Noticed

Making an entrance! Should someone be a little late, sneaking in unnoticed; otherwise known as being fashionably late? (In those situations, it is usually because one doesn't really want to be 'there' anyway!) Or is this a situation when someone could be comfortable enough to be the life of the party, arriving with confidence knowing that they will be well received?
Have you ever experienced not knowing what to wear to a certain event? It is common to be either overdressed for the occasion or feeling like you did not see the small print that said 'black tie'. Uuh!
This is when it would be nice to have a personal assistant. Someone that would intervene for you, gathering information as to who might be on the guest list and knowing the agenda so you can then make an intelligent decision on how to prepare yourself.
A professional stager is just like that. By working with the homeowner, a stager offers key insight into how your home should be presented.
Just as a realtor has access to the comps in the area, a professional stagers offers assistance on how to dress your house. You don't have to wonder if you should remove that wallpaper...(chances are you should, please!) or if the wall color is too bold.
That is the role a home stager plays. Yeah, the 'life of the party' is a great way to think when you are putting your house on the market. Just as there are many situations and people pulling for your attention, there are a lot of houses begging for a buyer! By keeping in mind potential buyers who might be on the general guest in a neighborhood and the charm of each individual home, a professional home stager is able to be your liaison. The personal assistant; giving you confidence that your home will be the life of the party.

Re-design

What a delight it has been to assist our clients with their redesigning desires this summer. So many are taking this time to re-think their home's interior. With constant bombardment on how to spend money lately, we find many are using their budget to update what they have. Instead of taking on a huge project, it is more convenient to work on a few key areas allowing their home reflect their personality.

You don't have to break the bank to make an impact. So if you are not planning to sell for a bit, surround yourself with personalized color and individual comfort. Done well, it can have a positive impact on how you feel when you walk in your door, and isn't that what home is all about??!
A recent conversation with a client was a great reminder. Sometimes we are more worried about what others will think instead of going with what we love.
Hesitating to put your favorite color on the wall is silly if your only reason is that you don't want to be known as the house with the crazy wall color. But this client really loved a color and stated that it made her happy!! So, go with it! If you plan on staying put for a while, you might as well enjoy your home while you are there. Should you plan to sell your home, that is the time to think neutral.
If a sassy color is something that causes you to pause before painting, ask yourself why. A little bit of sass now and then in the right place might just be the ticket to getting you through the day. We suggest a smaller room such as a bath or bedroom as a start. Also, keep in mind I am not talking of an explosion of color. Just some attitude!
After all, a can of paint is relatively inexpensive and makes quite an impact. Remember shocking pink from top to bottom might be a bit too sassy, but a splash of boldness could just be the perfect look that reflects your personality!

Value

Recently I corresponded with a business associate regarding the housing market. I mentioned of the importance of staging every home and I was met with the reply that staging right now isn't necessary. Hm~
A well considered opinion. Someone's perception of value.
But when did good taste and positive impression become unimportant?
I sure do understand the initial knee-jerk reaction that money is tight and priorities must be established! Absolutely.
We are working through that in our own home and budget. "Do we really need that? " Decisions are tougher now, given more thought due to money flow.
But priorities are shifting also.
What was once important, maybe doesn't seem vital. However, what was a luxury, can also become almost a necessity. I've learned that opportunities lost can bring regret.
Example; We would love a vacation. We look forward to the family time of relaxing, balanced with some crazy flashlight in hand-late night bike rides. Making homemade donuts we shouldn't eat, but feel justified cuz, 'Hey, we're on vacation!"
While a vacation might be a stretch, it is an investment in family & memories. Those don't fade or change with the economic situation.
Those decisions are made not only with what joy we receive, but with the notion it is worth it!
Staging is like that.
It might be a stretch, but it is an investment. There are a lot, and I mean a lot of homes for sale out there. And while spending any extra time or money now seems unimportant, those who are spending their money to purchase their new house are even more careful with their money.

