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AN EMERGNECY ROOM... Can I stage it?

By Todd McAllister

Home Stager with On Stage home staging and redesign co. Portland, OR.

June 23, 2009 05:46 AM

It seems no matter how things are going in the market, you always need a little downtime to recharge your battery. I know from first hand experience. When starting my business like so many other agents and stagers, I worked myself to death. For the first almost two years, I worked 7 days a week with an average day lasting 12 hours. I was staging projects until 2 am and not sleeping. To all newbies.. I do not recommend this. I ran my body down so low that I ended up in an emergency room. Getting pumped full of fluids and sleeping pills and told to take some time off. Who would set the houses? Answer the phone? Pay the bills? I guess at that point you need to stop and reflect on life. No matter how much you love your job, listen to your body and take care of it. BTW: The bright light is actually the sun.....

The photo below is of my little weekend getaway. I try to go up on most weekends and work on projects. No cell phones, no tv. Just a river, friends, great food and cocktails. SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY LIFE.

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Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

It's adorable. I love it. It looks like a storybook house and I bet without the distractions it can really be paradise!

Jun 23, 2009 06:03 AM

Todd McAllister

On Stage home staging and redesign co. Portland, OR. - Portland, OR

Sharon: We bought the "fixer in the forest". It needed everything. It was vacant for over 6 years, and in a wet environment, you can imagine what it smelled like inside....I would not change the experience for anything..

Jun 23, 2009 06:19 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

It looks like a lovely little cottage. What a perfect get-away, Todd. Enjoy those much deserved weekends.

Kathy

Jun 23, 2009 09:05 AM

I think that even if you do not have a "get-away", everyone needs to spend time on themselves. This industry is physically demanding and we are worth our weight in GOLD! We say that this house "found us"

Jun 23, 2009 09:30 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Todd, You little get-away is charming. Where is it, I'm an ex-Salemite. YES turning it off and getting some non-drug induced sleep is VERY impt!

Jun 23, 2009 09:47 AM

Ginger: It is located in the Coast Range 62 miles from Portland, 42 miles from Astoria. It is in the area of Mist, Vernonia, Jewell (not far from the Elk Reserve).

Jun 23, 2009 09:51 AM

Margaret Oscilia

Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR

Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Okay Todd - now I know where to find you on the weekends! Do you even have cell reception there? You're right -- while we love our jobs and get great satisfaction and joy - there must be balance - friends, family and other things in our lives as well!

Jun 23, 2009 01:17 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

What a cozy-looking getaway Todd! You are so right that we have to renew ourselves especially since our jobs are physically demanding. There's no point in getting all run down because then you're no good to anyone. In the busy season though it's sometimes hard to remember this!!

Jun 23, 2009 01:29 PM

Peg Prather

Vancouver, WA

I'm so glad you survived your first few years, and didn't succumb to the staging "disease"of working too hard! It is a physically and emotionally demanding job. Your get-away looks like the perfect place to unwind and recharge. Smart man!

Jun 23, 2009 04:42 PM

Kate Hart

Hart & Associates Staging and Design - Radnor, PA

it is absolutely lovely- I would be tempted to never come back to reality! you are right- part of making a successful business is taking time for yourself too!

Jun 24, 2009 12:18 AM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

It sounds like you know when to recharge the batteries, good for you, love the weekend getaway you will have to share how it is staged with a peek inside.

Jun 24, 2009 12:45 AM

Karen Dembsky

Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA

Atlanta Home Staging

featured: http://activerain.com/groups/RealWorldHomeStaging

thx for sharing!!! We do often need to slow down and get a grip!

Jun 24, 2009 12:46 AM

Margaret: One of the biggest deal clincher was that there in NO CELL COVERAGE.. You are right, you will find me up there most weekends.

Maureen: I never want to go back to the hospital again.... It was a hard lesson to learn.

Peg: This is the BEST thing we have ever done. No matter what type of business yo are in, stop and re-charge. My father and mother were work-a-holics.. My father has passed, but my mother still runs strong. It is a place for her as well.....

Kate: Trust me... I drive up there as fast as possible, then drive home with a pit in my stomach everytime.

Mary: OK.. I will not lie... I have been acused of having it staged within-in an inch of its' life. I will take some photos in the future. It has taken a lot of time and $$$$ to get it to this point. One project at a time....

Karen: I know you have some beautiful areas in your part of the country... Stop and relax in one of them.... Savannah is beautiful....

Jun 24, 2009 04:16 AM

Kimberley Hawley

Hawley Interiors & Staging - Caledon, ON

Hawley Interiors & Staging

You gotta take care of number one Todd. I know I've over worked myself and it's my kids and husband (not the emergency room) that insist I slow down. I have made a promise not to work Sundays anymore and try really hard not to work Saturdays.

Love the get-away. When do we get to see inside?

Jun 24, 2009 07:14 AM

Kim: I will take photos soon....

Jun 24, 2009 07:54 AM

If you can't get pics and invite would do :) Just a hop kip and a jump from Toronto

Jun 26, 2009 01:05 AM

Kim: Those would be some big steps.skips and jumps... Maybe you could use a sumbarine too...

Jun 26, 2009 04:52 AM

AN EMERGNECY ROOM... Can I stage it?

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