portland or: Staging Horror Stories
- 09/18/09 03:48 AM
We’ve all had them, right? That moment when your creative process comes to a screeching halt. Something goes terribly wrong, and you suddenly find yourself doing something totally unexpected. Here’s one for ya... I visited my client for the initial consultation and instantly noticed that all of her beautiful hardwood floors were covered by custom rugs. I mean completely covered, so that the entry, hallway, kitchen, and dining room looked almost like wall-to-wall carpet. They were very nice, but taste specific, and I thought they made things a bit busy. Afterall, buyers love hardwoods, right, and these must be pristine since … (5 comments)
portland or: The Frill is Gone
- 04/07/09 02:51 PM
I just loved this article in The Oregonian last Thursday by Larry Bingham. It's a funny, poignant perspective on the values shift resulting from the economy and state of our planet. Some is specific to Portland, but most is applicable anywhere. Had to share...
Habits may be hard to break but the troubled economy is making us all examine our spending patterns. With layoffs and furloughs in seemingly every industry, who hasn't had to cut something? Some would even say good riddance to our age of excess. Here's a light look at how life in the Northwest is shaking out … (9 comments)
Portland truly is one of the greenest cities around, and now local stagers are helping to get the word out.
This week, I attended the first Live Green Live Smart Certified Professional training in Oregon thanks to Mary DeBella and Joanne O’Donnell. Now, after just one day (and some pending homework) I am a certified professional.
It was such a great experience to spend the day with other expert stagers and discuss a topic that is so important to our world and our businesses.
I looking forward to incorporating the ideas I learned into … (4 comments)
portland or: New Life for Old Athletic Shoes
- 02/18/09 04:18 AM
When you start your spring cleaning, don’t trash those old athletic shoes or drop of at Goodwill with everything else. Nike has a program that reuses the old materials from any brand of athletic shoe. Through their ReUSE-A-SHOE program, Nike creates a product called Nike Grind. This recycled material is then used to make sport surfaces and consumer products like new shoes and athletic mats. This is a great example of a company thinking about what happens to their products at the end of the life cycle, and creating a new life for the materials. For more information about the … (8 comments)
portland or: Survivor Auditions Today in Portland!
- 01/21/09 05:24 AM
Ever wanted to try out for the show, well now’s your chance. CBS is holding open casting call auditions at Standard TV & Appliance in Beaverton today, Wednesday January 21, from 4:00pm-8:00pm.
Click on the link below for the application, directions and more information.
Be sure to read the details on this page for how to prepare.
Good luck and please post a comment if you go. I’m a big Survivor fan!
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Upstage, LLC creates possibilities for real estate in the Portland Metro Area of Oregon. We use our expertise and … (0 comments)
portland or: Street of Dreams Gets a Makeover: Greener and Smaller
- 11/18/08 03:44 AM
I have to admit that I’m very pleased to read a recent article about changes taking place for the 2009 Street of Dreams show. While this is a wonderful event, with excellent design it has gotten a bit too lavish and ostentatious for my liking. This show sets the standard and direction for much of the industry, and really, who needs a 7000 square foot house? I have a hard enough time keeping my 2300 square feet clean. :) The 2009 dream homes will certainly prove to be “idea houses.” The focus for this year has shifted from one … (2 comments)
portland or: Can’t Sell Your House? Expert Advice
- 10/16/08 04:27 AM
Jean Chatzky, Financial Editor of the Today Show, gave advice to a home owner today who was having trouble selling their Virginia home. Here’s the advice she gave: Check the price and reduce if make sense Stage it to make sure it looks better than any other house in the neighborhood Rent as an alternative to help balance your budget Throw in some freebies for the buyer/broker Seems simple enough. Here’s the link to text version (3rd question down) and video of the complete interview: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27198870/
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Upstage, LLC creates possibilities for real estate in the Portland … (7 comments)
MLS#8096946 Meticulously maintained. Gorgeous paint colors and fabulous cabinetry and built-ins.
MLS#8097235 Don’t be fooled by the outside, this one is truly a diamond. The recent remodel more than brought this up to date. It was done with exquisite taste and attention to detail.
MLS#8096115 This is another remodel that delivers more that expected. The floor plan is updated and current with great finish work. And the basement…wow.
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portland or: Pride of Ownership
- 10/07/08 05:55 AM
I just finished the grueling task of pressure washing my driveway. In about hour 10 of the project (over the course of the month of September), I wondered why I was doing it at all. Then I thought about a home I toured earlier that week, and how well maintained it is. Then the light bulb went off…that darned phrase “pride of ownership”. When I moved into my home, it was dolled up for sale, and showed as really clean. I knew that I would eventually make some changes, but nothing needed repair immediately, so we bought it. After living … (5 comments)
portland or: The Used Car Story
- 10/02/08 06:10 AM
There must be hundreds of used car analogies out there, but here’s one that may be new. It’s my little analogy about cars and homes. Ask yourself this question: would you try to sell your car the way it looks right now? Do I hear the resounding Nos? Me neither. Just for fun, make a quick list of what you would do before putting your car up for sale. Here’s mine: Remove all personal items Discard trash Vacuum mats, floor boards, and seats Dust dashboard Remove coffee stains from carpet (they’re on the passenger side, I never see them!) Wash exterior … (5 comments)
portland or: Marketing During the Slow Times
- 09/20/08 09:15 AM
I worked in corporate marketing for 10 years before starting my staging business. It always surprised me how companies would cut (sometimes even freeze) their marketing budgets when business was down. Every good marketer knows that this is a bad choice. Here’s why… It takes a great effort to marketing and brand products. Like building any business, the most effort is needed in the beginning. Before you know it, there’s a momentum that will sustain the business. There will always be ups and downs and marketing tactics should change, but marketing should remain a constant activity. Otherwise when the market … (5 comments)
We’ve all had them, right? That moment when your creative process comes to a screeching halt. Something goes terribly wrong, and you suddenly find yourself doing something totally unexpected. Here’s one for ya...
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