Can a room be too neutral?

First, Good Job!

You broke a rule but did it tastefully.  And it is not so much red that it's a 'shock' or even problematic - it is an accent color. 

Thanks Sondra,  The pictures do not even do it justice.  It really looks much better.

Great job.  Nice choice of color too! 

Yes, I believe a room or house for that matter can be too neutral.  When it's too neutral, it lacks personality or character.  Too blah is just as bad as too IN YOUR FACE.  I think you found a tasteful compromise.  Good job.

I also agree that a house can be too neutral.  Maureen, the paint you chose was just the ticket.  Great choice!! I'm just facing a new vacant job in a newly renovated $1M+ house that has just been freshly painted - STARK WHITE throughout!!!  There's absolutely no chance in H.. that the owners are going to paint it again, so what I plan to do is use contrast for impact.  For example, dark stone,gray,sagey microfiber sofa, dark sagey, red and plum patterned chair, espresso wood tables and a strong colored area rug.  I"ll echo these colors all over the first floor and in the bathrooms all over.  Then, for relief and serenity, in the master suite, I'll go robin's egg blue patterned satin bedding on black wood furniture, and the pale blues in the bath towels etc as well, ya' think?  Oh for some lovely soft neutral paint, though, so much easier to do.

Congrats...makes you look like a saint when it happens that quick.  Add that to your portfolio  Before.. 6 months on market.  After... Contract 14 days.  You get my half eaten cookie and glass of milk award!!  ;)

Patricia - I would not go over the top with color. I think sometimes going with beige / cream couches with just a subtle pop of color in the accessories makes the home look rich.  Whenever I need inspiration I look at some of Aaron Leitz photographs.  He is a professional photographer who shoots high end homes.  Check out some of his work: HERE

Amazing Maureen.  I hate that color of kitchen cabinet and I would never have thought of a rusty red to compliment and make them pop.  Great job!

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Bob -  What an honor, the Half Eaten Cookie and a Glass of Milk Award, I can't believe it.  I humbly accept this new but prestigious award. I'd like to thank all my buds in Stage it Forward, without you all this would never have happened.  It is truly a great day for Rockland Home Staging.  

I'm overcome,  What sunshine is to flowers, cookies are to humanity. - Maureen Henry 2007

Hi Maureen,

What a difference, the red looks awesome! Sometimes we just have to go with what our gut says! Congratulation on the contract!

Absolutely, it sure can.  Well done on the offer within 2 weeks, your work shows your talents and why stagger are soo important in our industry.

I agree, a room should have some color.  I love contrast!

Great job!  The color on the walls even makes the floor look better.  Everything was just too plain and all the same color.  No one would develop an emotional attachment to the "before" kitchen.

Maureen  Wow what a difference that made!  I really like that the knows bring the kitchen/dishwasher together.  Great job!

Maureen...congratulations my friend and "Thank You" again for a wonderful conversation this week and for sharing your knowledge.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Very nice contrast between the before and after. It's a great illustration for good staging.

The redo looks really good. You did a great job.

Maureen,

Those cabinets required some type of "wow" and you carried it off perfectly.  Don't you think that color is definitely very desirable right now?  Right now, I'm getting a villa that I own at the beach painted with lots of tropical colors.  I think I'll post a before and after when it's finished.  Enjoyed your post.

I'm sorry, a little new at blogging. I saw your blog on a google alert and commented without signing in. The above is from me, Maureen. Great job. Also, great suggestion to look at Aaron's photography portfolio or another great one in your local area. His portfolio though is outstanding.

Lisa Robbins 

Nice job. The red brings out the cabinets and appliances. Those little things do seem to make big differences in the feel of a home.

Maureen, it looks beautiful!  I happen to love bursts of red anywhere but you did a gorgeous job...and congradulations on your contract!  You must be thrilled!

Hi Maureen!

Great job!  Now the cabinets and countertops really stand out!  It is truly amazing what a little 'punch' of color can do!

VAL

Maureen, That was a perfect choice that makes the room pop and warms it up. Looks great!

What color and brand paint?

Ginger

Thanks for all the wonderful comments!

Ginger - It is Benjamin Moore - Crimson #1299.  It is a nice brick / terra cotta kind of a red.   

It looks excellent. And congratulations on the quick sale and I hope all goes well!

www.sugarlandrelocation.com 

I think it looks great. people tend to focus more on not offending people than to impress them. So we have all these bland houses. I would do some sort of tile backsplash. they are cheap and really bring out the rest of the room

You get my stamp of approval on this one.  Thinking inside the box and painting it too! Great Job!!

The Affiliate Andersohn Approval & Accolade Stamp

I think the red pops - sure it is a broken rule but the cabinets don't look so out of date against the red... especially with the stainless pulls

As a pirate would say -" they aren't really rules - they're more like guidelines"

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.  

Brad - Wow,  I'm honored - the AAAA Stamp - I feel like I have finally arrived! 

Very nicely done.  I love that color of red.  It seems that muted shades of non-neutral colors fall right in line with the neutrals. 

Well done indeed! Nothing like a little color to actually make the place seem a little more contemporary. Love it.

maureen, this is an awesome transformation!  What color is that called?

