Resources

All resources are offered for your convenience only. Any outside services purchased are not included in the cost that exists in your contract with ShorePointe Village.

Smart Home Moves® LLC

What they offer:           

Interior/exterior updating that is energy efficient, aesthetically appealing, and pleasing to the senses. Scaled plans created to address lifestyle transitions, safety, and changing needs through design, color, texture, and furnishings.

Owner: Virginia Ficarra
Phone number: (313) 330-9800
Web site: www.assisteddownsizing.com or www.homedownsizingresources.com

Key distinction:

Ficarra is a visionary whose inventive mind generates ideas consistently ahead of the curve. She was one of the first in the area to stage homes to sell. Using this concept, Ficarra created and co-authored the WDIV television program "Builders Open House," which ran for 17 years. She's also the author of "Making Color Work," a decorating guide endorsed by America's Master Handyman Glenn Haege.  Ficarra's extensive knowledge of color and design has been used to develop plans for medical facilities; office buildings; rooms within assisted living, nursing homes and hospitals that incorporate holistic elements for healing; 'aging in place' homes, and a wide variety of other projects on both large and small scales.

Background info:

Ficarra credits parents, Sam and Mary, with the early beginnings of her professional training. Sam built homes and Mary created delicate pieces of art. Their passion spurred Ficarra's interest in these areas. She went on to earn a teaching certificate and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a minor in psychology, from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. Ficarra continued with graduate education at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit; studied solar home design through Miami University in Ohio as well as marketing and managing construction through The Construction Association of Michigan.

Her design career as a color coach flourished to include home interiors and commercial building projects. By focusing on the holistic and aesthetic affects of color and its power, Ficarra was able to fill a niche creating healthy environments.

She recently transformed a print shop into a closed head injury facility in Warren called Unique Options. Her client, Founder and CEO Sue Ellen Jurcak said," Virginia is phenomenal! She addressed the possibility of seizure disorders by making sure light levels were even throughout the building; she selected non-reflective wall and floor coverings that included a calming blue shade called 'rain' for the walls; she chose non-agitating textures, colors, and patterns to give the interior a warm feel; and she selected and placed furniture for safe flowing traffic patterns." The results were outstanding Jurcak said.  "We get compliments every time visitors tour. Even the employees mention how soothing the building is and that they feel right at home."

Ficarra came up with a compelling concept that preserves what you love about your home by transferring these elements into your new downsized space. This is particularly helpful for older adults who move into independent living, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. She can recreate their favorite room to make the transition smoother; a springboard to a fresh start while still feeling at home.

Sometimes, the simplest changes can make all the difference. "Often you'll find vertical blinds in many medical facilities. But a horizontal style is actually more relaxing to the eye, like looking at a peaceful horizon," she said.

Best quote:

"No matter the size of your project or wallet, color is free and it's 60% of every purchase you make. However, it is tricky and evokes emotions, with light as its accomplice. The fact is, mistakes are easy to make, hard to live with and costly to change. This is where a color coach can simply blend the proper colors, patterns, textures, and lighting in order to develop a healthy, green environment."

Best client story:

"A client hired me to redesign their kitchen. I also suggested we give her living room a quick lift by merely repositioning her current furnishings. Once completed, she relayed the fact that her husband never sat in the living room throughout all the years they lived there. The next day, I got a call from her and she said, Oh my gosh, this is great! I haven't been able to get him out of that living room."