Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager

Final photos are in...this is the end of the road... the fat lady is singing!

For those of you who have been wondering "when will it end" "how much longer can this series be?" Your prayers have been answered, this is the big finale!

The Master Bedroom....

Even though this is my daughter's new home and not a staging job, this project is still a testimonial to the power of staging. This condo was listed on MLS without photos because it's condition was so bad. So many sellers today are making the same mistake. This is one time I approve of a listing not being staged...the result was a great price for my daughter!

Thanks to all of you who were so supportive and enthusiastic in your comments on this project!

Original Before Photos

Part 2 Dog Hair in the Microwave

Part 3 A New Door and More Paint

Part 4 Kitchen Tile, Nasty Carpet, Nana's Dresser

Part 5 Nana's Dresser Goes Heavy Metal

Part 6 What a Difference a Light Makes

Part 7 You Don't Always Get it Right The First Time

Part 8 From Charming to Functional Using Shelves

Part 9 Custom Wood Radiator Covers by Rick

Part 10 Final photos are in

We aren't totally finished our "not-so-extreme" make-over yet, but we are close enough for some "After" photos. I first posted on this project back on March 3 and considering we only had weekends and some evenings to work on it, we made pretty good time. Since my daughter has actually moved in and we only have some minor finish work to do, I decided not to keep you waiting any longer for the "after" photos.

Here goes:

The only room left to photograph is the master bedroom, which I will do at another time.

To check out past posts on this transformation:

Part 2 Dog Hair in the Microwave

Part 3 A New Door and More Paint

Part 4 Kitchen Tile, Nasty Carpet, Nana's Dresser

Part 5 Nana's Dresser Goes Heavy Metal

Part 6 What a Difference a Light Makes

Part 7 You Don't Always Get it Right The First Time

Part 8 From Charming to Functional Using Shelves

Part 9 Custom Wood Radiator Covers by Rick

There are certain moments in life when emotion floods over and a kind of numb feeling takes over your body. Hearing my son is going to be a dad was one of those moments.

"Ashley is pregnant" Josh said with a big smile.

It came out of the blue, totally unexpected. Surprise! My boy...a father?

A baby, we are going to have a new baby, our first grandchild!

When Ashley pulled out the pregnancy test, I think I went into a type of shock...I don't know why, but for some reason my top priority at the time was "don't cry" and not being emotional was the main thing on my mind. I am sure I didn't have the reaction they were expecting.

I hugged them both and I let them know how happy I was, but there was this surreal feeling to the whole thing...joy and fear all mixed together.

Please don't misunderstand, I couldn't be happier! It is just that I have this history of anxiety...I tend to worry about most everything and sometimes my fears get the better of me. If this isn't breeding ground for worry, I don't know what is...a whole eight months until we count the toes and fingers!

In just a few moments my mind rode the emotion roller coaster from "shocked" up the hill to "anxious" and then back down again to "sentimental". This is my boy we are talking about here...he may be all grown up but when I look at him I still see:

Memories of other times in his life when Josh has given my nervous system a run for it's money came to mind:

The phone call I got from the elementary school that he had been injured on the playground. . . I was assured he was ok, but until I got to that school, I couldn't breath.

When I got to the school he informed me that a "fat kid' had fallen off the jungle gym and landed on him. No sports injury here, folks, just a kid minding his own business and out of the sky comes another kid...

It sounded funny when he said it,

but the broken leg was serious.

I stayed up all night with him playing video games to keep his mind off the pain.

The hockey game, the only one his Dad ever missed, when he broke his collar bone and he was sitting on the bench with the coach's tie wrapped around him as a sling...up in the stands alone, I felt miles away.

When we got him to the hospital he sat bravely as the doctor and nurses attended to me...

evidently I had turned rather pale and there was some concern I may pass out.

Years later, a similar reaction in the recovery room after his wisdom teeth were removed. A nurse tried to explain to me that I would have to change the bloody gauze and she almost lost me.

He broke his collar bone two more times during his brief hockey career, and the pain for a parent at moments like these is something you never forget.

He is going to be a daddy...

