A common staging question...

A common question that my clients often ask me is, what is the best way to stage a second bedroom in a two or three bedroom home? Should it be staged as an office or a bedroom? My answer is definitely, stage it as a bedroom.

There are some exceptions, based on the market, the neighborhood and the kind of home it is.  However, most of the time, home buyers always want more space, especially those with children. That second or third bedroom is the space they're looking for. Looking at a smaller home that has office furniture in the second or third bedroom leaves questions in a buyer’s head: Is this an office or a bedroom? And will my family have enough room?

If there is an appropriate nook or corner elsewhere in the home, then yes, stage it as a home office. This can be especially appropriate in a large family room--it allows the space to read as multi-purpose.

A professional stager will think about the buyers that are going to be looking at your home, and stage your house accordingly. Your stager should answer buyers' questions by showing them the solutions before they ask.

(Photo from Pottery Barn)

I'm currently lusting over... the Allumette Armchair

The filigreed frame only looks delicate—like a geometric web or game of pick-up sticks—as the extra-hard wood of the Arura Vermelho tree (from the Amazon) makes the Allumette armchair by Atelier Oï a sturdy spot to sit.

Modern Traditional

Source: LivingPod.com

Proof that traditional CAN be modern as well...

A recent staging project, 11817 Texas, Santa Monica, CA

This is a recent home staging project of mine. As many of you know, home staging is different from the interior design work that I also do, in that staging has marketing reasons behind the design, in order to make it sell fast! This condo was completely empty and I brought it to life thru staging.  Before even the FIRST open house, the seller received TWO full-price offers based on only the photos seen on the website!

Part 1, showing the main living areas and the loft above.  Next post will show the bedrooms.

www.11817Texas.com - Part 2

Here's the rest of the condo... from empty and all-white to lively and full of color!
 

BEFORE and AFTER: From 80's oak to fresh and modern

Here's an example of what home staging (or a re-design) can do: Compare the before and after photos, and ask yourself, where would YOU rather live? Yep, your buyers will say the same thing!  Another great staging job.

My thanks to Kristen Coppa of Modern Nest for the photos!

Currently lusting over... The Halina Chandelier

Right now I'm re-discovering Hollywood Regency style, which is all about the Hollywood glamour that was so popular from the 1930's thru 1960's.  I'm currently preparing a house for sale with some really fun clients, and this chandelier will be going in their foyer.  Notice the lovely crystal droplets and the handsome shades with silver banding.  This gives a lot of BLING but is still clean-lined.  Love it!

And guess what... it's from Home Depot, of all places!

Hampton Bay Halina 6 Light Chandelier, Chrome Finish with White Linen Shades and Crystal Accents

Details Make a Difference!

BEFORE: This master bedroom lacked focus and sophistication. The white bed cover, white nightstands, and white walls are "blah" and the lamps, while colorful, look more like they belong in a teenager's bedroom than a master bedroom.

AFTER: Modern art that matches the style of the house now anchors the room. Blue accents are appealing and sophisticated. Lamps have been replaced with more appropriate choices. Easy fixes, stunning result!

Sometimes it's all about the accessories!

 

Sometimes it's ALL about the accessories.  Take a look at this traditional room.  See how there's some really good pieces, yet the overall effect is "blah"?  The after photo shows how the right accessories, such as art, plants and pillows, can really make the difference between boring and terrific!

Connecting the indoors with the outdoors...

Especially in S. California, where a lot of living is done outside, it's important to connect your home to the outdoors as much as possible. This can include replacing windows with French-style doors or sliders. The investment in your home will yield results as your property becomes far more desirable. Imaging the home pictured without all the generous doors and sliders. And even in a traditional home, the replacement of windows with sliders and doors can have an amazing impact!

BEFORE & AFTER: Oahu, Hawaii condo with a view.

These are the before and after shots of my friend Mark's condo on the island of Oahu. It's really one part staging (using what he had, including a cool Danish-modern teak dining table) and one part interior design. It's what's often called "re-design"... using elements you already have mixed with new items. (And yes, we replaced the ugly fan and cheap pendant light!) Like many people, Mark likes a mixture of modern and traditional.


BEFORE: Living Room #1. Inexpensive and over-used "college-age" furniture is too big for this compact condo. None of the woods in the room coordinate, neither does the rug.


AFTER: Living Room #1. New colors, new furniture and a fresh perspective. Exciting pops of blue contrast well with the neutrals. The wood "coffee table" in the previous photo was painted espresso and re-purposed as the corner table. Instead of a side chair, the espresso colored ottoman keeps the view open when the drapes are pulled.



BEFORE: Living Room #2. Clutter everywhere. No place to store DVD's, books, etc. And that halogen floor lamp? Ugh.



AFTER: Living Room, #2. It's important to remember that Staging and interior design really are different. In this case, Mark really needed storage and a workstation. Normally, I would not fill up a space like this, but we got the storage and work area Mark needed while keeping it stream-lined. The modern milk-glass front armoire hides his computer, and the buffet with the milk-glass top makes a great entertainment console.



BEFORE: Dining Room. A great Danish modern table but the space has nothing else going for it.



AFTER: Dining Room. More pops of blue in the new end chairs and the art, plus a soft green on the accent wall, really dress up the space. An alabaster pendant light completes the scene.

ARTWORK: Mark loves modern, abstract art. For the main wall we found some exciting, mid-range priced originals (above photo). The opposite wall reflects Mark's love of nature with photos of his native New Hampshire ordered off the internet (below).

By the way, here's Mark's view. Not bad, huh? Can you see the plane in the upper-left corner?