Claudia Jacobs, Decorating, Staging

Goodness, what a spate of rough weather we've had here in the Hudson Valley lately! But of course, I missed some of it because I was in Nevada.

I'm happy to report I brought back more than bronchitis from the Real Estate Staging Association conference in Las Vegas. No, I didn't hit the jackpot in the casino, but it is official! I am truly honored to share the news of winning RESA's 2011 Staging Professional of the Year award for the Northeast region. It is a huge accomplishment to be recognized by my industry peers and judges, and I have to thank you, my readers, too, for your encouragement.

The always engaging and entertaining Matthew Finlason of HGTV's "The Stagers" was our closing keynote speaker. His presentation on what he calls "lifestyle merchandising" was truly inspirational and will cause the staging industry to take it to another level by dialing in to a specific buyer.

Finlason suggested stagers should stop neutralizing and not sterilize spaces. He says buyers are suffering from neutral fatigue. There is a quote in my PowerPoint presentation on real estate staging from a Realtor in California that says how we are selling a lifestyle, not a house. The buyers' potential new home must be the vision of how they want to live, not how they are living now.

Thanks to all the staging shows on television, consumers are very much aware of staging. It is important to understand lifestyle and how people live in their space. It is important is research, analyze and create a demographic of the buyer. This markets a lifestyle that appeals to the dreams of the buyer. In other words, create a story.

The last vacant staging I did of a model home was in an area near West Point. They were appealing to the traditional military family coming to the East Coast from anywhere in the USA. They did not want anything too modern or urban.

This contradicts the taste of someone already living in one of the townhouses who had quite contemporary taste, with furnishings from West Elm. My selections were more transitional in style, incorporating a traditional look with contemporary accessories.

While listening to the builder and the real estate agent, I could have come up with a story profiling a family relocating to upstate New York from Small Town, USA. The father grew up as an Army brat, is married, with two daughters, and all the wife and girls can dream about it the close proximity to Woodbury Common shopping outlets. As much as the father wanted to dominate the house with his military paraphernalia and love of Army football, he was far outnumbered by high levels of estrogen. And then ...

At the Las Vegas conference, Finlason did call all of us in his enthusiastic audience "a quarter-cup of crazy" for being stagers. I guess I just proved his point with my imagination coming up with that family of four. Or maybe it is all the medication from the bronchitis. Either way, I will be getting a lot of mileage from that phrase "quarter-cup of crazy."

Buyer-seller generation gap

In this region, my stagings are predominately occupied homes for sale. A major problem I have found is the generation gap between the buyer and the seller. There has been a huge increase in the first-time homebuyer market. This buyer can't relate to the older homes that have not been updated and have more of a "grandmotherly" look. Staging can bridge that generation gap by appealing to the younger buyer.

Stagers need to dial into the buyer's dream of owning and living in their new home. It is up to us, the professional stagers, to tap into their desires, needs and wants. That is what staging is all about — making the buyer fall in love with a home for sale. Staging makes that emotional connection, which then gets the house sold.

For More info

For more information on Matthew Finlason visit his website: www.matthewfinlason.com.

For more information on staging and a list of the RESA winners: Visit www.realestatestagingassociation.com, go to 2011 Home Staging Award winners. RESA has a great tool called the Home Staging Calculator, which can figure out how much you may save, or spend, by staging or not staging.

Great idea from a reader

Dear Claudia: A few weeks ago you asked for suggestions concerning donating "stuff". This is what I do.

Every Memorial Day, Liberty has a village-wide garage sale. Since so many people in the area are unemployed or are in need, I put my unwanted stuff on the lawn in front of my house with a big "Free" sign. My only caveat is that I ask them to take only what they can use and to do something nice for someone else — kind of a "Pay It Forward."

I encourage other people I know to bring over their unwanted items also.

I call it my "Set It Free" Day. I've discovered that everyone who stops by is appreciative, and they take only what they can use.

