I recently read a blog from a stager saying that using fake fruits is an amateur move, and I have read similar things about using a bed-and-breakfast tray on the bed. Because, according to the stager, really, who lives like that?
I frankly laughed at first, since when did people go to graduate school or a 4-year university for staging? People go to a 3-5 days course and bam! We are stagers. Or someone read a book, bam! A stager is born. There are no real credential nor certification exams for someone to become a stager. Essentially anyone, who can print up a business card and set up a website (or some stagers don’t even have websites) ranging from my 82-year-old grandmother to my 10-year-old nephew can be a stager. For someone who calls another an amateur because his/hers staging props, is in fact, completely silly to me. Staging after all, while aiming toward to be objective in order to appeal to a broader range of buyers, is subjective, since it’s based on the aesthetics of the stager.
I frankly have no problems using fake fruits or trays on the beds, since I already use fake bed, fake mattresses, fake trees, fake flowers, fake table, fake computer, fake MP3 player, fake TV.. and some stagers even use fake couches made out of the cardboard. What makes me an amateur if I use fake fruits and do it tastefully? More over, my job title is “stager,” which implies the home is “staged,” i.e. “faked for showing purposes.”
(fake fruit alert!)
Pottery Barn is the mother of all things staged and I have never had realtors or sellers telling me not to achieve the Pottery Barn-esque staging. In fact, if they do mention a style that they want, they almost always ask for that Pottery Barn style of staging.
Case in point, do most people’s homes looks like this?
(fake cheese alert!)
No, yet, buyers ate it up and Pottery Barn stuff is still selling like hot cakes. I wish I have a summer catalog picture since the showroom use fake mussels & fake lobster at their showrooms’ table settings.
My point is, fake food, is not going to deflect the buyers’ attention if done tastefully. Neither are the fake trees, fake bed, fake mattresses, or fake whatever, as long as everything is done tastefully. The point is not about all these things in the home. The point is about showcase the home for what it could be, adding little touches here and there such as fake fruits, cake, etc. are not going to distract the buyers to the point that they didn’t see the house. If that’s the case, then Pottery Barn plates or dinning tables won’t sell, because all people could see were the fake cheese, fake lobster, fake mussels at the showroom table, and not the products Pottery Barn tries to sell.
So what makes a stager an amateur or a professional? The same argument can go for should there be part-time stagers or full-time stagers?
For me, a professional stager is: (Read more at staged4more.com …)
Cindy Lin, Founder + General Manager
Staged4more Home Staging & Redesigns
www.staged4more.com
Direct: 650-293-7458
Office: 650-589-8875
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54 Comments on What makes a stager an amateur or a professional?
Cindy, I was in the floral trade for 20 years we called them permanent botanicals.
C.B.
Of course, as in many staging variables....it depends highly on the buyer.
Take the time to get to know your client and trust your instincts...if they seem like truly genuine people they will more than likely not find value in artificial presentations. Most people could care less since they already have the ideal image of their new home drawn in their minds...you can tell alot about a person's opinion on this subject by simply paying close attention to what they wear, drive, and talk about.
In some people's opinion, a blank canvas is the best place to start...giving the client the most room possible to envision their purchase as they ultimately want it to look. For others...they are fully satisfied with everything in their homes coming "pre-fab" or straight from a magazine page...and that IS how thegy will attempt to keep their house will lookin day-in and day-out.
Get a feel for your client...don't pidgeon hole yourself by adopting one particualr style of "staging"...it's all a stage to begin with anyway.
Cindy....you crack me up! What a great post! I love using fake food and yes...there is a fine line when staging with fake food....
Case in point: Staging with plates of these little guys on the breakfast table would DEF. distract from the house! LOL!
I wrote a fun blog awhile back about it..."Staging Breakfast...NOT!"
Great points Cindy! It's amazing how much "fake" stuff we use when you really stop and think about it...
nobody lives like that ? What do they want - underwear and panties hanging in the shower ?
I will take the amateur with good taste any time. From the photos I have seen, Cindy, you do a great job.
Like the highly decorated model homes in the new developments - you are selling the lifestyle - how we could imagine we might want to live in the home.
Keep on with what you do. Your clients appreciate it.
Hi Cindy,
First off, keep up the good work.
I had a little chuckle. I have this thing for going through "model homes" when visiting family on the west coast. Million dollar homes that are stagged beautifully, and tastefully. AND everything is fake.
Breakfast tray on the bed!! I may not live like that but it sure would be fun.
Bottom line. If it gets sold who cares if you just got started in stagging or have been doing it for years.
I AM JUST AMAZED AT PEOPLE'S RESPONSES!!! I do apologize for not answering the comments one by one but you guys really crack me up! I knew I might step on a few toes on this. I frankly don't see why it's justified to use a fake tree, but not a fake apple in my staging. And I love realtors' comments. Frankly, it's just something they never thought about nor cared about, they only care about the end results -- which is beautiful staging that will speak to the buyers and more importantly, gets the results.
Janice You bet ;)
Michele Thanks!! I used to tour million dollar homes out here while I was a buyer's agent, yeah everything was staged. They were all breathtaking, beautiful and frankly out of magazine pages. Yeah, but that's a lot of upkeep with fresh flowers and REAL FRUIT staging ;) ONLY because they have a housekeeping staff to do that sort of thing.. So I love someone said above, we use the "stunt fruit" for standing in ;)
Margaret Oh my goodness, isn't that the truth? There are always someone younger and willing to do it for cheaper. So this must be what Demi Moore feels all the time!
