Selling Homes with Amanda Lamb

hanfrangipane

eire13 wrote: »

I have looked at the Dulux Natural Hessian and do really like it. We do have a bit of a problem in the living room as in the chimney breast wall is quite uneven and also has the boiler pipes boxed in so my husband wanted to wallpaper that wall so it looks better what do you think.

My other worry was if I have nice curtains up will the buyer want them and be disappointed they are not included? Maybe that is being silly I am already feeling stressed and we are not even on the market yet lol

It's a lovely colour - it goes great with all sorts of decoration and is nice and warm.

Could you put a picture/mirror up on the wall to detract attention from the uneven surface? Would be easier than papering and cheaper as you could take it with you.

If paper would improve it a lot then I wouldn't overthink it so much, just get some nice paper that isn't too individual taste wise and get it up.

To be honest, if I'm viewing a house (which I have done recently) a bit of decorating not to my taste isn't going to be a deal breaker for me. It may be a little inconvenient to strip it a bit but don't worrt about it too much.

Same with curtains - I'm not gonna pull out of a deal because the vendors won't throw in the curtains! Just see what happens on this one, you're a LONG way off discussing fixtures and fittings, just chill! I'm sure your house is lovely

remembermee

eire13 wrote: »

I have looked at the Dulux Natural Hessian and do really like it. We do have a bit of a problem in the living room as in the chimney breast wall is quite uneven and also has the boiler pipes boxed in so my husband wanted to wallpaper that wall so it looks better what do you think.

My other worry was if I have nice curtains up will the buyer want them and be disappointed they are not included? Maybe that is being silly I am already feeling stressed and we are not even on the market yet lol

When people viewed our house quite a few people asked about what was being left - including the curtains (and some ridiculous things). But I made my curtains and so there is no way I'm leaving them. You make it clear when you fill out the fixtures and fittings form. If you do buy new curtains it's probably best to go for long ones as they will then fit most windows.

Halle71

Second vote for Dulux Malt Chocolate.
We used it in living rooms/hall, stairs and landing and the loft.
The contrast with white paintwork looks good.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45391001.html

eire13

Thanks Halle71 your home looks lovely. The chocolate colour looks lovely a lot lighter than you would think. Is it the colour in the room with the blue flower painting? If so will seriously consider that colour for our living room.

hanfrangipane

eire13 wrote: »

Thanks Halle71 your home looks lovely. The chocolate colour looks lovely a lot lighter than you would think. Is it the colour in the room with the blue flower painting? If so will seriously consider that colour for our living room.

Yep - I think that's it. It's definitely the colour in the room with the sofas and the attic room. The second view of the room with the dining table looks slightly more grey so that might be a different colour, but I'm still pretty sure it's all malt chocolate.

It looks a lot nicer in a photo than I was able to describe. It's a lovely pale colour and like Halle says it looks really great against white woodwork - I'll be using it in the house we're moving to. Complements most colours but is more interesting than beige!

However, if you do choose it, don't panic when you put it on the walls! It looks REALLY dark when you're painting! Didn't help that I was using it to cover bright pink, but even so I got a shock and was a little nervous til it dried and now I absolutely love it

cloo

Another fan on Natural Hessian - I did my old house up in that mostly, and most of our current flat in Natural Calico (or maybe it was the other way round), but they're both very nice neutrals.

eire13

The only thing is Dulux paint is quite expensive. Would anyone recommend Johnstone's paint? It is in my local B and M store and is a bit cheaper.

homestager

I stumbled across this thread whilst looking online for opinions on this programme. For what it's worth, as a home stager I would take AL's advice with a pinch of salt. She gives awful advice to sellers. I've just watched her tell a couple to put retro yellow/brown wallpaper on their wall and to paint another area a strong lime green. Such a bad idea! Keep it neutral throughout and add colour with accessories and wall art.

If you want to watch a show with good, sensible advice for sellers, watch Phil Spencer: Secret Agent instead.

lessonlearned

I agree with Homestager, ALs suggestions are usually dire, and a complete waste of time and money.

go neutral, no wallpaper, no feature wallls, avoid magnolia if you can because it can look very dark and depressing, especially in small North facing rooms. Avoid brilliant White - it can be too stark and cold.

Go for pure white ceilings and woodwork and creamy warm white walls. Cheap paint is a False economy, go for decent quality paint for a good finish.

Then Inject colour with accessories, rugs,cushions, throws,nice artwork. Don't forget fresh flowers and plants.

Re the curtains, you normally take those with you. Your purchaser will probably want to chose their own. If they do want yours then you can ask your purchaser to buy them from you if you don't want to include them in the sale price.

Doozergirl

A nation of magnolia or 'not quite' magnolia houses, just in case the owner decides to sell.

The comment about not using brilliant white, but pure white on the ceilings and not magnolia, but a warm cream made me chuckle. We express our individuality through infinitesimally small differences from magnolia and white.

And the comment about magnolia being too dark in some rooms? Really? With the light off?

When faced with bare plaster walls and specifically decorating a house to sell, it makes partial sense to paint it all magnolia, to some degree. You cannot please everyone. There is little point on outlaying on items that some people may not like and it's easy and cheap to paint in a colour that people inoffensive.

But when you live in a house, then you should just go with what you feel. Showhomes are not painted magnolia with injections of colour in rugs and curtains. They are professionally designed and full of layers of colour, interest and texture.

The most important thing to sell a house for top money, is to be well maintained, clean, but lived in. Using up to date trends through the house helps the impression of it being well maintained and projects a lifestyle to the buyer.