http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/rss/feedsSun, 03 May 2026 16:24:47 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/lvp-stair-guidehttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/lvp-stair-guideFINISHING LVP STAIR TREADS WITH TILE RISERS When installing Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) on stair treads with tile risers, a clean and professional finish is essential for both safety and design. Here are recommended finishing options: 1. Stair Nose Molding (Best Practice): - Use a coordinating stair nose to cap the front edge of the tread. - Choose between overlapping or flush mount styles. 2. Schluter Edge Trim: - Ideal for clean transitions between tile and LVP. - Metal trims (like Schluter Rondec or Jolly) offer modern looks and durability. 3. Caulk and Paint Match (Budget Option): - Use color-matched caulk to seal the edge temporarily. - Not recommended for long-term durability. 4. Decorative Wood Trim: - Adds character and softness to transitions. - Works well with transitional and warm design styles. Always ensure stair nose molding is used on treads for safety and to prevent wear. Living by Design not by default. Designing with intention. Delivering with heart. Download PDF Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:27:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/the-10-best-places-to-live-in-texas-2024--redfinhttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/the-10-best-places-to-live-in-texas-2024--redfinWe were mentioned as a local Texas Expert on Redfin blog! Check out the article we were featured in: The 10 Best Places to Live in Texas 2024 | RedfinMon, 29 Jul 2024 05:33:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/realtors-and-home-stagers-have-an-adage-if-i-can-smell-it-i-cant-sell-ithttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/realtors-and-home-stagers-have-an-adage-if-i-can-smell-it-i-cant-sell-it Realtors and home stagers have an adage “If I can smell it, I can't sell it.”In truth the home can be sold but odors take a toll on the home's equity. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors smoking in a home can reduce that property's resale value by up to 29 percent.When preparing to sell, people often concentrate on their home’s appearance, going to great lengths to make their property look its best. One important factor many sellers often overlook is making sure the home smells its best, too.It may sound obvious but deodorizing your home is just as important as decluttering and staging. No matter how great a home looks, lingering odors can drive potential buyers away. I have personally seen potential buyers walk in…………take a whip……….and turn right around.Here are 6 buyer- off putting smells that showing agents commonly encounter when showing homes, and what sellers can do to combat the odor.1. Pet OdorsAt TA-DA by KAT we love our pets (all 4 canines) and consider them part of our family. Sharing your home with a pet can bring a lot of joy, but there’s no denying that it can also bring a lot of smells into your home, too.While you may have gone nose blind to your home’s pet-related odors, be aware that buyers will notice. Even if they have pets of their own, potential buyers are sensitive to the smell of your pets.The most common sources of pet odors tend to be litter boxes and dog beds. Over time, though, pet smells can work their way into the nooks and crannies of your home, from the carpets to your upholstery and beyond. Pet urine is usually the most offensive culprit , whether from the litter box or accidents around the house.Ways to get Rid of Pet OdorsHow you address the smell depends on the source and severity of the problem.No matter what, thoroughly vacuuming is a good first step. Even if your pet doesn’t shed, you’ll still want to vacuum all the crevices where your pet likes to hang out to get rid of as much pet dander as possible (remember, some buyers may be allergic). Don’t forget to vacuum furniture and pet beds as well!If the smell is still ingrained in carpets or other fabric, try sprinkling baking soda—which is naturally odor-absorbing—on the surface before you vacuum. There are also many odor-eliminating powders you can buy that are designed specifically to remove pet smells from carpet and furniture. If these measures aren’t enough, it may be time to enlist the help of a professional carpet cleaner and an upholstery steam cleaner. We recommend finding a carpet cleaning company that uses hot water extraction rather than carpet shampooing. Unlike shampooing, which can leave behind residue and damage your carpet’s fibers, the hot water extraction method uses jets of hot water—often mistaken for steam—to clean your carpets, pulling up dirt deep in your carpet’s fibers without damaging them.While carpets tend to absorb the most odors, your hardwood and tile floors will need some TLC, too—usually in the form of a good scrubbing. For some extra