Category Archives: Uncategorized

January 27, 2012 · 2:55 pm

January 2012 Real Estate Market Statistics

We begin the New Year with lots of homes hitting the market – The Real Estate market is beginning to stabilize. If you are looking to move-up, downsize, purchase an investment or purchase your first home call us today! 408-921-3601 RemaxAdler@gmail.com

Click below to view Real Estate statistics in Santa Clara County – To look up a specific property copy & paste it’s MLS number here

FOR SALE NOW

PENDING SALES

SOLD & CLOSED ESCROW

We have been busy busy busy!

{Here is what we have been up to this past month}

{Homes Sold}

  • 1553 Tobias Drive San Jose  – 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1158 SF completely remodeled- Complete details here

Listed for $539,950 Sold for $525,000

  • 1230 Manzano Way Sunnyvale – 3 bedrooms, 2bathrooms, 1,388 SF – remodeled kitchen & bathrooms + family room addition {Short Sale} – Complete details here

Listed $445,000 Sold for $455,000

{Pending Sales}

  • 1194 Driftwood Court Sunnyvale – 3 bedrooms, 2bathrooms 1,108 SF Remodeled kitchen & newly landscaped backyard – Complete details here

Listed for $459,950


  •  1127 Palamos Avenue Sunnyvale – 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms – remodeled kitchen & bathrooms w/master suite addition – Full details/photos here

Listed for $495,000

{Currently for sale}

  • 383 Greenlake Drive Sunnyvale – 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,108 SF. Wood floors throughout & remodeled kitchen

Listed for $459,950 Click here for more photos & complete details

{Coming soon}

785 Lakehaven Drive Sunnyvale – 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,108 SF – Updated kitchen & baths, wood flooring throughout. Very private setting w/enclosed front yard

Photos coming soon!

For more information on any of these homes call or email us RemaxAdler@gmail.com 408-921-3601

Happy Friday & enjoy your weekend!

Xo, Virginia & Melissa

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January 25, 2012 · 11:20 am

How to decorate the fireplace mantel

I find that the fireplace mantel is one of the most annoying things to decorate! What do you put up there without making it seem cluttered?? First you have to decide what style you like. Do you like symmetry and balance with matching accessories? Or do you have more of an eclectic eye (like me)..  The mantel below has two tall vases on either side + two matching floral arrangements, creating that cohesive look & bringing symmetry to the space. The sunburst mirror above the mantel emphasizes the focal point that is the fireplace.

{via LonnyMag}

You could also use a color throughout the design of the space. Like black & gold shown below. Even though the accessories don’t match perfectly, the mantel still looks pulled together because you are sticking to one or two colors.

{via pinterest}

Again this mantel looks pulled together because of the color theme  – browns, gold and cream. Using colors to create a cohesive look is my favorite, since I don’t like accessories to be matching and perfect looking.

Some modern fireplaces don’t have mantels

{via LonnyMag}

You can still add interest with framed art & antlers/faux deer head – here’s a deer head I found at Zgallerie – Pretty cute!

This photo collage above the fireplace mantel is so awesome!! Seriously cutest idea. I have my own little DIY project coming up that involves a photo collage. I’ll keep you posted!

{via pinterest}

What fireplace mantel decor ideas do you like? My fireplace mantel is in need of some TLC, so I’m open to any ideas/suggestions you have!

{via LonnyMag}

You could always go super simple with a bold sunburst mirror

I think that if you do decide to go minimal on the decor, you should have a color on the wall or wallpaper/stencil. That way your mantel doesn’t look unfinished or plain

{Source unknown}

Cute shabby chic vintage feel

{via pinterest}

Hope this helps give you some direction in your mantel decorating adventures! 🙂

Xoxo, Melissa & Virginia

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January 17, 2012 · 12:42 pm

My weekend + Our living room before & after pics!!

I had such an amazing weekend! I spent Saturday with a couple of friends up in Sonoma. One of my bffs Allison & wedding vendor friends Erin & Yasmin were putting on a wedding event/fair called the Lab Event at Cline Cellars Winery – which just so happened to be right across the street from where we got married! This event was unlike any wedding fair I’d ever been to. It was honestly more like a party than anything else. Great food. great wine. dancing. fashion show + all the pretty wedding details made by local wedding vendors. The girls did an incredible job! Honestly it kind of made me want to re-plan my wedding. Well……… not really. Ha!

