My Painted Canvas...

Home staging to me is like taking a blank canvas and painting a beautiful picture. And as much as I'd like to make claim that I can paint, I cannot. It's a trait I unfortunately didn't inherit from my gifted mother. In fact, her art won her a scholarship at RIT. If only I had an ounce of her skill, I'd feel fortunate. Whether it's a water-color, sketching or oil, there just doesn't seem to be anything she can't do. If you can't tell, I extremely proud of her work.

And so for me... I found my passion. I now channel my need for creativity and beauty into something I'm extremely comfortable with and that is home staging.

Here's one of the blank canvases:

A vacant home prior to staging

And now my painted canvas:

A picture of a home after staging

And another (because I love this kitchen):

A Picture of a Home that has been Home Staged

Atlanta's Premier Home Staging Company, Georgia Interior Solutions, is here to assist you with getting your home ready for the market. Whether vacant or occupied, we have the experience and expertise to help showcase the features of the home. To see more examples of our work, visit our web site at HomeStagingAtlanta.com.

Posted Thursday Dec 13

( 12/13/07 08:34PM ) — Steve Glose, TRC, CIPS

Kathy- You do beautiful work with your home staging. I wish I had your talent.

( 12/13/07 08:40PM ) — Meyer Leibovitch, REALTOR Boyds, MD Realtor

Unfortunately, you sometimes have to use a lot of turpentine to get to the blank canvas ;)

( 12/13/07 08:48PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Steve.

Meyer - And a lot of rags too (smile).

Kathy

( 12/13/07 08:57PM ) — Ken "Yes You Can" Cook

You are sooooo hot! You need a TV show or something. This is incredible.

( 12/13/07 08:59PM ) — Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.RedesigningCharleston.com

Really beautiful work! I love how you kept the symmetry, color & texture consistent in both rooms.

( 12/13/07 09:01PM ) — Adam Brett - Fullerton, California Realtor

Truly nice work. I am taking a 5200 sq.ft. new construction listing and will definitely get it staged. I wish you were in Orange County.

( 12/13/07 09:11PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Ken - Thank you! Let's do it. You finance it and I'll do the rest! (tee hee)

Thanks, Melissa! It was so important to me to keep it consistent given that it was one very large open room.

Adam - Thanks for your kind words. FYI - I use to live in San Diego (which now seems a life time ago) and could have easily come up to Orange County. I'm sure we could fine you an excellent stager on the west coast right here on AR. I'll do a search and report back.

Kathy

( 12/13/07 09:55PM ) — Diane Concialdi, DC Redesign Home Staging Orange County California

Nice job Kathy. I always love what you do to the rooms.

Diane Concialdi - DC Redesign and home stager Orange County CA

( 12/13/07 10:15PM ) — Janice Sutton - Temecula Murrieta Home Stager - Home Staging

A total masterpiece! Thanks for sharing.

( 12/13/07 10:28PM ) — Kathy Riggle Houston Home Staging-STAGING SMART NSOLD

Hi Kathy-

I love the artwork in the kitchen, and the plates on the island are a good illustration of the possibilities of the space.

The fireplace is a total masterpiece! The symmetry with the 2 windows and the matching candlesticks-black to match the frame of the colorful artwork- which picks up the accent color of the room...I could go on & on. Fabulous design-beyond staging. Could you share the source of the artwork? The room has such a serene quality.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Kathy

( 12/14/07 05:19AM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Diane. Did you see Adam's post? You may want to reach out to him.

Janice - Thank you!

SH - This kitchen is going to go thru some additional modifications. So, in the interim, as Kathy R suggested, the plates help provide a visual for the buyers.

Kathy R - Thanks for your kind words! I shop around for my art. Often times it will be Ross or Garden Ridge (places like that).

Kathy

( 12/14/07 08:02AM ) — A Crye-Leike Blogger, Angie Vandenbergh

It looks so warm and inviting. You do really good work and I always enjoy looking at the before/after pictures you post.

( 12/14/07 09:21AM ) — Kristina, KFM Staging & Design - A Minnesota Home Staging Company

What an awesome transformation! Your staging is so stylish and sleek! Unfortunately for me, I need to wait to shop at Garden Ridge until I visit my family in OK. There isn't one in MN. When I do get the chance to shop their, I completely fill up my van!

My Christmas Wish: World peace, end homelessness, and a opening Garden Ridge in St. Paul!

( 12/14/07 09:59AM ) — Design by Marla- Home Staging, Marla Hofstee, Burbank & Los Angeles, CA

Kathy,

Very nice. Looking at the Poppies above the fireplace reminded me of artwork I saw at Tuesday Morning. It may have been the same piece. Now I wish I had bought it!

Marla, Design by Marla, Burbank, CA.

( 12/14/07 11:51AM ) — Karen Dembsky, Atlanta Home Staging

This is my favorite post of your before and after work, Kathy. Very nicely done! Really shows your talent!

