Connecticut Home Staging Story: Family Photos - Do Or Don't? - 09/30/11 06:13 PM
Connecticut Home Staging Story: Family Photos - Do Or Don't?
Kevin Crawford's recent Featured blog post asks "Do people REALLY hate your family photos?" Bemoaning the pervasive nature of the many HGTV staging programs, he decried the sterile appearance of many "staged" houses because all the family photos had been removed.
(Personally, I feel that it's a sad decorating case if the only art and accessories are family photos!)
When a professional Stager recommends removing personal and family photos, it is for several reasons:
Safety of family members, especially the children's Prevent buyer distractions Enable buyers to envision themselves in the home It's … (15 comments)
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Using Pinterest As An Online Presentation Board - 09/29/11 06:02 PM
Using Pinterest As An Online Presentation Board
A current design client works in the IT department of a major consulting company. While preparing for an initial presentation, my color printer went down. Agh! What to do?
I'd read about Pinterest here on ActiveRain, and thought this would be a good medium to share with this particular client. So, I tried to sign up only to learn there was an undetermined "wait time". Agh! Then I saw that if you had an invitation, you could get right in!
So I reached out to my fellow 'Rainers! Thanks to our own Rebecca Madej and … (13 comments)
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If At First You Don't Succeed, Move It Again! Fairfield County CT Home Staging - 09/28/11 06:13 PM
If At First You Don't Succeed, Move It Again! Fairfield County CT Home Staging
When I'm called in for hands-on Home Staging, I frequently have not seen the house before the appointment. This happens when Staging is an afterthought or the owner simply has not had sufficient time to make changes suggested by their listing agent. So, I just roll up my sleeves and make the best of it!
This beautifully appointed home in Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a small room just to the left of the foyer. The owner is using it as a home office, with the "works" stored in an … (9 comments)
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Fairfield County, CT Events: Vines & Vignettes in Black Rock - 09/27/11 08:04 PM
Fairfield County, CT Events: Vines & Vignettes in Black Rock
One of the most outstanding local garden and landscape design events, "Vines and Vignettes" will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2011, in Black Rock, Connecticut. Located in a lovely seaside enclave in Bridgeport, Black Rock offers a variety of homes with a real neighborhood feel.
Landscape architects, interior designers, nurseries and garden antiques dealers will each create vignettes on a three-acre property on St.-Mary's-By-The-Sea. What a great time to collect ideas for next Spring, enjoy a beautiful Autumn day (we hope!), and SHOP!
Vines and Vignettes benefits St. Ann … (8 comments)
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Connecticut's Own Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Chapter! - 09/26/11 10:20 PM
Connecticut's Own Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Chapter!
Just back from tonight's meeting of The RESA-CT chapter meeting! We formed earlier this year, with Neci Marr as President, and Birgit Anich as President-Elect. Other meeting topics have included topics such as business planning and online social networking. Tonight we were pleased to welcome our own Debbie Gartner, "The Flooring Girl", to tell us more about flooring choices available for both Home Staging and Interior Design uses.
(L-R: Wenke Ringel, Laurie Noble, Debbie Gartner, Birgit Anich, Neci Marr, Judy Klem; I'm the photographer!)
The missions of RESA-CT are to spread the … (11 comments)
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Fairfield County, CT Events: Sikorsky Motorcycle Ride & Classic Car Show - 09/25/11 05:07 PM
Fairfield County, CT Events: Sikorsky Motorcycle Ride & Classic Car Show
Once upon a time, a long time ago, Julie and Mike loved cruising around on their motorcycle! There is something so thrilling, so free, about being on a motorcycle with the fresh air whipping around us. While we don't ride anymore, we can still get a kick out of those that do!
(Tanya, Kenny, Julie, Mike, Karin, and Barry in Lake George, NY - Hey, it WAS the '90s!)
Want to get a vicarious rush? Sikorsky Aircraft is hosting the sixth annual Motorcycle Ride and Classic Car Show on Sunday, October 2, 2011!
… (4 comments)
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"Staging" A Corn Field? Plasko's Farm Corn Maze in Trumbull CT Is Open! - 09/24/11 11:08 AM
"Staging" A Corn Field? Plasko's Farm Corn Maze in Trumbull CT Is Open!
What is it about family farms that is so appealing? Plasko's Farm's slogan, "From Our Family Farm To Your Family Table" probably says it all.