odor-fighting power, add vinegar to your floor cleaning solution. If you have real hardwood floors, make sure you’re using a wood floor cleaner; a mop and a bucket of water or a generic floor cleaner meant for tile won’t do the trick.Next, wash any items your pet uses or lays on regularly. This includes pet beds, furniture/cushion covers (if they are removable), and pet blankets. When in need of some extra scent-fighting power, add baking soda to your regular detergent. Be sure to also clean any fabrics or linens that might be around to harbor lingering odor—think drapes, rugs, and bedsheets (especially if your pet likes to cuddle with you at night). Remember to include pet crates in your list of items to deep clean!For sellers with feline friends, tackling the litter box situation is a must. Even if you scoop the litter box daily, it’s worth a deep clean— dump all of the litter, scrub thoroughly, and replenish with completely fresh litter. Again, a sprinkle of baking soda on top can provide more odor-absorbing firepower. Be sure to vacuum any stray litter that may have been tracked out of the litter box.Unfortunately, if your pet is accident-prone, even these measures might not be enough. Pet urine can seep through carpets and hardwood floors, causing the smell to linger in the subflooring despite all your deepcleaning efforts. In these situations, new flooring— including subflooring, if needed—may be in order. While this is usually only necessary in extreme cases, be sure to talk to your agent before undertaking this project, as this is a more costly measure.Of course, if you really want to address the pet smells at the source, look no further than your furry friend. It may be time for them to take a trip to the bathtub or the groomers. Though it’s not always necessary, removing your pet from the home while it’s on the market is often a good idea. It can also help prevent the return of smells after all of your hard work deodorizing. For other animals—hamsters, hedgehogs, lizards, birds, and so on—a deep clean of the cage or tank and surrounding areas should do the trick.2. SmokeCigarette smoke is one of the hardest smells to get out of a home and unfortunately, one of the most likely to turn a buyer away. We’ve been told that even buyers who are smokers are sometimes repelled by homes that have been smoked in.Though some homeowners limit their smoking to a certain area of the home—the garage, the porch, the deck—the smell often still works its way into the home through vents, clothes, hair, and so on. If you smoke in or around your home, taking the following steps to address the smell sooner rather than later can help set you up for a more successful sale.Ways to Get Rid of the Smoky SmellThe smoky odor tends to permeate every surface and material in the home, making this one of the more difficult odors to eliminate. How you address the smoke depends on the severity of the smell and how ingrained it is in the home.First things first: air out the home as much as possible. Crack the windows and place fans near them to draw in as much fresh air as possible.Next, have the carpets steam cleaned. If that doesn’t do the trick, new flooring may be in order, whether you opt to replace the carpet or put hardwood flooring in instead.Then it’s time to tackle the walls. A fresh coat of paint can help trap the smoke and prevent it from further permeating the home. Some paint brands—such as KILZ®—even specialize in odor-neutralizing paint. Don’t forget to give the ceiling a fresh coat, too!Even with the walls and floors taken care of, other hard surfaces of the home could still be harboring smoke. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can be used on most surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom countertops and the walls. Placing bowls of vinegar around your home can also help suck the smell from the air. Vinegar may not be the most pleasant smell, but it’s often better than the alternative! Fabric and upholstery also tend to hold on tightly to smoky odors. Wash drapes, furniture and cushion covers, blankets, bedsheets, and so on. Again, baking soda is your friend!Despite a deep clean of all surfaces, the scent may still linger in the air. Activated charcoal has odor absorbing properties and is often used in these cases. You can buy activated charcoal, which usually comes prepackaged in a mesh bag, ready to be hung anywhere in your home to start soaking up odors. An air purifier is also a good investment to remove the smell from the air.If all else fails, it’s time to bring in the king of all deodorizers: an ozone generator. These machines work wonders when it comes to neutralizing the smoke smell in a home. Ozone generators intentionally produce ozone gas, which attacks smells at the molecular level, breaking up odorcausing contaminants in the air.While highly effective at eliminating smells, ozone (O3) is unstable and dangerous for humans to inhale. Though it