Local Businesses Provide a Fun Twist on Secret Santa with their "Finders, Keepers" Gift Bag Event
Some little extras will be scattered around town this week in hopes of spreading some extra holiday cheer over Brighton. Taking the lead from a recent Coopers & Binkley promotion, three local businesses created thirty gift bags filled with goodies that will be left in thirty area business establishments. Where will they be? That’s for the finders to find. Once they find, they keep!
"We just wanted to add a special element of fun and surprise to the season, especially with the economic climate the way it is," says Joanne Giardini of NuStar Insurance Agencies, the brains behind this project. “A friend had stumbled upon a small jewelry box containing earrings from Coopers & Binkley as they celebrated a store event. I loved the idea immediately and felt it would be something fun to spread around the community – especially during the holidays.”
Giardini enlisted the help of two local colleagues, Larry Patzsch of RE/MAX Platinum and Kathi Presutti, owner of RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign, to help out. The trio gathered small gift items from Biggby Coffee, Stillwater, Brighton Little Caesar’s, Rainbow Car Wash, Just So!, Shine Salon and Beaver Island Jewelry. Giardini, Patzsch and Presutti will distribute the thirty gift bags to local establishments later this week.
“We’re hoping that whomever finds these gifts will simply smile and feel lucky!” says Giardini. Let the games begin!
4 Women Artists Exhibit at 6020 Wyndam Lane, Brighton
Earlier this year, I saw a couple posts about using the work of local artists in houses that are staged as a great way to get more exposure for all concerned. So, when I noticed that the Brighton Art Guild was temporarily set up in a vacant storefront in downtown Brighton, I stopped in to ooooo, ahhhh, and chat. I met a few artisits and floated the idea of showcasing some of their work in an appropriate house, and they seemed interested.
Long story short, I reconnected with them when I got the opportunity to stage a spectacular house in the prestigious development of Pine Creek. And, voila--the "Home Is Where The Art Is" Open House was born. It was originally scheduled for early December, but that turned out to be less-than-auspicious timing. So, we are rescheduling it for Saturday, January 31, 2009.
Here are some photos from the "soft opening":
There will be 4 artists exhibiting, and selling, their work: Anne Marie Buckman, Linda Dunn, Kim Isaac and Kally Walcott.
Surprise! Consultation nets the 4th artist!
The Thursday morning before the December 7th event, I had a consultation with a client. In the course of the consultation, I noticed some interesting fabric pyramids. When I said "Tell me about these" she proceeded to explain that she sews, and has exhibited these at various art fairs. So I asked her if we could use them for our event, and she was more than happy to oblige! (I also accomplished some subtle "decluttering" at her residence by this suggestion!)
The large canvas on the right was finished just in time for the event. Sadly, the artist was dealing with her mother's imminent death, and used this stressful time to fuel her creative expression. Painted as a tribute to her mother, who died just after it was completed, Linda Dunn's work is a powerful as it is beautiful.
The work on the fireplace mantle was also recently completed by the artist, Anne Marie Buckman. Both these pieces bring so much life and warmth to the room, don't they?
Here is the fabric art of Kally Walcott, on the floor below the paintings by Anne Marie Buckman:
And some close ups of more of Ann Marie's work:
We had a lot of fun, and helped get more awareness for the artists, and the house! Hopefully Michigan's weather will cooperate and we'll get even more participation this time!
Event: "Home Is Where The Art Is, Too" Open House
Coffee and Dessert Artists' Reception
Where: 6020 Wyndam Lane, Brighton, MI 48116
When: Saturday, January 31, 2009; 1 PM to 4 PM
ARTISTS:
Kimberly Isaac
Linda Dunn
Kally Walcott
Contact:
Sheryl McIntyre, Coldwell Banker Schweitzer
Kathi Presutti, RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign
Did You Know That Plaid Is A Hot Trend This Fall?
Well, I recently had an opportunity to do some writing for Taubman malls and to write about 67 trends for the fall. Plaid is one of them! Now, normally my staging isn't really influenced by trends, as I stage more to appeal to a broad range of buyers. But when I saw the plaid sofas in this house in Fenton, I thought I could work with them and save the sellers some money. I think I pulled it off--what do you think?
Here are some Before and After photos:
We had the perfect rug to pull out the colors and make this work. We also used leather cubes in place of the larger table to save space and to update the look. I found the table on the left in the basement, and I also used their table lamps with RE:STYLE's floor lamp. The beautiful painting belongs to the seller.
By mixing in some more modern accessories (mirror, floor lamp, tray table), RE:STYLE helped to give the plaid, and the room, a much more "now and wow" look and feel. Here are some other photos of the staging in different rooms:
We took the leaf out of the table, and used the 2 extra chairs in the Breakfast Nook, with a table we found, once again, in the basement. The painting is the seller's, as is the interesting table seen in the background. RE:STYLE provided the mirror, rug and other accessories. Did you notice that we also changed out the shades on the chandelier?
