Staging a Behind the Scenes Look

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When I tell people I’m a home stager, they say “What a fun job!”

I love my job, but there is so much more to it than arranging stuff in a house.

A typical staging job starts the moment a homeowner or Realtor calls. Step one is to go look at the property. Every property is unique, with distinct features. And each property will have a unique buying audience that we wish to target. This is why Stagers don’t prefer to estimate fees over the phone, site unseen. After careful consideration of the property’s needs, style, and demographics, a quote is prepared for the client within 24 hours.

Step Two: With the client approval and a date set, we move ahead with creating the design plan. After identifying the property’s needs, we head to the furniture store to pick out pieces for rental. We then source accessories, artwork, area rugs and anything else needed to complete the look. A full toolkit is essential too.

The pre-work is done. Step Three is staging day! Jessica from Fresh Moves and I meet at the property promptly at 9am with two full SUVs. The property is on the main level but down several looooong hallways. We unload our cars, piling everything in the lobby. The sight of beautiful accessories, furniture, and yes, a broom, makes passersby curious. We stop to chat with a few homeowners wondering if we are the new neighbours!

  

Shortly after, the large furniture pieces arrive. The moving men careful swivel the furniture into the condo. Andrei and Raymond of The Supermovers are simply awesome! Cheerful, skilled, and service-oriented, they really live up their name. We recommend them to anyone needing movers. They graciously help us move a pile of stuff from the lobby into the condo before heading off to the next job. Jessica and I are very thankful since each trip, that hallway gets a little looooooonger.

Now Jess and I are in full staging mode. Jessica starts to unpack accessories as I set up the beds in both bedrooms. We find it works best to put everything in the kitchen, but what a mess!                            

Starting in the bedrooms we first decide on the best layout, then choose the perfect pillows, artwork and accessories to complete the bedroom. We want to draw attention to the windows. This condo is nestled in Discovery Ridge and all the windows have a superb view of huge pine trees, your own private forest. In our opinion, an excellent selling feature! 

Now it’s time to tackle the main living area. Placing the furniture and art to highlight the focal points, dressing the sofa, mantle, and tables with just the right finishing touches – this is the art of staging that we love! A well-positioned mirror reflects the gorgeous kitchen and the wonderful view.

A few simple touches in the bathrooms takes them from empty-feeling to well-dressed and spa-like.

Now comes the steaming process! All bedding and towels are steamed so they are wrinkle-free, fresh and crisp. Time to tidy up and re-pack our cars with any extras floating around, plus the recycling.

Finally we snap a few shots for our portfolio and a quick phone call brings the homeowner running to the reveal. She is thrilled with the transformation! We’re thrilled that she’s thrilled. Another great day of staging complete!

For more information on having YOUR home transformed, contact Elysse at Simplystylishstaging@gmail.com; or Jessica@FreshMoves.ca.

To contact The Supermovers, call 403.437.MOVE (6683)

Occupied Staging For Your Calgary Home.

Occupied Staging is becoming more popular in Calgary. Most sellers just need help arranging furniture to make their space buyer friendly. With a few tweaks to what this client already had we were able to create a space with function, allowing buyers to see the potential in this spacious bonus room.

                                     
 

Define Your Space with an Area Rug

An easy way to add color and texture to your space is with an area rug, here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect rug.

When you’re out shopping for your new rug, think about what colors you already have in the space and what color is dominate in your space. Choose a rug that has a couple of colors that are already in your home. For staging I tend to pick a natural solid color to keep the buyers eyes up and flowing through the space.

Patterned rugs are a great way to add visual interest, but avoid patterns if your furniture already has a pattern to it. The pattern in the rug should pick up the less dominate features in the space. Patterned rugs give off a more decorated look, if you selling you home stick to a solid color as it will appeal the widest range of buyers.

Picking the right size, an area rug is a great way to define the conversation area in your space. The size of the rug depends on the size of room. To define the space the rug should be big enough for the front legs of the sitting piece to rest on the edge of the rug. It always better to go bigger then smaller when in doubt.

