Staging a Vacant Home Makes a Difference

This was a vacant staging job we did for an article in our local paper.  The article came out on the cover of today's Home and Garden section in the Post Standard (May 9).  You can read the online article here (sans photos).

What the article didn't say:  We had 3 days to find a vacant home, pull the furniture and accessories together, then stage the home. On staging day, the "before" photo shoot was at 10:30 a.m., the "after" photo shoot was at 3:15 p.m. leaving us less than 5 hours to stage a vacant 1500 sf, 4 bedroom home from top to bottom!  A downpour during the move, airbeds that wouldn't stay up, last minute paint fixes, a few minor repairs, all the while neighbors, realtors, and clients decided to come through unexpectedly to look at the home made for a crazy (but exciting) day. 

 

This home was on the market for 30 days prior to staging. The seller received an offer within a week of staging and the home is sold!

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Transformation - Plum Court Condo in Franklin Square

T

Our staging inspiration - we kept a contemporary look using clean lines in cream and black. We drew in red from the exposed brick and green from the stained glasss light in the kitchen area (as well as the outdoor courtyard).  We carried the colors throughout the first floor.  Upstairs we had the blue/gray carpet to draw from.

The asking price on this condo is $299,900.  It is a first floor condo in Plum Court.  Open floor plan,  1st floor location with private courtyard, high ceilings, gas stove, hardwood floors, marble, exposed brick, 1st floor laundry,  pantry, 2 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

Plum Court is located in a renovated warehouse in Franklin Square, Syracuse, NY.  

Email for additional info on home staging or realtor contact info.

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY

Looking to buy your first home this year?

If you're a first time home buyer, you'll get a significant tax credit for signing a mortgage this year. The new stimulus bill will give you a refund for 10% (up to $8,000) of the total amount paid for your new house. Just don't sign a subprime mortgage.

What's Your Style?

I am Cottage Chic.

Shabby, yet stylish. Cozy and comfortable with muted shades taken straight from a flower garden. 

Shabby Chic and Cottage work in my home.

What's your style?  Follow the link below and click on "restart quiz".  The site may prompt you to sign up for a free account at HGTV, so go ahead, sign up. Then click the link below again and find out what your decorating style is. 

What's your style?

Reclaimed Timber Wall

I have been inspired in the last few weeks to take a closer look at eco friendly products and materials.  

We are re-doing our camp in the 1000 islands and found this cool wall at Livingetc.  It is made out of reclaimed timber. 

I could see doing one wall like this. What a great focal point it would make!

Staging Fixes

Problem:  large outdated furniture,  wall print too small for the space, no coversation area, awkward flow

Fix:  Rearrange furniture to create better conversation area and flow, replace small print with large print, separate furniture, add pillows and throw to distract from outdated furniture.

Problem: Bookshelves look messy, broken ottoman stored under shelf, bar and kitchen area is lost behind clutter

Fix: pack away half the toys, remove ottoman and organize bookshelves, clear bar to show the  potential of kitchen area

Problem: furniture and packed boxes stored here for moving. Area shows messy and with no purpose.

Fix: Packed boxes moved to an outside rented storage unit. Oversized and outdated kitchen set was moved downstairs to give this space purpose and free up space in the kitchen.  Stereo was removed from the over crowded living room and moved down to the family room.

Home Staging Tip

Here are some handy dandy household uses for dryer sheets.  Some would be quite helpful for quick clean ups when showing your home.

1. Freshen smelly shoes. Insert a dryer sheet into the offending pair and let sit overnight. 
2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Wipe the surface with a sheet. 
3. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the spot where Fluffy left her fur. 
4. Replace a sachet. Keep a dresser drawer smelling fresh and clean by placing a dryer sheet on the bottom of it. 
5. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a fresh sheet in the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm tap water, and let sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning. 
6. Tackle suitcase and gym-bag odors. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag so your clean clothes won’t take on the odors of the dirty ones. 
7. Prevent old books from smelling musty when in storage.Stick a dryer sheet between the pages of your beloved copy of Pride and Prejudice. 
8. Wipe up sawdust after working in the garage. Rub a dryer sheet over the fine wood particles. 
9. Prevent thread from tangling when sewing. Run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin your handiwork. 
10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds, then wipe up and down with a dryer sheet.

credit: www.realsimple.com

Smart Move Design, a home staging and redesign company serving central and northern NY