Lived In
The projects that I learn the most from are those that are like little puzzles. The challenge is to repurpose existing furniture in combination with new pieces until things start to fit and make sense together in the space. I find that homes where people have lived a long time, are the most puzzling or challenging because each space is so established to the owner. Objects have taken residence in corners and on shelves for so many years that it seems foreign or even slightly devastating to even think about removing them from their spot. However, this might not be the most ideal scenario for new buyers or photographs.
The initial step prior to planning any staging job is the consultation. This is when you confirm the scope, furniture inventory, large pieces that should be removed (treadmills in the dining room/animal crates) and pricing. Also, this is when I gauge where the client is emotionally in regards to the sale. I get to know them a little and I assure them that I will do my best to represent their home as effectively as I can. Clients often have strong attachments to their homes and can have hopeful expectations of people making charming new memories there after they have moved out. I make it a point to respect this sentiment as I am staging. I prefer to use what already exists if it can work successfully somewhere else in the space. This method also yields substantial cost savings for the client.
Normally I get a sneak peek into the project after I am initially contacted by the realtor or client before I even step foot in the home. I analyze photos and try to show up prepared with ideas. In the case of Adams St., the first floor was the focus or scope. There was just the right balance of furniture so it was mostly about reorganizing everything. As I initially walked through the home with the client, we discussed where and why things would move and I admired her collection. She was happy to share the origin of each piece and how she came to own some of them. Most of the pieces were meaningful to her and this makes my task of putting this puzzle story of her home together that much more relevant. When it came down to staging day there were some things that just didn’t fit, but I made sure to highlight what we did use by incorporating additional details and accessories (pillows, changing out hardware, throws, plants). I wanted to showcase not only the architecture, but also the elements of what made this a home for my client all these years.
One aspect of this particular job was working with an old, distressed leather couch. Normally I add pillows and a throw on the back but the seat cushions in this case were very worn, which was distracting in photos. I came across a blog by The Decorologist with a post about updating a dated sofa. Her draped blanket trick down the center of the sofa was genius. I ran with the idea (thank you!) and tucked and draped a textured blanket down the center of the couch, added pillows and a 8 x 11 area rug, which was a perfect fit in the living room.
Taking note of the existing green walls in the enclosed porch area and yellow walls in the living room, I brought in accessories that would compliment those hues. With every job I take on, in addition to color coordination, I strive to add as much texture as possible. Texture is something you can see in photos and physically touch. Rugs, blankets, baskets, poufs, pillows, plants all add so much texture to the space as well as showcase the existing architectural details, which is what buyers are most interested in. In the end, my client was so happy to enjoy all of the updates (while she was still living there) and it still felt like home.
The Before
The After
