Talking about an AMAZING  Transformation!  This is a classic example of how a little paint and some new flooring can transform a Drab Cottage into a Fab Cottage resulting in $uccessful $ales.   In today's highly competitive market, Realtors need an upper hand and added skills to help promote interest in their listings and better serve their clients. Do you agree?

Aside from the flash and dazzle of sales presentations, and the promise to work hard to get it sold having an edge and eye for decorating or staging can make a huge difference in how a drab area becomes a Fabulous area with very little effort. Granted this is not the "Magic Bullet" for the handy man special. It is more beneficial for the "average" clean home, that lacks luster or special attraction.

While I have long been an advocate of "Fresh Pallet" syndrome, I realized early on in my career that to envision the room finished (the way you as a buyer would want to see it) was a rare gift. My husband for years, marveled at my ability to visualize the room done in my head. I pondered for years how he could not "see it".  We came to mutual understanding I had it and he did not. OK I can live with that.

After walking through the room and following the ceiling lines- visually deleting the extra clutter, it was beyond his comprehension how a finished product was as clear as day to me,but shrouded in a veil of mystery to him.  "If you say so" was a running joke for years. It mystified several contractors over the years as well.

There are three plains the eye sees in designing a room.  The critical clue here is to tie the three plains  together with a color. From high to low. Upper, middle and lower. The mistake most homeowners make when decorating is they lock into a color and run the theme throughout ignoring the obvious. The home's character.  Each home has  character.

You would not for example go ultra modern in a classic Victorian.I staged a house for a lady one time, who had a wonderful bathroom. It wasn't so wonderful at the time she listed the house however. She had subtle gray marble tile in her shower and along the edge where you step in and it matched on the tub.  She lived in the house for 4 years and never noticed it!

Like a magician I removed all the over-sized dark green bathmats, towels and clutter and made a quick trip to Walmart for some place-mats, candles, and gray towels and suddenly.... she had a spectacular Master Bathroom!By under sizing the bath mat, the small sinks on the five foot vanity looked larger. Added a vase and some tall dried flowers to show off her 9 foot ceiling and the room suddenly was bigger.

Spacial relationship is the term.

Pulling the subtle marble color as the primary color in the room, and augmenting with a dried flower arrangement, and color candles we added a touch of Burgundy to compliment the gray. The photos I used above in the blog, were a real room and yes it is the same room. The cedar trim was drab and old. Using a Bright red paint to repaint the trim adds a touch of splash to the room- a wake up call. Not overbearing, just contrasting.

The real challenge was the dark stained ceiling (Made of wood) Took 3 coats of Kilz (great stuff) to Brighten the low ceilings. The floor was a mess.  Adding self stick tiles was economical andgave the room a personality. This was after-all used as a rec room and guest cottage. Taking advantage of the Coca Cola theme and collectibles the color scheme ties together. Perhaps the stoke of brilliance came in repainting the cedar chest to use as a coffee table/hidden storage. Some small valances, complete the look and a new ceiling fan and Voila'

Tres Chic! For just about $300

Staging DOES sell houses.  CLUTTER KILLS SALES.

90% of the time it is a matter of removing the clutter.

The remaining 10% is choice of color. Neutral is a clean slate.

What if I have no clue how to stage? Ask a friend who is good at interior decorating. Craig Schiller is awesome and there are many more professional stagers here on Active Rain. Be creative BUT practical.

Keep it simple. Simple sells.