can be used safely at a lower concentration with people in the home, experts advise against the use of ozone generators in occupied spaces in general. It’s especially necessary for all occupants to be out of the home when high concentrations of ozone are being used. That’s why they’re often used as a last resort in only the most extreme odor cases.The good news? Smoking rates continue to decrease throughout the U.S., meaning the number of homes with smoking odors is likely declining as well. If you’re the seller, try to smoke outside the home while your home is on the market to avoid further contributing to the smell in your home or undoing your hard work deodorizing.3. Must, Mold, and MildewMust, mold, and mildew aren’t just bad smells—they can also indicate underlying problems with the home, like leaks and water damage. They harbor the potential for health problems as well.Mold thrives in damp places like basements, bathrooms (especially in or around the tub, shower, sink, or toilet), attics, HVAC vents, and air ducts. Drains are another common culprit. Last but not least, don’t forget that your appliances can take on a mildew smell as well, especially washers, dishwashers, and even fridges.Ways to Get Rid of Mold OdorsGetting rid of a musty smell usually boils down to getting rid of the mold itself. If the situation is mild enough to DIY, scrub the affected nonporous surfaces with a mold cleaner, bleach mixture, or ammonia solution. (Important: Do NOT mix ammonia and bleach, as it will create toxic fumes; use one or the other). For a more natural remedy that works on porous surfaces such as wood or drywall, white vinegar is often used. Remember that mold spores can travel while you clean, so it’s important to wear protective gear while you work—goggles, gloves, and a mask. Much like you want to stop smells at the source, it’s important to stop mold at the source. Getting rid of the visible mold won’t fix the root problem creating the mold in the first place. This is where a professional often comes into play, working to detect leaks, water damage, and potential cracks in your home’s foundation.Want to take preventative action against the mold? It’s almost always a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier. Place the dehumidifier in the damp, mold-prone areas of your home to help draw the excess moisture out of the air. (if interested DM me I have a good friend who is a distributor after having major issues herself!)For appliances, the solution is usually much simpler. A box of baking soda in the fridge can help absorb odors—and of course, get rid of any moldy or expired food that may be shoved in the back and contributing to the smell.Washers—especially front-loading washers—are notorious for harboring musty smells that can seep into your clothes during the wash cycle. The solution: wash your washer!First things first: drain your washer and clean the filter. To do this, find the access panel (usually located near the bottom front of your machine). Place a small bucket below the panel. Open the panel, pull the drain hose out, and drain the water. Then unscrew the filter and clean it with a paper towel. If the residue is stubborn, try soaking the filter in hot water for a few minutes.For front-loading washers, the next step is to scrub the gasket and the rubber ring on the inside of the door to remove all gunk. (Don’t forget to clean the soap dispenser trays, too!) Once that’s done, run a cleaning cycle using bleach, a store bought deodorizer—like Affresh—or a natural deodorizer, like—you guessed it—baking soda or vinegar.The solution for dishwashers is similar. Manually clean the drain and the rubber gasket seal around the edges of the dishwasher door.Then run a cleaning cycle using a commercial dishwasher cleaner or a bowl full of vinegar dumped in the bottom of your machine.4. Strong Food OdorsCooking smells are usually thought of as appetizing, but that all depends on what you’re cooking. Overpowering spices, garlic, bacon, and fish—or any seafood, really—are usually the worst offenders. Remember that everyone has different palettes; cooking aromas you love may be nauseating to someone else.What to Do About ItLuckily, this one has a fairly simple solution: avoid cooking any overly fragrant foods the night before or in the hours leading up to a showing. And while we’re on the topic of kitchen odors, don’t forget to take out the kitchen trash before a showing, especially if it contains food remnants.5. Dirty ClothesYour sweaty gym clothes sitting in the laundry room hamper might not seem like a big deal, but they can stink up a laundry room fast. And those ripe old tennis shoes sitting in your shoe rack by the front door? That’s the last thing buyers want to smell as soon as they step in the door. While fairly minor compared to some of the odors above, it’s all part of making a good first scent impression—even in the laundry room.What to Do About ItThe solution to this