ct: Alexandra Stoddard to Appear: ADE Conference in Mystic CT Sept. 17-19 2008 - 07/27/08 12:36 PM
http://www.associationofdesigneducation.com/Conference.html
OK, here's all you need to know about why you should attend this conference:
ALEXANDRA STODDARD ALEXANDRA STODDARD ALEXANDRA STODDARD ALEXANDRA STODDARD ALEXANDRA STODDARD!!!
Alexandra Stoddard is a philosopher of contemporary living, an interior designer, and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: … (5 comments)
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ct: Sometimes You Have to Make a Bold Choice! - 07/18/08 03:06 PM
Often I am fortunate to work with builders that accept my expertise and trust my judgement. Nestings just finished staging the new Model unit for Renaissance on the Thames, a seven-story luxury condominium high-rise on the river in Norwich, Connecticut.
It's all about the view here, folks! It's truly stunning and … (13 comments)
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ct: Why Is 93% of Fairfield's New Construction Vacant? - 06/10/08 08:42 AM
As I've blogged about before, most of my staging work is at either end of the Staging Spectrum: Consultations and furnishing Vacant/Model Homes. I've learned that many builders are so financially stretched, as the DOM extend, that they'd rather rent than reduce prices again. Perhaps, in my area, there were just … (0 comments)
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ct: 27 Dresses: What's Your "Give-Back"? - 05/27/08 02:46 PM
Last Thursday, four of us went to a fund-raiser for The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County - www.cwfefc.org. It was hysterical! The idea was to wear an old prom or bridesmaid dress, and for $30.00, have some cocktails and nosh at a local restaurant, then walk a … (6 comments)
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ct: I Didn't Get the Job, But Someone Else Did - Here's an Idea! - 05/21/08 04:30 PM
OK, so I didn't get the job. The good news is, someone else DID! This is another avenue for Stagers to explore: assisted living facilities!
Nestings was asked to bid on staging a one-bedroom model unit at a new assisted living facility. It is absolutely gorgeous, with very traditional architectural detailing throughout. The target customer … (8 comments)
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ct: Furniture? What Furniture? I'm Not Missing Any! - 05/20/08 09:58 AM
One of the benefits of hiring a Stager before the house goes on the market is that it's ready from Day #1. One of the key elements of Staging involves showcasing the house's equity: floor space, spatial definition, traffic flow...To accomplish this, we sometimes have to "exorcise the Decorator" (thanks, Juliet!), … (5 comments)
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ct: Even When I'm Wearing a Hat, The Staging Hat Is There Too! - 05/03/08 10:49 AM
Friday was cold and the rain was mere drizzle, but the annual Southport-Westport House Tour to benefit Near & Far Aid (www.nearandfar.org) must go on! I was asked to be a room hostess for one house where the theme was the Kentucky Derby, so of course a major hat was required! … (12 comments)
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ct: Staging Bedrooms: Keeping it Gender-Neutral - 04/29/08 10:08 AM
Should bedrooms be staged in a gender-neutral style? I was reviewing some of my work earlier today, wondering what needs to be enhanced, what inventory needs to be upgraded or changed out, if I should do more accessorizing...and ended up wondering if I'm on the right track. I've aimed for gender-neutral, … (12 comments)
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ct: "Real" Faux TVs - Update - 04/26/08 11:58 AM
OK, so here are the pictures I promised of the "real" faux TVs I purchased at the request of a builder for this model home. I have previously posted on my faux-faux TVs, which many other stagers also use - often with enhancements (see Janis Gaines!). These are from Props by … (9 comments)
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ct: White: It's Not The Neutral It Used To Be - 04/16/08 01:27 PM
"But I just painted the whole house! It's white; isn't that neutral? Why isn't it selling???"
The homeowner was savvy enough to know the house needed to be repainted before placing it on the market.
After several kids, pets, and busy family life, the house had to be refreshed. She knew they … (12 comments)
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ct: Staging for a "Man Cave" - 04/13/08 05:10 PM
Last fall I staged the model unit for Seaview Village in Bridgeport, CT. It's some of my favorite work to date. This weekend, I finished staging the bonus room, which is next to the two-car garage; it had been left unfinished, and housed utilities. It was important to the sales process … (15 comments)
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ct: Taking Advantage of Funny Features - 04/13/08 04:28 PM
Remember my cautionary tale about being sure to measure? http://activerain.com/blogsview/439107/Staging-in-Fairfield-County Here's the update - what I did with that funny little bump-out-and-up:
With a tall wire vase and 5' high bamboo poles, I took advantage of it as a plant stand, and placed a plant on the level below. These two arrangements are … (5 comments)
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ct: Useful Tools for Staging: Networking and Feng Shui - 04/11/08 08:41 AM
This post is probably more of a "what I did last night" kind of post, but there are a couple of things I just want to put out there! It's about a couple of out-of-the-toolbox tools:
Spreading the News
I am a member of Entrepreneurial Women's Network in CT (http://www.ewn-ct.org/), and last night … (4 comments)
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ct: Real Life Staging: It's Not All Glamour! - 04/07/08 06:01 PM
I was inspired by Craig's latest post and some of the comments to write this post. Someone felt most of the work actually posted on AR looked too high-end for the average seller, and gave the impression Staging is out of their reach. I haven't had a lot of Staging experience (yet!), but … (13 comments)
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ct: Staging in Fairfield County: Measure Twice, Cut Once! - 03/25/08 05:00 PM
Whoopie! Got the big OK last night via email, picked up the check and paperwork this morning...so I'm ready to fulfill my staging plan for the "home theater/guest room" in the (soon-to-be) completed bonus room, RIGHT? Wait - something told me to go back and check the room.
This is an … (8 comments)
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ct: smugmug, anyone? - 03/20/08 11:10 AM
Has anyone out there used www.smugmug.com for slide shows? I just tried it, and have to do more experimentation. I'd like to compare it to RES (similar subscription prices); I think it takes in a lot more photos. I put this one together quickly; It's about staging two similar bedrooms, in … (21 comments)
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ct: Decor by Alfred Hitchcock, Staging by Nestings - 03/20/08 08:22 AM
The bedding set on the left was featured by Karen McAloon on HGTV's "Find Your Style", and I fell in love with it for several reasons. It's airy, has birds, and the pattern name is "Chinoiserie"! Problem is, I couldn't find out who made it! While doing a search online for … (14 comments)
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ct: Fairfield County House Prices Drop: Staging More Important Than Ever! - 03/11/08 01:53 PM
The latest Warren Group report is out, detailing January's housing market. Fairfield County is finally feeling the real estate slow-down. The report is covered in the Connecticut Post:
http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_8527000
In Fairfield County, the number of single-family homes sales dropped 29.8% from last year; condos dropped 40.8%. The median price for a single-family house … (4 comments)
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ct: If 84% of Home Buyers Start on MLS... - 02/27/08 01:00 PM
(Sorry - MLS photo was changed!)
What do home buyers see on MLS? Is this a photo still from The Poseidon Adventure? Was there an earthquake that caused all the furniture to slide into one corner? Perhaps it was a sink-hole? No, this is a photo of a room on MLS. I … (12 comments)
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ct: Need to convert your paint selections? - 02/18/08 09:58 AM
This should be a useful tool! Let's say you're a die-hard fan of Benjamin Moore paints, but the builder you're working with wants to use Sherwin Williams. How do you convert the colors you've selected without risk of eyestrain, hair loss or anxiety attacks? I found www.easyrgb.com. (The r, g, and … (24 comments)
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ct: Fairfield, CT: Staging With a Hollywood Accent - 02/12/08 05:17 PM
This house is new construction, and beautifully done. Granite counter tops, inlaid wood flooring, gorgeous cabinets, two gas fireplaces, 3 1/2 baths...but many buyers found the floor plan challenging. The staging mission was to define the spaces and create flow through the house. Staging it called for neutral furnishings and accessories … (3 comments)
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ct: Do You Know Shorthand? - 01/26/08 04:49 PM
Of course, I'm dating myself with the term "shorthand", but those proficient in text messaging are using a form of it! I've used a home office set-up in several vacants, but have never gone so far as to include a fake PC/laptop or large "office-y" furniture. But I have noticed I've … (3 comments)
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ct: Purposeful Spaces Suggested - 01/26/08 04:29 PM
Sometimes, careful rental furniture selection results in using fewer pieces to tell a bigger story. Sometimes, all you need is a suggestion of what could be...
In the "great room" part of this kitchen, there is a fireplace and room for table and chairs or a settee or pair of club chairs...
Against … (12 comments)
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ct: Red Bird Points the Way! - 01/26/08 03:18 PM
Strong color or a punchy piece of art is very useful to draw the eye in a certain direction. In this case, we needed to pull the buyer's eye up a short flight of stairs and down a long hall, past three bedrooms and two full baths into the Master suite. … (9 comments)
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ct: Staging Vacants: Making Sense of the Space - 01/16/08 06:11 PM
Nestings spent the weekend staging two vacant townhouses, in two towns, for the same builder. Fortunately, they were only a couple of miles away from each other; spic and span new construction; the rental furniture I wanted was available; and the builder was a delight to work with! I provided all … (14 comments)
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ct: Fairfield County Prices Rise: Warren Group Report - 11/12/07 02:59 PM
While I make no claims to be an economist, I felt I had to post this article on CT housing sales. It's based on a recent Warren Group report, and is nicely boiled down by local journalist Rob Varnon of the Connecticut Post. What I found interesting was that while the … (3 comments)
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ct: Funny Paper in the Sunday Paper - 11/11/07 11:33 AM
How much do we love the Sunday papers? Curling up with a coffee and a fat newpaper, full of the funnies and "goody guts" - what my husband so fondly terms all those ads and catalogs - what could be better? Now one of my special treats is the real estate … (14 comments)
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ct: Press Release: Staging Contest Winner - 10/20/07 03:52 PM
Press Release sent to local press (of course, I love the shot of my handbag in the "before picture!):
Winner of Home Staging Contest!
Julia Vigneron Maher of Nestings, Fairfield County home staging specialist, won the Staging Contest at the recent Annual Educational Conference. Sponsored by the School of Interior Redesign, the … (9 comments)
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ct: Seaview Village: Staged to Sell - 10/12/07 11:39 AM
The beauty of this model unit for Seaview Village, Bridgeport CT, is it's seaside flavor, without the "Nantucket" look - which wouldn't work in this neighborhood. These townhouses are located near Long Island Sound, but it's an urban location. The attention of the target audience was captured, based on the comments … (7 comments)
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ct: Marketing Staging to Boomers - 09/23/07 11:27 AM
Last Thursday Nestings was one of 70 exhibitors at a local expo catering to Boomers and their parents. Titled "Boomers And Beyond", this was the second annual event co-sponsored by a local radio station, WICC600 AM, and St. Vincent's Hospital (Bridgeport, CT). Most of the other exhibitors were in the medical, financial … (2 comments)
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ct: Headboard Inspiration Thanks to Activerain! - 09/21/07 01:46 PM
As I was strolling through a large Ace Hardware store last month, looking for a good deal on patio furniture, I spotted trellises on sale ($12). Remembering some unforgettable headboards made from fabulous trellises highlighted here on AR, I was presented with a low-cost solution to a decorating dilemma! I hadn't … (8 comments)
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ct: Bed Tray, Bed Tray, Who's Got a Bed Tray? - 09/17/07 12:26 PM
Now, mind you, I'm not against breakfast in bed. In fact, my two dogs would love it! But I must confess, I've never bought into staging a master bedroom with a breakfast-in-bed-tray, whether there's coffee or champagne. I know it's supposed to evoke romance or thoughtfulness (guest room), but it … (29 comments)
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ct: The Ultimate in Vacant Staging! (It's never too early for Christmas!) - 09/16/07 12:37 PM
About twelve years ago, I was invited to participate in an annual fund-raiser, the Fairfield (CT) Christmas Tree Festival, and I've been doing it ever since. All proceeds go to various local charities, and it's also a great way to meet other hard-working, multi-talented women. FCTF is held in an … (8 comments)
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ct: Staged For Sale: The Birches, Norwalk, CT - 08/27/07 11:10 AM
Take a look at this beautiful luxury condo development that is re-launching! MLS #98345938. Nestings was called in to Stage a new vacant model, as the first one wasn't working. We needed to appeal to an upscale, metropolitan buyer, and I believe this will do it. I worked closely with the … (6 comments)
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ct: Stumbling Amidst The Birches - 08/25/07 11:29 AM
The vacant Master bedroom: paint color turned out great, the drapery fabric perfect (I made the panels), found the ideal bedding at Costco, great inspirational art...
Sometimes even the best-laid plans...When I planned this Master bedroom, I was told the furniture I'd selected would be available. NOT TRUE! So I had … (15 comments)
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ct: Did I Tell You There's a LOFT??? - 08/23/07 11:09 AM
This is the second blog entry on The Birches in Norwalk, CT - it's kind of different. It's about asking for help when problem-solving. The builder I worked with was wonderful: offering his crew to help and solutions to problems. The Realtor and I agreed that to maximize the condo's potential, … (5 comments)
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ct: Pulling the Eye Down a Long White Hall - 08/23/07 09:37 AM
Welcome to The Birches, an eight-unit luxury condo building in Norwalk, CT. This is the first of a series on staging vacant new construction and interior merchandising - it was such a great experience!
The previous model unit design wasn't working. After six months on the market, no sales. The model … (10 comments)
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ct: Family Room: Staging - 07/19/07 06:39 PM
Very nice home in Trumbull (Fairfield County), CT, fine example of the 300 or so four-bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonials on the market in our immediate five-town area. What's going to set it apart from the rest of the pack? Staging, of course!!!
Most of the job entailed clearing out family photos … (9 comments)
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