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A RIDDLE, the color RED, and a quick REMODEL!

By
Home Stager with Home Staging Online Services

I was called in by my Realtor, to help a condo which had been on the market for MONTHS!  The owner had moved out, but rented the condo, furniture and all.  I called the seller to see what she was willing to do. Her answer was "whatever it takes".  I LOVE these clients!  I previewed the property and came up with a plan.

First, the RIDDLE:

When is a cookbook NOT a cookbook?

The answer?

When it's wallpaper!

wallpaper

This wallpaper was used as the backsplash in the kitchen!  Convenient? Yes! Everyone's taste? Definitely not!

 

Next? The color RED!

I love a red accent wall as much as the next person. But, it doesn't work in every home. A small space like a condo will appear larger if you stick to one color for all the walls.  And when the home has a fabulous feature like a fireplace, sometimes the red can be distracting. 

Here is what I mean:

fireplace before

 

Now, the fireplace POPS!

fireplace after

I prefer to accent a staging with splashes of red, but not enough to be overwhelming!

The living space before:

living room before

Just a few changes:

living room after

 

The client agreed to have the whole condo painted, including the ceiling which was painted a dark tan and added to the cave-like feel of the space.  She offered to put in new carpet, but saved a bunch of money by having it cleaned instead.  Remember, there are still renters in the condo, so I advised against putting in new carpet for that reason.  After the cleaning (the cost was just over $100) the carpet looked fabulous!

Now, the REMODEL:

I thought her money was better spent by updating the two light fixtures in the vanity area of the bathroom:

bathroom before

 For a total of $100, we went from 1980.....

bathroom after

.....to 2009!

I agreed to add a few staging items, even though the condo was occupied.  Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make a huge difference:

bedroom before

 

bedroom after

I think you'll agree that paint, some inexpensive lighting, and a few strategically placed accessories can make a world of difference! Here are a few more "after" shots:

kitchen

living room

bedroom access to balcony

 

Stagers can be invaluable to out-of-town sellers.  My services included hiring the painter and carpet cleaners, shopping for the light fixtures, adding accessories, and providing new photos to the Realtor.

 

Thanks for letting me share this enjoyable project! Need a good recipe for chicken soup?

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Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Elaine, I missed you!  Were the recipes real?  Any good ones?  This is a great post and it shows just how much can be accomplished if you have the right professional to help you.  The first thing I noticed in the "living space before" photo was the bar stool at the end of the counter.  Moving it made a big difference.  The fireplace is so much richer without the red wall.  Wonderful transformation!

May 19, 2009 09:55 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Sharon! This was a month-long project, but I had SO much fun! Yes, the recipes were real! They included all-time favorites like chocolate chip cookies, mac and cheese, tuna casserole, and apple pie!

May 19, 2009 10:06 AM
Peg Prather
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver, WA

Elaine; isn't it amazing what just a few changes can make? And yet, without your expertise, this would not have happened. I'm sure a quick sale is just around the corner now.

May 19, 2009 10:55 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Peg- We took care of a few other issues like replacing the water heater, and a door that wasn't fitting right. But, just a few cosmetic changes resulted in a super clean, super sharp unit! I have my fingers crossed for an interested buyer!

May 19, 2009 11:18 AM
Patti Glover
Stage It In A Day! - Moorpark, CA
CISS,RESA, Home Staging, Ventura County CA, Conejo Valley, LA

Elaine,

It looks great and doesn't even appear to be occupied.  I love what you did for the headboard.  Are those 2 pieces?  Maybe Pier 1?

I'm sure this one will sell quickly!

May 19, 2009 11:48 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Interesting idea for wallpaper.  I've some clients that say whatever you say, or whatever it takes.  They get it, and want their home to look it's very best.  Don't you hate those vanity lights?  We are plagued with them too.  Great job!

May 19, 2009 12:27 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Elaine,

It is apparent from the photos and articles you write that you do nice work.

May 19, 2009 12:44 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Patti- Single guy lives there, and he was nice enough to leave the country for three weeks, allowing us plenty of time to get the work done. I hope he enjoys the changes, because he may have to move out soon!  And, good eye! I purchased those two squares at Pier 1 about a year ago. They were marked down and very reasonably priced!

Cindy- Thanks! This was certainly the first recipe wallpaper I had ever seen. I think readable wallpaper would be better in a bathroom. ;)

Thanks, Steve!

May 19, 2009 12:51 PM
Debra Valentine
Designing Details ~ Staging & Design, LLC - Bountiful, UT
Utah Home Staging for, Bountiful, Salt Lake & Surrounding Areas

Elaine: Wow! I'm impressed with the transformation and buyers will be as well. I'll bet this will generate a lot of interest. Question: Do you do the wall paper removal and painting yourself or hire it done?

May 20, 2009 05:01 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Debra- I have a very good painter friend and I referred the job to him. I love to paint, but I am TOO slow! And my friend did it all, including the installation of the new door and the light fixtures!

May 20, 2009 05:33 AM
Donna Schoby
Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Elaine, Great job! I love to see the B&A of owner occupied. The transformation is wonderful. They do take longer when you have a big homework list, but the results are worth it!

May 24, 2009 02:23 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Donna! I do like these better than vacants, and when new paint is involved the change can be dramatic!

May 25, 2009 04:29 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Elaine- I always the love to see the before and after -- and learn from the changes!  I like what you were able to do, and wow! big difference!

May 26, 2009 03:53 AM
Sabrina Kelley
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Woodland Park, CO
Woodland Park Colorado Mountain Homes and Land

You really have talent. You bring a considerable amount of warmth into these spaces. You make it seem effortless and I know it would take me hours.

Sep 23, 2009 11:33 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Sabrina! It sure helps to have a cooperative client and good spaces to work with!

Sep 23, 2009 12:28 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Hi Elaine - Just checking in with you!  Don't think I didn't notice the chicken on the "wallpaper"!  Hope all is well - I'm back!  Julie

Nov 16, 2009 06:00 AM