We used a Queen instead of the King to show off all the space in the room, added lamps, changed out the bedding, and used a trunk that had been in the Living Room so everything didn't look so "matchy matchy". We also introduced a screen as a headboard, again to mix it up a bit.
About RE:STYLE LLC
RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven home staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com.
From Drab To Fab
RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign's associate, Tonya Seckinger, just completed staging this 830 Sq. ft. house in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. The transformation from a sad, empty house to a warm, inviting home was nothing short of miraculous! Of course, this is often the case with professional home staging. But when the house isn't a million dollar baby, it seems like it's even more amazing. Watch as a drab little rental morphs into a happy place someone would want to call home:
Now this house looks like a real value for the money! It was just listed, so I'll keep you posted on the sales results!
About RE:STYLE LLC
RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven home staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com
"A season to sell: Owners who keep homes on market could fare better in fall"
This is the headline below the HUGE photo of yours truly as she moves an autumn-themed arrangement over to a table. RE:STYLE had just finished staging a lived-in house in Howell, Michigan last week. When speaking with a Realtor friend about the market and staging, she mentioned that a news reporter had called her looking for a house that was on the market now and wondering about themed decor (Halloween, fall, etc.). One thing lead to the next, and I was at the staged house with my client, the reporter and a photographer!
My client was nice enough to photograph me being photographed for the article! The photographer was being creative with this shot:
Advantages to leaving your house on the market in the fall
The article talks about how selling in the fall and winter can be a good thing, as there is less competition out there, and the buyers, while fewer, are more serious about finding a home.
I don't want to violate copyright laws, so click here to see the web version of the article. It's not as dramatic in format as the printed version, but it has the same helpful information!
About RE:STYLE LLC
RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven home staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com.
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RE:STYLE, a leading home staging company, staged $10.9 million in SOLD! real estate in 2007. RE:STYLE's work has been seen on HGTV's National Open House & the Today Show.
Get The Selling Advantage From Michigan's Premiere Staging Resource
Kathi Presutti is the owner of RE:STYLE LLC, and an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP). With a design degree from the University of Michigan, and a successful career as an advertising executive (she was an Executive Creative Director) behind her, she looks at home staging from a marketing point of view. To Kathi, every home for sale is actually a house that is a product on the market, in competition with every other house, including new-builds. RE:STYLE has many success stories, which can be found at www.ReStyleStaging.com
RE:STYLE works with Realtors and their clients, and also directly with homeowners. But RE:STYLE has a special affinity for staging vacant properties, drawing on its extensive inventory of accessories, artwork and smaller pieces of furniture. Vacant properties are particularly prone to staying on the market longer, as buyers are often unable to visualize how their furnishings will fit into the space. Vacant properties also leave buyers cold because they aren't as warm and inviting as lived-in properties, lacking that WOW factor that makes buyers remember them, and fall in love at first sight.
RE:STYLE's statistics mirror the national ones; houses that are staged by RE:STYLE sell twice as quickly as un-staged homes. What a difference that can make in this challenging buyers' market!
Investment Considerations
Remember, the investment in staging is always less than that first price reduction! The cost of staging doesn't need to be expensive. In lived-in houses, the idea is to use as much of the homeowners' possessions as possible. And when staging a vacant house, it's important to remember all the money that'll be saved by selling the house just one or two months more quickly: mortgage payment, heat, electricity, taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.
There are many ways to cover the investment in staging
RE:STYLE offers one-hour verbal consultations at a nominal cost, often paid for by Realtors as a way to give added value to their clients. Some Realtors (often top producers--does that tell you something?) will pay for several hours of staging, or even share the cost of staging a vacant property. By asking homeowners to pay upfront, and then reimbursing them at closing, a Realtor can help ensure that the listing stays with him/her.
Our work is designed to sell...
RE:STYLE your house and restyle your life. Staging with RE:STYLE helps homeowners to move on with their lives. Living in a staged house can be a very freeing feeling. When the clutter is gone, so is the stress. Even if you aren't selling, you may enjoy staging your house to live!
Our clients say the nicest things! Below you will find comments from homeowners, Realtors, and others, including Barb Schwarz, the founder of Home Staging!
