Redesigned Spaces ~ Cynthia Bartch ~ Home Staging Blog in Georgia

Got a few minutes? Go get your cup of tea or coffee I'll wait. Ok now, let's take a photo journey and you'll see some fish that were tickling my feet, butterflies that were providing the fall color display, dancing birds, one very colorful bum, beyond gorgeous sunsets and don't forget about those flippers!

The hustle and bustle of the prime season had passed and the beaches were still warm and welcoming the first week in October.

 

Let's get up early and catch a glorious sunrise before heading down to the beach ok? I was lucky to catch a bird soaring overhead in this shot. This mornings sunrise wasn't as spectacular as the previous day shown below but it's still great to get up early and catch a sunrise!

 

 

 

Humm...looks like someone was here before us.

 

 Maybe it was this guy???

 

Ahhh...to swim like a fish with these baby's on! As youngsters we would lightly pinch tap a foot or leg while swimming underwater while the counterpart watches the victim person from afar, the water is way too clear here for that type of fun.

 

 These guys were tickling my feet! I saw a crab to scurrying on the bottom and watched as he buried himself as I was approaching, then when I was digging around him, he raised and opened his claws while his body stayed buried. That was cool to see! If only I had an underwater camera you could have seen it too!

 

 

 

 

The butterflies photographed above were kind that were flying over the azure blue water as I was relaxing on a raft and the fuzzy Oleander caterpillar was munching on lunch. Life is good!

 

You do it like this...you put your right foot in and take your left foot out... ok stop, that girl is watching us again!

 

 How peaceful...another perfect ending to a fun day!

 

 

I see you Mr. Moon peeking out of those clouds!

 

There he is!

 

Well this is the end of this little holiday and I gotta get back to work so I'll leave you with the colorful bum I promised in the title. Not what you expected??? Tsk, tsk on you!

 

 

A visit to Barnsley Gardens nestled in the foothills in Adairsville, GA is the perfect getaway for romance & relaxation. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking, the manor ruins and surrounding grounds are steeped rich in history. This place is no ordinary retreat but a magical serene setting to celebrate something special or to get away from it all and relax!

This is the approach to the homestead ruins affectionately called the 'Woodlands' built by Godfrey Barnsley in the mid 1800's located in Northern Georgia. The manor style was clearly built outside of the the typical Southern 'Greek Revival' architecture. Godfrey Barnsley was a disciple of Andrew Jackson Downing and the manor reflected Gothic and Italianate design, very different from the standards at the time.

 

 

Daytime inside the manor ruins. Weddings, parties and intimate concerts are still held here. In the evening it must look magical with all the candles lit!

The large boxwood parterre was geometrical in design with serpentine walkways that wound through large flowering border beds.

                           

The heirloom gardens Godfrey Barnsley planted and built for his beloved Julia are what first
attracted me to visit this extraordinary resort. It contained many exotic species at the time including this China Fir tree. When planted it was as nearly as tall as the mansion!

 

Above is a very small sampling of the magnificent gardens here at Barnsley Gardens. These are the true colors of the flowers, no color adjustments were made. The flower gardens were spectacular to  see in person and the spacious cottages had their own unique garden and landscaping!

 

This photo was taken from a different angle of the ruins at dusk which was previously posted here. In the maze of boxwood is a replica of the fountain Godfrey had built for his wife. After her death he tried to find solace wandering the gardens and it's here he stated she came to him in an apparition. The manor was not finished yet and she encouraged him to finish building their 'Woodlands' homestead dream.

 

This photo on the left was taken standing inside the front foyer looking out at the formal boxwood parterre. The next picture is of my husband standing by the arbor and side perennial bed and path that leads down to the bog pond.

 

Barnsley Gardens Resort has it all for you to enjoy in lush setting. Whether you want to enjoy a ride through the hills on horseback, spend an afternoon clay shooting, master a round of golf, learn to fly fish, hike through the trail, take a magical walk through the manor ruins and heirloom gardens, cool off with a dip in the pool, fancy a spa visit or treat yourself to fabulous meals it’s all here waiting for you! If you decide to visit, check their monthy specials on line.

The service was impeccable and if you happen to need a special touch they have a fairy godmother there to make it happen for you. When checking in she had her wand there by the desk hanging on the wall. If only I had gotten a photo of it!

                                                   

For more information about a visit to Barnsley Gardens located in Adairsville, Georgia click here.

 

Well it's time to say goodbye to my very yummy friends!

Sniff, sniff. I will miss them terribly when I go make my homemade pizza, salsa and mile high sandwiches on homemade bread. They made my food mouth-watering this summer with their crisp fresh taste that only homegrown veggies and herbs can deliver.

