salazar staging: EVEN LITTLE MODEST HOMES BENEFIT FROM STAGING - 08/21/10 02:36 PM
Recently, we staged a small, vacant home that has been on the market for a year and a half.  The owner called us in because she realized she needed to do something different.  She'd already reduced her price 3 times and did not want to do it again.  So, we gave her tons of suggestions and then returned to stage some of the rooms.
The master bedroom lacked any type of appeal - was basically a white box with 2 narrow windows.  Staging with fun drapes and bedding, turned this bedroom into an inviting space.
 
 

Living Room Before - the … (14 comments)

salazar staging: Testimonials Tell the Truth - 07/09/10 11:33 AM
 With the chaotic state of our economy, it is important to invest in tried and true marketing tools when selling homes.    At Salazar Staging, we continue to help move home after home with the use of  a consultation.   This is a great marketing tool for home sellers/agents and builders.  All can benefit from our various services, but the single least expensive, most impactful tool is the CONSULTATION. 
We offer a curb to curb analysis of the property and then put together a 6 page written report chock full of suggestions and advice for getting that property looking its' very best.  This advice … (4 comments)

salazar staging: CUSTOM DESIGN HOME - NEW BRAUNFELS, TX -HILL COUNTRY - 06/30/10 07:46 AM
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salazar staging: RUGS - IMPORTANT for WOW - 05/16/10 07:36 AM
I've been using rugs in my stagings from the beginning, and I see a lot of staging that doesn't include this.  I think it makes a world of difference in so many settings.  What is your opinion on rug use?  Do you think rooms need this?  I would love to see your rugs  ~  Here are a few of mine,
While these concrete floors may be attractive, they need the warmth of a rug.

 
In extra large rooms, rugs define spaces.  This large bedroom needed a rug to tether the bed setting

 
 

 
 
 
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salazar staging: SMALL KITCHEN GETS BIG CHANGES - 05/10/10 06:09 AM
I recently did some rooms in a beautiful lake house.  The footprint could not be changed, and no structural changes were possible.  So we did the most we think we could have for these dream clients.  This couple were the clients we designers wish and hope for - they accepted every single suggestion and let me have almost full autonomy.  The project moved swiftly and smoothly because they even bought a camper to live in while we were doing all the renovations.  I will be sending other rooms when they are completed (waiting on window treatments).
But here is the little … (19 comments)

salazar staging: Accent Walls - Do you like them? - 04/26/10 06:54 AM
I recently redesigned a bedroom that was very dark and uninviting.  We painted over their previous booger green walls and although the room looked bigger, it was still prettty blah.  I decided to include an accent wall to give some type of focus to this generic bedroom.


We also took the original mirror over the bed, and painted it the charcoal of the accent wall.  Then we hung it on the opposite white wall so it stood out and also tied the accent wall in.
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salazar staging: HOME OFFICE - Good Selling Point - 04/23/10 01:56 AM
We run into a lot of homeowners with rooms they have deemed the 'storage room' or 'the kids' play room', etc.  As more people are working out of their homes, we feel a home office is an excellent selling point.
Here we have taken a room full of toys and converted  - from spare rooms to rare rooms!  (photo by Salazar Staging)


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salazar staging: BLACK for PUNCH! - 01/18/10 03:12 AM
I like to inject some personality and color into my stagings.  In this home, the existing furniture and bedding was ho hum and this created a blah sort of presentation.  Salazar Staging brought in black and some red to punch up the look.
Here is the bedroom before we staged:  Not bad - just a little dated

Introducing BLACK into the mix
 
The bathroom was 'okay' but needed something
BEFORE

So we brought in a little more black

Mel
 
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salazar staging: LAKE FRONT PROPERTY ON LAKE MCQUEENY -238 Admiral Benbow - 12/06/09 03:59 AM
This charming 2 bd/2bth home has 100 yards of lake front on the NON-LILY pad side of the lake.  It is full of upgrades and is staged by Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors (www.salazarstaging.com)
$430,000 # STORIES: One               BEDROOMS:2BATHS: 1 ½ TOTAL SQFT: 1344YEAR BUILT: 2009
Want to see inside? For slideshow:    238 Admiral


 
Contact: Hunter Croan  - Keller Williams Realty Direct (830)221-6969 Fax (866)723-8022

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salazar staging: WHEN UPGRADES ARE HIDDEN - 11/07/09 07:46 AM
A couple of weeks ago we staged a small lake house where the owners had done all sorts of expensive upgrades.  The home was so cluttered though, you could barely make them out.  The only way upgrades are appreciated is if they're visible!
Here are a few:
A kitchen full of granite and great cabinets - who knew?

Once we decluttered and cleaned up, the beautiful counters and cabinetry shined!



Can you find the great pedestal sink?

Decluttered -Look how pretty!  And now you can notice the hardware and the mirror.

