Drab to Dazzling

Today I want to share a house that Interiors by Design staged last summer. You drove into this gorgeous, gated community and saw this fabulously beautiful home, great neighborhood and lovely grounds. You truly could feel excitement in the air.

So much happens in the first few minutes a prospective buyer comes to a home. A favorable location can only help but special considerations needs to be taken in the yard and porch area and entry way. The first 90 seconds at the front door can make or break a deal. Whether selling or dwelling in a home pay particular attention to your porch and front door and entry. Gain a fresh perspective by actually looking at and critiquing what you see when approaching your home.

Approaching this home you could hardly wait to see the inside. Unfortunately, this house was very lack luster. It was very dated, needed wallpaper removal, painting, new light fixtures, etc.

Our job was to stage this house with the intent of making the prospective buyers "fall in love." The house had fantastic potential so we were thrilled with the challenge.

When looking at the before and after photos think about how it makes you feel before and after the staging? Keep in mind that purchases originate from the emotional side of our personalities. A buyer will always leap at an opportunity to make life better for themselves and their families.
Again, whether you are selling or staying in your home, decorate to enhance the environment and to uplift all who enter.

The dining room in this home was dull, dark and dingy with no elements of appeal. When you entered the house and looked to the left, it was the first thing you saw. The furniture was very expensive and well-made but there is nothing in this space that remotely enhances it. As a prospective buyer or dinner guest how does it make you feel? Ho hum at best and bored or even uncomfortable at the worst. This house was immaculate~ but a real sleeper!

After it was staged it was colorful, inviting and interesting to view. The furniture placement gave it drama and a little pizazz. This dining room makes you want to sit down and enjoy a nice meal with family or friends. That is what staging for sale is all about. It makes the prospective buyer envision living in the home and enjoying it!

Note how the mirror is reflecting something beautiful.
Make sure your mirrors do not just reflect an empty wall or the ceiling.

Now when you walk in the front door this is what you see.

Check out the family room as we found it. Again, very lovely furnishings but the furniture placement is wrong, there are no accessories and even though they have a red couch, there is no follow through with the color to add any dazzle to it. This home sits on the third tee of a golf course but you can't get through the room visually to enjoy the view.

Bringing the color in around the room and moving the furniture to a better place helped. Painting an accent wall a darker color to emphasize the beautiful architectural features, the vaulted ceilings and the French doors and windows, which lead to the golf course was important It not only warms up the room but frames the gorgeous view.

Decorating the mantle with something fun also helps pull this room together. The red cranes on the hearth add a touch of whimsy to give it a relaxed and more casual feel. The wing chairs were removed and white chairs with red pillows brought in. The fainting couch adds the element of the unexpected. The greenery adds that touch of life that every room needs.


In my next post I will share some more photos from this home. This property was on the market for 2.3 million dollars and is located in one of the Bay Area's most exclusive neighborhoods.