As Realtors, we are helping members of our local community every day. Our work is very personal and hands-on, and our connection with the people around us and the place we live is what keeps us inspired.
As residents and as business owners, our happiness and success depend on the vitality of the community around us. Ready access to fun shops, great restaurants, local entertainment and culture, and strong community resources are some of the big draws that motivate people to want to buy a home in a local neighborhood. These are the same things that make us love calling this area home!
At Roost, we are committed to supporting other local businesses at every turn. We use a local graphic designer and blogger for our one-of-a-kind materials and a fantastic local print shop for all of our mailings, business cards and print marketing. We have our own branded (and delicious!) coffee from Just Coffee Cooperative to give to our clients, and often gift City Tins to clients to say thank you and to treat themselves to a favorite local meal or encourage them to try a new nearby restaurant. Every chance we get, we source food locally for our open houses and events. Plus, check out our online resource for local finds to furnish your home in style!
Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain (Source: Dane Buy Local). Please join us in supporting our local community, and let us know if we can help you love where you live a little more!
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.
Over the last few weeks, we have been featuring fabulous bloggers who have graciously agreed to contribute to our dear blog, Live. Love. Roost. While the topics have been straying from what’s near and dear to our heart, Madison real estate, they are all in line with our deep love for great design ideas and all things homey. Please enjoy our final featured blogger in this series, Sarah Mullins, co-owner of the fabulous Monona-based vintage, reclaimed and custom rental warehouse A La Crate! Sarah knows her stuff when it comes to vintage chic and talks about a great opportunity for you (and a great charity) to benefit from her impeccable taste!
Are you ready?! Garage sale season is FAST approaching. Mark your calendar for Friday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and be prepared to rummage out on our loading dock located at 2619 Industrial Drive, Monona, WI 53713.
We're selling some gems of pieces that we know you'll love at killer prices and all for a great cause. All of the proceeds will benefit Artworking, a local non-profit that is near and dear to our hearts. Artworking provides professional art mentorship and training for adult artists with cognitive disabilities in our community. As an added bonus, they will be selling some of their artwork at the sale as well!
Here are some examples of pieces that could be yours:
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Vintage Elementary School Chairs: Use one in a child's room for a reading area!
Materials: Pinecones, barn wood, lace, beads, fabric, you name it! Use the pinecones to make a wreath for your home; the beads to make a necklace; lace for garland and vintage fabrics for table settings or sewn together for pillows! I varnished and suspended large embroidery hoops to create a light fixture in our home. You could too!
Furniture: A bar cart in your home could be used to hide beverages and a variety of chairs/tables. The andirons could house a stack of books or an ironing board could be used as a console table behind your sofa. It’s the perfect height!
Trunks: They make great coffee tables and can hold keepsakes.
Odds and Ends: Sometimes these are the best finds! Take for example our stack of burgundy lunch trays! Imagine taking them and making a pattern on the wall. A tripod would make an awesome lamp base! Now that would be cool and I would be jealous!
The sky is the limit, friends, for what you can do with vintage found objects in your home. Get creative and have fun! We’re here to help with ideas.
See you at the sale!
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.
A classic cape cod with a twist—a gorgeous and spacious remodeled kitchen comes complete with a Vermont Casting wood stove for cozy entertaining or anytime relaxing. Original solid oak flooring gleams upstairs and down, and the bathroom update has already been done. Just grab a cool drink and head out to the deck to enjoy the large fenced, private backyard!
Updates Include:
Refinished solid oak floors – 2015
Garage: New roof and siding – 2015
New water heater – 2012
Exposed staircase – 2008
Many new windows – 2007
Complete kitchen upgrade and expansion – 2002
New dishwasher – 2014
New refrigerator – 2012
Bathroom update – 2004
Want to learn more or schedule a showing? Just let us know.
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.
Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring three fabulous bloggers who have graciously agreed to contribute to our dear blog, Live. Love. Roost. While these upcoming topics stray from what’s near and dear to our heart, Madison real estate, they are all in line with our deep love for great design ideas and all things homey. Please enjoy this week’s featured blogger, Jane Blanchard, from the fabulous Austin, Texas blog Modernize! We think this post will especially appeal to those venturing to decorate their new accessory dwelling unit or Airbnb space.
Whether you just bought a home or are looking to furnish your newly constructed accessory dwelling unit, you could be flat broke when it comes time to decorate. Luckily, we have some ideas for you that make use of basic items to decorate your space DIY style.
Make that Firewood Useful
Some properties are chock-full of firewood just decorating the backyard. Bring some choice pieces inside to use as decorative accents. Cut small branches lengthwise to hang on the wall. Add fasteners for a makeshift coat rack or even connect four branches into a framed piece of art.
Create an Office...Out of the Closet
If you lack the space for a completely separate office or the supplies to fill it, try filling a closet with shelves and a desk, allowing a compact chair to slide right underneath. You can remove or keep the closet doors as needed. Hiding the space may be preferable in a studio apartment, for instance.
Sand and Finish an Old Wood Table
If you salivate every time you pass by a designer wood table, you are a traditionalist at heart. From the 1950s to 1970s, everyone wanted that smooth wood table. Step it up for the 21st century and make your own wood design. Search for large pieces of wood sold at thrift shops and other outlets. Sand it down, add legs and place it where you like!
Brighten up that Firebox
Fireplaces can look lonely for most of the year, so fill yours up with candles. Use different candles with various heights and sizes to fill the space. Turn them on throughout the year to lend a gorgeous glow to the room without the added heat.
Make old items brand new again with some creative ideas. Your decorative prowess may persuade people into thinking the items are chic designer products. Keep your decorative secret to yourself to impress everyone with a shoestring budget.
Need more home design inspiration? Check out Modernize.com!
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.
You are DONE. As in the move-in ready, gorgeous, no corners cut kind of done. As in the improvement list is pushing 30 bullet points kind of done. (See below for updates.)
The fine attention to detail. From the lovingly restored front door to the Art Deco light fixtures; even the light switches and their covers scream vintage cool.
Amazing location! While Rutledge Street is quiet, it’s just blocks from one of Madison’s hippest hotspots, the beloved Willy Street area. Need a break from it all? Just around the corner you’ll find yourself at one of many shoreside parks on beautiful Lake Monona.
Your yard. It’s private, urban and, of course, thoughtfully landscaped. Love hosting? A fantastic new patio and deck (with built in storage benches) will make you the talk of the town.
Your well designed mudroom. When it comes to old homes, it’s the little things we love!
Okay, I've got to cut myself off here. Honestly, I could go on and on. Interested? Come see this beautiful home in person at our open house on Saturday, March 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You won’t be disappointed.
Nowhere on the Isthmus will you find a home with such style and panache! Everything major has been done. Recent improvements include the following:
Exterior
Replaced knob and tube wiring and light fixture with up-to-date electrical
Replaced front porch
Added exterior outlets
Repaired rot damage on trim and soffits
Upgraded gutter system
Painted house and garage
Repaired and refinished front door
Replaced roof
Upgraded handles and locks on front and back entrances
Added deck
Added patio
Landscaped back yard
Replaced roof ridge vent
Landscaped front yard
Basement
Added water softener
Replaced furnace
Replaced AC
Replaced water heater
Replaced washer/dryer
First floor interior
Added built-in benches to back porch
Added cabinet doors to spice rack
Added light fixture to back porch, insulated ceiling
Replaced dishwasher
Added shelves and electrical to living room closet for mini-office space
Updated kitchen, including sink, faucet, quartz counters, backsplash, lighting
Second floor interior
Added wainscoating to TV den
Added cable hook-up to TV den
Replaced all windows
Live the life! Whether you’re craving the eclectic mix of food, drinks and shops that line the ever popular Willy Street or the peaceful waters of Lake Monona, it’s all just steps away. See? It’s beautiful AND smart. What more could you ask for?
