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Margaret Oscilia-Home Stager, Salem Oregon

What do you mean my mauve tile isn’t Mauvelous?!

We often see tiles that are tattle tales.

You know the type -- the ones that scream - "I was built in 1980 and custom! People should love me forever"!

Often the culprit can be accent tiles -- strategically placed to bring color into the room. Now they bossily influence the decorating scheme and to home buyers shout "change me I'm dated"!

master bath before staging consultation with Creative Concepts

A Salem Oregon home seller had this dilemma. Their bathroom wouldn't be attractive to home buyers because of the current tile and decorating scheme. When buyers compare this bathroom to new construction, they would think it needed an expensive face lift. Instead of being an positive selling point, buyers will think negatively about this room.

How can you change dated tile without spending a lot of money?

Paint the tile!!

These seller didn't have the budget to replace the tile or to hire someone to epoxy the tiles to a contemporary color. They were unwilling skeptical at first, but once they got started painting the tiles themselves they saw it was well worth the effort.

By using the correct products and techniques the tile now looks fresh and attractive and will be durable too.

Creative Concepts Home Staging and Contracting added some new art and decor ---- now this bathroom really is marvelous!

PSSST! The secret to more potential buyers viewing your listing!

With lots of homes on the market, home sellers need to use every advantage to attract potential buyers to their listing. Want to impress over 90% of them? (If video below doesn't show immediately - refresh page and it should load quickly.)

A special thanks to HD Open House Photography. While this short presentation only includes two of their shots -- I'm sure you found their work impressive like we do!

Margaret Oscilia of Creative Concepts – Home Staging and Contracting serves Salem Oregon and surrounding areas specializing in helping home sellers stage to sell and home owners to transform their homes from ordinary to extraordinary. Services range from staging and paint color consultations, providing rental furniture and decor for vacant homes, re-designing occupied homes to managing remodeling projects.

Small Kitchen Improvements that Yield Huge Returns!

All too often we see kitchens that lack pizzazz and feel dated. Does this kitchen need a complete remodel? What if a few things are changed to give it a new look? We all know that having a fabulous kitchen helps sell homes!

This kitchen island placement is awkward and small when compared to more contemporary kitchens like these:

{it’s great to be home}

{via House of Turquoise}

Painting the walls and modifying the existing kitchen island transformed this kitchen to a showcase (white cabinets are always in style) that most people couldn’t have originally envisioned! The island was moved and extended with a butcher block top — now providing an eating bar and a contemporary look.

DAA DAAH!!!! – - Wow what a difference!

Amazing improvement on a teensy budget! Lots of DIY instructions too at the link above provided byThe Nesting Game!

Wondering what improvements you can make with a teensy budget? Sometimes inspiration and a fresh set of eyes is all you need! We love brain storming and providing improvement ideas on how best to make your home perfect for you or help prepare it for sale!

Home Buyers HAVE To Understand I'm Living Here! Don't They?

occupied home staged by Creative ConceptsDuring a recent home staging consultation a home seller (who had children) said "We can't live in a staged home! Home buyers will just have to understandthat we live here".

These home sellers did most of what we recommended to prepare their home for sale, but there were two huge issues not resolved which would have cost them less than $500 -- many months later, their home is still on the market.

On the other hand, we have many sellers who take the "I'll do what ever it takes"approach. When selling a home the "packaging" is so important! Each of four these homes photographed here were owner occupied.

They rented some items from our inventory of furniture and decor. Our staging company provided them lots of tips and tricks on how to best live in a home that was for sale, making it less stressful for their families. Better yet -- each of them sold in under 30 days!

Sold in under 30 days?!!

These homes were NOT super bargain priced. They did have a step up on the competition however because they:

  • priced where the agent recommended (and didn't have to do a price reduction because of the quick sale)
  • prepared their homes well for sale (maintenance and staging)
  • marketed the listings well (professional photography and marketing by agent)

They also were inconvenienced a very short time because the home sold quickly!!

These are just a few of the success stories we have been a part of in 2011. If you want a higher price for your home or don't really need to sell, now is not the time to make a half hearted approach to selling. (And it could be many years before those prices rise.)

These rooms aren't perfect. All have used items the home seller's had on hand to help keep the staging costs down.

The amount these sellers paid for staging was minor compared to having the keep their home on the market for months (and possibly lower the price), not to mention the stress related to living in a staged home for month after month! They transformed their homes from ordinary to extraordinary and the results speak for themselves!

They all portrayed a beautiful home as well as a desirable lifestyle that was awaiting new home buyers. The secret is -- buyers will take into consideration that you are living in a home for sale. BUT -- they won't feel as much "WOW" or as welcomed .... and your home probably won't be the one they fall in love with (and those are the ones that get the offers).

When marketing your Oregon home for sale, make sure it is properly prepared for the best possible sale. Even if you are living in the home, it can look like the dream home buyers are looking for!




Thanksgiving Wishes

fall decor



As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy




Wishing you a heart that overflows with thanksfulness -- every day and in every situation. A true recipe for a joyous day!