Cynthia Pulsifer - www.acharlestonhouse.com

REDISCOVERING YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Color for the Holidays...

Lately, I have been doing a lot of Paint Color Consultations for my clients. Perhaps the thought of friends and family coming into their homes is a motivating factor this time of the year. For whatever reason, having a professional help with paint color selection is a wonderful way to ensure a sense of design continuity in a home.

I have found that most people "live" with white or antique walls, even though they don't really like it at all. With so many colors to choose from and so many variations of each color, it's a challenge to choose the right color. A good example of this would be Kahki. There are different shades of Kahki; some have a gold undertone, some have a greenish undertone and still others pull more of a taupe heu. Most of my clients are uncomfortable making the right choice and therefore don't choose color, but rather continue living in a cold space. A professional can ask questions to determine the mood a client wants to feel in their home and what colors they like and most importantly, give them a color that works with everything that is already in the house. After choosing the right color, the undertone of the color must be tweeked so that it matches with the existing furnishings and fabrics in the room, There is nothing worse than having a great color on the wall that does not even work with the existing elements in a room.

Interior Redesign for the Holidays...

At A Charleston House, we can come into your home and look at your main living areas to make sure you are ready for the extra family and friends that will be in the home. We will look at traffic flow, artwork and accessories and functional challenges in the rooms. The kitchen may need to be decluttered, and "spiced" up a bit. Most people don't use their dining rooms throughout the year, EXCEPT for holidays. We realize this formally unused dining room will become part of the heart of the home for family and friends during the Holiday Season. We will look at the table scape (ie: greenery, candles, etc.) and make sure it all works together and is inviting and warm. Also, the placemats and napkins can make the difference between an ordinary room and an extraordinary room. Finally, we can look at the guest room if there is overnight company coming in and give tips and suggestions to make this special room more than welcoming.

At A Charleston House, we are ready for the Holidays....even if you are not! Visit our website at www.acharlestonhouse.com and give us a call.

The answer to this question is a resounding, "yes!" The phrase, "I am doing this because I really care about people" may sound cliche, but it is really true. Home Staging and Interior Redesign are both very rewarding.

Helping others acheive their goals!...

Home Staging is a perfect industry to be in if you really want to get the feeling that you have made a difference in someone's life. Each time a house I have staged sells, I experience joy I get because I know I genuinely helped someone acheive their goals.

Giving people a new space!...

Personally, Interior Redesigns are more enjoyable for me because my clients are able to "live with the new look" and appreciate the change. Even simple changes can make their homes feel like a totally different space which gives them a fresh outlook and perspective. The happiness a redesign gives my customers really does make me feel good as well!

There is nothing I have ever done that is as rewarding as staging homes and doing interior redesigns! Each home is different and presents a new challenge and most of my clients are simply a pleasure to be around!

HOME STAGING AND INTERIOR REDESIGN COMPANY - Charleston, SC

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This Mt. Pleasant, SC cottage was such a pleasure to stage. It is a truly beautiful home that has some really nice architectural details.

Look how beautiful the outside is. I was very excited when I pulled up to this house because these upscale, lowcountry cottages are what I love to stage the most!

Isn't it good looking?

Now....Let's get started with some BEFORE AND AFTERS!...

When you walked in the front door which is at the far front right corner of this picture, as you can see, this living room looked very small and was begging for the life furniture could give!

But after staging....the Living Room looks more inviting!

Here is a closer look...

Here is the view looking from this room the opposite direction facing the dining area and kitchen...BEFORE

After...

This room was just off the living room and we decided to make it into an office. It needed personality.

After, it shows what a beautiful office this would make.

The master bedroom before staging...

Dessert anyone? This is the first time I have used artificial food, but wanted to give it a try.

Finally, the master bath...I recommended that they paint this bathroom the same color as the bedroom, but 2 shades lighter (shown here). The previous color was a dark navy blue that was totally the wrong tone. It did not work at all with the master. Thankfully, he did not hesitate. The other color just would not work.

Here is the final shot...the master bathroom after staging!

I absolutely love to do this style of staging...more on the traditional side with cottage charm! A classic lowcountry look and feel. It was a joy to stage!

Today, I attended my first RESA meeting and I must tell you that I have been apprehensive in the past to attend a meeting with my peers in the industry. Because I know that some of you can relate to this feeling, maybe what I saw can help:

Think about this...

WORRYING IS STRESSFUL! Why worry? When I first started my staging business almost 2 years ago and up until a few months ago, I was concerned about competition taking "my ideas." After being in this meeting, I don't feel that others were there to try to dig up information to use in their businesses, but rather I found that there was a sense of support as we all shared with one another. We are ALL still learning, so don't worry. Don't worry about sharing or that your "ideas" will be used by your competition. Stress is not good and takes away a lot of joy that being in this industry provides.

Besides...

BUSINESS WILL COME IF YOU DO YOUR BEST! Why are you in this business? If you are like me, to help people. I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. We have the joy of helping people with their homes, by either helping them sell their house faster through home staging or by giving them a new look to live in through redesign. How rewarding is that? VERY! Happy customers bring about refferals and that WILL happen if I do my best. People can sense when you really care enough to do your best and your work will speak for itself. Business will come.

Here's a hard question...

AS HOME STAGERS, ARE WE GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S SUCCESS?? Absolutely! I need to be. I have found myself glad for other's successes, especially in recent days. It sure makes me feel better. People who are doing well have worked hard. Why not be happy for them?

In closing...

Please take the same advice that I was given from a friend a few months ago...go to a networking meeting. These meetings are good for everyone, if you go with an open mind. They are fun and educational and you will find a special support from people who understand our unique industry. Don't worry about sharing "secret" information, but go to BE a support to others. Share. You will find that you have a lot in common with other stagers and will be able to hear and share interesting stories as well as challenges we all face in the industry. This was just our first "introductionary meeting", so I am excited to see what I can learn and bring to the table in the future!