Hey Marci - It is Benjamin Moore - Crimson #1299.  It is a nice brick / terra cotta kind of a red.  

Maureen - Splendidly done. From unmemorable to WOW. 

Maureen, I just spoke with a couple today that has a vacant home about staging.  One of the issues is selling cost versus results.  Are there any statistics on selling vacant homes versus staged homes?  Where is the data drawn from?  Nice post.

Hey Gary - Home staging statistics are hard to track - from what I've read they can expect to make between 5-7%  Here is probably one of the only reliable quotes on home staging.  Read this: Home Staging Statistics 

I think it is even more important to have a vacant home staged because there is nothing in it to give it a sense of scale.  I recently consulted on a home where the builder was getting feedback the the master bedroom was too small.  People were not sure it could fit a nice size bed.  The room was 18 X 24.  Without furniture to give people a reference point things just look smaller.  There is also nothing warm and fuzzy about a vacant.  I think people also assume the sellers are desperate and throw out low ball offers.  Good luck.  

If you want more advice on how to encourage a builder  / homeowner to stage post a blog in Stage if Forward.  I'm sure you will get a ton of feedback.  We love to hear from realtors over there! 

I love it. You did a wonderful job. That is a very nice shade of red. It looked like a brand new kitchen.

Maureen, great post. I love seeing before & after pics. You did a great job!

Hey some rules are meant to be broken...right?! Looks fabulous!

Maureen -- when you said "red" in that photo editing post a few days ago ... I wasn't quite sure what to expect!  It does look great! 

I know Cheryl .  You really helped me edit the photo.  I wold not have been able to use the before photo without your help. 

You gave me another idea:   :-)

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/120078/Unpainting-A-Staged-Kitchen

Everyone should go over and check out Cheryl's unstaging of this kitchen.  It is really interesting. 

The redone room looks very nice. Good job. Can you come out and paint a couple of the listings I have? I need a painter. ;-)

My daughter, very hip, jaws drop when people see a picture of her house..she is an architect

Okay..she ALWAYS tells me, "Mom, don't BEIGE OUT". This is for houses and cars.

My daughter, very hip, jaws drop when people see a picture of her house..she is an architect

Okay..she ALWAYS tells me, "Mom, don't BEIGE OUT". This is for houses and cars.

I have an apartment with "beige out" syndrome. This red really perked me up, and I'm going to buy some pain this weekend. The contrast makes it stand out so much more. A few accessories with the red will be nice...and good for you!

Fab, Fab, FAb. !

 Maureen you are the bomb with colour!  Well done.  Absolutely, needed colour.  I will remember this when I come across a similar situation. 

Maureen, you made these sellers quite happy with your expertise. Cheryl's tutorial very helpful too, thanks for linking that in here.

So much better Maureen.  I guess you proved your point.  Good to know.  Karen Hubert

Great job, Maureen!  Though I love serene, neutral spaces (with a punch of fun accessories), I absolutely think rooms can be too drab and neutral.  Congratulations on your nice work, and quick-sale turnaround!

Leslie Olson    Leslie Olson Interiors -- Austin, Texas    leslie@leslieolsoninteriors.com

Maureen, I think I'm comment number 55. Congratulations on another wonderful post. This kitchen in perfect and that is part of what makes this blog so wonderful. The other part is how well you presented the whole thing. Hope you have had time to drink your milk and eat your partially eaten cookie. You deserve it!

Yvonne - It will never cease to amaze me which blogs become popular and which ones turn out to be duds.  Some of the blogs I've spent the most time making have generated very few comments, then something in a tiny little blog will strike a cord with people. Either way I'm happy.  I blog for the sheer Blog of it.  ;)

Great job.  I get so many great ideas on ActiveRain!

Nice to see color!  Just right! 

Hello Maureen ,

I am new to AR and ran across your blog's.  I like them so much I'm going to subscribe.  I haven't had the opportunity to see much in staging, but love your photo's.  Here in particular, the color IS nice......BUT, did I notice new cabinet hardware?  Way to go!  It is such an inexpensive way to really improve any cabinet and give that new clean feeling.  It is a basic step for me to do in all my rental properties and any client I'm working with.

Thanks for the post!

Too neutral = boring.  Nobody is saying put in a disco ball, but people do sometimes want just a little bit of spice....

Melissa - I think everyone should follow your lead.  ;)

Looks great!!  I have to say that red is my favorite color and my kitchen is red...I wanted to make my cabinets "pop" and it was so dramatic once it was done.  Sometimes it pays to take a chance!!!  Nice job!!

Hey Maureen I broke the same cardinal rule in a home I staged last year. I too painted the walls in kitchen red because the space was small but had these huge vaulted ceilings. I wanted to draw buyers into the room. It did work.

When I went back to destage the property I even said WOW seeing the kitchen again. I JUST LOVE THE TERRACOTTA REDS.

Great job

Phyllis Pafumi

Hey Phyllis - Every now and the you just gotta break the rules. 

WOW What a difference. I want to find out from you, where did you learn all these stuff about colors?

Cheers,

Cindy 

Cindy - most of what I know has come from reading books and blogs!