There's no JACK DANIELS in decorating!!!

I made a comment in another post that bachelors are my favorite clients. I think I want to clarify that. While the men are my favorite clients because they are so sweetly clueless, and so very appreciative of what I can do for them, their homes are definitely not my favorite projects! The staging my daughter and I did this Saturday was a perfect example of why I feel this way.

The agent paid for two hours of staging. Although it was  better than nothing, it was like putting a band-aid on a JDbroken leg. The homeowner was a 25 year old welder, and he shares the home with a buddy who works for a plumbing company. Here are just a few of the highlights this home had to offer:

 

  • Have you ever seen a coffee table painted with flames and exhaust pipes for legs? Well, now I have.
  • Everything on the walls was booze related, from neon signs to mirrors.
  • Literally, the only light source in the downstairs was a beer lamp.
  • We had the company of a Doberman named Sergeant, who just minutes before we arrived (this is according to the owner) got into some mud and ran through the home leaving paw-prints everywhere.
  • The dining room table was massive (perhaps a good playing field for beer pong) but the only chairs were two bar stools.
  • Every window in the house had closed blinds or shutters (for good reason)
  • The kitchen had the wickedest knife collection I have ever seen, stuck to a strip of magnet on the wall.
  • Even the kitchen had an electric Molson sign on the wall.
  • Though most of the downstairs was painted tans and burgundy, the half bath was blood red! And yes, this was off a burgundy hallway. I wish you could have seen my daughter's face when she stepped in and turned the light on (no window either!) We half expected to see a chalk outline on the floor.
  • We finally got enough nerve to go upstairs (the owner was home but out in the yard building a massive cage for Sergeant, so he wouldn't eat buyers) and the master bedroom was so stereotypical, we had to laugh. King sized bed with no headboard, black satin sheets, and a snack tray as a nightstand, complete with candles and lotions from someplace called slumberparty.com!  The walls were painted dark gray, and the closet doors were mirrored, so everything was multiplied! Three more booze signs on the walls, a weight bench covered in dirty clothes, and the dog's crate completed the decor.
  • We were not permitted in the roommate's bedroom, because "he had black walls, and he's painting them". But, we did see a paint tray in the third bedroom with very dark brown paint (big improvement), and I really don't think we wanted to see that room anyway! 

MillerWe spent our two hours opening blinds, moving furniture, taking down all the booze art, clearing off the counters, and making notes to the homeowner suggesting things like repaint the half bath! And then we experienced something you only see on the staging and redesign TV shows...we found really nice artwork hidden in the basement, including a very cool wall clock, which I offered to buy after the home sells.

So, we covered all the screws with our new found treasures, threw the tennis ball one last time to Sergeant, and headed home. I think my daughter enjoyed the afternoon (did I mention that these guys were cute?) and I felt pretty good about what we accomplished, though I did feel a need to shower when I got home.

 
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80 Comments on There's no JACK DANIELS in decorating!!!

That is one smart REA!  Love your story-telling, Elaine!  Julie

05/05/2008 01:32 PM by Julia Maher, Staging Fairfield County Connecticut CT (Nestings)


Elaine, you are spinning this all wrong----this is a tremendous new resource for staging itemssunsmile

05/05/2008 01:53 PM by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)


I would love to see picyures of this one.  This must have felt overwhelming in the beginning!  The realtor must have had nightmares about that house.

05/05/2008 02:46 PM by Beth Lester (Home Staging Designs of California)


Prior to entering the home staging field, my husband and I were shopping for a new home. The beer can collection that lined the basement wall was my motivation... "Somebody needs to tell these people that you cannot show your home like this!"

And a home stager was born.

Great post Elaine (as usual) you always seem to put a smile on my face.

05/05/2008 02:47 PM by Cari Pilon, SMART Stagers (SMART Stagers)


The description of the bedroom made me laugh!! And "so the Doberman wouldn't east the buyers". I have seen so much, so many different ways of living, so many different decorating styles that nothing surprises me anymore. You?

05/05/2008 03:08 PM by Gabriele Campbell, ASP, CID (D F Campbell Ventures Group Inc.)


Julia- Fortunately the agent had warned me what we were in for! One thing I need to mention is that this homeowner was extremely polite and cooperative!

Charles- True, it's great to have art work and the light source be one and the same!!!

Beth- I knew I would not be taking photos and didn't even take my camera. But, there were a few times I wished I had it!

