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Space and light sells homes... see how it's done with light fixtures and neutral paint.

By Michelle Finnamore

Home Stager with Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket 416.928.2999

June 08, 2011 09:28 AM

Two luxuries that sell homes are light and space.

Advantage Staging sets a goal in each home staging consultation to add as much light and space to increase the perceived value to buyers.

In this home staging in Vaughan, the goal was to showcase the heart shaped staircase.

It was an unusual design and one that was unique to this property that Cecilia DeFreitas has listed at 25 Ursini in Woodbridge. However, with the current light fixture drawing so much attention to itself, the heart shaped staircase was being lost on the buyer.

All I did was change two things to showcase the space and light in this home.

The first thing I suggested was to change the paint colour to CC 110 Muslin by Benjamin Moore. The space now appears larger.

The second suggestion was to install an up to date light fixture from Home Depot.

This foyer now looks more spacious and definitely highlights the heart shaped staircase.

The light fixture and the paint were purchased for $550. You can clearly see the return on investment was worth the money spent.

A seller may have spent a lot of money back in the day for a light fixture which was spectacular in it's time but buyers want to see updated lighting when searching for their next dream home. Lighting truly is the jewellery in a home.

If light fixtures are not changed out buyers will quickly move on to another home in the neighbourhood or deduct far too much from their offer to compensate for replacements. Home Depot runs an auction on their website every day. Light fixtures are very economical to purchase when you keep tabs on the Home Depot auction or visit their clearance section. Finding a three tier chandelier in that price range was truly a good buy.

25 Ursini Vaughan

advantage staging michelle finnamore

Investment, minimal.

Impact, priceless.

Advantage Staging is ready to create interest in your property when you are ready to list.

Michelle Finnamore Advantage Staging

Two offices to serve you better

Home Staging in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and surrounding area 416.928.2999

Home Staging in Barrie, Alliston and surrounding area 705.720.0113

2010 Nominated for Ontario Home Builders Award for Design

2010 National Association of Home Builders U.S.A. Silver Award for Design

2010 Canadian Staging Professionals Entrepreneur of the Year

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Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Michelle...Wonderful improvement. I appreciate that you have included information on the paint you used and where you purchased the chandelier. That is very helpful.

You've won over another subscriber.

Kate

Jun 08, 2011 09:42 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Michelle-loved this post because you not only showed us the final result but you gave us the why and how!

Jun 08, 2011 10:54 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

HI Kate, love to have another subscriber! One of my clients let me know about the Home Depot Auction and the Hammer Down event that happens each day. If you click on the Home Depot link it will take you to that section so you can see what is on sale today.

HI Kathy, it's all in the details as you know so well!

Jun 08, 2011 11:02 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Michelle - I "heart" the staircase now! What a huge difference changing out the dated light fixture made. The old one reminds me of that experiment where you hang a string in a jar with sugar water at the bottom, and crystals attach themselves to the string. Well, I digress, but the new fixture looks great!

Jun 08, 2011 12:32 PM

Hi Sally, The houses where I stage are filled with these enormous chandeliers from 20 -25 years ago. When I send photos to my lighting supplier looking for a replacement he often comments that his eyes just burnt out! He's so funny! I should write a post about all those chandeliers, now that would keep me busy!

Jun 08, 2011 12:39 PM

Janet Jones

Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI

Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Michelle--huge impact for not so much money. I did not know about Home Depot's auctions and I have to see if that will work for Maui.

Jun 08, 2011 01:46 PM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Hmm, heart shaped. Whoever built this must have been in love at the time...lol! Much better, the first looks like an iceberg, not very appealing.

Jun 08, 2011 05:36 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Michelle ~ changing out the dated light fixture, using a neutral paint color, and adding the right art made such a HUGE difference in this home! Buyers can now imagine themselves living here without a lot of work to do. I'd not heard about Home Depot's auction either, will have to check it out.

Jun 09, 2011 03:57 AM

Hi Janet, I didn't know about it before a client mentioned it to me about a month ago. I don't think they do a great job of promoting it. I gave the link to the Canadian site so try putting homedepot.com and see what you come up with.

HI Cindy, I didn't think of the iceberg comparison I just knew when I first saw it, it looked different. Then the client explained that it was a heart shape when you stand at one end. And yes, he built the house for her. Isn't that romantic?

Hi Maureen, simple changes with such huge impact on the look and feel of the home. It really opened up the whole upper floor. Check out the U.S. home depot site. I can't imagine that the U.S. doesn't have something that we get up here. It's usually the other way around :)

Jun 09, 2011 09:56 AM

TERI LINDSAY

Reno, NV

STAGELIGHT HOME STAGING CO.

Michelle.... I like that: "lighting is the jewelry of the home". I agree totally. Lighting, plumbing fixtures and finish hardware date a home and changing them out will update instantly. Usually, one of my first recommendations to update is to change the exterior lights......they are the first, of the "first impressions". Thanks for sharing...

PS... going back and looking again, in the photo of the original design.... the picture hanging on the vent grate....wouldn't that just "bug" you every day????? Too funny how others "see it"!!!

Jun 10, 2011 02:24 PM

Space and light sells homes... see how it's done with light fixtures and neutral paint.

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