Let there be light!

Recently I went on an inspection of a new homes construction with my husband. My husband, Tom, is a Building Official & Inspector for Residential & Commercial construction.  Usually Building Codes are a boring subject for me.

This trip though had me excited to see a new building code requirement that is soo awesome. As I walked down into the newly constructed basement I was first surprised by the amount of natural light that was pouring into what should have been a dark basement. This great new invention was done mainly for safety reasons. The result though is so much more than just a “point of egress”.

My “creative wheels” started spinning. WOW…no longer will basements of the future be dark holes in the ground. These “Window wells” are huge and completely change ones perspective of basements.

They can de decorated as long as the point of egress is not hindered. The possibilities are endless.

Due to the danger that a Bedroom in a basement can bring, these new codes were inacted. Smart move. If your only way out is the stairs then another way out in case of an emergency is paramount. Many who are Remodeling their basements need to be aware of these code changes. As soon as a new room is created in a basement that has a closet, the building Codes will recognize it as a Bedroom and Window wells MUST be used. Don’t cry the blues though as these new windows add so much more to the space besides a safety factor.

Redi-Exit has a wonderful site.

I was practically jumping for joy at the unexpected reaction I was having. My husband thought I would hate their utilitarian look. Heck we can tweak the utilitarian look, I LOVE all the natural light!

Do be cautious though. We can ‘decorate” them as long as the point of egress is not hindered. One gentleman added a water feature.

I can’t wait to see all of the possibilities! Pure joy!

DesAnn Collins

DSA Staging Director & Trainer

HGTV's John Gidding visiting DesAnn's H & G showcase room

The gardens and floral displays always smell fantastic and your business can smell the

Sweet Success of this powerful marketing venue as well.

Most of these shows will have Celebrity involvement. Celebrities will draw in the crowds.

John Gidding of HGTV’S Curb Appeal-The Block, was a joy to meet. He is knowledgeable and down to earth.

• Often these celebrities become your friends. They understand the business and your need to stand out from your competition. Most of them are delighted to know that they are helping you just by being seen with you.

Be tenacious and get involved with Home & Garden Shows. They do take hundreds of hours of preparation and actual face time during the show but the pay-off will carry you through the entire year. Your involvement will also be an introduction to your local media, who will take notice and call on you in the future for other opportunities they may have.

DesAnn Collins-Design By DesAnn

DSA trainer & Staging director

Before Staging

Creative talent of course is a big part of our lives. I believe though that having a tough skin is the number one asset that we need to succeed.

A few months ago I was asked to Stage a home. I had talked with the sellers and they hired me to come in and Stage their existing furnishings. Although the wife knew that she would leave her HOME that morning when she went to work and would be coming home to a different place, she was mad at me the minute she stepped in the door.

I called her that evening, her husband said “she doesn’t want to talk to you”. WOW…good thing I had on my “tough skin” suit.

What he said next was surprising. “Can you come back next week to help us Stage the rest of the house?”

They knew that the Staging I did was correct. She just couldn’t talk about it.

We Stagers MUST develop a “tough skin”. Going into these projects I know that I know that I know what needs to be done.  Often I feel like a parent. Sometimes we need to take the proper steps to help them SELL. Stagers must make the difficult choices.

We Stage for the target market coming in….NOT the seller.

After Staging

The home did sell in 26 days.  She did send me a “thank you” card with an apology for her behavior. I understood her “pain” but I knew what needed to be done in order to help them sell. After all that is my JOB….that is why I am a professional.

So if you have ever felt “wounded”, that’s okay. The sellers are counting on us not to cave-in to pressure but to make the tough choices and do our job.

My best,

DesAnn Collins

DSA Staging Director