Cari- The worse the conditions, the more they need us!!! We have a calling!!! ;)

Gabriele- Yeah, when my daughter said she thought the guy was cute, all I kept seeing were those black satin sheets!

05/05/2008 03:31 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine, great story. I actually have a visual! It's really funny some of the stuff we come across. Not every home we work on will look like a page from a decorating magazine, but we still can make a huge impact.

Any pics?? Of the cute guys of course...hehehe

05/05/2008 03:52 PM by Kimberley Hawley, Hawley Interiors & Staging (Hawley Interiors & Staging)


Way too Funny as usual Elaine.  I kept having visions of you in the Frat House from the movie Animal House.  In fact the following picture came to mind.... One of these days I just know I'm going to be in a bookstore and come across the new best seller..." My Life as A Staging Mistress " by Elaine Manes. 

05/05/2008 03:58 PM by Gina McNew Host of Diva in the House- The Voice of Real Estate Staging Radio (diva la difference interiors)


Kimberley- No, this is "real life" staging, for sure! These were the kind of guys who would be OK for my son to be friends with, but I wouldn't want them dating my daughter!

Gina- To their credit, these guys seemed a little embarrassed that a cute 23 year old (and her mother) were going through their stuff! And seduction was the last thing on my mind, but I can't speak for my daughter! LOL!! I like that title!!!

 

05/05/2008 04:30 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine - I think I may have dated one of their uncles way back when....

Thankfully, I've not staged (or been asked to) anything like this.  I think I'd hit the floor (laughing or crying.)  Great post.

Jackie 

05/05/2008 05:49 PM by Jackie Peraza, Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts (Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC)


That was a great story.  I'm glad you and your daughter survived it.  I bet it look 100% better.  Did you take before and after pictures?  If you did, I would love to see them.  Thanks for sharing your story.

Chrissie Sutherland, Ready Set Stage

05/05/2008 06:02 PM by Chrissie Sutherland (Ready Set Stage)


Great story!  Sooo...any pics of the guys?  I'm nosey.  Funny thing is, once they get married, their stuff gets kicked to the shed (here's the shed I "staged" for my hubby last year):

05/05/2008 06:13 PM by Susan Smith, Rooms That Work (Rooms That Work)


Jackie- LOL!!! Was it the beer signs that seemed familiar or the black stain sheets? I did want to wear a haz-mat suit!

Chrissie- No pics, more out of a maternal need to protect these guys than anything else.

Susan- LOL!!! That is SO generous of you to give him his own space. My honey doesn't even get half a closet!

 

05/05/2008 06:35 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine - They're not black "stain" sheets, but black satin sheets...not that they reminded me of anything....

Jackie 

05/05/2008 06:52 PM by Jackie Peraza, Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts (Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC)


Oops...interesting error! If those sheets had been "stained" black, I would have run out of that house screaming!

05/05/2008 06:58 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine - I love to work with bachelors also, they usually just do as they are told and often have buddies that will help them with painting and stuff.  The home may not look like a model in the end, but it doesn't look like a pool hall either.  Here is a bachelor bath make over.  

  

You'd never know. 

05/05/2008 07:07 PM by Maureen Henry - Rockland Home Staging (www.rocklandhomestaging.com)


Maureen- That looks fantastic! Now, take your before and imagine it with blood red walls and no window, and you have my before!!!

05/05/2008 07:13 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Too funny! Sounds a lot like a house that I was scheduled to Stage on April 1st - luckily for me it was just an April Fool's joke my agent was playing on me and NOt an actual job (they made the guy move out before selling his house last year). Thanks for sharing.

05/05/2008 07:37 PM by Tori Lynn Ross - Omaha's Premier Home Stager (Ross Designs, LLC)


Elaine, you have such a way with words!  I was imagining my self with one of my daughters as I read the whole thing...the memories you now have, the experience neither of you will soon forget!  You made the best of it and those guys have a better chance of selling thanks to you! 

05/05/2008 09:29 PM by Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations)


Elaine, priceless. I once staged (in the very beginning of my career) for an older, not cute bachelor who had worked on the railroad for years and years and years. He had in his home many mementos of his years on the rails. Even railroad ties for steps going up to his house. Challenge is not the word. We were not allowed in one room and I never asked why as I was a bit worried about what I find.:)

Pictures please

 Kym

05/05/2008 09:55 PM by Kym Hough, Staging Consultant , Staged to Sell, SF Bay Area, CSP (Staged to Sell & StagersLIST.com)


Cute just doesn't cut it in this case.   I am sure that this bachelor pad looked much better after and sometimes (often) that is all we can do. If only we could take them all to wow.

