Have you been thinking about a career in Home Staging?

Have you been thinking about making a career change lately?

Maybe you would like to be in charge of your own schedule doing something you love and being paid good money in exchange for your talents?

That’s how I felt a few years when two of my biggest clients announced they were moving on and I was to lose over 70% of my current income! Yikes - I needed to do something quick and whatever that was going to be, I knew it had to meet certain criteria:

1. It needed to be a business that took very little time and money to get up and running

2. In order to replace 70% of my income, it needed to be a lucrative choice

3. As long as I was starting over, I was hoping to find something I could be passionate about.

Pretty tough criteria to meet on all levels. I had always thought that the easy to train for, fun and desirable high paying fields were already saturated. Then I was introduced to home staging.

I must admit, when I was first considering home staging, there were some things that had me worried. I knew from watching all the televisions shows that I would love directing a design project from start to finish and watching the incredible difference in the before and afters. But I still wondered how much work would be out there and if I could really make a go of it. What if I put myself out there and no one ever called?

To my great relief – I had my first staging client within a couple weeks. Turns out, home staging has been around for over 30 years and is the #1 career poised for growth according to CNN and Career Builder.

Now I look forward to my work. Gone are the days that I yearned for something different or better. For me, the best part about being a home stager is solving a creative challenge that results in a complete visual transformation. It was easy to master this design skill set but I am always excited to realize that every project is different and I never get bored! As a side benefit,  I have helped hundreds of people sell their home faster and for more money and they are truly grateful for my services. (I also happen to be very fond of my boss for the first time in my life!)

If you have any questions about becoming a home stager, or certified training, I would like to invite you to personally call me.

I hope you can join me for the next certified home staging training sessions:

Feb 20 – 24 2012 Dallas, Texas.

March 19-23 2012   Washington DC.

Using Color and the Different Types of Color

Color creates the mood and emotion. Color guides the eye we are in charge of controlling the buyer’s eye on what they look at. Color and accessories create style and provides energy to a room. Color creates architectural interest, showcases features and brings them to life, and draws attention to the most important parts of a room. Color can also distract from the negative. A negative space or feature in a room that you want less emphasis on.

Hue is just a fancy way to say color and tints add white to a pure hue. Shades add black and tones adds gray.

Warm colors advance and bring attention when we want to advance a wall of excitement exhilaration, and energy. Cool colors mellow out and make a room feel quiet and larger. Complementary high powered energy schemes can be reds greens, and blue greens. Analogous color mean colors next to each other and harmonious colors are colors that flow well together like green/blue subtle color schemes.

A good way to know when to use a monochromic color scheme is when you see traditional style, classically inspired, or antiques.

Use receding colors to make a room feel larger, like a monotone color scheme – using non colors and variations of it. True neutrals are blacks, whites, and grays. You would use color to warm up a cold room because color can help unify a space as well as help break up a space.

Red is exhausting to the eye and all color triggers some kind of an emotional response. Have fun with color when using it in a room though. You can make a room feel warm while still being creative with your color schemes.

Home Staging Cheat Sheet

Are you seeking a career where you can:
home staging coursesStart Designing Homes Immediately home staging coursesBe Your Own Boss home staging coursesMake Your Own Schedule
home staging coursesEarn Great Income home staging coursesWork Full Time or Side Line

Well NOW you can. Here is a little taste of what Home Staging it all about. I created a little cheat sheet for you to check out.

Scale:
Scale refers to the actual, relative, and visual size of an object when compared with the size of the space it is in. For example, a grand piano placed in an alcove would be out of scale with its surroundings. The same piano would be in scale in a large room with high majestic ceilings.

Proportion:
Proportion is the relation of the size of one part of the object to the size of the remaining parts of the object. Furnishings, while being in scale with the room, must also be in proportion to one another. For example, a small table with a large lamp on it would not be in proper proportion.

Unity, Rhythm and Harmony:
Rhythm is created through the repetition of color, line, form and texture; carefully positioned in the room. These elements move the eye around a room either comfortably or in a jumpy manner. Like the various rhythms associated with music, visual rhythm moves the eye at a variety of tempos. It is a continuous, recurrent, and organized movement.

A slow relaxed rhythm can be created with connection of color and lines. Colors can gradually intensify or become lighter or darker gradually. They can also create a rhythm through repetition. A faster allegro rhythm can be created by the vivid contrast of light and dark, by lines which abruptly change direction or which are broken and scattered around a room.

Harmony is achieved by bringing unity and variety together in design. In much the same way as is musical harmony. Concordant notes create a subtle sense of belonging together. They create a comfortable feeling in much the same manner as unity in design. Discordant notes create a tension, a slight sense of unease or being off-balance just as the use of variety does in a decorating scheme. Too much unity can be very boring; too much variety can create anxiety. Finding the proper balance of each with the other is the key to good design. You might try using a variety of treatments in a unified color scheme.