Look at the cleaning label, its usually found on the back of the rug. Wool rugs can last years with proper maintenance. Shag rugs have a lifetime of 3-5 years with proper care under normal use. Shag rugs tend attracts static especially in dry environment like Calgary and if you have pets. Polypropylene rugs are a great choice for areas where spills can happen, as they can be cleaned with soap and water. Sea grass rugs are an environmentally friendly choice with a rustic look, but moisture will rot the fibers.

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Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

What to do with an L-Shaped Room ?

L shaped room can be a challenge to work with; they usually are rooms that combined a living room –dining room.  When preparing you home for sale there are a few things you can do to your L-shaped space to ensure it shows the functions of both dining and living.

First off, its best if the room is painted all the same color, and the same flooring  is carried through the space. A change in flooring or paint color can make the space appear smaller; our eye is drawn to the break in color. A stager’s goal is to keep the eye flowing through the space.

When designing your layout think of the space as two different spaces like a wall is between them. Decide what will be going in the dining room and what will be part of the living room.  Try not to over lap the room, keep passage ways clear so the space reads as two separate spaces.  

Like any shape of room place your furniture around the focal point in the room which may be a fireplace, window or TV.  Angles work great in L-shaped room so don’t be afraid to try it. Start with the biggest piece of furniture then add the small pieces to fill the space.

Mirrors are a great accent to enhance L shaped room. Not only will a mirror brighten up the space it can also make the space seem more spacious. Reflected light from a strategically placed mirror can actually give the illusion of double the space.

Lighting is very important; adjust your lighting to the size of the room. Try to stay away from ornamental lighting as it tends to make the space appear smaller

Take these steps in consideration when staging your L-shaped room. Give Buyers an idea of what to do with an odd shaped space.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging 

Painting Over Wallpaper

Removing dated wall paper can be a challenge, especially when layers and layers have been put up. Sometime remove old wallpaper can damage the plaster or drywall.  You may want to think about painting over the wallpaper to update you space or even preparing it for the market. You be surprised to know that you can paint over almost anything as long as you use the right paint and primer.

If you decide to paint over your current wall paper here are some things to keep in mind. Check every seam look for bubbles, make sure they are smooth and pressed down. You can glue any lifting corners just be sure you let the glue dry very well.

The next step is to prep all the seams and flaws, using a drywall  knife apply a layer of drywall mud over all flaws and seams. Once the dry wall mud has set you can start sanding the mud to a smooth surface. You will probably need to do this twice to guarantee the seams are covered  well. Using a damp cloth wipe the walls down to remove any dust from sanding. This will help the primer to stick to the walls.

Always use a primer, applying water based paint directly to the wallpaper can cause a big mess lifting seams and loosening bubbles. When choosing a primer pick an alcohol based primer, this will make certain their will be a tight boned to the paper and will block stains that can bleed through. Caulk along the ceiling, trim and baseboards this will ensure you get a nice line when you paint. You are now ready to prime you walls and let dry.

The hardest part of the job is done, now let’s talk about paint. I would recommend using a flat or eggshell finish . These paints have less sheen to them and will hide flaws better. You now can paint one coat; this is your chance to fix anything that you think is still not perfect. Sand and re prime until your happy then apply your second coat of paint.

I hope you find these tip helpful, if you need any information on preparing  you home for the market contact Simply Stylish Staging. I would be happy to answer any of your questions.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Creating Balance with Home Decor

 Creating balance can be done two ways.  The first way is Symmetrical design is it’s when you have two unit of each item. It’s like a mirror effect for example if you have two identical tables on either side of the sofa with lamps on them. This is the simplest way to create balance but tends to be a bit static lacking visual interest.

Photo from Campbell DesignsLLC.com

 The second way to create balance is asymmetry, which is opposite symmetric design. Asymmetry is when the visual weight of two items is almost equal and mixed with items that are of different in size, pattern, spacing and shape.

Photo from EthanAllen.com

  Balance is created when everything in the room works together to create a pleasurable feeling. To achieve balance you need to consider that size, scale and lighting our in proportion to the room.

 Let’s talk about how you can apply balance into your space, start with the biggest piece of furniture. For example the sofa will anchor a grouping of art, make sure you artwork is not bigger then the sofa and hung 6 to 8 inches above. This will make the grouping appear as one piece with the sofa. If the art is to height it will look lost or out of balance.

 When accessioning use multiple pieces placed close together all around the room. If you’re selling your home this trick will keep the buyers eye moving around the room, large displays tend to stop the buyers eye.

