I went to meet a broker who was one of my regular clients at a small, vacant, 1 bedroom condo he was putting on the market. We went from the front door, through the hall and into an itty-bitty kitchen, teeny dining area, through the living room which had some type of side den with glass french doors opening to the living room and hall. I looked around a little puzzled and said, "so, where's the bedroom?"  Well, to my undying embarrassment, he laughed and said "you're standing in it!"

TRUE STORY! I know you must be thinking I'm an idiot, but COME ON! It didn't have any closets and the doors on two sides were all windows. The closets were across the hallway. Well, thank goodness I had done many stagings for him, because I looked him in the eye and told him that if I didn't know what the room was, neither would the buyers.

Just had to share that laugh at my expense. Sometimes the need for staging is just so obvious. :)

Here are the before & afters. Enjoy!

Bedroom before staging

Bedroom before staging

bedroom after staging

bedroom after staging

 

 

 
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7 Comments on A Newbie Contest - Better Than American Idol! ... If I Don't Know What Room This Is, Neither Will a Buyer ... Embarrassing But True Story in the Life of a Stager!

FEB
01
2009

Amazing what the right eye can do for a house. Good Job.
10:11pm • #1
1,329,327 Points 189 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

By definition a bedroom needs interior closets. Of course Pangaea, if you put a bed in it, that's a clue. I have been where you are in this story. Kind of a room, but not a bedroom.
10:41pm • #2
3 Featured Posts

Gary - Yes, I thought closets were supposed to be your first clue that this is either a legal bedroom or not. This condo building was built in the 1920's so I'm not sure if there was some 'grandfathering' of the layout. It was very strange with those glass french doors on two walls making it completely exposed to the rest of the condo. I don't feel so bad not knowing it was a bedroom.
10:59pm • #3
FEB
02
2009
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Pangaea, You did a beautiful job staging this room. Good thing you put the bed in the room so the buyers knew where it was.
12:05am • #4
337,460 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Pangaea, I've always thought that this sort of situation - when you can't figure out *what* the rooms are intended to be - is the time that staging makes all the difference.  It can take the most awkward offputting space and transform it. Beautiful job!

Liz
12:22am • #5
FEB
06
2009
258,143 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I've been in a few homes that were a maze of questionable spaces---even a couple of new construction homes where buyers asked me "what's this room?" and neither of us could figure it out. You did a wonderful job with the staging. The Seller can thank his staging STAR!
3:56am • #6
Outside Blog

I love your staging. You have a super touch.
7:12am • #7


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Pangaea Interior Design Home Stager - Redesign - Model Homes

Portland, OR

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Portland Oregon

Address: 240 N. Broadway, Suite 202, Portland, OR, 97227

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Portland Oregon Interior Designer, Redesign and Home Staging professional, Pangaea, shares tips on preparing a home for sale, interior design ideas for lofts & contemporary architecture, and home improvement projects. Twitter Button from twitbuttons.com


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