What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home

Mercedes Amato · August 24, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

So as you might already know, I’m not only a designer and home stager, but I’m also a licensed Realtor in New Jersey. So this post will focus on a little more on the real estate side of things. I hope you find the information to be useful and informative to you!

Buying a home can be overwhelming (especially in these uncertain times…thanks to COVID of course). But buying a house (especially your first) is such an exciting part of life and I don’t wanna spoil it by talking about this virus. Finding the right real estate agent is half the battle. Lucky for you, if you live in Northern New Jersey, I’m an agent. So let’s just talk about the basics of the home buying process, shall we?

1. GET PRE-APPROVED

Before you do ANYTHING…get pre-approved. There’s nothing worse than looking for houses online only to realize the one you have your heart set on is totally out of your budget. Basically, you’re going to get a document from a lender who has run all of your financial information which will show you and me (your Realtor) the loan amount you qualify for. Then we can get realistic on what you can afford!

2. FIND A REALTOR YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH

This is important in the home buying process. You have to “click” with your Realtor or else working with him/her is going to be miserable. Not only that, but it’s important to find one who is knowledgeable on the area you’re looking in. Your Realtor is the one who will walk you through the home buying process, work on the paperwork, handle negotiations, etc.

3. COMING UP WITH A DOWN PAYMENT

You’re going to want to sit down and get real about how much money you are willing to put down on the house. It’s important to take a look at your finances and figure out what amount you (and your spouse) will feel comfortable putting down. Remember, this is a lot of money so you must take the time to think this through.

4. THINK ABOUT YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS

Buying a house is a big investment! You have to consider what’s important to you when looking for houses. These are the things you must talk about with your Realtor so everyone is on the same page. You might REALLY want a lot of windows because you like natural light, you need to have 4 bedrooms so your children can all get their own bedrooms, the towns you want to be in, whatever the case may be! Consider writing down a list so you don’t forget anything.

5. THE SEARCH BEGINS…

Okay, so this is the point in time where the fun begins (or at least I think it’s fun)! You’ve gone over everything necessary with your Realtor and so he/she will begin searching for homes with the criteria you have provided. Your Realtor will make appointments for you and take you to see the houses. It’s a good idea to take notes of the homes you’ve seen so you can remember what you liked/didn’t like about them. It can get a little difficult to keep track of the homes you’ve seen so having some bullet points can be really helpful!

6. PUTTING IN AN OFFER

Once you’ve found a house you can imagine yourself living in, it’s time to make an offer to the sellers. Your Realtor will help you come up with an offer that is competitive (just in case there are multiple offers on the table) but also reasonable, given how the market is doing at that particular time. This is when your Realtor will negotiate with the seller’s Realtor to get you the best possible offer!

7. THE PAPERWORK

Buying a house has LOTS of paperwork but your Realtor will be there with you to go over everything. It’s also good to have you lawyer take a look at your contract to make sure you understand the details before signing them. You’re gonna wanna take your time here because this is a big investment so don’t rush into signing the contract right away. Look it over and ask questions!

And that’s the home buying process in a nutshell! There are obviously more details that go into it but it’s a good idea to get a basic understanding of what you’re getting yourself into when shopping for homes, especially if you’ve never bought a home before. The market is CRAZY right now all thanks to COVID so make sure you take your time and don’t jump into anything if you’re not comfortable. Feel free to ask me any questions you have!

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5 Tips on Mastering the Art of Mixing Textures

Mercedes Amato | April 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

Mixing textures in interior design can add warmth and depth to a space, making it feel more inviting and visually interesting. The way different textures are combined can make or break the overall aesthetic. By combining different textures, you can create a multi-layered and visually appealing space that reflects your unique style. Here are some tips on how to mix textures effectively in your home:

1. Start with a neutral base: To mix textures effectively, it's best to start with a neutral base. This creates a cohesive foundation for the different textures that you will add to the space. A neutral base could be a neutral wall color, such as white or beige, or a neutral-colored sofa or bed frame. Starting with a neutral base allows you to experiment with different textures and colors without overwhelming the space.

2. Mix materials: Experiment with mixing different materials to add interest and variety to a room. You could mix materials such as wood, metal, leather, and fabrics. For example, a leather sofa paired with a chunky knit throw, or a metal coffee table with a soft, shaggy rug. Mixing materials will create contrast and add depth to the space.

3. Vary texture scale: Varying the scale of textures in a room is an important aspect of mixing textures in interior design. To do this, you can mix large and small textures together. For example, a large, nubby rug paired with a delicate, sheer curtain. Or, a smooth, glossy side table next to a chunky knit blanket. Varying texture scale will create visual interest and add depth to the space.

4. Mix patterns: Mixing patterns is another way to add texture to a space. To do this effectively, it's important to balance the patterns so they don't clash with each other. You could mix a bold, geometric print with a subtle, organic pattern. Or, a small-scale pattern with a large-scale pattern. Mixing patterns will create a dynamic and visually interesting space.

5. Layer textures: Layering textures is a great way to add depth and interest to a space. You could layer a faux fur rug over a jute rug, or layer a velvet throw pillow on top of a linen sofa. Layering textures creates a multi-dimensional look that adds visual interest to the space.

