1335 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA

Posted on by DCL

I love the look and welcome of a red front door but selecting the perfect shade it tricky. Try three swatches and take a day and night to decide on the perfect shade.

Extend the height of windows by installing drapery panels to the ceiling. Here we extended the panels on both sides of the window and door to make them appear wider. An added benefit was warming the space by coverting the awkward corner wall. In small bedrooms, use solid panels that blend with the wall color for instant luxury.

This home owner needed a home office that doubled as an occasional guestroom. We selected a medium toned custom sleeper (no bars) and “shrunk” the desk to the width of a console table. The butterscotch paint was a custom mix used to play down the scale of the sofa.

Creating outdoor rooms is a great way to enjoy your garden as well as show off the size and features when you decide to sell.

The cabinet crown molding in this kitchen was custom created to compliment original trim detail throughout the home. The real jewel in this galley is the glass subway tiled back splash that visually widens the space.

Keeping public areas clutter free and neutral is important when selling your home but it's just as important for the space to feel warm and inviting.

D.

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2224 California St, Berkeley, CA

Posted on by DCL

Pre-Sale Recommendations

Entry Enhancement

  • Remove screen door and store under house should buyer wish to reinstall.
  • Replace door mat with long runner to create an arrival area:


www.ballarddesigns.com

Chevron Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Runner 2’7″-8’2″ Gray with Sand $49.00

  • Add three hanging flower boxes from the outside of the entry rail keeping the top hand rail free.

Landscape

  • Relocate crushed lava rock to under rear deck.
  • Spread new mulch (color “Forest Floor Bark”) where lava rock is now AS WELL AS under juniper hedge, in brick driveway planters, and along the path between the lower juniper hedge and neighboring property. This will add richness, create cohesiveness in the front of the property, and tie in the eucalyptus beyond:

American Soil Products:

Richmond Annex
2121 San Joaquin Street, Bldg. A
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 292-3000

  • Coordinate “spruce up” of neighboring property.

Paint

  • Three columns, long entry beam, and mail box – Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168 Exterior Eggshell Finish.
  • Front Door – Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168 Exterior Semi Gloss Finish.
  • Living room feature wall – Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14 Interior Eggshell Finish. Paint corner to corner and include mantle.
  • Master Bedroom feature wall – Benjamin Moore Bennington Grey HC-82 Interior Eggshell Finish. Flocked wallpaper will need to be sealed with primer.
  • Garage – Benjamin Moore Pure White OC-64 Eggshell Finish. Ceilings, walls, and posts…everything clean and fresh.


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Into Inverted

Posted on by DCL


One of my favorite ways to add non-fussy luxury to any room is by using furnishings and window treatments with inverted pleating like this panel from Restoration Hardware.


Inverted pleated skirts provide for a clean tailored look pictured here from The Nest Egg in Fairfax.


Dressing up an inverted pleat with trim is more fun than fussy!


This sofa was recovered in mohair by Knops Upholstery in Albany, California. Its solid back, single down-filled cushion, and inverted pleat skirt combine to create a sophisticated sofa.

D.

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4268 Coolidge Ave, Oakland, CA

Posted on by DCL

Pre-Sale Recommendations

Entry Enhancement

  • Remove screen door and store under house should buyer wish to reinstall.
  • Replace door mat with long runner to create an arrival area:


www.ballarddesigns.com

Chevron Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Runner 2’7″-8’2″ Gray with Sand $49.00

  • Add three hanging flower boxes from the outside of the entry rail keeping the top hand rail free.

Landscape

  • Relocate crushed lava rock to under rear deck.
  • Spread new mulch (color “Forest Floor Bark”) where lava rock is now AS WELL AS under juniper hedge, in brick driveway planters, and along the path between the lower juniper hedge and neighboring property. This will add richness, create cohesiveness in the front of the property, and tie in the eucalyptus beyond:

American Soil Products:

Richmond Annex
2121 San Joaquin Street, Bldg. A
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 292-3000

  • Coordinate “spruce up” of neighboring property.

Paint

  • Three columns, long entry beam, and mail box – Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168 Exterior Eggshell Finish.
  • Front Door – Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168 Exterior Semi Gloss Finish.
  • Living room feature wall – Benjamin Moore Natural Cream OC-14 Interior Eggshell Finish. Paint corner to corner and include mantle.
  • Master Bedroom feature wall – Benjamin Moore Bennington Grey HC-82 Interior Eggshell Finish. Flocked wallpaper will need to be sealed with primer.
  • Garage – Benjamin Moore Pure White OC-64 Eggshell Finish. Ceilings, walls, and posts…everything clean and fresh.


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Goin’ Gingham

Posted on by DCL

Resourcefulness often leads to creativity (for better or worse) when facing time and budget constraints. Treat every design challenge as an opportunity.

So often a “great deal” on natural stone tile results in a delivery of mismatched disappointment. Consider a simple gingham pattern before panicing, reordering, and going through the pains of returning your tile order.

Gingham has a very simple recipe:

Divide your tile in to three categories

  • 25% – lightest tone
  • 25% – darkest tone
  • 50% – all remaining pieces

While a gingham pattern can help you take advantage of a tile deal, it may result in a busier look than what was originally intended. Layout sections in both “square” and “diagonal” orientations to determine which option will best compliment the space.




Transition points are areas where different flooring materials meet. It may be helpful to select the perfect hardwood color and finish after your tile is installed.

Gingham is a classic pattern that can enhance any design scheme.

D.

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Buyin’ Blues

Posted on by DCL

Ask Derik

Are you exhausted and deflated by house hunting? Perhaps you were outbid on your perfect home and now don’t have the energy to keep looking. Congratulations, you are in great company and at an important crossroad. Next to spouses and children, choosing a home is the most important decision most people ever make.

