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Why Has The Idea of Escape Become So Cherished? Creating a Haven

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Professionals MN Broker #40288835

   

                                      bed and breakfast   

                                                            photo by Katiesftbl

 

  Many of us long for the simpler, quieter life amidst the busy frantic pace that we sometimes find ourselves living. We want to connect with nature and our surroundings and our families. What staging ideas do we have for projecting a "Haven" to prospective buyers?

  • Creating a corner reading nook with book and magazine props, a cozy arm chair, soft throw and a footstool

  • Fluffy luxurious thirsty towels, candles and flowers in a bathroom

  • A game set up to play, a crossword puzzle or Sudoku book


  • A bedroom so perfectly pulled together it appears as a feathered nest with plump pillows

  • A spotless kitchen with few accessories

     These convey: time to read & study, time to indulge, time to play, time to rest, time to enjoy baking and cooking.

     The house is clean, painted and in move-in condition.  The furniture and accessories hint at what it would be like to live in this Haven.   The buyer thinks,"Ah, it is good to be home".
 

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Welcome from the Brainerd Lakes - where outdoor and indoor recreational opportunites abound. Looking to buy on one of our many lakes? Ready to move up or down?  Having trouble selling your home? 

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Show All Comments Sort:
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
Kathleen: You hit the nail right on the head. Through staging, we can intimate to potential buyers, that a particular home has all the right ingredients to create their haven. Thanks for posting this very useful list.
Nov 10, 2007 09:35 AM
Kathleen Garvey
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Denver - Denver, CO
Denver's Neighborhood Expert - Listings & Sales
Hello Kathleen L!  I LOVE the word FLUFFY and LUXURIOUS when it comes to describing bath towels!  As you know, I am a huge fan of everyone coming home to find peace and tranquility!  Nice post! Regards-Kathleen G
Nov 10, 2007 10:46 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Kathleen, I think what everyone wants is more time to relax and reflect. As stagers and redesigners, don't we often tell people that if they just had more order and less clutter that they would find more freedom? That is a precious gift to help our clients discover. 

PS. Love the headboard. Is that two twin headboards put together? 

Nov 10, 2007 11:10 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Betty - Now we all just need to figure out how to make the fake lemonade with the acrylic water. the back deck is a perfect plan to stage - summer fun.
Nov 10, 2007 12:23 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Deborah - Is the chair in the bathroom? I made a tray for my bath tub so I can write (or read or eat)while I soak.
Nov 10, 2007 12:25 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Thanks Dawn - I am just all about comfy.
Nov 10, 2007 12:26 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Michelle - As you stated, it is all about putting them in the home - they don't have to use their imaginations - it is all there for them - waiting. Buy me!!!
Nov 10, 2007 12:30 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Kathleen G - It is good to be home and a bath towel should do something for you other than just dry.
Nov 10, 2007 12:32 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Kathy - I am reorganizing my staging accessories and adding in new pieces and my living room is not peaceful at the moment.

That is an antique piece in the photo and is two twins - good eye.  They are not mine, tho. I have an antique double  with the high headboard and 2 twin sleigh beds that are fun to use.  I like to mix up the styles to make it a bit unexpected and hit everyone's taste with something - very eclectic , unless the home or prospective buyer pool call for something else.

Nov 10, 2007 12:41 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"
kathleen ~ Your post points to our need for a relaxing place away from the hustle-and-bustle and noise of everyday life.  I also love to create this "feel" in my staging projects and believe that it really helps to set a mood of tranquility.  Great post!
Nov 12, 2007 01:52 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Maureen - I think that all stagers need to consider these points.  I have seen some very stark staging, even here on AR, that has nothing comfy or cozy about it. Good staging is certainly much more than just arranging furniture and accessories in a room. We need to evoke emotions.
Nov 12, 2007 02:53 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Kathleen, thats what I aim for in my staging.  People are looking for the word "soothing" when they view homes.  I couldn't have put it better.

Ladies, you make my bath ritual sound like I bathe in a horse water tank, what with your "emollients" Deborah, and "eating in the bathtub" Kathleen.  The last time I soaked was in the barn, in a horse tank,  when the hot water heater in the house died!  I'm a three minute, no more, shower person.  When done I slap on some "lotion" and I'm done.  I think I'm missing something here, especially since I have a soaking tub in my house that has never been used )-:

Nov 12, 2007 07:40 AM
Kathy Riggle
STAGING SMART N SOLD - Houston, TX
Houston Home Staging

Terry, you have me laughing & snorting like a horse!

Kathleen, yes the candles and spa look are what the buyers want. Last time I lit candles in the bedroom, my loving husband comes in and smirks "Are ya setting the house on fire in here?" He went down for the count....

Kathy

Nov 12, 2007 09:43 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Terry - You needs to practice whats your preachin Sista. Got a soaker - git yer hinnie in er.
Nov 12, 2007 10:17 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Kathy - no comment LOL
Nov 12, 2007 10:18 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Sorry my friends, without horses nickering in their stalls (my de-stressor) soaking in a tub is just plain old boring for me.  If you haven't soaked in a barn, you haven't soaked!

No Deborah I wasn't making fun of you but I did like the use of your word "emollients"!  It kind of reminded me of embalming:-)

Nov 12, 2007 10:45 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

If those emollients help preserve me I am taking a bath in them - can't afford to fall apart anymore that I already have.

I liked the idea of a chair in the bathroom, but a bench is nice too. 

 

Nov 12, 2007 10:56 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Kathleen, just be careful what you slather on.  Everything put on your skin goes into your body.  Fortunately I live in the humidity capital of the universe and I have oily skin, so self emolation is not something that is necessary.  But if I lived waaaaaaaaaaaay up north like you do, it would be dry and the heat in the house would be dry and I would then definitely have to emolate!  Kiss your horsies for me will ya?
Nov 13, 2007 07:54 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Kisses being applied, shortly.
Nov 13, 2007 08:28 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Ohhhhhhhh, you naughty girl!
Nov 13, 2007 11:30 PM