Prepping a house for sale is so important. Staging the house to invite the buyers to make it their own will always be so key to a sale at the best price and a quick sale.
Thus, I will always share great ideas that come my way.
Check it out!!!
5 Dirt Cheap Staging Ideas
Showing posts with label Staging for Success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Staging for Success. Show all posts
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
8 Never Fail Secrets to Make Your Rooms Ready
Selling a home for the best price possible is a carefully orchestrated event!! And it all starts with the
house itself. If the house "WOWs" the buyer, the contract is written.
Want to make sure your home is ready for the buyer....have it ready for the camera. Most if not all buyers want to see pictures of a house before touring the house. Thus, the pictures taken of your home will set the stage for the number of buyers to see your house.
And here are some absolutely wonderful tips!!!
Wish your home looked more like the ones you see on TV?
From those cool backdrops on hot, prime-time dramas to the jaw-dropping "afters" on do-it-yourself design shows, wouldn't it be great if you could give your own home that camera-ready treatment?
Whether you're staging for a sale or just want to enjoy the space you have, you can raise your design game without spending big bucks.
Here are eight tips from those masters of home magic -- decorators and set designers who style everything from Hollywood sets to design-show fixer-uppers -- to get your home ready for its close-up.
"Obviously, one of the very first things to do is get rid of the clutter -- the room dandruff," says Christopher Lowell, designer and author of "Christopher Lowell's SevenLayers of Organization."
"Nothing should be in the room that isn't intended to be there," he says.
One of his tricks: Stand in the doorway and squint. "If you can't make out what's on the table, it's clutter," he says. "It's too small."
If you're a collector, remember, "There's power en masse," he says. So either find a way to showcase your star pieces, or display the collection together (rather than scattered throughout the house), he says. Try mounting a few of the best pieces onto block-style shelves, so the collection becomes an artinstallation , he says. With that volume, the collection "takes on drama."
With the right lighting, you can totally reshape a room, says Lowell. "Lighting allows you to see only what you want to see," he says. For a well-layered look, he recommends mixing the types of lighting in a room.
Try these strategies to brighten up a space.
Want to tie a room together? Repeat a color, fabric or finish throughout, says Corey Kaplan, a Hollywood production designer for the hit TV series "Scandal."
On the show, you may have spotted that technique in character Jake Ballard's apartment -- with silver objects placed throughout the room, she says.
"(Set decorator) Amy Wells purchased a lot of silver elements -- ashtrays, balls, bowls," says Kaplan. "It's interesting, it's all-around eye-level, and it ties an eclectic room together."
It's also something you'll see in magazine layouts, Kaplan says. "You'll see one element that threads a room together."
Another luxurious touch is flowers.
"Everything looks great with flowers," says Cortney Novogratz, co-host of "9 by Design" on Bravo and "Home by Novogratz" on HGTV.
So put those on your redecorating list first, she says. "If you're able to have a plant or fresh flowers -- some greenery or some life is nice."
If you look for it, you'll see that just about every television show -- drama, sitcom or talk show --includes a set styled with flowers, Novogratz says.
When Kaplan was a production designer on "The X-Files," she had to solve her own baffling mystery: how to make agent Dana Scully's apartment visually compelling on a budget.
While the character was living on a government salary and wearing virtually the same outfit every day, viewers needed to glimpse Scully's interesting, quirky side, says Kaplan.
The solution? Go with one attention-grabbing piece.
In Scully's case, Kaplan selected a pricey, vintage refrigerator and stove set.
"It looked fantastic," she recalls. "It was a very common space, but you see it and say, 'This kitchen is amazing.' The kitchen's not amazing, but the refrigerator made the space. Everything else I got at Ikea."
"Get that one thing that ties the space together," Kaplan says.
It may take a little research and time, she says, "But it's worth your while."
One trick set designers like to use is keeping a space neutral.
"We like things to be simple and elegant," says Kaplan. "I think that's the most important element for any of our environments. We leave our colors to the accents."
So walls and big pieces might be off-whites or grays, she says. Smaller pieces, such as chairs, add a punch of color. "That way, it's easy to get them out of the way when you're done with them," Kaplan says.
The set of "Scandal" uses this tactic, as seen with the two red chairs in Quinn Perkins' office.
Novogratz agrees. In a neutral room with a bright throw pillow or colorful vase, "automatically," your eyes go to that, she says. "It just kind of freshens everything. The brightness stands out."