Think home prices are high now? If everyone who wanted to buy a home was out aggressively house hunting, prices would be in the stratosphere. Rates today are ridiculously low for well qualified buyers. If you are in this position, choosing to “sit it out for now” could cost you much more than your dream home.

As a Realtor®, I have a responsibility to advise my clients and guide them toward what is BEST for them. No two buyers are alike. Successful buyers, in any market condition, are serious about the task and make find their home a priority.

Our housing needs change over time throughout the course of our lives. Not everyone needs or wants to own a home. Buying and selling occurs regardless of market conditions because our needs and desires change.

What do I tell frustrated buyers? I don’t have frustrated buyers.

D.

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335 Clifton St, Oakland, CA

Posted on by DCL

Thoughts for maintaining and adding value to this classic Rockridge bungalow.

Addition/Renovation



  • Step back for second story additions for a subtle “always been there” look.
  • Use a vintage color scheme to highlight architecturally interesting elements.
  • Contractor – Big Red Construction, Kathy Kovel 925-962-0145
  • Vintage parts, pieces, and salvage – Ohmega Salvage, 2407 San Pablo Ave, Berk
  • East Bay Paints (Benjamin Moore), 990 San Pablo, Albany
  • Inspiration – Builder’s Book Source, 1817 Fourth St, Berk

Landscape



  • Ornamental grasses and native low water plantings.
  • Fig ivy is easily maintained for a green privacy wall.
  • The Dry Garden, 6556 Shattuck Av, Oak
  • Cactus Jungle, 1509 4th St, Berk
  • American Soil, Products 2121 San Joaquin, Richmond

  • Plant an ornamental plum in the parking strip. This visually expands the property, breaks up the hardscape, and will add shade in warmest months. See urbanreleaf.org

Fireplace Surround

  • Fireplace surround options include Arts & Crafts or California Craftsman. For best return on investment, avoid trendy or modern and create something that looks original to the home.
  • Ideally the hearth is even with the surrounding hardwood.
  • Italics 6598 Hollis St, Emeryville
  • Import Tile Co, 611 Hearst Av, Berk

Farm Kitchen

  • Farm-to-table kitchen styles are quite timeless and period appropriate for the home on Clifton. There are many resources for countertop materials like copper, wood, stone, and marble. Using a variety of surfaces can add visual interest and better suit what is needed in each area.
  • I like the fir floors because they are soft and warm. Unlike oak veneer (in your entry, living, and dining rooms), fir planks are thicker and easy to refinish. Continuing the oak in to the kitchen is an option but can get pricey. If you decide to replace everything, be mindful of durability and make sure that the product can be refinished.
  • Granite Expo, 1368 40th St, Emery

  • Add built-in seating in kitchen and dining room. Pushing seating out to the edges of these rooms will visually enlarge each of these spaces as well as maximize seating.


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Oh Henry!

Posted on by DCL

Every home has quirks and selling those quirks can be tricky business… welcome to Henry Street!


When I first set foot on this property I knew it had potential (yes, all property has potential) but it was buried in years of collections. Respecting the past owner while visually clearing a space for potential buyers takes vision and sweat. This is when a great Realtor® stands out in the crowd.


I never had the opportunity to meet the owner of this home. He was the proprietor of a well-known framing shop and the old shop sign deserves a place of prominence in this home.


Most of us put love into our homes. Pieces of us that make our home unique. Some of these choices won’t transition to new buyers while other elements will be cherished.


When it comes time to sell your home, interview qualified agents and ask the tough questions. Hearing what you don’t want to hear about your home can be challenging. A savvy seller will take that challenge.

D.

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How To Hire Your Realtor®

Posted on by DCL

So many sellers and buyers lack confidence about interviewing and hiring real estate professionals. The best way to start the process is to make your “what, when, and where” list and stick to it.

There are plenty of great agents out there and one, or more, agent will be able to get the job done for you. Remember that you are the employer and you must hire the best employee for a specific transaction. This can be tough because it often means not hiring a good friend if the job at hand is just beyond their scope of expertise or outside their geographical area or when the complexity of the transaction requires different a skill set.

Separate the relationship and emotion whenever you are dealing with real estate transactions.

Hire the person best suited to get the specific job done. You will sleep easy, knowing you put yourself in the best negotiating position…this is business.

How do you get the most out of your employee? Be direct. Stick to your, “what, when, and where” list. Be realistic. If you hired best person, you should expect and feel confident that you are getting the best deal.

Remember that market value is determined by supply and demand. A great agent will exploit the benefits of your property but Hearst Castle would not sell for a $1 of there isn't a buyer willing to pay the utility and maintenance bills. Your agent is there to educate you throughout this process giving you the tools and information you need to make the best decisions.

If you are selling, focus on the future and where you want and need this sale to get you. If you are buyer, focus on the future and make sure your purchase meets your needs for the foreseeable future. And always hire the best.

D.

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Shopping for Color

Posted on by DCL

I love taking inspiration from favorite brands. These brands evoke great memories of travel and/or special occations. Use inside and give visitors a hint of what is to come by painting your front door in one of these fabulous shades.

Harrods’ classic green (don’t call it olive) works well as an accent as opposed to an all-out wall color.

I love hamper shopping at Fortnum & Mason. F&M teal is as rich as the history of this iconic Piccadilly purveyor of finer things!

 

 

Cartier red is a classic that will outlive us all. Should a lover ever get on one knee and pull out an unmistakably red box there is only one thing to say…”yes I do!”

Hermes orange is possibly one of the most perfect colors ever. This orange is a decorator’s dream and will warm up the drabbest of spaces.

 

Remember to hint at what your guests will see when they enter the public rooms of your home. Your space begins outside. If you are unable to paint your front door, an appropriate doormat will work.

D.

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