Value is perceived and perception is valuable.

Time

Time is a blessing and a curse. It can consume or give a sense of freedom. It can bring the comfort of boundary, holding things in order. Or time gives us feeling of claustrophobia. Most of us live with the underlying sense of time, constantly aware of how it holds us in its grip throughout our day.
We wake up wondering what time it is. We arrange our schedule by the clock. Appointments need time and we strive to be 'on time', frustrated if the courtesy is not reciprocated. Our recreation even needs time. "I'll be back later."
Later.
Now as it is summer time there is a sense in my life to get things done outside. Pulled in different directions but hoping that now is the time to enjoy the summer. I mean in Oregon when the sun shines you better take it when you can. Summer says "time out." School is out, vacations are planned. I don't want to waste time, but isn't that the point sometimes? To waste it? There is joy in time wasted.
But is there regret in it too?
My daughter and son in law are wondering if now is the time to buy a house. Well, maybe. There are perks for sure in finding just the right spot to call your own. A big decision. One that should be made carefully! With the incentives now for first time home buyers it seems reasonable. So as we discuss the pros and cons of being a home owner and I value the time we share, giving advice to my grown up girl, making grown up decisions.
Time is a gift.

changes

It used to be that I'd recoil at any change. I, as a rule, don't embrace change. But as I've 'matured' it seems that I almost expect it, choosing to accept it. In a perfect world, I'd get to chose and control all things that affect my life, and once approved, I'd set it in stone and call it good.
Yet living in reality, I know that is not an option. O, but what great things I'd miss.
I remember a movie that has the world of Jim Carey living in a bubble. Everything was peachy, day after day. As a viewer I knew it wasn't right, but in his world, it seemed normal. And there lies the problem.
In the last 2 years, I've lost people in my life and gained others; I've learned and flexed. I think most of us are all in the same situation, in one way or another. Perhaps our life style has changed, not because of anything we've planned. Potentially, what these changes bring is an opportunity to see things differently.
Moving might in and of itself bring stress and worry. But perhaps there is a wonder waiting at the end of the road. A new friend, new experiences, things unexpected but good.
I haven't physically moved location, but what I have moved is my outlook and attitude. While I never signed up for some of these life experiences, I certainly am moved by the journey itself.
I have new dear friends that I hadn't even met a year ago. I have a new respect for those in my life that I before took for granted. I still have much to learn, but I am starting to get used to changes, expecting them, and enjoying the journey.

Blogs

It is evident that we have reached a point in our communication style that makes it difficult to go back to just a written note, a quick phone call, or heaven forbid,a 'drop in' visit! If I can't text someone quickly to get my thought out, or ask a quick question, it probably is going to have to wait until I have some extra time on my hands (which is rare!)
It is so convenient to carry on more than one conversation at a time; texting one person while chatting with the one sitting across from me. Can you say multi-tasking? I love email; quick and easy. Get to the point, hit send and I am done! I adore my laptop; I sit cross legged on my couch, favorite CD playing, a wonderful something to drink and away I go!
Twitter, Blogging, Blackberry, the web. All wonderful tools! Yet, I have to admit, when I go out to the mailbox and see a hand written envelope ( a real one, not those fake company fonts that make me question if it is personal), I usually open the envelope before I even make it back to my house. And if it is really special, I put it in that little red basket to read again later.
Most of us feel the same way. We love technology, I use technology, but when it comes right down to it, I kinda miss that personal touch.
A home buyer is like that; first they look online....getting to the bottom line of what that house is like. Is it in the right neighborhood? How many bathrooms? What is the square footage? All this information at the tip of their fingertips! But once all that is analyzed, they still want that personal touch. They want to walk through it, picturing themselves in the home. Such an important aspect is the emotional connection. Though the pictures and the 'stats' bring them in, what really sells a home is the personal touch. You can't get that with technology! Feeling the emotion of a home is what sells a home. Maybe someone will walk away from your house, and mentally put it in their little red basket.