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Home Staging A Habitat House

By
Home Stager with Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island

What do Home Stagers and a Habitat House Have in Common? 

 

 

 

Well, in this case, the Stagers are designing and furnishing the interior (and exterior!) of a newly-built Habitat house!

 

In an effort to give back to the community, the Central Long Island and the Metro New York chapters of the American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners (ASHSR) are decorating a Habitat house that was just completed in Bay Shore, Long Island.  All 10 ASHSR designers, as well as Feng Shui consultants and a Curb Appeal specialist, are donating their services.  The Long Island Board of Realtors is sponsoring the house itself, which is actually an interesting 'tie-in' since Home Stagers, Feng Shui consultants, and Curb Appeal specialists generally work closely with Realtors when preparing a house for market.
 
CORT Furniture Rental is gifting all of the furniture for the house with the exception of the Dining Table and Chairs which Tiffany Furniture in Farmingdale, NY has generously donated.  Most Home Stagers, here on Long Island, rely on CORT when furniture is needed to furnish a vacant house.
 
The house itself contains 3 small bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and eat-in kitchen.  It was built upon the foundation of another house that had been torn down.  I suppose that would qualify the house as a 'recycled home'.....
 
All of the designers who are working on the project are in the process of soliciting for Walmart, Visa or Master Card gift cards which will be used to purchase household accessories/necessities ( bedding, draperies, towels, and all of the other items that make a 'house' a home).  Everything that is brought into the house, or planted in the yard, will be 'gifted' to the new owner, the Barnes family.
 
Georgia Barnes is a hardworking, single mother of three children - her two oldest children are in their twenties, working and supporting themselves on Long Island.  Georgia has been employed as a dietary aide in a NassauCounty nursing home for the past nine years.  Accoring to her supervisor, "Georgia is extremely reliable, never tardy and is very detail-oriented."  She currently lives in Huntington Station with her twelve-year-old son, Barachel, in the basement apartment of a relative's home.  Though her current living situation has provided Georgia and Barachel with a sense of stability, the apartment is cramped and she has long wished to become a first-time homeowner.  The partnership between her and Habitat is making this wish a reality!
 
ASHSR will host a reception for invited guests and media on Friday, November 6, 2009.  The following day, Saturday November 7th, is "Dedication Day".  The Barnes family will surely be surprised to find that their home is 'move-in ready'!
 
If you are interested in making a contribution towards the household necessities, please contact either myself (516-982-2671) or Les Scheinfeld at HabitatSuffolkCounty (631-924-4966 x105) prior to October 16, 2009.

 

Comments (28)

Aaron Hoffman
Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage - Jacksonville, FL

This is a great idea.  We all should try this is our own communities.

Oct 14, 2009 09:36 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Val, It's such a GREAT project, kudos to you and all the Home Stagers at ASHSR for taking it on!  I was delighted that you invited Laura and I to join you and am really looking forward to seeing the "finished" project!  It is so nice to give back to the community.

Oct 14, 2009 09:41 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Val-congrats on the Feature!  And what a great community project.  It utilizes your skills and brings in various related businesses to work together.  Can't wait for the pics.

Oct 14, 2009 10:20 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Val,

What an inspiring story.  I can imagine how the new homeowner will feel as she opens the door to her very own home, only to find it staged - - to perfection. 

Oct 14, 2009 12:14 PM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Lyn,  I'll share 'before and after' photos after we stage at the end of the month, so please stop back.

Maureen, With Staging you get used to working with what is given and you're never quite sure how it will all come together in the end; this project is much of the same.  I'll write more about the experience as we go along, so stay tuned!

Amy,  It's such a worthwhile project [ good luck with yours!

Vicki,  We're so excited to give the new homeowner this wonderful new start!

Shirin,  As they say, it's better to give than to receive....thanks for stopping by!

Russell, Habitat is such a wonderful program!  Our local (Suffolk County) Habitat has built more than 126 homes and housed more than 485 people!

Melissa, This is, by far, my most challenging 'staging' project to date!  We have to rely on the generosity of others (mostly large corporations) in order to furnish the house and landscape the yard.  I'll write more about that in another post.   Thank you for your kind words about the 'new' photo...I know that I haven't been around AR for some time..

Gene, That's a wonderful idea!  Actually, by no coincidence, oiur local Long Island Board of Realtors sponsored this house way before we came 'on board'....

Aaron, It's a great way to 'give back' AND make a big difference in a family's life!

Carole, We are so honored and happy that you and Laura agreed to work with us on this project and we're ALL looking forward to learning more about YOUR staging techniques!

