by Michelle Lynne

We Have Relocated!

2011-08-14T15:15:00.000-05:00

In all the excitement of our new website, I almost forgot that our blog was relocated too! Please check us out HERE and subscribe to our new format.

www.bymichellelynne.com/blog

Hope to see you soon!

Pantry Style

2011-07-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's been busy AND hot around here...and I'm not one of those pretty people who don't sweat so I can guarantee you there will be no photos of ME on this blog anytime soon.

But here are some photos a client sent me today. You may think photos of a pantry are a "random" topic, but we did a Walk & Talk with her last month and today she sent me photos of what she accomplished since we walked through her house as she took TO DO notes. This is a perfect example of what a staged pantry should look like:

Notice how everything faces forward?

Keep "like" with "like" items. This side has her medications and spices.
The other side you saw had her food items.

Keep as much off the floor as possible, and what must stay should be consolidated.

Why go through so much effort you may wonder? The buyers won't be buying the FOOD in the pantry so why should it be organized? It should be organized so that the buyers have confidence that if you put this much effort into maintaining your PANTRY, imagine how well you have maintained the big stuff in the house...HVAC, foundation, etc. etc. etc.

Staging isn't just about making a home pretty...it's about making it SELL!

Thanks, Dads!

2011-06-17T12:54:00.001-05:00

So what does celebrating Father's Day have to do with design or anything related to interiors? After all, Dad usually has the majority of influence outside of the main living area - you know, the grill, the garage, the uh, what else? In my house, the hubs definitely has an opinion (but that is a WHOLE 'nother blog post) but I'm still "in charge" of the interior. Thankfully too, since I'm a professional. haha. Back to my point: in honor of Father's Day, I'm reminiscing of growing up with two amazing fathers and how they both influenced me in relation to my business as well as my style for decorating & maintaining a household.

First there is my "real" dad, aka Daddy. He has a military background and is very (very) organized. One of my earliest memories is him telling my brother & I "we have rules"...whether it be how the bathroom towels were folded and put away (even though it was my mom who did the laundry?) to where the tub of margarine went in the refrigerator and so forth. His garage is always organized immaculately, and you never have to search for anything - everything was and is always put away where it belongs. So Daddy definitely influenced my Type A-ness and I both love & curse him for that. I love love love for everything to have it's place, and for everything to be in it's place in my home. It just takes me to my happy place. BUT I've had to tone done that not-always-attractive-personality-trait a little bit since getting married myself...I don't want to be a naaaaaag and the hubs didn't grow up in a house with the same "rules". Although he does admit that it's been nice to be able to find his keys, wallet, and pocket change since I installed a sort of basecamp slash charging station close to the door for him....

And then there is my second (step) dad, aka Tommy. He & my mom got married just before I went into high school so he was around for my let's-push-the-limits-and-see-what-I-can-get-away-with phase. Lucky him, huh? hee hee! Well, he was in law enforcement (lucky me, right? OY) and was quite unflappable and of course, always had Command Presence (if you're not sure what that is, click HERE for a good description). He was so calm, in fact, that he had to teach me how to drive instead of my mom, because I made her such a nervous wreck behind the wheel. Sorry Mom! Tommy not only taught me how to drive, but he also taught me to maintain a level head in the midst of chaos. This is definitely helpful with staging because something ALWAYS goes wrong with an installation. But when the unpredictable happens, I just remind myself and my staff that "we're just working in the living room...not the emergency room...nobody is going to die on our project". That keeps things in perspective, don't you think? Tommy taught me that even if something IS out of place at home (ahem, refer to my Type A-ness in the aforementioned paragraph) to keep it in perspective and peacefully live with it - at least until I have the chance to get it back into place. It's all about balance, people.

So thanks to both of my dads. I'm blessed to have been loved & raised by two amazing men who influenced me in more ways than I could ever include in this little ol' blog. But my heart is filled with love for them every day, and especially this Sunday. BIG BIG HUGS!

This is the three of us together before they walked me down the aisle a few years ago.

Hmmm...does anybody else notice that they aren't wearing the same tie? I don't remember that. You know mis-matched ties is enough to make a Type A girl crazy. But not this girl. Thanks, Dads!

Contemporary Staging

2011-06-09T14:13:00.000-05:00

In case you're not a "fan" on my Facebook Page (which you really should be if you're reading this blog), here is our most recent project:

My Facebook album with these pictures has captions with comments on each from yours truly with insight to the project as well as staging tips. Check it out and "Like" us HERE.

Kicking Brass!

2011-06-01T07:38:00.000-05:00

Do you have one of those bright gold, brass colored fireplace screens? You know what I'm talking about. It's circa the 1980's and looks something like this:

This baby catches your eye as soon as you walk into the room and screams "LOOK AT ME". It's kind of like when you get a blemish on your chin and it's all you can see when you look in the mirror, no matter how good of a hair day you're having. I know that doesn't just happen to me....

Anywaaaaaay, what can do if you don't want to replace it altogether? Maybe you're moving and don't want to sink $100+ into replacing it or maybe you're just sick of looking at it and have to have an alternative NOW. Regardless, here is an easy solution in less than 10 steps and less than $10!

Remove the screen.
Wipe it down to get rid of the dust - use a lint free cloth.
Mask off the windows with painter's tape & cover the glass with a brown paper bag or newspaper.
Use a very low grade sandpaper and rough the brass up just a little.
Use a can of heat-resistant spray paint and give this baby a makeover! I would suggest layering a black and a bronze colored textured paint so you have a little visual interest. Rustoleum brand has quite a few to choose from - just make sure it's heat resistant.
Hold the can about 18" from the brass and spray in long, even strokes.
Let each layer dry before adding the next coat (heavy black layer, light bronze layer, light black layer). Be careful not to spray too much - you don't want drips!

For less than $10 you have a lovely new fireplace screen that will help your sale or your sanity from going up in smoke!

These Headboards Won't Leave You Bored

2011-05-23T13:39:00.001-05:00

What do these two headboards have in common? If you can't tell right away, that is a good thing because both are hand made. If you look closely, you can tell the top photos is the first time we installed it...it's hung a little high.

We are always looking for ways to save our clients money without losing the aesthetics of the final product. And when it comes to those homes that are not at a mid to high list price, it's a difficult balance! So being the born value hunter that I am, I knew there had to be a better solution than to require a full headboard. Why bother? Well, since you asked...it's because if I have to pay a higher price to purchase a full headboard, I have to turn around and charge the client a higher price (in order to stay in business for the long run). And while using art is sometimes a good solution, it isn't always a cost effective solution - because decent looking art ain't cheap.

So look closely - sorry I don't have better close ups, but in general I think they look like nice upholstered headboards, don't you?

Chocolate brown microsuede.

Khaki microsuede with chocolate colored button tufts.

Both of these headboards were made out of foam board wrapped in batting and covered in 2 yard of fabric. The idea wasn't mine. Wish I could claim the brilliance but instead, two of my fabulous staff members came up with and created these two gorgeous headboards. That is why the top one is named the "Danielle" and the bottom one is named the "Maria". They are both adhered to the wall with the velcro Command Strips so there is no damage to the walls and can be hung at any level. How cool is that?

This second headboard REALLY came in handy because we had to hang it below the light fixture that was attached to the wall AND bow it gently around the fixture as it came up from the wall. A regular headboard would have protruded and left a big ol' gap between it and the wall and let me tell you, folks, THAT would have made my Type A and OCD-ness kick in in a not-so-pretty frenzy. Whew. Crisis averted.

Have you ever created a headboard? And if so, what did you use? Show us your pictures if you've got any!

A True Staging Story

2011-05-21T15:35:00.001-05:00

Once Upon A Time...I spent 3 - 4 hours with a real estate agent for a listing at the W Residences. We discussed the psychology of staging and how to maximize an almost $2M listing so there isn't money left on the table when the transaction is done, we discussed dating, food and comfortable shoes as well as how to lead the buyer through the property and create the desire to purchase this specific unit compared to others with the same floor plan. And when she wondered what that big, white arc looking thing was outside the window of this residence, I verbally outlined the surrounding neighborhoods, told her about the Trinity River Project and the Calatrava Bridge that was being constructed. (She lives in Houston and didn't know about these details.)

I REALLY thought we had a good rapport and connection - she even invited me to have drinks with her & her friend on the balcony of the soon-to-be-listed property that evening. I wasn't able to join her for drinks but thanked her and we stayed in touch via text for the weekend because she was in from out of town and staying in the unit, helping the owner clean out his personal belongings.

Within 24 hours of meeting her, I tell her I want the business and submit my highly competitive Proposal.

Flash forward 1 day: I call to confirm receipt of said Proposal; leave a voicemail.

No response.

Flash forward 2 days: I text to confirm receipt of said Proposal.

No response.

Flash forward 3 days: I email to confirm receipt of said Proposal.

No response.

Flash forward 2 weeks: Maybe she had a family emergency or was involved in an accident and hadn't been able to respond to me. I leave a voicemail saying something along the lines of such concern and to let me know any feedback on said Proposal - even if she opted to go with another staging firm.

Flash forward 1 month: I feel like a crazy ex-girlfriend calling again, but I do it anyway. This job would be great for my portfolio AND the exposure. I didn't see it listed on MLS anywhere yet....maybe there is hope.

Sigh. No response.

Flash forward 2 months (yesterday): I call and leave another voicemail "just wondering whatever happened to the listing AND by the way, I have a referral for you in Houston. Give me a call whenever you get the chance. Hope all is well...."

Flash forward to today: Curiosity gets me back onto MLS and lo and behold the property is listed UNSTAGED (?!). (I'm not going to post the listing, because I'm not here to punish the seller for the real estate agent's lack of professionalism or simple courtesy.) The property is VERY taste specific: one room has a purple wall, the living area has an orange / black / gold "sponged" wall, there are stenciled "motivational quotations" on another, and the master suite has a round leather bed that sits alone with no other furniture or accessories in the space AND it resembles a bed from either The Jetson's or Dirk Diggler. Really? This is how you're merchandising a $1.9M condo in the W???

I'm thoroughly disappointed with the lack of manners this agent has. She wasted my time and hers and is doing her seller a huge disservice by marketing the property "as is". But I'm done with this. This crazy ex-girlfriend is never calling again. No ill will, and no judgement, right? Deep calming breath. Inhale. Delete the agent's phone number, remove the "auto fill" email address and wish her luck. Exhale.

But like the crazy ex-girlfriend, I wonder "what could I have done differently"? Sigh.

Flokati-Me-Not

2011-05-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

I generally like to share good ideas and show pretty pictures of successful design / stagings / solutions, etc. but in this instance, I'm gonna tell you what NOT to do.

Let me start by saying we have a Flokati rug in our master bath. It's warm, cozy, and withstands the wet feet as we pad across the bathroom from the shower. Best of all, it's easy to care for with my dog's brush and the cold, hand-wash (light to no spin) cycle of our front loading washer. What is a Flokati rug, you ask? I'm glad you asked.

The origin of the modern day Flokati was a serendipitous moment. I won't go into all the history, but it is interesting, and you can read about it HERE. But for those of you who like pretty pictures, here is a photo of the natural, white Greek rug:

Obviously, this isn't a photo of the rug in my bathroom.
This photo is courtesy of The Real Rug Company.

As I mentioned, I love our Flokati rug because it's cozy on the feet and easy to maintain. Well...it's easy to maintain when you are paying attention.

