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Feature This... Staging Tip No. 3427 - Living Out of a Paper Sack is Good for You!

By Michelle Molinari

Home Stager with FEATURE THIS... Real Estate Staging & Interior Decor

December 09, 2011 05:45 PM

I don't care what you call it.

Caramel, Cafe Au Lait, Ginger Snap or Lil' Chihuahua,

if the paint on the walls can be color-matched to a paper bag,

it's probably too dark to be considered a neutral appropriate for staging in today's market.

This is especially true if the ceiling is of average height.

In fact, you heard it here first... the paper bag colors are passé.

Just like the delightful shades of country blue, mauve, seafoam green, and

peach dates an 80's-90's house, the paper sack look is dating the houses of the

2000's.

So, if you are trying to reset the energy

of a house for today's buyers, get outta

the sack and head toward a brighter

future and a faster sale!

~ Michelle Molinari

Co-Owner, Feature This... Real Estate Staging, www.FeatureThisDotDotDot.com

Certified Property Consultant (CPC) & Certified Staging Professional (CSP)

SAR Staging Instructor, Staging and Redesign, www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Lead Conceptual Designer, www.CurbAppealConcepts.com

Vice- President of Acadiana Real Estate Staging Association, www.AcadianaRESA.com

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Cathy McAlister

Cathy Ashley McAlister, GRI CDPE - Broker / Sacramento - Sacramento, CA

Sacramento DRE#00648507

It's time has come. When you walk into the majority of fixed up properties; they almost all have this same color scheme. Wheat, Cafe latte, sand dune, ..... that have been looking the same for awhile now. I like the freshened up look in your photos.

Dec 09, 2011 05:58 PM

Michelle Molinari

FEATURE THIS... Real Estate Staging & Interior Decor - Lafayette, LA

Feature This Real, Estate Staging & Curb Appeal Concepts

Thanks for commenting Cathy. Yep, it's time to let go of the latte.

Dec 09, 2011 07:20 PM

Ronald DiLalla

Century 21 Discovery DRE 01813824 - Anaheim, CA

No. Orange Cty Real Estate

Hi Michellel, WOW, what a refreshing look....thanks for sharing with us in Active Rain Land.

Dec 09, 2011 07:36 PM

Thank you Ronald, and you are most welcome. I see you are an OC Realtor®. I went to La Mirada High. You made me miss California for a minute there.

Dec 09, 2011 07:45 PM

Phil Leng

Retired - Kirkland, WA

Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Michelle,

I have gotten used to the standard look.

I like the one on the top WA"Y better than any of the three on the bottom

Phil

Dec 09, 2011 10:09 PM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Michelle...ohhhhh, I'm going to have a hard time letting go of some of the old standbys, but thanks for the examples and heads-up.

Dec 10, 2011 02:59 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Michelle - I couldn't agree with you more. I love your reference to the "brown paper bag"! Yes, lighter, warmer shades of grey seem to be the "it" colour now, and I find them far more refreshing.

Dec 10, 2011 04:06 AM

Hi Phil, Thanks for stopping by! I really do understand the appeal of the brown, but when selling, it's in the best interest of the seller to keep up with the trends and help the home appear as spacious as it really is. The brown looks cozy, and cozy means "small" in real estate.

Dec 10, 2011 05:55 AM

Hi Ginger,

I know it's a hard pill to swallow. Where I am located, pretty much every house has this brown-bag action going on as the main color in all the common areas of the homes.

I must say I attribute my two-week or less to pending statistics due to the fact that I totally eradicate this wall color. It makes any listing really stand out and feel super-clean and special in a sea of blah blah brown.

Dec 10, 2011 06:01 AM

Hey there Sally,

Yep. The grays are all the rage. I use them along with taupe and yellow and they look phenomenal.

Dec 10, 2011 06:03 AM

Anna Dovger

Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX

Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Michelle, the "brown bag" colors are better than white and I don't really ask to repaint, but if there is chance to recommend any color I agree that lighter shades look cleaner and more sophisticated.

Dec 10, 2011 07:46 AM

Hi Anna - thanks for chiming in. Yes, they are bettter than white, but there are much better colors that will sell a lot faster!

Dec 10, 2011 12:30 PM

Liz Gallagher

LG Home Harmony - Home Stagers & Organizers - Montreal, QC

Montreal Quebec RESA member

The crown moldings are more evident with the lighter shade. Your eye is more drawn to the detailing than with the darker shade. Great photos to demonstrate your point. Liz Your northern neighbor

Dec 22, 2011 04:17 PM

Feature This... Staging Tip No. 3427 - Living Out of a Paper Sack is Good for You!

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