Costco Connection - July 2009

for your home

windows. In addition to increasing home value, these windows are easy to clean, come in a variety of styles and can make a tremendous difference in heating and electric bills. Energy efficiency is an important selling point. This is an upgrade that actually pays for itself.

FANCY PHOTOGRAPH Y

Easy dress-ups

My favorite activity when choosing the décor for a space is to accessorize. I love colorful accent pillows, area rugs, window fashions and, believe it or not, wallpaper is back in style! Accessories can range from a flower vase to accent furniture to a chaise lounge.

When staging a space, I consider the amount of natural light as a guide for my color palette. For rooms with little natural light and dark flooring, I select lighter furniture and window coverings to open up the space. I want each furniture piece to accent the room without overpowering it. Furniture is an accessory, but a large one. I select the largest piece(s) first and build the look and feel of the room around those one or two core pieces. A sectional couch, a chair in a fun color, a beautiful set of floor lamps all arranged correctly can complete a room perfectly.

I also love creating an atmosphere for outdoor spaces. Remember, the purpose of

Buyer’s pıck

Valerie Van Valkenburg Furniture Buyer

BERKLINE

MY FAMILY loves to entertain, and providing enough comfortable seating for our guests can be a challenge. The Addison Chair is a stylish and comfortable solution, with its smaller footprint and open design. This classic, low-profile, armless chair is upholstered with garnet red leather that has been hand-rubbed for maximum beauty. This chair has been handcrafted using the best construction methods and materials and should provide years of comfortable support in your home or office. Costco offers this striking chair at a savings of 30 to 40 percent compared to the prices charged by national competitors.

patio furniture is to enhance outdoor living spaces and make them fun and functional. A bistro-style table with seating for two is perfect for small spaces. Larger areas ideally should have patio furniture with seating for at least six. Summer is about bright colors and fun accessories, so make a splash with touches of bold color.

Overall I see very positive signs that the housing market is slowly improving. For-

tunately, homeowners don’t have to wait to make upgrades and begin enjoying their spaces. Homes are still selling, and with the right improvements, furniture and staging, your home can be designed to sell, even in today’s soft market. C