I really shouldn't be that surprised. After all this is the same guy that called me one night last July to tell me he was getting married in September. I told him we should just put "no she's not" on the invitations because it would be assumed they were expecting. Why the rush?

They just wanted to get married and didn't see any reason in making a big production out of it.

They love the Red Sox,

They love their beer,

They love each other!

They will make great parents...they have a lot of love to share.

I look at pictures and it seems like yesterday, but at the same time it feels like a hundred years ago.

I miss that little guy...

but not that hair, what was I thinking?

Going blonde was certainly the right

way to go!

Anyways, I can't wait for my grandbaby to get here. In a way it will be like getting a chance to go back in time to my babies and play with them all over again.

Best of all is knowing that Josh and Ashley are going to get to experience the love that only a parent can feel.

Congratulations to my boy and his

beautiful wife ...

If the baby is a girl, lets hope she

looks just like Ashley....

If it is a boy, I hope he looks like

his dad, the cutest little guy ever!

Preparing your home for sale?

You are not alone, many New Hampshire Seacoast homeowners are hoping to find a buyer, and your home has plenty of competition on the market. To guarantee you make the best impression on buyers I suggest you keep in mind that "sensory" appeal is just as important as "curb" appeal.

SIGHT

The visual appearance of a home prompts potential buyers more than any other factor.

Once homeowners step inside, they decide almost immediately whether or not they want to buy your home. It is essential that they be greeted with a spotless, ready-to-move-into home.

Clean or freshly painted walls and spotlessly clean or brand new carpeting are a must. Hardwood floors must be in excellent condition. Any floor tile should be in a light neutral, in good condition.

Furniture must be arranged to show space and function and at the same time guide the eye towards positive features of the home and away from the negative.

Light is the second most quoted reason for choosing a home.

Make sure all lights work and, where necessary, replace light bulbs with a higher wattage. Replace dark or worn lampshades with new, sheer or white shades.

Paint walls and dark woodwork in light, neutral paint.

Replace heavy, dark window treatments with lighter sheer curtains. Clean all windows inside and out so that the sun can shine in.

Nothing will turn away a potential buyer faster than an unpleasant smell.

Welcome buyers and make them feel comfortable by greeting them with a pleasant aroma. A few drops of vanilla warmed in the oven yields the same result as baked cookies, triggering a comfort response.

Remove litter boxes. Keep trash can clean at all times. Open windows before a showing when possible.

TOUCH

Texture, added throughout the house, is appealing to the eye and to the touch and will add an element of style which translates into perceived value.

Help buyers feel comfortable and at home by keeping the temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

SOUND

Creaking floors, dripping faucets, and noisy heating systems could be a cause for concern to a buyer.

Neighborhood noises such as traffic and barking dogs can be distracting. Playing soft jazz or classical music can help the home feel more relaxing and help buyers to concentrate on positive features.

Buyers' perceived value of your home is based on the reaction of their senses.

Whether you are selling your home, have a design challenge, or just want a fresh, updated look, I would love to assist you with your transformation or answer any questions that you may have about Home Staging in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area.

You are invited to watch as we transform a Dover, NH condo from foreclosure to refinish. We are in the process of helping our daughter, proud new homeowner, make the necessary improvements to her new home.

She recently closed on a neglected, cold condo with dreams of turning it into a warm, inviting home. I plan to post updates and photos as we progress. I'll start here with the before photos.

The building is 1800's, but the kitchen appliances are only 2 years old and in very good condition. The ceiling needs a minor repair and the floor needs to be replaced. Really dirty!

The bath needs new floor, mirror and light fixtures. Again with the dirty... nasty dirty!

In the Dining Room, we plan to remove the giant bookcase and break an opening in the wall into the kitchen.

The Living Room is missing radiator covers, needs new light fixtures. More with the dirty!

Note floor by front door!

A lot of scrubbing and paint needed...we have the vision!

Master needs paint, light fixture, and did I mention it needs cleaning? Isn't this the cutest closet door. It is like the dwarfs live here.

It has modern features but maintains it's historic charm. The "older home" details are wonderful. We have started the cleaning process and some construction and I will be posting regularly with updates and photos. We are very excited about this project and hope you enjoy following along!