Quickie DIY Art

Finding good art for staging can be challenging. Most of us don't want to spend a lot on art if we're not sure where it might go in the new house. And, when you find a great piece online, it may take more time to ship than you have. {Yes, last minute before photos!}

Sometimes, a quickie DIY is your best solution! Here's a simple and inexpensive idea that pops the gold trend onto a blank wall.

Get Gold Leaf Sheets HERE

Just blot the gold leaf around with your finger on the paper side, 

pressing it until it sticks, within the square of the frame.

Hang a grouping together for a gallery look.

Not up for DIY? Click over on The Minted Website for fabulous art!

Staging A Home With Current Trends

Selling your home can be a tricky process. When prepping your home through staging, the strategy is about updating your home to appeal to the widest audience. 

But, how do you make your home look "on trend" without being so trendy that you only appeal to a small audience? How do you keep your home's decor "neutral" without being too dull?

                          

Staying current in your home's decor without tipping the scale over to too trendy can be a tough balance. It's true that keeping it neutral is a good strategy for staging your home however, adding some memory points is the key to capturing a buyer. When we stage a home, we start with discovering who the likely buyer will be (we work with the Realtor), and answering some questions about the targeted buyer. 

(Notice we don't ask about the Seller's preferences.)

• What type of buyer is this? A first home, a trade up, an early nester, etc.
• What type of lifestyle are they looking for?
• Where do they shop? What shelter magazines do they read?

Why does this matter? This is the lifestyle we want to capture. Picture your home as a blank neutral canvas, and let's add in the elements of the BUYER's desired lifestyle. 

We want to turn up the personal volume of the Buyer, turn down the volume of you, the Seller. The point of adding in some trends is for your buyer to recognize what they WANT.
They'll say things like:
"Oh! I just saw that in the new Pottery Barn catalog and I want it!
vs.
"Oh look, they have our old table."

So let's get to some ideas on how to keep it neutral while adding in a few subtle (new and hot) trends.

I get it, "You're still living in the house!" How do you live there and have kids and dogs and laundry and life, all the while worrying about keeping the house perfect for the new buyers?? I know. Keep in mind; selling your house is inconvenient. The goal in staging is to shorten the selling time, thus shortening the time you and your family are inconvenienced. 

LESS TIME ON MARKET= LESS INCONVENIENCE FOR YOU

Utilize these staging tactics and stay positive! 
Focus on your new house and don't take your staging personal. 
You're onto the next chapter in your story. Enjoy it!

Shop the looks...

Fall Bargains & Home Staging Ideas

Goodbye September and hello Fall in New England. It's always fun to see what's trending in home decor when shop floors transition to their fall decor. I'm going to try and be much better at snapping good photos of the finds we pick up while sourcing for clients. Last week, I took a quick trip to Ikea and found some really fun and major bargains. I actually got quite a few bargains last week, plus a couple of infatuations that may lead to a future relationship. <3

First off, found this bench online at Home Decorators. This peacock blue color is fabulous and the price is even better. $127 vs. $720

And, I got that black and white cow hide rug at Ikea for $199. Ma-jor bargain. 

We've been paying double for these from wholesale brokers. 

VALENCIA STOOL

From Ikea, I am absolutely obsessed with this little desk lamp called the Ranarp.

I couldn't find it on the Ikea website but I purchased at the store in Stoughton, MA. 

It has a great black and white striped cord, and the brass is much shinier in person. 

It's flippin' adorable. $39.99 !! :o

And,  Ikea had no other than Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees for.....are you ready...

$12.99. Seriously?? My cart looked like this.

These 2 items are on the most wanted list.

The green STOCKHOLM

Must find a place for this and I'm thinking the studio??

and loving this little knock off:

 

DOCKSTA Table


Bought this fun door knocker at TJMaxx

Bought this great art at Homegoods

Obsessed with the antique brass drape rods at West Elm. (shown with white Ikea drape panels) 

They need to start making the skinny rods ASAP! I know you can order similar online but 

West Elm = easy for me. :) 

Now hurry, go buy a fig tree and then check out our PINTEREST board for home staging ideas!