one is simple: do the laundry! Not only will it get rid of the dirty clothes smell and cross a chore off your to-do list, but it can lend your house a fresh laundry smell without being overpowering. Sometimes a little bit can go a long way, which is why we also suggest washing the sheets on all of the beds, too.6. Overpowering Artificial ScentsThe old adage “too much of a good thing is a bad thing” applies here. Some people are very sensitive to strong, overwhelming scents, and the last thing you want is for potential buyers to leave with a smell-induced headache. Aside from being a sensory overload, too many artificial smells from candles, air fresheners, and so on might make buyers wonder what you’re trying to cover up. As any agent or home staging pro will tell you, it’s better to address unpleasant smells at the source rather than trying to cover them up—the buyer will find out sooner or later!What to Do About ItGo easy on the wax warmers, wall plug-ins, candles, room sprays, potpourri, air fresheners, diffusers, and other scent-based products when preparing for a showing. Moderation is key; a little goes a long way! Your best bet for a great-smelling home is good ol’ fresh air.A Few More ThingsNoseblind-nessNoseblind-ness may not be a real word, but it is a real phenomenon. Our noses acclimate to certain smells over time, meaning that you may have become so used to your home’s particular odors that you don’t even know they’re there. Before you list, it’s not a bad idea to obtain a second scent opinion on your home, whether from your agent or an honest friend. In other words, smell before you sell!Attack the Odor at the SourceWe’ve mentioned it already, but we cannot stress this part enough. There’s a huge difference between masking an odor and eliminating it. Covering up the odor with perfumes and air fresheners may—strong emphasis on the word may—do the trick to get your home sold, but as professionals, we strongly advise against it. Buyers are smart; heavily perfumed rooms will trip their mental alarm bells. If buyers do detect an odor, they may lower their offer as a result. At the end of the day, you’re better off investing the time and effort into locating the odor’s origins and stopping the problem at the source. (ask me about the story on a deceased wild animal behind the walls story) eeeek!One Last NoteMaking a good first impression on the market also means making a good first impression on buyers’ noses. Fix the odor at its source rather than attempting to mask it. And if you’re a buyer, keep your nose on high alert during showings!From professional cleaners to painters and floor installers, your agent or home staging pro can recommend the local help you need to treat the root cause of any odors. Getting ready to sell……….call KAT first…….you’ll be glad you did! Need a realtor? KAT can refer you the BEST! 281-798- 3750 www.tadabykat.com Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:02:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/front-porch-energy-by-kat-troulinosta-da-by-kathttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/front-porch-energy-by-kat-troulinosta-da-by-kat First Impressions-with a twist of “Feng Shui” Whether beautifying your personal home or readying a property to sell sometimes we focus on the interior and do not pay much attention to the front porch. Feng Shui experts put a strong emphasis on the homes entryway to make sure it is welcoming, inviting and generates a positive flow of energy as you approach. This brings an organic harmony to all of those that enter your space. That’s gotta be good right? The basic concept of Feng Shui is about water and wind and the optimal placement in our daily lives that will allow for the best movement of chi (or energy). Color is also an immensely powerful element to create various moods and energy. Color literally raises our vibrations exponentially higher than sound which is why it is so amazingly powerful. By adding a pop of color on your porch or back deck areas you invite abundance and good fortune. Red, Purple, and yellow provide growth and life. Red is a popular color in Feng shui because it is believed to attract happiness. Blue and green symbolizes peace which is why we see in hospital and doctors’ offices. Below are some simple tips to add a “Twist of Feng Shui” to your exterior: Organize and declutter your outside areas. Clutter can interfere with the positive energy flow. Try to create a uniformity so accentuate the harmony in the spaces. Chimes are a soothing element that will gently play in the wind and create a calming energy field. Use round planters and objects to manifest an uninterrupted flow of chi. Big round stones are also great. Whether a large fountain or a simple porch fountain this is a great element and symbolizes your desire for wealth and property. Provide a lovely welcome to your visitors with fresh flowers, plants at the front porch and get ready to smile and have