Whatever items that aren't taken, I donate to the Dessin Animal Shelter thrift store in Honesdale, Pa. — Donna in Liberty

Thank you for sharing Liberty's garage sale. This may encourage other areas in the Hudson Valley to do the same and "pay it forward."

Here in Goshen, we only get one bulk garbage pickup in the spring. I know my stuff disappears before it gets picked up. Sometimes I will take something large to the curb, and before you know it "» poof! It is gone.

As much as one person's trash is another's treasure, there is garbage that just won't get picked up because it really is trash. Don't let it sit curbside indefinitely.

Write, e-mail or call

Send in your decorating and staging questions to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com. Thanks to the weather in this area, which keeps us indoors, we have ample opportunity to plow through our homes. Keep sending in suggestions on what you do with your unwanted stuff.

Claudia is a decorator, professional stager and owner of Claudia Jacobs DesignsLLC in Goshen, NY. Visit www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call her at 845-294-8993. Send questions and photos to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com to be answered in her column. Find her on Facebook & Twitter. Go to the lifestyle section @ www.recordonline.com to read past columns.

Goodness, what a spate of rough weather we've had here in the Hudson Valley lately! But of course, I missed some of it because I was in Nevada.

I'm happy to report I brought back more than bronchitis from the Real Estate Staging Association conference in Las Vegas. No, I didn't hit the jackpot in the casino, but it is official! I am truly honored to share the news of winning RESA's 2011 Staging Professional of the Year award for the Northeast region. It is a huge accomplishment to be recognized by my industry peers and judges, and I have to thank you, my readers, too, for your encouragement.

The always engaging and entertaining Matthew Finlason of HGTV's "The Stagers" was our closing keynote speaker. His presentation on what he calls "lifestyle merchandising" was truly inspirational and will cause the staging industry to take it to another level by dialing in to a specific buyer.

Finlason suggested stagers should stop neutralizing and not sterilize spaces. He says buyers are suffering from neutral fatigue. There is a quote in my PowerPoint presentation on real estate staging from a Realtor in California that says how we are selling a lifestyle, not a house. The buyers' potential new home must be the vision of how they want to live, not how they are living now.

Thanks to all the staging shows on television, consumers are very much aware of staging. It is important to understand lifestyle and how people live in their space. It is important is research, analyze and create a demographic of the buyer. This markets a lifestyle that appeals to the dreams of the buyer. In other words, create a story.

The last vacant staging I did of a model home was in an area near West Point. They were appealing to the traditional military family coming to the East Coast from anywhere in the USA. They did not want anything too modern or urban.

This contradicts the taste of someone already living in one of the townhouses who had quite contemporary taste, with furnishings from West Elm. My selections were more transitional in style, incorporating a traditional look with contemporary accessories.

While listening to the builder and the real estate agent, I could have come up with a story profiling a family relocating to upstate New York from Small Town, USA. The father grew up as an Army brat, is married, with two daughters, and all the wife and girls can dream about it the close proximity to Woodbury Common shopping outlets. As much as the father wanted to dominate the house with his military paraphernalia and love of Army football, he was far outnumbered by high levels of estrogen. And then ...

At the Las Vegas conference, Finlason did call all of us in his enthusiastic audience "a quarter-cup of crazy" for being stagers. I guess I just proved his point with my imagination coming up with that family of four. Or maybe it is all the medication from the bronchitis. Either way, I will be getting a lot of mileage from that phrase "quarter-cup of crazy."

Buyer-seller generation gap

In this region, my stagings are predominately occupied homes for sale. A major problem I have found is the generation gap between the buyer and the seller. There has been a huge increase in the first-time homebuyer market. This buyer can't relate to the older homes that have not been updated and have more of a "grandmotherly" look. Staging can bridge that generation gap by appealing to the younger buyer.

Stagers need to dial into the buyer's dream of owning and living in their new home. It is up to us, the professional stagers, to tap into their desires, needs and wants. That is what staging is all about — making the buyer fall in love with a home for sale. Staging makes that emotional connection, which then gets the house sold.

