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Home Staging and Art

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with James Frazier Personal Development Coach

 

"If you can kill a snake with it, it ain't art"

                                    Orcenith Lyle Bonge [1]

 

A couple of remarks about art; as the folk artist that I am quoting is alluding to all things that hang on a wall are not art. So what do you do when you client has an atrocious piece of an excuse for art hanging on the wall. How do you gently tell them that the piece really needs to go without offending them?

I have usually suggested a different piece to put in its place as a way out of this dilemma but that is not always going to work so I am putting out the question to all of you stagers. Can you offer suggestions on this problem or share what you do in this situation?

Speaking of art, I have discovered a fine gift that can be done very inexpensively and can serve as an art piece as well. Many of you have shared about inexpensive gifts that you give your clients as a thank you so I thought I would share mine. I take a picture of their house-which I do anyway- and open up my photo software- Picasa (which is free from Google by the way) and using the special effects feature, I print it in a sepia tone. I print it as a 5 by 7 but on an 8 1/2 by 11 photo paper so there is a lot of white around the picture. I then place it in an inexpensive dark brown frame from Target. It is a nice little touch to add to a fireplace mantle grouping or say in a bathroom or any other place you need that sized piece. The sepia tone makes it look antique but it is more meaningful to the home seller than something you pick up at the flea market or antique store. Additionally, they now have a nice print that they can either take with them to remember their home or they can leave it for the new owners when they leave. And it only cost me about $10 for a personalized and  memorable gift.

If anyone can walk me through the process of adding photos to active rain, I'll start sharing photos but I seem to have a problem with loading photos. I keeping getting an ID 10 T error.........Perhaps it is a loose  nut between the keyboard and the back of my chair....I really do need help with this, any advice?

 

 

1 Williams, Jonathan. Quote, Unquote. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press, 1983/1989 back cover

[1]

Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
James I wish I were more technical and could tel you exactly how to add pics!  Maybe we can hear from Craig or Val!  The quote got me - that was real funny.  We just make a recommendation (art from another room) or tell them that we have something more nuetral-
Jan 14, 2007 09:27 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Hi James - this is the best explanation of how to upload photos.
  http://activerain.com/blogsview/18495/How-to-Add-Pictures

Here is a Blog about where to get free photos for your Blog:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/Blog-entries-running-short-on-visuals?7652

The photos have to be in JPG format.  You cannot add things from clip art or wmf (?) files or you will get that error message.  There is a way to convert other files to jpg but I don't know how to do it and it is just too much trouble. 

BTW Love your sepia idea.  I use Picasa from google.  It is so easy to use and had an upload to web feature.  It even keeps track of your favorite online photo shops.  And it's Free.  Here's a link if anyone want to try it.  http://picasa.google.com/

Jan 14, 2007 09:47 AM
James Frazier
James Frazier Personal Development Coach - Rockford, IL
Thanks Maureen. It was the URL request that was throwing me. I think I can get it now so thanks for the help and the links.
Jan 14, 2007 09:52 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

James, first off GREAT IDEA, I have been wracking my brains thinking of a special gift, this is it. Many people have tried helping me get these pics on my BLOGS and I am still clueless. HELP

Phyllis Pafumi

Jan 14, 2007 11:38 AM
James Frazier
James Frazier Personal Development Coach - Rockford, IL

I forgot to mention that I use a recessed frame so it has a bit of a shadow box effect. The frame is about 1" deep. Here is an example of an original shot done in sepia. I then print it as I said as a 5 by 7 on an 8 by 11 piece of photo paper so that a large white border surrounds it giving it that matted look.

Jan 14, 2007 11:50 AM
Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent
Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA
Great idea!  The sepia tone also tends to give photos a "timeless" look to them that color does not.  I did not know that Picassa had that feature (new to Picassa as well as Active Raing) so thanks for sharing the idea, and how to achieve it. 
Jan 14, 2007 01:10 PM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

James- Great idea.  Well done.

As far as the bad artwork question goes, I generally wash over it with the 'we may need to find something that showcases that area a little better.' Or 'that really is spectacular.  maybe we should put up something that doesn't draw so much attention.  After all, we want them to buy the house, not the artwork.' No negative words directed at the art itself, if I can help it.

Jan 14, 2007 01:35 PM
Janice Sutton
1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA
Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Great idea James!  I just recently discovered Picasa and I love it.

As far as the "atrocious piece of an excuse for art" I have told clients that we need to remove the "attractive distraction" since we are not selling the ART but the HOUSE. 

Jan 14, 2007 01:51 PM
Judy Heinrich
Judy Heinrich Home Staging - San Diego, CA

Thought you might enjoy these two beauties I had to work with once.  The one on the right was in the entryway, the other on the stairway.  Removing the stairway pieces were easy, just told him we needed that space clear, the entry was touchier, but we were able to find a less"Jetson's" looking piece and move it there instead saying it would enhance the entry, not overwhelm it... or something like that.

  

Jan 14, 2007 11:10 PM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

James - looks like you worked the pic thing out - Great!  I love the sepia pic. 

Judy - LOL

Jan 15, 2007 12:31 AM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!

Hi James - I love Picasa too...it let's you send any of your pics to a blog so I use it for my blog.  As for the artwork, I get all the artwork off the walls before I start the room arrangements. Patching and painting comes next and then any art that works goes back up.

Judy - Jetson's? That is hysterical. I wish I could have seen your face during your initial walk-through. Priceless! 

Jan 15, 2007 03:31 AM
James Frazier
James Frazier Personal Development Coach - Rockford, IL
Thanks to everyone who replied. I am glad I was able to share a little something that might work for you.
Jan 17, 2007 09:08 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Well James, it appears I came late to the party, but am glad that Maureen was able to help you!

I LOVE your idea about gifting the picture of the house to the seller!  And thank you for the info on Picassa - if anyone needs help fixing photos, it's me!

Jan 17, 2007 11:27 AM