Interiors, Remodeling & Antiques

Ridgefield Public Schools Continuing Education Program

Interior Decoration, Architecture and Building,
Feng Shui, Organizing, Staging

Architecture and Building

Everything You Need to Know About Working with Your Architect
Finally getting ready to start on that Master Bedroom Suite, updated Kitchen/Family Room, or new house? Don’t know what an FAR, a CO, an Allowance or an Add Altenate is? Don’t know schematics from design development drawings or a Permit Set from a Bid Set? Learn what to expect from the beginning to the end of your project and what you can do now to get ready for your first meeting with your architect. You’ll also learn how architects price their services and what your options are; which consultants bring what services to the table and when it is wise to hire them; why your architect does the things he or she does; what causes delays and how to deal with them; how you can work with your architect to reduce the costs of your project and keep it on schedule, and how to stay sane through the process. Taught by Su Tamsett. Su Tamsett has designed and managed over 140 residential projects, small to very large, working wioth a wide variety of materials and styles. Her work has been published in Architectural Digest, Traditional Building, Design Times, Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, and the Boston Globe.
A small materials fee will be collected at class. Snow date is 2/22.
3 Sessions $61 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $46) + $ mtls.
Wed., 2/1, 8 & 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Interiors

Transform a Room – Redesign It!
Would you like to transform an ordinary room into a space that lives beautifully? Unlike traditional interior design, the goal of a room redesign is to achieve the desired effect without additional purchases. We use your existing furnishings and accessories to create warmth and harmony and flow. Enjoy a fun, interactive class! Bring pictures of the room you will be working on – from all angles – and a floor plan of the room (hand-drawn is fine). Kathy will share basic redesign theory and then as a class activity we will work with a few class volunteers to come up with redesign plans for their rooms. Taught by Kathy Engstrom. Kathy Engstrom, owner of A Fresh Eye, LLC, is a redesign professional. She believes a room should not only look beautiful, but also function effectively for the people who live in it. A well-designed room should promote feelings of comfort and harmony.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Mon., 5/21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Feng Shui

Feng Shui
Joanne Loftus is back with her popular and dynamic Feng Shui seminar. By applying simple techniques to your home, you create a place that supports and enriches everyone who lives there. What better time than now, to make your home as wonderful as possible. We will begin at your mailbox and go room by room discussing technique, colors, decor and so much more. Feng Shui allows you to look at your home in a whole different way. It is the most simple adjustments that create the most powerful changes. A $10 materials fee is payable to the instructor at class. Taught by Joanne Loftus. Joanne Loftus is a consultant who lectures on Feng Shui and Home Staging in this area.
1 Session $37 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $28)
Spring 2012 dates to be posted by mid-March.

Home Staging

Home Staging
“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”. In this difficult market, make your home as appealing as possible. We will go room my room covering do’s and don’t and ideas that are inexpensive yet very effective. Make your home as “saleable” as possible. A discount consultation is available for anyone who attends the class. Taught by Joanne Loftus. Joanne Loftus is a consultant who lectures on Feng Shui and Home Staging in this area.
Make your home as “saleable” as possible. A realtor will also be available to answer any specific market questions. Taught by Joanne Loftus. Joanne Loftus is a consultant who lectures on Feng Shui and Home Staging in this area.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Mon., 1/30 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Stage Your Home to Sell!
Would you like to sell your home more quickly … and at top dollar? Stage it! Staging is the process of preparing your house so it speaks emotionally to the buyer, not only by making your home look terrific, but by helping the buyer envision living in the home. Enjoy a fun, interactive class! Kathy will show you some of the tricks of the trade and help you decide what needs to be done to make sure your home appeals to the largest number of buyers. Taught by Kathy Engstrom. Kathy Engstrom, owner of A Fresh Eye, LLC, is a redesign professional. She believes a room should not only look beautiful, but also function effectively for the people who live in it. A well-designed room should promote feelings of comfort and harmony.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Mon., 4/30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Preparing Your Home for the Market (or to Enjoy It Yourself)
Lonnie Shapiro, co-author of the Connecticut issue of How to Make Your REALTOR® Get You the Best Deal, presents a general discussion of what buyers see when they look at a house and the before and after benefits of staging. She has arranged a variety of guest speakers including professional stagers and a professonal organizer who will explain what you should start doing. Participants will view a video of a major real estate trainer discussing preparing your home for the market. There will be a panel discussion including a building inspector and an attorney who will provide more information on additional ways to prepare for your eventual sale. A recent home purchaser will comment on what she expected when she saw houses. Lonnie Shapiro has been a realtor in Ridgefield for over 30 years, has been teaching several years, and works for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Ridgefield.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Check here mid-March or phone (203) 431-9995 for Spring 2012 dates.

Organizing

Conquer the Clutter
Are you frustrated by losing things because they are buried in the clutter? Are piles taking over your space? Are your closets getting scary? Do you want to get things organized, but just don’t know where to begin? Enjoy a fun, interactive class! Kathy will show you some of the tricks of the trade and help you get started bringing order to your chaos. Taught by Kathy Engstrom. Kathy Engstrom, owner of A Fresh Eye, LLC, is a redesign professional. She believes a room should not only look beautiful, but also function effectively for the people who live in it. A well-designed room should promote feelings of comfort and harmony.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Wed., 5/2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School