05/05/2008 10:56 PM by Kathleen Lordbock (Re$ale Design) ~Minnesota Home Stager~ (Re$ale Design & Home Staging)


I have a huge percentage of bachelors, some are extremely picky, but it's because they really care about their home, and others are like"here's my credit card, go buy what I need"...I love my bachelors, they crack me up!

05/05/2008 11:26 PM by Cindy Bryant~Houston's Home Staging & Home Stagers By Redesign Etc.~RESA~ASHSR (Redesign Etc., Inc.-Texas)


Elaine,

I know we are not supposed to 'steer' but if ever there was a case for marketing to single guys, this is it. It will be interesting to see who finally buys it.  

05/06/2008 01:09 AM by Susan Peters - Seattle Realtor/Staging Specialist (Re/Max Mutual Realty)


Elaine, you know you are right, when the client is so darn likeable it makes the chore seem like fun and wow, you can always see what you accomplished, which is satisfying.  I can't quite believe you did all that in 2 hours though. You work fast. 

05/06/2008 02:19 AM by Terrylynn Fisher StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (Diablo Realty)


I redesigned my brothers family room over Thanksgiving.  It was fun and I ended up going out and buying him a few things, as you know staging bachelor pads there is not always a lot to work with.  I do not think he was overly happy at first but he still comments to family members how nice the place looks when he walks into the house.  Who says men can't appreciate a few pillows and a throw rug and some actual artwork on the walls.

05/06/2008 04:37 AM by Sandra Hughes-Redesigned Spaces-Virginia Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, VA (Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia)


Elaine: I have never had the chance or opportunty to stage a bachelor pad...but love your story telling and photos...I have missed you where have you been...not seen you walking in the rain lately...great post...

05/06/2008 09:44 AM by MARY LOU TEAGUE HOME STYLE AND STAGING KNOXVILLE, TN (HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC )


Tori Lynn- I'm just glad I wasn't being filmed when I first walked into that house. I know my horror showed on my face! But, it wasn't a joke, so I had to roll up my sleeves and dig in!

Sharon- We did feel really good when we left, and I hope they follow up on what they said they would!

Kym- I can't imagine why the guy wasn't married! ;)

Kathleen- I took this one from "yuk" to "liveable", but "wow" was a long way away!

 

05/06/2008 10:31 AM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Cindy- I have a feeling that your bachelors are in a different socioeconomic world than mine!

Susan- Funny you should mention that. When I first starrted out, a staging friend and I seriously considered gearing our marketing to single men. After Saturday, I think I'm glad we passed on that idea!

Terrylynn- My daughter really got into this one! At one point, I had to tell her to stop cleaning or we would never get any staging done...which is only strange because my daughter doesn't clean!

Sandra- That is a great story! One of the things about working for men, is they aren't going to gush about how great it looks.

Mary Lou- Well, I prefer my bachelor clients to be a little older than 25! This was more like a frat house! Thanks for noticing my lack of time in the rain, but now that tax season is over, my honey has normal hours and comes home at night wanting things like dinner(?) and my company!!! ;)

05/06/2008 10:50 AM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


I thought I was so elusive when I accidentally threw away the husband's old beer bottle collection (oops!) when we moved out here over 10 years ago!  Yea, well it's grown and multiplied like a bunch of rabbits.

We moved to this home several years ago and are currently redoing his game room into an Irish pub theme.   I have become one with his beer bottle collection and we will be building a bar approx 8x11.

ANY SUGGESTIONS to make this look classy?!?!?!??  I try to buy myself a clue every time I go to an Irish Pub but still haven't put it together.

05/06/2008 02:57 PM by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate (Nevada Realty Solutions)


Great post! I love your story! Very interesting. Twenty-five year old male could be difficult but usually they are not that interesting.

05/06/2008 03:02 PM by Becky Respess, ABR, CRB, CRS (Broker/Associate North Texas GMAC)


Renee- This is just off the top of my head, but the beer bottles would become more 'art' if you could string rope lights behind them, so you can appreciate the different colors of glass. Glad to hear you decided to embrace his collection! I've had to do that with my honey's motorcycles!