BONUS: Light fare will be served by local food blogger Jessica of SaucyPear.com. She’ll be sharing easy, produce-heavy recipes and will be available to provide tips for using more local vegetables in your family's meals!
Want to learn more or schedule a showing? Just let us know.
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.
Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring three fabulous bloggers who have graciously agreed to contribute to our dear blog, Live. Love. Roost. While these upcoming topics stray from what’s near and dear to our heart, Madison real estate, they are all in line with our deep love for great design ideas and all things homey. Please enjoy this week’s featured blogger, Madison’s own kick-butt furniture refinishing extraordinaire, Krizia Villanueva from Oak+Olive!
Do you love thrifting? Do you love cruising Craigslist? Do you love going to antique stores and markets? I think most of us do, and how could you not? It's fun, it's energizing, and it spurs creativity to no end! But, how do you know where to go? Will you find what you're actually looking for? Will it be the right piece for you? Don't go rushing to the nearest big box retailer because you might be frustrated! Of course there are items that you need at these larger establishments, but it's really wonderful to be able to mix and match your decor. It's interesting, it has a story, and it feels more welcome for both you and your guests. Blending new, vintage, and handmade is the perfect recipe for a cozy home, I promise.
I'm Krizia, the owner of Oak+Olive. I paint and refinish furniture. I find a piece of furniture that needs some love and turn it into a modern and sophisticated (sometimes whimsical) piece that you can add to your home. I like to use color, but I also want my pieces to have a warm and earthy feeling to them because I value a comfortable and stylish home. My other goal is to provide you with inspiration on style and decor as evidenced by the addition of House Tours on my blog. I show homes that are creative and stylish. Homes that blend those three important pieces: new, vintage, and handmade.
Today, I wanted to share with you some tips on where to find good vintage furniture and decor as well as some thought processes on how you can determine that the item(s) will be the right purchase for you.
The first thing to consider is where to shop:
Well… Shop local, of course! See what kind of cool vintage shops and antique stores are around you. I promise there are many. Sometimes I think these stores are a little harder to find with basic searches - like “vintage shops (+your city),” “thrift shops,” “antique stores/malls,” etc. - but it is possible to find them this way with a little effort.
A REALLY great resource to find shops in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin is the Vintage Shop Hop. I don't know a lot about who's behind this magnificent idea, but it's an excellent way to plan a weekend, hit the road with your friends and stop at all of the participating stores in the area. This year's annual Shop Hop just happened; however, they leave the names of 200+ participating shops on their website for you to check out. You can easily plan your own road trip anytime to visit these unique places. They make it so easy to figure out your route with their handy map of shop locations too.
Also, if you’re into sourcing even more vintage, the folks behind the Vintage Shop Hop have put together a photo album of places all throughout the midwest. Click on “Photos,” then “Albums,” then “Road Trips” on Nellie’s Barn Sale Facebook page for all sorts of flyers for flea markets, pop up shops, and barn sales in the Midwest.
Etsy is another great way to shop local believe it or not! I think so many people think Etsy is this unmanageable sea of stuff (which it can be), but if you know what you are looking for or have an idea, then this is an excellent resource for vintage and handmade. On their homepage you can choose “Shop Local,” type in the city you're looking to shop and also what you are looking for. For instance, you could type in "vintage" or "furniture" or you can be more specific and type in "ceramics" or "jewelry.” I think the great thing about this is that you can find small businesses who are really passionate about what they do but don't have a brick and mortar shops. You can write the shop owners directly, ask questions, meet them and pick up your order without the hassle of paying for shipping.
Along with local shops, go to vintage and handmade markets to find great pieces. You can search the internet easily for flea markets, pop up shops, indie craft fairs, or urban outdoor vintage markets in your area. Many times, you'll find out about local shops because they are the vendors at these markets along with other regional shops who travel to be in the shows.