Here is what ours now looks like as it's drying in the sun after one of those "easy" washes:

Let me give you a better visual. This is what it is supposed to look like up close:

Ooooohhhhh...FURRY!
Again, not our rug. Photo courtesy of shag-arearugs.net.

Here is a close up of our sad Flokati. It doesn't look quite as inviting to the bare bottoms of your feet, does it? Sigh.

This is an even closer upper of the sadness:

What happened to cause such devastation? Simply put, I washed it in hot water. AND it got spun. I wasn't thinking! Oh, the depravity! The Moose went tinkle on his furry Flokati friend and all I was thinking about was the sanitary aspects of walking across the rug in my bare feet...hence, the hot cycle. Another deep sigh. If I just woulda / coulda / shoulda just added some natural bleach to kill the ick and run it on a cold cycle with low or no spin, it would still be pretty.

But how can you be mad at a pooch with a face like this:

This is his embarrassed look.
He knew he's was a bad boy.

So what items have you ruined by not paying attention to what you were doing at the time? And have I told you about the sweater of my husband's that I shrank shortly after we were married? I think it might have fit The Moose (aka "Maximuus") it was so small...which is a minor miracle since my hubs is 6'3" and not prone to being mistaken as skinny.

Paint By Numbers

2011-05-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

Ever see an episode of (anything) on HGTV where they pick a color, slap it on the wall and it looks great? Let me tell you, folks: THEY LIE. Real life isn't so easy. Try it and you'll find that 9 out of 10 times the paint doesn't look just like the paint swatch you chose, and then the sun will shift and it will look even MORE different than what it looked like the hour before.

So recently the hubs and I have agreed to paint our main living areas. We've been in the house for over three years and since the house was "move in ready", we were able to move right in without having to do (much) work. But a few months ago, we came home and all of a sudden our walls looked to me like they were a pinky peach color!? So in passing, I mentioned it and like a bad song that gets stuck in your head, it's all we can think about whenever we are in the living room, dining room, stairway or hallway...pretty much our WHOLE living area now screams the question "Am I peach or am I pink?". Our response: "Whatever you are, YO UGLY!".

Obviously, something had to be done.

We started by picking a palette of grays and swatch-ed them around the space. Why gray? Because it wasn't beige. I wanted a little more style and love the neutral yet edgy look of gray. So the first five stripes on this wall were all shades of gray from Sherwin Williams. We lived with them striping various walls around the space for a couple of days, and then decided they looked a little to industrial for what we were wanting (and I quote the hubs "it looks like a cinder block prison") so we went back to the drawing board.

Doesn't the wall look peachy-pinky?! EW.

Here are the colors (all from Sherwin Williams) in order of the first five stripes on the wall. See what I mean? They don't look ANYTHING like the swatches on this wall. Granted, part of it is my camera, your monitor, and so forth, but we stood back and had to do a double take.

7022 Alpaca

7023 Requisite Gray

6022 Essential Gray

7024 Functional Gray

6001 Grayish

Here are 2 more striped walls to compare with. I mean, really? The top & bottom stripes (#1 & #5) look almost white on this wall, don't they?

This wall doesn't get direct sunlight, it's between two windows.

Yes, I'm busted. That IS an ugly brass doorknob. We just haven't gotten around to changing them out yet....
But staying on point, THIS wall has all sorts of natural light.

So the next three colors we got are the bottom three stripes:

7037 Balanced Beige
(Yes, it IS the "b" word.)

7044 Amazing Gray

7030 Anew Gray

They ware all starting to look the same so this is how we kept track of the paint stripes:

Back to the basics, folks. We really are painting by numbers....

We think we've decided on one or maybe even two. And need to make a decision soon because the painter comes next week.

Which stripe do YOU like?

Open Sesame

2011-05-09T17:06:00.000-05:00

Recently my hubs & I went to California to visit with family for a few days and then celebrate our 3rd anniversary. We spent our special day on Catalina Island, as he had never been and it has been YEARS since I was there. (As a side note, I'm glad they let me return because the last time I was there, I had a few too many cocktails and had a field day at the local karaoke bar...R-E-S-P-E-C-T never sounded so bad!)

We were both enamored with this little island paradise. This is what we saw as we arrived via ferry. Doesn't it look a little like a European port?

So charming! Even in the overcast weather.

We rented electric bikes (neither of us felt like getting a workout trying to maneuver the hills with a regular bike) and headed up to the Wrigley Memorial & Conservancy:

The Wrigley Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr., who lived from 1861 to 1932. Although best known as the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world, he also played an instrumental role in the history of Catalina Island. He truly loved the island, and READ MORE

Once we got up the 999,999 stairs, this was the view. We had to pause to catch our breath. Confession: the main reason we opted for the electric bikes is because we're horribly out of shape right now. The trek up the stairs confirmed it.

Say cheese:

My true love.

And here is the "design-ish" portion of this blog post (had to get it in SOMEWHERE) because I was in love with these doors and was the inspiration for the blog title. I took about 20 other photos but I think this is my favorite. I just love the idea that once you cross the threshold you're somewhere else. And between the ornate doors and the stairs, my imagination goes wild.

Look at the detail!!!

So once we got up even MORE stairs through those doors (you can't see, but you make a right hand turn and go up another flight), this is what you see inside the memorial. Gorgeous, isn't it?

And finally after a few more cheesy photos of ourselves that I'll spare you from, we came back down into "town" as it was time for lunch. Sadly, it remained overcast but on the bright side (pun intended) it didn't get very hot as we "pedaled" our way around the island.

We ate at The Lobster Trap, which was delish and the perfect ending to a perfect day. Props to the team there for amazing food & service.

If you are looking for a quaint vacation spot, this place is full of B&B's. We might just return on our next anniversary...and never come home.

(Oh, and in case you're wondering, no, I did not get paid or perked to plug the island!)

Real Estate in The PK

2011-05-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

We have all heard the news about Osama's capture and demise, but did you catch the part that he was found in a $1,000,000 mansion? Yeah, after Sunday night's dramatic raid, a senior administration official told reporters that the property, an "extraordinarily unique compound" in an "affluent suburb", was valued at around $1m. Really?

Is Pakistan's real estate market in a bubble or what? Maybe the $1m includes the ~~guards~~ servant staff:

If you were a real estate agent, how would you describe this "unique compound" and it's "affluent neighborhood"? I don't think Shakespeare could even put a good spin on that write up:

How about some exterior paint, new windows and some flower boxes?

Nice peeling concrete wall, dude. Where is the curb appeal?

Wow - the traffic in this neighborhood keeps getting worse. Is this rush hour?

Looks to me like they need to review their appraisal processes in The PK. Just sayin.

And has anybody found interior images? I'd love to know what direction the interior designer took....

Less is Best

2011-04-25T11:29:00.000-05:00

Clutter must go! Not only does it make your house feel small but it also makes it very unappealing. Additionally, clutter gives a prospective buyer a lost visual of the home. Decluttering is simply by removing, storing unnecessary decor, organizing closests, removing small knick knacks, and eleminating furniture. Although you may not have the view of a ready-to-sale decor home, a stager can help find the clutter in your home. No worries, this doesn't mean that you have to buy or rent new furniture or accessories, it simply means getting rid of far more in your home than bringing on to properly stage your home to sell.

Remember....clear the clutter and refresh your home! Home staging can come in and work with the flow of your home and eleminate clutter so you can move on to your next chapter.

Davis Dialogues

Life is Good........Re-Design is Better!

2011-04-22T12:07:00.000-05:00

Just when you think life is good, you sit back sipping on your cup of tea or glass of wine and you look around and think..... I need a different lifestyle. You have become overly comfortable with your surroundings and you are desperately wanting a change. You don't want to spend money you don't have but you desparately want to change your living space. So, what do you do? REARRANGE!!!!

Now, the question is, how do you it? That's where we come in, let us help you with a few simple techniques that will help you get a NEW look on little to no budget at all.

Re-arrange: Use your own furniture and re-arrange it within the room. You give it a completely different feel and yet, you have spent zero dollars on fancy new furniture.

Paint: The most inexpensive and easiest way to dramatically change a look in any room. For that added "Wow" factor, get creative and add decorative stencils.

Repurpose: Use the decor you have and relocate them to different rooms in the house. Take unused fancy bowls and turn them into elegant planters.

Bring in the green: Those beautiful planters that have been meticulously cared for that are sitting outside...BRING 'EM IN! Put them throughout the house to give empty spaces color and life.

Be a magician: If you can't afford a new couch, disguise it. Cover it with an inexpensive slip cover and add new throw pillows. That pesky stain on the carpet.....cover it with an inexpensive rug!

Dollar days: Go on a scavenger hunt at the local dollar stores for decorative items. Inexpensive picture frames filled with candid photos of your family can add personality to any space in your home.

Excited about your new space now?? Let us do the work and make your home a showplace!

Spring-time or Stage-time Cleaning?

2011-04-13T06:34:00.000-05:00

Both!

Take the urge to purge and go with it if you're considering putting the house on the market. Not only should you go through all of your closets and donate the clothes that don't fit, are out of date, or just don't get worn anymore but you should do the same in your kitchen, garage, linen closets, and any other nook or cranny where you stash stuff.

You will also need to really scrub your space like your mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service because it should be THAT squeaky clean and many of us don't have the time / ability / desire to roll our sleeves up that far. Recognize this guy? It's who you need.

When people walk through your house, they are going to be snooping so get ready for them. They are going to judge the quality of your house by the way you keep it. It might not make sense to you that the cat fur sticking to your walls (actual photo below) should indicate the upkeep of the big stuff like foundations & electrical systems but buying a house isn't always logical. So clean the cat too.

Selling Sanity

2011-04-05T06:28:00.000-05:00

Selling a home these days is not as simple as it was in the past. Buyers are more savvy. Technology has created a world of stimulation, instant access and information overload. These are all good things to have from a daily consumer perspective but it also requires today's seller to play into that same world. Good staging will provide the visual stimulation consumers are used to seeing (think movie sets, department stores, well organized web sites) while also creating a sense of CALM.

Having a general color scheme throughout the property can change the feeling of chaos, brought on by the process of home buying (and everyday life!) and help relax the buyer as they walk through your house. I'm not talking "matchy matchy" by decorating with only one or two colors, or with obviously matching accessories throughout the property -- but rather leading a buyer's eyes through the rooms with a complementary palette of colors. This visual stream throughout the space will unconsciously provide them with the idea that if they lived here, they'd always come home to that same feeling of serenity....

And while you & I both know that you can't actually buy sanity (at least not without a prescription) - good staging CAN sell it!

Safe & Sound!

2011-03-28T11:25:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday!

I'm sure you have received emails about the career criminals and the "tips" they have shared about what made them successful at breaking & entering homes - so this post may be redundant but I received it from my homeowner's association and thought it worthy of sharing. Please take just a quick moment to review and if nothing else, I hope it just reminds you to set your alarm the next time you leave the house:

1- Keep your valuables in a safe or disguised containers in the KITCHEN. This is the last place that thieves look . The first place is the MASTER BEDROOM.

2- Dont tell hairdresser / grocer / mail carrier / yard people or banker of your pending vacation. They may tell the wrong people. Ditto for NOT posting you excitement or details on Facebook or Twitter!

