When I'm called upon to conduct a home staging consultation, it's typically for an occupied resale in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. The homeowners often just want professional guidance: to be told where to begin, what to do and what not to do. As I take my notes, I include everything that should be done to update but prioritize according to ROI because realistically not everyone has the budget to do everything. This helps them decide how to best spend their money.
The development of suburban subdivisions in Metro Atlanta over the last 15-20 years, or so, have left today's market with some very 'dated' resale homes in comparison to the amount of vacant new construction available. With foreclosures and short sales on the rise, homeowners are often strapped for cash and cannot always afford to spend much to update anything.
~How do the resales compete with the new construction that has all the bells and whistles people want today and are in the same price category?
~Why would a buyer want to buy a dated resale when they could purchase an updated new home for practically the same price?
Realistically, a resale will not get the large return on investment to do ALL of the upgrades that comparably priced new construction has to offer. What to do? A few cosmetic adjustments will provide the home with the updated aesthetics that buyers are looking for...and here's one small way.
The dreaded brass light fixtures hanging in the kitchens, dining rooms etc. of so many circa 1990 homes immediately date the house, unless it's done totally right and on purpose...which isn't often. =) Solution? Well, yes purchasing another fixture is ideal but if you have a few fixtures to replace, the price will add up quickly. Inexpensive solution? Paint it!
A good choice is Rust Oleum American Accents Metallic Paint. A couple of coats work wonders to update a brass light fixture. A clear coat will help protect the finish. The color used for my project was Oil Rubbed Bronze. We all know how great those bronze fixtures look but that they come with a price tag too.
This Brass light fixture made the dining appear very dated, even after painting the room an updated neutral (used Behr Cappucino).
Now, with it's new paint finish, it side-steps into the new millenium like it's real oil rubbed bronze cousins.
We're probably going to source mini shades for this fixture to coordinate with the buffet lamps being used on the sideboard, to soften the white stems.
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Abby - I love it! I am often painting my own things but wasn't sure how something like this might turn out and didn't want to experiment on a client's light fixture. Do you have to prep the surface in any way or just make sure it is clean and dust free.
Stephanie