Dane Lucky you! I am jealous!
Ted LOL Yes! That's what I said as well. If I were to stage homes realistically. MMM, let me just spread clutter here, here, here, here and here.. oh wait, some more here... let me throw in some dirty socks and panties while I am at it...
Teresa I think a whole staged meal is just too much hahaha plus they look so fake. They sure are funny though! I think at that point the staging becomes too distracting for people to see the house.
Jennifer I completely agree. I have gotten couches & beds back with muddy footprints all over. (Who let their children do that?!) I also had broken bed frames. Ack, where is the respect?!
Carolyn Terry H on AR is a stager who had wrote about the cardboard couch. Apparently it can withstand a lot of weight. They are made out of dense cardboard that can withstand heavy weights like several human beings.
Maureen Yes I did wrote one, it got feature on AR. I didn't change the blogging platform here. I did change my site www.staged4more.com to a blogsite. Which link did you use?
Kate You are SO funny, fake family in a picture frame ;) Don't we all want that family in the picture frame?!Juliet Bummer, I did comment on it, what a loser-man. People who have issues with themselves often attack others to make themselves feel better.
Jackie So true! One of my redesign teacher said they used to use real lemon for homeowners, but one time where they didn't know the homeowners would be on vacation. By the time they came back it was a large hurricane filled with moldy lemons. EEWWWW...
Kimberly - I think 'tasteful' is the key also. I am personally not big on the raffia but many people are. Craig did say you know how there's man with their duct tape? Raffia is like that for us stagers! I rarely use raffia. I prefer ribbon. Faux sushi I think crossed the line. Like Teresa's blog on a fake breakfast... that's just too much! It becomes a distraction.
Jaynee THANK YOU! I am glad that you enjoy reading my blog, I really appreciate it ;) I didn't know you ran a B&B, that's so cool! I too agree with your points. Our industry is still in its infancy, there are lots to do to catch up to others!
Susan You are so lovely! I have never seen fake avocados! Hmm I will be on the look out for those.
John You are so right on the money with your comment. Same things in difficult people's hands have dramatically different results. This is why it's also hard to regulate. Just look at how many people like vs. hate fake fruits!
Julia Not a problem ;) Yes, little cosmetic changes won't do any difference if the more important things are not fixed!
No name (sorry you didn't leave your name, I don't know how else to address you). LOL amateur homeowner? That's hilarious.
Chelle Thanks! I think that's why stagers prefer fake ones ;)
Kate oh my goodness, have you ordered from them before? It's funny how much things you can order from them? I think I want a fake wedding cake for my wedding LOL.
Debbie LOL That's a great point. I think that's great that you show the sellers in person, because they can see the total difference.
Fernado Great question.. I don't know. English is not my first language ;) Thanks for your compliments!
Allen I LOVE YOUR COMMENT!!! ROFL.. Stunt fruit is brilliant!
Rebecka (sorry you didn't leave a name either...) I think you have such a great point. Repeated businesses and referrals are the best proof of your work.
Christiane People do it. I have homeowners with small children who have managed to do it. The stuff came back pristine and everything without baby barf, etc. It's amazing how they did it but it can be done!
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTS!!!
Cheers,
Cindy*Staged4more
OH MY GOSH THIS IS GREAT!! This is sooo funny, DUH IT'S STAGED, GET IT? I love the bed tray on the bed, when I have guests sleep over I fuss like this. I just went away for a weekend at my friends and her dining room table was set, she keeps it set ALL THE TIME and swaps out dishes for each season. She loves "staging" it for herself to enjoy.
People can get so picky, what's wrong with the faux fruit, we not putting it in bathrooms. On just about every design show you will see a bowl of green apples or lemons on the coffee table. We could do that but in a vacant home it might get a bit mushy after awhile which would not be pleasant. I agree that we should not put the ham and eggs on the kitchen table.
Phyllis Pafumi
Cindy - Great post. What is the saying? The way you live in your home and the way you sell your house are two different things. Plus, I like the fake food. It's helps me with my diet. LOL
Great post Cindy. I happen to like fake fruit, and have used it many times. It's a great visual element.
Sheryl Delorme, Special Effects
Cindy,
What's the big deal? We all use various forms of "fake everything" in our own households and on (or in) our own bodies. In-fact, the cosmetics industry as well as an entire medical industry is built on fake aesthetics whether they be finger nails or breasts. Which begs another question as to the amateur or professional designation... just kidding, really.
My point, if it makes somebody feel good about a house, a purchase, their body, face etc. and doesn't hurt anyone physically, morally or psychologically, who cares?
your friend in Staging, Jodi
m an I agree with Jodi, and I want to add that your attitude is what distinguishes you between being a professional and being an amateur. I have met Stagers who have been in the business for years and are the rudest most inconsiderate "people" (and I use that term loosely, believe me) and I consider these people amateurs, because they are clearly not ready to deal with other people, and then I laugh when they wonder why they can't get work. And I also have met Stagers who are starting out just like me and if I wasn't a Stager myself, I'd pay for their work time and time again because of their attitudes. I always go into meetings as a Pro, because it really is a frame of mind. I never go into a meeting and say "Hi, I'm Jennifer and I'm an amateur Home Stager. Please hire me." I guess I also think that belittling other Stagers for their processes is a very amateur thing to do.
I wonder how much work that blogging Stager actually gets.....
Cindy,
Love it, Love it, Love it. Pretty much all I can say, You know I read all your posts and this has got to be one of the best ones that I read.
Keep up the good work Darling.
Brian Bloom