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Staging Lessons Learned - Living Rooms I - 02/28/09 11:58 PM
Occupied homes are a very different challenge than staging a vacant property. While not as much inventory is needed, the stager's challenge requires more flexibility and creativity. I love working in an occupied home for just that reason, it really gets my creative juices flowing, using the client's own possessions in a new way, with a fresh eye that takes the individual owner out of it while attracting many more potential individuals as buyers.
Replacing some pieces to bring in some color, interest and balance to this beautiful Lafayette living room was the first step. Removing the too personal family … (27 comments)
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Know Someone Who Should be a Home Stager? - 02/21/09 09:41 PM
Have you worked with a client whose home looked like a professional stager had already been hired? Do you work with an agent that has more passion for assisting the client with the preparation to sell then they do for actually closing the sale? Do you have an assistant who could be trained to handle this aspect of working with clients, who you would like have trained professionally?
If your answer to any of these questions is "yes", then do them a favor and let them know about the upcoming Certified Staging Professional courses being offered in March.
… (5 comments)
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2817 Greenwood Drive, San Pablo, CA - 02/20/09 09:35 AM
Newly refurbished home in San Pablo, close to stores, restaurants, schools, churches. Four Bedrooms, two baths, large backyard, all new kitchen. Two Bedrooms large enough for a master, one with attached bath, one next to a bath - perfect for extended families or roommates. New carpet in Master, New tile in kitchen, hardwood throughout rest of home.
Professionally staged by Joanne O'Donnell and Chic Home Interiors. Listed by David Cross of Keller Williams, Oakland.
… (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 16 - 02/19/09 10:22 PM
In the East Bay hills of El Cerrito this small home had a fabulous view of the San Francisco Bay but no separate dining area, so we had to make the most of what area we had.
I worked with the investor, who renovated and flipped this house, on selecting finishes, paint, tile, lighting, etc., then maximized the available space by using a bench on one side of the dining table, while creating an elegant ambiance by furniture and accessory choice that lessened the negative impact of the only dining area being part of the kitchen.
Chic … (0 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 15 - 02/19/09 11:31 AM
A gorgeous kitchen in the affluent Blackhawk section of Danville, CA in the San Francisco East Bay Region.
A gorgeous kitchen in the affluent Blackhawk section of Danville just needed some cleanup and accessorizing to focus buyers' attention on the beautiful cabinetry, counter tops and lighting!
We also focused on the breakfast nook area of the same kitchen - changing the window seat cover to a more updated color and fabric, adding some fabulous pillows for that comfortable and cozy feel, a table to add practical function to the space, and finally a breakfast set-up for … (0 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 14 - 02/19/09 07:12 AM
Why Hire A Stager? Part 13
This Albany condo overlooked the San Francisco Bay.
With a selling point like that amazing view we angled the furniture to create an easy flow towards the windows to draw the eye in that direction. Since this three story property would mostly appeal to a younger audience we kept the young vibe started with the homeowner’s purple sofa and changed some of the other pieces and accessorized to make the look more cohesive.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green … (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 13 - 02/19/09 06:12 AM
Why Hire A Stager? Part 13 This San Francisco SOMA loft was messy, dreary, and crowded.
We helped the homeowner pack up and clean up, then added some color and life with plants, accessories and artwork and a bit more modern take on certain pieces of furniture and voile – it now appeals to the likely buyer of a South of Market loft!
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and staging is in the … (1 comments)
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Pacific Palisades Real Estate Blog - Sunday 02-15-2009 - Incentives for Going Green in California - 02/17/09 08:12 PM
Dominicshares some great infomation and great links for all in California! I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Dominic Naidoo - Pacific Palisades Real Estate (Westside Properties):
… (0 comments)
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GIVE THE GIFT OF GREEN - 02/16/09 11:31 AM
Mark has contributed a great way to spread the "green" love and so I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Mark Hendry : Blue Ridge Real Estate Pro in the North Georgia Mountains (Century 21 In The Mountains Professional Realty Group):
There were a lot of great "green" ideas at the Green Designation class I attended this week. One of my favorites for agents specializing in eco-friendly properties is the Green Closing Gift Basket. It contains CFL bulbs, cloth napkins, green cleaning products and cloth rags, a water saver kit for faucets and shower heads, outlet insulators, soy candles, … (1 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 12 - 02/15/09 02:00 PM
This Lafayette family room reflected the way most of us live – casual, comfortable and a little messy.
