Connecticut Home Sellers CAN Stage - Following A Staging Consultation
This lovely family had outgrown their Stratford, CT, home, and needed to move. Set on quiet cul-de-sac, surrounded by many similar homes, their house has many period details. It was also filled with the many items a busy family can accumulate.
Nestings Home Staging was called in for a Staging Consultation, and we discussed how to best present their home for today's buyers. The target buyers are a young married couple looking to start a family, or perhaps they already have one child.
Armed with their DIY Staging plan, the couple went to work. Here are the results in the all-important kitchen:
Before: The eat-in area took up too much space, and the wallpaper border had to go.
After: A properly scaled table and matching chairs were brought in from another room, and the light fixture was positioned over the set. The walls, now stripped of the border, were painted a nice neutral (selected by Nestings) that works with the flooring. The hutch was removed from the buffet.
Before: they myriad colors and cottage decor were too taste-specific.
After: A spacious, light-filled room, ready to appeal to buyers.
If you need to sell your home, call a local professional Home Stager for a Staging Consultation. It's a low-cost means to presenting your house in the best possible light. If this busy, young couple can achieve these results, so can you!
Connecticut Home Sellers CAN Stage - Following A Staging Consultation
"Only The Shadow Knows..." Old-Time Radio Live @ Fairfield University!
I just love old-time radio shows. Yes, I'm that old! (Just kidding!)
It started with the "When Radio Was" syndicated program on our local radio station, WICC 600. Late Sunday nights, I can lie in bed listening to "The Shadow", "The Lone Ranger", or "Our Miss Brooks". You never know who will be on; it could be Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, or Ronald Regan.
For my last birthday, Mike signed me up for Sirius XM Radio, where there's a whole channel devoted to old-time radio. How great is that?
In the meantime, I'd also discovered that Fairfield University has presented a series of dramatized radio shows, complete with old-fashioned sound effects. The actors are in 1940s dress, and there's usually a little behind-the-scenes scenario as well as the storyline. I've been a regular for years now:
"After more than a decade of honing their skills at the (Fairfield University) Quick Center, our crack radio troupe offers you a brand new collection of original Golden-Age radio dramas. Overblown vintage commercials and occasional great writing make for a surprisingly vibrant evening."
The best news is that they're presenting one of THE iconic radio shows:
"War Of The Worlds"
Friday, November 4 at 8 p.m.,
Saturday, November 5 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Hear the original 1938 broadcast that caused a national panic and catapulted Orson Welles to stardom. The classic H.G. Wells tale of a Martian invasion was creatively adapted as a series of news bulletins interrupting a normal radio broadcast evening, and was actually believed by hundreds of the listening public.
*Just one twist... Instead of the Martians landing in New Jersey, they land in Connecticut and lay waste our favorite local sites.
Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
1073 N. Benson Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
Box Office: (203) 254-4010
Toll-free: 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396)
www.quickcenter.com
Get your tickets now! Hope to see you there!
Home Staging Tips From A Showhouse - Part 5!
We toured the gorgeous Designer Showhouse of Westchester this summer. This second annual event was located in Bedford Corners, NY, and benefits Cerebral Palsy of Westchester.
In Part 1, recurring motifs and traffic patterns were covered. In Part 2, we looked at built-ins. Part 3 demonstrated working with a monochromatic palette. Part 4 dealt with iinspiration.
In Part 5, we'll look at recurring elements. As a way of uniting a space, the same element can be repeated. This could be using the same metallic finish in light fixtures and hardware, a recurring motif (as in Part 1), or the use of similar wood tones.
In this dining room, agate was the recurring element:
A serious slice of translucent agate forms the base for this modern lamp, one of two on the buffet.
Note the artwork: more slices of agate drawn and painted by hand, then framed out in over-sized, matching mats and frames.
There must be one or two of these vintage peacock lights in every antiques mall in America! They're not to everyone's taste! Yet, somehow, with it's agate "eyes", this bird is at home in this setting.
That peacock wouldn't make sense without the other, modern, agate lamps and artwork. This bird also warms up the very contemporary space with it's age!
As a professional Home Stager and Designer, it's important to explore Showhouses to pick up new ideas and inspiration. Hope I've inspired you!
Home Staging Tips From A Showhouse - Part 5!
Are You a Veteran? Selling Your House? Thank you for your service, but please remove your military memorabilia.
Are you:
Thank you for your service, but please remove your military memorabilia.
When your house is on the market, it is important to remove personal collections such as family photos, dolls, and yes, military memorabilia, awards, medals, etc. It helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the house.
More importantly, you could be at risk for identity theft. While helping two Connecticut families prepare their homes for sale, I noticed Honorable Discharge certificates on display. They were each ca. 1980, and the veteran's Social Security number was clearly in view! The numbers were by the military used as identification.
As a professional Home Stager, it was important for me to point this out, and the sellers were quick to take everything down! Home Stagers can help prepare a property for sale, but we also keep our eyes out for one's safety!
Heed what the buyers are looking for, and your own safety!
(Note: I trust this post won't offend anyone; my husband is a Vietnam Era veteran, and I'm very proud of him!)
Are You a Veteran? Selling Your House? Thank you for your service, but please remove your military memorabilia.
Love Quilts? Visit The Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail!
Do you love quilts? I sure do! The crazier, the better. While I generally have them removed (to protect them, and they can be too taste-specific) when Staging a house for sale, they can make wonderful home accents. They're certainly pieces of historical art.
There's a story in every hand-made quilt. Was this one made from Father's old shirts? Was this made from scraps leftover from fabulous gowns and party dresses? Who signed it? Why were so many different stitches used on this quilt?