3- Keep boxes of newly purchased electronics, or appliances in black bags ready for bulk trash pickup. Don't let thieves know about your new possessions by putting the 50" television box on the curb in front of your house waiting for bulk trash pickup day.

4- Add security signs in your alley or back fence of your property. Mention there is visual monitering. Most of the time thieves enter through the back of your property. It takes ONLY 30 SECONDS to enter your property and the average time the thieves spend inside is less than 4 minutes.

5- Make sure your doorbell is working. Thieves, posing as solicitors, will ring bells. If no answer, they may think no one is home - perfect for thievery time.

6- Make sure your barking dog has a good view of the outside. Thieves avoid the home with the barking dog.

7- Make sure your mail / newspaper / and delivered packages are picked up daily. If you are on vacation, stop your mail & newspaper delivery for the duration and let a trusted friend or neighbor know to watch for and pick up any delivered packages.

8- Keep the shrubs trimmed away from the windows.

9- Make sure your alarm system is armed ALL the appropriate times. Homes with an alarm system, did not have it activated 90% of the time.

We will soon be in the summer vacation period so let's make it fun with only happy memories!

Michelle Lynne

Uncool

2011-03-18T08:16:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, I was visiting with a potential client who reads my blog and she said that she recognized a photo in an earlier post as one from a local competitor. It was in THIS post where I had written about stagers who just re-arrange or rent you furniture and call it staging. I had just been scooped on a bid by a local firm offering ridiculously low prices and was on my soapbox.

I still feel the same way about the topic the blog was written about but my point today is that I want to shout an apology from the rooftops because I did not farm this photo from the local firm's website, as that would be WAY uncool. (There is a little note at the bottom of the photos crediting the website where I found them.) I don't know which firm this originally came from but I offer them a huge mea culpa, as well as to my staff, clients, fellow members of the Real Estate Staging Association where I hold the position of VP of our local chapter, and of course, my reader base - because that is not the kind of person or business owner I am. There are over 65,000 active listings in DFW on the MLS today - more than plenty to go around between the professional stagers here without getting ugly about it, don't you agree? I have always operated on the philosophy "do what is right, the success will follow" and have trained my staff to do the same...I'm embarrassed that this could tarnish one of the most valuable tools I have in business and in life: my honor.

So, I am going back to the original post and removing it altogether. I am grateful to the person who brought it to my attention and thankful that she still gave me the opportunity to visit with her in her home.

And look...it's already becoming a hazy memory:

Thank you for understanding!

Out Take #1

2011-03-16T05:38:00.001-05:00

You know there are bound to be some out takes on the video series I'm creating so I thought I'd share the first one with you. As I learn how to edit, I'll be sure to share more because there have been MANY but I wasn't sure how to cut them so you only see the blooper and not have to watch the whole video until the funny part. Here is 13 seconds of silly:

There are new videos on my YouTube channel! Let me know if you want my autograph....

Lights! Camera! Action!

2011-03-14T08:13:00.000-05:00

It's the age of social media and immediate gratification so I thought I would produce a series of videos that anybody can access and hopefully garner some good home staging tips from. Let me tell you that this was not an easy exercise! You may not believe it, but I am actually a little shy...and very much camera shy so my self talk volume had to be turned up in order to get through these.

I've only completed two but hope to put together some more quickly so if you have any requests, please let me know. Here are the first two...don't laugh.

Here is the quick introduction to the series:

And here is the first video - chock full of information:

Do you think 7 minutes, 40 seconds is too long? Goodness knows it took me 99 takes to get one that was reasonably well understood so maybe 5 minute videos would be easier. What are your thoughts?

Spring Forward and SELL!!!

2011-03-11T08:34:00.000-06:00

Spring is the time we push our clocks forward and we all lose that precious hour of sleep. It is also a time when some people get the urge to clean and purge their home. So here we are….it’s spring -- are you ready to clean?!! Not only will your house SPARKLE but it will prepare you to get your house ready to put on the market. Here are a few helpful tips to help you clean up and get ready for potential home buyers:

Take a tour: Walk your home inside & outside as if you are thinking of buying it. Take notes in each room on things that need repair, repainted, or removed. You want to get your house back into the shape it was the day you moved in. If it is difficult to see your house objectively, consider hiring a professional – most stagers will do a walk through “consultation” with you for a nominal fee. This will help point out what you have learned to live with.

Enjoy the outdoors: Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and get the landscaping and the outside of your home back in shape. It's the first thing any potential home buyer will see when they drive up, so make sure the following is done:

A well manicured lawn is the first thing any potential buyer sees when they drive up. Colorful flowers in a bed of dark mulch, trimming your trees, as well as just sweeping off the front stoop.
Gutter, shutter & lighting repair. Look at your shingles or get a professional roofer to come and give you a free inspection…better to address a leaky roof now than when you’re negotiating the offer.
Don’t forget the back patio and any other outdoor areas that need refreshing. Often a good sweep or power-wash will work wonders!
Oh…and don’t forget to put out a fresh WELCOME mat.

De-clutter: An inexpensive and effective start is to go through each room and remove excess piles of paperwork, toys, or anything that is taking up too much space. You are selling real estate and the buyer has to see as much of it as possible so don’t clutter the corners!

Clean your closets and store out of season clothing in the attic or off site.
Do you have excess furniture that you just haven’t known what to do with? Toys your children have outgrown? Donate to your favorite charity or give to a friend…many will come and pick it up!
Make sure there are natural and W I D E enough walkways through the house. You are selling the space of the house, so make sure it feels like they are getting all of it!

Depersonalize: Home-buyers should be able to “see themselves” living in the house. It’s difficult to imagine that if there are an overwhelming number of heirlooms, collectibles or knick-knacks in each room.

Keep any collectibles or knick-knacks to a manageable amount of three.
If you must live with family photos, limit it to only those portraying “the good life” – action shots, vacations, award winning moments…and pack up the wedding & posed family portraits.
Any high value or irreplaceable items should be packed & stored so there is no worry of accidentally having it damaged during an Open House.

Deep Clean: Every inch should sparkle. This means getting rid of those cobwebs, dust bunnies, and strong odors. The house should be in tip top shape so make sure the baseboards, drapes, light fixtures and other "somewhat neglected" parts of the house get the love they need. Nobody wants to walk through a house and feel like they need to shower after they leave.

Garage help: Finally, don’t neglect the garage. Spend some more time outside enjoying the weather and organize it. It may not be a place that gets lived in but it is a major bonus spot and it should be open enough that home buyers can vision their own belongings in.

Awesome Garage!

Once you have mastered all of these tips I would say.......

Should I Sell Now?

2011-02-25T12:56:00.002-06:00

We have all heard the saying, "Buy low and sell high." However, with home sales in the dump these last couple of years it is hard to follow that advice if you really have to sell your home. However, National Association of Realtors just published this article today that states that existing home sales are up for the third month in a row and we are now above sales levels from a year ago. It may not be back exactly to where we would want them to be but three months of improvement sure does make me feel a bit better.

Deciding to sell your home can be a tough decision and there are lots of things you should consider. HGTV's Frontdoor (HGTV's very own website that allows you to search homes for sale!) put out an article that you can find here and it addresses many different things to think about when you are pondering putting your home for sale. One of my favorite things in this article is the fact that a lot of people most likely forget to consider ALL the costs that go into selling a home and they list out a TON of them. For example, in today's market did you know that you may possibly need to look into making your home more green?! A lot more home buyers today are concerned with how energy efficient a home is and how much money "being green" will save them. Bet you didn't think of that....I definitely didn't!!!

So you have now read the article and are ready to put your home for sale. Have you thought about how the house should follow the five senses when showing? Wait, what's that you say?! Yes, a home that shows well is a home that appeals to all five senses. Let me give you a few tips on how to appeal to the potential home buyer on a very basal level.

Sight: Make the home as bright as you possibly can! Open up all the blinds, turn on all the lights and make sure even the darkest corners get some love. It will make the home feel more open and larger. In this picture, all the lights are on and they even lit the pantry!

HGTV!

Smell: You want the house to smell like it just had the deepest cleaning ever. The clean smell elicits thoughts that the house has been taken care of and the new home buyer will not have a major cleaning chore on their hands, thus not wanting to buy the home. Many real estate agents have also said to me that any home that smelled like you just baked some sort of sweet goodness has a tendency of selling faster. We all love sweets!! If you don't have time, you can always get a scented candle that makes it smell like you had all the time in the world.

Hearing: Studies have shown that classical music can help when you are studying because it gets the brain active. I can't really explain the science behind it but they do know it helps with retention. You TOTALLY want a potential home buyer to remember your home right?!! Throw on the classical music station in the major rooms of the home and get those brain cells going.

Touch: We all know that home buyers are going to open cabinets, sit on couches, lean on counter tops and probably do more that we don't want to admit to. So, make sure all surfaces are clean and smooth, the couches are not covered in little crumbs from the kids crackers, and the floors are swept for those that like to take their shoes off.

And finally, Taste. Ok, so this sense may not be used when walking through a home. (At least you hope not...that would be a little awkward!) But you can utilize this sense by actually making that cake or those cookies and leaving them for those potential home buyers. They will love them and will definitely remember your house for the nice walk through snack!

All Stagers Are NOT Created Equally

2011-02-13T13:10:00.003-06:00

If you are shopping for a home stager, you should be sure to view their work and not just shop based upon price. Yes, price does play a part in any shopping expedition but when you are looking to transform your largest investment (your house), do you go to Wal Mart? I don't. But I don't go to Neiman Marcus either (no disrespect for either Wally World or Neiman's - both have a place in our shopping society).

Today's curb appeal starts on line and if you look worse than (or even "just like") the competition, you will lose priority to the listings with photos that merchandises itself to create EMOTION. After all, pricing will attract buyers but staging will attract offers.

So back to my department store analogy. Personally, my favorite department store is Nordstrom. Their service is amazing and their product is excellent while not being grossly overpriced. And their merchandising of their product is extraordinary - I want to take home everything I see. I want to BE that mannequin wearing the amazing boots and trendy sweater (I'd also like to be her size but that isn't going to happen, I enjoy eating way too much).

I DIGRESS...let's get back on point. Here are photos of what I'm referring to as the Wal Mart level of staging:

Adult Art on display?

Pillows in the center of the floor do not count as a substitute for a sofa.

*** REMOVED ***

Is that wall supposed to signify the stations of the cross as I make a pilgrimage to the refrigerator?

Big room? Or big red rug? I get the need for some color in the space but I'm getting DIZZY.

(Above photos are from Uglyhousephotos.com)

Now I am not claiming that we know everything there is about staging or that we are perfect in any way. But I do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. So check out the gallery or portfolio of the firm you're looking to enlist. If you see any of the photos above featured on their website, just know you're shopping at Wal Mart and you'll get what you pay for.

And for comparative purposes, THIS is our version of a traditional home's "Nordstrom" level staging:

If you want to shop Nordie's and not Wally World, please feel free to contact us for pricing.

We are at your service.

Oh, and if you want to see more amazing transformations, check out our YouTube channel, Facebook page and of course, our website.

Create Office Bliss

2011-02-11T11:34:00.003-06:00

Do you walk into your office, whether it be in your home or in an office building, and instantly feel overwhelmed with clutter and mess?!

Are you constantly searching for something and using up precious time??!!

Are you tired of feeling like nothing gets done because there is so much stacked up in piles on your desk?!!!!!!

