Home Office Mini-Makeovers

Since the COVID-19 quarantine began, most of us have been in our home office more so than ever before. And most of us could use a little pick-me-up to freshen up the space. We've created some home office mini-makeovers for you to 'treat yo'self' and bring a little sunshine to your quarantined work space.

No matter your style, there's so many fun, whimsical office products out there to incorporate in your space. Here's a couple styles we have curated for your online shopping retail therapy.

This modern style is all the rage. Mixing matte black with brushed gold and/or copper is so on trend.

1. Succulent Planters

2. Desk Lamp

3. Tape Dispenser

4. Picture Frame

5. Paper Clip holder

6. Letter Board

7. File Folders

8. Letter Holder

9. Reusable Post it Notes

10. Rug

Joanna Gaines would be super happy with our picks for a farmhouse style home office. We hope you are too.

1. Plant

2. Desk Lamp

3. Letter Board

4. File Tray

5. Paper Clip Holder

6. Word Art

7. Calendar

8. Pen Holder

9. Trash Can

10. Rug

We are confident these fun mini-makeovers can freshen up that home office space and spark your creativity while you work from home. If you want a more tailored design, feel free to give us a call at 703-552-4545 or book online for a virtual redesign consultation. We would be delighted to shine a spotlight on your home office!

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

Staging Toolkit for Realtors

Real estate doesn't stop because of a global pandemic. Clients need to sell regardless based on circumstances prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Whether it's during this crazy time or just a normal day outside of coronavirus mania, we thought it might be handy to supply you with a basic staging toolkit for realtors that can help prepare a house for sell when professional staging is not an option. (Click on pictures below to purchase straight from Amazon)

The finishing touches really do count when transforming a house to a home. The same is considered when staging a home to sell. There are little things you as realtors can keep on hand to assist in staging a property and making that buyer feel like that house is home.

Door Mats

First impressions are a must. Buyers on average make up their mind if they like a house within the first 15 seconds of entering a home. Why not make the most of those first few seconds by placing new clean mats at both the exterior and interior entrance?

Towels

Who doesn't love a brand new towel?? White towels are a must. They scream crisp and clean and go with every type of decor. We like to place towels on every towel bar in every bathroom to soften it as most bathrooms come across as cold and empty. And don't rule out a good gray towel if your bathroom has a lot of white in the hard surfaces. This will bring a pop of color to the bathroom but still keep it neutral..

Shower Curtains

Shower curtains also add to the softening of a bathroom. White shower curtains, again, shout crisp and clean and they go with all decor. We've also recommended a fun ombre one as well to bring in that ever-so-popular gray.

Bedding

White bedding gives a bed that hotel feel. Are you sensing our crisp and clean theme?? It's simple, neutral and creates a wonderful focal point for professional photos. Gray is also a great neutral backdrop if the room is light in color. Used together, you can fold one at bottom to create a nice layering of textiles that feel like luxury and comfort. And don't forget that white bed skirt if needed!

Lamps

Lighting is key to showing a home. Not only do we suggest using the highest wattage, non-energy efficient light bulb you can, but we also suggest layering lighting with lamps in darker areas. This will help buyers see the house better at night and on darker, cloudier days. Here's some great lamps to keep on hand that will never lose trend and will work with almost every style.

We hope this staging toolkit for realtors will be helpful to add some light touches to your properties. We are always available if you need to call in the big guns - we are still staging vacant homes using all the necessary precautions to keep your client and ourselves safe from COVID-19. Feel free to give us a call (703-552-4545) or book a virtual home consultation online and we will be happy to partner with you to SHINE a SPOTLIGHT on your home.

*Disclaimer: This page contains Amazon affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

70's Blast From the Past - The Brady's and Design

How many of you have been watching the HGTV seriesA Very Brady Renovation?  With over 8.1 million viewers of the first episode, I would assume a lot of you!  We all love a good reunion show and this one is a blast from the past and lures the attention of stagers and designers alike.  For those of you who haven’t heard of this new offering from HGTV, the original cast of from The Brady Bunch reunited in honor of the 50th anniversary of their 70’s sitcom.  The Brady kids, along with HGTV personalities, are renovating the interior of the house used for the iconic exterior shots of TV house.  For those of you who may not know, the interior of the home was a studio set. The show focuses on the renovations that turn a ranch-style home into the identical two story interior of the set-no small feat, even for HGTV. 

