 |
May 31, 2007
Posted by: Cathy at 12:31 am
|
|
I was asked to stage a large 15 room home about 10 days before they wanted it to go on the market. Needless to say, I didn’t know if I could do it that quickly. I had to assess, design, shop and install the job. The house needed quite a few furnishings and accessories fast and cheap. I decided to go for it, mainly because I knew I could count on a few sources that would have the furnishings I needed, one of them being HomeGoods. In the pictures, the room before only had the piano, a sofa (not in the picture) and the floral artwork. I decided to pull colors from the artwork for the room. I purchased the tree, tables, lamps, candlesticks, floral, plate and sconces from HomeGoods. The red chair was purchased from a rental furniture clearance center. The drapes are a king size sheet cut in half and a rod pocket sewn in. I made the pillows from fabric remnents. Whew!! It got done as well as the other rooms and I hear theres an offer in the works. So, HomeGoods came through again for me. I was able to come in under budget and on time.
Back
Do you LOVE IT? 
Loading ...
1. Cathy,
Bravo! what a huge undertaking. I am not surprised the offers are rolling in…the place looks lovely, cohesive and inviting. Good job. I look forward to all of your comments and pictures. Thanks for the peek into your beautiful world.
Tina Marie
by Tina Marie — 5/31/07 at 12:56 pm #
2. Looks fabulous! I’d like to see the other rooms as well!
by Robin — 6/1/07 at 8:09 am #
3. Can I have your job?
I’m always at Homegoods, Marshalls and TJMaxx.. sometimes Ross… I can’t possibly design my room anymore and all I daydream about is being able to just go out and help people with their decor, whether it be to decorate their home in order to sell it or help them create a space they’ll love.
Any tips for getting into this kind of business? I already work in the design industry, however I’m young and I don’t want to be an interior designer so much as a decorater for residential customers!
Thanks, I appreciate any feedback!
Catherin
by Catherine — 6/1/07 at 11:43 am #
4. Hello Tina Marie,
You always have such complementary and uplifting remarks. I’m sure you know all about working within a budget and timeframe, being in the kitchen design business. Any type of designing requires a passion first. Without passion theres no creativity as you know. Keep writing in, its always nice to hear from you. Cathy
Hi Robin,
Thank you, I will try to post a few more “before” and “afters” of the project. (Don’t want to bore you….)
Hi Catherine (good name,same as mine)
I can hear the passion in your voice. Education would be my #1 choice.
Learn the fundamentals first, (you will use them always), Work experience,#2. Take any and all jobs in the decorating field. Ask to decorate family and friends places, (even for free). Experience is the best teacher. Learn how to sew, draw, paint, use tools etc… Take photos of everything you do to build a portfolio to show clients.
Start small and work toward your goals. It will happen. Best of luck to you.
by Cathy — 6/1/07 at 2:35 pm #
5. I love your “design to sell” room. This latest trend of redesigning or enhancing one’s home for selling is also good if you’re keeping it. One can pick up a lot of ideas for one’s own home and the best ones involve merchandise from a store in your own hometown. Thank goodness for HomeGoods who provide fresh ideas that doesn’t break your purse!
by Sandra [...] — 6/1/07 at 2:49 pm #
6. Cathy,
Great job pulling the colors from the artwork into the room. There were so many different directions you could have gone in, but everything looks very well pulled together. I like that you put the grand piano facing out into the room rather than facing the corner, as most people do. This makes the piece much more enjoyable. The lines of the piano are beautiful and should be seen.
Lynn
by lynn — 6/1/07 at 6:09 pm #
7. Cathy,
I am selling my house on long island? Where can i find a person to stage my house????
Carolyn
by carolyn — 6/3/07 at 11:01 pm #
8. Hello Sandra,
Yes, you can redesign or stage your own home. The only problem is ,we are all so attached to our “stuff” its hard for us to edit out enough to get that clean uncluttered look that sells a house, (me included). Thats why its better to have someone else come in and tell us what stays and what goes. They have no emotional attachments and can see the what a buyer is looking for. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Lynn,
Good comments, Also the pianist can see the audience . Yes, the pianos scale and shape is art. Its a very sculptural shape in the room and should be seen at its best angle.
Hi Carolyn,
Look under Interior Design/Home Stagers or most real estate offices can direct you as well. Ask friends or neighbors who are or have sold to refer you to someone. It can really make a big difference in selling your home.
by Cathy — 6/4/07 at 12:12 pm #
9. I love the room, but as a pianist, with 2 pianos in a sunny studio with 4
4X7 windows, I can tell you that the placement of that piano near the window without protection is asking for trouble, at least for the piano, if you want any resale value or want to protect the piano. The finish will fade, plus the variation of heat and temp will cause it to go out of tune quickly. I know from experience, but unfortunately, have little choice in my room, other than blinds.
