Staging The District

Fox News Imag!

As many of y'all may know, I am a HUGE fan of Fox News (a "Fox Fan" if you will)...so I'm extremely excited to announce my very first article for the Fox News Imag.  The Imag is an amazing online magazine that covers everything from interior design to real estate to food and even fashion.  If you haven't been to the site before, it's definitely worth a look!

Check out the following link to view what will hopefully be the first of many articles, etc for my favorite news network!  And, for those who don't recognize that lovely little home pictured at the top of the article, that's my very first investment property from way back in 2005...well, actually, I use the word "investment" loosely, but that's a whole different story...

http://www.foxnews.com/imag/At+Home/8+Simple+Home+Staging+Tactics

Dining Nook Do-Overs

It seems that every seller these days knows that spectacular dining rooms can be a major selling point for potential home buyers. But really, how often do any of us eat in formal dining rooms?  I, for one, have had a long-standing dinner date with my coffee table and E News for several years now...But seriously, other than for the purpose of hosting holidays and the occasional dinner party, dining rooms tend to sit lonely and empty for the vast majority of the year.

Instead, families and couples tend to gather in the kitchen to dine, particularly as more and more homes feature those oh-so-important 'eat-in-kitchens'.  What's great about these spaces is that they offer a casual dining option that incorporates the coziness of family dining without the stuffiness of a formal dining room.  

So, keeping all of that in mind, it's essential to stage these little dining nooks appropriately when selling.  The goal is to keep things clean, casual, and welcoming.  Keep table settings and/or centerpieces simple and remember that furniture should be family-friendly and comfortable, though still neutral and coordinated.

For some inspiration, check out the before and afters from some recent homes below!

 

Before:

 
 

After:

 


Before:

After:

 
 
 
 

Beat the Winter Blues with Mirrors!

So, you've made it through the holidays and, with the exception of the playoffs and the new and improved body you've vowed to create this year, January and February tend to be the gloomiest and least exciting of all the months.  So now is the perfect time to beat the winter blues by spicing up your decor and adding a little excitement to these otherwise dark, cold days!

Mirrors are the perfect way to do just that!  They're great for making small spaces feel more spacious, they reflect light (which is even more critical during months with limited sunlight), and best of all, they add glamour and interest to an otherwise dull room.  The best part?  You can easily incorporate some mirrored elements into just about any room without breaking the bank....check out these designs below, including budget-friendly buys to recreate the look.

 1) The look: A set of square or rectangular mirrors adds an unexpected focal point reminiscent of Hollywood Regency style. 

 
Photo: decorpad.com

Where to buy? At $29.99, Target's "Mirror Framed Mirror" is a cheap and chic way to mimic this look.

 

2) The Look: A single, large-scale mirror over the bed creates drama with little fuss.  An added benefit?  Your significant other will absolutely love the new addition to the bedroom... 

 
Photo: mostlymirrors.com

Where to buy? Lamps Plus has a huge selection of reasonably-priced mirrors, including this massive 48" beveled mirror, a steal at just $229.91

 

3) The look: Varied shapes and sizes of mirrors create a cohesive look with matching frames.

 

Photo: blog.visiondecor.com

Where to buy?  For a similar look, try the 'Molger' mirror set from Ikea, priced from $29.99 to $89.99.  With a variety of sizes and a paintable frame, the possibilities are endless!

   
 

4) The look: Black framed mirrors grouped above nightstands flank the bed to create a contemporary and masculine vibe.

 
Photo: livingetc.com

Where to buy? Wal-Mart's "Canopy Square Beveled Glass Wall Mirror" is almost an exact match to the ones pictured above.  And at $39.97 each, they're anything but a budget buster!

 

5) The look: A set of round mirrors adds depth to a foyer or empty wall.

 
Photo: thelennoxx.com

Where to buy? At $131.99, Organize.com's "Gold Leaf Convex Wall Set" are a perfect, yet affordable addition to a traditional decor

 

 

10 Best - Ottomans Under $500

 A 'gentleman friend' of mine recently commented that he enjoyed reading my blog because I spotlight affordable items.  This was great to hear on many levels (and not just because the source is so darn cute), but primarily because staging is all about maximizing the value of your design dollar.  After all, the goal is to profit from selling your home, not just make it look pretty!

So, in keeping with my goal of highlighting the best affordable decor options out there, here's the second in my series "10 Best".  This time I went with ottomans, not only because they are incredibly versatile for staging purposes (they can function as coffee tables, flank a bed, and even offer additional seating), but because there are so many stylistic options out there.  So, whether you live in an urban condo, a country farm house, or are part of the normal suburban sprawl, here are super stylish ottoman options for any budget! 

