traffic

There is a long list of pet peeves in my personal file. They are quirky unimportant things in the scheme of life...but... I don't like it when people who don't know me try to pronounce my last name and jumble mumble a guess. Rarely is it correct.  So annoying!  I don't like it when strangers are in my 'bubble' and stand too close to me. Eww!
O, and this; I especially don't like sitting in church or another large gathering and have a tall person sit right in front of me. Really? There should be rules that those (fortunate) taller people must sit in the back!  I'm barely 5 feet tall on a good day!
And I really really don't care much for clutter!
Sometimes I will be just strolling through my own home when I stumble on someone's shoes left helter-skelter in the way.  Now I must admit, I've been known to assume those shoes were left by someone else (insert "husband") only to look down and notice the shoes are mine! (Sorry honey!)
But when I am going from point A to point B...don't slow me down. I'm usually scrambling to get out the door and hope to leave my home neat and tidy.
I like coming home to a spiffy house. It makes me feel good.  Cozy in fact!  I find it restful and pleasing!
So when we are hired to assist a homeowner with a staging consultation, one of the many things we look for is 'stuff'.  Is there stuff blocking our way through the house?  How is the flow of traffic? Can we get from the entry easily to the main living room, flowing through to the kitchen?  Or do we trip over mulitple area rugs, a basket of shoes and the dog bed to find the charm of a home.
Sometimes we understandably become so comfortable in our own home that it is difficult to see the forest through the trees, ya know?  We can all be a little lax in picking up everything unless we have guests coming.  Goodness gracious~ then I go into high gear to make sure things are neaty all hidden in their place. (I blame my mother for this but that is another blog!)
Flow of traffic is vital in staging a home.  As homeowners we get used to things being cozy that basics are overlooked.  The minor things that make us comfortable can make for some lousy online photos.
When someone enters your home, is the first thing they see the back of a couch?  Does someone have to weave and dodge just to get through to the next room? Take a minute to walk through your traffic pattern and see if moving something over, or switching a chair with the sofa might make the flow better. If you have to turn sideways to squeeze between your dresser and your bed, it is might be time to rethink the layout.
Often times it just takes a little tweaking to open up a space.
No one likes to be stuck in traffic.

Nest

I happily live in a location that allows me to peer through the now fallen foliage to spy on the local highway. I can give a quick traffic report to my family during the dark evening hours letting them know they should go the back way.
We didn't always have such a view. I used to have a itsy bitsy window above my kitchen sink and would stand on my tippy toes to see out.
It wasn't until we remodeled & added on to our home that we were allowed this privileged view. Actually, having a peek at the highway is only available for a few months out of the year. What is truly a blessing is the ability to look through our wall of windows to follow the progress of my favorite maple tree as it goes through the seasons; from neon (literally!) green leaves through the ever changing brilliant hues of oranges and reds to the now bare branches that reveal the bird's nest snuggled and tucked away.
I didn't even realize that tree was host to a robin's home. Though the tree itself is beautiful, this twigged treasure was hidden.
As stagers, we see many homes in the same way. There are beautiful colors and accents to catch our eye, but the real jewel of a home shouldn't be a hidden surprise.
If you have a home you are preparing to list soon, take a good hard look at what 'gem' your home is hiding. It could be a picture window with a large couch blocking it. Or a large but undefined master bedroom that is a combination office and work out room too.
A key to selling a home is making an emotional connection to the potential buyers. Show off the space and the value your home offers. Don't make buyers look for it or worse yet, discover it in another home.
Peel away the veil that hides your home's treasure.

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.