In staging this room to appeal to the aspirations of buyers – how we all want to live, how we buy homes – we focused the seating around the fireplace (unseen in this picture, it was in the front left corner) and created an office vignette in the corner. In the Bay Area, in almost all households someone occasionally works from home, so we always find a way to accommodate that need in our staging plans.
Chic Home Interiors does … (3 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 11 - 02/15/09 12:20 PM
This Upper Rockridge family room in the Oakland Hills is very dear in the hearts of all of us at Chic – it was our very first project when we began staging in 2002 and graces our business cards and the masthead of this website. This Family Roomstill had that 70's velour, college dorm look.
It was a privilege to work with the owners to create the ambiance buyers aspire to when purchasing a home in this price range. We added furnishings at the right price point, fabulous live plants, and well chosen and placed art and accessories.
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The Time is NOW!!! Stop Greenhouse Gases!! - 02/15/09 08:07 AM
Kaire has written a great and provocative blog, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Kaire Downin (Keller Williams Realty Mid Willamette):
To think that there are people who don't beleive that global warming is scientifically proven, people who are important parts of our community, who help to have legislations passed or opposed.... I bring you this today because there is so much controversy on the new SB 80 in Oregon.
http://www.aoi.org/posted_docs/publications/2009/SB%200080%20intro1.pdf
The Oregon Association of REALTORS is highly opposed to this bill. The only thing I see wrong with it is the idea of trade. If … (0 comments)
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It's Permeable !! - 02/15/09 07:52 AM
Jane Anne has a important information here, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :
I was taking a photo of a permeable driveway for a "green" buyer in Asheville this week. She wants to install this type of sustainable feature as she retrofits her home. She knows that it will not only add value to her property, but will help with water conservation and quality.
I got the photo just fine...and something else...I just couldn't bear to crop that nifty something...pointing the way, as it were, to … (0 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 10 - 02/14/09 11:55 PM
This Walnut Creek property already had fabulous built-ins, beautiful hardwood floors, a Staging SafeTM color palette on the walls and nice dining room furniture.
We showcased the property by adding a rug and accessories to anchor the table and chairs and bring the color scheme together.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and staging is in the San Francisco Bay Area only. www.chichomeinteriors.com ~ 510-STAGING ~ joanne@chichomeinteriors.com
… (9 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 9 - 02/14/09 11:54 PM
Simply angling the existing dining set, de-cluttering, adding art and accessories, and upgrading the dated light fixture were all that was needed to change this Walnut Creek dining room from drab to fab!
To draw buyers' attention to the spectacular backyard (more on this in the Curb Appeal section) we added a relaxing chaise lounge seating area that draws the eye out.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and staging is in the San Francisco Bay Area only.
… (4 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 8 - 02/14/09 11:53 PM
This formal dining room in the Blackhawk section of Danville had not ever really been fully furnished by the owners.
We brought in a beautiful dining set to support the asking price of this fabulous home in one of the most sought after locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Furniture, art and accessory placement, along with removal of the outdoor tent draws buyers' eyes outdoors to the fabulous view and the possibility for gracious indoor and outdoor living in this magnificent property.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green … (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 7 - 02/14/09 11:52 PM
This adorable small cottager in Oakland, CA needed a complete facelift and got it..
The homeowner gave it a complete face lift as part of the staging process, with luxurious suede paint effect and beautiful hardwood floors.
To showcase this beautiful setting and create that buyer excitement we added simple but elegant furnishings, using a round glass table to keep the feeling of spaciousness, and large, serene art to add to that impact, plus a beautiful mirror to reflect and duplicate the effect.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our … (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 6 - 02/14/09 11:42 PM
This open concept Montclair home in the hills area of Oakland, CA needed de-cluttering of course.
But more than that we needed to, and did, create a dramatic, elegant dining area that buyers in this upscale community are looking for - even in smaller properties. The addition of a luscious live palm, furnishings that support the sale price of the home and elegant accessories did the trick.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and staging … (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 5 - 02/14/09 11:17 PM
This Lafayette, CA dining room area was cut off by heavy living room furniture disrupting the flow.