1) Essex Upholstered Ottoman in Ikat Gray/Flax by West Elm ($299)
 
 

Photo: westelm.com

 

2) Nailhead Storage Cubes by Neiman Marcus ($499)

Photo: neimanmarcus.com

 

3) Gaiam Versatile Rush Ottomans - Set of 3 - Natural Woven Finish at Amazon.com ($69)

 

 Photo: amazon.com

4) Queen Anne Lace Square Ottoman in Butterscotch by Target ($239.99)
 
 

Photo: target.com

 5) Louisa Bergere Ottoman by Ballard Designs ($359)

 
 
 Photo: ballarddesigns.com

 

6) Jessica Ottoman by JC Penney ($349 - customizable) 

 

7) Coaster Fine Furniture Ottoman with Metal Legs ($139 at AGHomeStore.com)

  
Photo: aghomestore.com

8) Kristine Upholstered Ottoman - Sea Glass Blue - by Target ($299.99)

 

Photo: Target.com

9) Jasper Ottoman at HomeDecorators.com ($199)

Photo: homedecorators.com

10) Bentley Leather Square Cocktail Ottoman at Overstock.com ($229.99)
 

Photo: overstock.com
 

 

No Vacancy

Vacant = Vague

What do I mean by that???

Well, often times homeowners mistakenly think that showing their home vacant will make the house appear larger.  This is actually a total myth!  Not only does furniture (when used to scale) make a space appear bigger, but it also gives buyers a better idea of how each room can be used!

So instead of clearing out your home and confusing potential buyers, use furniture and accessories to clarify just what makes each room in your home so very special! For example, even when it's clear which bedroom is the master, buyers want to see how their furniture can fit in your specific space.  Can they fit their king size bed?  If so, is there room for bedside tables, dressers, or a small seating area?  The same logic can be applied to living rooms, family rooms, and even basements.  Is there room for a large sectional and a television, or is the space better suited for smaller, more intimate gatherings?

So, keeping these ideas in mind, here are a couple examples of vacant spaces that were spruced up with some basic furniture and a few carefully-planned accessories! 

LIVING ROOM BEFORE

 

LIVING ROOM AFTER

 

DINING AREA BEFORE

DINING AREA AFTER
 
  
 

Showing Your Assets When Selling

No...not those assets...but that's important too...

Successful staging involves using your home's assets to your advantage.  Whether it's an open floor plan, outdoor entertaining space, or a gorgeous kitchen, buyers should always be able to see what makes your particular house special...and by special, I of course mean worth your full asking price!

This particular home had a master bedroom that, while somewhat low on square footage, had a vaulted ceiling that made the space feel a lot more spacious than it was in actuality.  However, the non-descript bed, distracting artwork, and generally disheveled appearance made that important selling point easy to miss.  The expansive windows also lacked interest and were also easily missed.

As is often the case, the solution was both simple and inexpensive!  I made the bed a focal point by adding a headboard ($40 from Goodwill and spray painted black), coordinating side tables (Target), contemporary table lamps (a Craigslist find), and narrow, vertical mirrors (Wal-Mart).  A chic black Starbust-inspired mirror and a few coordinating throw pillows finish the space to create a neutral, but very chic motif.  The windows were brought back to life by opening the blinds to let in natural light and by adding tailoired gray window panels (Ikea of course!).

All in, this bedroom makeover cost less than $350 and transformed an otherwise uninspired bedroom into a buyer-worthy retreat!

BEDROOM BEFORE

BEDROOM AFTER:

Use What You Have: Dining Room Edition

Long time no blog...to those lovely few (and hopefully growing) who eagerly await my posts, my sincere apologies!  I've been busy attempting to cram copious amounts of midterm information into a brain that really just wants to be online shopping...oh, and there's the obese cat that I spontaneously adopted that's eating up my spare time (lots of extra vacuuming). Her name is Velcro...and no,I didn't name her...

So, that being said, I'm pulling a project from the vault.  One of my absolute favorite staging, and really general design tricks, is using paint and upholstery to reinvent otherwise dated furniture.  It's really a simple concept and in the era of 'green' design, it's an especially easy way to reduce your environmental impact while still pursuing great design.

Below are a couple of dining room sets that were completely transformed with just a little bit of paint and fabric. The great thing about dining room sets?  Most of the chairs have very basic upholstery, so with the help of a staple gun, even the most basic DIY-er can replicate these ideas!

A few helpful hints when painting (because I've made every mistake in the book in the past):

• Always start by sanding down wood pieces.  100 grit sandpaper and a hand sander should do the trick in most cases, unless you need to sand down a lot of nicks and scratches.  In that case, opt for sandpaper that is a little bit more coarse.
• Primer is essential.  Shellac is always a great (albeit smelly) option, but you can keep it simple by using a wood primer from a spray can.
• In terms of paint, lacquer and enamel are great options for furniture and give a solid, long-lasting finish. 
• Finally, don't forget to use a clear polyurethane top coat to seal the pieces from damage, wear and tear.

So, whether you're looking for an inexpensive dining area update to spruce up your real estate listing or need a quick, but affordable change for your home on a day-to-day basis, get inspired with the ideas below!