Emphasis/Focal Point:
The focal point is the center of activity; the primary interest of a room. Special attention or prominence is given to a particular piece of furniture, accessory or architectural element. Focal points “hold” a room together visually by drawing the eye to it. Every room must have at least one main point of interest.

Form:

Form shapes, positive & negative space Form is the dimensional outline of an object or the defining boundaries of positive and negative space. It is easy to think in black and white when trying to comprehend form. What would a silhouette of an object look like? Line, curve, angle, grid, visual weight, construction, and balance inherent to an object or space are what define a dimensional outline.

Realize the Space
Use of form and its attributes affects the inhabitants by reaction. Functionality and every day use can be portrayed with clean linear lines, smooth surfaces and minimalistic geometric intersections. Formal atmospheres tend to have constrained and elaborate shape. A deep, cushy leather sofa will work best in an informal atmosphere, while a firm, hard-back chair will work well in a living room or dining room. Comfort and a feeling of security is created using long horizontals with broken verticals and furnishings that are comfortable, yet firm.

Learning to see the space or object in positive and negative spaces will bring about rhythm, harmony and balance. Instead of looking at the space, try to see the space. Realize its edges, interplay, and flow between objects. Optical illusion can make a room appear taller by adding shorter objects and smaller by breaking the space up into smaller spaces.

Form Terminology
Curvilinear – Free-flowing curves, rounded edges, elliptical and concentric circles
Dynamic – Profiles having the quality of action, rhythm or flow among objects within a space.
Juxtaposition – Abrupt differences in visual representation of positive and negative space, among objects and their intrinsic values like weight, edges or surfaces
Linear – Having the quality of repeating shape or straight lines
Static – Profiles that are still, stationary, or inactive (Opposite of Dynamic)

Contrast / Juxtaposition

A dynamic space with overall balance can be achieved by providing contrast between its elements: thick with thin, hard with soft, linear with curvilinear, horizontal with vertical, open with enclosed, and large with small.

Likewise, juxtaposing different shapes with regards to the overall space creates action or lack thereof. Engage the occupants with ornate details or create establishment with grids and symmetry.

Layout:

The arrangement of objects & spaces.

Layout as a design element indicates relative placement or position. The arrangement of an object’s elements or an object’s placement within a space can be aesthetically pleasing, but dysfunctional. For example; chairs, tables and sofas should have at least 18” of room around them.

Each of the design elements (color, form, pattern and texture) affects layout. A space cluttered with disorganized furniture and accent placement is not harmonious and creates confusion. An organized and well-planned room balances each design element with regards to the space and its representation as a cohesive whole but may sacrifice rhythm.

Layout Terminology
Symmetric – Symmetry is harmonious or aesthetically pleasing. It is the axis or focal point-based on balance. It is the opposing weight, color, line, and the arrangement with lack of connection.
Asymmetric – Visual variety or spontaneity with contrast, intersection, tension and juxtaposition. Asymmetry creates action, intrigue, and flow. It can be balanced to create overall harmony while retaining balance. It is the complete opposite of symmetry.
Tension – The natural focus provided by interplay between form or positive and negative space. It can be related to proximity, scale, angle, abruptness and lack of space.
Linear – Having the quality of repeating objects or straight lines.
Dynamic – Having the quality of action, rhythm or flow characterized by intersection, contrast of line and angle, proximity, and scale.

Static – Lacking contrast, extremes or rhythm.

To Continue your education in Home Staging Contact The Academy of Home Staging or go to The Academy of Home Staging Website.  We have added new training dates all over the US for 2012!

Top 10 Staging Tips

Box up the knickknacks

Rearrange furniture

Add touches of color

Light a scented candle

Open curtains and blinds

 

Highlight architectural details

Update faucets, light switches, lighting

Eliminate unpleasant odors

Replace carpet

Consider new kitchen appliances


Do you Have What it Takes to be a Home Stager?

Although the average home stager earns between $75-$150 per hour., this is business is not about getting rich quick. It takes a lot of commitment, hard work and drive.

  1. Entrepreneurial- A successful home stager markets themselves to the community, takes initiative to establish relationships with agents, and continues to put effort into their business everyday- even if the phone isn’t ringing.
  2. Hard working- Staging home entails a lot of rearranging of furniture and accessories. This involves a lot of lifting, bending, carrying, and long hours of hard work.
  3. Ethical and Empathy for others- Word travels quickly in the real estate community. Unethical practices, unkind words or a battling attitude may earn you a bad reputation. People own possessions that are sentimental to them in nature and we must always honor their lifestyles and belongings.
  4. Follow through- Maintaining your current clients saves you time and money over attracting new clients. This means follow-up phone calls, monthly newsletters and regular agent presentations.
  5. Love What You Do-When you love what you do it will naturally inspire you to be working diligently on your business. In addition, you will be a better designers, better business manager and more businesses will come your way when people feel your passion.

