Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Staging Virginia's Dining Area

Hi everyone.  It is hot-o-la in Raleighwood.  Hope you are fairing better.  The humidity and mosquitoes are making it difficult to spend time outdoors.  The real estate market continues to be busy--thus keeping moi busy.  Hard to believe I was a lazy slug just a few short weeks ago.

I digress.  Here is Virginia's dining room after staging.
The house has an open floor plan.  The kitchen is on the other side of the bar stools (right hand corner of picture).  The family room is in the adjacent area.  My staging goal was to make this a more designated space as a dining 'room' versus an 'area'.  Since it is the only dining space in the home I wanted show that it could accommodate many people (if you added table panels and chairs). 
Love this runner!  Picked it up a Ross for $7.  Sooooo lovely with Virginia's two tiered metal baskets and my signature Granny Smiths....The candlesticks came from World Market.  (Dang! I never remember to light candles for pictures--probably because it was 100 degrees and daylight.)


Here's the dining area before.

 I turned the table allowing more space on either side. I brought in the etageres from the kitchen to flank the windows.  You can see I went a bit crazy with metal work.  The metal arch over the windows centered with the table worked out absolutely fabulous. Thanks Jim-V's DH, for hanging it.  StagerLinda was to chicken climb the ladder and hang that sucker!  (I would have been dead it I'd said, "no, I don't think so--take it down.)

The bottom of the chair seats is woven, as are the shelves of the etageres and the bamboo bar stools.

Ain't it cra-cra how I get high from coordinating pieces?

Here is a centerpiece I just finished.  Remember when I made a similar one for Realtor Sandi's dining room?  Well, her Mama took a shine to it and wanted a similar one.  Finding a boat vase was a mission. Then, wouldn't ya know, the same flowers were nowhere to be found.  I bought tons of  stuff, tore it up, then arranged and rearranged.
Hey y'all, thanks.  I am SO GRATEFUL for all of my readers.  I know I'm delinquent with posts.  Can't seem manage to put something out if my heart ain't into it because I'm busy or distracted.

Love y'all!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Staging Virginia's Kitchen

Big changes were made in Virginia's kitchen.  The good news is that none of them were expensive.

This cute and cozy little Bistro set was placed in front of the windows.  It replaces a rather hefty butcher block island that floated in the middle of the floor.  Buyers LOVE large kitchens.  I wanted this kitchen to look as large as possible.  Late summer is the perfect time of year to purchase a bistro table and chairs on sale.

I also moved the pair of metal etageres flanking the windows into the dining room. The etagers added to the cramped feel of this kitchen.There was a bevy of counter top appliances, utensil holders, and accessories in this kitchen. We transferred boxes and boxes of stuff into storage.  I made two fresh floral arrangements from $16 grocery store flowers and greenery from Virginia's yard.  I bought the large urn and smaller vase at a consignment shop while vacationing.  
I removed all the little doodads on top of her cabinets. Yes, that is a leftover Christmas Poinsettia on the island trying desperately to hang on.  RIP Poinsettia.  It went to the backyard compost.

This is the kitchen during transition.  Look how large it is! 
This is a better picture of the cool pottery I used for the flower arrangements.





 Here is a wee counter top vignette. Using a see through glass canister creates the illusion of more counter space. 
I love to add edibles when staging.  I think it sends a subliminal message of 'this is a fun house'.  We went for jelly beans.

Next posting, I'll reveal the dining room!

Friday, July 4, 2014

Thank You for My Freedom


While I am enjoying a hotdogs, a cold beer and fireworks our armed forces are fighting for my freedom.

God Bless our soldiers.

Happy Independence Day!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Bye Beach & Staging Virginia's Master Bath

Back from vacation!
Oh, how I miss this view from my 3rd floor ocean bedroom.

....Sigh...

God bless my realtors, they waited for me to return.  I've lots of work to keep me busy.

When last I left you on Virginia's house, we were finishing up the Master Suite.  They have a large dressing area with two sinks.  Here is how it looked before staging.  Pretty typical.

I only added a few candles, a tray of soaps and bath oils on the vanity.  Burgundy candle holders and towels were used to give this area a pop of color and tie the bath in the the master bedroom.

I've been on this silver kick lately.  The silver tray on the vanity coordinates with the mirror, fixtures and cabinet knobs.

The bathtub, shower and toilet are in the adjoining room.  The walls are a pinkish color (no, they didn't want to change any paint colors).  I wanted to distract from the wall color.


You've seen this huge picture used over and over in many of my houses. This colorful canvas is one of my favorite staging props.  I placed a silver bowl with facecloths on the back of the tank.  There is a silver soap dish on the corner of the tub.  Told you, I am lovin' me some silver.
This picture is very versatile!  I hang it this way, that way and the other way.  Who says there is only one way?


Have a great 4th!