Moving in to first home

This lovely couple were moving in to their first home. It was fun discovering the right style and colours for them. They didn't want to change any of the wall colours yet, so I added warmth in the accessories.

Latest makeover - Master Bedroom

Here's the Master Bedroom.  The rooms were very narrow in this house, so I had to be careful not to emphasise this.  I'm often asked about lighting in my 'before' and 'after' photos - why do you cheat, and put the lights on for the 'after' photos???  Well, I take the 'before' photos as the room is shown to me.  No-one ever puts any lights on for me, so that's how I take the photo.  I would always turn the lights on for a viewing, it brings the rooms to life, so that's why I have them on for my 'after' photos.  That's not cheating, is it?

There will be another bedroom transformation in my next blog entry - another double room in the same house - here's the 'before':

Remember grass carpet?

Remember my photo of the "grass carpet" in February, well, I heared recently that this house sold within days of putting it back on the market!  Due to huge budget constraints, my client could only follow some of the advice I gave, and she did the work herself.   She re-decorated, chose some new flooring, and even added a few accessories. The Consultation gave her lots of confidence - she said:
 "I found the time I spent with you yesterday completely inspiring. It really clarified my thoughts as to exactly what the house did (and didn't) need to upgrade it. That alone was well worth every penny of your fee."

Here's what she chose to do:

After

After

After

After

After

YES! After only two days on the market...

I'm delighted to hear that after only two days on the market, the house I nicknamed "Duck House" has had two viewings, an offer, and a booking for a second viewing.  See more photos here...

http://www.homemakeoverservice.co.uk/e18.php

Why did I make these changes?

Before

After

How did I change this room, and why?

1) Painted the walls a warmer, deeper colour.
Firstly, the dark patches were obvious on the walls, and secondly, in this north-facing room, even the magnolia appeared grey.
2) Added furniture.
When empty, this room appeared very small for a Master Bedroom, and showing a double bed with space to spare alleviates this worry.
3) Replaced the curtain track for a pole.
Curtain track is cheap - and it looks it! Adding a more luxurious pole upgrades the appearance of the room.
4) Hung full-length curtains.
They appear much more luxurious than short ones.
5) Upgraded the ceiling light.
A Master Bedroom deserves more than a small pendant shade - add some crystals!
6) Dressed the bed.
These soft touches often appeal to the female viewers - notice how they are more likely to comment on the gorgeous cushion than on the fact that only one of the side windows will open!

We are selling a lifestyle, not just a house, so make it a more luxurious one.

Here's why you should tidy the outside of your house before selling it...

Don't forget the outside of your house when you are preparing it for sale!

Would this put you off buying a house, or make it more appealing?

I can't decide if ducks in this photograph would encourage people to view the bungalow, or put them off.  Please let me know your thoughts...

£10,000? For Home Staging? No way...

When one of my clients asked her Estate Agent if she should consider Home Staging to help sell her property, he said it was a good idea, but would cost over £10,000.  Well, watch this space!!  In fact, does anyone want to have a guess what the total will be?  Here's the work we're doing to the 4 bed bungalow:


Treating mould in every room
Painting most ceilings and walls
Painting the front door and two windowsills
Updating some ceiling lights
Adding furniture in every room
Changing some new poles and window dressings
Adding soft furnishings everywhere - bedding, cushions etc
Adding accessories and art to every room
Fitting coir matting inside the porch
Cutting back and clearing the overgrown back garden's beds
Cutting back the 8ft hedge around the property
Emptying and painting the shed
Jet-washing the paths and back of the bungalow
Adding plants to the pots outdoors
Taking photographs of each room for selling purposes

Please click the 'Comments' section and say what you think it will be!

Top Ten Home Staging Tips - No. 2 - Don't leave empty rooms

Inexperienced viewers find it really difficult to imagine what can fit into an empty room, as there is nothing in it that they can relate to.  In addition, empty rooms are so uninviting on the Estate Agent's website. Some key pieces of furniture make the room so much more appealing. See how this empty home sold within a few days after it was staged...http://www.homemakeoverservice.co.uk/e2.php