The Home Concierge

Homeowner Services

Spring 2005

In This Issue:

Make the Call, Get a Life

Here to Help – Because we Can

Client Quotes to Remember

Tips for Success

Thank You

Make the Call, Get a Life

Do the days seem shorter even though its staying lighter later?  Do you catch yourself saying, “There just aren’t enough hours in the day?” At the end of the day, do you ever feel like you were caught in a revolving door that you finally figured out how to get out of, as you sit at the kitchen table wondering what just happened? You’re not alone.  Times have changed.  Today’s  pace has been set by marathon standards. But as the pace picks up to cover all the soccer practices, music lessons, and keeping track of your teenagers, the usual homeowner's "stuff" is waiting for you when you finally get home.

 

According to an article in Business Week, by Michael Silverstein, there are 55 million women working, many of whom, especially those under fifty, have a child or two.  Almost all of them work full time, an average of 40 hours a week, in stressful jobs with unpredictable hours.  They’re also responsible for the household chores. They have relatively little time for themselves, usually an hour or so after their kids have gone to sleep.

 

When they get a chance, they have a hierarchy of things they want to do. Their top priorities are a new kitchen and bath.  Their bath is their sanctuary, a jacuzzi gives you a chance to be alone and relax.  A Viking stove will help them to be the heart and soul of their family by helping them prepare meals better, faster, and to perfection when everybody gets together for dinner.

 

Women are a source of inspiration.  They think big in wanting to improve the quality of life for their families.  They use the internet to look at consumer reviews and researching alternatives, creating spreadsheets, purchase lists, and acquisition models. They take their job as family purchasing officer very seriously. Their sense of ethics is very strong, and if a product or service is faulty, they will not only never buy from you again, but also tell all their friends. 

 

Women have apparently been empowered over the past few years, yet we still don't have any time to enjoy this newly acquired power.  Do you see where I’m going with this? 

Formerly Kit'n'Kaboodle, I have listened to my clients say, "If I just knew who to call, If I just could get someone to fix things, If, If, If.”  That’s a pretty big “If” that takes up a lot of time for the normal person to track down. So I have expanded my services to cover the "Ifs". Because If you had someone to call to get the leaky sink fixed, or If you had someone to call when the couch was being delivered, or If you had someone to call when you couldn't get to the bank, post office or dry cleaners until the middle of next week, you could trade all those Ifs for time---Your time.  How powerful would that feel?

Here To Help - Because We Can

Welcome to Home Concierge.  Where we are homeowners, we have kids, we are women. Women who have decided to take charge and set the pace, rather than waiting for life to run right by us. You should be enjoying your kids, your families and experiencing your own life.  Leave the mundane to us. We manage your home’s life, so you can live yours. Our services range from running everyday errands, referrals, home office and relocation issues, to design professionals.

Client Quotes To Remember

“Every woman needs a wife”

Tips for Success

Create Storage: If you haven’t worn it, used it, or seen it for more than one year, get rid of it. Fold linens and other flat textiles and store them in shallow boxes under the bed.

 

Hanging Artwork: Always consider scale when hanging artwork.  A tiny painting over a large sofa doesn’t work, nor should an enormous picture dwarf a small chair. Lining a hallway with photographs creates a gallery and compels people to take notice rather than rushing through.

 

Decorate in Small Spaces: Dark colors will actually make a small room seem larger.  Use minimal window treatments to admit maximum light into the room.

 

Using Color: In a white room, anything not white will get your attention.  This includes, plants, artwork and wood floors.  So if you want a white room, make sure you like the things in it. Don’t be afraid to use color in unusual places, like the back of a built-in hutch as a back drop for your Grandmother’s china.

 

Decorating Blunders: White rooms don’t make light rooms.  If you want light-filled rooms paint the walls dark and use light colored upholstery.  Your eye will be drawn to the light colored pieces first. Lighting can make or break a room.  A translucent shade allows light through the shade, while an opaque shade prevents it. To light a room, use a translucent shade.  If you want task lighting use an opaque shade.

Thank you

Thank you for your time.

 

E-mail:  hchotline@yahoo.com

Web:  www.hchotline.com