Click here to see more of the incredible Lab Event

{via Pinterest}

Now on to our living room update  – as promised I took some much better pictures of our living room!!

Well let me first remind you what the living room used to look like

{BEFORE}
Notice the horrific ceiling fan in the mirror.

{AFTER}

Ta-dah!! The sofa is from Zgallerie – Oscar Sofa, vintage chandelier is from the Alameda Point Antique Faire – $70

Bronze nailhead trim & turned legs

If you are considering the Oscar Sofa for your home, I definitely recommend it. It’s timeless, chic and oh so glamorous! The soft cushy pillows make it ridiculously comfortable. This is the perfect couch if you are looking for pretty & practical (well besides the white fabric.)

We painted the aqua accent wall with Benjamin Moore’s Bird’s Egg. For the sunburst mirror DIY click here + my picture frame gallery wall DIY here.

Modern Linen beige tufted lounge chairs are from Overstock – Super comfortable, in case you were wondering!

Waterfall glass coffee table by Viva Modern is from Ebay

Lattice grey rug is from Pottery Barn Teen. Who would have thought?!

I spray painted this metal table from Pier One with Rust-oleum Metallic Gold Spray Paint

This is what it looked like before

This gorgeous shabby chic Pottery Barn inspired mantel was made by my bff Lizzie & her incredibly talented husband

I purchased this mirrored silver side table from TJ Maxx 4 years ago! It’s crazy how a gorgeous sofa can make everything in the living room suddenly look 100 times better.

I spray painted the vintage milk bottle my mom gave me (she was about to throw them out!) The wood flowers are from my wedding bouquet

So now I’m thinking about getting a mirrored chest of drawers for the corner by the gallery wall. It’s so bare over there.. plus it would be nice to have some extra storage (opps, sorry for the crooked pic!)

I’m thinking something like this

{Via Pinterest}

Thoughts? I could always go the less expensive route – Find something on Craigslist, paint & update the hardware. I just can’t stop thinking about the mirrored chest of drawers! So damn gorg. We’ll see.

Xo, Melissa

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January 10, 2012 · 5:11 pm

Brand New Listing – 1194 Driftwood Court Sunnyvale $459,950

This gorgeous 3 bedroom 2 bath home is situated in a quiet court near Fairwood Elementary & Fairwood Park.  The home features wood flooring throughout, a cozy wood burning fireplace, central heating, gourmet kitchen with granite slab counters, garden window overlooking backyard, disposal, exposed beam ceiling, tile floors, pantry, oak cabinetry and some newer appliances.

Cozy 2 – way wood burning fireplace in dining room/living room

Dining area overlooks quaint backyard setting with glass sliding door to patio

Dual pane windows & gorgeous exposed wood beam ceilings throughout the home.

Master bedroom suite offers his & her closets with mirrored doors

Remodeled master bath has new stall shower with travertine tile, granite vanity, new toilet & travertine floors

Hall bathroom

This corner lot property has the perfect backyard for entertaining. The patio area is covered by a gorgeous pergola and features stamped concrete & a built in bench

The backyard also has fruit trees – orange & persimmon

Walk to Fairwood Park and enjoy:

  • Basketball Courts
  • Horseshoe Pits
  • Baseball Field
  •  Tennis Courts

{Property Overview}

1194 Driftwood Court, Sunnyvale

  • 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths
  • 1,108 SF – 6,552 Lot Size
  • 2 car garage w/laundry area
  • Remodeled kitchen
  • Laminate wood flooring throughout
  • Dual pane windows
  • Wood burning fireplace in living room/dining area
  • Central heating
  • Automatic sprinklers in front & backyards
  • Shed in backyard for extra storage
  • Close to freeways 101,85,237
  • Walking distance to Fairwood Elementary & park

List Price: $459,950

{Schools}

K-5 Fairwood Elementary

6-8 Columbia Middle

9-12 Fremont High

View MLS listing here

For property disclosures & reports please contact Melissa – RemaxAdler@gmail.com

Are you looking to buy or sell? Give us a call 408-921-3601

Client Testimonials – click here

Still wondering why you should choose us to represent you? Click here

Xo, Melissa & Virginia

DRE #’s 00888876 & 01893879

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December 29, 2011 · 1:09 pm

A Few Glamorous Additions

Happy almost New Year! We hope you all had an incredible Christmas filled with love, friends & family. We sure did! I just thought I’d give you the update on some new additions to the living room. If you follow me on Pinterest then you know I have been obsessing over these glass waterfall coffee tables for months now.