By changing the living room furniture to two seating areas with the larger furniture enhancing the fireplace (the new living room area that was featured in Home Staging for Dummies will be featured in Part 6 of this series) we were able to open up this dining area and give it the attention and contemporary elegance buyers are seeking.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build … (4 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 4 - 02/14/09 10:47 PM
In the same Danville house as in our last blog in the series we now take a reading room and convert it back to a bedroom.
A professional stager knows the importance of bedrooms in the sale price of a home. This time we engage young boys and their parents with a fun boy's room. We increase that sense of place so important to the Bay Area by adding a little local connection with the Oakland Athletics tee-shirt and cap on the bed - creating that emotional connection buyers need to move to the offer stage...
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 3 - 02/14/09 10:05 PM
The homeowners of this Danville property did not have children and so had turned this bedroom into a massage room.
It is always important to show buyers bedrooms as bedrooms and in a family oriented area like the San Francisco East Bay, children's rooms are important.
Potential buyers and their children have the opportunity to emotionally connect in a lovely girl's room like we created here.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, Color and Green Build Science. Our training arena is all of North America, while our design and … (2 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 2 - 02/14/09 09:45 PM
Why Hire a Stager? Part II Why Hire a Stager? Part I Children's rooms always present the problem of keeping them clean while the house is on the market.
We provide assistance on this through our recommendations on what to pack up in advance and insuring there is always a place to easily pack away the items that remain.
This Lafayette boy's room needed some packing, some rearranging, better lighting and some color punch created with accessories, art and bedding.
Chic Home Interiors does Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Training in Staging, … (4 comments)
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Why Hire a Home Stager? Part 1 - 02/14/09 09:21 PM
A professional stager knows how important returning rooms to their originally intended use is to merchandising the property for sale and how important it is to create that emotional connection for the targeted buyer.
This smaller bedroom in the Oakland Hills was being used as the Master Bedroom, while the Master Bedroom was being used as a catch all - storage and sleeping for the occasional guest.
In an area many buyers want to move to because of the proximity of good schools and positive family life, we returned the rooms to their more appropriate use making this … (7 comments)
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A Light-hearted Look at Recycling from the Other Half - 02/14/09 01:07 AM
Paul has managed to combine the ideals of the green challenge with Valentine's day and I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Paul Duffau (National Property Inspections in SE Washington):
"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is the clarion call of the environmentally conscious individual. This is suitable advice for everything we buy, use, or dispose of. I would like to take it one step further. What if we applied some of this common sense to other areas of our lives?
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle for Modern Relationships
So, you are in a long term relationship and you just seem … (2 comments)
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Tame Your Refrigerator - 02/14/09 01:02 AM
Gerry has a great idea here, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Gerry Angel (Keller Williams NY Realty):
Always plugged in and always working to keep our food fresh the refrigerator can waste a lot of energy if it's not insulated properly, not set to the correct temperature or is simply outdated and inefficient. The Green Guide just released a Buying Guide with great suggestions. If you own a refrigerator made before 2001 it's time to upgrade and if you're upgrading you should choose Energy Star products.
They list the Sanyo SR-1030W as offering the Best Value … (0 comments)
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Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons! - 02/13/09 11:22 PM
this is great information for stagers who want to be "green" I am reblogging
and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Kimo Stowell (JDS Consulting: Hawaii Home Staging & Interiors ):
Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons!
One of my favorite tropical plants that packs a serious color punch are Crotons. Adding these bright plants to your yard or interior space can create a dramatic eye catching effect that will turn buyers heads.
Crotons or Codiaeum variegatum are native to the Pacific Islands and are prodigiously grown through out Polynesia. Very popular in Kama'aina gardens here in Hawaii, … (0 comments)
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Geothermal - A Great Heating/Cooling System, and a Terrific Vendor - 02/09/09 10:42 PM
Great information here, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/925637/Prince-Charles-Speaks-Out
Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Associates):
I recently learned quite a bit about geothermal heating and cooling systems as the result of one being installed in a family member's house back east. With rising heating oil costs, finding a system that would be more fuel efficient was important. And finding an appropriate vendor was essential. Maybe some of you already know a lot about these systems but they were new for me. And I was so impressed with what I heard about … (1 comments)
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Prince Charles Speaks Out - 02/09/09 10:38 PM
Excellent post, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Deb Hurt, ABR, e-Pro, EcoBroker, TRC (Envirian of Albuquerque):
Whatever you might think about Prince Charles his commitment to the environment is indisputable. Highgrove has been a model of sustainable agriculture for decades. He has funded many projects and foundations aimed at developing sustainable goals for many years. His philanthropy has mostly been overshadowed by Diana's because she was in the news but he has been a powerful voice for sustainable living for a long time.
