Staging is Quite Different Than Decorating
Our goal is to keep costs down for homeowners by using as much of their furnishings and accessories as possible. We always work within the time line, budget and ability of the homeowners. All photos are published with the homeowners consent.
These three simple tips can make any living space feel larger. 1. Reduce Wall Paint Colours Painting the living room the same colour as the dining room was a dramatic difference and it really made the room look larger. Not only did I ask the homeowners to paint the living room, I also asked them to paint the bright yellow staircase since you saw it from every room in the house. When rooms are chopped up with different paint colours, it stops the flow from one room to the other. I chose to continue with their dining room colour since …
This master bedroom has lots of charm with the thick baseboards, double windows and sloped walls. Now what is the best way to furnish it? Upholstered Headboard: Since there is a sloped wall where the head of the bed is going to go, I had to bring in a headboard since I wouldn’t be able to hang artwork above the bed. It’s hard to tell in this photo, but the slope wall is just above the headboard. I chose an upholstered one instead of wood to add more texture and warmth. Since I didn’t want to hide the thick decorative …
Last night my husband and I went to an interesting glass blowing demonstration. As I watched these two masters of their craft, I was reminded of these 3 life lessons. 3 Life Lessons: 1. THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM. I was surprised how it took three hours to blow 2 vases, and then they still had to cool down for about 10 more hours. Next time I buy a glass vase/bowl for my Staging business, I will appreciate all the dedication, creativity and skill that goes into making each piece. Just like in my business, clients see their …
I had so much fun Staging this empty house that was built in 1920. After several months of renovations, I was left with a clean blank canvas to turn it into a home. There is so much charm and character in these older homes and I want to showcase every detail. My colour inspiration was the exterior red brick and the blue door. Ideally, it’s nice when there is a flow from the exterior to the interior. It tells more of a ‘story’. After spending a few hours in the empty house taking measurements and coming up with a plan, …
Every January, we all wait for the new “Colour Of The Year” to come out. I personally find this scary since I go into people’s homes who have gone and painted the new ‘trendy’ colour even though it doesn’t complement ANYTHING in their house. We can easily fall into the same traps with fashion trends. Some trends are simply NOT made for ALL body types. Complement What Is Staying In The House When helping clients with colour, I always start at the ground up. What tones are in the flooring. Flooring is the most expensive fixed feature in your home …
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays with your loved one. I’ve already had my first decorating/styling consultation of the year and things are booking up quickly for Stagings as well. Back in November and December, I started to work with 4 houses to give them a head start with their ‘to-do’ list but they are almost ready to list this month so things are going to be busy. Santa brought me a new wide angle lens for my camera since my last one dropped and cracked! This means better quality before/after photos for my blogging. I …
This townhouse had been vacant on the market for a few months so I was called in for a consultation and to decide how much to stage. Yes, houses can sell empty. However, as soon as you furnish an empty house, it completely transforms it into a home. Buyers can see where/how they would use the spaces themselves. You immediately get a ‘feeling’ when you walk into a furnished house. After my initial consultation, I went directly to the furniture rental company and ordered all the pieces that I needed for the main floor. We didn’t stage the bedrooms since …
I received a call from a landlord who wanted to put her house up for sale the week after the tenants moved out. That meant a lot of work in a very short period of time for everyone. Planning and coordinating all the necessary people is key when so many factors are involved! Initial Consultation: Just by our discussion on the phone, I knew I had to get in to see the house before the tenants moved out since I needed time to rent furniture and coordinate all the Staging. It always takes longer than people expect. I was grateful …
Staging A Vacant Property Makes a Difference I was called by the homeowners to Stage their vacant property. The house had just been completely renovated and was in pristine condition. As soon as I walked in, I loved their colour scheme and their light fixtures. Buyers find it very challenging to see the full potential of an empty room since rooms always appear smaller without furniture. My job is to help make a house feel like a home and to enhance the house’s best features. The first thing I need to decide on is the ‘style’ and ‘colour palette’ that …
The Process: I’ve decided to write this blog about the process that goes along with Staging since most people have NO idea how much is involved. Every house is a bit different, but I want to share the process of this particular staging. Since it was an empty house, more work was necessary. I received a call from a homeowner who said she had a ‘crisis’. She had a newly renovated vacant property on the market for 3 months but it wasn’t selling. She was given my name from someone and she asked me to stage her house. I agreed. …