The excitement of this show got us thinking about the evolution of design.  How much of the 70's is coming back to design today?  We see a lot of design trends from  the 70's design (now called mid-century) in 2019 in a much more modern, sophisticated way.  Here are a few examples:

Color:

Shades of avocado green, orange, tans and browns along with some mustard yellow are popping into home decor.  These are all warm palettes from 70's décor but they are showing up in a more sophisticated manner.  And since we all painted our walls white recently due to the 2018 trend, these warm colors will coordinate nicely with our neutral backdrop.

Furniture:

Rattan and wicker are making a comeback in chairs and barstools thanks to the recent surge in the boho aesthetic that's gained popularity recently.  You'll even see it on the walls. All of these create a natural look to any space.

Plants/Greenery:

Plants add a natural organic feel to a space.  Even if you don’t have a green thumb, manufacturers have gotten so good at making fake plants look so real.  Popular finds today  from the 70's include Ferns with their featherlike stems, Sansevieria or Snake Plants (aka Mother-in-laws tongue) and palm fronds of all kinds.

Patterns and Textures:

Geometric patterns are showing up in a variety of ways fromlight fixtures, tile, artwork and wallpaper. 

Accent walls have made a comeback but in a moresophisticated manner than just paint. Instead you will see use of bold patterned wallpaper or textures like moldingsor wood. 

Texture is also showing up in velvet furnishings such ascouches, chairs and benches.  The textureof a shaggy or wool pouf is also a great addition that nods toward 70s vibes. 

Macramé has made a comeback adding texture into a room through plant hangers and wall art. It’s even being added to throw pillows and blankets. Crafting is cool again.

What are your thoughts on the 70's blast from the past with design today?  We have to agree with Jan Brady when she once said “Isn’t it just absolutely lovely?”.  The 70's vibe certainly has brought on some lovely design trends for 2019. 

If you are looking to incorporate a 70's vibe to your own home, but don't know how to start, give us a call or fill out our online scheduling form We would be happy to help you add modern spin of 70's design through our redesign consultation

Home Staging Dilemma - What do I do with all my books?

Rooms with wall to wall, or built in bookcases are prime candidates for editing or removing altogether if possible. Don't get me wrong, we hold no personal grudge against the written word, rather it's the weight they can create in a room when assembled en masse. Much of what we do as professional home stagers is create additional visual space in each room. Our general recommendation is to remove at least 1/3 of the books if the bookcases remain in the room. Do take care to remove any political, religious or controversial titles as a rule. I realize that those of you who are voracious readers and book collectors will be horrified or at least slightly offended to read this. To make you feel better, in this age of e-readers, Kindle's and book apps, I may be one of the few home owners actually adding a library in lieu of a living room. (Note: I'm also not selling my house). I personally delight in the feel of a book and the promise that the pages hold. For me, reading and appreciating a good book is a tactile experience that even the best well-lit Kindle device cannot offer. As for staging, although we typically recommend removing books in their overflowing state, books are a wonderful tool to backfill areas where overly personal items may have been placed. They can lightly fill built-in shelves, as well as add interest and speak to the demographic of the buyer. For example, we always add a golf book when staging in the communities of Creighton Farms, Belmont Country Club and River Creek, placed on the coffee table in a prominent arrangement. Professional home stagers never adhere heavily to a theme of any sort, however our goal is to let the staging speak to the mindset of the type of person that would choose that home. Books help to convey that sentiment. Another example is adding books on Virginia Hunt Country when staging in such locales as Delaplane, Middleburg and Western Loudoun. The photos illustrate some of our favorite ways we incorporate books as accessories and decor, not just for staging but for interior redesign as well. We often use stacks of books that provide height, color and texture on large coffee tables.  We have even used a book to create symmetrical height when staging occupied homes. Placing a book under a table lamp evens out mismatched side tables or nightstands.  We even take it a step further and create a monochromatic look for bookshelves by painting books white for a more contemporary look.     Removing the spines of worn hardback books and wrapping the stack in burlap ribbon provides texture and interest for coastal spaces.       We even found a way to utilize the lowly paperback by wrapping the cover over the book and tying the stacks with jute twine.    The morale of the story is that for books and bookshelves, be creative, but less is more.The End