Well folks, have no fear. For just one LOW LOW price of $19.95 YOU TOO can have an organized desk with the Desk Mate 3000....

HA! I really was starting to sound like an infomercial there huh? Ok, so I can't sell you a magic machine to organize your office space, but I can help you spend your time wisely to get organized and stay that way.

In my last post I talked about what financial information you should keep and for how long you should hold onto it. I also helped you set up an easy filing system in your cabinet. Now let us tackle the rest of your office. First, let's get three large bins and label them Keep, Trash, and Maybe. We want to keep the Maybe bin pretty empty and reserve only for things we're not sure if we can get rid of or not sure of where to keep it. We will organize that bin last. Also, if you work out of your home, you might want to create a fourth bin labeled, Not Office, for the things that really shouldn't be in your office. We want to create this bin so that you aren't constantly leaving your office during clean up to put these things away and take you away from the task at hand.

Ok, READY??!! Deep breath......let's go!

Sit at your desk and start going through the things that are within reaching distance. Whether it's paperwork, folders, trash, or office supplies, start sorting. Try and not spend too much time on any one item - we want to quickly make the decision which bin it goes into, otherwise this project could take too long, overwhelm you more, and then possibly stop you from finishing. Work your way to the edges of your desk and then to any other open surfaces in your office. We want to get all the visual spaces cleaned off first so you can see the headway you are making and keep you going.

Once you get all the open surfaces cleaned off, make your way to the drawers at your desk. Clean out all those pens that don't work anymore, candy that is a year old, marketing toys that take up space, or that random ketchup packet that looks 10 years old. DON'T try and organize each drawer right now, just continue with the bins. We will go back and organize each drawer when we are done sorting. If you have a drawer with files in it, quickly look at each file, decide whether or not to keep the file as a whole, and then go through the file itself. KEEP SORTING!!!! Make your way to your bookshelf if you have one. Books are always hard to get rid of so let's just worry about any random papers or other items that have been stacked in this space. We don't necessarily have to get rid of any books if you have the space, but we will go back and organize them.

OK.... all visual space and drawers sorted??!!! Now onto part 2!

First, let's go ahead and tackle the trash bin since it is the easiest. Get it OUT OF THERE!!!!! WOW...doesn't that feel good??!! Also, the bin for those of us that work from the house labeled Not Office, go ahead and put that outside your office but don't start putting all of it away, just get it out of your office to clear up floor space. LOOKIE THERE....now you just have two bins to organize!

Second, let's tackle the office supplies. Gather up all your pens, pencils, or any other writing utensil and put them all in one place. It can be a container in a drawer or a holder on your desk. I would also think about getting something that can hold pens and other supplies like paper clips, thumbtacks, staples, rubber bands, scissors, or any other loose supplies you have so that they don't end up in another mess. Containers that hold multiple things are usually better stored in a drawer. PLUS, we want to keep your desk space as open as we can! Also, keep essential items only on your desk. Think about what you use the most and keep it within reaching distance. Place all other office supplies in a drawer or on top of another work space. (This would be a good time to find a home for that random 3 hole punch, stamps and stamp pads, and maybe that hardly ever used pencil sharpener) Pictures are a great thing to have in your office if in moderation, and only in spaces that you don't use for actual work - like the corners of your desk or on a bookshelf in front of rarely used books. Finish organizing your drawers that contain personal items or other non-work related items. Leave the filing drawers for the next step.

Third, and probably the most important - organizing the paperwork. Before we tackle that, let's make some files to keep on your desk to help you stay organized. I'm not a big fan of bins simply because the papers at the bottom end up staying there forever and never get looked at again... well, at least until you muster up the energy to organize again!!! Let's create files that are labeled To Do, File Me, Pending, and Incoming/Unopened. These files will help you stay more organized and keep piles from being created in your workspace. DON'T EVER let these desk files get too full, otherwise you will have to spend more time on each file than what is needed. Also, create files that you know will be used that can hang inside your drawer. For example, someone in sales will create a file(s) for marketing pieces, client(s), or industry related materials.

Ok now, off you go - Sort all that paperwork you kept!!!!!!!!

WOW WEE!!!! Look at you go!!!!

Are you feeling better now? DO YOU SEE all your hard work paying off??!!!! There are only two things left to tackle and that is your bookshelf if you have one, and your Maybe bin. Let's start with the bookshelf. You can go one of two ways. One way - just get books standing up in the shelves and leave it at that, OR you could organize your books according to subject/relevance and/or size. Either way, you will create a better looking bookshelf than what it was before. Any empty space could always be left open for more books or filled with your pictures, awards, or those awesome office trinkets.

Now on to what I think is the hardest part - the Maybe bin. These are the things that you weren't sure whether you should keep or not. My best advice - keep and file the papers that you could see yourself needing in the next 6 months. The rest of the paperwork you could:

1.) Create a file or a box and keep in drawer or storage space that isn't used in your immediate workspace/office.

2.) Scan and save it on your computer.

3.) Trash it.

This is your preference. As far as the other items that aren't paperwork, use the same six month rule. Keep it if you will need it in the next 6 months and store it appropriately or get rid of it.

HOLY COW - LOOK AT YOUR OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!

Doesn't that feel good!! Don't you feel like you can now be more effective with your precious time??!!! I think now would be a great time to dig into that candy you have kept a steady supply of and reward yourself. Sit back, eat your candy, and look around at the wonderfully clean and organized office you just created.

OH CRAP....that bin of non-office items is still in the hallway....Yeah, that can wait....... ;-)

A SmileBox For the Springcress Staging

2011-02-08T09:21:00.002-06:00

Customize your own free photo slideshow

Important Things Need Important Places

2011-02-02T16:57:00.001-06:00

Well folks, I know you will all be excited and cheer loudly when you hear me say, "It's TAX TIME again!!!"

Wait, what? Why do I only hear the sound of crickets??!! Is it because you dread giving more money to the government or maybe the fact that you have to find all those important documents you need to file your taxes??? AGAIN!

Don't worry, I am not some quirky person with a huge desire to file my taxes every year either. I dread it just as much as everyone, but I do know that I try and make it easier on myself every year by keeping my paperwork filed and organized properly. Do you?

WHAT??? Crickets again??? Well, I am here to help! How about we go through what to keep, where to keep it, and how long to keep all this paperwork. Hopefully this will cut down on some tax time stress!!!

Let's take a look at what paperwork you should keep and how long you need to hang onto it. Take a look at this list found on Bankrate:

Financial records timeline

Type of record	Length of time to keep, and why:
Taxes Returns Canceled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement plan contributions) Records for tax deductions taken	Seven years The IRS has three years from your filing date to audit your return if it suspects good-faith errors. The three-year deadline also applies if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund. The IRS has six years to challenge your return if it thinks you underreported your gross income by 25 percent or more. There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.
IRA contribution records	Permanently If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
Retirement/savings plan statements	From one year to permanently Keep the quarterly statements from your 401(k) or other plans until you receive the annual summary; if everything matches up, then shred the quarterlies. Keep the annual summaries until you retire or close the account.
Bank records	From one year to permanently Go through your checks each year and keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments. Shred those that have no long-term importance.
Brokerage statements	Until you sell the securities You need the purchase or sales slips from your brokerage or mutual fund to prove whether you have capital gains or losses at tax time.
Bills	From one year to permanently Go through your bills once a year. In most cases, when the canceled check from a paid bill has been returned, you can shred the bill. However, bills for big purchases -- such as jewelry, rugs, appliances, antiques, cars, collectibles, furniture, computers, etc. -- should be kept in an insurance file for proof of their value in the event of loss or damage.
Credit card receipts and statements	From 45 days to seven years Keep your original receipts until you get your monthly statement; shred the receipts if the two match up. Keep the statements for seven years if tax-related expenses are documented.
Paycheck stubs	One year When you receive your annual W-2 form from your employer, make sure the information on your stubs matches. If it does, shred the stubs. If it doesn't, demand a corrected form, known as a W-2c.
House/condominium records	From six years to permanently Keep all records documenting the purchase price and the cost of all permanent improvements -- such as remodeling, additions and installations. Keep records of expenses incurred in selling and buying the property, such as legal fees and your real estate agent's commission, for six years after you sell your home. Holding on to these records is important because any improvements you make on your house, as well as expenses in selling it, are added to the original purchase price or cost basis. This adds up to a greater profit (also known as capital gains) when you sell your house. Therefore, you lower your capital gains tax

WOW - what a comprehensive list!! Now, I suggest that each one of these categories has its own file in a fireproof filing cabinet which can be found at any local office supply store. Organize your cabinet whichever way you like but keep it simple. The more simple it is kept, the easier it will be for you to keep it up all year long. I like to buy hanging file folders that allow for clear tabs all along the top so I can clearly see each file and what contents are inside. You could even get manila folders to sub categorize each hanging file folder. For example, say you had two credit cards: Mastercard and Visa. You could make a manila folder for each and place in the main hanging folder titled "Credit card receipts". It is a personal preference, but the more organized, the easier.

We can take it a step further and organize a small, portable, fireproof box to hold important documents (or copies) in case of a fire or emergency. This should hold things like:

Birth/death certificates
Social security cards
Passports
Emergency contact information (Insurance agents, doctors, family)
Marriage certificates/divorce decrees
Wills
Copies of driver's license, green card, or other identification cards
Copies of life saving prescriptions (like insulin, asthma inhalers, etc)
List of bank account and credit card account numbers
Inventory of household goods

Since these documents are pretty darn important, make sure you keep it somewhere it is easily accessed.

So now that we are getting more organized for tax time, can I get a single "WOO HOO!"????

That's better!

Statistics of Staging

2011-01-28T13:33:00.002-06:00

In my last two posts I highlighted homes that were staged and are now for sale or just sold. (Sold 5 days after staging, need I remind you?) Currently, there are 65,000 single family homes listed in the Dallas market right now - many that have been sitting there for MONTHS ON END and homeowners are getting stressed and frustrated. Yet there are still some homeowners that don't see the benefit in staging a home. Well, let me put it in black and white for you. Take a look at this:

Vacant homes previously on the market:

This study from RESA includes vacant homes (not staged) previously on the market an average of 277 days unsold. Do the math. 277 days = 9 months. OUCH.

Those homeowners finally had their properties staged.

Those same homes then sold in 63 days on average after staging. 63 days = 2 months. HMMMM...

78% LESS TIME ON THE MARKET!!!!!

Okay, so I hear you saying "but I don't have a vacant home, I still live in mine", so check this out:

Occupied homes previously on the market:

The same study from RESA includes occupied homes (not staged) previously on the market with an average of 233 days unsold. 233 = 7.75 months. OY!

Those homeowners had their properties staged.

Those same homes sold in 53 days on average after staging. 53 days = less than 2 months. WOW.

78% LESS TIME ON THE MARKET!!!!!

Seeing a pattern yet?

If you are going to sell your home, take the time and effort to have it staged. It will definitely save you money in the long run (...and I haven't even calculated the holding costs for you).

So, would YOU like to potentially avoid throwing that money away and just get through an already stressful process? Check THIS out:

Vacant and Occupied Homes

Staged Before They Went On The Market

RESA

BAM!

Yes, you read that correctly: 40.5 days = just over 1 month. REALLY.