Geri,  Wow, it's been years!  Are you still on LI?  If so, are you a member of LIBOR?  I would love for you to join us for the Open House Reception on 11/6.  Please let me know.

Oct 14, 2009 02:06 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Val, 

I just loved reading your post- very heart warming and uplifting.  Here in Charlotte, NC, my teenage kids have helped build a local Habitat House, so this program is near and dear to our hearts.  Through our church, I direct a tutoring program for elementary school kids who live in the Habitat neighborhood.  These people are very deserving and worthy.  Best wishes to you on Long Island!

Oct 14, 2009 02:07 PM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Melissa, How wonderful that your teenagers have had the wonderful experience of learning to give and share by helping to build a local Habitat house.  You, too, are making such a big difference in others' lives through your tutoring program. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Oct 14, 2009 02:10 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

What a wonderful cause.  I've called a few times to see if I can get involved with Habitat and staging and they have yet to take me up on my offer.

It's their loss

Oct 14, 2009 03:15 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Val -- What a generous and wonderful thing to do.  This home will knock the socks off of the soon-to-be-owner.

Oct 14, 2009 04:37 PM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Virginia,  I think that what is 'key' is to 'stage' with donated items so that you can leave everything for the new family...not as easy as it seems.  Getting the donations is the hardest part.  If you truly want to do something like this, perhaps you can contact your local Habitat and let them know that such a thing is being done on LI and ask the director to contact Les at Habitat Suffolk County (in NY).  Good luck and I hope that maybe one day soon we'll be reading about your 'adventure' with staging a Habitat house!

Chris,  All of the stagers who are working on this project are so excited to see the family's reaction when they see that their new house is completely 'move-in ready'!  "The gift is in the giving...."

Oct 15, 2009 12:12 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

This is absolutely an incredible gesture on the part of everyone who is making a contribution. Kudos to everyone involved.

FYI - I'm in the process of identifying a homeowner that has suffered a loss due to the flooding we had a couple of weeks ago here in Atlanta. My goal is similar to what you're doing as I'll be seeking donations to complete an entire home for someone in need. I'm excited and anxious.

Last but not least, your comment; "The gift is in the giving..." couldn't be more true.

Great post, great initiative, Val!

Kathy

 

Oct 15, 2009 12:34 AM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

Superb!!!  What a wonderful way to take what we did and kick it up a notch and then some!!  Totally impressed - good luck.  Splendid.  Love the furniture provider twist too.  More on that some other time, privately.

Oct 15, 2009 01:36 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Val,

I am still (as ever) on Long Island and would love to come to the Open House Reception if I can.  If there's another opportunity in the future, I'd love to be involved as well.  What a gratifying project!

Oct 15, 2009 04:06 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Kathy S.,  I can't wait to see the transformation myself!

Kathy N.,  I think that getting the donations and contributions of household furnishings is the most difficult aspect of the project.  I'm really looking forward to having all the stagers put 'their mark' on the house..we have different styles and yet we're a lot alike.  Good luck with YOUR project!

Juliet,  Hasn't this entire project morphed beautifully from a 'showhouse' to benefit Habitat to a Habitat house to benefit the new owner?!  Oh yes, the 'twist'....we WILL discuss that!  I'll call you when this project is complete and we can chat all about it.

Geri,  Consider yourself invited!  19 Harrison Avenue, Bay Shore, NY.  Open House reception for LIBOR members, Realtors and everyone who helped with the project will take place from 2:30-5pm on Friday, 11/6/09.  Hope to see you then!

Oct 15, 2009 07:09 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

Congratulations on a great undertaking.  It is nice to see those who can give back to the community.

Oct 15, 2009 02:44 PM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

What a nice story and a wonderful way to give back.

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth NH

Oct 16, 2009 01:10 PM
Wanda Richards
Shows Great Home Staging and Web Solutions - Roanoke, VA
Shows Great Home Staging

What a great way to give back to the community. Kudos to you!

Oct 16, 2009 11:35 PM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Hey Val I have been wondering how you are doing and if the project was a go ahead.. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE END RESULTS..what a great idea and what a blessing to be able to give back like this. The homeowners are surely blessed, I am sure. Happy Thanksgiving.

Love U Phyllis Pafumi

Nov 22, 2009 09:03 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

They only lots of staging in the right kind of it and what they do matters in the grand scheme.

Apr 12, 2015 04:57 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Phyllis is right on the money here and I wish you the best in all that you do. Love and light as usual!

Apr 12, 2015 04:58 PM