Picture This:

Remember "Picture Day" at school? Wishing you hadn't lost your front tooth the day before? Hoping your hair looked JUST right?

Well...NO ONE bothered to do any primping of any kind for this house on its "Picture Day"!

I saw this home's listing on the MLS (Multi Listing Service)this AM. I am not picking on this home, which had a list price of OVER a million dollars, or the agent. It's just sad NO effort was made to make it presentable for its debut on the WWW.

Would YOU or any buyer want to walk through that door?

I can't emphasize enough to my sellers how important Staging is! Buyers begin their search on the internet. If they don't like what they see in the photos, they will not be walking through the door.

Staging does not mean needing the most expensive furnishings or museum-worthy artwork. It's about presenting the home in its BEST light ~ clutter free and CLEAN ~ we're talking Q-Tip clean. It's about decent lighting and furniture arrangement that allows for easy movement through the space.

The busy Spring market for home selling is fast approaching. That means sellers will have competition. They will never have that 2nd chance to make a good 1st impression!

Now that I have jumped off my Staging soap box...let's move onto some photos of homes that are bringing their A Game and are ready for buyers to come check them out!

Thinking of selling YOUR home! Let's chat about a Staging plan designed for YOU and a strategy to get your home not just listed, but SOLD!

ChChChanges

Hope YOUR new year is off to a GREAT start!

The past few days, I have been busy going from this

back to this.

Many say their home seems sort of naked after all the holiday-ness is packed away!

I like the feel of the FRESH start, the clean slate.

A lot of us are spending more time indoors due to the crazy cold weather that has hit most of the country. That's the perfect time to "play house". Try moving a piece of furniture to a different room. Pare down window treatments to let as much light in as possible. Try accessories in different spaces. AND...that new look costs you NOTHING!

Need a little help with your space? Contact us for info on setting up your Staging appointment (Staging for living and Staging to sell services available). Thinking of making a move? Let's chat about a strategy to get your home SOLD!

Here's to thinking warm thoughts! Yes, think SPRING!!

HO HO HURRY!

I've got to know...are you one of those people whose holiday to-dos are DONE?

Sloooowly getting my act together here. Christmas is nipping at our heels. There's a lot of pressure to get it all wrapped up - literally!

This is the one time of year that I need a wife ~ 1 with better handwriting to address those cards and 1 with some Martha Stewart baking skills, please!!

SOME decorated and online shopping has been done ~ BUT I do aspire to be more like the ahhhhsome bloggers I follow:

This beauty is the home of

BlueEggBrownNest.com.

AND...this amazing gal who decorated her laundry room! ThistlewoodFarms.com

What's your status? Are you a holiday over-achiever --- or a bit of a slacker --- or somewhere in between?

I certainly wish you a Happy Holiday - enjoying the season in YOUR own special way!

Holi-Daze!

Seems we had barely gotten through Halloween, when a retail explosion propelled us into all things Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas! Some big box stores seem to think we should be "thankful" that they will be open on Thanksgiving Day!

If you do decorate for the holidays, what is your usual timeframe? Do you have your Fall decor out now then patiently wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to move on to the next holiday?

The ink is not even dry on my draft copy of my Thanksgiving menu - so I am not mentally prepared to celebrate several holidays at once!!

Home sellers often ask what they should do about holiday decorating if their house is on the market. There is nothing wrong with being a little festive. Keep decor within reason and keep it tasteful.

Need help pulling your look together? Thinking about making a move? Let's chat about it.

all images courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

Bar Cart Band Wagon

I am seeing more of those cuties in homes I preview these days!

Although I have never seen an episode of "Mad Men", I've heard it's partly responsible for the trend.

Seems that there is certainly a style to go with any decor! They can be used as a side table or easily wheeled out to a patio or deck with picnic supplies and additional serving space. So...they're attactive AND practical!

Most of the home decor stores and decorating catalogs carry a version or 2.

There is a WIDE variation in pricing, for sure.

Have YOU jumped on the bar cart band wagon?

images from Ballard Designs, Crate n' Barrel and CB2

Need help pulling YOUR look together? Thinking of making a move? Let's chat about it!

Take a Stand (on night stands...that is)

Bed side table, night stand, bed side shelf ~ most of us have 1 version or another.

Whether yours are a matched set or completely different styles is of course, up to you.

What do you keep on that surface? I am a fan of uncluttered surfaces.

I previewed several homes listed for sale this week (well...several for the extremely low inventory in my area). I took special note to the state of those homeowners' night stands. In the majority of cases, There was a LOT of clutter!

Stacks of magazines, medications, pairs of glasses, drinking glasses, lotions,etc!

ALL of that stuff does not make for a masterful bedroom.

If you're planning on selling please note it's ALL in the details. Shoot for that model home look. No buyer wants to see all your personal stuff laid out there!

all images from House Beautiful

Need help with your space? Planning on making a move? Let's chat about it!

Nix the Pix?

Interior decorators and designers have mixed opinions about displaying family photos in the main living areas (public spaces) of the house.

My personal opinion is that photos are fine for family rooms (which tend to be more casual, relaxed spaces), and home offices and bedrooms. I really feel they are not necessary decor for living, dining rooms or kitchens.

Many of the decor magazines are into photo galleries -- walls with LOTS of photo frames!

Are you a photo fan? What's your preference when it comes to framed photos?

When I coach my clients on preparing their home for sale - it's zero tolerance when it comes to personal photos. They ALL should be packed away! Let the buyer picture themselves in the home!!

(photos from Pottery Barn)