Great Granite Wetbar - … (9 comments)

salazar staging: CHANGING OUT THE SINK - INEXPENSIVE & DRAMATIC CHANGE - 10/28/09 09:32 AM
We recently consulted with some clients that had a very challenging master bath.  For some reason, when they were refurbishing this house, they were limited in that they were not allowed to change the footprint of the existing house.  So since they couldn't build out, this 1/2 bath is the master, like it or not since it was in the master bedroom. 
They decided to dress up this space by using an expensive, oversized sink.  I told them they should take their sink with them to their next home and trade it out for a simple, clean lined, clear sink.
I … (12 comments)

salazar staging: STAGING THAT DEALS WITH BABY WORLD - 10/28/09 04:46 AM
This is a staging we did for a young couple with a baby (can you tell?).  As we stagers run into a lot, baby stuff can swallow a house so well, buyers who don't have children can't see past this to envision themselves in the home.  The property is located on a lake where many homes are second homes.   So in order to appeal to this market, it was important to reduce the BABY LIVES HERE tell tale signs.   We did leave the baby's nursery intact, so that we don't completely rule out families with babies.  We think we did a good … (7 comments)

salazar staging: BRING ON THE COLOR AND WARMTH - 09/02/09 07:00 AM
Here we have staged a home in San Antonio for a builder who wanted color and personality in his multi room staging.  Hope you like these.


 





 




 
 




 


All pictures belong to Salazar Staging - please visit our website at www.salazarstaging.com
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salazar staging: VINTAGE OAKS HOME SITS FOR TWO YEARS - SELLS 3 WEEKS AFTER STAGING - 08/02/09 07:21 AM
Sometimes, everything falls into place.  Salazar Staging was contacted by an agent who had just taken over a new construction property.  The builder had had it sitting empty on the market for 834 days at that point.  We sent a proposal and got a response that they would like to stage, but not until a little later in the month after they closed on another property.  We offered to defer the rental fees on the inventory for one month in order that they get the house staged in time for the 4th of July traffic.  They accepted this and we staged on the … (6 comments)

salazar staging: TARGET YOUR MARKET! MAKE YOUR PROPERTIES LOOK THE WAY THEY SHOULD - 06/17/09 03:01 AM
 
We've all seen it before - Properties that, due to furnishing or lack thereof, are missing their target audience.  If a house was built to house a family, then it is a FAMILY HOUSE and that is the market that must be targetted.    Here are a couple examples of staging to reach the correct homebuyers.
This home office  is in a 4 bedroom, 3500 sq ft home that the builders were working out of.  For a year they did not take advantage of this beautiful room.  We understand builders sometimes need to work out of their listed properties, but … (6 comments)

salazar staging: STAGED PROPERTY SELLS IN 42 DAYS - 06/13/09 09:35 AM
This is a perfect example of the success of staging.  These clients brought in Salazar Staging because they wanted advice.  They followed our suggestions for some fresh paint (see if you can find it) and then had us come in and stage a majority of the rooms.  They allowed us to move out almost all of their furniture and bring in new arrangements that highlighted this family home.  Staging helped target their market (families) and get away from the bare bones appeal that has such a limited audience.
The home sold in 42 days, despite the fact that there were (and still are) … (14 comments)

salazar staging: VIRTUAL TOUR 274 PAINTBRUSH PATH - MELODY SALAZAR'S CUSTOM HOME -NEW BRAUNFELS, TX - 05/28/09 10:02 AM
Announcing a 4400 sq ft, custom, rustic and elegant home in New Braunfels, TX, located on the Austin/San Antonio corridor (IH35), this is an excellent location for best of both worlds.  Live on the peaceful banks of the Guadalupe River, but have a short commute to either of 2 large metropolitan areas (2.3 miles to IH35).   This little gem of a town is tucked in around beautiful lakes and rivers.  The home was designed by Mel of Salazar Staging & Custom design (www.salazarstaging.com)
This home is situated in the small, intimate, gated development of River Forest.  With only 55 sites, all … (8 comments)

salazar staging: FANTASTIC TOOL FOR SHOWING PAINT COLORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 05/28/09 03:34 AM
In my ongoing effort to help homeowners see the value of painting, I was very happy to come across Sherwin Williams online color tools.  Their website offers a great and easy way to show clients what a huge difference paint can make.  You can select an unpainted room, like this living room.  THen all you have to do is select paint colors.  You can drag the color(s) to the walls/trim and accent pieces.
BEFORE ANY PAINT: 
Here is the same room painted a solid color:

Or you can show multiple colors:

Or even just an accent wall:

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salazar staging: A CLIENT SAYS THANK YOU! - 05/12/09 07:04 AM
Every once in a while, someone wonderful takes a moment to share a positive experience.  I loved reading this blog (below) and it came as a complete surprise from Sheila Moran, an agent I had consulted with on her own personal home.  She needed some direction on two of her rooms.  I had fun coming up with ideas and suggestins because she was open to fun and bold updates.  Her rooms turned out great and reflect her personality.  So important. 
Thank you Sheila for your kind words!
Melody Salazar
HOW MELODY SALAZAR HELPED ME TRANSFORM MY HOME!!!!

Fellow AR stager, Melody … (4 comments)

salazar staging: DEFINE YOUR LARGE SPACES - 04/28/09 06:22 AM
SALAZAR STAGING & Custom Interiors was recently asked to stage a beautiful new construction.  The finish materials were beautiful, but the monotone of the colors did not highlight these great details.  Additionally, the living space was one very large room that needed to be 'divided and conquered'. 
First off, we decided to bring in a lot of color that worked to accent the neutral tones AND coordinate with the fantastic view of trees out the large window bank.

 

 

Next - we used large area rugs to define the different parts of the room
Before - the … (13 comments)