Another idea would be to reupholster an old couch in a bright color, says Paul DiMeo, host of "Second Act" on RLTV, and lead designer for Major League Baseball's Fan Cave.
If you don't have the skill to DIY or money for a pro, try decorating the couch with a bright blanket or throw, he says.
Sometimes, it's the little things that make all the difference.
Recently on the "Today" show, Novogratz demonstrated how a simple, white cabinet could look completely different with just a quick switch of its hardware.
Switching from plain fixtures to something "big and bold changed the whole piece of furniture," she recalls.
A new set of knobs -- vintage glass, new chrome pulls, tribal designs or even a flea-market find -- can make cabinets look totally different, says Novogratz.
So whether it's that credenza in the living room or those kitchen cabinets, it's a simple solution with big results, she says.
Another small job you can do to make a big difference is painting the trim of a room.
"I don't think people realize you can paint (just) the trim on the walls and the door itself," says Novogratz. "I think people just assume crown molding and trim and doors are white."
She loves using a bold color for the baseboards. "You can do that in color and have a more neutral wall."
Sure, you can see your own reflection in mirrors, but did you know they can also be used to amplify the light and make a room look bigger?
To make mirrors really brighten a space, place them on the wall opposite a window -- you can almost double the light in the room, says Lowell.
Do it on the cheap by hanging a grouping of mismatched mirrors on one wall, says Novogratz. Using different frames and different sizes helps the installation become "funky and quirky," she says.
Once you have the mirrors, you could use paint to create a flowing motif. Make the mirrors more uniform by repainting the frames in a matching color. Or try a built-in look by painting them to match the trim. You can even make the frames "disappear" by matching the paint to the walls.
Another quick and cheap tip for a high-dollar look is moving the furniture away from the walls.
"In great rooms, the furniture floats," says Lowell. It's not lined up against the wall.
Instead of putting furniture against the walls and using that to define an area, try using an area rug, he says. "Think of that really smart hotel lobby," and cluster conversation areas in a living room or den, he says.
Save "the walls for art and storage units," Lowell says.
Original artwork can make a room, but it doesn't have to be pricey, says DiMeo. If you frame it the right way, you can display family photos, kids' art or even a colorful scarf for an original piece that shines.
"Artwork can be done for a few dollars," says DiMeo. "I don't have one single poster in my house. I have all our friends' artwork in our house."
If you have kids, blow up a couple of their art projects to 30 inches by 30 inches or 30 inches by 20 inches, he says. Not only are you designing a room with something unique and original, you're also telling your child, "Look at that," says DiMeo.
Or, for a DIY project, you can use stencils to try your hand at a mural, he says.
"Stencils are a way of doing something cheaply and having a room like no other," says DiMeo. "It's only paint, and you can always paint over it. Don't be afraid to throw some color on the wall."
Read more:http://www.bankrate.com/system/util/print.aspx?p=/finance/real-estate/secrets-designing-camera-ready-room-2.aspx&s=br3&c=real%20estate&t=story&e=1&v=1#ixzz2c4gka6Xf
Follow us:@Bankrate on Twitter|Bankrate on Facebook
house itself. If the house "WOWs" the buyer, the contract is written.
Want to make sure your home is ready for the buyer....have it ready for the camera. Most if not all buyers want to see pictures of a house before touring the house. Thus, the pictures taken of your home will set the stage for the number of buyers to see your house.
And here are some absolutely wonderful tips!!!
REAL ESTATE
8 secrets to designing a camera-ready room
Live like a star
Wish your home looked more like the ones you see on TV?From those cool backdrops on hot, prime-time dramas to the jaw-dropping "afters" on do-it-yourself design shows, wouldn't it be great if you could give your own home that camera-ready treatment?
Whether you're staging for a sale or just want to enjoy the space you have, you can raise your design game without spending big bucks.
Here are eight tips from those masters of home magic -- decorators and set designers who style everything from Hollywood sets to design-show fixer-uppers -- to get your home ready for its close-up.
LinkedIn
Delicious
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Email storyKill the clutter
"Obviously, one of the very first things to do is get rid of the clutter -- the room dandruff," says Christopher Lowell, designer and author of "Christopher Lowell's Seven"Nothing should be in the room that isn't intended to be there," he says.
