Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC

I'd like to show you a way you can "be green" and "save a lot of green" at the same time.

Our IRIS Chapter was approached with an interesting challenge. Alison Oyler, who does marketing for Goodwill Industries, invited us to participate in an Italian Tablescape contest. It was held at the Festival Italiano in the Belmar development of Lakewood, Colorado. Now, here's the fun part. We were given $40 gift cards to Goodwill, and could only spend an additional $10 of our own for flowers, candles, etc.

Here are the beautiful tablescapes:

"Mattina Bella" (beautiful morning) by Elaine Manes-A Wonderful Space

"Palazzo Bella" (beautiful home) by Diane Palazzo-5280 Real Estate Staging and Erica Starich-Star Interior Solutions

"Cucina Coast" by Brenda Peterson-Busy Bee Organizing Plus

"Breakfast in Tuscany" by Mico Smith-Metamorphing Interiors

"Casual in Capri" by Khristy Wilson-Interior Evolutions

"Festa del l'uva" (grape harvest festival) Alison Oyler-Goodwill Industries of Denver

I think the photos speak for themselves. So, if you want to "be green", make your local Goodwill store your first stop. AND, you are guaranteed to "save a lot of green", too! The plates I bought were UNDER 50 cents!

Here are few shots of the festival:

This one is my favorite:

I was called in by my Realtor, to help a condo which had been on the market for MONTHS! The owner had moved out, but rented the condo, furniture and all. I called the seller to see what she was willing to do. Her answer was "whatever it takes". I LOVE these clients! I previewed the property and came up with a plan.

First, the RIDDLE:

When is a cookbook NOT a cookbook?

The answer?

When it's wallpaper!

This wallpaper was used as the backsplash in the kitchen! Convenient? Yes! Everyone's taste? Definitely not!

Next? The color RED!

I love a red accent wall as much as the next person. But, it doesn't work in every home. A small space like a condo will appear larger if you stick to one color for all the walls. And when the home has a fabulous feature like a fireplace, sometimes the red can be distracting.

Here is what I mean:

Now, the fireplace POPS!

I prefer to accent a staging with splashes of red, but not enough to be overwhelming!

The living space before:

Just a few changes:

The client agreed to have the whole condo painted, including the ceiling which was painted a dark tan and added to the cave-like feel of the space. She offered to put in new carpet, but saved a bunch of money by having it cleaned instead. Remember, there are still renters in the condo, so I advised against putting in new carpet for that reason. After the cleaning (the cost was just over $100) the carpet looked fabulous!

Now, the REMODEL:

I thought her money was better spent by updating the two light fixtures in the vanity area of the bathroom:

For a total of $100, we went from 1980.....

.....to 2009!

I agreed to add a few staging items, even though the condo was occupied. Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make a huge difference:

I think you'll agree that paint, some inexpensive lighting, and a few strategically placed accessories can make a world of difference! Here are a few more "after" shots:

Stagers can be invaluable to out-of-town sellers. My services included hiring the painter and carpet cleaners, shopping for the light fixtures, adding accessories, and providing new photos to the Realtor.

Thanks for letting me share this enjoyable project! Need a good recipe for chicken soup?

With a struggling economy and a sea of unsold properties, my staging company was put to the test.

I was called in to stage a nice older home, fresh from a complete remodel. Feedback was the bedrooms seemed too small, even for the smallest of beds.

"I'll stage it for one month", the agent/owner told me. "If it doesn't sell, I'm going to rent it out". YIKES!!!

The rooms were small, but I knew they would look bigger with furniture in them (something that non-stagers have a hard time understanding)!

A queen size bed fits just fine:

Today, I got an email saying it went under contract. Less than three weeks, in this market! I would say staging received an A+! I think the agent/owner is now a believer!

I hope the new owners enjoy the beautiful roses in the front yard!

This home was lovingly staged by A WONDERFUL SPACE!

Here in Colorado, I have a partner in staging, who always comes through, and never demands payment. Her name is Mother Nature and her contribution to the homes I stage is priceless. Here are two examples of her handiwork:

But, Mother Nature can only do so much, because buyers will live INSIDE their home. And, that is where I come in:

I think the combination of...

1. Great clients, who were willing to paint inside and out, AND follow my recommendation for new lighting, AND hire a professional stager!

2. Mother Nature, who does an excellent job of staging the outdoors!

3. A professional stager, who can handle what Mother Nature can't!

...will give this home the very best chance of selling!!!

This home was lovingly staged by A Wonderful Space!