                  

What a tasty and delectable way to add some vital nutrients the old fashioned way, through your food! If you haven't tried growing your own favorite foods this year give it try next year you won't be sorry, neither will your belly. Besides they look so colorful and pretty in the garden bed. Below are just a few types of veggies I grew this year. I grew many more but was too busy munching away to snap their delicious photo!

                                        

Then once you nurture and grow them you will be rewarded by using them in your favorite foods. One of my favorite food groups is pizza. Pizza is a food group right? I'm sure of it!

Ok, ok, My name is Cyndee and I'm a pizzaholic. There I've said it and I'm proud of it!

                                  

 

I must leave you now to go eat that one slice of left over pizza :D

 

 

I was walking along the trail with Ted my husband when I felt a tiny brush upon my shoulder thinking it was him tickling me with a blade of grass. Oh that Ted of mine is a playful soul! I looked down and much to my surprise I saw a butterfly, so with camera in hand I quickly took a snap but only got a shot of the ground behind me.

Hey the butterfly was till there! Ted took the camera and shot the next two photos of my lovely hitchhiker. Guess what? This charming creature stayed there for around 5 minutes while we traveled the trail, it tickled and I liked it!

 

 

 

 

Say hello to my new little friend!

 

 

 

 

It tickled and I liked it!

 

 

 

 

 

We had passed a flowering bush a few minutes earlier and three butterflies landed on my belly, they were pretty fast fluttering around and this gal wasn't fast enough to capture the moment.

Looking back at these photos brings me back to that peaceful mindset I had that day! I can't help but smile when I get a chance to view them again.

 

When you are having a not so good day do you have something that brings you back into focus?

Maybe it even tickled you!

 

 

Yep, those buyers are snuggled in the comfort of their own dwelling cruising the Internet right now sans pants looking at your home. They have the convenience to view all those homes without having to hit the road. Potential buyers are checking out your property with intent to make a purchase.

Is your home show ready?

You as the seller need to appeal to one of the most powerful senses, the sense of, “I want it and I want now!” I’m pretty darn sure that’s one of the five senses. Yep, pretty sure!

Is the first welcome photo of the exterior of your property click-able and enticing? Does that photo illustrate the value that lay inside the home? If so congratulations you got them to stay a while and linger for a look around, their interest is peaked and they want more.

 

                                        You’ve got it baby and it is called ‘curb appeal, sweet!

                  

If not, uh-oh your home is off their list then it’s on to the next property, lickity split. You’ve lost them to that well maintained beauty down the street. You know the type, well trimmed lawns, splashes of eye catching color in the garden, fresh coat of paint, no twinkling Christmas lights in the dead of summer, attractive welcoming face err… I mean front entrance.

No matter the price range of your property, the outside appearance of your home is an important step to tempt the home-buyer to see the goodies you’ve got behind your front door. By creating that all important curb appeal you will have those drive by home-buyers screeching their brakes to sneak a peek. Take advantage of the current season to create opportunities for the best first impression for your home.

 

• Give that front door a fresh coat of paint.
• Shine up or replace the lighting, kick plate and doorbell.
• Need color by the door? Add a stylish wreath or basket to the front door.  Maybe a new welcome mat will do the trick. Use decorative planters with greenery or colorful flowers to anchor the front door.
• Spruce up those outdoor flower beds by  mulching, weeding and for heavens sake if Aunt Martha’s prized hybrid flower  she gave you died…give it a proper funeral!
• Power wash that moss & gunk off the porch and home.
• Pick up the kiddies’ toys scattered through the yard.
• Leave no evidence of your beloved ‘Bandit’ on the lawn, scoop up the poop, pronto!

    

Illustrate the value that lay behind your font door by maintaining the outside and tempt that potential buyer to click through and see what else your home has to offer them. Once you've accomplished that, your home will have showing appointments in no time!

Need more tips? Give your local home stager a call and they will be glad to help your home get those lingering looks!

 

 

Yep those feet of mine feel pretty motivational to me this morning! I am a person who loves Mondays. The fresh anticipation of what can be, how I will make my day unfold.

 

No matter what happens today I've got this image (pictured below) in my mind that may not look motivational but instead relaxing, kicking back, doing zilch. Hey I did something to get me there right?

 

 

I'm the creative type whose mind is typically running in that inspired mode. It's great to have all these productive thoughts in my mind saving them for later, yet be able to kickback at the same time.

I hope you can do the same, enjoying what's right in front of you. Relish being in the moment, focusing your full attention on who's and what's in front of you right now. Take in every last delicious detail, and saving them for an inspired moment in your life.