( 12/14/07 03:16PM ) — Anthea Click - Home Stager -Fresh Perspectives

Kathy,

I love staging the vacants homes becuase of the blank canvas - I can totally relate. You did a magnificent job!

( 12/14/07 03:59PM ) — Abby Reilly; NW Atlanta Home Stager

It's just beautiful...great job! The colors look amazing!!!!

( 12/14/07 04:25PM ) — Karen Otto, Collin County, Plano, TX Home Stager

Another masterpiece Kathy!

Is it my eyes, the light, or did the wall color change as well?

( 12/14/07 04:54PM ) — Yvonne Root Northern Arizona Home Stager

Kathy, You simply soar!!! Your work is always so bright and clean. My bet? Your mother is just as proud of your art and you as you are of her and her art! Way to go!!!

( 12/14/07 07:55PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Angie.

Kristina - thanks for your kind words! I hope your wish comes true!!

Karen - why, thank you so very much!

Thanks, Anthea.

Abby - I loved the colors!

Karen - Nope, the wall color stayed the same. I think it's the lighting and/or sun coming in the window that makes it lok different.

Yvonne - You're so sweet. And you're right, she's very proud.

Kathy

( 12/14/07 08:24PM ) — Jo Potvin-Home Staging Cincinnati - Design To Market

This is a beautiful staging job and the it's incredible how large the room looks. A+ on this one!

( 12/15/07 06:26PM ) — Jackie Peraza, Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Kathy - Another stunning example. I think Melissa used the best word for what I most like about your work, it has to be "symmetry". You use plenty of props, but you're judicious in what you use and the placement is symmetrical.

Jackie

( 12/15/07 08:56PM ) — Maureen Bray - Home Stager - Room Solutions Staging Portland OR

Kathy ~ Don't sell your artistic talents short! Your sense of color and balance illustrate true art forms. You did indeed inherit those artistic genes! Keep these photos coming -- we can't get enough of them.

( 12/15/07 09:08PM ) — 2 Hounds Design: Toronto Decorator + Stager Dane Caldwell

Kathy, as always, a beautiful job. I love that you put so many plants in making the space feel so much more inviting and livable.

p.s. Do you know what color the walls are painted? I love that colour...puttyish.

( 12/16/07 06:35AM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Jo - Thanks for the A+ rating! That was sweet of you.

Thanks, Jackie. I just had a Realtor on Friday tell me that same thing. It's a nice compliment.

Maureen - Thank you! This is a form of art, I agree. And... I must have inherited this from her. I tried getting her to enter a piece of work for the Kirklands contest (which is now at the voting stage) because she is so talented. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince her.

Thanks, Dane! I like to use the plants as it's an opportunity to bring a little of the outdoors inside. As for the paint color - I'll have to ask. It's a great neutral color and one that I hadn't seen before. I'll find out and let you know.

Marla - It wouldn't surprise me if Tuesday morning had that print. Although, I think I made that purchase for the poppy print at Ross.

Kathy

( 12/16/07 08:38AM ) — MARY LOU TEAGUE HOME STYLE AND STAGING KNOXVILLE, TN

Stunning !! Love the art work, I have to agree it makes the room so peaceful and a lovely place to come and relax with a good book. Your photos are excellent, ( wish I could do so well with before and after shots ). I have to agree with everyone else...GREAT JOB !!!

( 12/16/07 05:50PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Mary Lou!

( 12/20/07 05:04PM ) — Lorinda Ward

You have done a wonderful job with this room. Where do you get the idea's from that looks great!

( 12/20/07 07:35PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Lorinda.

When I visit the home for the first time, I'm looking at the style of the home, learning the demographics (no kids, young, old, etc...) and then create the design plan.

Kathy

( 12/22/07 10:10AM ) — Phyllis Pafumi-ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

I agree with Janice these rooms are a master total masterpiece your work as always is incredible. You did inherit your mom's talent!

Phyllis Pafumi

( 12/22/07 10:16AM ) — Tanya Venable, Anderson, SC/Spartanburg/ Greenville, SC/ Home Staging

Kathy, I love that picture about the mantle and what you did with the kitchen. It looks so vibrant but serene at the same time. Simply gorgeous!

( 12/22/07 10:38AM ) — Kathleen Garvey - Stager Idol - Florida Home Staging in Naples Ft. Myers

Hi Kathy!! B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L work!! Very nicely done and such a fantastic example of GREAT STAGING!! Your line of apples was a nice touch too!! Regards-Kathleen

( 12/22/07 01:32PM ) — Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Phyllis - Thank you!! You are so kind.

Tanya - I love that picture too. I think I got that at Ross. It worked perfect in the room with the vibrant colors. Thanks for your comments!

Kathleen - I thought the apples were a nice touch. I sure wish I could remember where I bought them. Thanks for such a wonderful compliment.

Kathy