Personal Note: There's one elementary school classmate of mine that actually became what he always wanted to be: a farmer. Jeff's family had always been farmers in Fairfield, Connecticut, and he wanted to be one too. Who knows what they want at such an early age? Jeff did! His nickname was "Plow Jockey", and now he owns and operates a huge plant nursery in … (7 comments)
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Use-What-You-Have Home Staging: Milford, Connecticut - 09/23/11 06:14 PM
Use-What-You-Have Home Staging: Milford, Connecticut
Most Staging Consultations take 1 - 1 1/2 hours; as I go through the house making notes and taking pictures. I then sum up one or two primary themes, or reasons, for my Staging suggestions which I then email to the client the next day.
Sometimes, I get a little carried away when the seller is enthusiastic and already has her sleeves rolled up! I couldn't resist making over the master bedroom while I was there, with its eclectic furnishings and magnificent view of the Connecticut countryside. The seller had a mix of Old World and Country … (52 comments)
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Events in Fairfield County, CT: Classic Car Show In Downtown Bridgeport! - 09/22/11 03:17 PM
Events in Fairfield County, CT: Classic Car Show In Downtown Bridgeport!
We usually buy our cars from the same dealer. On our last visit there, Dave told us he organizes the car shows that have been part of the annual Trumbull Day celebrations. Mike asked what kind of cars were included. Dave squinted his eyes a little and replied, "You know, the kind of cars we like: cool cars!" I knew what he was saying. Being the same age, it meant a lot of muscle cars from our teen-aged years. Too funny, but hot!
This photo says it all; courtesy of … (2 comments)
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Wordless Wednesday: Does Your Name Foretell Your Career? - 09/21/11 10:35 AM
Wordless Wednesday: Does Your Name Foretell Your Career?
… (6 comments)
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Fairfield County, CT, Events: Norwalk Boat Show! - 09/20/11 08:47 PM
Fairfield County, CT, Events: Norwalk Boat Show!
Growing up and living in a largely coastal community, we've always been aware of the boating lifestyle. While our family never had a boat (except for a sailing dinghy!), many friends did and we grew up comfortable, sailing or motoring out on the water.
Would you believe this is the only photo I took at the marina at Falmouth Harbour (MA)? And this was after Mike and I had settled on our fantasy yacht - it only cost $400,000! Still, these carefully coiled ropes could inspire great design!
As a Designer and Home Stager, I … (1 comments)
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Fairfield County, CT, Events: "The Midtown Men" To Benefit St. Vincent's!!! - 09/19/11 05:48 PM
Fairfield County, CT, Events: "The Midtown Men" To Benefit St. Vincent's!!!
YAAAAAAY!
Wait, wait, wait...the who? The what?
The Midtown Men! Did you love the show "Jersey Boys"? Love the whole Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons of it all? You'll love the Midtown Men, comprised of four stars from "Jersey Boys"! What's better than that?
OK, here's what's better: the show will take place on Friday, September 23, at the iconic Westport Country Playhouse, where everyone who's anyone in the theater has been on stage. (Click here for more details.)
What's the best part? The performance benefits the St. Vincent's … (2 comments)
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Deer In Fairfield County, CT: Bambi or Godzilla? - 09/18/11 06:30 PM
Deer In Fairfield County, CT: Bambi or Godzilla?
Does the deer population in certain areas have any impact on real estate values?
What do prospective buyers think when they see acres of deer netting, denuded shrubs, and the like?
Deer used to be a rarity in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Now they may average 60 per square mile in some areas. I know that 10 of them live in our wooded back yard, driving the dogs crazy!
While lovely to look at, they can ravage expensive landscapes and gardens. Homeowners can invest small fortunes in deer netting/fencing, repellents, and foliage replacement.
… (4 comments)
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Connecticut Home Sellers CAN Stage - Following A Staging Consultation - 09/17/11 04:41 PM
Connecticut Home Sellers CAN Stage - Following A Staging Consultation
This lovely family had outgrown their Stratford, CT, home, and needed to move. Set on quiet cul-de-sac, surrounded by many similar homes, their house has many period details. It was also filled with the many items a busy family can accumulate.
Nestings Home Staging was called in for a Staging Consultation, and we discussed how to best present their home for today's buyers. The target buyers are a young married couple looking to start a family, or perhaps they already have one child.
Armed with their DIY Staging plan, the couple … (9 comments)
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"Only The Shadow Knows..." Old-Time Radio Live @ Fairfield University! - 09/16/11 10:48 AM
"Only The Shadow Knows..." Old-Time Radio Live @ Fairfield University!
I just love old-time radio shows. Yes, I'm that old! (Just kidding!)