Last week he made a statement that got the attention of … (0 comments)
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Marmoleum, a Green Flooring Option - 02/08/09 05:19 PM
This is great information on eco-friendly flooring. I am reblogging to:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Brenda Carus (Re/Max Towne Square Realty):
Are you considering a remodel or building a new home? Go green!
Homeowners these days are often considering the environmental impact of their choices when remodeling or updating their homes. From low VOC paints to reclaimed cabinetry, there is a wide range of sustainable products out there.One area that is generating some press is flooring. Floors are one area of homes that are often overlooked even though they make a huge difference in the general feel of a home. There are many choices for … (2 comments)
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Recycled homes Part 3 of 3 - 02/08/09 12:32 PM
Deb, has the right idea here. Many don't realize how green it is to make use of what is already here but when you consider the huge amount of waste generated by construction and the resources expended to get the materials where they are needed... This is a huge issue and one that I hope will bevome more a part of the common knowledge base. Good job Deb, I am entering you in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Deb Hurt, ABR, e-Pro, EcoBroker, TRC (Envirian of Albuquerque):
There is an ever growing selection of recycled materials that can be used … (0 comments)
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How I saved 13 TONS of CO2 on Monday night! - 02/06/09 11:31 AM
TerryLynn has a great idea here, I am reblogging and entering in the Spread the link Love Challenge:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/918198/FEBRUARY-Spread-the-Link-Love-CHALLENGE
Via Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor CRS, CSP Staging Advocate, LGLS CP, SRES (Diablo Realty-www.StagersLIST.com):
Photo courtesy of http://www.freefoto.com/thanks.jsp
How I saved 13 TONS of CO2 in one night? Hint, hint. I am sure most of you have heard that replacing an incandescent bulb with a Compact Flourescent can save you 75% of the energy used to light your home. It can last up to 10,000 hours and each bulb saves the CO2 gases going into the atmosphere by 1 ton per the US … (0 comments)
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FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE - 02/06/09 10:50 AM
JaneAnne is the source to go for everything green and in her usual generous manner is always looking for ways to spread the word about green and give credit to others for doing the same. Please join in JaneAnne's latest challenge and reblog good green articles and information. Do go to her original blog to post any reblogs (so you and the autor gets credit). But feel free to reblog any of my green posts!
Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :
FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE
WHAT does "spread the link love" mean ? In the … (2 comments)
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Vancouver - Free Home Staging! - 02/02/09 07:48 PM
Joanne O'Donnell - CSP Director of Training
will be presenting the
CERTIFIED CANADIAN STAGING PROFESSIONALSTM program in Vancouver, BC
and is looking for a house for the class' final project.
You can Give this free staging to your client. Home will be Professionally Staged using the existing furniture and we will leave recommendations for follow-up work.
bonus - we can Pack Household items for the move.
HOME MUST BE FURNISHED.
STAGING TO TAKE PLACE
Thursday February 12th
You can Provide this free gift to you client,
If You Are The First To Call and Have a Current Listing That Fits Our Requirements
Call NOW!
1-888-STAGING
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT … (1 comments)
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Vancouver Stagers, Real Estate Agent, Home Inspectors - Get Green Certified! - 02/02/09 07:15 PM
On Friday, February 13th Joanne O'Donnell will be teaching the first Live Green-Live Smart Green Building Science Training Course in Vancouver, BC.
Earn the Live Green, Live Smart, CP certification when you take the Green Build Science Program...
Available across North America, the Green Build Science Program for Real Estate Professionals, Home Stagers, Decorators, Contractors and Business Owners is designed to educate corporations, business professionals and individuals on the topics of sustainability, energy saving & green build science. This course is designed to educate anyone on the topics of sustainability, energy savings & green build science.
DID YOU KNOW...
92% of … (0 comments)
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Joanne O'Donnell
Oakland,
CA
More about me…
Chic Home Interiors - Stager, Trainer & EcoProfessional
Address: 484 Lake Park Avenue, Suite 5, Oakland, CA, 94610
Office Phone: (510) 782-4464
Cell Phone: (510) 435-0760
Email Me
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