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www.ballantynehomstaging.com 980.322.5825 carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: A Craftsman Style House

Welcome back to our serious of tips on how to Stage niche homes! Today we are going to cover one of the easiest, but it shouldn’t be overlooked…The Craftsman Style House!

These are simple homes to Stage. So the trick is not to overdo it when Staging – preserve the appeal! Keep it simple, and buyers will flock to the home!

Remember, this style of home is built with windows to let in sunshine. You want to augment the natural light and avoid bright unnatural lights. Absolutely do not even think about cheap fluorescent lights. No! NO! NO! And don’t forget to get those windows cleaned…inside AND out.

Before you dive into a massive repainting job - do some homework on the year your house was built. Knowing the history of your home really does help you prepare the house for sale. History will help you decide on a relevant color scheme. Without looking at your specific property, I can suggest going with beiges, greens, browns and other non-brassy earth tones. Avoid bold colors and busy patterns.

When looking at metal, think copper. Copper was amazingly popular during the craftsman era…the catch is that these days, it is very hard to find and can be costly. Whatever copper you have in the house now, keep it! And take some adventurous trips to farmer’s markets, flea markets, and yard sales for some inexpensive little touches. For example, a copper pot on the stove is nice touch to show off your home (but give it a good polish!) Metal fixtures w/colored glass are also perfect for this style home.


For accent pieces, remember to still keep it simple--nothing to overshadow your rooms or the house’s character. To compliment the rooms, use area rugs to define any open spaces. Craftsman style homes have an abundance of character, and they don’t need much to showcase their beauty. With just a little work, and some attention to cleanliness, you will have your home off the market and in the hands of another happy owner!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: Coastal Property

Selling any coastal home can be tricky. There are plenty of gorgeous properties to compete with, and you need to make your property stand out amongst a very full and often dazzling crowd. Here are some things you and your professional Home Stager® can keep in mind during your sale.

People looking at coastal property tend to react positively to nautical style interiors. So keep it crisp and cool. Colors should stay on the more traditional scope, use shades of red, white, blue. You may want to consider offsetting these shades with some patterns – stripes or checkered prints work well in chair coverings, pillows and throws. Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the obvious nautical themes such as sailboats, anchors, knots, etc…It might sound trite, but it works well when not over done and will motivate buyers who really want that place on the coast to submit an offer!

If at all possible, Staging a coastal property should incorporate natural wood and crisp, clean shades of white or off-white furniture, oversized and luxurious. To compliment the natural woods, set out some woven-look accessories. But think Titanic State room, and not tramp steamer… upscale and clean.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: The Mountain Property

Maybe it is your ski lodge or your hunting cabin. Maybe it is your weekend get-away in the woods—the perfect retreat! …Regardless of the case – if you are thinking about Staging your mountain property for sale, here is some advice for you!

Remember any house anywhere can be rustic without being—well…too “rustic.” Not everybody adores moose heads, antler chandeliers, twig chairs and stuffed raccoons. Too many hunting trophies give even some avid sportsmen pause. The trick with Staging® is to keep the flavor and style of your home without over-indulging in anything others might find to grim.

Another thing to remember: please don’t try to make distressed hardwood floors perfect! A mountain cabin should have some character. Hardwood floors are beloved for their unique look, and should be honored.
The general rule is to keep to 3-4 colors for your whole household pallet. Many colors (earth tones, blues, warm reds) work in a mountain house but, when Staging, keep the color variations simple and consistent from room to room.

It’s okay to mix and match your wood furnishings, too. As mentioned above about hardwood floors, wood has such unique character – it should be emphasized and spotlighted. Contrasting wood types with furniture is a perfect statement for a home in the woods.

This final recommendation might be the MOST important. Don’t obsess too much about the inside of the home. Remember why you bought that house. You are here for the landscape, the vistas, and the scenery – to that end, accent the views of your place! The inside needs to be neat and clean but draw the potential buyer’s eyes to your windows. Pull back the curtains; make sure those windows are squeaky clean inside and outside, open up your deck and outdoor space. Show off the views your home has to offer – in the end, that is what will make your buyers fall in love with this special place!

http://www.ballantynehomestaging.com/ | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Niche Home Staging: Beach Cottage

Staging your beach cottage to appeal to the eyes of a specific person – specifically a BUYER – usually requires a mix and match of specific colors and woods.

Color Schemes are important in any house, but incredibly important in any type of beach vacation home. When Staging such a place, it is wise to use soothing greens, earth tones, deep yellows, and of course sky blues… think sand, sea, and sky.

Many beach houses emphasize their geographic location in their décor. I remember one friend who had his beach house done with a charming lighthouse motif, down to a handcrafted headboard with lighthouses on each end. However, an easier route to take in Staging a beach cottage is to use coral, sand, starfish and seashells to make easy, inexpensive accessories and accents. It’s very easy to use smaller seashells to make custom mirrors. For little cost, you can create unique displays in glass containers and accent the edges of your curtains. Show off beautiful coral on shelves and bookcases, or simply have the kids comb the beach for some majestic shells. Mixing woven woods in the beach cottage will give your house a more tropical feel. I love the look of rattan and bamboo.

With the help of a professional Stager®, you can gain the eye of any finicky buyer and increase the likelihood of speedy and profitable sale.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com

Home Staging by Home Style: Niche Home Staging!

The Staging of any home is always different. There is no cut-and-paste in home Staging. Every style of home calls for a unique Staging experience. To help you better understand the process, I am going to start a series of NICHE HOME STAGING blog posts! This is where you will learn how a professional Home Stager can tailor your house for the right buyer.

The things to consider in selecting colors and furnishings for a home are simple:

Geographic influence
House Style

Neighborhood Style

 

Geographic is fairly obvious. You shouldn’t be surprised to find out that the homes in Arizona have different characteristics then the homes in Massachusetts. But this is also true for homes in the same city when you consider demographic shifts and historical influences. Geography plays a big role in what your house looks like, and that calls for different approaches on the inside as well.

House style isn’t a shocker either. Do you have a ranch or a cape cod? Bi-level or duplex? Historic or ultra-modern? The style of the home lends itself to the décor…Always.

Finally, let’s not forget your neighbors – or more exactly, your neighborhood. Blending in or standing out – what is your house’s role? The Staging needs to match this…

So over the next few weeks – tune in to find out how a professional Home Stager might Stage your home – whether a beach house, mountain retreat, urban duplex, or historic showplace.

www.ballantynehomstaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com