time - what if you don't have an eye for how you can work with what is there to make it more appealing to your personal preferences and functionality?  What if you're the kind of person that doesn't know what you want, until you see it?

Hopefully, the photos I'm sharing over the coming weeks will help you to identify good bones when you see them now.  If you've decided your home no longer meets your needs and preferences - so you're considering selling, but you don't want to spend the money required for a full re-model, because, then, why move?  You'll find in this and upcoming posts: never underestimate the power of paint, hardware and new light fixtures to make your home more appealing to others and sell quickly! 

Today, let's start with the kitchen.  I kept the original footprint (didn't knock down any walls or relocate any plumbing), but we completely gutted and rebuilt cabinetry, counters, back splash and appliances.


Here are the BEFORE photos:

 Cabinets were poor quality and outdated; while the perimeter counters were updated to granite, the dark browns, grays and cream colors darkened and dated the kitchen.

The breakfast nook was spacious, but the blue paint, and outdated light fixture, made the kitchen look dark and lopsided to me.

I prefer cooking with a gas range, so I was lucky to find out that a gas line was close-by that could easily be run into the kitchen to replace the electric top with gas.

Here are the AFTER photos.  We completely gutted the kitchen and started over with new cabinetry, counters, back splash and appliances, from the awesome people (and coincidentally, my neighbors) at TrueSource Home Specialties, in Marietta.  

 The limewashed brick wall addition in the nook, balanced the kitchen and brightened the space; the brick accent wall coordinates with the limewashed brick fireplace that can be viewed from the kitchen.

 Drawer microwave (because the kids and I think it's totally cool to have a microwave operate with an automatic drawer- makes for easier cleaning too!) and trashcan are built into the new kitchen island.  The island was extended, by about two or three feet to accommodate the microwave and trash cans, while still providing storage space.

 Pendant lights were purchased at Woodstock Antiques and became the inspiration for all of my kitchen remodel selections!

When I moved the microwave to the island, I added a gas line to allow for a gas range in the kitchen and replaced the microwave with a decorative hood/vent that matches the cabinetry.  upon demolition, it was decided that the plumbing and layout worked better with the dishwasher relocated to the opposite side of the sink than originally designated.  So, that's not an oven, that's a dishwasher with a window.  The inside of the dishwasher has a light that turns on when it is opened and when cycles are complete.  It's simply an aesthetic factor.  It doesn't light up during the washing, which would be totally cool and should be considered by the manufacturers, in my opinion.  Because I like cool things.

"Fantasy Brown" Dolomite Counter tops:  Not as hard or stain/scratch resistant as granite or quartzite.  think of Dolomite as closer to a Marble as far as maintenance.  So, you have to be a little more conscious to protect it from staining and scratching, but its not quite as risky as marble.  I was told by the supplier, that on a hardness scale of 1-10 (10 being the hardest) for natural stones, Granite and quartzite would be an 8-10, Dolomites, like Fantasy Brown would be about a 5-7, and marble would be closer to 3 or 4.  So don't be scared to use it in your kitchen or bathroom- because it's just as beautiful as marble and not as fragile!

 Added Vent/Hood where microwave used to be; added decorative white tile back-splash, with gray grout.

 All kitchen hardware and the faucet are champagne bronze finish.

Granite composite sink, in Truffle

 We added a small table to serve as a coffee station in an otherwise useless corner of the breakfast nook.  I intend to add open shelving above the coffee station to store mugs and tea cups.

Custom table from The Market, in Woodstock

Added a brick-facing backsplash to the back wall of the kitchen nook, then limewashed the red brick to whiten and brighten the dark nook of the kitchen.  Pendant light from The Market, in Woodstock.

I hope you had as much fun looking at the big changes made, as I did making them!  The next posts will be much less extreme overhauls, and show how just paint, fixtures, and furniture staging can change the entire feel of a room and sometimes function too!

Staging to Sell

Summer, being the most popular time of the year for families to make a move, I wanted to be able to best serve my current listing clients with tips on simple decor updates they can make to maximize the appeal for home-buyers. 

If you're still waiting on your buyer, or your listing is approaching expiration, or most importantly - if you've already vacated your home and it's now on the market as a vacant property, consider staging/re-staging the main living area of your home.  Ask your realtor to host an open house and stage your home to show it's functionality and style in a new way, appealing to a group of buyers who may be feeling the crunch to settle on a decision before school starts.

