nestings: Budget-Friendly Room Design Service
- 03/06/11 03:28 AM
Need some budget-friendly room design? Don't know what to do with a difficult or awkward space?
One of the design services Nestings offers is a one-room Budget Design Plan for a flat rate. The design plan includes several floor plan options, incorporating any desired existing pieces. Additionally, new suggested furnishings are selected and included in the design. These items are usually available online or at local stores, and are priced within the client's budget. Paint colors, fabrics, accessories, and lighting are also detailed. It is up to the home owner to fulfill the plan, or I can do it for an additional charge.
One of … (18 comments)
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nestings: "Green" Paint May Help Sell Your Connecticut House!
- 07/03/10 10:19 AM
"Green" paint may help sell your Connecticut house! With the "greening" of America, more and more clients are asking for environmentally safe paint. More buyers are looking for homes that are environmentally responsible. Most of the time, they really don't know exactly what they want; they just want it to be "green". When it comes to selling your house, having it freshly painted with "green" paint is a great selling feature.
As a professional Home Stager and decorator, color consultations are an important part of my job. Most real estate agents will also recommend a fresh coat of paint to their … (17 comments)
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nestings: Facing Up to Facebook Ads: What Works?
- 06/28/10 04:15 AM
Time to face up to my Facebook ads! What worked? What didn't work?
Nestings Home Staging decided to try advertising on Facebook! It offers targeted audiences, within their membership: age, sex, marriage and education status, and geography. You can also pinpoint to "Likes" and other FB connections. You can start and stop ads at any time, so you really have control over your budget and can see what works and what doesn't.
When selecting the geographic area, I tried to encompass Fairfield and New Haven Counties here in Connecticut. I found it easy to set up my ads, and tried three, with … (16 comments)
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nestings: Dried Flowers Are Dry Because They're DEAD! Get Rid of Them!
- 04/16/10 03:58 AM
Dried flowers are dry because they're DEAD, so get rid of them now!
OK, OK, I know they were popular with my generation in the 80's, and not just in Fairfield County, CT. I admit to having a fabulous spray of dried flowers and twigs myself. Why, I even remember when I purchased it, Mike said, "Where do you think you're going to put THAT bunch of dead sticks?" But you know what? I got rid of them a short while after and moved on with my decor.
Many people around my age are now downsizing; I see their homes on the market, the … (23 comments)
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nestings: Many Thanks to Jeremy Blanton and AR University!
- 03/22/10 05:20 AM
Many thanks to Jeremy and AR University for Friday's webinar on blog customization. I had customized mine more than a year ago, but forgot how! I really needed to update the look, and Jeremy was right on target. So, how does it look? I wanted something that was easier on the eyes and a little more sophisticated to appeal to the Fairfield County, CT reader. Yes, I was Staging my own blog. I even added some buttons for LinkedIn and Facebook! Yay - I figured out how to do that, too.
I encourage everyone to check out the University schedule for … (8 comments)
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nestings: Trumbull, CT: Nestings Home Staging Provides Simple Staging Elegance
- 03/07/10 07:54 AM
Trumbull, CT: Simple staging elegance is provided by Nestings Home Staging.
This bathroom is on the first floor, and had some recent updates (the new mirror hadn't been installed yet). It is not a small room. The beadboard wainscotting and trim have sparkling white paint; the walls are a dove grey.
The window is very small, and the valance is not helping. The only art is a small cliche bathtub print.
And yes, I know the toilet lid is up!
Since this is the ONLY facility on the first floor (and next to the first floor master bedroom), it needs more elegance … (6 comments)
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nestings: Trumbull, CT: Subconscious Clues for Staging Solutions
- 03/07/10 07:28 AM
Trumbull, CT: Subconscious Clues for Staging Solutions: Professional Stagers pay attention to vague feelings of foreboding or danger. Of course, often there's no real danger, but just the perception. This can turn a buyer off.
When it comes to Staging, simple fixes are often suggested by the subconscious. This "Before" picture was taken in the middle of the day; it is the first thing you see as you enter the house:
That is NOT another door to the outside; it leads to the basement. It reads as a black hole to nowhere.