How to shop:
Now that you know where to shop, it's time to think about how you are going to choose the right item to add to your collection. Decor purchases are generally easier, but be careful about going overboard with those smalls! It's easy to buy small $5-$20 purchases just to get home and wonder where the heck you’re going to put it all and does it actually match your style/decor?! Try not to let it get out of control because if you're like me, it'll just make you feel uncomfortable and your space will be cluttered.
Buying Furniture:
When buying larger items like furniture, that's always a little harder. Prices tend to be a little higher than you were hoping, yet you know you really want something fun and unique to add to your house. Here are some things to consider when you're choosing a piece of furniture for your collection.
Consider the structure/assess damage:
Is the piece of furniture well built? Is it solid wood? Are there broken pieces like missing veneer, cracks, and/or water damage? Sometimes these aren’t always reasons to say no to the piece and it’s important to ask yourself if it’s fixable. A lot of times broken or missing pieces of wood can be fixed with wood filler if you are going to paint it. If you aren’t going to paint it, occasionally that missing piece is not that big of a deal.
For example, to the left is a Mid Century Modern dresser that I refinished earlier this year. You can see where there’s a small chunk of wood that’s missing on the bottom right of the third drawer. To me, that was no big deal and I thought it added to the uniqueness of it. Plus it’s old! Letting some character show is OK in my book.
Style:
What’s the style you’re going for? Is your home mostly modern, cottage chic, industrial,
bohemian? Many times these different styles can work together, but sometimes they don’t. I’ve always loved a more modern look with some industrial and bohemian thrown in. But, occasionally I’m drawn towards a vintage farmhouse look. I found that when I bought furniture and decor with a farmhouse look and tried to mix it in, it just didn’t quite fit. There have been a lot of times where I’ve spent money on things that just don’t go, leaving me with more clutter than I know what to do with. (Good thing for Craigslist!) So, I think it’s always a good idea to keep in mind the overall look you are trying to achieve before buying a piece of furniture.
Function:
What are you going to use the furniture for? Dressers, for example, have become very versatile with people thinking of other ways to use them. Changing tables in nurseries, credenzas in the dining room or living room, or entryway storage are the most popular. It’s great that one piece of furniture can be so multifunctional.
Below are three pieces I worked on that speak to the power of versatile furniture. The first one is a MCM dresser that I painted for Sarah and Jeff of A LA CRATE Vintage Rentals to use as changing table in their little one’s nursery (image courtesy of Twig & Olive Photography; dresser painted by Oak+Olive). The second one is an antique buffet retrofitted as a bathroom vanity (image courtesy of Oak+Olive). The last one features a MCM dresser used for storage in a kitchen (image courtesy Beth Skogen Photography; dresser painted and refinished by Oak+Olive featured on this house tour).
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So when you start planning your trips and getting out there, try to keep in mind function, style, and the structure of your vintage furniture (and decor)! There’s an incredible amount out there along with reclaimed and handmade, so why not fill your home with all of these gems? Spring and summer are the perfect times to plan your trips. Good luck and happy hunting!
Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We'll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We'll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams - because we know a home is so much more than a house.
We’re excited to share our newest listing at 409 N 7th Street in the trendy Emerson East neighborhood! Join us at the open house on Sunday, January 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Top 8 Reasons to Buy This Home:
Open, sun-filled floor plan
Super spacious foyer: plenty of room to stash jackets, boots, bags and accessories
Private backyard with extensive landscaping (just ask us for the landscaping sketches)
Vintage-y charm
Modern improvements (exactly where you want ‘em)
Next to one of Madison’s coolest parks - Demetral Park
In coveted Emerson East neighborhood
Within walking distance to a growing number of hip, locally owned hotspots
The details:
$195,000
MLS 1733859
1562 finished sq ft
2 bedrooms + an office
1.5 baths
1 car garage
Everyday is a bright and sunshiny one in this stylish bungalow! An ultra open living and dining room boasts plentiful windows while creating a warm, inviting space for all to comfortably gather and tinker. A fine balance of modern and vintage means charming wood floors, original doors and fixtures, and cool yet practical built-ins. A sleek new bathroom and modern kitchen adds a fun twist to an old classic, and the list does not end there with numerous updates that will put your minds (and pocketbooks) at ease.