I've researched this year's design trends (links attached below), and there are two main areas to focus on when staging your home:  Painting and Minimalizing.

Paint/Decor:  While the overwhelming desire for clear, clean and casual living spaces with natural textures have stuck around as the preferred style (transitional and modern farmhouse) for the last three years, the biggest difference I've seen, beyond brass making a come-back as brushed gold, is the saturation of colors.  We're still in love with the class and cleanliness of grey, and the muted pastel hues as accents, but we're getting a little more risky with the tints of rich colors with grey undertones, particularly the gemstone hues for a deep blue-grey or mossy green-grey.  Deep, dark grey and navy are the new neutral.  Want to make a big impact?  add brushed or satin gold fixtures to your saturated paint!  Keeping the texture trend going, consider resurfacing a wall with brick facing and white-wash the brick, layer your area rugs, consider textured wall paper or adding wooden planks to an accent wall (Thanks, Joanna Gaines for making "shiplap" a household word!) 

If you're scared to make the bold statements with more saturated paint colors, consider adding the color to your pillows, throws and fixtures instead.  But don't get carried away with the accessories.  Remember, 2019 buyers are looking for modern minimalism:  Clear spaces, shiny surfaces, clean lines.  A house that doesn't look like you're living in it, doesn't come across at sterile or without character; it comes across as a classy, clean slate, better than new build, full of potential, and ready to add their personal style!




https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/g25096141/color-trends-2019/

https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/g24400315/color-trends-2019/

How to be Sure You're on the Right Path

I spent a few days in Alabama visiting my friends.  After a few hours of catching up on life events over the last six months or so since I saw them last, we moved quickly on to the deep stuff, as close friends often do.  We were discussing the desire to walk in God's will for our lives and our fear that we've missed a door he's opened, or chosen our own path instead of His.  I was reminded how I've struggled with these thoughts of missing God's life boat/door openings/path, (whatever that is for you) specifically in my decision to pursue a career in Real Estate Sales.  I expected the insecurities of am I gonna be any good at this, or will I be successful, but I didn't expect to feel so discouraged when a few months went by with no solid leads or promising contracts for my business.  I began to question if I was on the path God intended for me; or had I forced my own way with all of this?
So, here's the kicker:  I didn't even bring all of this internal conflict up... my friend was sharing of her and her husband's desire to discern and follow God's will for their lives.  The couple had spoken the words, "I sure hope I'm walking in His will".  I asked if she'd allow me to speak into that comment from experience, and as God often does, I was receiving my own revelation through speaking truth to a loved one:

When I've come to my spiritual mentor, my mother, with this concern, she shared something that brought me zero peace or revelation until years later when I looked back and saw it proven right.  She said, "If you truly desire God's will above your own, and you do everything in your power to align yourself with it (prayer, meditation, reading his word, etc.), you can not miss out on His will.  So, to my friend's concern, I shared I've been right where she is standing, and my advice is to rest.  Rest in the peace of knowing that if you desire what God wants for your life, He promises to grant the desires of your heart-- Because that's what He's willed for you.  So, it's impossible to miss the signs ;walk through the wrong door ;wrongly accept the promotion; or say yes to a move or new career.  God will use his power, influence, and miracles to move you onto the path he's prepared for your life.

Are you facing a big decision?  Pray first, and align your desires with His.  Come to him with a
"yes heart," before you've even discerned what He's saying to you, and He WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.  This is just as much for me (maybe more) as it is for you, reader.  I'm not getting my way.  It doesn't look the way I thought it would almost four months into my new career, but I'm certain I'm in His will.  He got me here and he'll bless my heart's desire and make me successful.