For More info

For more information on Matthew Finlason visit his website: www.matthewfinlason.com.

For more information on staging and a list of the RESA winners: Visit www.realestatestagingassociation.com, go to 2011 Home Staging Award winners. RESA has a great tool called the Home Staging Calculator, which can figure out how much you may save, or spend, by staging or not staging.

Great idea from a reader

Dear Claudia: A few weeks ago you asked for suggestions concerning donating "stuff". This is what I do.

Every Memorial Day, Liberty has a village-wide garage sale. Since so many people in the area are unemployed or are in need, I put my unwanted stuff on the lawn in front of my house with a big "Free" sign. My only caveat is that I ask them to take only what they can use and to do something nice for someone else — kind of a "Pay It Forward."

I encourage other people I know to bring over their unwanted items also.

I call it my "Set It Free" Day. I've discovered that everyone who stops by is appreciative, and they take only what they can use.

Whatever items that aren't taken, I donate to the Dessin Animal Shelter thrift store in Honesdale, Pa. — Donna in Liberty

Thank you for sharing Liberty's garage sale. This may encourage other areas in the Hudson Valley to do the same and "pay it forward."

Here in Goshen, we only get one bulk garbage pickup in the spring. I know my stuff disappears before it gets picked up. Sometimes I will take something large to the curb, and before you know it "» poof! It is gone.

As much as one person's trash is another's treasure, there is garbage that just won't get picked up because it really is trash. Don't let it sit curbside indefinitely.

Write, e-mail or call

Send in your decorating and staging questions to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com. Thanks to the weather in this area, which keeps us indoors, we have ample opportunity to plow through our homes. Keep sending in suggestions on what you do with your unwanted stuff.

Claudia is a decorator, professional stager and owner of Claudia Jacobs DesignsLLC in Goshen, NY. Visit www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call her at 845-294-8993. Send questions and photos to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com to be answered in her column. Find her on Facebook & Twitter. Go to the lifestyle section @ www.recordonline.com to read past columns.

By Claudia Jacobs For the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 01/16/11

Making selections within your home can be challenging. Selecting comes naturally to me as a professional decorator and stager, working with clients and their personal taste and style. When it comes to my own home, however, I have commitment issues. It really is tough to be objective in your own space. Sometimes what you think you want you really don't want, so it is best to have a clear vision.

A few years ago I worked with a couple moving into the area. I met with them in the home they were selling for a staging consultation. They hired me to make selections as their house was being built, and then again for a color consultation of their entire new home. The husband kept saying whatever his wife wanted was fine as long as it was warm and inviting. We started in the front entry, and he was not happy with the color selections. She loved them.

There I was, right smack in the middle of designing for the sexes. It was time for couples counseling. As I sat on the floor in the middle of the entryway floor in a sea of color cards, I started asking him questions. The husband announced he wanted the house to feel like Bermuda. Aha! His idea of warm and inviting was totally different from my idea. Bermuda can be a very warm and inviting location; the colors of Bermuda are actually quite cool and tropical. We were now in search of peaches, corals and blues. Perfect! When we got up to the second floor, he even showed me prints he and his wife had picked up in their travels of Bermuda architecture that matched the colors we selected on the first floor.

You need to have a clear vision

If you are looking for a change, start collecting images of things you love. Search through magazines, catalogs and the Internet. Create your own "Style File" of these images. This will give you ideas and direction you need to start making selections.

Look for inspiration within your space. It could be from a piece of artwork or a rug. There are little trade secrets such as selecting a lighter color from your inspiration and then accenting with a darker color. It all depends on how you want the space to look and feel.

If you plan on selling, don't do anything outrageous. The competition is tough in real estate. With real estate staging, neutral is best — but not mandatory — if it works within the space. A boldly accented wall in a well-staged room will generate more interest from potential buyers than a neutral, cluttered, unkempt space. Want proof? Take a peek at online listings to see what I'm talking about. What house can you see yourself living in?