One of his tricks: Stand in the doorway and squint. "If you can't make out what's on the table, it's clutter," he says. "It's too small."
If you're a collector, remember, "There's power en masse," he says. So either find a way to showcase your star pieces, or display the collection together (rather than scattered throughout the house), he says. Try mounting a few of the best pieces onto block-style shelves, so the collection becomes an art
Lighting is your (room's) best accessory
With the right lighting, you can totally reshape a room, says Lowell. "Lighting allows you to see only what you want to see," he says. For a well-layered look, he recommends mixing the types of lighting in a room.Try these strategies to brighten up a space.
Weave a thread through a room
Want to tie a room together? Repeat a color, fabric or finish throughout, says Corey Kaplan, a Hollywood production designer for the hit TV series "Scandal."On the show, you may have spotted that technique in character Jake Ballard's apartment -- with silver objects placed throughout the room, she says.
"(Set decorator) Amy Wells purchased a lot of silver elements -- ashtrays, balls, bowls," says Kaplan. "It's interesting, it's all-around eye-level, and it ties an eclectic room together."
It's also something you'll see in magazine layouts, Kaplan says. "You'll see one element that threads a room together."
Another luxurious touch is flowers.
"Everything looks great with flowers," says Cortney Novogratz, co-host of "9 by Design" on Bravo and "Home by Novogratz" on HGTV.
So put those on your redecorating list first, she says. "If you're able to have a plant or fresh flowers -- some greenery or some life is nice."
If you look for it, you'll see that just about every television show -- drama, sitcom or talk show --
The 1 splurge
When Kaplan was a production designer on "The X-Files," she had to solve her own baffling mystery: how to make agent Dana Scully's apartment visually compelling on a budget.While the character was living on a government salary and wearing virtually the same outfit every day, viewers needed to glimpse Scully's interesting, quirky side, says Kaplan.
The solution? Go with one attention-grabbing piece.
In Scully's case, Kaplan selected a pricey, vintage refrigerator and stove set.
"It looked fantastic," she recalls. "It was a very common space, but you see it and say, 'This kitchen is amazing.' The kitchen's not amazing, but the refrigerator made the space. Everything else I got at Ikea."
"Get that one thing that ties the space together," Kaplan says.
It may take a little research and time, she says, "But it's worth your while."
Neutral rooms, bright accents
One trick set designers like to use is keeping a space neutral."We like things to be simple and elegant," says Kaplan. "I think that's the most important element for any of our environments. We leave our colors to the accents."
So walls and big pieces might be off-whites or grays, she says. Smaller pieces, such as chairs, add a punch of color. "That way, it's easy to get them out of the way when you're done with them," Kaplan says.
The set of "Scandal" uses this tactic, as seen with the two red chairs in Quinn Perkins' office.
Novogratz agrees. In a neutral room with a bright throw pillow or colorful vase, "automatically," your eyes go to that, she says. "It just kind of freshens everything. The brightness stands out."
Another idea would be to reupholster an old couch in a bright color, says Paul DiMeo, host of "Second Act" on RLTV, and lead designer for Major League Baseball's Fan Cave.
If you don't have the skill to DIY or money for a pro, try decorating the couch with a bright blanket or throw, he says.
Small changes, big difference
Sometimes, it's the little things that make all the difference.Recently on the "Today" show, Novogratz demonstrated how a simple, white cabinet could look completely different with just a quick switch of its hardware.
Switching from plain fixtures to something "big and bold changed the whole piece of furniture," she recalls.
A new set of knobs -- vintage glass, new chrome pulls, tribal designs or even a flea-market find -- can make cabinets look totally different, says Novogratz.
So whether it's that credenza in the living room or those kitchen cabinets, it's a simple solution with big results, she says.
Another small job you can do to make a big difference is painting the trim of a room.
"I don't think people realize you can paint (just) the trim on the walls and the door itself," says Novogratz. "I think people just assume crown molding and trim and doors are white."
She loves using a bold color for the baseboards. "You can do that in color and have a more neutral wall."
Mirror, mirror
Sure, you can see your own reflection in mirrors, but did you know they can also be used to amplify the light and make a room look bigger?To make mirrors really brighten a space, place them on the wall opposite a window -- you can almost double the light in the room, says Lowell.
Do it on the cheap by hanging a grouping of mismatched mirrors on one wall, says Novogratz. Using different frames and different sizes helps the installation become "funky and quirky," she says.
