Beth Baker

Fall Decorating

Fall has officially arrived and along with it has come crisp, cool air and vibrant colored landscapes filled with deeps oranges, burnt reds, and golden yellows.

This beautiful time of the year is perfect for bringing the outdoors in through home décor. Easily and inexpensively you can turn your home into a welcoming autumn retreat for you, your family, and your guests.

• By using natural elements you can inexpensively add warm fall touches to your home.
• Next time you visit your local apple orchard pick up a few extra apples for display in a bowl on your dining table.
• You could also take other seasonal crops such as gourds and mini pumpkins and make a simple basket arrangement for the fireplace hearth or entry way.

Because you won't be using artificial decorations, you are eliminating the chance of your home looking overdone.

After adding natural elements to your home you can add or change fabrics or accent pillows to fit the season.

• Stop by your local discount home store for some blankets, throws or pillows that would bring in those wonderful fall colors.
• To add some more fall spice you can put together a candle arrangement with fall colored candles. You can add interest by using all different sizes shapes of candles.
• Remember to choose fall colors that will compliment your existing décor.
• To get the kitchen in season switch out table runners, placemats or even dishes to give more of an autumn feel.

Changing your home décor can be a fun way to welcome each new season. With a little imagination and nature as your inspiration you can make your home a true reflection of the beautiful outdoors.

Beth Baker Interiors ~ Home Staging

Home sellers want the best price for their treasured home, but don't want to pay more for preparing the home than they can recoup from the sale. Home staging is not remodeling the smartest investment a seller can make to sell their home. Expert and objective home staging is needed to sell your home as quickly as possible and at market price. Research shows that well-staged homes sell approximately 32% faster than non-staged homes. Today, many realtors know their real estate listings will result in a faster, more profitable sale when their listings are staged correctly, but they usually need assistance getting a home in selling condition in a timely manner. Home stagers work with the flow of a home and enhance its curb appeal. Stagers have the experience to prepare a home before it goes on the market.

The goal of home staging is to sell the home quickly and for the most money possible by attracting the highest amount of potential buyers. Professional stagers improve the residence so it appeals to the largest number of potential buyers. Often, staging increases the value of a property by reducing the home's flaws; potential buyers deduct these flaws from their potential offer as they walk through the home and note what needs to be changed or repaired. Home staging is not remodeling rather it is depersonalizing, de-cluttering, neutralizing, properly scaling the furnishings, making small home repairs, and improving the landscaping which all take place before a staged home is shown to potential buyers. If a home is vacant, furniture and accessories are strategically placed in the home so buyers can visualize the best use of the space. Staging minimizes any flaws the home may have, can make a space look larger and stylish, and emphasizes attractive features by leading the eye of a potential buyer to a special feature by making it the focal point of the room.

Studies show that the decreased time on the market of a staged home covers the cost of staging and can prevent a price drop. Buyers usually choose a home with their hearts, not with their heads. You want your home to stand out from the competition and look inviting and comfortable so that buyers can envision themselves living in the home. Staging is about creating a mood and a look that appeals to the most potential buyers. Staging makes a home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, and more inviting. Staging is literally "dressing" the home for sale.

Homeowners don't always notice that the look of their home is dated or cluttered because they are so used to their surroundings; Stagers have the experience and vision to sell a lifestyle to buyers so they can imagine themselves raising their children or entertaining friends in the home. Home stagers have an unbiased eye required to show your home in the best possible light. Slow markets demand home staging, especially if you don't want to keep lowering your asking price. Your home needs to have a strong emotional appeal to buyers. Properly staged homes will create this appeal. Listen to the old saying: You never have a second chance to make a first impression. Prospective buyers make up their mind within seconds after entering your front door. Don't miss your chance for a great first impression.

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As home stagers we provide services for home sellers to help them sell their home as quickly as possible and at fair market value. What about the less fortunate who cannot afford a home or worse those who are homeless. If you live in Bucks County, PA here is your chance to give back.

The Bucks County Stagers Association of Pennsylvania www.thebcsa.com in association with Deserving Decor www.deservingdecor.org and the Bucks County Housing Group www.bchg.org are currently looking for donations of furniture and other household items in good condition to be used in local womens shelters and apartments.

Deserving Decor also accepts monetary donations visit our website.

We are currently looking for storage facilities in the Doylestown, PA area to house furnishings until they can be placed in the shelter apartments.

Who is Deserving Decor? Deserving Decor is a non-profit, charitable organization of decorators, designers, and home stagers who volunteer their time and resources to furnish apartments for homeless women with children who need a helping hand. Using donated furniture, we provide creative, inviting apartments for women and families in crisis.

All donated items go to deserving families in Bucks County, PA. Any donated items that can not be used will be sold and the proceeds used to purchase additional items needed for the apartment .

We need donations and volunteers, please visit our website www.deservingdecor.org today to help!

Beth Baker Interiors Home Staging & Decorating Services

Bucks County, PA stagers (of any affilliation) check out The Bucks County Stagers Association website, www.thebcsa.com Whether you are new to staging and lack practical experience or have been staging for years you can benefit from joining The Bucks County Stagers Association (BCSA).

We meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Bucks County Coffee Conference Room (downstairs)on Main Street in Doylestown.

Contact Beth Baker for more information.

A new ASHSR, American Society of Home Stagers & Redesigners chapter for professional stagers in the greater Philadelphia Area has been formed. Both ASHSR members and nonmembers are invited to attend.

Collaboration. Education. Inspiration.

Connect with your peers at the local level to:

• Educate, market & pioneer your industry
• Refine your expertise & business
• Network and inspire one another
• Grow your business

NOTE: The ASHSR meeting has been combined withe the BCSA (Bucks County Stagers Association). Meetings are held at 7 P.M. the first Tuesday of the month at Bucks County Coffee Co in Doylestown, in the downstairs conference room. Come join us!