The ceiling fan is too low for 8' ceilings, … (10 comments)
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nestings: Fairfield County, CT, Home Stager Makes It Easy For The Sellers
- 03/07/10 06:52 AM
These fans were everywhere!
This Fairfield County, CT, home stager made it easy for the Sellers. When I told them they really had to change out most of the lighting in their recently renovated house, they said "Give us a shopping list!".
Lighting needed to be changed in the kitchen. dining and living rooms, entry, master bedroom, and office/den. We had a very tight budget, so we left the fans in the two upstairs bedrooms. They had recently installed new drapery rods in all the rooms; the metal finish is the oil-rubbed bronze. So off I went to Home Depot … (2 comments)
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nestings: Day 6: The Condo Staging Diary; Comps and Their Prices
- 02/02/10 03:59 AM
Day 6: The Condo Staging Diary: Comps and Their Prices - how they can differ! After checking on the painters' progress at the condo, I visited a neighboring unit that was listed a week ago. I had seen a few pictures on MLS, and today was the Open House. The listing agents were very nice; as one showed me around, she pointed out the updates and was very enthusiastic that the Seller had taken much of her advice. Kudos to them both.
This is a second-floor unit, so the square footage is slightly less than ours due to the internal staircase. … (0 comments)
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nestings: MLS Photos: Can Somebody Please Tell Me Why?
- 01/14/10 02:08 AM
Can somebody please tell me why real estate agents think it's a good idea to include pictures of the sellers' pets on MLS photos?
I subscribe to a wonderful real estate company website that emails me daily with new listings. Every so often, I peruse them, looking at the MLS photos. Click,click,click...all the while running commentary in my head: "Should have removed the wallpaper; what's with the family photos on the walls; lovely bath; why all the toys; needs more lighting..."
C'MON, YOU KNOW YOU DO IT TOO!
Today it was a lovely center hall Colonial, generally well-presented (but not by a … (22 comments)
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nestings: Target Shooting: Going After Big Game (This one's for you, Melissa!)
- 01/07/10 04:17 AM
It's that time of year, folks, and I'm going after big game. My target? Top Realtors in Fairfield and New Haven Counties. In anticipation of the annual real estate awards cycle, I have loaded up on my supplies:
Note cards Stamps New black ink pens My physical training routine involves stepping up my carpel tunnel syndrome therapy. Now I just lie in wait for the newspapers which will carry full-page advertisements from the various local real estate companies, congratulating their top performing real estate agents. I will send them a short … (9 comments)
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nestings: How to Earn Ds and Fs: Let a Professional Stager Tutor You!
- 12/16/09 05:40 AM
Listing a house: It's like sending a child off to school. You hope they've received the right preparation and developed excellent study habits so they will earn straight A+s, go to an Ivy League School, and successfully pursue the career of their dreams. If they need help along the way, you'd get them a tutor, wouldn't you?
You're so proud of your new listing. You've given the Sellers checklists of things they need to do: repaint the kids' bedrooms; power wash the deck; farm out the pets. You're now ready for the MLS photos because the house is clean and neat as … (43 comments)
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nestings: Staging Props: Too Good to Eat
- 11/17/09 05:34 AM
"Proudly Made in the USA", Bard International (www.bardintl.com) provides many yummy-looking faux foods, as well as decorative items.
We've had discussions before about faux foods. Some Stagers really pull out all the stops, while others (like me) might just use a basket of artichokes or apples. I've come to the conclusion that some of these differences are just regional.
However, for those who are looking for a resource, try Bard. I can practically smell the popcorn (great for home theaters)...not sure what kind of message a spilled martini would send, though!
(photo courtesy of Bard International)
Happy Staging! Julie
… (2 comments)
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nestings: Staging: Beware a Designer's Point of View
- 11/16/09 08:54 AM
There was another syndicated article in our local paper, the Connecticut Post, on Staging: "The Art of Home Staging" by an ASID Designer, Rosemary Sadez Friedmann. Friedmann is located in Naples, Florida and is a prolific writer; I could not find a website for her but most of her writing appears to be concerning decorating-not Staging.