 

Yes these are my feet, no use of a foot model was used as you may view them again in this blog.

 

 

This photo reminds me to make the best of the time I’ve got here. I hope you do the same today!

 

 

While motoring around in North Georgia Mountains I spotted this cloud formation that was quite lovely!

I popped my head through the sunroof and quickly snapped these two photos before the clouds drifted away. Can you spot the bright heart formation in the photos or is it just me and my dreamy nature? Life is sure good in the North Georgia Mountains, oh yeah!

    Can you see it?...it's dead center in the above photo.

 

   In this photo the heart shaped cloud drifted to the left.

   This how the clouds & skyline really look here in beautiful Georgia...no image adjustments in the photos.

 

 

I was contacted by Bill Weidmann of Atlanta's award winning Weidmann Remodeling & Renovation  to inquire about staging some 'after' photos for their portfolio.

While quality materials and superb craftsmanship are the bones of a room, it's the finishing details that give it a warm & fuzzy feeling in person and in photos.

 

I was thrilled to say the least because I was well aware of this company's solid reputation. Then to be working with professional photographer Jan Stittleburg (located in Atlanta) was the icing on the cake. Ooh... I'd hope to sneak-a-peek through her lens, think she'll let me? Just maybe I'll be able to pick up some useful tips like how not to get my hand or derriere in the shot! Ooh-la-la indeed!

After I asked for some construction photos (pictured below) I delved into my stash, & packed up the truck. I was really looking forward to staging the photos for this Remodeler's portfolio.

Now on this particular job I was not to hide all the beautiful finishes and craftsmanship that was put into this job with accessories. Restraint was the name of the game here. This tile had three different finishes and was gorgeous! After all, this is what the Remodeler wanted to highlight, the craftsmanship! I was there to enhance the photos with a little warmth. No art was to be hung on the owner's new walls.

 

 

            

 

The above two single photos and the detail collage were photographed by the talented Jan Stittleburg. And yes, she did let me peek through the lens. I can't wait to work with her & learn more from this talented lady!

 

Well the above photo collage of close up details are my doing, sigh...I need to sneak more peeks into a professional photographer's lens.

Well at the end of the photo shoot Weidmann's Remodeling & Renovation's client was thrilled too, she thanked me for all the great ideas, a win-win for all involved!

Weidmann Remodeling ~ 770.552.8396

Jan Stittleburg Photography ~ 770.931.8170

 

 

 

Yeah, I drive my husband crazy with "Hey take that turn!" right after we've passed a sign.

And driving him even crazier with "Turn right...no the the other right!" Luckily he understands my non-directional brain and laughs it off... well most of the time.       

 

 

 

 

 

Will Cyn ever learn her left from her right in my lifetime?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were just motoring around in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains at the end of our goof-off day and I spotted the Tallulah Gorge State Park sign in Habersham County, Georgia. Even though it was at the end of our road-trip, my Ted pulled a U-ey and we went back to check it out.

 

 

Whoa now... did the sign read 'Gorge' and did I mention I'm kinda afraid of heights?

 

 

 

Below are a few photos I took from the top of the 1,000 ft. Tallulah Gorge. Spectacular doesn't even come close to describing the view. The trail we took was made of recycled rubber and it's extremely easy on the knee, hip and foot joints! Nice :)

There's a visitor's center with great information about the history, wildlife, and surrounding area of Tallulah Falls and Gorge. Inside the center you will find informative attendants that will help you determine which trails are best suited to hike concerning your ability and health status. People of all ages were on the trail!

 

 

 

 

 

These magnificent granite walls form some pretty steep cliffs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a serene feeling you get taking in natures wonders on this perfect day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhh..life is good here in the North Georgia Mountains, 85 degrees today & low humidity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember the prehistoric creature I mentioned in the title ? Well here it was lurking on the nearby trail... check it out below for yourself.Yikes!!!

 

 

 

 

Ok, ok so it wasn't a creature, only a stump with some moss, but it did catch our eye. Pretty cool looking huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I couldn't leave without taking a picture of some flora.

 

Can anyone identify this flora below I photographed on the trail? It has characteristics of a of hydrangea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots to do in this area only sorry we didn't have more time. Ted and I hope to go back in the fall! Check out the links below for more information if you plan to visit! Now git out there and have some fun!

Tallulah Falls is located on Highway 441 an hour and a half northeast of Atlanta. Well that timeline all depends on the traffic here in Atlanta ya know ;) Take I-985 north which then feeds into 365 north, Highway 23, and Highway 441.

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Habersham County Information

North Georgia Mountains