Everywhere you turn, a new reality show is popping up.  By nature, we are curious and love to see how others live.  That mind-set has permeated the process of staging.  Old school staging was depersonalizing, editing to the point of sterile, and wiping out personality of the space.  You could spot a staged home immediately.  Often times filled with predictable staging ploys such as pre-set dining room table or overabundance of poor quality silk greenery. 

Reality staging is the art of transforming a space into a warm environment that creates a sense of desire.  Does the space make you want to spend time there?   Studies have shown slowing down the walk-through increases the opportunity to bond with the property. Visual details are important as they will encourage the buyer to explore with their eyes, which automatically slows their space.  Some things haven’t changed, the house itself needs to be the star.  Approach the process with a decorator’s eye by implementing a deliberate intent to enhance selling features.  Here are a few tips to make your next project grounded in reality, not with predictable staging, but with a decorator’s eye for creating a look of perfect reality.    

1.  Add Reality Touches-beautiful pair of slippers by the bed, an afghan on an outside terrace, an open book by a bedside table, black and white family photos  used as art,  (yes, I said family photos are okay if used in small amounts, never in color)

2.  Do NOT leave bare windows.That old rule about stripping windows is not reality based. But the key is to use

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

 window treatments that enhance and are on trend.  Maximize light and view by placing panels to outside of window frame.  In this space, the panels helped to give the window the illusion of width and hide awkward wall transitions.

3.  Layer for interest-Old time staging says it is not decorating, but the reality is that staging is decorating…but not for one client.  Add visual interest and detail by layering art, adding an attractive area rug, (particularly in cooler months) and add accessories with a light hand to shelves.

Watch for details about the upcoming DSA Summer School for Stagers.

Happy Staging!

For 35 years, I have been creating beautiful rooms.  I realized about 20 years ago that even my wealthiest clients were looking for a new approach to the decorating process. I had always incorporated the art of rearranging or redesign in my business but decided to take it to the next level.  I created the concept of One Day Decorating as that was my promise…in one day, I could make a huge difference in a space. 

One Day Decorating Before

My approach wasn’t about temporary or cheap decorating but  fabulous decorating with a shorter turn around time. Many of my clients still opt to add custom elements such as new furniture, window treatments, flooring, but the bottom line we begin the process by doing as much as we can in one day, while waiting for custom elements to arrive. One Day Decorating incorporatesdecorating, design, redesign, color, accessorizing, new, old, and creativity that will guarantee delight.

I launched the very first website devoted to the one day decorating concept.  Now, everywhere you look, people are using the term One Day Decorating. How exciting that I coined the concept so many years ago.  Let me share with you a few quick tips that make a room rock in hours instead of weeks. 

One Day Decorating After

1. It all begins with placement.

  Nothing impacts a space more than perfect arrangement of EVERYTHING based on function and the elements and principles of design. I am not talking only about furniture arrangement, but art, accessories, window treatments, and color as well.

2. Attention to Line, Shape and Form.  This is probably the biggest mistake that I see when I look at design portfolios, a lack of attention to what is around an object and how lines impact one another. 

3.   Avoid Cookie Cutter Design.  Take the time to look at projects you may have done or even your own home.  Does everything tend to look alike?  Are you drawn to one style, one way of placing furniture, or one color story?  Be creative and don’t have a signature look.

If you would like to know more, join me June 29 for a FREE Webinar, just register here!  This will be our first in our FREE monthly series of webinars, Last Tuesday with The DSA.