Friday Treat – Review of Best Staged Plans

I finally read the much touted (in real estate staging circles anyway) book Best Staged Plans by Claire Cook.  It was a very light and somewhat entertaining read.  It was also a bit “cutesy” for my taste, but, nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

The first sentence on the book cover pretty well sums up the premise.  “As a professional home stager, Sandy Sullivan is an expert at transforming cluttered rooms into attractive houses ready for sale.  If only reinventing her life were as easy as choosing the perfect paint color…….”

I could relate to Sandy as we are similar in some predictable ways.  She is a home stager, she is middle aged and her children are grown, and she wears reading glasses which she is constantly losing (my solution is to just have multiple pairs).   

I could also relate to how difficult it was for home stager, Sandy, to “de-clutter” and stage her own home.  I have to admit the progression of the storyline and the conclusion were clever and went a long way in explaining the title of the book.

As you can imagine, I especially enjoyed some of the story lines that involved specific home staging projects.  For instance Sandy had a very skeptical, territorial but motivated client with a very dated home (does this sound like it could happen in real life?).  

I don’t want to spoil the story, but, I can’t wait to use “million-dollar red” on a front door and try out her “neutral but chic, transitional palette” of “china white” and “pismo dunes”.   According to Sandy “a house will jump two and a half decades by the second coat”.  Of course, Sandy also handled her difficult client expertly!

So, if you want a quick and light summer read, you may enjoy Claire Cook’s Best Staged Plans. 

P.S.  Claire Cook also wrote the best seller that later became a movie “Must Love Dogs” which starred Diane Lane and John Cusack.   Could there be a Best Staged Plans movie in the future?  And if so, then who will play the home stager?  Just think of the possible glamorous actresses who could play a middle-aged home stager - Meryl, Julia, Gwyneth, Diane, or Roseanne!

 

Dwell in possibilities

Cindy

The Serendipity Factor

Every once in a while a staging project comes along that goes smoothly; the weather is cooperative; there is plenty of time; my back and knees don’t hurt; there are no crises on the home front; and, the budget is just right. I thank my staging stars when this happens because it doesn’t happen very often! 

Regardless of the challenge of the house or the circumstances surrounding the staging project, I try to be positive and just know that something is going to happen.  And when it does, I will be a pro and just go on.   

I have also learned that sometimes things happen that I don’t plan and the result is wonderful.  I have come to expect (and look forward to) this wonderful surprise, which I call the Serendipity Factor. 

This staging project on East 109th Street is a good example of this phenomenon. 

I had a clear vision of how I wanted to stage this very cozy but very dark living room.  It needed light and playful furniture!  So, I ordered a certain clean lined and off white linen sofa, two bright and light colorful upholstered chairs and a large upholstered ottoman.  I spent a day assembling artwork, a rug, pillows and accessories to go specifically with that particular sofa and chairs.  Great!  This project was moving smoothly along. 

Then, I got an email the day before the installation.  The chairs were not available………  I was very unhappy.  I begged and questioned and drove my supplier crazy.  They were patient and did their best to help find substitutions.  I was not enthused, but finally, we came up with alternative chairs, a coffee table and end tables.   

I have to tell you, I was thrilled with the results!    I don’t think my first choices would have worked out near as well.  Serendipity was at play and so were new possibilities.

As you can see from the two “Before” pictures, the living room was functional, dark and not so organized.  My goal was to brighten up the otherwise dark room and create a brighter but more relaxing room. 

I began by anchoring the living area.  The soft white shag rug contrasted nicely and showed off the scraped beautiful rich dark wood floors (one of the “best features of this home).  The “serendipity factor” sofa and chairs were cleaned lined, ivory upholstered and extremely comfortable.  I jazzed them up with brightly colored throws and pottery barn pillows.  Also notice the fresh blue and yellow artwork above the sofa.  To keep up the light and fresh feel, I brought in graphite and light wood end tables and a coffee table.  Matching lamps with white shades add much needed ambient lighting. 

You can see more “Before” and “After” photos of the East 109^th Street-Tulsa project at http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/East-109th-Street---Tulsa.html  

Possibilities abound when The Serendipity Factor is present. 

Dwell in possibilities

Cindy