Yup! That's right....I got paid in wine!!! Here's the uncorked tale........
Susan & Marshall Stuart owner's of Stuart Cellars Winery were looking for a quick inexpensive change to their winery. So when Susan called to ask me to help choose paint colors and redesign using their current accessories I was thrilled! Trust me...if you know me....you know I will look for any excuse to visit the Temecula Wine Country in Southern California!! Plus Stuart Cellar's is one of my favorite wineries and if I could help the winery to look its best it's a win-win for all!
Susan and I met at one of her favorite Italian restaurants Francesca's Italian Kitchen so that I could see the paint colors and atmosphere she was trying to achieve at the winery. The colors were very Tuscan and I loved them as much as her!
These pictures to the right and left are some of the rooms we were working with.....lots of white walls except for one area that was painted a dated green color with an adjacent wall sponged tan. Susan also wanted to figure out a more attractive way to store the wine boxes that need to be easily available by the cashier. Her goal was to have the Tasting Room to look more like a Tasting Room and not a warehouse.
We spent only a couple of hours choosing colors for each wall and area, deciding how to best store inventory and planning out the best way to rearranging furniture, accessories and items for sale.
Here are a few examples of what was accomplished after two days of painting and redesigning............
A warm and inviting Wine Tasting Room with plenty of open spaces to wander awhile, taste awhile and shop a lot! No more cafeteria look to this hot spot.
Susan and Marshall along with the Tasting Room Staff .......which at first were skeptical watching Susan and I plan our "attack"....... were pleasantly surprised! Local wine club member's were also surprised and happy to visit their new and improved home away from home!
If you are interested in seeing the rest of the transformation and taste some excellant vino.....visit this fabulous award winning winery! It would be my pleasure to show you around the wonderful Wine Country of Temecula. You will not be disappointed! Cheers!
Don't forget to Stop and Smell the Vineyards......
Blog posted by Janice Sutton, Murrieta Temecula Home Stager . We stage home for the Inland Empire Riverside County. Are you looking for a Home Staging Professional? We service Murrieta, Temecula, Fallbrook, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Corona, Banning and other surrounding Riverside County cities.
Call us today at (951)704-0597 for a home staging consultation! Don't delay....Home stage today!
 |
|
|
1st Stage is Temecula and Murrieta's Home Staging company. Our Temecula & Murrieta Home Stager's are committed to enhance your property to appeal to the majority and achieve the highest sales price
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Janice ~ Very dramatic change! It seems very warm and inviting now and must draw visitors right in!
What a unique and fun experience for you -- the improvement in the space is obvious. I'll bet you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor!
The change is dramatic and looks fabulous! You did a great job Janice!!!! Cheers to you!
Janice - I've missed you. Great transformation. Don't be surprised if I come for a visit.....love the vino and when you add beautiful decor to the equation......that's amore!
Red makes people hungry too, so that was a great choice!
Oh Janice, I'm so jealous.....I will work for wine too! The design project turned our great. Love the colors and how you moved the display cabinet to the left of the room.
You did a great job! I love the colors you chose.... I'm not personally a big fan of wine, but I did once trade a weekend stay in a great suite at a bed & breakfast downtown when they were selling and needed to pad the budget a bit. That was a lot of fun!
Kathy - Thanks! Warm and inviting was the plan. Having customers enjoying their wine, lingering awhile always helps business!
Maureen - I had a blast doing this job! Susan & Marshall have become friends of mine over the years so I was happy to help them improve the appearance of the winery. I already had another winery call me...stay tuned!
Cathy - Thank you so much! You should see the other rooms....truly dramatic.....four colors in all!
Debbie - Awww thanks! I would love for you to visit!!! A little cooler then Chandler! :)
Cindy - So right about the color red!! Plus it looks great against the red foil on their bottles!
Cynthia- It would have been weird taking money from them since they are friends! So they "made me" take some yummy wine! The cabinet was moved to the left to be closer to the tasting bar and more assessable to customers. Thank you!
Melissa- Thanks! The redesign was really a "quick change" as time was limited since they were going out of town and needed it done ASAP! Great for you to trade with a B&B!!! Hmmmmm I may have to visit the local B&B's in the wine country! Thanks for the great idea!
