There's something about red...

Hi Maureen,

This is a great post. I use red, orange or green as accents to create interest in the photographs as well.

I can never warm up to the idea that four walls painted red in a bedroom is cozy and appealing. I would be interested in hearing from other Stagers on whether they suggest red bedrooms are painted a neutral colour.

When the client does not want to paint the red neutral, I suggest that we balance the sea of red with cream to tone it down. Cream duvet, throws, artwork, props and accessories. Seems to work.

As Stagers we need to educate the public and Realtors that Home Staging need not be an expensive marketing tool. Using the client's belongings in a new way created a very appealing look in the home and motivated buyers to put the property on their must see list.

Congratualtions!

Maureen, Lovely changes and you couldn't be more right.  I see that as the element that is missing the most often and still don't get it.  Red is Fire, it enlivens, stimulates, adds energy and most people stay away from it.  I love incorporating into a room and thrilled to hear you do as well.

Maureen ~ I love the red!  Even though there was red in the rug (in your first picture), the new rug looks so much more vibrant.  I agree about using it - I find that when I am in a room that is predominantly beige, I just seem to gravitate toward red for accessories.

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@Maureen.  Reading your post made me decide to wear something red to the office today.  And there is not very much red stuff in my closet...

Maureen: Like the Michelle F above, I use a lot of red, orange and lime green whenever I can. They are very energizing and fresh. Red is a wonderful color. Thanks for reminding us.

Cheryl - I'm sure you'll cheer up the entire office!

Maureen, this looks great!  I also love touches of red!

pictures are too small on bottom room. Rug makes room smaller

Nancy - In a perfect world we would have had a budget for artwork and a different rug.  This job had a $0.00 budget - the only fee was for my time. The artwork was in a the stairwell where it was not noticeable. This artwork works better then the oversized wedding photos with ornate gold leafed frames. For me staging older occupied homes is not about perfection, it's about making an improvement.

Red, orange, brown and green - all of my most favored colors of all.  You did a wonderful job!

Kathy

We use the reds, golds and greens combo quite often. It really is cozy! Red just seems to add such energy and vibrance to a room.

Really great job, Maureen! Good post.

Julia

Good job Maureen, it's amazing how just a little bit of red make the photos pop!

Maureen, I couldn't agree with you more!  I like to use red becuase it pops in the neutral beige rooms and like you said, the red looks great in the photographs. 

Besides, I love red!!

Hi Maureen...A definite improvement.  You made me think of where there is red in my house.  We have it in the dining room, living room, sunroom, my husbands study and our bedroom.  Shows how much we like it.

Kathleen

Hi Maureen ... I can see what you mean ... the red definitely gives the rooms the accent they need!  It also pulls the eye into the photograph.  Thanks!!

Maureen ~ The red really made those rooms look snappy, it makes you feel happy. Nice pictures.

Barbara - Snappy, now that is a great compliment. :)

Hi Maureen...

As you probably know we recently sold the Lake house. You have me wondering if my Victorian Red kitchen had anything to do with how fast we sold that house. As our market sucks right now I was truly surprised that the house closed so fast. I also wonder if the rust colored living room and light burgundy bedroom gave the house the drama. Or maybe the house sold so fast because someone out there knew it was once the home of TLW and Blog Boy. Nah. That can't be it. The folks around here don't know what a Blog is. Every time I try to explain it their eyes glaze over :)

TLW...ROAR!

It looks great Maureen, I love the new area rug at the foot of the bed. Yes red not only gives  energy to the room but it certainly does grab your eye on the MLS pics, Great Job

PS: I finally got my first consult with KHOV, hang in there, I am sure they will contact you soon

Phyllis Pafumi

I use red all the time as well; it's a great color to use as a distraction or an attention getter.  Great point that it stands out on MLS.

Something with a little color always adds warmth.  Nice job on the before and after.  I also liked your real estate show too!.

Something in red. Nice job! I love before and afters of occupied homes. Thanks for sharing.

Maureen, right on...red is a great accent color in the bedroom. Also, it's quite flattering to the skin tones. ;)

Cheers, -B

Hi Maureen

I agree that the red is a great accent color to use. I just changed out a red bathroom for just red accents and it looked so much bgetter. If gives it a better boost and shows so much better. Love your blog

Maureen, I think you did a wonderful job, looks very nice.  I like the before and after photos.

Hi Maureen ... I love what you did. And I personnally love red. I got up the nerve to paint one of my kitchen walls red about 20 years ago. I've never gotten tired of it.

Hi Maureen, Like a few people above have already posted, I love red, orange and green. You did great job w/ existing homeowners accessories and furnishings!

Maureen, I'm not a fan of red, but I have to admit, it sure did help add pizzazz to these rooms.

Before and afters look great. I think another important element in addition to staging is using proper lighting and retouching photos. Having great looking photos on the internet is the first critical step to get buyers to come and see how great the home looks in person. I use a stager and a professional photographer to get my listings looking their best. It is so worth the extra $$$.

Breanna - You are so right, I think professional photos make all the difference. It would be so much nicer if the windows in these shots were not blown out, but I work mostly in the AM so I'm taking the photos at noon. I do the best that I can with my equipment but hiring a professional would be so much better.

Great job staging.  Nice photos and not over done!  Very well done, and ice looking home.

I was just thinking about how I need keep my eye out for more red pillows and accents to make the rooms pop! It's great to have confirmation on these things :)

By the way, thank you for the tip about taking photos at dusk. The view is AWFUL (no trees, just 2 other houses and roofs can be seen) out of that window. What would you do?

Very nice accents!  The room looked pretty to begin with but the red really perked it up...kinda RICH!

Great staging, Maureen.  The red accents really make the room look so much better!

YES! The red does pop, it give you a focus point!