Athens, TN

Ready 2 Stage Home Staging & Redesign recently staged this home near Niota, Tennessee. We just love the difference that adding some color and beautiful furniture made in this space. It was total "Vanilla" and now it's "Spicy, but relaxing."

We used some beautiful pops of red mixed with browns and golds to achieve a warm look in the Living area and kitchen.

There was also a beautiful Dining Area that due to seller budget, we weren't able to stage. The living area is the very first room you enter and those all important first impressions were our top priority. The Master suite was also one of the biggest selling features because of it's size and placement in the home.

Focusing on spa-like relaxation in the Master Suite, we used soft teals and browns to achieve a relaxing atmosphere. The master bath was a bit of a challenge with such a wide open expanse of tiled floor. Ultimately, a beautiful chaise lounge would have been my pick for the space, but to keep within our budget, we chose a couple of glass-topped tables to help the space seem more intimate and cozy. The glass in keeping with the spa feel, and the dark brown metal legs to draw the eye and keep it from bouncing throughout the room. The large walk-in shower screamed for seating, and we gave it just that. A small teak bench completes the spa theme.

The Master Bedroom was kept clean and simple. The footboard on the sleigh bed was a little tall, but our only choice. We decided to keep the bedding monochromatic using only white and light teal green for our colors. A down alternative comforter was folded at the end of the bed to give you a posh hotel feeling. The glass top tables were used instead of the bed's matching night stands, to keep the room from feeling too woody and heavy. My only problem with those is the fact that you can see the cords from the lamps. But by using some framed fabric art over the headboard, hopefully your eye goes there and stays away from those cord eyesores! We finished off the bed with an emotional connection point. A tray with a coffee mug, faux cinnamon roll and great little devo book to read. What more could you want?

Vacant home staging can be a challenge. Finding a furniture store or warehouse with suitable furniture, that is willing to rent, has been a definite advantage so far. And the fabulous deals and quality furniture that Athens Woodcrafters has provided has been the ticket to my vacant staging success.

One last shot of the kitchen (which was only accessory staged) into the living area. I would love your opinions on my work--Good or Bad--I'm a big girl. I can take it!! Thanks Rainmakers!

Recently when staging a townhome, We needed artwork to hang on each side of the bed in the Master Suite. Having black furniture with Neutral and Gray bedding, left me struggling to find something appropriate within my budget.

Quite a while earlier, I bought some great 11X14 black framed art--didn't really like the art in the frame--but couldn't resist because of the great price. I took those frames--removed the rather ugly artwork inside and added my own.

I started with 2 simple 8X10 sheets of scrapbooking paper in a pattern and color that coordinated with the bedding. I had 2 articificial palm-type leaves that I had used for decoration at a Hawaiian luau party, which I spray painted with dark bronze metallic paint. I mounted them on the paper with tacky glue--used the white matting that was in the original artwork and VOILA--the perfect art for the room! Tight budgets and strict time limits increase my creativity!! Take a look at the photos and tell me what you think.

.

Interested in this property? www.meadowcrestcommons.net

READY 2 STAGE HOME STAGING & REDESIGN specializes in maximizing the selling potential of your property. A simple 1 hour consultation can give you tips and advice on increasing your buyer appeal. We will give you our tips on preparing your home for sale and we can provide the resources to get the property ready for the market.

We also provide REDESIGN services for those who need a little help in the problem areas of the home. Sometimes fresh eyes can see a solution to your problem and provide a decorator touch!

Call today for your appointment: (423)506-3718

As many of you know, we home stagers like to work hard, but have fun while doing it.

I am so blessed to have my niece in the home staging biz with me. Where my talents fall short--hers kick in and vice versa. We love to work together to make vacant homes comes to life and occupied homes look updated and make the best possible impression on potential buyers.

There are always lots of shouts and questions from one end of a home to the other, and sometimes we catch each other talking to ourselves or making strange faces because something doesn't look quite right. I am the one usually taking our photos, so recently at a post-staging photo shoot, I captured my staging partner when she thought that I wouldn't. She was goofing off and trying to ruin my shot and I got her! Now my revenge is complete and I have a priceless photo that I can share with the world and get a few laughs.