 

     BEFORE         AFTER

    BEFORE           AFTER


 
   BEFORE              AFTER

Cool Coffee Table Vignettes

Staging, and for that matter, much of everything design-related, is all about the details.  Whether it’s a table-scape, desktop, or countertop, the right accessories can really make or break the look and feel of a room.   So today I explore coffee tables…

Now, if you’re anything like me, your coffee table is the place where dinner and drinks rest comfortably, but not much else.  Okay, technically I do keep a stack of magazines and, when entertaining, a tall vase of white gladiolas on my West Elm coffee table, but I still think it could be spiced up a little!

So to inspire both myself, as well as anyone else who hopes that this or her coffee table can do more than function as a foot stool and secondary dinner table, here are some clever, simple ways to create a stunning coffee table vignette.

1) Sets of three: Unify sets of objects by color in order to create a cohesive theme.

Photo: www.globalviews.com

2) Trays: Use trays to create a collection of items and add life with splashes of botanical.

 

Photo: Pottery Barn

3) Varying Heights: Try using items of different heights and scales to create contrast and structure.

 

Photo: Overstock.com

4) Repetitive themes: Use one item or object in repetition to create a collective focal point.

*As a side note, there are more apples on this table than I've eaten over the course of my entire life...unless we're counting apple martinis...

Photo: Pottery Barn

5) Minimalist approach: Keep things simple with a neutral bowl and a small assortment of decorative balls.

Photo: Restoration Hardware

6) Floral Frivolity:  Pair a monochromatic floral arrangement with a few well-appointed books and a conversation piece to create a more formal setting.

Photo: Williams Sonoma Home

And most importantly, don't forget to leave plenty of room for actually using the surface of your table!  After all, how else are you going to combine design with dinner, drinks, and HGTV-viewing?

Staging 101: Find A Function!

One of the biggest errors homeowners make when selling their home is letting valuable square footage go to waste...

When selling, every room should have a very clear, obvious, and specific function...otherwise, why is the buyer paying for your specific floor plan?  Staging, of course, is the perfect way to show buyers exactly how and why your home is the perfect lifestyle solution for prospective buyers!

Take this bedroom loft as an example...okay let's start with the obvious...dare I ask why, in the before picture, there is a bare mattress sitting on the floor??? Technically speaking, I do see a function...but perhaps not the function a family-friendly buyer is envisioning...or perhaps it's just my sick mind! I don't ask the questions here people, I simply find the solutions!

This adorable town home had a major selling point: a 12'x14' loft located above the master bedroom.  This was a unique feature for this neighborhood, which meant that it really needed to show well for potential buyers.  I myself have never had the luxury of a loft space above my bedroom.  In fact, I'm quite happy with the fact that I no longer live in my old Georgetown studio from college days where my bedroom existed in conjunction with my living, dining, and even entry space...I'm sure many of us DC types have been there...

That being said, the loft, in my opinion, seemed like the perfect adult escape from screaming kids, dirty laundry, surprisingly-difficult-grade-school-math-homework, and all of the other joys that (so I've heard) come with kids and family. 

All in, this space cost less than $300.  With a pair of chairs and coffee table from Goodwill (transformation tips forthcoming), a $99 'futon' from Target (don't miss my former boss and fave Target style expert's tips here: http://style.target.com/tag/sabrina-soto/) and a few inexpensive accessories, a once-questionable loft space was transformed from sketchy to serene with minimal effort!

LOFT BEFORE:

LOFT AFTER:

Like this futon?  It's available here: http://www.target.com/dp/B003BS641C/ref=sc_iw_r_12_0_360124011

Throw pillow are available here: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/187-0639807-4587967?asin=B0027F0VNM&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0027F0VNM&CPNG=home&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B0027F0VNM&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

From 'Bachelor Pad' to 'Best on the Block'

I know men...I love men...I mean really, they have their benefits...

Having said that, heterosexual men are not usually the best designers, particularly when it comes to decking out their bachelor pad.  In my experience, there are three themes to any 'man cave':

1) Overstuffed sofas - is there some sort of rule out there that guys' sofas have to be massively-cushioned leather monstrosities???  No matter the size of the room, it seems that guys have to fill it with as much seating as is humanly possible...

2) A prominent, ridiculously-over-sized flat screen tv - again, why?  I get that you want to see the screen, but when the tv is larger than your girlfriend, it's too big!

3) 'Artwork' (aka odd travel, political, or beer paraphernalia) that is hung far too high for any female to view at eye level.

I could provide ya'll with endless examples of said bachelor pads...but instead, I will show you how to take one from bachelor to beautiful with just a few easy updates. 

***As a a side note, let me preface these before and afters by stating that this client was, quite possibly, one of the coolest and most down-to-earth bachelors I've met in a long time.  He's about to embark on an around-the-world trip and his home, while not buyer-friendly, was truly a reflection of his diverse experiences...so in short, while the client was great, his living room needed a bit of a lady's touch!

Check out what a few neutral pieces of furniture, simple accessories, and a new furniture arrangement can do to make a room completely buyer-friendly!

LIVING ROOM BEFORE:

  

LIVING ROOM AFTER: