Recently Published "Ask the Expert" article in Dan's Papers

The Question: We recently repainted the interior of our home. After re-working the furniture arrangement we put it all back into place and are very pleased with our “new look.” We have collected a few nice pieces of art over the years and the last step is to re-hang them. Before we do, are there any “tricks of the trade” as far as how to place artwork that you could share to achieve that “designer look?”

The Answer from Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold: Great question! Good artwork placement can be the icing on the cake. When placed correctly, art can contribute to a polished and professionally designed look. When hanging artwork you must consider several factors; size/scale of the pieces, subject matter and color. The most common mistakes people make is hanging art that is too small and spread too far apart as well as hanging pieces in the same room that are not compatible with one and other.

A good rule of thumb when determining the correct size and scale of artwork needed is, art placed over an object such as a sofa, a bed, a mantle etc. should span between 1/3 and 3/4 of the length of whatever it is hung over. If it spans less than 1/3 of whatever it is hung over- it will appear too small. When placing art on an unencumbered wall, such as in a hallway, the art should span about 1/3 to 1/2 of the space. Be bold; don’t be intimidated by larger scale art.

Start by hanging your most impressive artwork on a focal wall (the first and most important wall you see upon entering a room) whenever possible.  Utilizing pieces in the same room that have a common denominator such as subject matter (nature, portraits, animals etc.), color story, frame style or style of art (contemporary, abstract etc) will help tie it all together. Please note, you probably only need one commonality so that it all looks like it belongs together. Have fun mixing up art that you love. Once you are proficient and get the hang of placing art go with your instincts and remember that in design, “ All rules are meant to be broken.”

Pairs of prints and groups of threes and fours are great for creating impact. Pairs should be hung close together, 2 to 4 inches apart for the strongest effect. Hanging artwork further apart and will appear under-scaled and just screams “I don’t have enough art, so I’m spreading it out!” (Better to have one or two walls done correctly!)  On volume walls or walls with high ceilings, utilizing groupings of artwork will help to draw the eye upward and accentuate the volume.

When hanging a grouping of artwork, lay it out on the floor first and arrange it until it’s pleasing and has achieved some balance. I like to incorporate mirrors, decorative plates, brackets, shutters and iron pieces to expand a grouping. You are only limited by your imagination.

Looking for assistance hanging art in your own home or have other home redesign questions? You can visit Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold at www.styledandsold.com or call her at 631-599-1297.

I moved to Westhampton Beach, NY one year ago this month. What a wonderful place to live!I feel like I've been here forever.

There is always something going on and so much to do in this beautiful town. In this past year, I joined the Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce, I joined and became a Trustee at the Westhampton Beach Historical Society. I was a judge at the Mary O. Fritchie art show right here in town. I marched in the St. Patty's Day Parade. I volunteer and the Farmers Market and I have met and made friends with the nicest people imaginable! This is a small town with big heart.

My business Styled and Sold, has grown by leaps and bounds this year in part thanks to referrals and introductions from the many wonderful friends and business associates I've made here. Thank you all! You know who you are!

If you have never visited the "First Hampton", Westhampton Beach, I encourage you do to so.

I'm staying.

There is no place like HOME!

Some highlights and things I love about Westhampton Beach:

The Beach!

Networking event hosted by Styled and Sold at Dockers Waterside

Marching with the winning float Westhampton Beach Historical Society St.Patricks Day

Chamber of Commerce at the art show in Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach Farmers Market

Christmas at the Westhampton Beach Historical Society

An article I wrote about my town that was published in Homes of the Hamptons:

Welcome Home to Westhampton Beach

 When I think of Westhampton Beach, I think of Dune Rd. and the miles and miles of  gorgeous sandy beaches and waterfront. Often called “The First Hampton”, beautiful Westhampton Beach is conveniently located only 78 miles from Midtown Manhattan.  Main St., known for it’s delightful flowering baskets and window boxes is sprinkled with unique shops, fabulous restaurants, art galleries, and the performing arts center or “whbpac”, a vibrant cultural venue for theater, music, dance and film. Just steps from Main St. is the village green replete with a Victorian gazebo and home to the Mary O. Fritchie Outdoor Juried Art Show, on summer evenings you can enjoy the summer concert series on the green. The Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce proudly hosts a diverse Farmers Market every Saturday right in the middle of town starting in April and running into December, - the longest running outdoor market in the state of NY. Westhampton Beach is not only a vacationers paradise but also a wonderful place to live!

Recently I wrote a blog, "Got Stuff?", about Styled and Solds newest service, Professional Estate and Tag Sales.

Our next sale is scheduled for Jan 14th, 15th and 16th from 9:30 to 4:00 (no early birds!) (Update! Date has been changed to Jan 21, 22 and 23!)

We are selling the entire contents of a beautiful home on Linden Lane in Quiogue, NY (Westhampton Beach).

(off Main St.- east of WH Village just east of Turkey Bridge) Parking is limited.

Everything from the ordinary to the sublime!

From designer furniture (Maitland Smith) to toasters. From Oriental rugs to pyrex!

Mahogany furniture, leather sofa, antiques, pine, bed sets, full contents of kitchen, armoire, secretary, settee, cocktail tables…the list goes on.

We also selling a professional quality Tama Drum set, fully loaded with cases etc.

For more info call 631-899-3305

Here are some of the items for sale.

Home Stager, House Fluffer, House Stylist.....

I recall many years ago when I was attending Parsons School of Design we were debating in one of my classes the terms "decorator vs, designer". The professor said "I don't care what they call me, as long as they call me!" Ok, that makes sense. But let's face it, Home Staging is an unregulated industry and the term "stager" means many different things to different people. Different stagers have different talents and areas of expertise that they bring to the table. Folks who hire us, like to know what to expect from us. They may wonder if they call a stager will the stager clean out their closets or recommend spending tens of thousands of dollars doing renovations? It can be intimidating!

I use the term Home Stager so that search engines will fine me. However, I wonder will builders with vacant spec homes know that I am considered an expert at Model Design with 26 years of experience merchandising new homes and winning national awards for my "Interior Merchandising"? Will potential Interior design clients know that I have a design degree, I draw in 1/4" scale freehand, I have a resale number and trade accounts and am fully qualified? Will potential students know why I am qualified to teach?

For the record: I am an Interior Designer who specializes in Merchandising Real Estate for sale. I have years of experience doing and teaching the psychology and design principles of merchandising homes for sale. I may recommend cleaning out your closets or doing renovations but my goal is to help you sell your house without breaking the bank. I design beautiful interiors on a shoestring budget that people want to buy. Call me a Home Stager....just call me!

What are your thoughts? Who are you? Tell me your expertise? How do you define Home  Staging?  

THIS, is what I do!

What a wonderful testimonial from a terrific graduate of Staging Training by Design, Cindy Garruba of North Fork Home Staging. Thank you Cindy, you were a joy to have in the program.

You want to be a Home Stager, but where do you begin?

There are so many training programs out there your head is spinning!

Staging Training by Design is a comprehensive training course. It's small, personal, ethical and best of all...it's affordable.

What you get:                                                                                                                                  On site Training

• 18 hours of small personal webinar/conference call classes- limited to 8 participants          
• MP3 recordings of the classes
• a mini e-book sent to you prior to each class (total of 9) chock full of notes, relevant links, photos of staging jobs etc
• a free copy of my e-book Styled by Design, A Guide to the Design Principles of Home Staging
• one on one mentoring
• an invitation to get hands on experience at real staging job

You will also benefit from "Guest experts", successful professional Home Stagers from all over North America who are now contributing to the training program. See my blog post More is Less for the complete list of guest experts.

Classes cover:

• Business aspects of Home Staging, everything from insurance to websites to contracts and SEO
• Marketing you business-proven techniques
• Design Principles from focal points, accessorizing, hanging artwork and furniture scale
• Using color in Home Staging
• Furniture layout and resources
• Curb Appeal
• Vignettes, Owner Occupied Stagings, Vacant Home Staging

Graduates also recieve "certification" that they have successfully completed the training course. Despite the fact that you may hear otherwise, this certification is as valid as any other certification. (*There is NO legal certification for Home Staging)

In this very competitive industry and these very difficult economy times I've priced this program very aggressively and you can take advantage of that. You won't get any bells and whistle give aways but you will get good solid training, a step by step guide to start your own business and training by the most seasoned professional in the industry (28 years merchandising homes to sell AKA Home Staging) with an Interior Design degree. Please see my Home Staging website, Styled and Sold for examples of my work.

I have a new series of classes beginning next week, morning classes begin Nov. 22 and evening classes begin Nov 23 (we'll take the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving) I invite you to call me and let's chat about it. 631-899-3305

Here is what some of my graduates have said about the class. See Staging Training by Design for more:

"StagingTraining by Design was the exact class I needed to start my home staging business. Allegra Dioguardi expertise and clear interactive teaching style are engaging. I highly recommend the class and am grateful to have a mentor in Allegra Dioguardi"

.Cindy Garruba, North Fork Home Staging

"Allegra, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your Staging course.   You effectively covered not only the design aspects with great pictures and a variety of real life examples of staging projects; but you also tackled the business aspects that are imperative for a successful staging business. Anyone seriously considering embarking in a staging career would greatly benefit from your course.   With my new increased confidence I have now begun my career in staging with my new company Staging by SPC.  Thank you Allegra.

Sincerely,                                                                                                  
Joanne C. Bechhoff
President, Staging by SPC                                                                                                                   Staging Training participants on the jo

Styled and Sold Home Staging, is pleased to announce we have been voted "Best of the Best" Home Stager for the South Fork of Long Island in Dan's Papers contest for the third consecutive year.

"A Best of the Best award from Dan's Papers distinguishes local businesses. The awards are not easy to earn, as the competition is keen, but they are given and hung with pride in the best restaurants, businesses and shops on the East End. A Dan's Papers Best of the Best Award is the result of a voting by the readers of Dan's Papers" -Dan's Papers

Thank you to all of our loyal friends, fans and clients for taking the time to vote for us and for your passionate loyalty.

                              Allegra Dioguardi proudly receives 2009 Award

For the "Best" Home Staging abd the "Best" Home Staging Training call Styled and Sold at 631-899-3305.

(Tagged), Styled and Sold

A new hat has fallen into my lap! It can work beautifully in conjunction with my Home Staging services. Using our knowledge of pricing, furniture, accessories, advertising and display we are now offering professional tag sale services.

Professional Tag and Estate Sales
Whether you or your clients are moving or de-cluttering to stage and sell, our team of professionals will provide all of the services needed to sell the contents of a home or estate including: pricing, organizing, display and staging of the merchandise, advertising and conducting the actual sale. We are fully insured. We can arrange for deliveries. We'll do all of the work! We turn your stuff into cash. No cost to you up front. We make our fees by selling your stuff for the most money possible.

Our blog can be viewed here: https://hamptonstagsalesestateslaes.wordpress.com/

Call Allegra at Styled and Sold to learn more about it. 631-899-3305

An excellent commentary by Melissa Marro on Home Staging Designations. I completely concur with her.

Personally I have been mechandising Real Estate properties since long before it was called "Home Staging", I have a degree in Interior Design and I Stage Naked.

I advocate education. I advocate professionalism. I advocate client relationships and a job well done. I advocate getting Real Estate properties sold!

My Home Staging training program, Staging Training by Design,  offers certification however, certifications means one thing; you care enough about being professional to take a training course and you successfully completed it. What you do with it, is all up to the individual.

This is a great article written by Kathy Streib- Stager-South Florida on why you should stage you home up front, rather then wait. In this case, he who hesitates is lost.