Julia Maher, Home Stager: Staging Fairfield County Connecticut CT

There was another syndicated article in our local paper, the Connecticut Post, on Staging: "The Art of Home Staging" by an ASID Designer, Rosemary Sadez Friedmann. Friedmann is located in Naples, Florida and is a prolific writer; I could not find a website for her but most of her writing appears to be concerning decorating-not Staging.

The author did bring up several good points, such as using neutral paint colors and having the home meticulously cleaned. Again, I don't know if Friedmann has any Staging experience, but some of her lines tell me she doesn't:

"The idea behind staging is to make the home look uncluttered and as professionally decorated as possible so it appears fresh and inviting to potential buyers." Staging goes beyond cleaning and de-cluttering. Staging's purpose is to define the functions of each space, provide good flow through the house, and flavor the home so it appeals to as broad a buying public as possible. Usually we're undoing the professional decorating!

"Having a home professionally staged can cost a lot of money, but there are ways you can do it yourself." How much is a lot of money? The mortgage payments you could save with a faster sale by virtue of professional Staging?

When faced with the Living Room, left, a Designer and a Stager will come up with two totally different solutions. A Designer will design the room for a specific client's taste. A Stager will have to highlight the room's limited features, create a focal point and provide good traffic flow into the adjacent Dining Room. Not to mention dealing with the bird and dog that live here, with all their attendant smells and paraphernalia. (I bid on the job, but they went DIY and spent months on the market.)

I think Stagers are always happy to have press coverage for our profession, but isn't it about time these news services and, indeed, our local papers themselves, have a real professional Stager write the stories? Editors should pay closer attention. I wouldn't dream of writing an article on kitchen design!

Home Owners and Builders should be sure they're talking to a professional Stager if they have a property to sell. Professional Stagers will help you sell your old house. Interior Designers can decorate your new home!

Happy Staging, Julie

My charming, talented friend and neighbor, Karin Brey, is an award-winning artist in Fairfield County, CT, with a big heart. Every year my husband plants a large "neighborhood garden" of zinnias for all to enjoy. Karin gave him a small sketch of his garden in thanks. Her work is alternately impressionistic, pointillist, and dreamy. Much of her inspiration comes from the seasons and nature around her. Recently, Karin has introduced collage elements to her canvases. She will do nature "portraits", such as a homeowner's garden. Realtors: What a great gift idea!

Karin Lydia Brey can be reached at: klbrey@sbcglobal.net and you can see more of her work on this website: www.fairfieldcountyarts.com/members/gallery-karinbrey.html

Realtors and Stagers should get to know some local artists. You can refer them to Buyers, and sometimes use their art for Staging. Many local venues include the library, town hall, or banks. Be sure to check out art shows as well, and make some new friends!

Happy Staging, Julie

So GREEN is the new black...even major catalogs such as Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma Home are featuring "green" furnishings, with reclaimed or sustainable wood sources, organic cottons, and recycled materials. Wait, did I just say "recycled"?

Want to go GREEN the original way? RECYCLE! This is more than the newspaper/plastic/metal cans routine we do once a week. Look for recycled furniture! The easiest sources are estate sales, consignment shops, and antique stores.

Part of my business is selling "antiques" at local antique galleries, one of which is Stratford Antiques Center, located in Stratford, CT: www.stratfordantique.com. With 200 dealers on 16,500 square feet, there is a lot of merchandise to look through. Be sure to keep a creative eye when looking, however, because you might want to think about how something can be, rather than how it currently looks. Here are some examples:

Got a large entry? This super settee would look great painted out white or red. I'd leave it in the rich mahogany finish and upholster it with padding and a bright contemporary fabric.

It's size is grand, but would be approachable with some modern touches.

My favorite item in the gallery! This table is old - and would look great with the contrast of chrome and leather chairs, no?

Mrs. Brady might want her floor lamp back, especially after the shade is changed out for a linen short barrel shape.

Important Note: When buying lighting, always be sure it's in proper working order. When in doubt, have it re-wired!

Some pieces are room-ready. This sideboard has a new life with the fresh coat of white paint. Super in a sunny breakfast room.

Some dealers specialize in Early American, which mixes well with transitional and mid-century styles.

There's the funky and the fun - that chair is fab!

Classic chairs just crying out for a new life: cleaning, fresh updated fabric and a glass dining table!

This is my booth. I focus on faux bamboo, Hollywood Regency, and early painted finishes - an interesting mix. I also sell a lot of lighting and good art.

The black framed chair to the right of the chest is one of a pair. Originally very "Lana Turner", they were bright yellow, with bright yellow crushed velvet upholstery! I had the faux bamboo frames painted black, then reupholstered in linen. They look great in any setting.

So there's a quick tour, and hopefully some incentive to visit your local antiques gallery the next time you need a set of dining chairs, or a new piece for the guest room, or something for the foyer...Remember to keep your creative eye open to the possibilities!

Nestings provides high quality, value-added staging for occupied, vacant and model homes in Fairfield County and Connecticut.

Friday was cold and the rain was mere drizzle, but the annual Southport-Westport House Tour to benefit Near & Far Aid (www.nearandfar.org) must go on! I was asked to be a room hostess for one house where the theme was the Kentucky Derby, so of course a major hat was required! It was a great time, and I enjoyed the unique architecture of this renovated barn with a great modern addition - it even had an indoor squash court! It was also a chance to see a lot of people I hadn't seen in a while.

The other hat I wore was my Stager's hat. Now, these houses are each lovely in their own right, but for the tour, designers do come in and tweak them. I'm sure some valuables are also stowed safely away. However, what do we consider valuable? I was the Hostess in the family room/squash court for two hours and there were hundreds of people coming through. One of the room's features was a long work station where the youngsters did their homework - all of this was on display. People learned where they went to school, what their names are, etc. A huge bulletin board had photos, school work, lists of names and phone numbers...you name it, the visitors were looking at it. They asked me how many children lived there, how old they were - I don't know - AND IT'S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS!!!

This is exactly why we ask homeowners to put photos and family information away while their house is on the market. It's distracting to the potential buyer, and it's none of their business!

Maybe I was over-reacting, but the Stager in me came out, and I started keeping people away from that area - refocusing them on the architecture. I also told my replacement to do the same, and told the House Captain they should re-think having that info out like that. Better to be safe than sorry. Julie

Nestings provides home staging and interior merchandising for Fairfield County and all of Connecticut.