The months-long Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail event continues this Fall:
"The purpose of the exhibits and programming comprising the Norwalk Quilt Trail is to create awareness and appreciation for a form of Americana that combines elements of art, local history and culture. Approximately 100 quilts will be on display at diverse cultural heritage and tourism sites around the City of Norwalk. This is the first major collaboration between the city’s museums and will lay the foundation for sharing resources in future projects.
Complementary programming includes lectures by quilt scholars, community quilting bees, workshops and quilt airings/discovery days during which Norwalk residents can bring their quilts for display and documentation for the national Quilt Index."
Several Norwalk institutions are participating, including: the Norwalk Historical Society, Rowayton Historical Society (the lead partners), Norwalk Museum, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk Seaport Association’s Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Stepping Stones Museum for Children.
Combining history, art, and sociology, antique quilts offer something for everyone. There are some wonderful antique examples on their website: www.norwalkquilttrail.org, and I hope you check it out!
Love Quilts? Visit The Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail!
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Julia Maher of Nestings provides high-quality, value-added Home Staging and award-winning Model Home design in Fairfield & New Haven Counties and Connecticut. On time, on buget and on target! RESA
Call today for a quote! Staging can be as simple as a Consultation or involve a whole-house renovation.
Here are some photos of my work; you'll find more posted on my blog: www.activerain.com/blogs/nestings
SOLD in three weeks! After scaling down the furniture and defining some spaces, this Fairfield, CT, house was ready for the market and sold quickly. We used some rental furniture as well as the clients'.
Before: Poorly-defined living room.
After: Relaxing spot for book club or cocktails!
Before: Family room with over-sized sectional and entertainment center.
After: Appropriately-sized furniture was brought in. Now the focal point of the room, the fireplace, is highlighted.
This Fairfield County, CT, Staged Home Sold in Five (5!) Days. Nestings provided affordable rentals and used some of the seller's furniture for this traditional, yet modest, home:
Before: Bedding, walls, furniture and floor all blend. After: New ceiling fixture and rented accessories from Nestings add drama and character to the Master Bedroom.
A new white carpet to highlight the hardwood floors, updated coffee table, additional seating and lighting, plus splashes of vibrant turquoise blue give this Living Room memorable character.
A new, updated chandelier, white table cloth and black accents provided by Nestings eliminate the "oak-on-oak" feel to the Dining Room (Before, on left).
Easy updates for this Bathroom included full-length drapery in a bold damask pattern, larger art and a beautiful orchid. Over-sized scale adds drama.
Need to sell your Fairfield County, Connecticut, vacant or spec house quickly? These houses were staged with rentals; lighting, art and accessories rented from Nestings Home Staging:
Award-Winning Connecticut Model Home Design:
First Place Winner, 2008 ADE Conference
First Place Winner, 2007 ADE Conference
Home Staging: Transitional design that highlights architectural features.
Home Staging: Designed to appeal to the target buyer.
Home Staging: Designed to define open spaces.
Home Staging: Designed to define spatial functions.
Home Staging: Color can be neutral or bold to amp up the "WOW!" factor.
Nestings Home Staging helped a classic family room get model home appeal.
Organizations:
Education:
With a transitional approach to decorating, Home Staging by Nestings establishes good flow, function and flavor to any property at affordable prices. Specializing in builders' Model Homes throughout Fairfield County, New Haven County and Connecticut, Nestings provides award-winning Staging.
My success as a Connecticut Home Stager hinges on my ability to appeal to the target home buyer. Whether the target buyers are professionals moving out from New York City, single men, or growing families, I can subtly interpret what kind of functions and furnishings will attract and maintain their interest in a property.
Working within any budget, Staged vacant and model homes are fully appointed and look rich.
For Staging occupied homes, I have a "use what you have" mentality that can make any home look and feel better for the market.
I work with several furniture rental companies to provide just the right selections. Accessories rentals are also available through Nestings Home Staging.
My work is on time, on budget, and on target!
"Dear Julie: I have sold many homes in my 24 years in real estate and have done a lot of staging for my clients, but it doesn't compare to having a professional stager like you. You are truly talented in adding the emotional touch to a home with your decorative accents and artistic flair. I truly believe that your exceptional abilities were one of the main reasons why my clients were able to sell their home within 1 week and at a premium price. My clients also strongly agree that you were worth the investment." Joan Hainsworth, CRS, ABR
"Hi there - Just wanted to thank you for your help and let you know that the first people that looked at our house bought it for the asking price! I did most everything you said. It looks beautiful. Thanks again..." Kirsten G.
"Hi Julie! Hope you are well. We sold our home and have moved to St. Johns Florida. We sold rather quickly with some definite thanks to you. I am recommending you highly to anyone who inquires about the sale. Hope you get some referrals. Thanks again!" Carol R.
"Julie - I wanted to thank you so much for helping me with our home. I loved everything you did in the house. Everyone that came in said how beautiful everything looked. They kept saying, "Why do you want to move, your home is so beautiful." We lived there for nine years and it never looked better than after you came in. The best part was you were able to use things I already had. I loved working with you. I want you to come to help me decorate our new home. Thanks again for all your help." Chris C.
"Many thanks to Nestings for doing such a great job Staging the Model unit at The Birches! The original Model had been installed for some time, but the condos were not selling. Julie Maher determined the correct target audience and designed a new Model. Since the installation, half the condos have sold. Julie's work was on time, on budget, and on target." Anthony Maggiore, Maggiore Construction Inc.
"My mother's house looks so cute! It doesn't look like an old lady lived here!" Kim V.
"Wow, you did a great job in a short period of time. You're going to do very well!." Leslie B., Realtor
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