connecticut: Fairfield County, CT Events: Sikorsky Motorcycle Ride & Classic Car Show - 09/25/11 10:07 AM
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)

connecticut: Events in Fairfield County, CT: Classic Car Show In Downtown Bridgeport! - 09/22/11 08:17 AM
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)

connecticut: Deer In Fairfield County, CT: Bambi or Godzilla? - 09/18/11 11:30 AM
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)

connecticut: "Only The Shadow Knows..." Old-Time Radio Live @ Fairfield University! - 09/16/11 03:48 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)

connecticut: Love Quilts? Visit The Norwalk (CT) Quilt Trail! - 09/11/11 02:41 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)

connecticut: The Bijou Theatre: A Jewel in Bridgeport, Connecticut - 09/10/11 03:43 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)

connecticut: "Connecticut Responds & Reflects": 9/11 Memorials At Fairfield Museum - 09/08/11 08:45 AM
"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)

connecticut: Get Up Close And Personal With Connecticut's Animal Zoo And Parks! - 09/07/11 04:49 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)

connecticut: Trumbull, Connecticut, Arts Festival - 33rd Annual Event! - 09/06/11 01:24 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)

connecticut: Facing Up to Facebook Ads: What Works? - 06/28/10 04:15 AM
Time to face up to my Facebook ads!  What worked?  What didn't work?
Nestings Home Staging decided to try advertising on Facebook!  It offers targeted audiences, within their membership:  age, sex, marriage and education status, and geography.  You can also pinpoint to "Likes" and other FB connections.  You can start and stop ads at any time, so you really have control over your budget and can see what works and what doesn't.
When selecting the geographic area, I tried to encompass Fairfield and New Haven Counties here in Connecticut.  I found it easy to set up my ads, and tried three, with … (16 comments)

connecticut: Mama's SOOOOOOO Proud! - 06/20/10 10:43 AM
I just love my clients; they make me so proud!  As a professional Home Stager, Home Staging Consultations are the cornerstone of my business.  For $150 or so (depending on the size of the house), I spend an hour or more going through the house taking notes.  I then give the sellers a few pointers orally and turn around a written report within 48 hours.  This report is a rather extensive DIY list.  If they do everything I tell them to, they will get great results. 
Of course, not every homeowner will do 100% of my recommendations, and sometimes I don't … (22 comments)

connecticut: Great Art for Home Staging - 06/20/10 06:09 AM
When your home is for sale, you need to select great art to highlight the houses's features. However, you don't want the "Mona Lisa" over the fireplace, nor do you want Andy Warhol's soup cans in the kitchen! Generally speaking, you may need to just re-think the art you already have to stage your sale for sale.
How to select great art for home staging?  We're referring to "great art" in the context of art that's suitable for home staging, not famous works found in art history textbooks or on museum walls. There are certain types of art that can really … (25 comments)

connecticut: Motorcycle Ride For A Cause: In Memory of Barry Rosa - 04/23/10 09:44 AM
Our very dear friend, Barry Rosa, passed away suddenly last Saturday.  Crusty, but warm and generous, Mike and I have been friends with him since we bought his house 23 years ago.  He had a big impact on our lives, and the lives of many other friends and colleagues.  Well respected in the Connecticut real estate field, he also had a fondness for dogs, motorcycles, fireworks and photography. (I blogged about his work earlier:  www.natureinphotography.com.)
The second annual Home Builders Association of New Haven County Motorcycle Run for Charity will be June 13th.  This year's event will benefit HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF NEW … (2 comments)

connecticut: Stage This Room: Contemporary Family Room - 08/14/08 02:00 AM
Come and Stage along with me!  I did a Staging Consultation last year for this contemporary home nestled in the woods.  What would your recommendations be? 
  