The Staging Process

  1. Create a focal point in every room, preferably from a feature the home already has
  2. Create warm and inviting seating arrangements in all rooms
  3. Selecting updated and complimentary paint colors
  4. Selecting or advising on upgrades needed to sell the home including flooring and fixtures
  5. De-cluttering and cleaning (Most homes need window and carpet cleaning)
  6. Utilize attractive accessories in an appealing way
  7. Depersonalizing the space so that it appeals the majority
  8. Increase curb appeal
  9. Staging a room for its true potential

Fast 5 Tips for the Spring Season

Spring is definitely in the air. Need some quick and easy spring staging tips?  Keep this checklist in hand for your staged properties and utilize it to the fullest potential of this season to show and sell houses.


1. Refresh your flower pots.  Do you have left over flowers from winter?  Do you have empty flower pots lying around?  Fill these empty pots with potting soil and blooming flowers from your local gardening store.  Also, utilize some mobile pots, so you can fill empty spots around the front door, back decks, or yard to brighten up your spaces.


2. Tidy up your yard, the weather is nice so why not. Consider it morning exercise to tackle your yard with a rake and do a once-over walk through to make sure there is no clutter.  Having clean lines can make a yard seem larger.  Update your mulch and fill in spots where winter has not been kind.

3. Purchase a new “WELCOME’ mat for the front door.  This is so simple and welcoming, you would be surprised how this one message changes a buyers feel as they enter the homes.

4)  Fake it.  You do not want to put fresh flowers out, especially this time of year. Specialty stores are brimming with beautiful silk greenery and spring flowers.  Having these adds a lively touch to dark or empty corners throughout the home.

5. Utilize colors around the front door, entrance way, and any other places where a splash of color can brighten the room. Use different bright colors to liven up the space.

Counter Top Materials

Granite

Natural Stone with a coarse grain and crystalline texture that is thick, durable, and virtually maintenance- free.

Paper Composite

Made of recycled paper (or pulp obtained from sustainable managed forests) and coated in water- based acrylic resin. Examples: PaperStone and Richlite.

Butcher Block

Strips of solid maple, white oak, or beech that has been fused together. It has a warm, rustic look and can double as a cutting board.

Recycled Glass

Aggregate of recycled, often postindustrial, glass tiles or chips. Examples: EnviroSLAB and IceStone.

Soapstone

Soft, easily carved stone that is generally dark gray and contains talc, which gives it the feel of dry soap.

Marble

Marble is metamorphic rock with a swirled, clouded pattern. Comes is a range of colors. Stains very easily.

Ancient Furniture History

History

After the retreat of the last ice age, the hunter-gatherer communities of the Stone Age gradually began to acquire the skills of agriculture, and civilizations were born. No longer perpetually on the move in an endless search for food, families were able to build homes and acquire possessions. Division of labor was possible, and skilled craftsmen began to develop their trades in producing articles such as jewelry, pottery and furniture.

Ancient Furniture

Although much ancient art such as pottery and jewelry survives from the earliest civilizations, ancient furniture was mostly wooden, and has long since rotted away. Our knowledge of ancient furniture is mainly derived from scenes depicted in early art forms, such as pottery decorations and frescos. Perhaps the earliest furniture in existence is that found at Catal Huyuk in Turkey that dates from around 3000 BC.


Evidence

A valuable contribution to our knowledge of ancient furniture came from the excavation site at Akrotiri, where the Minoan city of Thera was preserved by lava from a volcanic eruption. Although the actual furniture has long since perished, it has left cavities in the larval rock. By using these cavities as moulds, archaeologists have been able to reproduce the furniture that stood in these ancient Minoan homes.

Examples

The best examples of ancient furniture still in existence are those found in the tombs of Egyptian noblemen. Egyptian furniture was placed in tombs for the use of the deceased in the afterlife, and many items are still in good condition due to the hot, dry climate and the fact that they were sealed inside the burial chambers.

Chinese

Many items of ancient Chinese furniture have also been preserved, since Chinese civilization has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years, and works of art have been treasured through the centuries.

Egyptian & Graeco Roman

Although surviving Egyptian furniture, Greek furniture and Roman furniture is rare, a lot of information is available regarding the ancient design of homes and furniture in these cultures. This is because ancient Egyptian art, Greek art, and ancient Roman art, artifacts and literature are plentiful, giving us a good idea of how these ancient people lived.

Classical Revival

Greek, Roman and Egyptian decor was the inspiration for the neoclassical furniture styles popular in Europe and America in the 18th and 19th centuries particularly the neoclassical furniture of the late Georgian era in England and also Regency Furniture.