your visitors smile too! Happy Autumn………Happy Every Day! KAT www.tadabykat Youtube: TA DA by KAT Instagran: @tadabykat Facebook: TA DA by KAT Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:42:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/are-you-selling-your-homehttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/are-you-selling-your-homeLet There be Light And there was light !!! Staging by: TA DA by KAT Next Level Staging & DesignPhotography by: Common Ground Photography Did you know that most potential buyers are attracted to a space that is light and bright?Are you improving your own personal home living or workspace?Did you know that LIGHT raises your vibration (that’s a GOOD thing and makes you Feel Good! Here are 6 EASY steps you can take to illuminate your space if Selling: 1. Remove all heavy drapes, tie backs and valances to let MORE light in and neutralize the space for viewing.2. Move any furniture that is BLOCKING the natural light from windows…unobstructed views are key.3. Open blinds in all rooms to let in natural light for showings and pictures4. Make sure all lighting is in working order and in each room the same lumens and temperature or KELVIN. To replace a 100 wat bulb look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens. Daylight best/ dollar store great source! Please go to our website and register to receive a complimentary guide conversion. www.tadabykat.com5. Use ambient lighting for dark corners…an UPLIGHT or floor lamp works famously! This is from IKEA and a little over $100. We use in living rooms, bedrooms and wherever the space needs a boost in light that is not provided from natural light and/or has a northern exposure o the space. This comes from Home Depot and only $11. Place this in a dark corner with maybe a faux or real plant and “TA DA “ Let there be light! It creates a lovely ambience and creates the illusion of more space. When Selling it’s all about the Space & square footage! So Let’s Talk About Lighting Up Your Personal Home Space Or Home Office Space. Both the previous examples can apply but here are 6 things for your personal Home space illumination:1. Determine in each room how you and your family “live” in each space.2. Next take note of “TASK” and or “hobby/ learning/ entertaining, light needed for reading, studying, office work, artwork, home schooling (you get the idea)3. Take note of “time of day” or evening activity in each room to help determine your plan.4. Create Harmony by paying attending to unified Kelvins (temperature )in a given room.5. Use “Energy Efficient” bulbs LED to save on energy bills.6. Using ALEXA? Have a central HUB installed for easy operation and money saver….stay tuned…I am doing just that in the next couple of weeks. Please SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel: TA DA by KATHIT the bell: This way you will be NOTIFIED when new stuff is uploaded…weekly! Please join us every Friday LIVE on FACEBOOK “KAT’s Home Chat Live” 10:00 am CSTAll episodes will be recorded and uploaded to our You Tube channel for the replay. Remember.. STAY POSITIVESTAY HOPEFULSTAY CONNECTED KAT Troulinos ASPM BTS CLS ISC MCNE Author, Speaker, Seeker, Glamma, wife and MommaTA DA by KAT Next Level Staging & Designwww.tadabykat.com 281-798-3750 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:15:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/12-minutes-to-better-feng-shuihttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/12-minutes-to-better-feng-shui Tue, 28 May 2019 09:15:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/how-to-hire-a-professional-stagerhttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/how-to-hire-a-professional-stagerQuestions to ask when hiring a staging professional Staging is the ART of turning a seller's Home into a Product. 1. What training and experience do they have? The industry is fairly unregulated and all stagers are NOT created equal. 2. Do they have a portfolio? It is helpful to see their "style" and variety or lack of variety. This is a "visual" business and "a picture speaks a thousand words as they say" 3. Do they rent or own their inventory? (this makes a difference to having a "cookie cutter" look or "hand curated" look that evokes the emotion that propels buyer's to Fall in love! 4. Are they the "cheapest" price? (Beware...this screams "newbie") You will never get a BMW for the price of a Toyota! 5. Are they INSURED? You are investing in YOUR most expensive investment. 