It started with the "When Radio Was" syndicated program on our local radio station, WICC 600. Late Sunday nights, I can lie in bed listening to "The Shadow", "The Lone Ranger", or "Our Miss Brooks". You never know who will be on; it could be Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, or Ronald Regan.
For my last birthday, Mike signed me up for Sirius XM Radio, where there's a whole channel devoted to old-time radio. How great is that?
In the meantime, I'd also … (3 comments)
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Home Staging Tips From A Showhouse - Part 5! - 09/15/11 04:50 PM
Home Staging Tips From A Showhouse - Part 5!
We toured the gorgeous Designer Showhouse of Westchester this summer. This second annual event was located in Bedford Corners, NY, and benefits Cerebral Palsy of Westchester.
In Part 1, recurring motifs and traffic patterns were covered. In Part 2, we looked at built-ins. Part 3 demonstrated working with a monochromatic palette. Part 4 dealt with iinspiration.
In Part 5, we'll look at recurring elements. As a way of uniting a space, the same element can be repeated. This could be using the same metallic finish in light fixtures and hardware, a recurring motif (as in … (7 comments)
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Wordless Wednesday: Like A Shaggy Bison Ready To Moult... - 09/14/11 09:10 AM
Wordless Wednesday: Like A Shaggy Bison Ready To Moult...
… (7 comments)
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Where's All The Rain? - This Is Not My Vacation! - 09/13/11 02:53 PM
Where's All The Rain? - This Is Not My Vacation!
(Note: My original post was titled "All This Rain - It's Like Being On Vacation!" I'd saved it in draft form to post while on vacation. Well, it's been edited!)
IT ALWAYS RAINS WHEN MIKE AND I VACATION IN CAPE COD (MA)!!! Where's the rain? We've enjoyed several lovely, sunny days and now sport minor sunburns. What am I going to do with the slickers, umbrellas, and boots?
We like to stay at an inn just off the center of Falmouth, so we can walk everywhere, especially to our favorite restaurant. Here … (8 comments)
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Are You a Veteran? Selling Your House? Thank You For Your Service, But... - 09/12/11 09:43 AM
Are You a Veteran? Selling Your House? Thank you for your service, but please remove your military memorabilia.
Are you:
A Veteran of the United States Armed Forces? Concerned about identity theft? Selling your house? Displaying your military memorabilia? Thank you for your service, but please remove your military memorabilia.
When your house is on the market, it is important to remove personal collections such as family photos, dolls, and yes, military memorabilia, awards, medals, etc. It helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the house.
More importantly, you could be at risk for identity theft. While helping two Connecticut … (9 comments)
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Love Quilts? Visit The Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail! - 09/11/11 09:41 AM
Love Quilts? Visit The Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail!
Do you love quilts? I sure do! The crazier, the better. While I generally have them removed (to protect them, and they can be too taste-specific) when Staging a house for sale, they can make wonderful home accents. They're certainly pieces of historical art.
There's a story in every hand-made quilt. Was this one made from Father's old shirts? Was this made from scraps leftover from fabulous gowns and party dresses? Who signed it? Why were so many different stitches used on this quilt?
The months-long Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail event continues … (2 comments)
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The Bijou Theatre: A Jewel in Bridgeport, Connecticut - 09/10/11 10:43 AM
The Bijou Theatre: A Jewel in Bridgeport, Connecticut
In my previous post about getting into the movies, I mentioned my fantasy about wanting to be a character actor. That is based on my love of movies from the 1930s and '40s. What better way to celebrate that than a visit to The Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut?
As you can see, cabaret-style tables are also available - call for reservations!
A feature of the recent Bijou Square redevelopment, the theater was originally built in 1909. Today, The Bijou Theatre is "a multi–functional venue with integrity and an open minded philosophy, … (3 comments)
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OMG! I'm In The Movie Business! Connecticut Home Staging On Film! - 09/09/11 10:44 AM
OMG! I'm In The Movie Business! Connecticut Home Staging On Film!
One of my fantasies is to become a character actor. You know, the hammy type that steals the scene? The one with funny hair, a wacked outfit and the best lines? I'd be Lucy, played by Marjorie Main, in 1939's "The Women", singing about corn liquor!
Well...that will have to wait.
