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.

We sort offices too....

I was recently asked if I could adapt my Consultations to suit an office environment - of course the answer was 'yes'!  Exactly the same principals.  Furniture layout, de-clutter, overall appeal to visiting clients, storage solutions, flow etc. 

This consultation was for planning an office move to new premises, but it's the same principles for sorting an existing office - give me a call.

The estate agents loved the smallest bedroom the most...

There were so many comments from the estate agents about the smallest bedroom in the house.  I just had some fun with it, and everyone loves it!  And the toy carrot is the most talked-about accessory in the entire house!!

Here are a selection of comments from various estate agents who visited the property:

“A1 presentation” ;
“The presentation even exceeded my expectations”;
“Fantastic finish”;
“The house feels bigger & roomier”;
“Fantastic dining room & conservatory”;
“The bedrooms have a lot of room”;
“Is the bathroom new?” ;
“Unusual kitchen – Very Nice” ,
“Beautiful views from the windows” ;
“Very well presented” ;
“Nice patio area” ;
“Love the motif on the wall" (Kids bedroom);
“Oh the carrot looks nice” ;
“The ladies are going to go 'wow' " (main bedroom);
“You have gone to a lot of effort to present & finish off the property” ;
“The property is so beautifully dressed”

I don't think they would have made these comments if  it hadn't been staged, do you??!

Latest makeover - kitchen , dining and conservatory

This is our latest makeover, from a rented 'mess' into a lovely home about to go on the market.

The Kitchen:

         

The Dining Room:

The Conservatory:

Photos of the upstairs will be on my next blog entry ... wait for the Master Bedroom transformation- here's the 'Before' photo:

An exciting new makeover...full house...for selling...

We've just finished an amazing makeover... here's a sneak preview of photos to come over the next couple of days. 

Before

After!!

The house was being rented out when I first visited, but the homeowner planned to sell, and wanted it to look better than it ever did.  More photos to follow on my next blog entry...

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

I learn something new every day about clutter...

Over the years, I've met so many people with clutter problems that I thought I knew all the triggers - ie. all the reasons why they have been unable to let certain things go from their lives, and have consequently become surrounded by clutter. For example, bereavement (holding on to everything), loss of confidence (marriage break-up, redundancy), overly-tidy parents (leads to children growing-up rebelling against this), very busy families (no time to tidy up), empty-nesters (as children grow up and leave, parents hold on to everything for them, and buy more things to help fill the gap they have left - new hobbies etc), living through wartime (waste not want not) and spoilt children (used to being surrounded by all their toys but never being taught how to tidy them away!) etc.

Here are some examples:

(See the De-Clutter photo gallery for more examples.)

But this week I was sad to find another trigger for cluttering. Years ago, my client had been in an abusive relationship and was too worried to let anything go because of the consequences of it not being there if it was required. After several happy years with a new partner, my client is finally ready to start letting go, and sorting out, and although there were a few difficult moments during the day, the three of us really managed to make a difference.  Well done to a lovely couple. x

What's causing all the clutter - part 5

My fifth and final new de-clutter client last week had nothing to really worry about.  She isn't a hoarder, she doesn't have terrible clutter problems, she's just had a series of events happen over the last few years that have caused her to be surrounded by "stuff".  Caring for poorly family members has taken a higher priority than sorting the house out, and now that she has time to think about the house again, it will all come together quickly.

Lots of boxes were packed for charity, and lots of treasures were re-discovered during the day - I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Once someone is ready and committed to de-cluttering a space, it isn't a difficult process, and the rewards are incredible.  Emotions often run high, and everyone's energy runs out by late afternoon, but the excitement at seeing the space cleared has a much longer-lasting effect.  Well done L! A great job done.

Don't create storerooms, you're throwing money away

Before - a store room, unused and unloved

After - a useful study with seating area

The homeowners didn't know what to do with this room. Their family had grown up and they didn't need the space themselves, so it became a storeroom. That's fine, until you want to sell the property. Then, your "business head" has to take over. This room accounted for one quarter of the floor space downstairs, so if it didn't have a sellable "use", it would be like throwing money away. There was already a good dining space in the living area, so it wasn't needed as a dining room. The best use in this case was a study. Useful for adults, teenagers, easy to convert to a playroom - instantly it becomes a talking point instead of a waste of space.

Grass carpet - never come across this before!

Look what I was greeted with today - "grass" carpet.  Strangely enough, I can actually see the reasoning behind this colour choice - to bring the outdoors in!  But I think it's finally time to cut it!

Oh, I really want to stage this property..

 Going to chat to an "old"client this week about working on a second property for her - staging this potentially gorgeous grade II listed building for sale.  Really, really want to get my hands on this one!!

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.

£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