An Enticing Commercial Staging Lures in Customers

I can't get enough of good design.  This logo rocks.

drybar

Drybar is blow-out-only salon that started in LA.  Drybar is a great example of commercial staging perfected.


Curb appeal extraordinaire! Love the open door. Isn't the yellow table with flowers in front of the salon smart?

Drybar

Welcome to Drybar's waiting area.

Set design thinking

set design thinking

Framed chalkboard menu in front window. (Looks like somebody has been reading Pinterest, huh?)

Set Design Thinking

Cute powder room. Hair dryer light fixture in front window is an awesome 'wow' factor!

Set Design Thinking

Very chic gray/white and yellow color combo.  Simple and elegant refreshment station.  You know I love me some organic elements: fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers!

Set Design Thinking

Fabulous Ideas to Recycle and Reuse Distressed Shutters

I went nuts when I stumbled on the website for these pictures (www.inspirationgreen.com).
Love, love, love these ideas for using old shutters.

I had to share them with you!  Enjoy!

Isn't this wall of shutters fun?  Perfect way to add texture, color and dimension to a space.

Olive and Love

Gorgeous headboards.

Aidangrayhome

The Queen of all-things-creative, Martha Stewart, made a breezy and beautiful armoir with
her shutters.

Martha Stewart

Lookie-lookie: arched shutters in the kitchen.

Jane Coslick

Shutters mounted inside these living room windows provide a great focal point.

BHG

Clever use of shutters in your office. (Who'd a thunk of framing your bulletin board with shutters!)

No Source Acknowledged

 Create sofa table using a shutter--brilliant!  Love the negative space around it for staging.

Layla

The #1 Easiest, Simpliest, Quickest Staging Tip You May Never Have Heard

I typically get a "REALLY?" response from sellers when I mention this tip.  It hit me the other day as I was explaining these reasons to a seller, that maybe you guys had never heard it.

ageorgianadesign.com

Remove window screens
Window screens are magnets for dirt, dust, and pollen.  Screens diminish the natural light by up to 40%.  There is never enough light inside a home.  Natural light is a take-for-granted-amenity buyers seek. Screens also diffuse the view outside.  We are selling that view.  Buyers need to see clearly through your windows to appreciate the outside space they are buying.

Becker Morgan

I've yet to meet an attractive window screen. They are most definitely function over beauty. Removing your window screens makes your house more aesthetically pleasing. Wouldn't this house look more attractive with the screens removed?

Phonix Window

I love me some fresh air!  But, here in the Southeast, we only have a handful of days per year for keeping windows open. The window of opportunity (pun!) for needing window screens is limited because the pollen fairy comes a callin' minutes after Ole Man Winter retreats.

Window screens should be stored in the attic or garage for the next owner.  Buyers will see them and know they don't have to invest in buying them should they care to put them back.

My clients are always amazed at the difference removing window screens makes.  Maybe you want to consider removing your screens even if your house isn't on the market!

Today We Remember...

Jenn in SC

...freedom at the price of sacrifice and courage.

God Bless America.

Hocus Pocus

Hmmmm.....seems like my last post vanished.  Recreation is not my forte.

In a nutshell, here is the essence of it.  My friend, Karen, made a trash basket out of grommets, mesh ribbon, and a coordinating ribbon with swirls.  It is going in her new bathroom with chrome fixtures.

Cute, huh?

Karen Sampson

Happy Saturday!

STAGER KNOWS BEST and Confessions from a Potty Mouth

Good news! It looks like AH took my advice!  I checked MLS and found these pictures of his house after they self-staged from my report. (The 'stupid door' can now be seen and used by potential buyers. Hooray.)

TMLS

TMLS

TMLS

While I enjoy staging, I really appreciate when a seller can follow my instructions for self-staging.

Potty Mouth Confessions:

One of my best buds called me and was concerned about my use of  "Asshole" in my last post.

"It is your public image."
"Your blog is advertising you."
"It is a public forum and is forever."
"I don't think people will think it is good you referred to your client as an Asshole."
"You could have said "Jerk" instead of Asshole."

I guess I should apologize.  Sorry.  I write like I talk. Yep, my posts are definitely "in my own voice".  I've never been particularly politically correct. My blog is my forum for teaching and my therapy for venting!  I talk to my readers as my friends. 

Sock it to me. 

Offended? Yea or Nay?

Do What You Want, Buddy*. I'm Trying to Help You Sell Your House

I don't get why clients want to argue with me.  But, I guess they tell their doctor they know best and challenge their spouse at every opportunity.

I had a consultation Sunday.  I only took a few pictures and will try to fill in the blanks.

There was a wall of windows and a door leading to a deck from the family room.  The sellers had a sofa in front of the door and a console table next to the sofa. Two club chairs were crunched together on the staircase wall.

I explained that the sofa needed to be flipped to the opposite wall. Buddy vehemently disagreed.

"No.  That door is stupid.  We don't even use that door." Buddy

"We are selling the windows, the view, and access to the deck." ME

Buddy does a bull snort then the moves sofa.

The console table needed to be moved, too.  There was a monster table next the the fireplace with a mirror over it that was overwhelming.  (Sorry, no picture.)

"We need to take the big table out and put the smaller console table in it's place." ME

"I made that table.  We like it in front of the windows." Buddy

"It is a beautiful table but it is blocking light and the view.  We are selling square footage. It will create the illusion of more space."  ME

AFTER sofa and chairs were flipped

This console table was in front of  the windows

Another picture after moving furniture*

 "Wow! The room REALLY does look bigger." Buddy

*Disclaimer:  This house WAS NOT STAGED. I was illustrating the difference staging makes.  The first time I posted this I referred to the client as an asshole.  Prudence and comments from my readers encouraged me to change the offensive term.