Becky- I was very impressed with both of them!

05/06/2008 03:08 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine, I am laughing so hard!  Sounds like these fellows need some civilizing influences!  Like a good woman or two!  I can just picture the place now!   I went to a listing  appointment once in a place like this, and in addition to everything else, it smelled like wet Golden Retriever and dirty clothes.  This was before there was a lot of staging going on!

05/06/2008 03:16 PM by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company)


Elaine,

That was just the laugh I needed for the day! Truth is stranger than fiction!

Anita

 

05/06/2008 03:17 PM by Anita Carrington, Dovian Group LLC, ASP, IAHSP (The Dovian Group, LLC)


Bachelors are interesting clients, aren't they?  My brother's home needed a month of work, but he knew it would.  I gave him a list, and he worked diligently on it.  He called me everytime he picked up a piece of trash and threw it away.  He needed lots of attaboys.  But when I showed up to put on the lockbox, I must say I was impressed.  If you give them a detailed list, they can fulfill it.

05/06/2008 03:26 PM by Chris Ann Cleland, GRI (Long & Foster)


Patricia- Thankfully, they were both on the short side, or my 5'7'' daughter might have been more interested! Oh yeah, and the cigarette smell hid any other odors there might have been!

Anita- It was definitely an experience I won't forget anytime soon!

05/06/2008 03:30 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine,

I got such a laugh at your description! You got a lot done in a short time, too. Thanks for sharing. 

Patty

05/06/2008 04:25 PM by Patty McPherson, Orderly Manor; ASHSR, RESA (Orderly Manor Organizing & Redesign/Staging Services)


 This was my "House of Crunk" note the drink dipensors, Patron tequilla dispensor, and you can't see it but there is a neon playboy bunny light as well....but the seller was no bachelor, but it sure looked like it! lol

I loved your description of "sweetly naive".

05/06/2008 04:59 PM by Connie Tebyani, Platinum Home Staging Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties (Platinum Home Staging, Inc.)


Funny post...

I don't know...Depending on the area, you might be better off embracing the decor and using that as a selling point.  Maybe even convince them to leave behind some treasures...;)

05/06/2008 05:02 PM by Joe Hayden - Louisville, KY Homes for Sale (S.G. Priest Realtors)


Patty- I would really love to go back and do more, but that would be up to the seller!

Connie- They really need to come up with a name for this decor, since it seems to be pretty popular!

Joe- LOL!!! Yeah, one woman's disgusting thing I don't want to touch without gloves is another man's treasure!!!

05/06/2008 05:19 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Oh Elaine, talk about Theme Rooms!  Loved this.  Would love to mention this on my Theme Room Encounters of the Third Kind-or would you rather?

05/06/2008 05:49 PM by Pam Faulkner-Faulkner House Redesign Stager-N. VA-Fairfax & Loudoun Co. (Faulkner House Interior Redesign)


...if only you had pictures! LoL It sounds like a nightmare come true. 

05/06/2008 05:59 PM by Alan Robinson (PTE REAL ESTATE GROUP)


Alan- I think taking photos of this house would have felt like taking snapshots of a really bad car accident! ;)

05/06/2008 06:04 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


I remember my bachelor days.  My home was a 1 bedroom/1 bath condo.  My furniture:

Breakfast Nook:  A square wooden table and 4 chairs (all wobbly).

Kitchen:  Fridge, Stove, Dishwasher

Living Room:  Two Bean Bags, a TV stand, TV, a Playstation, and over 100 Shot Glasses on my fire place mantel

Bedroom:  Queen Size Box Spring and Mattress (no frame), drawers, a credenze (used for my books and TV and Stereo)

Bathroom:  Two Rugs and Two Towels and a marble green shower curtain, trashcan, soap dish, and cup (at least I'm coordinated)

Walls:  No pictures or anything on the walls.  Egg sheel white paint and beige carpet.

Huge difference now.  Thank God for wives and decorators!

 

05/06/2008 06:05 PM by James Jeter - The Credit Repair Guy (The Credit Repair Guys)


Very entertaining--you must see all types of decorating styles (or lack thereof) in your business!

