Special offer

Have a Heart for the Holidays!

By
Home Stager with Home Staging Online Services

In a perfect world, we would all have a home full of love. But, there are people who, for whatever reason, have no home. It's not in our power to give them that, but there is something we can do. My staging sister, Nancy, and I redesigned a room in our local women's shelter.

If you think making things pretty is a waste, you are wrong. We know how our environment affects our outlook on life. This shelter represents a haven for women, their children, and even our veterans. That's right. The shelter has a special area reserved for our female veterans. Nancy and I chose one of those rooms. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

 bed 1 before  bed 1 after

 

bed 2 before  bed 2 after

 

bed 3 before  bed 3 after

 

We spent three hours shopping, and less than six hours painting, making beds and placing art. The paint was donated by Kwal. Nancy and I can redesign a room in our sleep, but to others, it seems like a miracle. Think about looking for an opportunity like this in your town. The biggest reward will be yours.

Posted by

Comments (24)

Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Elaine....your surroundings absolutely do make a difference in how you feel and how you react!  GREAT transformations!

Dec 15, 2010 11:33 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I am so excited to see you back!  Hope you will be a regular visitor again.  Love what you did for these women, and I'm sure they loved it too!

Dec 15, 2010 12:12 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Elaine - Isn't it wonderful to put our talents to good use for someone in need?  You did a wonderful job and I'm sure these women are very appreciative! 

Dec 15, 2010 04:00 PM
Leanne Allen
Center Stage, LLC - Burlington, IA

What a lovely, restful haven you've created!  Everyone deserves a special place that feels like home; how kind of you to provide that for someone in need!  Thanks for inspiring us! 

Dec 15, 2010 04:19 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Maureen- Our biggest goal was to warm the room up. It's in the basement of the facility, and we wanted it to feel like there was sunshine, even if there wasn't any. The bedding came from Bed Bath & Beyond, and we got a great price on them. All the beds got new sheets and pillows, too. This was the second room we have done there. I guess it may become an annual project!

Hi Laura! You just never know when and where I'll pop up!

Rhonda- I can't imagine what it's like to have such unsettled lives as these women have, but it's definitely a place of hope.

Steve- Good for you! It's amazing what they have to offer.

Thanks, Kathy! Paint color alone makes a HUGE difference, doesn't it?

Hey Sharon! I'm spread so thin these days, I'm not sure I'm doing anything very well! But, this project felt really good!

Sally- It's just one room, but the way the women come and go, we feel like we are helping many!

Dec 15, 2010 04:36 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thank you, Leanne! That is exactly the result we were going for!

Dec 15, 2010 04:37 PM
Birgit Anich
Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, 203.807.4040 - Norwalk, CT
CT Home Stager Fairfield & New Haven County

Elaine, what a great transformation. You are two special elves with caring hearts and made this a special home and sanctuary to be in peace in. Great job!

Dec 16, 2010 12:04 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Oh so nice in so many ways. Not only was there a physical transformation, you brought so much joy to those in need. Thanks for sharing this with us, Elaine.

Congratulations. Your generous gift is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.

Kathy

Dec 16, 2010 12:51 AM
Diana Young
Staging Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties - Edmonds, WA

Beautiful, Elaine!  Sometimes we forget that what comes easily to us can be such a gift to others.  I'm sure the women will be blessed by spending time in that newly transformed haven.

Dec 16, 2010 01:46 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Birgit! I like the image of elves coming in and fixing the room!

We are honored, Kathy! Thank you so much!

Diana, you are so right about sharing whatever your gift is. I believe a shelter should never be a place of failure, but a place of hope.

Dec 16, 2010 09:42 AM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

You are an inspiration Elaine.  The room turned out beautiful and so much more welcoming.  What a great way to give back to your community. 

Dec 16, 2010 10:40 PM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Thank you for making a difference in your community and for women in their time of need.  A few hours and effort does make a difference.

Dec 17, 2010 03:32 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Michele! I'm already looking forward to next year!

Norma- There are so many women and children who will be spending the holidays in the shelter, but through the efforts of many, it is not such a bad place to be.

Dec 17, 2010 05:21 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

This is a great example of the spirit of Christmas! Beautifully executed and I'm sure greatly appreciated. Kudos to you Elaine!

Dec 17, 2010 04:58 PM
Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging - Rochester Hills, MI
Home Sweet Home Staging, LLC Rochester Hills, MI

Lovely, Big Sis!  Love the bedspreads!  You've got a heart as big as Colorado ... Merry Christmas!

Dec 17, 2010 10:55 PM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Kristine! It was great fun!

Hey Lil Sis! You'd be surprised how hard it is to find three twin size bed sets that don't have Dora the Explorer on them! Merry Christmas to you, too!

Dec 18, 2010 05:27 PM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Elaine,

What an awesome thing to do.  Helping the women at the shelter have a beautiful new space to call their own.  You no doubt have given them hope and lifted their spirits!  That's a priceless gift to give away.  Thank you for sharing your story with us!  God bless you!

Dec 19, 2010 06:12 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Linda! As you can imagine, there are hundreds of women who spend time there, and the rooms need to be kept up.  I was thinking there might be some companies out there that would donate the money but don't have the ability to do the work. That's where stagers come in! I may look into that next year.

Dec 20, 2010 04:38 PM
Cinnamon Wright
Wilmington Real Estate 4U 910.547.1446 - Wrightsville Beach, NC
Assistant to Tish Lloyd

What a beautiful way to make a difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable.  Bless you and your sister for your giving spirits!  And what a GREAT job you did! 

Feb 23, 2011 07:38 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Thanks, Cinnamon! I don't take what I have for granted like I used to.

Feb 25, 2011 11:04 AM