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How about when you don't "get it?"

By
Home Stager with First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign

I recently blogged about still "getting it" for a condo I staged. (Do you still "Get It?"). I showed a vacant before and the finished after - just a long shot of the whole room.

What I didn't show, was my mishaps along the way...which, hopefully, some of you can relate to. I clearly was having an off day, and was not "getting it" when I started this project!

I was told to do more of a 'model' look, but on a staging budget of course. And, Melissa and I have this huge warehouse full of furniture, accessories, bedding, etc., and are at a point where we feel like we should not have to buy a whole lot for a vacant staging. So, when I was preparing for the job, I tried to use items that we already owned and not buy unless absolutely necessary.

Well, here is what I did the first day of staging...

Ugly linens

I know you are familiar with this fabric - it was popular several years ago. But, it was in our stock and had all the colors I was using - yellows, blues & greens, etc. As soon as I made the bed, I knew it was wrong - way wrong. So, I took some pictures to send Melissa and get her opinion - which I pretty much always do, even a year into the business! She agreed, it was way too dated and did not look rich enough for that 'model' look. So, I headed to the store to buy better bedding ASAP!

Here is shot of the living room - midway. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was bothering me here. (The dining room table still needs centerpiece, slipcovers, etc., so ignore the table). I knew there needed to be more art, and I had plenty, but I needed to figure out what to put where, etc. So, I email this to Melissa too, and she of course spots my problem. The art above the sofa is too small! No problem - we have TONS of art in the warehouse.

LR Before

So, after shopping for more bedding and picking up the rest of my dining room accessories and more art, I finally had a look I was happy with!

 LR AfterBedroom After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iced Tea      Sofa                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just the trials and errors of the job (I hope)! And, because I am sure someone will point out, yes curtains would have been great - but the builder did not want them put up...

Anyway, I hope yall enjoy the end product. And, hopefully my mistakes may help someone in the future!

Comments (22)

Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Bevin, This is great! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who sometimes does not only a bit of second guessing but also a bit of "second shopping." But more to the point -- your work is simply beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing the "staged befores" as well as the "staged afters." It is nice to see such great work! 
Jan 26, 2008 09:12 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Thanks Melissa! I still have to read your blog about Dillards, Nieman Marcus, etc...

Kathy - Thanks for reading and glad you liked it.

Yvonne - Whew! I am relieved to hear that! Thanks for the compliments about my work. I learn from everyone and everywhere!

Jan 26, 2008 09:21 AM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia
All your changes were on the money and the end result is beautiful!  I guess that is the thing with this job even though you have a warehouse full of stuff... ya still gotta buy more.  I often ask a local redesigner to assist me on my jobs and I love the way we bounce ideas off of one another.
Jan 26, 2008 11:30 AM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Bevin,

This makes me feel so good. I always have a general idea but I never know exactly what I'm going to do until I get in the room with the main pieces. 

Jan 26, 2008 04:51 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Thanks Susan! Glad you could relate :)
Jan 28, 2008 12:43 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN
Bevin, Thanks for sharing...good to know that I am not the only one who "re-does" a room a couple of times before I get it "right". You did the right thing by updating the bed linens. Made all the difference in the world. 
Jan 28, 2008 12:53 AM
Michael McEleney
Urban Acres Real Estate - Coralville, IA
' Honesty. Integrity. Loyalty.'
Nice work-looks fantastic!
Jan 30, 2008 02:23 PM
Gina Metzger
Spaces Refined Inc. - Lake Zurich, IL
ASP, IAHSP

Looks great! No question about it! 

Do have a silly question??? Can you tell us more about the iced tea? :-) Faux tea?

Jan 31, 2008 05:00 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging
Gina - I'll field this one for Bevin since they were part of my inventory before we merged.  They look amazingly real in person & I got them from ebay.  I hope that helps!
Jan 31, 2008 05:09 AM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

Beautiful design Bevin. Your changes are spot on.

Now I really want a team too!

Jan 31, 2008 05:15 AM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

BTW, a thought just came to mind regarding the outdated bedding.

How about a yardsale with all the old stuff in your inventory and make a donation to a worthy cause from the company? win-win!

Now I'm off to look on ebay for great fakes! Thanks for the tip Melissa!

Jan 31, 2008 05:18 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!
Just proof that you have to listen to that little voice in your head that says something isn't quite right! Very nice end result, Bevin!!!
Jan 31, 2008 05:20 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Mary Lou - I am glad to know that too! I was trying to do something more with the linens than always folding down to top part...took me awhile to get though :)

Michael and Gina - thanks for the compliments! And Gina - I love the faux tea - It looks so real!

Dane - That is a great idea! We will probably need to do that at least once a year or every other year. I knew it was dated - but hey, I was trying to save a buck or two!

Elaine - thanks, and yes, that little voice is usually correct.

 

Jan 31, 2008 01:47 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

We probably all have off days, some days everything clicks, and sometimes, nothing seems to work.  When that happens I think you just have to get out of the situation for a while, which is exactly what you did and regroup.  The tweaking really made a difference!

Jan 31, 2008 02:05 PM
Gina Metzger
Spaces Refined Inc. - Lake Zurich, IL
ASP, IAHSP
Thanks Melissa! I will check it out. May need to pick up some faux wine too!
Jan 31, 2008 02:30 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.
Hey, I do this all the time, that's why I bring my stager with me...shortcuts the process.  I say, what do you think and she tells me or just changes it...works well.  We just don't get our egos in, but work at it until it "fits".
Jan 31, 2008 05:39 PM
Kate Hart
Hart & Associates Staging and Design - Radnor, PA
once again great work- I  love the soothing colors and the art above the sofa- nice touch. To be honest your before was a lot better than some other work I have seen! It could have worked well for a home in another price point. I would save it for that occasion and then you would not have to purchase something new for a budget staging. kh
Jan 31, 2008 11:19 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Cindy - I have more off days than I care to admit!

Kate - that is what I am thinking about the bedding - could work for a smaller budget!

Terrylynn - you are the reason we have a job!

Feb 01, 2008 02:42 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
I like the changes and can see that they put more of a contemporary feel in what was coming of as  more county ( at least in the bedroom).
Feb 03, 2008 03:29 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Thanks Kathleen!
Feb 04, 2008 12:05 AM