Once you have the mirrors, you could use paint to create a flowing motif. Make the mirrors more uniform by repainting the frames in a matching color. Or try a built-in look by painting them to match the trim. You can even make the frames "disappear" by matching the paint to the walls.
Another quick and cheap tip for a high-dollar look is moving the furniture away from the walls.
"In great rooms, the furniture floats," says Lowell. It's not lined up against the wall.
Instead of putting furniture against the walls and using that to define an area, try using an area rug, he says. "Think of that really smart hotel lobby," and cluster conversation areas in a living room or den, he says.
Save "the walls for art and storage units," Lowell says.
Use original artwork
Original artwork can make a room, but it doesn't have to be pricey, says DiMeo. If you frame it the right way, you can display family photos, kids' art or even a colorful scarf for an original piece that shines."Artwork can be done for a few dollars," says DiMeo. "I don't have one single poster in my house. I have all our friends' artwork in our house."
If you have kids, blow up a couple of their art projects to 30 inches by 30 inches or 30 inches by 20 inches, he says. Not only are you designing a room with something unique and original, you're also telling your child, "Look at that," says DiMeo.
Or, for a DIY project, you can use stencils to try your hand at a mural, he says.
"Stencils are a way of doing something cheaply and having a room like no other," says DiMeo. "It's only paint, and you can always paint over it. Don't be afraid to throw some color on the wall."
Read more:http://www.bankrate.com/system/util/print.aspx?p=/finance/real-estate/secrets-designing-camera-ready-room-2.aspx&s=br3&c=real%20estate&t=story&e=1&v=1#ixzz2c4gka6Xf
Follow us:@Bankrate on Twitter|Bankrate on Facebook
Saturday, October 13, 2012
New Weekly Articles - Shimmer and Shine || Home By Design Weekly Article
New Weekly Articles - Shimmer and Shine || Home By Design Weekly Article
If you love to entertain, this is a great article to read....click the link below to see pics and article. If a bit short of time, just read below.
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It’s no wonder the dining room in this Toronto home has become a popular destination for family and friends. In a sophisticated space such as this, guests are encouraged to linger long into the evening.
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WRITTEN BY JEANINE MATLOW
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BAGOSY
A Soft Palette Sets a Dreamy Tone for This Distinctive Dining Room
OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2012
Though Laura Stein, principal and CEO of Toronto-based Laura Stein Interiors, designed the entire first floor of this home and more, there was one exception: the living room, which is on hold until the kids get older. But because the living room, which serves as a temporary play space, is the first room that people see upon entering the home and “is filled with toys,” explains Stein, “they wanted the dining room to be a grown-up space that could seat a large number of guests.”
The Toronto home, which was built in the 1980s, had very little architectural detail. “It’s a nice builder-basic house, but there was no character or trim detailing,” says Stein. “The rooms had nice proportions and a nice flow on the main floor, so we had a good starting point. We added crown molding and wainscoting, and we added paneling to the dining room to add character and polish to the whole space.”
Her client wanted a dining room that was dramatic and romantic. There was already a gray-and-blue scheme with whites and warm neutrals in the kitchen and family room, so Stein created a sense of connection among all the spaces. “It is a relatively neutral room, so we used the colors in unexpected ways, like the dark taupe on the walls that lends a sense of intimacy to the space,” she says. “The blue on the ceiling gives it a little bit of the wow factor, while tying the color scheme together through the rest of the house.”
Previously, the dining room was crowded with larger pieces. “She needed ample storage for good dishes and linens with enough space to avoid feeling cramped,” says Stein. So she placed a mirrored buffet beneath the window—the only source of natural light in the room, with a view overlooking the house next door—and added a soft roman sheer to block the window’s view without compromising the light.
The transitional-style space features clean and simple lines. “It’s not fussy, but it does have some classic detailing to it,” says Stein. The dining table comes equipped with extra leaves for additional seating, while the dark tone stands out against the grayish-blue chairs, which are covered in stain-resistant fabric. “The silver nailheads add a little sparkle,” Stein adds.
Each piece serves a purpose while making a contribution to the room. The crystal chandelier is a family heirloom. “The mirrored buffet adds some pop and some light,” says Stein. “The curved shape juxtaposes the straight lines in the room. So does the roman shade. A wool area rug adds warmth, color, texture and pattern to the wood floor.”