05/06/2008 06:16 PM by Bill Dowell Condo Assoc. Management in Worcester, MA (Worcester Property Management LLC)


James- But wasn't life simpler when you could explain your whole condo in a few short sentences! ;)

Christina- True, I get to see incredible homes, and then homes like this one!

05/06/2008 06:26 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine.. This is going to be a classic post.  Instead of selling it as a "residential" home, you could sell "commerically" as a pub with benefits.  I would truly like to know how this all turns out.

05/06/2008 06:32 PM by Valerie Osterhoudt (Johnson Real Estate, Inc.)


This is the perfect reason for calling in a stager.  This home needed it.

05/06/2008 07:21 PM by Laura Moore Godek (Laura Moore Godek, PC)


Elaine....Typical bachelor huh?  Did you ever see if they had girlfriends?  LOL Classic post.

C. Lange

05/06/2008 08:44 PM by Michael Lange, e-Pro, GRI and Cheron Lange (John Hall and Associates)


HAHA....well, at least your daughter got a first hand view of how they live! It does help when the clients are cute....lol. It sounds like you had some very interesting finds while there.

05/06/2008 08:50 PM by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)


Sounds like you have an interesting project on your hands.  

05/06/2008 08:55 PM by Landflip


Flippin hysterical story Elaine!  Thankfully I have yet to run into that type of bachelor pad but you've given me the courage to tackle it if I do!  =)

05/06/2008 09:01 PM by Abby Reilly; NW Atlanta Home Stager (ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC)


Elaine, Love the first paragraph. Got to do some husband duties but I will be back. This looks like an exciting read.

05/06/2008 09:04 PM by Andrew J. Lenza (ABR*GRI*MBA) Monmouth County NJ Real Estate Broker (Andrew J. Lenza Realty)


  One year I accidentally "collected" bachelors as buyers...I loved them....never mind that the bathroom fixures were pink, the "eat in kitchen" sat one...the flocking on the wallpaper was wearing thin...it had a great garage....and ohhhhh that basement !

05/06/2008 09:30 PM by Sally & David Hanson, Southeastern Wisconsin Realtors (First Weber Group)


You crack me up.  I think I actually showed this property or maybe it was the guys twin brother.

 I showed a $700k home a couple weeks ago where they thought wine bottles were attractive enough to grace the mantel.  Not ordinary size bottles, huge gigantic bottles.

Am I missing something here?

kk 

05/06/2008 10:43 PM by Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate (The Berkshire Group Realtors)


Oh my, this wa a very special place. We have been in a place with photos that left a lot to be desired -- we won't elaborate.

05/06/2008 10:50 PM by Bob & Carolin Benjamin - E Phoenix Arizona Real Estate (The Benjamin Team - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty )


Thats funny Elaine! - somwhere behind a barcalounger and velvet bullfighting picture is a home waiting to be found!

05/06/2008 11:12 PM by Maple Valley, WA ~ Real Estate & Design Professional ~Julianna Hind, IRIS, RESA (Keller Williams Realty - Southeast Sound)


These are my kind of guys! If it wasn't for Jack Daniels, I wouldn't be married! I had my wife drink it!!!!!

05/06/2008 11:36 PM by Portland Oregon Real Estate >> Wayne B. Pruner, GRI (Oregon First)


Elaine,  I have four brothers and a bunch of nephews, I suspect there are a lot more place out there like this than we can imagine.  The post and the comments are funny.  

05/07/2008 04:46 AM by Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~ Doreen McPherson (Keller Williams Arizona Realty ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe)


Elaine,  What a great post and yes... you got me with the title.  Do guys really want to live in a bar.

05/07/2008 07:55 AM by Debbie Summers, Seminole County Real Estate (RE/MAX Central Realty Lake Mary, FL)


Hey Elaine,

I know several people will appreciate this and I will be sending them a link. Stereotypes get to be stereotypes for a reason! Let us know how it turns out. 

05/07/2008 09:20 AM by


Oops Elaine...that was me. I forgot to log in. Looks like you struck a chord with this one.

05/07/2008 09:22 AM by Southport NC Real Estate - Vicki Burton- Buyer's Agent (Loggerhead Realty-Southport, North Carolina)


Valerie- A pub/motorcycle shop! I didn't mention all the motorcycles in the garage, and from the look of the carpet when we moved furniture, they must work on them in the living room!

Laura- Yeah, this was definitely a mercy mission!