Think 'fashion' in color choices

A few months ago I had the honor, thanks to a few decorating friends in New Jersey, to see Candace Olsen from HGTV's "Divine Design." She put on a great presentation and shared stories and photos from her show. Throughout her talk I kept tapping my friend with excitement. Olsen was making the same comments I had just made during our pre-event dinner. Great minds think alike! Actually, good design is universal. You need to understand the basic concepts to make the space cohesive and comfortable.

Candice compared color selection to fashion. Think of dressing up a basic black dress. That one same dress can be styled with different accessories to give it a different look repeatedly. How does that translate to a room? Keep the major elements — wall, sofa — classic. Accessorize to suit your style, change with trends, seasons and mood. Your major investments will last, and the other pieces can be swamped out without breaking the bank. Now that's divine design!

A reader asks

Q. Dear Claudia: I need to redo my bedroom. It has been 15 years since I painted it. It was supposed to be peach, but they didn't mix it right and it ended up being more beige. I have always wanted to redo it, and I did take a big step in the right direction and did major cleaning. I was thinking about what keeps me from just doing it and thought maybe you know some of the answers. Maybe it is trying to pick the right color. Is it OK to paint two different colors? Should the ceiling be a different color? I think lighter or darker makes a room look bigger or smaller, but I'm not sure which.

You mentioned in another column how different colors give different "feelings." I have a nice-sized room that could look great, but I'm not sure what to do, so I do nothing. I just HAVE to do something. Any advice would be great. — Janeen, Campbell Hall

A. This is a perfect example of what I just wrote about. You have commitment issues with your room! You already got rid of the things you don't want. That is terrific start and part of great design. Instead of trying to select paint first, pick out your bedding for inspiration. It once took me more than a year before I found the perfect comforter. From there I was able to select the drapes, artwork, lamps and pillows. It all came together once I had my inspiration and focused on the details. All four walls were already painted a very neutral light cream color. I was inspired to paint the wall behind my bed a dark accent color. I love my room!

The master bedroom is usually the most neglected yet most important room in the house. If we don't sleep well within our space we will have a difficult time functioning in life. It's important to create a space that you love. Start a style file, look for bedding and make selections from there. As far as color, anything goes. If it is a decent-sized space it doesn't matter if you select light or dark colors. Ceilings tend to be light neutral colors, but that does not mean you cannot select a darker color or even bring the wall color up to the ceiling to create an envelope of color.

Of course, if you can't find your inspiration, you can hire a professional decorator for direction. Over the years I have helped clients with anything from one room to the entire house. Painting is a big investment of time and money whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. You don't want to discover the wrong selection once the paint is up — or have to live with it for many years, as you did. Good luck!

Color tips

• Bold and bright colors add visual weight, while neutral colors reduce visual weight.

• To make a small room appear larger, choose a light paint color.

• Light-colored ceilings will attract attention. Dark ceilings will direct the eye back to head level, allowing the focus to be on the walls, furnishings and accessories in a room.

Claudia is a decorator, professional stager, owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs in Goshen, www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com. Call 845-294-8993. Send questions and photos to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com. Follow her on Facebook & Twitter.

By Claudia Jacobs For the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 01/09/11

December always seems as though it's spinning out of control. It also has a way of sneaking up on you, and the reality of the pending schedule vortex does not hit until you are fully caught up in it.

But we survived.

There was such a deep sense of relief once the holidays were over. Seems as if my stress level plummeted, and a sensation came over me I have not felt in a very long time. It may be called relaxation. Since it doesn't happen too often, I fully appreciated the feeling. Right now I am trying to figure out how to recapture that feeling and make it become a regular occurrence. Better yet, relaxation needs to be part of my routine.

It's a new year, filled with new hopes, dreams, intentions and the usual resolutions. Some people may have already given up on theirs almost two weeks into 2011.

There are two times in the year that also feel like milestones for new beginnings: New Year's and September, the start of the school year. Whatever it takes to be the starting point, the most important thing to do is to actually start.