Yes, these numbers are from 2009, the 2010 research is still being compiled & analyzed but even if it changes + / - by a few percentage points, ask yourself:

Which group do YOU want to be counted in for our 2011 statistics?

"Got an offer...Big fan of the staging."

2011-01-21T09:41:00.001-06:00

The title says it all, right? It was part of a text I got from my client today...less than a week after we staged his property that had been sitting vacant for 6+ months.

This was an awkward space to the right as soon as you entered the house. Was it a family room or a dining room? It was HUGE and could easily accommodate a sofa, chair, TV and then some...but it was an "out of the way" room. Buyers didn't know WHAT to make of it.

So we created a fresh entertaining area...complete with a "lounge", dining table...

and...

...a bar. Of course.

(What a great space to entertain in!)

Here is the view if you walk from what we made the dining area...into the kitchen...and thru to what we were going to designate as the family room. (Crappy picture on my behalf, I know!)

Another angle...looking back towards the kitchen. If you go down the hall that you see at the top of the pic, you'll make a left and head back out the front door (past the kitchen & dining) or if you go straight, you're heading to the bedrooms.

Here is the cozy living area.

Here is a little bit of psychology that is applied via proper staging...the oversized keys.

Just a little something on the shelves to show how much space there really is.

That duck on the top shelf quacks me up.

And here is that other angle.
Looking into the kitchen from the living area.

Me getting "artsy" with my photography.

The Master Suite was huge...but dull.

We were aiming for a swanky hotel vibe.

What do you think?

This is the hall bath BEFORE.

And this is the hall bath STAGED.

I think it's all in the details...this little guy in the hall bath evokes the impression that kids do fit into this soft contemporary space. Obviously somebody else thinks so too, because our client is in negotiations in less than a week after the staging and more than 6 months after the original listing....

I think the offer was extended totally because of this little cutie...don't you?

(((((Calling))))) ALL HOMEBUYERS!!!!

2011-01-19T18:24:00.003-06:00

So I recently had the privilege of staging a house here in the Dallas area with my creative, beautiful, and very smart by Michelle Lynne ladies. As we were getting things wrapped up and taking pictures, we all agreed that this house would be a great place to entertain. The kitchen, dining area, and living room are all so open it would be awesome for any party or event. Let's not forget that great deck in the back that would be THE perfect place for an outdoor BBQ. But wait.....there's more!!!! The kitchen has tons of new granite counter tops, the bathrooms have all been updated, and all the floors have recently been redone!!! Take a look at some of the pictures:

Main Living Room

Dining Area

Dining area and kitchen

View from the kitchen into dining area and living room - LOOK AT THAT OPEN AREA!!!

Kitchen with great new counter tops!

Master Bedroom

Bathroom

WOW! I can hear the anticipation in your voice asking me, "WHERE can I find this house?" Here is the link to the listing: Click here to see this great party house! Hurry before it is snatched up!!!!

To Stage or Not to Stage...I've got the ANSWER!

2011-01-19T16:39:00.001-06:00

Are you trying to sell a home but haven’t been lucky enough to sell it? Has your real estate agent mentioned using a professional home stager? Do you even know what a home stager does and why they are beneficial to selling your home? Before we get into these answers and specific questions you should ask a potential home staging professional, let us go over what exactly goes into staging a home and why you should enlist the help.

First, staging a home itself is not a new concept, but hiring someone to do it for you is a fairly new phenomenon that is catching on in the real estate world. We all know how to make good first impressions and now there are professionals that know how to do this effectively for your home. These professionals are trained in the art of making your home look brighter, bigger, organized, warm and loving, and best of all, it makes the home more appealing to those wanting to buy it. A good stager researches the neighborhood and the demographics of the market most likely to purchase your home, and will stage the property targeting this group.

A recent Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) study showed that a group of vacant homes in their study, marketed through traditional methods, sat on the market an average of 120 days without selling. They took these same homes, staged them, used the same marketing techniques, and noticed that they sold on average in 26 days!! They also included occupied homes that were not professionally staged and saw that these homes took an average of 102 days to sell. Once they sent in the professional stagers, it only took on average 45 days to sell.[i] What a difference staging makes!!!

Take at these before and after pictures and see the difference:

This was fun!

So now that you have an idea of what a professional home stager does, and how the service MAKES YOU MONEY, how do you go about finding the right one? Well, let us dive into a little more detail into the process and give you a good idea of what is provided and the cost associated with staging a home.

What services does a staging professional offer?

Consultations: This consists of coming into the home to give recommendations on assisting you stage your home, as well as giving advice on other issues to consider changing or modifying to help with the selling process.
Occupied home staging: A professional stager will come into your home, use your current furniture and decor and will redesign the layout of the most commonly used rooms. The stager may also use furniture or décor they have to help enhance the look of each room. There are instances where the homeowner may purchase décor or furniture if they are willing to keep the items after the sale of the home, either from retail stores or the stager themselves.
Vacant home staging: Like the title says, this is for vacant, unoccupied homes. The stager will bring in furniture and décor from their own inventory, a rental company’s inventory, or possibly the homeowners furniture brought back into the home. They will then create a design that should be specific to the property and may or may not include all rooms in the house.
Organization: Professional stagers are skillful at making a home more effective and organized to appeal to potential home buyers. They can use these skills to help a homeowner get organized and rid themselves of items not used or needed anymore as well as creating effectively used space within a home.

Some stagers even go above and beyond and offer other services, such as design, to help make any house a home. Ask each professional about every service they offer to see if they will take the time and effort to offer more than just basic staging services.

What does a staging professional usually charge?

It is important to keep in mind that each home is different; therefore, the cost will vary due to staging needs, market, square footage to be staged, and price point of your home.

Here are a few general pricing practices among professional home stagers:

Hourly pricing: Based on number of staging professionals needed and is usually between $50-$150+ an hour.
By the job: Some professional stagers will give you a price based on the price point of the home and is anywhere from .5% - 1.5% of the list price. This usually includes delivery, design of furniture and décor, set up, and possible furniture rental fees for a certain time period (usually 90 days). If furniture is rented, this price usually includes coming back to the home to move out any furniture and décor.
By square footage of rooms to be staged: This can vary from $.50 - $1.50 per square foot.

So now that we have the basics covered, let’s go over some helpful questions that you should ask any home staging professional.

How long have you been a professional home stager?
What services do you offer?
Are you insured?
Do you take credit cards?
Do you use your own furniture or do you use a rental company?
How long from consultation to set up does it usually take?
Do you have a website or a portfolio with sample work that I can look at?
Do you require a contract?
What are your prices and what is included in the price?
Are there delivery fees or any other fees associated to staging a home?
What is your availability?
Do you have any references?

Staging and selling a home can be an overwhelming thing to tackle. Asking some, if not all, of these questions will give you a good, overall idea of what a stager can do and if he or she is qualified and trustworthy. And don’t base your decision on price alone…you get what you pay for and by hiring the professional stager who designs the staging plan specifically to the property being discussed (and doesn’t leave your home looking like the other two listings they staged in the same demographic). YOU will get the best offer in the shortest amount of time. Good luck and remember, a house is built with boards and beams but a home is built with love and dreams.

If you aren't fully convinced, look at these before and after pictures:

They Get IT!

[i] Free Press Release: Home Staging Statistics Released

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200806/1213737630.html

Clutter, Clutter Peanut Butter

2011-01-13T22:10:00.000-06:00

Do you find yourself spending 5 minutes looking for your keys or sunglasses or, hey, "Where the heck is my wallet?!!" I have been there and I can bet you have too at one point. When this happens it makes me realize that it is high time I organize myself. In the last post we talked about smaller spaces and how to decorate to make it look bigger. Well, how about we talk about organizing those tight quarters!! There are a lot of ideas out there that can help you organize so I will pick through some of my favorite that are easy and inexpensive.

Let's start with one of the most lived in rooms in any house: the kitchen. Quick question, do you have a drawer that houses all your serving spoons, spatulas, random cooking utensils? What about that ever so cluttered mess: the junk drawer?? Look at this idea that I LOVE LOVE LOVE:

Better Homes and Gardens rocks!

You know those over the door shoe organizers? What a great idea to use it in the kitchen over the pantry door! Not only can you keep utensils organized but you can keep the similar ones together in one pocket. Now, if you really wanted to go down that super organized road, you could also label each pocket so that when they are washed and ready to put away, you can make sure they always find their correct home. This is such a great idea for all of you that are looking for great space making ideas in your cramped space. You could also use the pockets to stash those easy to grab snack packs for the kids.

Look at this other wonderful idea:

Real Simple (what a great name!)

YAY!!!! The floating shelf is back!!! HEY, I can't help that it is soooo helpful in every room. If you have a spare wall in your kitchen or even in your pantry, this is a great place to hang your aprons and store your cookbooks. Find some cute aprons and maybe a couple of matching towels to hang from the hooks, decorate the top of the shelf with your favorite cook books and hold them up with some decorative book ends and VOILA - instant decor with a functional purpose!

So we have looked at a couple of great kitchen organization ideas, let's touch on one other part of the house that ALWAYS needs organizing - kid's play area. All those little toys everywhere on the floor as if some toy tornado hit the house. Every mom can attest to that overwhelming feeling of never being able to give each and every toy a good, organized home. One idea that I love is using baskets or bins to keep similar toys together. Like this:

HGTV knows!

You can use plastic bins, baskets, cloth bins, buckets and anything else that you can find. Another helpful idea is to label each bin like they did in this picture so that the kids can easily find the toys they are looking for. If they are too young to read, print out pictures of the toys and tag the bin with the picture. This will also help when it is time to clean up - thus eliminating any reason for the kids to give excuses on why they can't help. "BUT MOOOooooommmmmm!!!"-- Kiss that whiny statement goodbye!!! You can also create your own storage containers from empty coffee cans, jars, and gift boxes. They are great for holding art supplies. Wrap them in colorful paper to match the colors in the room or to give a little artsy flare like they did in this picture:

How cute is that?!

Well we have seen some great ideas that anyone can do to help organize the house but wait, did you ever find your keys or wallet? CRAP! Hey, you need this:

BH&G

This helpful organizer can be put on any counter top or ledge and can keep all those easily lost items together. I love how they have printed out name tags for each slot so there REALLY isn't any confusion. AND, this organizer is decorative and cute! This designer chose to use a wicker cutlery tray but you can use any storage container you choose. The key is to make it a habit to put all of your daily needed objects in here as soon as you walk in the door and MAKE SURE this container is near the door you always come in from. And hey, maybe now you won't find your keys in the door on the OUTSIDE of the house...DOH!

So hopefully you can use some of these tips to organize your house. Now, if someone can only create something to help organize the rest of my craziness........ :)

Small Spaces.... LOTS of Love

2011-01-11T11:35:00.000-06:00

Hello again! In my last post I referenced the need to drop making grand resolutions - how is that going for ya?! Well, in an effort to continue the advice on small changes to your house, I want to share this with you. Recently I was asked, "How can you decorate a smaller living space and make it feel bigger?" What a great question! We don't all have "McMansions", unlimited budgets, or the ability to make large changes to our homes. Some of you may live in an apartment or a town home. Heck, people over in Hong Kong live in apartments that are less than 500 square feet!!!! One architect, Gary Chang, designed his 330sq. ft. (yes, that is correct!) apartment to convert into 24 different living spaces!!! Check it out:

Thanks Discovery!