Way to go Crystal! Here's your 15 seconds of fame!!

Ready 2 Stage Home Staging & Redesign works with Realtors and Home Sellers in Southeast Tennessee to maximize their selling potential. Staged homes sell 50% faster and for 6-10% more money. Invest in staging today--staging costs much less than your first price reduction! Contact Lori Donegan at (423)506-3718

Ready 2 Stage Home Staging & Redesign recently had the opportunity to stage a beautiful Meadowcrest Commons Townhome in Athens, Tennessee.

A local furniture builder and importer Athens Woodcrafters worked with us to furnish this luxurious townhouse in the style that it deserved. After 9 hours of furniture installation and accessory placement we delivered a product that pleases us, the Realtor, the Developers and hopefully many prospective buyers.

Century 21 Robinson Realty's Paula Scarbrough is the listing agent for all 11 available properties. For more information you may contact Paula at (423)745-4446 or check the website at www.meadowcrestcommons.net for more information.

If you long for small town living with uptown style this may be the place for you!

The Daily Post-Athenian 2009 Reader's Choice Poll Also Chose Crye-Leike's Athens Auction Team And Broker Sandy Phillips As The Best Real Estate Agents

Crye-Leike, REALTORS is proud to congratulate its Athens, Tennessee branch office on being chosen as The Best Real Estate Agency. The Daily Post-Athenian recently held its 2009 Reader's Choice Poll and the community voted Crye-Leike's Athens Branch as the number one real estate office for the second year in a row.

"I am so proud to be a part of this outstanding office," said Melonie Carideo, Crye-Leike's Athens Branch Managing Broker. "The professional, ethical and friendly staff and agents make my job an easier one. We are all so proud the community we serve feels we are doing a great job."

In addition to the entire office being recognized for its exceptional real estate service, the community also selected Broker Sandy Phillips as the top real estate professional in Athens again this year."

"I was very happy to hear the news that I was chosen by the people of McMinn and surrounding counties, to be the best real estate agent. I truly love what I do and enjoy helping my clients and customers find the home of their dreams," said Sandy. "It's an honor to serve the people of McMinn, Meigs, and Monroe Counties. I appreciate my customers and clients very much and I can't think everyone enough for voting for me."

Crye-Leike's Athens, offering Chattanooga real estate services, office picked up its third honor in the newspaper's poll for having the best auction team. The Daily Post-Athenian readers' chose Realtors Joe Stepp and Mike Graves as the top auctioneers in the community.

"It is great to work with an office full of some of the best Realtors in Athens," said Carideo. "I am so proud of Sandy, Joe and Mike who are great examples and role models for other agents. We aren't number one in this area for nothing - it's the people that make our office the BEST!"

Sales associates in Crye-Leike's Athens office assist buyers and sellers in and around McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk counties. They specialize in all types of Chattanooga homes for sale. The office has a Sunshine Committee dedicated to giving back to the community. Sales associates participate in and host various fundraisers to support local charities. Throughout the past year, the office raised thousand of dollars for charities including the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, Susan Komen's Race For A Cure, United Way, and the McMinn County Rescue Squad's Annual Children's Gift Giving Campaign.

To learn more about career opportunities with Crye-Leike and for all your real estate needs and personal referrals, please contact Crye-Leike's Athens office at (423) 746-0227.

Harold Crye and Dick Leike established Crye-Leike, REALTORS in 1977. Today, Crye-Leike®, the nations 6th largest real estate company, has a network of more than 3,500 licensed sales associates based out of more than 130 corporate and franchise offices located in 65 counties through-out the eight-state southern region of Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and North Carolina.

Crye-Leike is a full-service real estate company offering buyers and sellers services in: residential sales, mortgage lending, title, insurance, business brokerage and investments, property management, development and construction, builder resources, REO bank-owned properties, relocation, auctions, and home services referrals. In 2008, the Crye-Leike organization attained a sales volume in excess of $4.2 billion with 25,871 homes sold.