What do you do with 3 major focal points in the same room?

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What do you do with 3 major focal points in the same room?

This was the plight of the home I recently staged.... OK, it really wasn't a plight, if anything it was an attraction, a bonus if you will. The curious part was what to do with it. The agent told me when everything was signed that she was anxious to see how I handled the awkwardness of it.

So, what were the focal points?

The first focal point is a great fireplace. The second is the view of wetlands - the entire back wall is windows overlooking the view. Ok I don't have a before photo of the third focal point - but it is a built in bookcase with TV nook. It is directly opposite the fireplace.

If you faced the fireplace, you couldn't watch TV. If you faced the TV you would completely ignore the fireplace. So, what do you do?

As you can see, the sofa faces the view outside but can clearly view either the TV or fireplace. The chairs each face the TV or the fireplace.

We could have used two sofas, but that would have blocked the view. We also could have broken the room up into two different spaces, having the sofa face the TV and the two chairs face the fireplace. This would have been crowded and less conversational.

In the end the biggest asset of this home is actually the location on the wetlands and it's stunning views. A large (3x5) mirror is hung above the sofa reflecting the view back into the room for those sitting in the chairs.

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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.

For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com

Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com on 03/08/2008 09:18 PM

Comments (22)

Originally posted at: Speaking Up about Home Staging: What do you do with 3 major focal points in the same room?

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22 Comments on What do you do with 3 major focal points in the same room?

MAR

2008

Apparently, what you do is call Melissa Marro - who is almost single handedly staging Charleston.

MAR

2008

Melissa,

You seem to have all the bases covered. This is not an unusual problem. Better to have that problem than a drab little house with no focal point.

Perfect solution to addressing all three focal points - bet the Realtor was THRILLED.

Melissa, that's exactly what you do! Wonderful job. You always have the greatest homes to work with - lucky you.

Melissa, I was excited to figure out I would have done the same as you before I looked at the finished product!! Yea, me!

Melissa ~ What a great way to resolve that issue! I'm glad that you explained what you did and why. The mirror over the sofa, so those in the chairs could see the view, was an excellent idea! Another lovely home down your way.

Melissa,

As ususal it's a great job. And I really like the painting over the fireplace.

Proof again that what we do is not just fill a house with furniture! There is a lot to be considered when placing furniture in order to showcase the best features! I have had this three focal points problem many times, and you handled it beautifully, as always!

Kathleen - lol.... not single handedly. I have my assistant and then 5 other stagers on my team who are also out there diligently working. (They just don't post their homes, unfortunately! - except Bevin on occassion)

Susan - absolutely! This is a stunning home that I suspect will sell quickly. The only issue is there are a lot of homes for sale in this neighborhood. Last time we staged here though we got first offer in the listing homes price range and then received 2 other offers for a multiple offer scenario. The home closed full price with a back up on the table. No other home in the neighborhood has been able to say that! This is why this client hired us!

Sandra - I haven't talked to her yet, but she has already changed the MLS photos. That is usually a good sign!

Kimberly - You are correct, I do seem to work in some really beautiful homes. What a lucky girl I am!

Roberta - I'm not the least bit surprised. You do such an awesome job of what you do!

Kathy - Thanks! If I were in the market and could afford this price range, I would move here because of the view and pavillion alone. This is an amazing value, IMO.

Tanya - Thanks, it was from Kirklands - which we no longer have any of here in Charleston.... going to go weep now....

Elaine - Very true! Our job is a lot more than just decorating. It's highlighting the best aspects of the home to get them sold!

Great furniture placement, Melissa. How far around does that back porch wrap? Wondering if the master opens onto it also....

Kathy

Kathy - the Master sitting room opens onto the wrap porch. It extends the entire back of the house (less the master sitting room) and the side to the breakfast room so that you can fully enjoy the view. The breakfast room then connects to the back porch and the front wrap porch via dual sets of french doors. It really is an amazing home at quite the bargain price, IMO. I've seen people pay a lot more money for a lot less beauty!

Nice fix were the realtors happy? The view is stunning and I like the idea about the mirror being above the couch so the people sitting in the chairs can also enjoy. ONE SMART LADY..

Phyllis Pafumi

It continues to amaze me that builders create a room where the tv and the fireplace are nowhere near each other. do they not consider how the buyer intends to live in the place? you solved the problem with style and aplomb, as usual.

Kudos, and congrats....What are we doing for newsletters this month? I want to talk about audio, I think. You?

Hi Melissa, Congratulations!Your staging of this room is simple, elegant, and above all else, effective. Furniture placement highlights all three of the focal points. Having many more accessories and furniture in this room, would detract from the beautiful view and architectural features ...Well done!

Wendy Casey - Vancouver, BC

Phyllis - that was sweet... thank you!

Juliet - This could be a real head scratcher for some buyers! I'm so glad they let me stage it!

Bevin is actually doing our newsletter this month. I just reviewed it and you'll get it on Tuesday. What exactly do you mean audio? Explain a little better what you are looking for and I'll work it into the next month.

Wendy - THank you! I'm a strong believer on 'less is more'. We are meant to highlight the homes, not show off our great stuff!

MAR

2008

This home looks great as usual! I should have a home to post about soon...

Juliet - The newsletter is going out tomorrow. I don't think I get audio either, but we can probably work on that next month.

Beautiful as always! Charleston is lucky to have you and your protege's like Bevin.

Wish I lived down there with you guys!

BTW, Bevin, my new favorite jeans are a pair of deep indigo levi's with a 44" inseam and skinny! If they are not clean...then of course, I keep my Hudson's handy!

Melissa, what I appreciate most about you is that you are constantly teaching. I think it's great! Don't ever stop. Love your style!

Great placement, it can be really challenging having 3 or more focal points, especially without the right furniture.

MAR

2008

Awesome Job again Melissa! Thanks for sharing!

MAR

2008

Bevin - you aren't going to have time to post with 2 homes to finish this week and leaving for Disney on Friday! But you'll be busy when you return - another home next week and then posting all of your work!

Dane - I'm certain I missed something with the jeans comment, but I'll bet Bevin understands....

Teresa - Thank you so much.... I love to do it you know!

Cindy - Yes, the right furniture definately helps! That's why we have such a huge selection.

Lea-Ann - Thank you!

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Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com

St Augustine, FL

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