Ok, so we all aren't genius architects but there are simple ways to make a room feel bigger. For example:

Picture found here

Built in bench seating can give any small kitchen more seating area. Throw in a cool fabric with accent pillows and you instantly create a fun place to hang out and chow down. Besides, we all know the kitchen is the "it" spot at any party. Speaking of kitchens.....

Favorite site

Have a tiny pantry? Look what this one designer chose to do. Using fun, quirky baskets to keep similar items together can help de-clutter and open up any room. Also, the more light in a room will make it feel more open. See:

Thanks HGTV!

HOLY LIGHTS BATMAN! Look at the accent lighting in this room. Doesn't it LOOK like a big room?! Well it isn't - the photographer of this picture is up against the back wall and the side walls are just off camera. This room utilizes several tips on making a room feel bigger. Notice that back wall design and the pattern on the floor? Continuing a pattern from the floor all the way up to the ceiling draws the eye upward making the room feel taller. Taller room = feeling of more space. Also, the minimal furniture not only makes the space feel modern and contemporary but it also leaves the floor fairly open. PAR-TAY!!!!

Another good idea for any room is floating shelves. Placed in the right spot and with the right configuration can help with storage as well as giving you an extra way to display decorative items.

What a great company

HGTV again!

I could go on and on with the floating shelves but I will keep you from floating shelf overload. This last picture utilizes a couple of space creating ideas:

Great bedroom

YAY - more floating shelves! But, look at the mirrors on either side of the bed. Adding mirrors makes the room feel more open due to it reflecting light. Also notice how tall they are. ANY piece tall furniture will help elongate the wall and bring the eye up. Placing mirrors on opposite walls will also help reflect the light and open up a space. Did you happen to catch those FABULOUS chandeliers?! Yes- they are functional....and again....the more light the better!

I could go on and on about creating more space but I will leave you with this one last thought: We are all here for only a short while and we can't take stuff, or things, or knick knacks with us. What we can take with us is memories. Use your small space effectively, and with those you love, to create everlasting memories. Besides, wonderful things come in small packages right?!

If You're Not Moving Forward, You're Going BackSPLASH

2011-01-03T07:16:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!!!! It's back to reality and instead of making grand resolutions promising large changes & improvements, we're going to kick off the new year with a short series about small changes you can make to your house. These changes will improve the marketability of the home whenever you decide to list it, but just as importantly, it will make it more enjoyable to live in NOW.

We all know that kitchens & baths are wildly important and have a great return on investment when it comes to putting the "for sale" sign up so if you've got the time and money, I definitely advocate updating your kitchen if you are going to put your house on the market. But if you just want a quick pick-me-up, and already have decent countertops (read: any type of stone or stone like material...NOT formica), consider this quick weekend project. Here are some ideas:

I love this. It's stainless steel-ish, wouldn't you agree? And these tiles are deceivingly simple to install AND at a very nice price point. They aren't really tin but look exactly like it AND are eco-friendly because they are made from recycled materials. You can get a variety of patterns & colors or can even paint your own (although I recommend sticking with their color samples for a more genuine look). Check out more options and order HERE.

Another relatively simple option that will give you a lot of bang for your buck is glass mosaic. There are many options, here are a few:

This is a nice, muted and calming mosaic that I found at the fabulous blog
Stagetecture.

Glass subway tiles can add some color.
I found this picture HERE - I'm obviously not the only blogger hot on the backsplash!

A local manufacturer: DalTile

These are just two of my favorite styles...we didn't even touch on porcelain, ceramic, slate, terrazzo, or concrete.... What is your favorite option?

This Christmas....

2010-12-20T06:47:00.000-06:00

This Christmas mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Write a love letter.

Share some treasure.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Keep a promise.

Find the time.

Forgive an enemy.

Listen.

Apologize if you were wrong.

Think first of someone else.

Be kind and gentle.

Laugh a little.

Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.

Speak it still once again.

- Anonymous

A Testimony To Java

2010-12-17T08:14:00.000-06:00

So I got up bright and early this morning to finish re-covering some chairs for a client. I had started the project Wednesday afternoon and want to deliver them today (Friday) so I thought I'd get an early start. In my enthusiasm, I started the project before consuming my first cup of coffee...let me walk you through how the first chair transpired:

This is what one of the chairs looked like Wednesday:

We added some batting to increase comfort,

because they were what I would call "diet chairs"

...you wouldn't linger at the dinner table seated on one.

We then gave them a good cleaning and sprucing.

If you've never experience Scott's Liquid Gold, it's fabulous

(and you can get it at the grocery store):

So to get to the point of this post, can you tell which chair I did first?

Look closely:

The one on the left has the pattern going sideways!! Urgh.

Longer story short, I undid the first work of the morning.

I was obviously staple crazed without my first cup of joe:

By then I had finally woken up and mapped out the next cushions.

After re-organizing, I had another cup of coffee. Or two.

And the chairs look GREAT.

Happy Ending!

All I Want For Christmas....

2010-12-14T08:38:00.001-06:00

1154 Lill
Isabel Set
Love this place -- you can custom design your handbags!
This coordinates with one I already have....
There is a Dallas area rep who can come to you (she is fabulous).
Let me know if you want her contact info.

Fossil Stella Watch
I'm not a high maintenance gal...I don't need a fancy watch.
I like having variety and I think this will be easy to wear.
Plus, I'm hard on watches -- it's amazing how much physical labor is involved in staging!

iPad Case
I don't even have an iPad (yet) but looooove these cases.
I think I like the zebra best.
What do you think?

The Happiness Project
I love this idea.
It looks like a version of Eat Pray Love but applicable to everybody and not just Julia Roberts.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

2010-12-07T11:48:00.000-06:00

I don't know where that title comes from...a friend of mine says it and it just kinda stuck itself into my title. Try saying it out loud though - it's kinda fun.

Anyway, following the same practice of writing the names of my public followers on little pieces of paper and then asking my half asleep husband to choose one as the winner, we found one today:

In case you can't read my writing, the winner is STEVE PLUNKETT! He is the lucky recipient of $35 to use at any one of the 200+ CSN Stores. Free money, baby!!!

Congratulations, Steve...hope you enjoy the options on line with CSN...and THANK YOU for following my lil' ol' bloggity blog. (Oh, and Steve, if you're wondering what is on my Christmas list...that will be my next post so don't go spend it all right away!)

Free Money GIVEAWAY by Michelle Lynne

2010-12-04T10:12:00.000-06:00

HAPPY DECEMBER and happy shopping to all!

As a fun little treat, we are going to host a giveaway next week to help you with your holiday shopping! A shout out to CSN Stores and their generosity to host our giveaway. They have over 200 on line stores where you can get anything from a leather briefcase for the man in your life to a cozy robe for your favorite sister...or yourself!

We will be giving away a promotional code worth $35 at ANY of their stores. Woo hoo! Free money, baby! It's easy to win - you just need to be a public follower of this blog. We will draw randomly from the group (come on -- it's not a big group yet so you have a great chance of winning!) the week of December 6th. Like I said...FREE MONEY...why wouldn't you sign up to win?

Playing With Fire

2010-12-01T07:26:00.000-06:00

Looking for fun and unique gifts to give this season? Or maybe a keepsake for yourself? Check out what a friend of mine is doing under the name "Playing With Fire":

I wonder if this only holds decaf?

Santa is jolly because he knows where all the naughty girls live!

I could decorate a whole tree with these and some pretty gold ribbon.

How cute is this for a newborn?

She has a cute platter for "Grandpa's Sweets" too
(I'm getting it for my grandpa, he looooves sweets!)

This is a chandelier!

Close up of one of the lights. Look at the cute ribbon tied below!!!
OH THE DETAIL OF THESE PIECES!!

I borrowed all of these photos from her Facebook Page. If you want to see more, check it out HERE. Or email Katy directly: welovesunshines@sbcglobal.net
Call Katy: 469-525-1987

She will pack and ship your custom orders so you have them before Christmas!

Oh, and no extra charge for her fun personality....

Mom...is that you???

2010-11-30T05:30:00.000-06:00

Yay! It's not just my mom who reads these posts! I woke up this morning to an email from a blog reader sharing HER holiday tablescape. I'm so excited that I wanted to share it with you. Here is what Danielle said:

I saw your post about your table and you had asked what others did...not sure if that was rhetorical :) but I thought I would share my dining room centerpiece for Thanksgiving and one of my Christmas centerpieces. I only share because I am so cheap and make a lot of my own stuff. The Thanksgiving centerpiece was super easy and cheap. I found the candelabra at Kirklands for $10 (tossed back on the clearance rack and a little bruised)... didn't like the way it looked completely so I went and bought the candles I liked and the fake floral from garden ridge. Total price $30! Same with the Christmas centerpiece...didn't like it completely so I added my own stuff I found cheap! THe only thing the wreath had on it originally was the poinsettia flowers and the pine cones. I love decorating on the cheap!!!!!!!!

Danielle, you made my day! Thanks for sending me the email with these photos of your lovely creations. You continue to prove that with a little creativity, beautiful decor does not have to be expensive.

...AND you also proved that more than just my mom reads my little ol' blog because I hope that someday this blog is going to grow up and be like Cote de Texas. WOO HOO!

Gobble Till Ya Wobble!

2010-11-29T16:32:00.000-06:00

Whew! What a holiday whirlwind we had! Turkey. Family. Pie. More Turkey. More family. Yes, please to more pie too....

We didn't host Thanksgiving this year (thank you to my sister in law who did!) but we did have Sunday brunch at our place. If you saw THIS post last week with ideas for centerpieces, I had a couple that I wanted to do, but in between baking 4 pies, a pumpkin cheesecake, holiday dressing and then brunch for more than a dozen people, time was hard to find. So we pushed together two tables, grabbed a few candlesticks from from my staging inventory (a definite bonus to my job!) and took the decorative gourds I bought around Halloween and tried to make them look pretty:

Not bad, eh? The rest of the foofie stuff is random potpourri (so old it doesn't smell anymore), jeweled fruit, a gold ribbon and a couple of decorative gold spheres (also from my staging inventory).

As for the rest of the table, it was looooow maintenance. I tied the napkins with pieces of a ribbon I think was tied around a Pottery Barn gift I received last year (because I couldn't find my raffia) and stuck them all in a silverware caddy with the silverware for everybody to grab on their own after filling their plates.

What did you do for your holiday table???

Autumn Decorating Made Easy

2010-11-22T13:37:00.003-06:00

Look What the ~~Cat~~ Dog Dragged In

Admittedly, my little dog needs to go to the "spa" and get a good groom this week, he IS a little furry:

Snoozing peacefully.

Look at what came in with him this morning when he went outside and ran around our back yard:

Leaves - a LOT of them! And a stick (?!).

A closer look.

Seriously...how could such a little critter (he's only 5 pounds) drag in such a MESS? I picked these all up off the floor and out of his fur when he came in. And since I was running late, I looked for the closest thing to put them in so I didn't come home to a mess.

A glass vase I had yet to put away was conveniently on the kitchen counter.

Sometimes procrastination comes in handy. This glass vase I my husband (let's give credit where credit is due) had just taken out of the dishwasher last night was still sitting on the counter and looked like a convenient receptacle for the excess foliage. I thought it looked kind of pretty so the biger leaves I had brought in from our front yard to put it on a plate with my gourds & candles came in handy to top off this super easy autumn "decor".

