Staging Magic Continues in Maple Ridge – Dramatic Makeover Part II

Did you ever buy a new outfit and then realize when you got home that you need new shoes?  Nothing in your current shoe collection will work with your new sophisticated outfit.  .  And you are shooting for a breathtaking, “wow” reaction with your entrance and not ho-hum reaction.

Well that happened at a recent staging project in Maple Ridge.  We staged one area and then the home seller and Realtor partner came to the right conclusion that more staging magic was needed.

As you may recall (March 13, 2012 “to be continued” post), this staging engagement started with the question “What would I do with this room?”  We staged the unique back area taking it from “bug-a-boo” to British Colonial. 

Once this unique space was transformed, the house needed staging magic in the living room and entry.  With the new “outfit”, the house needed updated and sophisticated “shoes” to match.

The living room lacked pizzazz as you can see from the “Before” photo.  It was furnished for comfortable television viewing.  Since the living room and entry is one of the first spaces seen upon entering the home, potential buyers started their walk-through with ho-hum reactions. 

The “After” photos show the wonderful effects of staging magic.  My objective was to create a sophisticated space that lived up to the expectations potential buyers would have of this elegant home.  I also knew that the first impression had to be breathtaking as well as match the “Wow” factor of the staged back area of the house.

Here is how I staged the entry and living room:

·         In historic mansions of this era, it was common to have a table in the entry “parlor” where calling cards could be left.  I placed an appropriately sized wood table with a easily arranged vase of dogwood branches.

·         The fireplace became the focal point of the room with an original oil painting above the mantle.  White linen chairs, a distressed square coffee table and a gently curved deep sofa placed on a soft contemporary rug make for an inviting seating area. 

·         A large burlap skirted round table with an elegant silk overlay adds softness to the south end of the large living room.  The mercury glass lamp adds soft light to the living room and graciousness to passersby at night. .

This elegant and historical home is located at 1201 E. 18^th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma and listed by John Sawyer (Sawyer Wallace Home Collection- Chinowth & Cohen (http://www.cctulsa.com/getagent/show.php?uname=jsawyer ).  You can also find more photos of this Maple Ridge home on our website at our website at http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/18th-Street---Tulsa-3.html

Home staging paints a picture for the buyer about what life could be like in this house.  It opens them up to consider the new possibilities of this house rather than fall back into their comfort zone.  In Maple Ridge, our staging magic helped tell a dramatic story and fire the imagination of buyers about the wonderful possibilities of living in this house.

Dwell in possibilities

Cindy