So for Christmas, Virginia surprised me with this beautiful glass waterfall table!!! I am IN LOVE. Thanks Mommy!!

The table is by Viva Modern – she got it on Ebay here.

You might also notice those gorgeous tufted linen chairs my Hubby got  from Overstock. These were also on my Christmas wishlist.

Oh and our Oscar Sofa from ZGallerie came too! You like?

and.. look who’s already breaking in the new couch 🙂

I will be taking better photos of the entire room real soon! This is just a teaser. Stay tuned..

Happy New Year to you all!

Xo, Melissa & Virginia

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December 16, 2011 · 11:27 am

DIY Paper & Burlap Lined Cabinet

I bought this white cabinet  from the Antique Fair awhile ago. I was thinking I wanted to eventually line the back of the cabinet with wallpaper or paint to make everything in the cabinet stand out more. Randomly the other night, I was going through all my wedding stuff and realized I had a bunch of left over burlap and cute paper from the wedding.  So I decided to see what it would look like glued to the back of the cabinet!

Here is the result:

I did it so fast, I didn’t even think to take before pictures! {It was basically I lifeless plain white cabinet before with no personality.}

I didn’t have enough of the gold & cream vintage paper to line both shelves, so I used burlap for the bottom & the paper on top. I just measured and cut burlap for the bottom &  did the same with the vintage paper. I used a hot glue gun and glued them to the back of the shelf. The thing I love the most is that almost everything on the shelves were used in our wedding or my bridal shower.

Love the vintage shabby chic feel

You could also use your favorite wallpaper or whatever you have laying around the house. Even leftover fabric would work.

Have you done something similar to this DIY? Did you use wallpaper, paint or other? Do tell! I love getting new ideas.

Xo, Melissa & Virginia

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December 6, 2011 · 2:08 pm

Fabulous Antique Finds

I was in desperate need for a glamorous chandelier to add to our living room re-vamp. I say desperate because the current light fixture/ceiling fan is so atrocious.. I can’t even handle it! So this past Sunday Lizzie and I headed out to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire

and…… look what I found!!

Are you kidding me?!?!??! Ahhh I can’t take the gorgeousness. It’s too good!

I’m pretty much obsessed.. This is exactly what I was looking for. I think it will add the perfect amount of glamour to the living room. Unfortunately for me, my husband is not really the handy man type.. so my little bro has offered to try and help install my stunning chandi! I’ll be sure to take photos when its all done!

In case you were wondering, I scored this chandelier for $70!!! It was originally marked for $100 and I talked him down to $70. I was pretty happy, since chandeliers this size normally go for $300-$400

I also bought that black and white trellis pillow for $25! Down insert included! A pillow like this on Etsy could easily sell for $65 +

Next I came across this gorgeous re-covered antique chair painted in black lacquer .. pretty sexy

Goes perfectly in my home office & it was only $40!

I found this rustic metal basket perfect for our firewood too

Overall it was an incredibly successful trip! Lizzie found some really cool stuff too. Check that out here.

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November 23, 2011 · 12:04 pm

Brand New Cambrian San Jose Listing For Sale! $539,950

We just listed this gorgeous property at 1553 Tobias Drive San Jose 95118 for $539,950

Are you in search for the perfect family home?? With 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1,158 SF, gorgeous lush landscaping and a separate office/studio, this truly is the perfect home for you and your family!

The owners have done an incredible job upgrading the home from top to bottom.

{Stunning remodeled kitchen features}

  •   maple cabinetry
  • porcelain counter tops & sink
  • recessed lighting
  • gorgeous glass tile backsplash

  • Newer appliances & plenty of storage
  • Gorgeous laminate wood flooring

Dining area has beautiful built in cabinets

The separate back studio/office offers dual pane windows, built in storage, fully insulated, laminate floors, halogen liting, cat-5 lines , A/C and it’s very own front porch! – Completely permited

Serene view of the garden from the office/studio’s porch

Office/studio front entrance

Inside the office/studio – great built in storage!

Grow your own vegetables & herbs in the raised gardening beds! The garden also has a ton of fruit bearing trees – plum, two different kinds of lemon trees, 2 cherry trees, 2  apple trees & an orange tree that yields some amazing navel oranges.