Mixing textures in interior design is a great way to add depth, interest, and personality to a space. By experimenting with different materials, textures, and patterns, you can create a visually dynamic and inviting environment. Remember to start with a neutral base, vary texture scale, mix patterns carefully, layer textures, and most importantly, trust your instincts and have fun! Mixing textures is an opportunity to express your unique style and create a space that feels like home.

How To Create a Functional Kitchen Using The Working Triangle

Mercedes Amato | March 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

Let's talk about the functionality of a kitchen. The working triangle in a kitchen refers to the layout of the three main elements in a kitchen: the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove or cooktop. The ideal layout is one in which these three elements are arranged in a triangular shape, with the refrigerator, sink, and stove positioned at the three corners of the triangle. This design allows for easy movement and efficient use of space, making it a popular layout for kitchen designers and architects.

The dimensions between a working triangle in a kitchen can vary depending on the size and layout of the kitchen, as well as the personal preferences of the homeowner. However, a commonly recommended guideline is to have no side of the triangle longer than 9 feet or shorter than 4 feet. This allows for easy movement and efficient use of space while still allowing enough room for other kitchen features such as countertops, cabinets, and an island. Additionally, the sum of the three sides of the triangle should be between 13 and 26 feet. These guidelines ensure that the kitchen is functional and efficient.

Here are some examples of common kitchen layouts:

U-Shaped Kitchen: This layout consists of cabinets and appliances lining three walls, forming a U-shape. This layout provides ample counter space and storage, making it ideal for larger kitchens.

L-Shaped Kitchen: This layout consists of cabinets and appliances lining two adjacent walls, forming an L-shape. This layout is versatile and can be adapted to a variety of kitchen sizes and styles.

Galley Kitchen: This layout consists of two parallel walls with cabinets and appliances lining both sides. This layout is ideal for smaller kitchens as it maximizes the use of available space.

Island Kitchen: This layout includes a central island that provides additional counter space and storage. This layout is ideal for larger kitchens with ample floor space.

Peninsula Kitchen: This layout includes a connected island that is attached to one wall, providing additional counter space and storage. This layout is ideal for smaller kitchens that require additional workspace and storage.

When it comes to designing a kitchen with the working triangle in mind, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that the three main elements - the refrigerator, sink, and stove - are arranged in a triangular shape. This allows for easy movement and access between the three areas.

Now that you know the importance of the working triangle, I'm sure the next time you're scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest, you'll be more mindful on the proper kitchen design layout. You might even be able to notice the different styles of kitchen designs!

Moody Blues Master Bedroom Retreat

Mercedes Amato | February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Hello Design Lovers!

This project was a long time coming but wow! I'm so happy with the way it came out. But more importantly, my clients are thrilled with the end result. Let me give you a little run down on this project came to be. My clients, Hillary and Josh, were in desperate need to get their master bedroom updated. They no longer felt their room was a sanctuary for them, a place where they can come to unwind, relax, and ultimately sleep (of course).

The biggest eye sore though probably had to be the carpet. They wanted to rip up the carpet and have hardwood floors throughout. They knew there was hardwood under the carpet in the hallway of their master bedroom, but they didn't know if the main bedroom space had hardwood since that part of the house was an addition. Sure enough, there was only hardwood flooring in the hallway. I brought in a contractor to add hardwood in the rest of the space, making the transition as seamless as possible.

Hillary wanted to do some sort of accent wall, but she wasn’t really sure what exactly she wanted. She had shown me several photos of inspiration on Pinterest and then I began to work out some ideas. We had spoken about possibly putting up wallpaper, but she really wanted some dimension.

It was a bit challenging to come up with a design since there are two windows on that wall which would ultimately break up the flow, but after some planning, it worked out perfectly! The windows don’t seem like such a big deal anymore.

Once the accent wall was complete, it was time to paint. We said goodbye to the outdated gold/taupe color and freshened up the space with updated colors. We went with Benjamin Moore Thousand Oceans for the accent wall and the rest of the space is Benjamin Moore November Rain. Paint makes a HUGE difference and just like that, the room was ready to be decorated!

I wanted to go with a neutral bed frame to allow the accent wall to stand out. The contrast between the white headboard and the blue wall is exactly what I was going for! We went with off-white drapery for the two back windows, making sure not to take away from the accent wall.

The windows on the side walls were a bit challenging since they are so close to the windows on the accent wall. I didn't want to add more drapery to those side windows which I felt would take away from the showstopper of a wall, so we opted for beautiful simple roman shades. Plus, my clients informed me they needed privacy from the neighbors, so roman shades did the trick!

We incorporated light wood tones for the nightstands and dresser which really makes the room feel airy and spacious. Had I selected dark wood tones, the room would've felt a lot smaller and closed in.

I brought in some color with the beautiful vintage inspired area rug (the touches of blue compliments the accent wall really well). I wanted to bring in some more color without it overpowering the space. The neutral duvet allowed for us to play with color for the rest of the bedding and that's exactly what we did with the throw pillows. There's just enough color without it all feeling too overpowering.

My clients and I are so happy with the way this room came out! Such a major transformation...it's like night and day. Now onto the next project. Stay tuned for more!

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