So is it high design? Absolutely not...but it was an easy way to bring some autumn color into the corner of our kitchen while cleaning up the mess the dog dragged in AND also saving me from having to put away the vase.... Efficiently lazy? Yep. But I was running late.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

2010-11-18T15:08:00.001-06:00

When I was a little girl...a looooong time ago...we would make fun decorations for our centerpieces during the holidays. Now that I look back, I think Mom was just trying to save some money and take advantage of the attention it took for my favorite brother and I to craft these works of art. I'm not sure if Mom saved any of them but if so, they are probably not nearly as cute as these ideas:

Martha Stewart

This is cuter than mine was, I'm sure, but we tried something similar with the pinecone and pipe cleaner. I think I used leaves from the trees in our front yard, but these feathers are super cute. Hobby Lobby usually has a great selection of feathers and they would adhere easily with Elmer's or hot glue. I might give this a try next week if my schedule has the time in between client appointments, cooking, and getting the house ready for company!

Ooooh...now this I am absolutely going to do. I have some fabulous candlesticks in my staging inventory right now that could really show off some pretty gourds:

Better Homes & Gardens

And if I get really crazy, I'll spray paint them metallic:

Better Homes & Gardens

I'll try to remember to take photos and post them here. I get a little A-D-D during this time of year and forget to mix business with pleasure! Would somebody remind me???

Seriously though, what do YOU like to do for your Thanksgiving centerpiece???

Christmas Tree -- Decorating With Ribbon

2010-11-15T12:40:00.000-06:00

I love decorating my Christmas tree with ribbon rather than garland; in my humble opinion, it is dressier and more elegant than garland. I have strung my ribbon both horizontally, like a spiral as well as vertically, like a waterfall:

(Yes, that is a peacock topper, but we'll discuss those in another post.)

There are varying opinions as to whether you ribbon the tree at the beginning or the end of the process of decorating, so I'll share with you that I decorate with ribbon just after I light the tree but there are many advocates of adding the ribbon last. I'm not here to say they are wrong, it's just not how I do it. Regardless of at what point in the process you do it, the key to hanging good ribbon garland is that the ribbon should be wired.

So here is a quick list of "how to" hang your ribbon on your tree, regardless of whether you're taking it vertically or horizontally:

Consider ribbon size -- larger trees get wider ribbon, smaller trees get narrower ribbon.
Confirm the color will match the decorations you already have or are purchasing. There are many many (many)options and you want to keep the decor of the tree consistent throughout itself as well as the rest of the ribbon you may have in the house. It doesn't have to be "matchy matchy" but it does need to be similar in style.

Bright red or burgundy? Plaid or plain? Silver or gold? Velvet or organza?

You'll need to purchase more than you think necessary and I have not come up with a magic formula as to how much you'll need. It may be inconvenient, but purchase extra spools knowing that you can either take it back or use it to wrap your gifts with.

If you're taking the garland vertical, you'll need to account for at least 5 - 7 waterfalls of ribbon and you're not just going to let them hang, you need excess so you can wrap and twist and "pouf" the ribbon.
If you are taking the garland horizontal, remember the tree is fatter at the bottom than it is at the top and again, you'll have to account for wrapping, twisting & "pouf-ing" the ribbon.

Once you have decided on color, width and direction of the ribbon as garland, it's time to start attaching it to the tree. Don't laugh but I put chairs all the way around my tree so I can walk around the tree adding the ribbon if I'm going horizontal. (It's easier than asking the hubs to stand there with the ribbon while I run around the tree!) In either instance, I start at the top.

Find an inconspicuous spot to start and wrap the end of the ribbon around a branch -- just the tip of the ribbon, maybe an inch or two of a wrap that can be hidden by the topper.
Swag the ribbon either horizontally or vertically, and consider giving it a gentle twist.
Wrap it around a branch with alternating a small & large "pouf". You can also create a bow out of excess ribbon and put on the edge of the branch if you don't like your "pouf".

Remember that you are going to follow the ribbon with your decorations, so don't get caught up in the perfection of your twists & poufs...you can always mask the imperfections with bows & bulbs.

Most importantly: have fun!!!

3707 Gilbert Ave #11...Staged by Michelle Lynne

2010-11-08T20:32:00.001-06:00

WHY BUY THIS HOUSE

Why? Because it's gorgeous. Because it's priced highly competitively. Because it's in a fabulous neighborhood. Okay, so yes, this is a total plug for a home we staged recently. Why don't I gush over every house we stage? Well, I kind of do...but in this instance, the Realtor, James Sharp, who also just wrote a book on the real estate industry here in Dallas had this video created to showcase the property and I think it's super cool (yes, I am easily entertained). It's way better than the usual "virtual tour" you will sometimes see on a listing...and let me tell you, even though this video shows the property really well, it is even better in person. I think it's because the people who live there now are so nice.

Check it out:

Why Buy This House: 3707 Gilbert Ave #11, Dallas, TX 75219

HERE is the listing in case you want more information.

Home Staging Tips by Michelle Lynne

2010-11-04T18:20:00.000-05:00

BABY IT'S COOL OUTSIDE....

One of my all time favorite holiday songs is Dean Martin's "Baby It's Cold Outside" and this afternoon when I went by one of our (vacant) staged homes, I started singing it even though it isn't quite COLD here in Dallas yet.

Why was I singing it? you ask. Well, since you asked I'll tell you. I walked into the house to look around and ensure everything was in place and as soon as I entered, I was COLD. Colder than I was when I was outside. I walked over to the thermostat and it was on 52 degrees. BRRRRR!

Being the practical and frugal person I am, I understand keeping the thermostat down and not spending extra money on heating a house that I don't live in. BUT if you have a home on the market remember that you're not just selling the house, you're selling the feeling or emotion that the house evokes in the potential buyer.

What do you want the buyers to remember about the place? That they would have to invest in a Snuggie in order to sit in the living room or that it was such a warm & welcoming home that they would love to live there....

You don't have to heat the place to a cozy 75 degrees, but I do suggest at least 65 degrees or more!

Giveaway by Michelle Lynne

2010-11-02T07:49:00.000-05:00

SLEEPY EYED SELECTION

Good morning and congratulations to JENNIFER TELLER for winning our $35 shopping certificate to any one of the 200+ CSN Stores!

My husband woke up and sleepily wandered into the kitchen earlier this morning when I asked him to choose a slip of paper from a bowl where I had previously written out all of my followers individually (this is an easy task when you're still a little blog). He went back to bed having no idea how he has brightened Jennifer's day!

Congratulations, Jennifer, and thank you ALL for publicly following my little bit of social media. I will be posting holiday preparation tips and ideas next...and please don't ever hesitate to send me a note if there is any topic you'd like to see.

Sincerely,

Your home staging & redesign consultant

Michelle Lynne

Your home is where our heart is.

BOO! It's a Giveaway by Michelle Lynne

2010-10-29T06:37:00.000-05:00

Alrighty y'all...here we go! It's another giveaway (it's been a while, hasn't it?) and just in time to kick off the holiday shopping season! Next week we will be giving away to one of our lucky (public) followers a $35 shopping spree to CSN Stores. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, to modern bar furniture or great cookware!

Here are some ideas of what you could buy if YOU were the lucky winner:

(click on the caption to be directed to the CSN store site)

Tiffany Spruce Wreath

Inchworm 11" Vase

Sophia Throw Pillow
This is such a great price - I could afford to kick in $1.00 and get TWO!

So if you're not a public follower, sign up now and early next week we will have a random drawing!

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

Home Staging Start to Finish (Part III)

2010-10-26T06:08:00.000-05:00

Are you ready?!! Were you lying awake in bed awaiting the final reveal of this gorgeous property?!! Probably not but that's okay, neither was I. But I can promise you it was worth the wait...check it out:

Here is the entry BEFORE.

Here is the entry AFTER.
Is this screen glamorous our what?
The goal is to evoke emotion upon the first impression.

Dining room BEFORE.

Dining room AFTER.
Notice the centerpiece is pretty simple.
We are not wanting to distract but rather highlight the beauty of the room
and it's beautiful, large windows.

Dana opted for a gallery style with the art in the hall.
This leads your eye nicely, doesn't it?

This was the office BEFORE.

And this was our original design plan.

But this is the office AFTER.

This is a workspace in the office BEFORE.

We staged it as a scrap booking space to appeal to the lady of the house.

Kitchen BEFORE.

Kitchen AFTER.
(With a shot of the fabulous ghost chair!)

Bedroom BEFORE

Bedroom AFTER

Another view of the bedroom AFTER

Living room BEFORE

Living room AFTER

The rest of the living room BEFORE

The rest of the living room AFTER.
Do you see the barstools? There is a cool wet bar easily accessible.
This house is hot for entertaining.

Do you love this property? Please check it out and of course feel free to forward. The entire listing information is HERE. Thanks for sharing in the home staging "journey" with us....

Home Staging Start to Finish (Part II)

2010-10-21T06:41:00.000-05:00

So in the last posting, you saw the original "product" we started with - a vacant investor property in the process of being renovated. Doors were off the hinges and leaning against walls, the floor was still cement and awaiting carpeting, kitchen backsplash & the sink was yet to be installed...along with miscellaneous other details. We rescheduled for the following week. No problem - we are always prepared for that possibility.

So we arrive and start unpacking:

Here are some of the accessories...unpacked on the dining table.
The rug was unrolled and table placement confirmed before we unpacked the accessories.

Lora setting up the bed.

Headboard and general bedroom set up....

We get the living room furniture's initial set up confirmed.

The office initial set up is not exactly what we imagined on paper.
We might have to re-work this design....

We purchased a table specifically for this project and are assembling on site.

Dana & Sharon say "cheese".
They are gonna kill me...I told them these pictures wouldn't be on the internet or anything.

The assembled table fits perfectly AND can you see the 2 Ghost Chairs we got for the space?
Dana & I both want to find a place for some in our own homes!

The miscellaneous wall art we will put up last.

The final "reveal" of this gorgeous property will be the next posting and will also include the listing information in case you or someone you know might be interested!!!

Home Staging Start to Finish (Part I)

2010-10-19T10:02:00.002-05:00

So, what goes into a staging project you wonder? Well, maybe you haven't lain awake in bed wondering but if you're reading this post, you must have SOME interest in what staging is about. (Or, you are my mom whose job description includes reading random musings of her children. ha ha!)

Here is a brief blog-peek into a recent staging:

Original walk through is done while construction is still going on so we can get an idea of style, even if it's just the architecture. We visited this property when it was still "bones" so we knew that it was going to be soft contemporary (I didn't take pictures at that time) and I usually have to figure out a design plan based on a semi-finished product. The house was originally scheduled to be done on the date the photos were taken with installation a couple of days later. We usually leave some "buffer time" before installation because most projects are NOT completed exactly on schedule....

This is the dining room...with the bedroom door leaning against the wall.

Another unidentified leaning door in the entry.

Kitchen. Still no backsplash, sink or faucets?

Living room. No carpet yet.
Oh oh - we're supposed to install in 2 days....

Another view of the living room.
Right now I'm thinking we'll have to re-work the calendar.

Office. No carpet here either...still painting?

Work still going on here too.
Yep. I need to reschedule my crew....

Stay tuned...the next posting will include the installation and then the final reveal! And the final "reveal" of this gorgeous property will also include the listing information in case you or someone you know might be interested!!!

