Possibilities Abound at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago

Sometimes I just have to get out of town to “refuel my creativity” “get inspired”, “expand my horizons” and “recharge my batteries”.  Call it what you want, that is what I did for a couple of days this week.  Family matters took us to Chicago, but the staging and design business benefited by the sights, sounds and trends experienced at the Chicago Merchandise Mart (http://www.mmart.com/) and design stores in the River North area.  Possibilities abound!!!

In addition to always looking at trends for the staging business, I also have some design projects in process.  In particular, a kitchen and great room for a family, an elegant master bathroom for a couple and just the right leather chair to add to a gentleman’s study.  I always offer my clients a fresh and individualized look based on the newest trends.

How could I not have my batteries recharged after experiencing these and many, many more possibilities . . . .

·          . . .a brand new showroom, LinenMe, (http://www.linenme.com) devoted entirely to linens manufactured in a small, family owned facility in Lithuania.  I plan to share more details on Linen Me in a post next week.

·          . . . cabinetry and cabinet top finishes in the kitchen and bathroom vignettes in the Luxe Mart (http://www.luxehome.com/luxehome) home section.  Luxe Mart is the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for home building and restoration.  Look for more on these topics too!!!

·          . . . fun and creative store front tile clothed mannequins as well as current trends in tile at Artistic Tile Company (http://search.luxehome.com/showroom/53249/chicago/artistic-tile).  Creativity and inspiring designs abound at The Mart. 

·          . . . being educated by Joann Westwater, president and creative force of Mike Bell, Inc. (http://www.mikebellonline.com/ )  What a treat to look at her in-process and TRULY FABULOUS renderings of her line of furniture designed to seamlessly blend restorations with her selection of 18^th, 19^th and 20^th century antiques.  Of course, my senses were refueled by seeing and touching her antiques and restorations.  

“To be continued” tomorrow….. More details about kitchen and bath beautiful things and trends.  Check back to continue my conversation about what I learned and experienced at the Chicago Merchandise Mart.  I love being able to share so many possibilities with you!!! 

Dwell in possibilities!

Cindy

Home Staging Areas of Concentration – Focal Points

This week we are discussing my home staging areas of concentration.  Today, we will examine focal points.

After examining the house’s curb appeal and entry area, I focus my attention on those factors that make this house unique and distinct from the other homes on the market in this price range.  Typically, a focal point is a permanent element of the house. 

·         Does this house have a great view? 

·         Is there a fireplace and how can we draw the buyer’s attention to this unique feature of this house? 

·         Are there hardwood or marble floors that accentuate a dining room or master bath? 

·         What about the kitchen?  Does it have special cabinetry, granite countertops, or a unique layout?  Is the kitchen designed to be a gathering space as well as a place to cook?

·         Are there any other architectural features that we want to highlight?

Once the house’s focal points are identified, the home staging task is to show off the house’s potential by drawing the potential buyer’s attention to them.  And this is where my creativity, experience, resources and inventory can be invested in helping sell the house quicker and for the highest price possible.

With a professionally staged house, buyers imagine living in that house and making it their home.  A buyer will imagine their best selves living in the home. 

Isn’t this why we staged the home in the first place?

Remember to dwell in possibilities!

Cindy

P.S. Don’t forget to check in Thursday and Friday to hear about what I learned and saw on my trip to the Merchandise Mart and favorite stores in Chicago!

Home Staging Areas of Concentration – Entry Area

I firmly believe that one of most critical staging areas is the entry area.  And the reason is pretty simple.  I know that buyers make up their mind in the first 30 seconds upon entering a house.  The rest of the time in the house is spent justifying their first emotional reaction. 

Entry areas come in all shapes and forms.  From the small closed off “hallway” to the magnificent and open with the grand stairway.  No matter what you have to work with, this space has to look great.  It can be done.

As a stager, I must make sure that an entry space makes that all important first impression. I ask questions that relate to the senses:

·         Are all areas within sight of the entry visually appealing and is the room well and softly light?

·         Is there a clean and fresh smell?

·         Does the front door hardware have a nice feel and is the air temperature comfortable?

·         Is there a relaxed, warm and peaceful feeling?

In summary, the entry area will set the tone for the rest of the home showing.

Dwell in possibilities!

Cindy

Home Staging Areas of Concentration – Curb Appeal

Each house is different and each buyer is different.  Home staging helps set this house apart from the competition for all of the right reasons.  When it is done well, home staging accentuates the home’s best features and provides a nice, easy and consistent use of space and movement. 

When I stage a house, I concentrate on the home’s curb appeal, entry area, focal points, flow, furniture arrangement and accessories.  My plan this week is to spend time discussing my home staging areas of concentration. 

Today, we will examine my first area of concentration – curb appeal.

Curb appeal and exterior style often determine if a house will make a potential buyer’s “first cut”.  So the staging process begins here.

There is an initial impression made about every house.  My goal is to create an emotional reaction that begins when a prospective buyer pulls into the driveway and does not end until the home has been viewed and the front door is closed.

My first questions when I pull into the driveway:

·         Do the exterior paint colors look dated, mismatched or poorly maintained? 

·         Is the landscaping consistent with the house and the neighborhood? 

·         Are the porch and steps inviting or lackluster? 

In a potential buyer’s eyes, the appearance of the outside of a house is an indicator of what is to follow.  Red flags appear when the flower beds are weedy, the front door is dirty, the sidewalks and porch are un-swept, flower pots are empty and toys are scattered about.  But freshly mulched flower beds, a clean and orderly front porch, colorful flower pots and overall order foreshadow a well maintained house that has been enjoyed and pampered.

Buyers want to walk-in a professionally staged home (inside and out).  And once in, they want to see more. 

Dwell in possibilities!

Cindy

PS – this week, I am in Chicago visiting the Merchandise Mart and shops in and around Michigan Avenue looking for the latest and most interesting design and staging ideas.  This Chicago trip is “to be continued” later this week with posts and pictures of what I learned and saw!!!