** The seller tells me the lemons make some incredible lemonade in the summer time!**

Remodeled bathrooms

Master bedroom has partial walk in closet with storage, master bathroom with built in corner storage cabinet

All bedrooms have ceiling fans, cedar lined closets & mirrored closet doors.

Living room just off the kitchen & dining area has sliding glass door to the backyard & Eco-friendly Mitsubishsi ductless air conditioner & heater w/controller. (There is one in the living room & hallway) Learn more about the ductless heating & cooling system here

{Property Overview}

  • 4 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms
  • 1,158 SF of living space
  • 6,180 Lot size
  • 2 Car garage
  • Laminate wood flooring throughout
  • Remodeled kitchen & bathrooms
  • Separate studio or office in backyard
  • Lush landscape & hardscape front and back with irrigation, outdoor lighting, vegetable garden, patio, tons of fruit trees and partial new fencing at back gate
  • Tankless water heater
  • All new dual pane windows throughout with custom plantation shutters

{School Information}

K-5 Leitz Elementary School

6-8 Darthmouth Elementary School

9-12 Branham High School

List Price $539,950

Come check out our open house this Saturday!

Saturday 11/26 from 1:30-4:30PM

You don’t want to miss this place – it won’t last long!

Click here to view MLS listing

Please email Melissa for all reports – NHD, property inspection, permits, termite inspection & disclosures RemaxAdler@gmail.com – Contact us today with any of your real estate needs 408.921.3601 RemaxVa@yahoo.com

Mother-daughter team Virginia & Melissa proudly

serving the community for two generations!

DRE License # 00888876 & 01893879

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November 18, 2011 · 12:49 pm

Faux Garage Door Windows

Are you looking for a fun little DIY project to do over the weekend? Look no further! I came across this idea while watching the Nate Berkus show the other day. I have become highly obsessed with this show over the last year. Anyway! This lady was on the show with a design dilemma. She didn’t have a whole lot of money to spend to replace her beat up ugly garage door. So they came up with the idea to paint the door and add faux carriage windows!

Honestly.. it looks pretty good for being faux windows

{See details over at Two Peas In a Bucket}

Before

During

After

Up close looks great too!

I will never stop being amazed by the magic of spray paint.

Here is what you will need to achieve the same look for your garage door:

  • Carriage door hardware can be found here on Ebay for around $25 – Very easy to install, you just screw it right in
  • Painters tape
  • Rustoluem black gloss spray paint – found at Home Depot or Lowes

From a real estate agent standpoint, this is such a good way to add curb appeal without shelling out a ton of money for a brand new garage door. A definitely must if you are planning to sell your home soon or just want to increase your property’s value.

Enjoy your weekend!

Xo, Melissa & Virginia

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November 17, 2011 · 9:27 am

Wall Stencil Debate

So as you know I plan to paint an accent wall in our living room. Yes I know I am taking forever to do this! I’m busy enough doing real estate full time & keeping up the blog. Sometimes home improvement & DIY projects are the last thing I want to do when I have some down time. But, our new couch and rug are on their way so I need to get it together quick!! (Stay tuned for more on this soon)

I am debating between either painting the wall aqua/turquoise &  adding a stencil pattern to liven things up.. or I could forget paint all together and buy some removable wallpaper

What do you think?

I’m kind of hesitant to commit to stenciling! It just scares me.. what if its crooked? Seems stressful. I just want it to look professional and gorgeous. Tips & Advice on this are welcomed!

Anyway, I found Royal Designs on Pinterest. They have some amazing stencils and so much variety too. Some of my favorites:

I’m 100% doing this zebra stripe stencil in my office or our master bedroom! OH EM GEE I LOVE!

Highly obsessed

Cutting Edge Stencils  have gorgeous modern designs too

Now for some wallpaper ideas:

Grass cloth woven wallpaper could be gorgeous and add a good amount of texture ..

Or of course this gorgeous wallpapered accent wall.. you have seen this on the blog before. Still in love with it.

Imperial trellis wallpaper

Casablanca trellis

Modern tout trellis wallpaper

All images via Pinterest

Removable wallpaper is popping up everywhere lately. Look what I found at Urban Outfitters.

Graham & Brown OR Farrow & Ball are good sources for wallpaper.

SO what would you do? Wallpaper or stencil?

Xo, Melissa & Virginia

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