Real Estate Staging

2010-10-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

Are you an investor? We are investor friendly!

Look what we can do with a just little investment to enhance your property and maximize your return:

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Curb Appeal

2010-10-13T15:24:00.001-05:00

I wasn't sure if my flowerbeds (much less the rest of my yard) were going to survive the heat of the summer but sure enough, they are thriving with these gorgeous autumn temperatures!

When selling your house, and whether it be vacant or occupied, it is imperative to keep up the curb appeal. Buyers will be driving through neighborhoods they want to live in possibly even before they log on to the internet to search for homes on the market. And neighborhoods with nicely manicured yards generally have a higher value and are more desirable...which will in turn help you justify the best (read: highest) price possible.

I believe that even if you aren't selling your place, it is important to drive up to a beautiful home, especially after a long day at work...it's the first thing you see when arriving at what should be your sanctuary. Wouldn't you or your potential buyers like to see this when you walk up?

Jungle dog.

I think he needs some doggles to shield his eyes.

And I must give credit where credit is due and thank Elizabeth at Splendid Gardens for her & her team's amazing work on my landscaping. If you need it done right, on time, and for a very reasonable price, call Elizabeth and ask her to work her magic...whether you are staying or selling!

Investor Special

2010-10-09T15:43:00.001-05:00

Here is a little property going on the market next week.... It will be listed for less than $150k but the investor still wanted to showcase the home in order to maximize the offer amount and minimize the days on market.

We got it done with short notice and "on the cheap". Check it out:

For more short videos of our work, check us out HERE on YouTube.

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Moving? You need these two rooms to survive

2010-09-29T18:26:00.000-05:00

1. Junk Room
2. Safe Room

First the Junk Room.

This is where I tell all of my clients to put stuff they don't know what to do with as they are unpacking. Maybe something like your great grandma's tea cart or Uncle Henry's framed self portrait. I'm sure both were bequeathed to you with genuine love in the hearts of aforementioned family members, but there maaaay not be a place to put them in the main house.

The Junk Room is a place where you can shut the door and not let the mayhem stress you out. I do NOT advocate just dumping the items, turning and running...rather organize them such as all wall art together, knick knacks consolidated into a new box, old running shoes can probably go in the trash if you have two other pairs that have replaced them already (but you should consider culling these items when you are packing to begin with). In a perfect world, you would start three piles: DONATE, TRASH and KEEP (ALTHOUGH I'M STILL NOT SURE WHERE).

Having this junk room is a temporary fix. Temporary, ya hear? Don't get used to closing the door and hoping it will go away. It's just short term but it will help keep you sane as you're unpacking, so your living room doesn't look like this while you're figuring out where everything goes:

Because you don't want to be buried in boxes:

NEXT: The Safe Room

This is your haven, your retreat, refuge, sanctuary, and your hideaway from the mayhem of moving so you can catch your breath and enjoy your new digs. I suggest it be your master bedroom or if you are lucky enough to have two living spaces, your main living area. Do not keep any boxes in this space. Unpack a box fully, put the items in the room (or not) but get the boxes and any extra clutter out of here. Hang the art. Fluff the pillows. Confirm the lighting. And enjoy living here.... Deep exhale. The Safe Room. Everybody needs one. Especially when moving.

Oh, and for a little fun while you're moving, here are some GAMES you can play to pass the time.

Low maintenance for your high maintenance guests.

2010-09-27T10:01:00.001-05:00

The holidays are quickly arriving and that entails the arrival of holiday guests...maybe some high maintenance in-laws? Oh joy. Keep them happy in the guest room by outfitting it like a swanky hotel suite:

Good linens for the bed.

Thread count is important but it doesn't have to be expensive. I like 350 - 400, depending on the brand.
A feather bed on top of the mattress adds a luxurious & super cozy feel. Get the baffle box style so it maintains it's shape. If you don't want to do a down mattress, you can get a fiber filled mattress that will give a similar yet, hypoallergenic result.

Your fitted sheet will need to be a deeper pocket to encompass this feather bed + the standard mattress OR
Get a neutral sheet to cover the standard mattress and use the fitted sheet that comes with the set to cover the featherbed.

All season cotton blanket.

I suggest white or ivory so it will usually match your bedding choices.

Down comforter. Ditto on the option to get a hypoallergenic fiber fill instead of feathers - you'll be surprised at how similar they feel to down filled. You'll need to get a duvet cover style bedding set; I like these from Macy's because they are reasonably priced and have good quality options. Choose a set that looks like what you would find in a nice hotel:

Have some spare pillows available; show your guests where they are (maybe out of sight in the closet).
Be sure there is good lighting next to the bed - either wall lamps or table lamps - in case your guests like to read in bed.

Set out reading material such as recent magazines or a novel that you could part with (in case your guest becomes hooked, they are welcome to keep it).

Provide an alarm clock on the nightstand - get one that has adjustable brightness.
A carafe of water somewhere in the room...preferably by the bed. I like this one from Crate & Barrel. Leave coasters on your bedside table or other flat surfaces.
Provide a television if there is space.
Clear some space in the closet for your guest to stow luggage or provide a luggage stand at the foot of the bed.

If there is a chest of drawers or dresser in the room, clear at least one drawer for each guest.
Provide some empty hangers and open space in the closet for hanging clothes.

Nightlights are useful for navigating unfamiliar spaces. Find one that is not too bright and put near the door and / or the bathroom.
Offer a one size bathroom for each guest staying in the room.
Finally, a small basket with healthy snacks in case your guests get the munchies while staying up watching TV or reading the recent magazines you have left for them....

Do you have any other tips that have worked for you in the past?

Out of my gourd!

2010-09-23T11:20:00.001-05:00

Aaaaahhh...it's autumn! Officially. Although the weather in Texas hasn't caught up to the calendar yet. Hopefully soon.

Regardless, it's a time of year that warm & welcoming colors are trending in nature as well as in your wardrobe & home AND it's time to switch out the pool toys for pumpkins. To me, that means it's high time to create new, seasonal centerpieces!

How fun are these? You can set them in any shape tray with any type of bean or legume to fill in.

And if you want to mix & match heights, you could create some votive sizes. I think these would be cool to line the front walkway with if hosting a dinner party (just make sure nothing is close enough to catch fire!).

This is what I would do with the gourds intended for votives but over-carved...I know my limitations!

Better Homes & Gardens

Finally...just a simple display of the mini pumpkins you can find at any grocery store or Farmer's Market this time of year. Add a dash of greenery or floral to dress it up.

Better Homes & Gardens

Yeah yeah, I know lemons are fruit and not gourd, but I thought this was too cute NOT to include. Just substitute the little gourdys.

Am I out of my gourd? Depends on who you ask...but you don't have to be to try any of these simple and decorative ideas!

Home Staging with by Michelle Lynne- Dallas Real Estate Experts Check-in

2010-09-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

In August, I was invited on the Robert J Russell show to talk with Dallas about Home Staging, what it is, who needs it and how it can help sell your home in the Real Estate market in Texas. In case you didn't get a chance to tune it, here is the link to the show! Enjoy!

Robert J Russell Dallas, Texas Real Estate Show with by Michelle Lynne

Owner Occupied

2010-09-19T15:52:00.001-05:00

The easiest part of my job is dealing with people.
The hardest part of my job is dealing with people.

Staging an owner occupied property comes with it's own set of challenges. I'm not talking about having to deal with potentially ugly furnishings or small children running underfoot - although those are hazards of the job! I'm referring to the personal aspect of coming into somebody's home and changing it. I mean, I wouldn't want somebody entering my home and moving my STUFF around. However, the way you live in your home and the way you sell it are two different things so that's what we do. Cautiously.

I recently worked with a beautiful couple in a beautiful Turtle Creek townhome getting ready to market it. Thankfully, the lady of the house had some fantastic pieces to work with but we just needed to clear some of them out to make the space feel as big as it is. Take a look at some of these before & after photos...and then, of course, click on the listing at the end...you might just want to make an offer!

Living Room Before

Living Room Before -
(2nd sofa perpendicular to the first sofa)

Living Room After
...just a few adjustments

But by removing that second sofa, it opens the space nicely.
(Sorry it's not exactly the same angle as the before pic!)

Beautiful items on beautiful shelves - just a little too personalized for selling

Same shelves - staged to sell

Guest Bedroom - BEFORE

Guest Bedroom - AFTER
(Kitty not included)
We removed the extra furniture and put the bed on the opposite wall. Much more walking space!

Gorgeous Master Suite! Cozy to live in.
Yes, the photo is fuzzy...

Still gorgeous!
Just created more space for the potential buyers to see....

Take a look at the listing and what a beautiful property this is. We had fun staging it and making new friends with the owners!

Santa has elves, and even THEY start preparing for Christmas early!

2010-09-12T12:56:00.002-05:00

I know...it's not even cool outside...HOW can we already be planning for the holidays?! But pre-planning for your friends & family to visit will make the holidays THAT much less stressful.

For example, if you are traveling to see friends or family, you should be coordinating your time off at work, booking your flights, renting a car now so that you're not overpaying and ending up with the last available (Griswold's) vehicle.

But if you are hosting the holidays this year, start getting your house ready now so you can enjoy November & December instead of working like a maniac to get the house ready for your guests (PLUS cooking AND shopping AND attending the social events that seem to multiply every year). Here are a few tips to get started on outfitting a guest room:

If you have guests who will be staying with you for more than a night or two, be sure they have space to hang their clothes and put their luggage out of sight.
If you have the space, get a small bureau or chest of drawers to put in the closet so the guest room (which is usually the smallest room in the house) feels more spacious.

Any repairs that need to be done to the bathroom (whether it be a suite or down the hall) should be started now...just in case it turns into a bigger project.
Any drafts coming through the window now will be felt even more so when it gets cool. Seal the windows from the cold.
Does the room need a ceiling fan? A little circulation no matter what time of year keeps a room comfortable.
Squeaky hinges, noisy clocks, etc. are all easy fixes to do now.

Good time to update your decor

Many guest rooms are made up of "leftover decor". You know what I mean, don't pretend you don't: Your old comforter set from the 1980's...the big ol' television you moved from the living room when you got the sleek, flat screen...the lamps your mother gave you to match the couch you had after you graduated college....

This is a great time to catch some end of summer or back to school sales and update your guest room to WELCOME your guests.

Hot Tips from My Seminar at the DFW Home Show!

2010-09-04T11:20:00.003-05:00

STAGING TO LIVE VS. STAGING TO SELL

The way you live in your home and the way you sell it are two very different approaches. One of the hardest parts of my job is removing the tender loving care that the homeowner put into the space so that it will be more appealing to the average buyer.

Staging to Live: Function

Critical but don’t sacrifice your lifestyle (kids/pets) … practical needs outweigh design dreams

Staging to Sell: Function

Critical to use the room how it was designed so buyers can picture living there

Read More Tips from My Seminar at the 2010 DFW Home Show!

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Right This Way...

2010-08-31T22:54:00.061-05:00

Let's go house crashing!

Step right in and follow me through some before and afters of this fabulous house we recently staged!

Before: Entry into Living Room

After: Entry into Living Room

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

Before: Wet bar

After: Wet Bar

Before: Dining/Living Room

After: Dining Room

After: Dining/Living Room

Before: Back Patio

Before: Bedroom

After: Bedroom

Before: Bedroom

After: Bedroom