 
My recommendations included:
Paint the stark white walls a light taupe Remove the leather chair, ottoman, scatter rug, floor clutter and spindly plants Add end tables and lamps - need more light in here Remove the kimono and carved screen behind the TV (too taste-specific) Place tall stick bundles on hearth to emphasize height of stonework fireplace Move TV to left of fireplace and re-orient seating for one focal point Add large-scale, … (6 comments)

connecticut: Home Staging: "Decorating For Dollars" ??? - 08/11/08 08:05 AM
The "Decorating For Dollars" article, written Elizabeth Razzi (a real estate columnist for the Washington Post) caught my eye this Sunday morning.  It was in our local paper, Connecticut Post, in the real estate section.  I'm a little peeved that our paper ran the article like a news story, when it's really an opinion.  Here's the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/26/AR2008072600013.html
As a real estate expert, she doesn't know what professional Staging is really all about.  This is what she wrote:
"I'm still not convinced most buyers need to spend their money on a stager's advice."  (Huh?  Isn't the seller/Realtor spending the money?  She … (6 comments)

connecticut: So You Want To Go GREEN? Go Green The Original Way! - 08/05/08 09:15 AM
So GREEN is the new black...even major catalogs such as Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma Home are featuring "green" furnishings, with reclaimed or sustainable wood sources, organic cottons, and recycled materials.  Wait, did I just say "recycled"?
Want to go GREEN the original way?  RECYCLE!  This is more than the newspaper/plastic/metal cans routine we do once a week.  Look for recycled furniture!  The easiest sources are estate sales, consignment shops, and antique stores.
There are many local antique galleries, one of which is Stratford Antiques Center, located in Stratford, CT:  www.stratfordantique.com.  With 200 dealers on 16,500 square feet, there is a lot … (11 comments)

connecticut: Undercover Accessorizing for Home Staging - 07/23/08 02:51 AM
They used to be $1.00 a piece - now they're about $2.50, but still a great deal!  Hardcover books from Goodwill are an inexpensive way to meaningfully accessorize a bookshelf.
I usually look for classics or popular novels that don't have words like "Angel" or "Devil" in the title.  Remove the covers - be sure the bindings are neutral or useful colors such as black, tan, even red.
It's good if they're the same height.  However, big picture or coffee table books can add some drama.

If you can't find the "right" books, just buy what they have - and … (29 comments)

connecticut: "Make it work!" - 07/21/08 02:59 AM
The Plan:  Brushed Nickel Hardware in the Master Bath.  There's a lot of floor space, so a long bench with a chrome frame was purchased to add a sense of luxurious repose.  Twin faux bois mirrors of "cement" would complement the silver tones nicely.
...the original tub and surround during construction...
...faux bois mirror as moved to the Powder (note the faux bois pattern on the towels?)...
Reality:  The jetted tub was switched out for one with shiny brass hardware.  The double sinks, in turn, also received shiny brass faucet sets.  The cabinets got shiny brass knobs.  The tile selections were … (16 comments)

connecticut: Come On In, The Water's Fine!??? - 07/10/08 03:13 AM
Perception can be everything.  In my previous blog post, I addressed the refrigerator in the dining room.  Perception:  potential buyers might think the kitchen is too small.
Let's talk about water.  When you buy a house, you get the water access with it.  It might be "city water" or "well water", but you get water.  Is that water potable?  Does it taste good?  You might have the water tested, but in large part one assumes the water is fine!
So how far can we test this perception?
If you open the fridge, you may see bottles of water (or maybe not … (20 comments)

connecticut: I KNOW It's a DINING Room, But... - 07/10/08 02:49 AM

The convenience of having a refrigerator (with breakfast cereal storage) in the dining room is not lost on me! 
"I'd like some more milk, please."  
"Sure, honey, I'll just reach over here..."  No need to get up and fetch it from the kitchen!
One Staging truism is that how we live in our houses is different from how we live in them to SELL.  Home Stagers provide valuable consulting services that help sellers determine the difference.  If your house is on the market, it is no longer your home.  It is a product that must be presented as a viable option … (26 comments)

 
Julia Maher, Connecticut Home Stager (Nestings:  Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes)

Julia Maher

Connecticut Home Stager

Fairfield, CT

More about me…

Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes

Address: nestings@snet.net

Office: (203) 257-7395



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