6. What do other's say? READ the testimonials! Being timely, fair, under promising and Over delivering should be paramount to achieving the awesome experience and WOW factor needed to sell for MORE and in less time through the power and Magical transformation of Artful and Customer Centric Staging. Have more questions contact: KAT Troulinos-Wong- 281 798 3750 Accredited Master Staging Professional/ Certified Color Expert/ Buyer Trends Specialist/ Certified Luxury Expert/Author/International Speaker/ Mother of 3 and Momma to 3 fur babies. Resides in Houston, TX with her husband of 20 years and business partner Jeffrey Wong. Wed, 06 Mar 2019 09:38:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/ta-das-model-home-lighthttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/ta-das-model-home-lightBecause “less is always More” 5 Important Questions every Builder whether custom, production or a hybrid should be asking themselves BEFORE they invest in model home furnishings and décor. 1. Am I paying a “designer” a boatload of money to fill every nook and cranny of my Model homes? 2. Are they “defining” the space to appeal to as many potential buyer’s as possible or “customizing” the space with specialty themes and specialty items that rack up my total bill and confuse the buyer’s? 3. Are my sales counselors constantly having to spend unnecessary time answering questions to potential buyers on “what is included” and what is NOT included? 4. Am I making it more difficult for folks to make a buying decision because there is so much “visual interference” created with the space jam packed with too much furniture décor and customizations? 5. Can I save money and sell homes faster with Ta Da’s “Model Home Light Merchandizing Package? You Betcha!Our Award Winning company offers several options to builders. • Own the furnishings and décor outright• Rent for a designated amount of time with flexible renewal or “reset” to the next property.• Design and set up within 2 weeks from agreement. (in some cases less time if needed)• We meet your timelines• Model home “on trend” furnishings carefully designed to compliment the integrity of the home and speak to the demographics of the area. We have over 10 years’ experience dealing with all aspects of new construction, design & marketing. Let our experience be your best competitive edge and help your “bottom line”KAT Troulinos Owner/ Master accredited staging professionalwww.tadabykat.com281-798-3750tadastagingbykat@gmail.com Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:25:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/do-you-want-to-sell-your-house-for-top-dollar--well-duhhttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/do-you-want-to-sell-your-house-for-top-dollar--well-duh Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:09:00 -0700http://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/blessing-spacehttp://www.tadabykat.com/blog/post/blessing-spaceBY KAT TROULINOS We can bless each space we enter, leaving a sweet energetic footprint behind. Physical space acts like a sponge, absorbing the radiant of all who pass through it. And, more likely than not, the spaces we move through each day have seen many people come and go. We have no way of knowing whether the energy footprints left behind by those who preceded us will invigorate us or drain us. Yet we can control the energy footprint we leave behind for others. In blessing each space we enter, we orchestrate a subtle energy shift that affects not only our own experiences in that space but also the experiences of the individuals who will enter the space after us. While we may never see the effects our blessing has had, we can take comfort in the fact that we have provided grace for those that follow after us. When you bless a room or an entire building, you leave a powerful message of love and light for all those who will come after you. Your blessings thus have myriad effects on the environments through which you pass. Old, stagnant energy is cleared, creating a vacuum into which fresh and invigorating energy can freely flow. The space is thus rendered harmonious and nourishing, and it becomes a hub from which positive feelings are transmitted. Intent is the key component of the blessings you leave in your physical wake. If your intent involves using your own consciousness as a tool for selflessly spreading grace, your blessings will never go awry. Whether you feel more comfortable performing a solo blessing or prefer to call upon your spirit guides, angels or God for assistance, visualize each space you enter becoming free of toxins, chaos, and negativity as you speak your blessing. Then imagine the resultant emptiness being replaced by pure, healing white light and loving energy. Even a quick mindful thought of love can bless a space. This type of blessing is cumulative and will grow each time you bestow it. Try blessing every home, business, and office you visit for an entire week and observing the effects of your goodwill. Your affirmative energy footprint will help brighten your day as you contemplate your blessing's future impact on your siblings in humanity and your environment. You can use this same energy when entering a meeting at work or with family or friends. Energy is everywhere and our thoughts and intentions are powerful. When we stage or design….we will be blessing your space : )KAT Sun, 11 Mar 2018 10:10:00 -0700