Since creating the “to be continued” blog, I’ve been closing each post with the words “dwell in possibilities.” I must confess that I borrowed this phrase from the great poet, Emily Dickinson. I saw her quote and realized that it summed up what I am doing as a professional home stager and interior designer.

I am most grateful to Ms. Dickinson for her insightful and inspiring phrase.

Regardless of the size or price range of a house, my objective is to find the possibilities in that house. I am looking for those unique features of that house and finding possible ways to accentuate them for the potential buyer. I am analyzing those unusual spaces that buyers find difficult to understand upon first glance and finding possible functional uses for those spaces.

In the end, my mission is to help the potential buyer see how they could dwell in the possibilities of this house!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Back to the Future

1985 was a year of great memories with one of the best being Back to the Future which ended up being the highest grossing film of 1985. 

Today’s featured home staging project is a link to Back to the Future.  This house was built in the 1960s but it had a 1985 feel to it – dated furniture, heavy draperies, faux finish on the ceiling.  Our home staging challenge was to bring this house forward a couple of decades. 

The good news was that I was working with an open minded (albeit somewhat skeptical) seller and an eager and energetic Realtor.  It took time, teamwork, and hard work to turn 1985 into 2011.

Phase 1 began in July on one of our record breaking hot days.  The motivated seller was given her homework, paint colors and a pep talk.  I took pictures and started a staging plan.  The Realtor directed traffic and got her vision for the marketing of this house.  We went our separate ways but all with the same goal in mind – get this house ready to sell for the most money in the shortest amount of time.

Phase 2 took the rest of the hot summer.  The seller finished her homework - paint was touched up; draperies removed; closets cleaned out; furniture moved; and clutter a thing of the past.  For Phase 3, the house was scrubbed, carpets deep cleaned and windows washed by a great team of professionals brought in by the Realtor. 

Home staging finally started in Phase 4.  This particular Realtor and I work well together.  We often finish each other’s sentences when it comes to getting a house staged and ready.  She had a vision for the furniture placement in the living room and I added the accessories.  She changed out the globes in the light fixture, I arranged the bookshelves.  I accessorized the kitchen, she edited me!  She changed out the entry furniture, I added the florals.  The house looked great after we finally called it quits for the evening.

Phase 5 was what I call the extra mile.  The Realtor installed a new microwave, cleaned and wiped out all the cabinets; made sure all the light bulbs were just right and installed a new front porch light fixture. 

Check out the Back to the Future photos of 56th Street – Tulsa on our website at http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/56th-Street---Tulsa.html

This exercise was a good example of how a house can be refreshed and updated using a homeowner’s things, teamwork and some imagination.  And we didn’t need any help from Marty McFly, George or Doc!!

Dwell in possibilities

Cindy
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