The success of any project should not be measured on aesthetics alone, but on the actual use of space. In the case of this dining room, the accomplishment is evident in the steady flow of guests who come and go. “The couple has a large extended family and constant activity in the house,” says Stein. “That room gets used a lot.” 
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Don't Fail the Exterior "Test"
"While the contents of a home may be considered the core, nothing sets the tone like the exterior"
So begins the HomeByDesign article attached below. It is so very true. The exterior of any home
set the tone...the direction... that a visitor's thoughts will go as they visit your or any home. Thus,
whether wishing to welcome guests for Sunday brunch or to entice prospects looking at buying your home, the house's exterior will be the "First Impression" they have.
Read the article and see how dramatic you could make your home's exterior!!!!
CLICK HERE: http://article.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_FEB_12_06/43859/index.html
If what you read is a bit more than you can or wish to do, remember fresh plantings, fresh mulch in flower beds, brilliant flowers in handsome pots and a clean porch/sidewalk/driveway can go much to "welcome" those that visit!!!!
So begins the HomeByDesign article attached below. It is so very true. The exterior of any home
set the tone...the direction... that a visitor's thoughts will go as they visit your or any home. Thus,
whether wishing to welcome guests for Sunday brunch or to entice prospects looking at buying your home, the house's exterior will be the "First Impression" they have.
Read the article and see how dramatic you could make your home's exterior!!!!
CLICK HERE: http://article.homebydesign.com/pages/article/HBD_FEB_12_06/43859/index.html
If what you read is a bit more than you can or wish to do, remember fresh plantings, fresh mulch in flower beds, brilliant flowers in handsome pots and a clean porch/sidewalk/driveway can go much to "welcome" those that visit!!!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Staging Your Home is Key to Prepping
Prepping your home for sale is key to attaining the very best net return on your home.
As you know, prepping your home has been the topic of recent posts. Having covered cleanliness, decluttering, we still have repairs to handle in this key area of selling your home.
But let's consider all important "Staging the House"
Frequently, "Staging" must be considered along side repairs as one may impact the other. A common "repair" that moves into "Staging" relates to the home's curb appeal.
Poorly pointed brick steps with overgrown flower beds/bushes set in a weedy front yard will cause need repairs that will "Stage" the front of the home...make no doubt this is key....just check out Xandustaging.com or their blog to see how key it is.
In other cases, broken/dirty blinds may be replaced/repaired with soft tan curtain accents and faux wood blinds to accentuate a higher priced listing or another response if the home is modestly priced.
So you can see, you want to get your staging tips along with the repair suggestions.
A top-notch Realtor will always have the experience to help with both repair and staging suggestions AND THE EXPERTISE TO KNOW WHEN TO A STAGING PRO NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED!!!
Yes, as a Realtor, my suggestions are free. A top notch staging organization like Xandu will cost for their services....but a home staged properly will always sell faster and for more. And they do provide the expertise to be successful!!!
How much faster and for how much...depends on the home and the seller's willingness to make his/her home standout?
What have your experiences been with staging???
Questions on "self staging"???
As you know, prepping your home has been the topic of recent posts. Having covered cleanliness, decluttering, we still have repairs to handle in this key area of selling your home.
But let's consider all important "Staging the House"
Frequently, "Staging" must be considered along side repairs as one may impact the other. A common "repair" that moves into "Staging" relates to the home's curb appeal.
Poorly pointed brick steps with overgrown flower beds/bushes set in a weedy front yard will cause need repairs that will "Stage" the front of the home...make no doubt this is key....just check out Xandustaging.com or their blog to see how key it is.
In other cases, broken/dirty blinds may be replaced/repaired with soft tan curtain accents and faux wood blinds to accentuate a higher priced listing or another response if the home is modestly priced.
So you can see, you want to get your staging tips along with the repair suggestions.
A top-notch Realtor will always have the experience to help with both repair and staging suggestions AND THE EXPERTISE TO KNOW WHEN TO A STAGING PRO NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED!!!
Yes, as a Realtor, my suggestions are free. A top notch staging organization like Xandu will cost for their services....but a home staged properly will always sell faster and for more. And they do provide the expertise to be successful!!!
How much faster and for how much...depends on the home and the seller's willingness to make his/her home standout?
What have your experiences been with staging???
Questions on "self staging"???
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