Perfectly located in the urban and trendy Emerson neighborhood, you’re sure to appreciate the array of shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars that are within a short walk. On top of that, you’re literally a hop, skip and a jump away from the popular Demetral Park and extensive bike path system.
Updates Include:
Completely remodeled bathroom - 2011
Grohe, CB2, West Elm, and Ikea fixtures
Completely remodeled kitchen - 2005
Kenmore refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher
Finished basement - 2006
Sewing/craft space
Guest area
Enclosed bathroom
New Samsung high efficiency washer - 2013
Storage room with built-in shelving
New hot water heater - 2010
New water softener - 2013
New garage roof - 2007
New garage windows - 2012
Insulated garage - 2012
Backyard landscape design by FormEcology - 2013
Front deck - 2007
Front landscaping - 2010
Blown-in insulation in walls - 2005
New windows throughout house - 2005
Want to learn more, or schedule a showing? Just let us know.
Panic - an expression I would come to know well as we barreled down the interstates and highways. After all, the 12 passenger cargo van was a far cry from my little Prius and it took some getting used to.
Paging through Ki Naussauer’s "Flea Market Style" magazine months prior, I came across an article about the World's Longest Yard Sale, a nearly 700-mile goldmine of treasure hunting opportunities. With slight hesitation, I invited my mom, grandma and daughter along to see what it was all about, bravely ignoring the fact that my mom and I despise driving long distances. I trusted that the invaluable treasures and trinkets found would make the 25 hours of driving worth it.
We began our journey with our sights set on Covington, Kentucky, an ambitious 10-hour day of driving with pit stops. The van, as I mentioned, took a little getting used to. Left turns & changing lanes became much more exciting/scary for my passengers. My mother, as much as I love her, is a professional backseat driver in typical driving scenarios; add the van/bus to the mix and I just wished she would take a nap. (She did not.)
Despite adversity and bouts of bickering, we made it to our destination! The sales, as assumed, were a ton of fun. We saw a lot of cool stuff, got some neat ideas and picked up lots of goodies. We spent hours at large clusters of sales that were much like mini flea markets. There was a lot to see, drink and eat, but the individual sales, once we got into the neighborhoods, were really the best. We saw a wider array of stuff and the prices were generally much lower. I was inspired by all of the "upcycled" furniture, and now I’m eyeing up my childhood dresser (which is currently "homeless") as my first project.
Overall, I would say the trip was a success; we came home with some cool stuff but, more importantly, we enjoyed our time together. Will we do it again? Maybe. If we do, I may add a few things to my packing list like a fully loaded iPod (internet was spotty most of the way, so relying on Pandora and the radio was a mistake); a cooler - I don't even want to tell you how much junky gas station food was ingested in those five days; and a driver. We're currently trying to recruit my cousin, Jason, to drive next year. We may need to bribe him.
Places to check out if you’re down around Kentucky ya’ll:
Four Roses Distillery - A unique distillery with an interesting history and tasty bourbon.
We spent a few hours glazing pottery at Elements Clay Studio. This pretty little shop was very warm and welcoming. A great place to spend an afternoon!
