Staging a Storybook Cottage - Before and After Photos

Lorraine -- Thank so much for your comment! It's always fun looking at before and after transformations, isn't it? I can't resist them myself.

Julea -- It's funny you mention my pet peeve, "matchy-matchy" -- something I've always tried to avoid in interior design, but through the years have grown to use more comfortably in real estate staging. I'd rather strive for harmonizing than matching...though that's hard to define too!

To your question: as much as I've loved staging the past five years (and I genuinely have), I've re-examined the costs of an ever-growing inventory --particularly the costs of storing it -- as well as where I want to be professionally in the next few years. For a multitude of reasons, it's a natural time to move on to the next chapter of my design career. I'm excited about the adventure!  Thanks for your comments, Julea!

Thank you also for your kind words, Maria! I've got a lot more pictures to share of other projects -- the trick is matching up the "before" shots with the "after" ones -- they aren't always easy to coordinate! Active Rain is a great forum for photos though, isn't it?

Janice - Thanks for writing! I'd love to be out on that porch right now too -- but it'd be a bit chilly today, with rain (even possible snow!) forecasted. Actually that room was a bit of a head-scratcher at first, because it was originally used as a child's play-room, complete with tumbling mats. It was fun watching the personality of the room transform with staging.

Thanks for your kind words, Char, Maureen, and Wanda! It definitely helps to work with a home that's already filled with character and charm.

Great to hear from you again, Kathy! And congratulations on your much-deserved award! I'm honored to be featured in your group -- thank you so much!

Best of luck in your search for your character-filled home, Michelle -- what an exciting prospect! I'll keep positive thoughts going for you...

Thanks for commenting, Chrissie! More project before and after photos are soon to come...

Great to hear from you again, Allegra! I appreciate your comments, they mean a lot to me!

Tori -- I think the previous renters (from the Before pictures) were more focused on having a home that their little girl could frolic through than having adult space -- almost every room was arranged as a wonderland for her (to include the master bedroom and the porch area below).

Master Bedroom Before Staging

Porch Before Staging

It all depends on what chapter we're living in our lives as to how we furnish our homes -- they were just celebrating the early years with their daughter. Of course that shows all the more need for staging to better define spaces for potential homebuyers. Thanks for your comments!