Special offer

Staging a Home in Camillus, NY Part 3: The Family Room

By
Home Stager with Seneca Home Staging

Staging a Home in Camillus, NY Part 3: The Family Room

This lovely property in Camillus, NY was completely staged top to bottom before it was listed. In Part 1 and Part 2 I showed off the master bedroom and kitchen before and after photos respectively, and shared the details of what was done to prepare it for sale. In Staging a Home in Camillus, NY Part 3: The Family Room, I will show what was done to help make buyers feel home and fall in love with this beautiful home in Camillus.

The Family Room

The family room is where the seller's family spent most of their time throughout the many years they lived there. It was cozy and comfortable, and the furnishings invited people to put their feet up, relax, and enjoy some time together. There were many positive aspects we wanted to emphasize when updating the space, so the staging really had to keep that comfortable feeling intact.

Here is what the family room in Camillus looked liked before staging:

Family Room in Camillus Before

This after photo really shows what a difference staging makes:

 

Family Room in Camillus After Staging

Here is another look at the 'before':

Family Room in Camillus Before

And another 'after' view:

Family Room in Camillus After Staging

 

How We Did It

Step One: Out With the Old

As a hands-on home stager in Syracuse, I was thrilled to be given this project. Following the action plan that was developed after the initial consultation, we began by removing family photos and taking down the wind chimes, hanging plants, and hanging lanterns. Next, we cleared away all of the items from the built-in shelves,  put the throw rugs and afghans into storage, and packed or gave away everything else that would not be needed. Shutters on the bottom third of the built-in shelves were in disrepair, and we determined it would be easier to just take them off than try to fix them. Numerous nicks and worn places on the woodwork were touched up with new stain, and the woodstove (to the left in the pictures above) was cleared off and given a good cleaning.

Step Two: In With the New

New furniture was not an option, so we covered the sofa and loveseat with inexpensive loose slip covers and dressed them up with some new pillows from Marshall's HomeGoods in shades of orange. Next we changed all the handles on the closets and replaced the dated Early American style outlet covers. The storage ottoman in front of the sofa seemed like an obvious place for a staging tray, but, the room had so many great focal points already such as the wood stove, the wonderful view, and the built-ins, we decided to simply dress the ottoman with a fabric runner for added color.

Last Minute Details

As you are approaching the family room, the built-in shelves are the first thing you see, so we wanted to really show them off. The seller had a beautiful collection of glazed pottery which we took from another room and arranged on the shelves with just a couple other items found throughout the house. The bar area (not pictured) was set up as if a party guests were expected to arrive soon, and a large silk potted plant was added to the dark far corner of the room.

The Results

The seller loved the transformation that took place after staging the home in Camillus, NY, and will be using many of the new things in the next home.

One more 'before' picture:

Family Room in Camillus Before

After staging:

Family Room in Camillus After Staging

 

Posted by

Janelle Ancillotti, Certified Professional Home Stager

Seneca Home Staging, Baldwinsville, NY

(315) 506-0725

facebook   google plus   twitter   youtube 

Comments (13)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What an improvement....so much better. You took years off the place!  I would love to see all that wood painted, but I know how hard it is to convince people to paint wood.  

May 09, 2013 09:14 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

I'm with Sharon -- painting the wood would likely help that home appeal to more buyers :-)

Removing the excess clutter was a great start.

May 09, 2013 11:50 AM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Sharon and Maureen - I agree: painting all the wood would have really perked up the place, but there was already extensive painting being done throughout the home, and there just wasn't enough manpower to do any more in the time allowed. There were also many maintenance and repair issues with the home, and we were not working with an unlimited budget. In the end, we conceded that the type of buyers that fit the mold for this particular home and location are more concerned with other things.

May 09, 2013 09:17 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

This is a great series, Janelle.  You really updated this space, and the orange accents really help sell that wood!

May 10, 2013 01:24 AM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Thanks Julia! Orange is very popular here in the SYRACUSE area--haha :-)

May 10, 2013 03:50 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Janelle you are good. You have an eye for this. I don't I need someone like you. Were you born with this skill, did you learn it or was it experience?

May 10, 2013 02:48 PM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Noah, Hmm....I think it's all three!

May 10, 2013 09:19 PM
Beverly Carlson
Carlson Properties 325-721-2429 - Abilene, TX
Abilene's Staging Realtor
The slip covers are miracle workers! This room is a great example that it is not about the money, it is about staging! A suggestion is to remove the television from the room and edit shelving to only what not looks beautiful and a few books,but not Too many Then add a floor lamp and cute chair to round the previously TV corner. The sellers are so lucky to have you helping them stage.
May 11, 2013 10:32 PM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Great transformation.  I as well  may have painted out the dark wood as well.  Reducing clutter certainly helped.

Jun 03, 2013 11:07 AM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Hello Beverly and Wendy. Thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Jun 04, 2013 05:09 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

You did an excellent job! So much more inviting and less clutter!

Jul 02, 2013 03:54 AM
Carmela Jacobs
Carmela Realty - Westlake Village, CA
Ventura Co., Los Angeles Co., CA, & Global Realtor

Janelle, 

Way to go!  I'm sure this home sold quickly.

The home looks so much better, that's why you're a certified stager.  

Here's to a great weekend! 

 

 

Jul 27, 2013 10:04 AM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Thanks Carmela. Oh yes, it really did look so much better, and it sold much more quickly than it would have in its original state. Enjoy what's left of  your weekend!

Thank you too, Barbara-Jo. Clutter was the enemy, but we won the battle!

Jul 28, 2013 04:36 AM