Quotes about RE:STYLE from Barb Schwarz, founder of Home Staging® and CEO of StagedHomes.com: Girl, look what you have done…these are some of the best I have ever seen and I mean it…I am putting you into the newsletter and I want to know if it is alright with you to put your pics on the home page of SHC? Also, can I add them to our photos in class with full credit to you and also on the before and after section of pics in the university with full credit to you…? Please let me know as it would be my honor to ‘brag’ on you and toot your horn…Fabulous…fabulous…you did such a wonderful job…”
“This is fabulous and I’m so proud of you for all you are accomplishing. You are doing wonderful!! Please be sure to let us know when to watch National Open House. I’m putting the pics in the newsletter too. If you have any before shots and please send your press coverage for the newsletter piece. Thank you for telling me and keep up the great work!!! Hugs!” Barb Schwarz, when informed that RE:STYLE has 2 houses that will appear on HGTV’s National Open House
Before After “I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Kathi and having her stage my home. She took an ordinary, datedhouse into one of a modern, fresh look. People who have seen the house have said that it didn't look like the same house.
“I am pleased to announce that we signed a sales contract on the house today. After 17 months on the market, we finally sold it. Judy said the buyers were impressed with the staging. Thanks for helping us get this done! We should have engaged you one year ago!” Lloyd J., Homeowner
“Wow…Wow…Wow…I am so, so, so proud of YOU!!!!!
Barb Schwarz, after seeing Before and After photos from RE:STYLE’s first vacant home staging project
Kathi was a pleasure to work with, and was very conscientious about sticking to my budget. She would always consult me before buying anything that she thought I would have concerns with.
We were in Florida during the renovation, and she served as project manager for us. She interviewed and foundbuilders, carpet cleaners, house cleaners, window washers. She selected the paint and carpeting that we had replaced, and she had exquisite taste.
Her staging was incredible. She did things that were simple, but took into account the look I was trying to achieve,and did things that I would never had thought of. The house is for sale, and I have high hopes that it will sell in short order.
If you are looking for a stager, contact Kathi. You won't be disappointed.”
Jan H., Homeowner
Whitmore Lake, MI
House SOLD! within 2 months of being staged, despite having been on the market, vacant, for 15 months prior to staging
Troy, MI 
House SOLD! to the 3rd person through (after being staged)
"I’m convinced now on the value of staging. I had a vacant house that had over 65 showings, but no offers. After having the house staged, I received an offer on it from the 3rd showing. Kathi’s ‘artist’s eye’ and marketing background, in addition to her staging training, makes all the difference in the world. I offer her service to all my clients now.”
Debbi D., Coldwell Banker Schweitzer, Ann Arbor, MI
“You should see the house!!! They moved the TV, painted, bought new light fixtures…Wow! The difference (your suggestions made) is unbelievable! Very dramatic, especially the family room and the dining room! Wait till you see…”
Christine T., RE/MAX Platinum, Hartland
“Thank you again for your wonderful work, stamina and professionalism! As I turned out the lights last night, I couldn’t help but admire, one more time, the life and beauty you helped to bring to 100 Underdown.” Shiela D., Realtor 
Luxury Home SOLD! for over $2 million in just 6 months
Ann Arbor, MI
“What can I say but a ‘thank you’ for your consultation. I really believe that the changes we made, based on your suggestion, were a big factor in making the home appealing in a dismal market. The house looked great, especially for being almost 13 years old. I know the new owners will appreciate a truly move-in condition home. I would highly recommend your services to anyone!"
Lori A., HomeownerBrighton, Michigan
“Since you staged my listing, the way the home shows is the difference between night and day! Being that the home was vacant and very dark, I wasn’t sure how much it would help without repainting the entire interior. But, wow! What a difference it made—the home now shows great!”
Randy M., The Michigan Group, Brighton, MI
“Kathi was a true professional in the way she interacted with us as the homeowners. Her ideas for laying out our home look great and make sense for every day living as well as for our feature on HGTV.”
Drew and Hilary Chorney, HomeownersAnn Arbor, MI House featured on HGTV’s “National Open House”
The pictures of the house look great! I’m especially impressed with the way Kathi made the blue countertops in the upstairs bathrooms seem like they made sense there.” Vicki C., Homeowner
Brighton, MI
House SOLD! in 62 days for 97.8% of list
“Kathi and RE:STYLE have helped many of our clients transform their homes into showplaces. We’ve found R:STYLE staged homes sell faster and for more money. Our sellers love working with Kathi.”
Todd B., LCAR 2006 Realtor of the Year, The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team, Brighton, MI
“Kathi's staging skills are superior. But what I really like is how thoughtful and empathetic she is with my clients. She is careful to honor their possessions, and she has a nice way of being gentle yet persuasive all at the same time. I trust her implicitly to work with my clients, whether I'm present or not!"
Linda P., Keller WilliamsBrighton, MI
"After RE:STYLE staged my Pine Creek listing, I never again heard what had been a deal-breaking complaint--that the house was 'too cold.' The staging definitely influenced the sale of this house, and did so in a relatively short period of time. Kathi has demonstrated that she has the high taste level necessary to stage these upper-end listings. And she made it fun!"
Sheryl M., Coldwell Banker Schweitzer, South Lyon, MI
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