Just a thought….of course, just to sell a house, this looks lovely!
L
by Lori S — 6/4/07 at 6:39 pm #
10. You are right Lori, Since the piano will be moved soon, its where it has to be for now. Hopefully the new home will have better light control. Thanks for a great information.
by Cathy — 6/5/07 at 11:50 am #
11. Very nice all the way around!
by Karen — 6/5/07 at 9:16 pm #
12. Your colors pulled everything together, but you kept it simple and plain. That is what sells a home! How you did it in that short of time frame is commendable. Enjoyed the viewing.
By Ellie–6/7/07 at 9:ll am
by Ellie — 6/7/07 at 9:12 am #
13. I’m wondering why you went to red as the room appears to have green overtones in the photo. Did you get a great price on the red chair? I find this to be a turnoff unless you want Christmas every day in the livingroom. Earth tones could have been another choice to consider. The plant is a good foil against the hard lines of the rest of the room. Overall, good job!
by Charlee — 6/15/07 at 2:23 pm #
14. To # 11 Thank you Karen.
To # 12 Thank you Ellie for commenting and writing in.
To # 13 Hello Charlee, The reds and blue were chosen because the rest of her home is also done in these colors. We wanted to tie it all together. The living room was a little bland without the color. The red is actually more of a rusty red, like in the artwork. Gold and blue is also used. It makes sense when you see the rest of the house. Thanks for your observations.
by Cathy — 6/15/07 at 4:48 pm #
15. To # 13, Charlee, There is not much green in the room at all. The walls were painted from stark white to a light beigh. the area rug is a light beigh also. The only green is in the artwork. Your computer color may be off a little. Write again.
by Cathy — 6/15/07 at 5:24 pm #
16. Is your staging business in Northern California?
by kathy [...] — 9/5/07 at 1:26 am #
17. Hello Kathy, (good name)
No, I work and live in Southern California.
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 10:34 am #
18. Cathy
It is nice to read and see your work. I am a new home stager in San Antonio Tx and we have a new HomeGoods opening up this weekend. I have shopped at on in Houston and was so excited to see that we are getting one here. I am still working on my inventory and can’t wait to see what is available at the store. I will keep checking your blog. It is great to see how you are educating the public about the staging business and the importance of it. Here in Tx it is almost unheard of but I know with the housing industry slowing down, its value will increase.
by janice — 9/21/07 at 8:52 am #
19. Hello Janice,
I think you’ll enjoy being a home stager. The hardest part is getting the home owner to understand what a value your services provide. As you know, homes that are staged sell much faster and for more money than unstaged. Its a marketing tool that really works (especially in this buyers market.) You will love HomeGoods as a valuable resouce in your business. Its the first place I go when I stage a house.
Good luck with your new endeavor.
by Cathy — 9/21/07 at 10:37 pm #
20. I am so glad to finally find people who share my interest, home staging.
I currently live in NYC, but my hus lives in Tampa Florida, wher we have several houses.
I have always been passionate about interior decorating but was never able to convince other folks in my circle how much I love decorating.
I am currently working in corporate America. I am dying to go to school to pursue my education in this field but unfortunately i have a 16 year daughter who will be leaving for college soon. i need to be able to pay her tuition.
My goal is to obtain a certificate in interior design and decorating so that when I move to Florida I can finally do what I’ve been dreaming about for the past 20 years!
I am a 52 year old woman who is still hoping to have one of my dreams come through.
P.S. I got bitten by the staging bug when we were looking for houses in Florida. The first house we bought was sold four weeks after being on the market for cash because of how i had decorated it for personal use.
by pat [...] — 11/21/07 at 1:55 pm #
21. Hello Pat,
Have you heard that great commercial for the Honda automobiles…
” HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR DREAMS….” I’m singing it right now! Wish you could hear, maybe not…. Its never too late to do what you have a passion for. Get the training you need to move forward. If you want to be a Home Stager there are professional training programs to enroll in that are accredited. Usually less than a month long. It does help to have some interior decorating skills and experience. Go on line and Google “Home Staging Training” to get more info.
Keep moving ahead toward your goals, It will happen.
Good Luck and Hold On Tight……
Cathy
by Cathy — 11/21/07 at 6:29 pm #
22. Hi Cathy, What an interesting blog,wow lots of comments! I have a business similiar to your name !Homestaged2sell I am a Realtor and have been into Decor,I have been staging my clients homes For the past 13 years for FREE as a complimentary service and I started for a fee 3 Years ago..But the slowing market has gave me a slow time!! How about you any tips ?Where do you get your current business from? How long have you been in the business?