My movie career has begun with a few videos I made using Picasa. It was too easy. Some time ago, I'd put together annotated portfolios of my Real Estate Home Staging work in Connecticut, with cover pages. These were … (25 comments)
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"Connecticut Responds & Reflects": 9/11 Memorials At Fairfield Museum - 09/08/11 03:45 PM
"Connecticut Responds & Reflects": 9/11 Memorials At Fairfield Museum
Special exhibits at the Fairfield Museum and History Center will be on display September 3 - 18. Honoring 9/11 first responders from Connecticut, portions of “Connecticut Responds,” an award-winning traveling exhibition created by the Connecticut Historical Society, will be open to the public. The exhibit includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, photos, and audio and video clips.
photo credit & copyright Stephen Wilkes
used with permission
Stephen Wilkes, a noted Westport, CT, photographer, took this photo of Ground Zero shortly after the attack. That's sunlight streaming down … (3 comments)
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Get Up Close And Personal With Connecticut's Animal Zoo And Parks! - 09/07/11 11:49 AM
Get Up Close And Personal With Connecticut's Animal Zoo And Parks!
With a nod and "thanks" to Alan May; it's his fault I can't get the Irish Rovers' "Unicorn Song" out of my head!
"There was green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born The loveliest of all was the unicorn"More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmania.com/the_unicorn_song_lyrics_irish_rovers.htmlAll about Irish Rovers: http://www.musictory.com/music/Irish+Rovers
Fall is around the corner, and it's a great time to visit the zoo. The Beardsley Zoo, located in Bridgeport, CT, with more than 300 animals, is a wonderful … (6 comments)
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Trumbull, Connecticut, Arts Festival - 33rd Annual Event! - 09/06/11 08:24 AM
Trumbull, Connecticut, Arts Festival - 33rd Annual Event!
The 33rd annual Trumbull Arts Festival will be held on Sunday, September 18 from 10:00 - 4:00. Held on the Town Hall Green, plenty of parking is available at the shopping center on Quality Street across the way. Featuring 60 artists and crafters, you'll find great art for your home and gifts for everyone.
Entertainment is also included; the Town Hall Gazebo, site of the Summer Concerts, is immediately adjacent. Meant for the entire family, a children's crafting area offers fun projects.
Trumbull Arts Festival
Trumbull Town Hall Green Sunday, September 18, 10:00 - 4:00 … (6 comments)
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Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Shop Online - 09/05/11 08:08 AM
Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Shop Online
As a professional Home Stager and Designer, I work with many young couples who simply don't have enough art. What they do have are plenty of wedding and baby photos. While they are lovely, at a certain point in one's life, I believe art should also be collected. It could be a lovely stretched canvas landscape print from Home Goods, an old oil painting picked up at a flea market, or a true investment piece from an established artist. This is the fourth in a series about finding great art locally. What's … (8 comments)
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Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Flea Markets - 09/04/11 10:49 AM
Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Flea Markets
As a professional Home Stager and Designer, I work with many young couples who simply don't have enough art. What they do have are plenty of wedding and baby photos. While they are lovely, at a certain point in one's life, I believe art should also be collected. It could be a lovely stretched canvas landscape print from Home Goods, an old oil painting picked up at a flea market, or a true investment piece from an established artist. This is the third in a series about finding great art locally.
When … (7 comments)
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Quick Home Staging Tip For Those 80s Kitchen Cabinets! - 09/03/11 06:56 PM
Quick Home Staging Tip For Those 80s Kitchen Cabinets!
Imagine this:
You look up the word "ubiquitous" in the dictionary www.merriam-webster.com.
There's the definition:
"existing or being everywhere at the same time, constantly encountered, widespread"
There's the illustration:
OMG - It's YOUR kitchen! Those 1980s stock kitchen cabinets are ubiquitous! AND your house is on the market!
Here's a quick, inexpensive way to make those cabinets less ordinary: paint the oak "pulls" that border the bottoms of the upper doors and the tops of the drawers and bottom doors.
Remove one drawer or door and have your paint store color-match … (14 comments)
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Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Images Of Long Island Sound - 09/02/11 11:56 AM
Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Images Of Long Island Sound
As a professional Home Stager and Designer, I work with many young couples who simply don't have enough art. What they do have are plenty of wedding and baby photos. While they are lovely, at a certain point in one's life, I believe art should also be collected. It could be a lovely stretched canvas landscape print from Home Goods, an old oil painting picked up at a flea market, or a true investment piece from an established artist. This is the second in a series about finding great … (2 comments)
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Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Southport Galleries - 09/01/11 08:40 AM
Sources For Great Art In Fairfield County, CT: Southport Galleries
As a professional Home Stager and Designer, I work with many young couples who simply don't have enough art. What they do have are plenty of wedding and baby photos. While they are lovely, at a certain point in one's life, I believe art should also be collected. It could be a lovely stretched canvas landscape print from Home Goods, an old oil painting picked up at a flea market, or a true investment piece from an established artist. This is the first in a series of blog posts about finding art.
… (0 comments)
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