  The larger the piece of furniture the more room you need to leave around it, this allows they eye to rest. Too much stuff and buyers get distracted; they look at the stuff instead of connecting with the space.

  A great way to add visual interest and balance with accessories is to place décor item at three height levels floor, mid level and eye level. This will help the buyer’s eyes move naturally through the room, an example of item at floor level would be area rugs ,plants and the flooring its self. Décor items at mid level are lamps and accessories placed on table tops. Window treatment and art work are examples of height at eye level.

   Contrast is a great way to achieve interest in a room. Imagine an all white room with white floor and white furniture it would be pretty boring. Contrast helps bring energy to the space and keeps the buyers eyes moving. I love this look.

Elle Decor.com

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Staging Tricks to Make Any Room Look Bigger

   Buyers are always looking for the property with the most space here are few tips to consider when staging that give the illusions of more square footage.

 Hanging a mirror an effective way to increase light your space, keep in mind mirrors reflect whatever is in front of them. Try to place the mirror so you are reflecting a great view or something with interest .The best way to reflect light into the space is to place the mirror on the opposite wall of the window.

 When you entry a room your eye will catch the biggest item in the room, by placing all large items at the back of the room you automatically draw the eye back. Try to keep your facial point at the back of the room too. Placing the facial point at the entrance can make buyers feel crowed.

 Color plays a big part in how large a space feels, keep the paint color light. Light colors recede making the space feel large. Dark colors tend to swallow up the light making the space feel dark and small.

  

 If you are thinking about updating your flooring consider having the flooring installed on a diagonal. This will create the longest straight lines possible in the space. When ever possible use the same flooring through out the space this will create unity and seem more open. Over sized tile can also make the space appear larger even in the smallest rooms.

 Over sized furniture can make a space feel small, consider the scale of your furniture to the size of the room. A common mistake to place all the furniture on the walls, pull the furniture away from the wall this will make the space seem cozier.

 A great visual trick is to use glass table tops like coffee table, desks and dinning tables. The glass makes you think you can see more space and less clutter.  

Elysse Bulloch CCSP

Simply Stylish Staging

Using Color Effectively

Staging a property with color is easy as long as you follow 60/30/10. 60 represents the dominate area this would include walls, floors and ceiling. 30 would be the medium area items like furniture, drapery and bedding and10 is the smallest area in the room items like pillows, bedding and décor.

Image by Jasmic via Flickr

 When staging a room it is best to stick with three colors anymore and your potential buyer can get distracted. However just two colors can be visual stimulating as well but instead of using 50/50 ratio try out 60/40 or 70/30  this will keep the buyers eye moving through out the space.

Their three types of color scheme monochromatic, analogous and complementary. Monochromatic scheme is different shades and tints of one color; this tends to the most calming and relaxing color scheme. An analogous scheme consists of colors that are beside each other on the color wheel, such as orange and red. A complementary scheme uses colors located across from each other on the color wheel like purple and green. Complementary color scheme are used to create excitement and interested.

 Test your paint color for accuracy; place your paint chip on the wall under natural light.  If you hold it up you will only see what it looks like under the light but not what it will look like on the wall. Keep in mind interior paint always dry darker and exterior always dry lighter.


Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging

Is The Realtor.ca App Changing Real Estate ?

 The tech savvy buyers can now drive to a desire community and look at every house on the market with the new Realtor.ca app right from their phone.  Looking at this from the buyer's side this app definitely changes Real Estate. Statistics shows that 90% of people start their home search online these consumers have a good idea of which property they want to look at by how they houses shows in their online marketing. I am pretty sure that this stat will rise now that Realtor.ca has made it even easier to search for properties.

 Sellers may be able to use this app as an advantage, view your competition. Know what you up against. Once you know what your up against its time to put the elbow grease in to make your property look as good if not better than what’s out their.  Staging may be a crucial part of your marketing. I believe this app will change the standard of how properties are marketed. The houses with only one picture or bad photography will get past over.

 Before you list your house in 2011 work with a Realtor to get it priced right, put the time in to prepare your home. Many sellers need to paint, declutter and stage the property. Buyers need to see past your life to envision living in the space. You need you property to sparkle and shine resembling a magazine or show home. You never know who might be driving by. 