Michelle in Jersey…
by michelle — 2/13/08 at 2:21 am #
23. Hello Michelle in Jersey,
My grandparents lived in Perth Amboy, we visited often. Loved the Jersey tomatoes. YUM
Thanks for your interest in the blog. Your staging/reality business sounds exciting. Don’t ever underestimate your FREE previous staging services. People remember the good service and help you provided to sell their home. It benefited you and them. You probably recieved more business as a result of going the extra mile. Plus, you learned a lot about decorating to sell. Working for FREE is an investment in yourself and reveals great character for serving without reward.
The rent still has to be paid, so now you made a business out of what you’ve learned. Good Going!
As for me, I design and decorate mostly residential properties. I do staging when some of my Real Estate friends ask me. Its in addition to my design business. I think the best way to get staging business is to meet with as many Realtors as you can. Show them a portfolio of your work…before and after you stage. Also let family and friends know what you can do for them or others to sell their property faster and for more money. This is a great time for the staging business. People have to make their homes stand apart from all the rest that are on the market to get the sale.
Good luck to you and much success as well.
by Cathy — 2/15/08 at 8:45 pm #
24. I am an Oncology RN with a passion for staging. For years I have been helping friednds and families and after much encouragement have ventured out and am now pursuing staging as a home based business in addition to my nursing career. I love my career as an RN and am just as passionate about that! However, I’ve found a second love and look forward to seeing “Holly’s Home Matters” grow and prosper. I very much want to seek a certification but am turned off by the cost. Can anyone recommend one program over another?? Thanks for any guidance in advance….
PS) Furniture rental clearance houses are great places to pick up inexpensive pieces for your own inventory. Home Goods is a favorite spot for additional accessories!!
Regards, Holly, RN, BSN
seeking certification!!
by Holly — 3/18/08 at 10:18 pm #
25. Hello Holly,
I think it’s great that you can work in staging with your nursing career. It’s a wonderful creative pursuit.
As for finding affordable certification, I’m at a loss. Maybe someone in the Blogoshere can write in with some ideas. Can anyone help Holly find affordable staging certification??
Hopefully we’ll get some ideas.
Good Luck with the new business.
by Cathy — 3/19/08 at 1:15 pm #
26. Hi Cathy,
Maybe Holly doesn’t need any certification at all for home staging. I am an interior decorator( and by the way a former RN of 19 years). I have my own decorating business and I do home staging as well. I have no formal training for either, just tons experience and passion for decorating. When I staged my very first home for a client, I went straight to the internet and just researched home staging tips like crazy-all of the sites I researched had most of the same basic home staging tips. That first home I staged sold in two weeks, and they were offered the asking price! One problem I have with staging is getting clients to actually do the tips I suggested. That particular client I just talked about did everything I suggested from taking her window screens down(this makes a huge difference when looking out from inside the house) to cleaning out kitchen cabinets and straightening every spice jar left.
Another idea is to ask a friend you may know in Real Estate and ask to give a brief summary regarding the benefits of home staging at what my friend called their “Tuesday meeting”-this I believe is common in Real Estate offices-I think some realtors and their clients are leary about paying someone to come in and help sell, but if you could provide them with facts regarding the success of Home Staging, maybe they will give it a chance.
Good luck Holly!
Carolyn
by Carolyn — 3/19/08 at 2:13 pm #
27. Hi Carolyn,
Thanks so much for your great response to Holly. You have some great ideas. I do know people in the staging business who have experence in Interior Decorating, no “staging certification”. Also she could volunteer her services to an established stager for some experience and reference.
Thanks for your great ideas for Holly, Carolyn.
Does anyone have anymore?
by Cathy — 3/19/08 at 3:37 pm #
28. Hi Cathy.
This looks great. I was so excited to see your staging work on this site. I have been a fan of your blogs for some time now. KH
by Kate Hart — 3/19/08 at 4:19 pm #
29. Hello Hello Kate Hart,
I’ve been meaning to welcome you and tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your posts. SO…WELCOME!! You have some great ideas and I enjoy all your staging advice. I accept staging jobs when I can. I really enjoy the work and the results. Sometimes it’s hard for clients to understand where you’re coming from. They are so used to seeing their things their way, which is fine, but it may not be the best for a quick sell. That’s been my biggest hurdle in staging. Building trust is the hardest thing in staging and decorating. Do you find that to be true?
Keep up the great posts and I read them all. It’s great to have you join us.
…hope to talk more with you.
Thank you for your nice compliment.
Cathy
by Cathy — 3/19/08 at 6:30 pm #