Stagers have a weakness for rooms.
We can't resist tweaking a room no matter where we see it.
So, here's my invitation to post a photo of a room in your comment.
It can be one you think is perfect.
OR
It can be one you think needs help.
Come one come all and let's see what happens!
Love those dining rooms :
Oops, unable to upload at this time!!!
Royce Vanderpool, REOS, Broker
Hi Janice -- how fun! Please -- go ahead with this dining room. I think chandelier needs replacing; wallpaper must go. What about the chair rails? Color? Leave china cabinet but remove extra chair and bookcase? What kind of light fixture would you choose? Dining room is open to the living room (behind camera) large window to left of table looks into front yard and neighborhood street; doorway to right leads to kitchen
Go for it!! 
Lottie, the 1980's rock! Let's see ... the wallpaper should go; the chandelier should be replaced 
and the number of arms depends on the size of the room; Neutral paint will allow the buyer to bring in any color of furnishings; the chair rail is optional depending on the rest of the house and it could have a widening effect on the room, once the wallpaper is gone it will have a more modern feel; the bookcase definitely goes; clear the top of the cabinet and decrease the contents to make it more decorative than storage; if the table has a leaf, remove it which may require only 4 chairs; recover the chair seats (they appear to match the wallpaper) in a more up to date color and finally set the table with mats, dinner plates, bowl, cloth napkins and wine glasses for the photos and open houses. Don't forget a center piece ;). Lottie you may need to look at the window treatments too depending on what is there.
Any other ideas from my fellow stagers?
Hi Janice -- boy, are you spot on! That dining room reeks of the 1980's. Like your suggestion of the type of chandelier, and your're right, new window treatments will be needed as well. I've bookmarked your post to see what other pictures appear and read other comments.
I'm a subscriber!
Thanks Lottie! I'm hoping to get more rooms from other Realtors as well ;).
Janice - excellent idea and am looking forward to seeing more uploaded photos!!! BTW good job on the dining room.
Hi Janice - great idea. I think adding a nice modern mirror with a dark frame on the wall where the pictures are now will add more light into the room since there is a window on the opposite side. I like the chair rail and think the wall on top of chair rail should be painted a lighter nuetral color and the bottom a shade or two darker just to add some contrast and a modern feel.
Great advice on the dining room, nothing to add on that one. I hope you get more photos. This is a great idea for a post.
Janice, I can't believe that I'm the ony Realtor who sent a picture. You have a great idea. I'd like to re-blog, but that's not an option since it's a 'member only' post. Are you a Rainmaker? Can you remove the 'member only' status? If so, let me know and I'll happily reblog--the more eyes that see this, the better.
If you want me to send a picture/pictures of another room, say the word!
Lottie I will take off the members only. If you want me to look at another room by all means post one.
Hi, Janice . . .hey, I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity since we will be selling this place in a few years. Please ignore the rug standing in the corner . . .I'm too afraid to move it by myself . . .might send it through the window and that old glass is pricey! We're thinking of painting the room . . .got any idea on a rich color that would work with the original light, woodwork and the area rug AND be non-offensive to buyers!
Valerie welcome! We'll change your room into selling mode. Let's have a look ;).
You have a lot of dark wood in this room. It looks like you don't get much natural light from the windows but that may be the time/day you shot this photo.
Let's start by painting the radiator the same color as the wall to help it disappear. Remove the armchair and the Windsor back chairs. I would also remove the tall cabinet on the left wall and move the buffet there. Hopefully you will have found a new home for the extra carpet by then :).
For the walls, pick a light neutral from your carpet. I think greens go well with wood but apple green is not for everyone. The color scheme on this floor should flow from one room to another. Look at your living room furniture and artwork to choose accent colors for some drama.
Although the carpet is nice, your furniture might pop more and the room might appear brighter with a light neutral carpet. This is also an opportunity to give the room a more modern edge to appeal to more tastes.
Instead of the prints try a large mirror. This will help show off the light fixture and bounce light around the room. Your prints could be used on either side of the large window or over the buffet on the left wall. Right now you are losing the light in all the things on the back wall. Keep the frame of the mirror very simple. We want the original light to be the focus.
Bring in punches of color in accents. Color on the chair seats, flowers as a center piece on the table, Glass candle sticks to add sparkle. Use accents with color, sparkle and texture. Keep the accents on the buffet, table and window ledge simple and contrasting to the wood so that they pop rather than disappear into the dark wood.
For the photos, set the table with mats, dinner plates, bowls on top, napkins and wine glasses.
That table would look fabulous with upholstered slipper chair style chairs. You could pick a light neutral or a dramatic color from your color scheme.
Adding modern touches would broaden the room's appeal. You don't want to just appeal to buyers who love that period.
Here are some shots from a client.
Thanks, Janice . . .some great ideas! I was thinking of modernizing just a little. Can't get too crazy as the house is in an area of historic homes and, chances are, most buyers will want the original dark woodwork . . . I will let them decide whether to paint it! You are totally right on the light . . .very big eaves. I like the mirror idea and I was thinking some larger more colorful paintings. The cabinet on the left and the carpet are leaving as we speak! Thanks for the help!
Valarie, I would leave the dark trim wood as well. It is part of that period charm and can still work with a more modern look. By adding modern accents in artwork, lamps, furniture and area rugs you can blend the old with the new and give the house a wider appeal. Traditionalist and contemporary buyers should be able to see their lifestyle fitting into your home.
I just love working on turn of the century homes! I've consulted on 3 of them with a Milton agent in Old Milton. Some were very period and one was more modern in decor. They both work. If you show buyers the house will work for them I think you will be SOLD LOL.
This turn of the century semi needed extensive restoration so the wood was painted.
Comments(20)