With so many of the unique and desirable features you're looking for, you will surely appreciate this Faircrest gem. An ultra-open floor plan and abundance of windows makes way for plentiful sunlight and summer breezes. An exceptionally designed floor plan provides plenty of space to entertain or retreat, both indoors and out. A beautifully updated chef's kitchen boasts maple cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas stove, wine fridge, and wood burning fireplace. Other drool-worthy features include newly refinished hardwood floors, built-in book cases and shelving, and new windows, roof, gutters and more. An expansive lot lends itself well to all kinds of yard enthusiasts: a giant, sun-filled area and raised garden beds to satisfy any green thumb, a fenced-in dog run, plus plenty of privacy for outdoor entertainment. All this in a superb location, where the schools, pool, Owen Conservancy, shops and restaurants are all within a short walk -- and biking and busing to the university is easy as pie!
Numerous updates have been made recently, making this home truly move-in ready. Updates include:
2013: New hot water heater, installation of soffit vents and soffit baffles, blown-in insulation in attic, new solid bathroom vent duct installed on main floor.
2011: New roof, high capacity gutters and downspouts, Leaf Guard on gutters, and window wrap.
2010: Samsung washer and dryer.
2008: Stand up Frigidaire freezer.
2006: Amana refrigerator, Danby wine refrigerator, Maytag range/oven, Maytag dishwasher, Maytag microwave, maple cabinets, solid surface countertops, Anderson and Pella high-quality windows and patio doors.
Showings begin on Sunday, June 8. Don't miss this one!
Want to learn more, or schedule a showing? Just let us know.
We love older homes! But they don't always have the updates that today's families need. Here's how to modernize an older home without losing its character.
Property owners who want to give new life to old buildings just got a boost! The historic preservation tax credit has doubled - learn how this affects you.
We get a lot of calls from home buyers who are looking for unique or mid-century modern homes in Madison. And we understand why! We love unique properties -- homes with extra charm, mid-century modern lines, and other special details that make them truly stand out.
Often, homes like this don't regularly show up in the MLS property search. But we're not deterred! We take matters into our own hands, turning into Madison real estate sleuths, working hard to track down the unique, mid-century modern homes in Madison that meet our buyers' needs.
Part of this involves turning to you. If you, or someone you know, owns a unique, mid-century modern home, and you're contemplating a move, we'd love to talk. We know you need a listing agent who understands your home's uniqueness, and who knows how to market its features properly to secure the best possible offer. That's where we come in. We know the Madison real estate market inside and out -- and our passion for vintage, unique, and mid-century modern homes means we're perfectly suited to help.
Here are a few tips for selling your unique or mid century modern home for the highest dollar possible:
1. 1950s and 60s home decor trends are back in a big way. We can work with you to turn your home’s “dated” features into today's trends that appeal to the buyers who are looking for something unique and vintage. (Here's an example of how to do that with dated bathroom tiles.)
2. Leverage your color palette! Let's identify the colors that work best with your home’s original features, then use that color palette to determine complementary wall and accessory colors that buyers will love.
3. For an instant facelift, consider painting your brick or stone fireplace.
4. Wood paneling can date a home and make a space feel heavy and dark. Refresh your space with paint and/or punchy wall art.
5. Vintage wallpaper can be beautiful! But it's very taste-specific. Consider toning it down with the neutral drapes and contemporary accessories.
6. Educate your buyers. If your home is unique, tell them how and why! From the type of materials used, to the history of your home’s design, or the credentials of it’s architect -- don’t leave anything out when selling buyers on your home's charm.
7. Make sure that your Realtor “gets it”, too. Your ideal Realtor will not only appreciate all that your home has to offer, but will be able to articulate its value to potential buyers. While it’s unlikely that every original feature in your home will be a mid-century gem worth saving, your Realtor should have an eye for vintage chic, and be able to help your home for sale reach the appropriate audience.
Just remember -- buyers are craving unique and mid-century modern homes. But not only do you need to know how to market your home to them, you need to show them why your home is special.
How a simple can of spray paint and a single afternoon can transform your old brass lamps from outdated to amazing -- giving your room an instant (and inexpensive!) facelift.
We love the charm of older homes! Here are a few things you can do to breathe new life into your older home, without sacrificing the unique character that make it wonderful.