This post is a follow up to several blog posts I wrote a week ago about a staging project we were working on that we had to make a few color changes before we could stage with furniture. The home was vacant and although the colors probably worked well with the previous owner's furniture and accessories, now that the home was vacant, the colors were just too dark and strong for most buyers.
Living Room Before was a dark tan with a golden tone and even the ceiling was painted the same color. The stairwell was a deep burgandy and even the ceiling was painted that color making it feel like a cave as you walked up the stairs.
Living Room After - I selected a softer beige in an eggshell finish and painted the ceiling and trim white. I decided to paint the stairwell and upstairs hallway white to lighten the effects of the darker rooms upstairs that we were not going to paint. We added furniture and accessories and now the space looks "move-in" ready for potential home buyers.
The dining room was painted lipstick red. 
We carried the same beige with white ceilings and trim into the dining room.
I decided to keep the kitchen color and just add some accessories to pull it all together.
As they say on TV..."the owners are expecting an offer any day now".
Ready Set Stage - Greensboro, NC
Gorgeous Wanda, you did a beautiful job and the color really does make a difference. I think sometimes buyers just think, "l'll let the new homeowner do it" But they don't realize if they do it, it shows better, therefore, it sells faster. Great job.
Aug 08, 2009 01:44 AM
Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR
Wanda, A beautiful job indeed! I'm really glad to see the red go. We have so many homes in our area with red dining rooms. I like red but not on the wall for selling. Sometimes in a larger formal dining area it can work. But in smaller rooms it needs to go. You have talent girl!!!
Aug 08, 2009 01:55 AM
Instinctive Staging & Design, LLC - Seattle, WA
Great work Wanda. I'm with you onthe red dining room Donna, Glad to see it go.
Aug 08, 2009 05:01 AM
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA
I would love to live with the red dining area-but to sell it had to be painted. Love the work you did Wanda!
Aug 08, 2009 05:16 AM
Shows Great Home Staging and Web Solutions - Roanoke, VA
Shows Great Home Staging
Thanks for the comments and kind remarks. :)
Chrissie - you are so right, buyers will just move on to the next house if the colors turn them off.
Donna - Yes, red dining rooms are a big thing in our area too. I have had a couple myself.
Janelle - Yes, the red needed to go.
Cathy - I agree. I love bright colors but when I sell, I will need to paint.
Aug 09, 2009 12:25 AM
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Hi Wanda ~ Looks much better repainted and actually from the limited looking I have done for myself, red has been a turn-off. When I see red walls, I don't just think that we would have to repaint, but how MANY coats am I going to have to do to cover that red. Nicely done!
Aug 09, 2009 01:12 AM
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Personally, I have a red accent wall in my dining room, but I agree that the intense color doesn't work for buyers.
Your staging is very effective!
Aug 09, 2009 03:46 AM
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI
Kates Home Staging and Interior Design - Goshen, NY
RESA, Top Orange County Home Decorator & Stager
It looks great, I have to admit that red walls tend to frighten me a little bit. All I can see is the several layers of paint needed to cover up such a dark color. I am sure some potential buyers will think the same and move on to a home that is "move-in" ready. Great color choices.
Aug 09, 2009 06:42 AM
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign
Wanda- great job with the colors. I do love a dark accent wall but not when you're trying to sell a home and not when it's in a very visible area. You can clearly see what a difference color and staging make in the photos.
Aug 09, 2009 06:49 AM
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
Painting the ceiling white made such a difference! The room felt too closed in before! Great job!
Aug 10, 2009 11:49 AM
Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC
Okay..nice work, but I have a technical question...what is the blue light that is seen in several images (#3, #4 & #6)? My eye is immediately drawn to that out of place light, which takes away from the great work you did. Any ideas?
Aug 10, 2009 02:31 PM
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"
We to, have the red dining rooms here, and in certain parts people seem to love them and intentionally paint them red when selling...go figure!
Aug 10, 2009 03:34 PM
New Star Real Estate - Vernal, UT
Vernal Utah Real Estate
Looks great! The neutral wall color is beautiful, and really lets the buyer picture their own furniture in the home- no matter what style or color it might be. You did a great job!
Aug 10, 2009 04:11 PM
Designing Details ~ Staging & Design, LLC - Bountiful, UT
Utah Home Staging for, Bountiful, Salt Lake & Surrounding Areas
Really nice work Wanda! Your color choices for these rooms are terrific. In real-life many of us love color on accent walls, but I'm with Kathy above, if it's not "MY" color choice, I think just HOW MANY coats of paint am I going to have to use?
Aug 11, 2009 03:51 AM
Shows Great Home Staging and Web Solutions - Roanoke, VA
Shows Great Home Staging
Hello Everyone - thanks for the comments. I have been away from AR for a few days and I am trying to catch up this morning.
Kathy - I agree. After painting over so many dark colors in homes that we stage, I would think twice before I bought a home with dark walls. It is different to paint when you are getting paid for it :).
Wendy - I have had a red room in every home I have owned in the past 15 years except for the one I am in now. I have always liked red but it is a little too much when you are selling.
Virginia - Thanks :) We are still waiting on that offer but it is being shown.
Kate - you are so right. Two coats of primer and 1 coat of paint for this home.
Kathy - Thanks. I love color too...but you are right...it does not work when selling.
Sharon - yes, the white opened it up a lot.
Andrew- not sure what the blue light is...except it was late in the day.
Cindy - good point. Different regions have different trends.
Carol - Thanks :). I hope buyers see it that way too.
Debra - Thanks and you are correct. These days people see change needed and see work that they do not have time for.
Thanks again everyone!
Aug 13, 2009 12:41 AM
LG Home Harmony - Home Stagers & Organizers - Montreal, QC
Montreal Quebec RESA member
Although I like the bolder colours, I can see how the great population would be distracted or put off by it.
Nice choice of pieces to complement the style of the home ... it's got the "welcome home", cozy feel to it now.
Aug 13, 2009 09:47 AM
Portland Oregon - Portland, OR
I always tell sellers that I would have to paint my walls too, if I were selling. How you sell is so different from how you live. Nice changes!
Aug 16, 2009 12:55 AM
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