Here are two scriptures God put on my heart to strengthen my confidence in sharing this:

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

"...all your life, no one will be able to hold out against you.  In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you, I won't give up on you; I won't leave you.  Strength! Courage!  You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.  Give it everything you have, heart and soul.  Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it.  Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get where you're going.  And don't for a minute let this Book of the Revelation be out of mind.  Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.  Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.  Haven't I commanded you?  Strength!  Courage!  Don't be timid; don't get discouraged.  GOD, your God, is with you every step you take."
Joshua 1:8 MSG

The Whole Point

Many go through life searching for and pondering their God-given gifts, their talents, their niche.  For some, that's their goal-- "find out what my natural abilities and gifts are and use them to make a difference in the world..."  I discovered mine was writing when I was in college.  I entered college with the stereotypical young girl's dream, "holding life by the tail," as my father still tells teenagers.  I was going to study something in the medical field- nursing, specifically, so I could meet my future husband - (a doctor, duh), and graduate with a BS and an MRS.  But, it all changed course (literally), when I took my first undergraduate biology class.  I still graduated with the BS and the MRS, but I met my future husband in the college of Journalism and Communications.
I chose Public Relations as my major, because I breezed through English classes, and my parents raised me with a strong focus on presentation and communication skills... from table manners, to proper grammar, to how to talk to an adult.  Through college, careers, and life circumstances, I've learned I'm a pretty good writer.
My closest friends and family know I love Jesus, karaoke, grammar and commas.  In that order.  But, with every strength comes a fault... mine is that I'm better at writing than talking.  Oh, I have words.  Always.  And just as I have been hurt or embarrassed by others' spoken words, I have a super amazing ability to do the same.  I speak slow, but I get ALL the words out, and then wish I could shove them back in or change their order.  So, I prefer to do all of my "talking" in the written form.  If I'm mad at you:  I would much prefer to write you a letter, so I can write down all of the biting comments I'm dying to make... and then backspace, saving us both from the consequences.

So, getting to the point of this blog's birth: The name of my new blog is, REALtor LIFE with Krissy.  Given all I've told you about my loves and skills, of course I love an opportunity to use limericks, poetry and play on words.  This blog is about my "real" life most of all, because it's pretty darn funny if I do say so myself.   But, I've also started a new career as a Realtor (after a 13 year hiatus - or as my husband calls it, "retirement from substitute teaching," because he's also ridiculously funny).  I entered 2019 with a resolution to use my recent experiences with multiple relocations, my love of building relationships, and my strong communication skills, to pursue a Georgia Real Estate license.  With the support of my funny husband, I went through the fastest and most intensive schooling and testing I've been through in years, passed the state exam on the first try (fellow realtors know this ain't easy) and obtained my license by the end of February.  I was so excited and confident in my ability to make a difference in the lives of so many people like me who struggled with all aspects of moving on and moving in!
I've had so much fun showing homes, hosting open houses and doing all of the realtor things for other agents who have been so kind to extend the opportunities to me, for experience and lead generation.  I am confident I've made the right choice in my career.  But, Dude... it's the middle of June.  Crickets on the new client front.  I've been asked by ALL my friends and family, and even new colleagues... "How's the new job going?"  I cringe.  I must be REAL in my response...because I love reality tv (which my besties also know about me) and I prefer to do it in writing, where I can bite your head off for asking me such a stupid question, like "Have you sold any houses yet?"  So, hence the birth of REALtor LIFE with Krissy.  Maybe someday, hopefully soon, I can change REALtor to REALTOR, because it will be more of who I am.  But, the whole point of this blog is to build my business.  So, here we are... my first step.  A blog about who I am and what I bring to the table as your Realtor.

That's the point of this blog.  I want to reach as many people as possible.  I want everyone to know what I'm doing, instead of just how I'm doing. Everyone knows if they're buying or selling a home, a Realtor can get you through the transaction quickly and successfully.  But, I can tell you this after going through a few transactions, in a few different states, with a few different realtors:  The ones who left me with the best feelings at the closing table, were the ones who I really knew were on my side.  The ones who wanted me to win, and not just collect the commission check.  ...and I did not experience that with every one.  But, that's what has motivated me to select this career.  I want to help you win.  I want to make a difference in this life-changing, milestone event of home buying and selling!

So, please subscribe to my new blog, follow along with me as I navigate real estate sales, and share with your friends.  I promise to be real.  I promise to do my best to provide good content on real estate market trends, staging, decorating, and house hunting.  Now of course, you can just check in periodically to see when I sell a home.  But I can promise you this:  When I sell my first home, you will know!  And you won't have to come to this blog find out.  You might just hear my shouts of elation, if you open your window.