WELCOME TO AUTUMN! DESIGN TIPS AND WENDY’S FAVORITE THINGS
Welcome to Autumn! This season always makes me feel a bit nostalgic for family, bonfires, walks, sweaters, and chatting with good friends. It’s also a time when I do a set change. I’ve curated some special items below that are some of my favorite things.
FOR THE LOVE OF DESIGN
I love design and have a passion for sharing it with others. A part of my high-level customer service to clients is to help them stage their homes in such a way as to make it the most attractive to potential buyers. A recent survey from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staging helps sell homes three to 30 times faster than the nonstaged competition. And, it can increase the sale price by up to 20% on average.
PREVIOUS BLOGS ON STAGING
Here are links to blogs specifically about how to stage your home for a quick sale. Here (https://wendygimpel.com/heres-how-to-stage-your-home-for-a-quick-sale/) and here (https://wendygimpel.com/staging-ideas/).
AUNT WINNIE’S PUMPKIN BARS
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups pumpkin
- 1 cup oil
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Sift dry ingredients including sugar into a large bowl. Add slightly beaten eggs, pumpkin and oil. Mix. Blend in nuts. Bake in 2 greased and floured cake pans (9 x 13). Serve plain or sprinkle with powder sugar or spread cooled cake with cream cheese frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Blend 3oz cream cheese (softened) with 3/4 stick butter, 1 tsp milk, 1 3/4 cup sifted powder sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla.
SEASONAL DESIGN TIPS
This adorable Pumpkin Throw Pillow is from Target! It’s a fun way to update your home with seasonal items on a budget.
Whether you’re outside on a chilly night next to a fire or inside curled up on the couch, a throw is a must-have. I love this one–a Cable Knit Chenille Throw Blanket – Threshold™ It reminds me of my recent trip to Scotland with the lovely cable knit!
All pumpkins are not created equal! LOL. This funky woven rattan one is so incredible and completely on trend. Check it out!
This small basket could be used to hold blankets, pillows or produce from the local farmers’ market! Love it! Tapered Oval Seagrass Basket Natural – Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee
The distressed ceramic look is on trend and I love this example also from Target. Combine this with branches from your yard, stems of flowers to dry out, or pick up some faux branches with leaves (see below)!
Distressed Ceramic Vase Natural White – Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia Did you know that I absolutely adore ceramics?
These beauties come from World Market and are available in three colors–gold, green, and these gorgeous auburn red. Match them up with a lovely vase and you have an instant Autumn feel. Dried Willow Eucalyptus Bunch
WENDY’S FAVORITES
I just love these Bosley’s Basset Hound Dreams sunglasses found on the goodr.com site. They say “it’s not tortoise-shell, it’s hound-shell.” Adorable.
I am literally in love with these Ribbed Pull-on Joggers with Washwell from the Gap. They’re stylish, comfy and fun! And so, so Autumn feeling. I wear it with a light shirt on warm days and a comfy sweater on the weekends. Just love them!
CALL WENDY GIMPEL TODAY
Even if you’re not thinking about selling, I would love to come for a chat about your home and interior design. If you’re thinking of moving, you’ll need a real estate agent, and Wendy Gimpel is considered the best in Stillwater and the St Croix Valley. Contact her to find the luxury home you want anywhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