   Kelley Skar a Calgary Realtor recently reviewed the app. If you’re interested in see the app up and running check out his video blog.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

Home Office Staging Help

Downtown Calgary Office After Staging

One of the biggest questions I get form clients is what do I do with the home office when selling ?  The home office need to show clean and organized while maintaining a functional work environment while in transition. One of the first things on the to-do list is get rid of clutter, box up all old files, and clean out the bookshelves, drawers and file cabinets. Only work with what you need and get in the habit of filing it away at the end of the day.

 When you sell your house you need to show buyers how the space is used, this helps buyer to imagine living in your space. The office can be one space where buyers feel like they are being meddlesome in the seller’s life. Pack away all personal items like photography’s and diplomas these items tend to encourage buyers to look at your life instead of imagining living in the space.

Anyone that works from home has a bookshelf that is stuffed to the gills. Buyers see this as clutter. To fix this, stag the bookshelves half full, add plants and vases to give your bookshelf a splash of color submissively buyers will feel like this is a prolific work space.

Often the office has larger pieces of furniture which can make the space seem small. Filing cabinets take up lots of space; it is unlikely you will need all these files at one time.  Ask yourself if you can move the file cabinet to the basement or even store them off site but in a place where you can still easily access them. By removing bigger piece of furniture the office will showcase bigger and more productive.

Adding plants to the home office is a great inexpensive way to hide cords and plug ins. Cords look untidy and unorganized. Move your desk so it faces the wall so cords fall behind, out of sight out of mind.

Downtown Calgary Office Before Staging

Simply Stylish Staging

Elysse Bulloch

Related articles

• 10 Cheap Desk Organization Tips (brighthub.com)
• Setting Up a Home Office (turbotax.intuit.com)
• Creative Home Offices Inspiration Gallery (apartmenttherapy.com)

Staging Ideas For Small Spaces

Image by caribb via Flickr

If you have a small space in your home it can be a challenge to show its function and show its potential. Staging your small space can make huge impact on buyers here are some staging tips and tricks for small spaces.

• Small living room - to show off small spaces make sure to use smaller scale furniture or eliminate a few large pieces. Couches take up a lot of your square footage, try using the love seat instead. Use floating end table instead of a coffee table.
• Storage- Buyers need to see that you have lots of storage. Decorative box and baskets are great way to hide remotes, toys, magazines and  personal items. Buyers only know what they see, you need to show buyers how your space can be used.Storage ottoman and floating shelves are great way to show buyers you have lots of storage.
• Patterns - stick to solid neutral colors they help brighten your space. Patterns tend to be to busy and over powering. Use textures to add some interest .
• Paint- dark colors absorb the light  making  your space appear smaller. Pick a lighter color to expand your space
• Lighting- upward lighting creates an impression of more square footage.Trim back tree to allow lots of light to come through the windows,lighting can increase the illusion of space in a small spaces.

Staging can help sell your home quickly often for more then asking. If you have any question about Calgary Home Staging please feel free to contact Simply Stylish Staging


Elysse Bulloch

Related articles

• Make a Room Look Bigger in two Hours (interiordecorating.suite101.com)
• How Can I Sell My House Fast? (brighthub.com)

Selling your Calgary Home With Small Children

  When it comes to selling your house it can pose quite a problem for young families. When you have small children your furniture placement is geared towards  keeping your kids safe. How do young families prepare their home for sale while maintaining kid friendliness and normalcy in their family lives. Here are a few things you can do ensure your home shows its true potential.                                                                     
                                                                                          

• Store toys in baskets and decorative boxes, keeping toys well organized will help show off your square footage. This way toys are still easy to get to but neatly stored away.
• In the living room you can use an ottoman that has storage in it, all the toy in the living room can be stored away neatly in the ottoman for showing but still very easy for kids to access.
• Place high chairs,bounce chairs and baby gates neatly in the garage for showings.
• Do not stuff items in the closet buyers always look in the closet but you can place them under the bed no one looks their.
• Use an extra bedroom to set up a play space
• Stuffed animals take up allot of space have your children pick a few of their favorite and store the rest in a hanging net.

It might be difficult to stag your home with small children, just remember your hard work will pay and you soon will be movign to your dream home.

Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging

Things That Turn Calgary Home Buyers Off And Their Solutions

Image by thinkpanama via Flickr

Are you thinking about selling your Calgary home? Wondering where to start? Here are a few budget friendly ideas to help get your home sold.

We know that bathrooms sell houses .if you have a small bathroom, consider taking out your vanity and replace it with a pedestal sink. Buyers will love this modern take and it shows off your square footage.

Shower door get grimy and dell instead of spend a couple hundred dollars on replacing them get out your rubber gloves. Mix 1 part decaling liquid to 10 part water and scrub with steel wool .A little bit of elbow grease and your shower doors look new again.

When selling your house you need to make sure that each room is not to gender specific. Edit items that may be specific to one sex. Paint walls a neutral color and add accessories to match.

Update an old brick fireplace, if the bricks on the fireplace are overpowering an easy fix is to paint. Paint each brick with a rag or brush a coat at a time. Pick a color that matched the wall and your fireplace will tie in nicely instead of standing out.

Brass fireplace, an easy fix is to pick up some heat resistance paint, tape to protect from over spray, spray with steady strokes 18cm away from surface. In no time your fireplace will look modern.

Wood paneling is screaming Hello 1970. Pick up some wood filler fill the cracks between each panel after the wood fillers dries paint the room and we are back in 2010.

Fix all repairs one thing buyers do not want to see is work. Repairs left for the buyer to see mean low offers.

If you need help preparing your home for sale contact us for some free advice on home Staging.

Simply Stylish Staging

Elysse Bulloch

Related articles

• Staging your home on a budget (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Changing Curb Appeal of a House (brighthub.com)

Staging in Calgary the Next Rage

 I receive lots of calls from people that are inquiring into home staging in Calgary. It always surprises me that so many people have never heard of staging or think its way out of reach.
 Staging is proven marketing techniques to prepare homes for sale,by strategically placing art work and accessories. Staged properties will sale on average of 7% more in less then half the time. Staging will create flow in your space, keeping the potential buyer moving, Creating a universal appearance to make the space appeal to more buyers. First impression is the key to the sale of any property as a buyer will know in less then 4  minutes if they are interested. 
 Don't be reluctant to invest in a home your leaving, home staging will cost less then a price reduction. most buyers today are looking for a move in ready home and are willing to pay top dollar to get it. Staged properties send signals of trust to potential buyers. How you may ask? When a property is staged  all repairs and issues have been fixed before the home went on the market. I also encourage all my clients to get a home inspection prior to listing. This way the seller is well aware of any issues that can come up after an offer has been made.
 Just a few years ago you could buy a home in Calgary without even looking at it these day are long gone. Its a buyers market and buyers are picky. Their are more and more homes listed everyday, Staging  is an investment will make you property stand out from the pack.Helping buyers envision themselves living in the space and connecting emotionally with the property .



Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging
403.710.4229

Staging a Calgary Bathroom

Before buyers have nothing to connect with

Now buyers can see the potential.


Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging 

Calgary Downtown Condo Revealed

Another example of great for dwell but not for selling.Before its hard to see that the client has a beautiful dining set and gorgeous flooring. A little prepacking goes a long way buyers can now imagine living in this property.   

Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging

Calgary Downtown Condo before and Afters

This trendy downtown condo  can hardly been seen under all the stuff, as we peeled back all the layers we reveal that this room is indeed a second bedroom. Oh wait and it has floor to ceiling windows with a great view.

Before: The way we live before we decide to sell great for dwelling not for selling. Remember buyer only know what they see.

After: This is what buyers want to see













Elysse Bulloch
Simply Stylish Staging
403.710.4229

How to Keep My Calgary home Staged ?

  Selling your house can be a hard pill to take , kids running around ,toys to pick up, a dog and the  stress of having your home look perfect. Your real estate professional calls and says he has clients that want to come look at the house  after work can you be ready?  Oh my goodness your thinking, how the heck can I get home and clean up and have the house look its best with a my busy family.

The solutions is have a reuse able bag in each room and when you know your having a showing get everyone in the family to pick room. Start filling the bag with all the items that should not be out during the showing.  This is a easy way to clean up clutter and still stay organized.

Elysse Bulloch

Simply Stylish Staging

403.710.4229