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Staging Vintage Kitchens - Marin Home Staging - Before and After Photos

By Leslie Olson

Home Stager with Leslie Olson Interiors

October 28, 2008 10:12 AM

Staging vintage kitchens for a quick real estate sale can be tricky, as there's a fine line between dingy and neglected, and over-staging to obscure the less marketable aspects of the space. Have you ever seen a photograph of an older place, and unconsciously imagine that it smells musty? Older kitchens can often be charming...though sometimes that charm has to be coaxed out!

If this older home had been posted online photographed as-is (much less shown in person), viewers would quickly scan through the room, and move on. The space was cold, and footsteps echoed.

Vintage Kitchen 1 - Before

After staging by Leslie Olson Interiors with vintage dining furniture (rented from a consignment shop), a rug and colorful accessories, a warm and inviting kitchen/dining room emerged. Potential home-buyers now lingered in the space -- and with no more echoes!

Vintage Kitchen 1 - After

Another vintage kitchen had been modified by the existing homeowners, but the muted colors didn't translate well to online photos. Just adding a few simple accesories in a vibrant color gave this kitchen the visual pop it needed to draw the viewer in.

Vintage Kitchen 2 - After - Leslie Olson Interiors

Thank you for your interest!

Leslie Olson Interiors Marin County, CA www.leslieolsoninteriors.com leslie@leslieolsoninteriors.com 415.233.2633

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Susan Haughton

Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA

Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I love what you did with the vintage kitchen...it's nothing short of amazing what adding a few things can do!

Oct 28, 2008 10:20 AM

Rich Mielke

REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD

REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

Your staging made the difference between homely and homey. It looks welcoming now.

Oct 28, 2008 10:42 AM

Leslie Olson

Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, TX

Interior Design and Redesign - Moved to Austin!

Thanks, Susan! I lived in Alexandria growing up...I have lots of fond memories of touring the Smithsonian and Mount Vernon (many times -- it was close to our house -- with Brownie troops, visiting family, etc.). My guess is that it's a beautiful fall there right now...savor it! Leslie

Oct 28, 2008 10:43 AM

Leslie Olson

Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, TX

Interior Design and Redesign - Moved to Austin!

I love that distinction, Rich! "From Homely to Homey" -- sounds like the start of a new blog... Thank you for your kind words. Leslie

Oct 28, 2008 10:46 AM

Susan Emo

Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON

Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I'm amused by what you refer to as "vintage" !! I was expecting Victorian. Still, you did a lovely job!

Oct 28, 2008 10:54 AM

Michelle Pimentel

Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA

ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Leslie,

Great work as always! The carpet was a beautiful addition to the dining area to break up the over abundance of tile and anchor the table.

Oct 28, 2008 11:42 AM

Robyn Guinn

StageAZ - Phoenix, AZ

Home staging, Arizona

Hi Leslie, great transformation! Homely to homey is right on. It made a big difference.

Oct 28, 2008 11:46 AM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Leslie, How cute! What a difference your made. What a great idea of using a consignment shop. I hadn't thought about that as a resource.

Oct 28, 2008 01:26 PM

Ilyce Glink

Think Glink Media - Chicago, IL

Best-selling author, award-winning TV/radio host.

Leslie-- What great photos! I like the idea of adding a few "pops" of color to draw the viewer into an otherwise pretty beige room. Thanks for the post!

Oct 28, 2008 02:56 PM

Margaret Oscilia

Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR

Home Stager, Salem Oregon

I especially love the area rug - adds class to the dining area! Great photos!

Oct 29, 2008 12:12 AM

Michele Hess

Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL

Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Great job Leslie! Feels/looks more current. You did an awesome job with your photos too!

Oct 29, 2008 12:15 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Leslie - these rooms came out wonderful. You can mail me the rug under the eat-in kitchen table and I'd gladly accept (smile).

Congratulations. Your post is being featured in the group; Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

Oct 29, 2008 01:26 AM

Wendy Casey

A-List Home Staging & Decor - Surrey, BC

I love that vintage dining set...what a creative idea to rent from a consignment shop. It's right for the space, but looks trendy too! Thanks for your post.

Wendy Casey- Surrey, BC

Oct 29, 2008 05:24 AM

Leslie Olson

Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, TX

Interior Design and Redesign - Moved to Austin!

Susan -- you make me laugh! I suppose every region has their own version of "vintage" -- and of course the term could also be used as a tactful euphemism for a dated kitchen!

Thank you Michelle, Robyn, Donna, and Michele for your nice comments!

Donna and Wendy -- When I have the time and good fortune, I've been lucky to find furniture to lease from a wonderful high-end consignment shop. I look for furniture and accessories that are appropriate to the architecture and style of the home and neighborhood. It helps me keep my creative juices flowing -- and I'd like to think that it keeps my staging a bit more distinctive than many stagers whose rental furniture looks the same in every single home. It's worth it to develop a relationship with a great consignment shop in your area to supplement your own staging inventory, as well as other rental pieces. Of course it has so much to do with the quality of their selections at any given time -- inventory changes constantly!

Ilyce -- I love the neutral palette of that kitchen, but in small online MLS photos it could look muddy. The extra contrast of red guides the eye to rest on each of these color pops in the photo, drawing the viewer into the picture.

Margaret and Kathy -- about the rug...it helps to have a Pottery Barn outlet not too far away! This one has a vintage-y feel, while the larger print makes it look more contemporary.

Kathy -- thank you so much for your continued support! After my move to California, it's great to hear from you again!

Leslie

Oct 31, 2008 11:10 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

HI Leslie, very nice transformation. I have used vintage shops as well. It really keeps the budget in line. I find chandeliers for $20 that suit the property very well and they become a selling feature in the home.

You really made a difference to look and appeal of this home. Congratulations on thinking outside the box.

Nov 01, 2008 02:44 AM

Barbara Cluck-Miksits

BCM Home Staging LLC - Ridgewood, NJ

Home Staging - New Jersey

Leslie, Both kitchens look great. You just have to use the right balance of colors with these old girls.

Nov 01, 2008 01:10 PM

Patricia Ebrahimi

SHOW SMART! HOME STAGING & Color Consultant - Rockville, MD

Home Staging the Washington DC Area from Rockville MD

Thank you Leslie. You inspired me. I'm staging a midcentury eat-in kitchen with enough white 4x4 tile to make me ill. Of course, breaking it up with the right rug will make all the diff! I was only thinking above the counter top level up til now.

Nov 01, 2008 01:34 PM

Leslie Olson

Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, TX

Interior Design and Redesign - Moved to Austin!

Michelle F and Barbara -- thanks for the nice feedback!

Patricia -- My sympathies on the sea of 4x4 tile - ugh. The one above has my personal pet peeve -- black grout with light color tiles! Ready for a giant game of tic-tac-toe?

Leslie

Nov 07, 2008 05:18 AM

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