Have you ever had a thought, and when you started to look into it, it lead you to something related, but different? That's what happened to me when I was putting together my post for the January blog collaboration with Olioboard. Today I'm joining nine design bloggers and home stagers to discuss home staging! The point of view I was going to take was staging for the seasons, but then I remembered a post I had done called Lifestyling & Visualizing a Vacancy. I wrote the post in May 2010. I had only been blogging for six months -- and I had not yet learned about Olioboard. I wanted to demonstrate how I would stage a vacant home I had toured during an open house... but all I had were separate Realtor's photographs of the space, a rough hand drawn sketch of the layout I did, and a view inspirational images plus the items I was suggesting. I remember struggling to get the flow of words right so that the readers could see my vision. Two months later, I discovered Olioboard -- Two years later... OH THE POSSIBILITIES for Realtors and Stagers!
Above: Olioboard Online Room Staging
Below: The naked listing - A space void of purpose & lifestyle.
Realtors and Stagers can really benefit from having professional or wide-angle lens photos taken of a listing - especially if the listing is vacant. We've all seen the shows on HGTV: Clear the clutter, open the windows, let light in - but to a buyer skimming through photo's online, they may not be able to imagine how an empty space would look with their furniture, or any furniture.
That is why staging is so important for the sale of a house: Having furniture in place gives a room function & purpose. The furniture gives a point of reference to a buyer to know what will - or won't - fit into a space.
And where do people go FIRST when they are deciding to buy a home or not? They shop online. All the more reason to create excitement in a vacant space with Online Room Staging!
When a house has historical value to add, you really want to enhance those attributes, charm and character. For example, the amazing mosaic tile work for the Hollywood (FL) home built in 1936 is a fantastic inspiration for not only interior colors, but the exterior as well.
The french door here at the back of the house can be seen from from the front of the house when standing in the living room, and looking through the dining space: CALL THEM OUT with a simple coat of black paint for an INSTANT 'Focal Point' :)
The pitch in the roof creates a triangular effect on the wall: The best shape to place in a triangle is a circle. This also helps to draw the eye up and enjoy the volume in the space. Layering in tall plants, especially palms in Florida, here bring the outside in and also draw the eye up.
Speaking of looking up, the existing ceiling fans are a functional plus to a sunroom - no need to switch them. For ambient lighting, combine different light levels around the room from: floor lamps, table lamps and up lights in corners.
Windows need not only be framed or covered with panels alone: decorative screens can help diffuse light, give privacy, and add a touch of pattern, which here relates back to the Mosaic tile floor.
Using an ombre rug merges both the b&w in the space without it being a graphic pattern or solid. Going for a round rug vs. a rectangle helps anchor the flow of conversation by floating the chairs in the center of the room. Can be used with slipper chairs, club chairs or if space (& budget) permit: go for four chair & a 1/2 from C&B.
Pulling together the look of before and after is as easy as uploading the vacant space to Olioboard, and using it as your board backdrop, sourcing product images, and even a few Pinterest images can help buyers see the potential of the living space.
(my sketch from 2010)
Here's the (vacant) view from the back of the house (sunroom) through the dining space, just off the kitchen, and next to the door to the garage...
No windows in the narrow dining space and no chandelier, but easy to remedy (in real life for design or for home staging):
1. Open up the narrow space with mirrors. Simple black frames will relate back through to the sunroom black painted french doors.
2. Have a certified electrician add a junction box & canopy in the ceiling, centered to the fabulous deco arch. Keep the feel natural & neutral with a double-drum woven chandy.
3. Not all details were meant to be salvaged: switch out the 1930's sconce for a little black + bling.
Add a simple touch of nature with green grasses for the centerpiece and floor basket.
The floor covering through the dining area and living room are all
Cuban-Spanish tiles - a touch of Spanish heritage can work in the
livingroom, but for the dining space, add a little Miami flare with a
patterned woven rug and stud details on leather chairs. Go grand with grey linen slip cover hostess chairs...
See how the words yes can paint a picture? But having a board set with the described room can speak louder than the words And just think: No furniture to order - no back to break.
Realtors would be able to print the staged space onto their property marketing brochures. For Stagers, online staging projects can help pick up where some staging projects may have dropped due to the economy, short sales and even foreclosures.
Now on to the living room...
Although the white ceiling fans can help circulate the sea air (this house was in Hollywood, off the Inter-coastal), I'd switch the ceiling fans for a pair of carriage chandelier's from Ballard Designs.
An "L" shaped sofa floating in the center works for lounging by the fire, drinks and convos with friends or watching TV. The fireplace surround is a deco relief. Although it still has some of it's color, it could be painted cloud white.
White works well in this
space and is a huge part of the South Florida lifestyle. The white
stucco walls, some curved, work, or all the spaces could be painted
shades of pale grey or sage green...
Not just for Designers, but for homeowners, buyers, sellers, Realtor's and Home Stagers...
I saw the listing in May 2010, but it was originally listed in 2009. While writing this post I learned the place had sold in 2011. It was interesting to see the images - with furniture - from the new owners, who had listed it (or the bank did) again in 2012...
The Real Estate listing photos I used were by
When I saw the house, Joan had said the house was 'just' freshly painted (SMH) I said (to myself - the wrong color: a better choice would have been calmer)... Maybe even a lighter value of the green from the fireplace or grey with white trim...
So I was SO HAPPY to see the new owners REpainted the house...
BUT... I wasn't happy to see they converted the deco arch to a square....
And I guess the owners took their own pictures for the listing... and you can see a HUGE difference: The place doesn't show as large as it is... plus: too much clutter for selling (too many personal pictures, candle holders and I don't know what on the fireplace)
Doing your own staging to sell is great when tackling some of projects for updating:
- Refresh dated existing furniture "sets" with a new finish & hardware.
- Update 80's yellow brass finishes with Rustomleum's oil-rubbed bronze.
- Lighted up heavy brick fireplaces with a new fitting or paint.
- Update tired & dated oak cabinets in white, grey, espresso or black + remove some door to help lighten the look.
Here's a few additional DIY posts to help with staging + my own experience staging and selling our townhome in Florida...
Thank you so much for stopping by today! This was a (mini) blast from the past, to revisit an existing project and do it in a new way. I hope it was helpful!
Online Staging can be a lead to styling the house after the buyers move in.
For TONS more staging help, fun & tips, head over to these fabulous ladies to take in their perspective on Home Staging for today's Home Staging - Before & After OlioHop!
January 2013 OlioHop Banner created by Frances Newman.
Marilyn G. Russell
Ronique Gibson
Linda Merrill
Roslyn Ashford
Frances Newman
Stephanie Weeks
Kristie Barnett
BONUS: Also see Kristie's post at HOUZZ:
and the corporate blog of
Connect with Olioboard + its creative community members on
Thanks again for stopping by!
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