Janice: What a fun project and what a wonderful job you did. My husband would be thrilled (and become a total believer in the power of staging) if I got paid in wine. We will take a trip down your way one of these days to visit Temecula wine country. Maybe when it cools off a little.
The winery looks great!
Wow - what a difference a little paint can make ~ & of course your magical touch! It looks wonderful!
I would GLADLY accept payment in wine -- as long as it's good wine! What a fun project. I have worked with a couple of wine cellars, but never a store.
What a cool story Janice and wonderful transformation. It really made a huge diference in the "feel" of it even by just seeing the photos! Enjoy your payment!
Michelle - Thank you! I really did enjoy this job! My husband was happy too since he loves their Viognier and Meritage wines!! I would be love to show you around the wine country, Us locals know the best wine and where to dine!!
Connie - Thanks! Paint is always the best way to go when you want to make a big change on a little budget! Maybe we can hold our next SIF meeting here! (Thanks also for nudging me on one of your comments when you wrote "Where have you been?" :)
Tori - I have to tell you at first I didn't want to take anything from them but they insisted! I am glad I accepted! The wine is/was yummy!
Karen - Thanks! Every time I visit this winery I just look around and smile. I love the way it makes me feel! Oh...and the wine helps too!
Hi Janice, Great job and thinking out of the box! I know I have to visit you and see the wine country.
Diane Concialdi
Diane - Thanks Girlfriend! Yes you do need to come visit me and "my" wineries!! Bring the hubby too!
Beautiful Janice. Do you get a lifetime wine discount for doing such a great job. I wold be happy to take some off your hands!
Ana - Thanks! I wish I got a lifetime discount. Wouldn't that be great! I do belong to the Wine Club which offers great discounts and fun Wine Club member nights with food! If you would like to check it out I would be happy to take you there as a guest for complimentary wine tasting!
Janice- What great color choices. It sounds like a fun project. Continued success!
Michele - Thanks! Warm colors are my favorite. This project was so much fun. I was glad I was able to help my "other" home! :)
Janice-
I love the new look. How fun to get to redesign the winery! My husband and I are wine club members at Stuart, too! They have the best red wines. We'll have to let you know the next time we are visiting. We make the trek to the Temecula Wineries a couple of times per year.
Marla - Thank you! Redesigning the winery was so much fun!
What a small world! You have excellent taste. :) I would love to meet you at Stuart Cellars. Mark and I could also show you some of our other favorite wineries. Say when and we are there!
Let's plan it! I miss the great picnic spot at the winery across the way at Mount Palomar. It was our secret picnic spot.
I'm in! If you can get away during a week day that would be the best because it's less crowded. Sunday afternoons are kind of quiet too with free jazz! As long as the SD Chargers aren't playing I'm available. We have no upcoming vacations or commitments.
It looks beautiful! I am going down to look! You did a great job in pictures, I am sure it looks even better in person!Maybe we can meet there!
Wendy Timmons
Wendy - Thank you very much! It does look much better in person. The winery has low lighting so good pictures were hard to get.
I would love to meet you and your partner there! Let me know when you are available. Maybe this will be my new office instead of home away from home!! :)
It looks very Tuscan. Nice job.
Kathleen - Thanks! That is exactly what the owners wanted....a Tuscany feel!
What a fun and rewarding job...thanks for sharing your photos. I can feel the Tuscan sun!
Wendy Casey - Vancouver, BC
Janice,
Good choice to get rid of that mint green paint! That color made the winery look more like a salt water taffy store! Great selection of colors and getting paid with wine doesn't sound too shabby either!
Wendy - You're welcome! This project was a lot of fun. Who doesn't love Tuscany!
Michelle - Ha ha! Yeah that mint green had to go. You should have seen the sponge painting in another room....better yet you are lucky you didn't! The payoff was the fabulous!
YES!YES!YES The color choices are right on the money!! I love to see paint transform a space so easily but with such a big impact
Thanks for sharing
Love the new colors!!!!!! Much more fitting for a wine cellar!
Susan - Glad you liked it! Painting makes such a great impact and with little investment! A perfect combo in today's economy!
Lisa - Thanks! I had been nudging the owners for years! Yes...now we have a wine cellar!!