We are a society of quick fixes, always looking for instant gratification. There is also a constant bombardment of suggestions on how to lose weight and how get in shape, which seems to be the most popular resolution and the most difficult to attain. We all know what we should be doing; it's the sticking to it that seems to get us.

Home sweet home resolutions

Take our homes, for instance. In last week's column I mentioned how a home should be updated every five years, but it really should be updated more often than that. It pays to re-evaluate annually. This can be taken to any level to meet your lifestyle and budget.

Resale is something to always keep in mind, whether you are selling or not. This does not mean living in a boring house that does not reflect your personal style and taste, unless of course it's really bad taste. Questionable taste means different things to different people because decorating is so personal, just like fashion. If a home is well-maintained, functioning and feels good, it should transition well on the market with the help of staging. We will be covering real estate staging this month, so keep close tabs over the next few weeks because staging is key for getting your house sold.

Put your house on a diet

Getting back to resolutions, it is best to come up with a plan. I am a firm believer in the house-life connection. Our personal environment has a direct impact on our lives. If we live in chaos and dysfunction, both professionally and personally, we will feel the same way — chaotic and dysfunctional. We won't be able to escape it and certainly won't be able to relax. This is why I am revisiting the concept of putting your house on a diet. This means purging excess items throughout your home. Whether you start by clearing out one drawer, one room or an entire floor, it is important to just start.

If you don't need it, want it or use it, then get rid of it. If you are like me and can't just throw out something that is "perfectly good" (I get this from my parents), donate it. If you have any recommendations of where to donate, please send them to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com, and I will share them in this column. This may inspire people to get their house in shape.

Do not wait till the spring. The perfect time is now. It's winter, cold. If you get snowed in, plow through your house! One night last week I cleared out my guest room, also known as the "don't-know-what-to-do-with-it? Put-it-in-the guest room." Well, guess what? We were having a guest. We needed the room to function to serve its purpose, and thanks to a few hours, I have reclaimed our guest room. There are a few remaining items that need to be moved out of the room, but our guest is occupying the space.

Give yourself a break. These things take time. Your house did not get this way overnight, and there really isn't a quick fix. Not only will your house look and feel better, but also you will!

You may also discover things you forgot about or put away for a special occasion. Guess what? Every day is a special occasion. Don't save it, enjoy it. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear that special perfume. Today is special.

Let's get organized!

Here are tips from Jennifer Mellin of Simply Clean & Simply Organized:

Organized people save time and money and reduce stress and frustration levels. Organizing systems help you manage everything from your personal paperwork to your professional responsibilities. These people can create order out of chaos by providing parameters on what to keep, what to toss, and how to store the material things in your life.

The best way to get organized?

Experts in the organizing industry agree: There are no "cookie cutter" solutions. There are many different personality types, work styles and environmental influences; each person must find the systems that work best for him or her. The number of organization-related products and services is constantly growing. Determine the areas in which you want to improve, such as filing, clutter control, time management, storage space, or juggling projects and priorities.

How long to get organized?

Organization is a process, not a state achieved in one day. Think about it as "being organized" or "staying organized," not just "getting organized." Yes, an organizing system can be set up in a matter of hours. The challenge is to continuously maintain and improve it day by day. The good news is, once good systems become habits, organizing gets easier.

Making better use of my time

Time management is a misleading term, because we cannot really manage time. We can manage only ourselves. The best we can do is prioritizing our lives, have our own personal and professional goals, and align our activities to reach these goals. Review how you are spending your time and make adjustments according to your goals and priorities.

How can I cut down on paper?

Rigorously question whether you need to keep each piece of paper that comes into your life. Make a habit of tossing unnecessary papers (shredding those that contain personal or financial information). Scan documents and store them electronically when possible. Cancel subscriptions to unread publications, and remove yourself from mailing lists. Create a records-retention schedule that specifies how long documents such as tax forms, bills, and financial statements should be kept.

Claudia is a decorator, professional stager and the owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs in Goshen. Visit www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call her at 294-8993. Send questions and photos to info@claudiajacobsdesigns.com.