The author did bring up several good points, such as using neutral paint colors and having the home meticulously cleaned. Again, I don't know if Friedmann has any Staging experience, but some of her lines tell me she doesn't:
"The idea behind staging is to … (19 comments)
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nestings: CT Stager attends StagersList.com Staging Expo
- 11/15/09 07:28 AM
Let me tell you all, this was no ordinary "Expo"! Oh no, this was more like an old-time Revival Tent Meeting! An event where one could go and meet - and even touch - the Stars of Staging! And yes, get Religion too!!!
How can I possibly describe the many talents that were present last Thursday, Nov. 12, at the lovely NJ Churchill Rental location? I believe over 100 attended this Expo sponsored by StagersList.com! So many old and new friends were there.
How can I describe my extreme delight to meet, IN PERSON, such AR luminaries as Terrylynn Fisher, Chris … (9 comments)
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nestings: Eco Living Style On The Web
- 08/16/08 05:54 AM
On my last model home project, I was asked to keep "green" in mind. It was difficult due to the low budget, but I managed to find some items made of sustainable wood, recyled rubber, etc. - I even purchased used books (now, that's recycling!)! It's hard to find cost-friendly earth-friendly items, other than used furniture! So I'm pleased to share this resource with my Staging friends:
One of my favorite green decor resources is the Viva Terra catalog: www.vivaterra.com. Recycled glass, metal, and plastics go into good-looking wine glasses, sculpture and outdoor rugs. You can find inspirational pieces such as these … (10 comments)
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nestings: Home Staging: "Decorating For Dollars" ???
- 08/11/08 08:05 AM
The "Decorating For Dollars" article, written Elizabeth Razzi (a real estate columnist for the Washington Post) caught my eye this Sunday morning. It was in our local paper, Connecticut Post, in the real estate section. I'm a little peeved that our paper ran the article like a news story, when it's really an opinion. Here's the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/26/AR2008072600013.html
As a real estate expert, she doesn't know what professional Staging is really all about. This is what she wrote:
"I'm still not convinced most buyers need to spend their money on a stager's advice." (Huh? Isn't the seller/Realtor spending the money? She … (6 comments)
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nestings: So You Want To Go GREEN? Go Green The Original Way!
- 08/05/08 09:15 AM
So GREEN is the new black...even major catalogs such as Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma Home are featuring "green" furnishings, with reclaimed or sustainable wood sources, organic cottons, and recycled materials. Wait, did I just say "recycled"?
Want to go GREEN the original way? RECYCLE! This is more than the newspaper/plastic/metal cans routine we do once a week. Look for recycled furniture! The easiest sources are estate sales, consignment shops, and antique stores.
There are many local antique galleries, one of which is Stratford Antiques Center, located in Stratford, CT: www.stratfordantique.com. With 200 dealers on 16,500 square feet, there is a lot … (11 comments)
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nestings: Undercover Accessorizing for Home Staging
- 07/23/08 02:51 AM
They used to be $1.00 a piece - now they're about $2.50, but still a great deal! Hardcover books from Goodwill are an inexpensive way to meaningfully accessorize a bookshelf.
I usually look for classics or popular novels that don't have words like "Angel" or "Devil" in the title. Remove the covers - be sure the bindings are neutral or useful colors such as black, tan, even red.
It's good if they're the same height. However, big picture or coffee table books can add some drama.
If you can't find the "right" books, just buy what they have - and … (29 comments)
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nestings: Sometimes You Have to Make a Bold Choice!
- 07/18/08 08:06 AM
Often I am fortunate to work with builders that accept my expertise and trust my judgement. Nestings just finished staging the new Model unit for Renaissance on the Thames, a seven-story luxury condominium high-rise on the river in Norwich, Connecticut. It's all about the view here, folks! It's truly stunning and evokes a fabulous lifestyle whether your tastes run to the glam or the earthy. This was my project - and the first big decision was: "What color should I select that will give the Model a "Wow!" factor, and highlight the view?" It had to be bold, and it had … (13 comments)
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Need some budget-friendly room design? Don't know what to do with a difficult or awkward space?
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