Michael- The one thing that WAS missing in this place was the naked girl posters. There was nothing like that. In fact, he had photos of a little girl on his fridge, who I assume was his niece! It was very sweet!

Christy- She's had enough boyfriends to see how guys live, but this was her first chance to do something about it, and she really got into it!

Yes, Landflip, most definitely!

Abby- If you do, take gloves!

05/07/2008 09:36 AM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Andrew- Husband duties...that has a nice ring to it!

S & D- "Collected" bachelors, I like that! Sometimes, I feel more like I'm adopting them!

Kristal- Yes, let's just turn our "empties" into art! In a $700K home? Frightening!

B & C- Yes, this house was full of booze, but not a single sign of smut!

Julianna- I would have been thrilled to find any picture that didn't plug in!!!

Wayne- Did you name your kids Jack and Daniel? ;)

 

05/07/2008 10:11 AM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine, soooo funny! btw, I love your REShow about staging - I'm not in your area, but I will send it to sellers to help them SEE what I mean.

 

05/07/2008 10:13 AM by Dawn Maloney, ABR (Geneva Chervenic Realty)


Doreen- There's a lot of testosterone out there, and sometimes it crops up in decorating!

Renee- You are so welcome! Good luck with your project!

Debbie- I think that would be a dream-come-true for some guys!

Vicki- Yeah, I'm glad to see others find it as fascinating as I did!

Dawn- That's great! I hope it helps!

05/07/2008 10:24 AM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Yikes!  That sounds like a staging nightmare.  Sounds like you handled it with grace.  I enjoyed getting a chance to speak with you yesterday.  Have a great week!

05/07/2008 11:51 AM by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)


I married one of these men (well just like your guys).  The look on his face that sad day of the GARAGE sale when the neon's had to go....along with the recliners, the workout equipment and crates used as coffee tables. Great post. 

05/07/2008 12:49 PM by Suzanne Gantner, GRI, E-Pro (Sky Realty)


That is so funny!  Before I got married, I spent an entire summer just cleaning out my fiance's house.  It was a nightmare - even found a deflated animal carcas in the basement (finished basement)  Yuck!

05/07/2008 01:49 PM by Emily Lowe - Nashville, TN Realtor (Prudential Woodmont Realty)


Wow, glad you were able to put in 2 hours!  PS--Had a feeling the guys were cute! 

05/07/2008 01:55 PM by Audrey Hoffman, SimplyStage (SimplyStage)


Jason- Staging Nightmares--sounds like a good book title! Thanks so much for the call! It's nice to put a voice with the face!

Brett- I will definitely keep track of this one!

Suzanne- Ah, it's a rite of passage all men have to experience if they want a woman to share life with!!!

Emily- OK you win! That's more disgusting than anything I've found! And, you still married him? ;)

Audrey- There were a few things in the house that made us go "awwww". Like their love for their dogs was obvious (the plumbing guy had a pug that goes to work with him)

05/07/2008 03:02 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Elaine you do get some interesting jobs, I know someone who would love the coffee table you described.  Are they keeping it!

05/07/2008 05:06 PM by Ana Hitzel AccentPositives Staging Corona CA (AccentPositives "Putting Your Best Space Forward")


I am so upset!!!!!  You listed my brother's house and he did not call me.  LOL  It sounds just like his place but he likes it and that is all the matters.....until I go to sell it for him.

05/07/2008 08:19 PM by Brad and Sheila Sanford (Open Sky Real Estate, LLC)


Julia, When I sold Real Estate in Greeley several years ago, I took a client to a house where we found a cow head carcus on the counter.  Apparently it is customary for the hispanic community to make a soup out of it.  The client knew we were coming yet there it sat.  Can you beleive it!!! And there were no cute guys here to make it all better.  AGH!!! 

05/07/2008 09:37 PM by Lynn Kennedy (simple transformations)


B & S- LOL!!! I think this problem is bigger than we think!

Lynn- You win!!! OK, that I could NOT handle! Sometimes I wonder if these people really want to sell!

05/09/2008 02:26 PM by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)


Thats one reason God made women, so when we met a good one she would help us with the decorating.

05/12/2008 12:32 AM by Rob Baldwin, Santa Clarita REALTORĀ® (Pinnacle Estate Properties)


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Home Stager: Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)
Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC
Lakewood, CO
More about me…
A Wonderful Space, LLC

Cell Phone: (303) 870-9173
Email Me