Here’s their story!

Kitchen: The light oak kitchen cabinets were painted an off-white color with a new wine rack built and installed into the microwave opening to make use of the space. By removing two smaller doors in the upper cabinets and adding some trim, a space was created to display the homeowner’s décor items.  The counter space was enlarged by extending the granite countertop another foot to add a bar area and to accommodate the bar stools.  A new granite sink and faucet was installed in a mocha color to coordinate with the countertop, and a back splash was installed to compliment the color scheme.  All new stainless steel appliances were purchased for the new kitchen, and custom blinds were installed to allow light to come in and yet give the privacy needed. Custom roman valances were added to the windows to soften the look and add some texture.

Living room/bedrooms, bathrooms and loft area: The entire living space was painted in soft grays, blues, tan and green with an accent wall in the kitchen and living room area. All of the trim work throughout was painted in a creamy white, and the vanities and cupboards in both bathrooms were also painted. The hardwood flooring throughout (with exception of the loft) was sanded and refinished from a light oak to a medium warm brown.  Custom blinds, roman shades and drapes were also installed in all of the bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry room and loft area. The master bedroom had a new fan installed and the old one was repurposed to another bedroom.

Hallway: New handrails and newel posts were installed and stained to match the flooring and the wood rails were replaced with bronze wrought iron railings. The stairs leading to the family room downstairs were refinished and the treads and skirting were painted to match the trim

Loft Area: The living room furniture was repurposed for this space and new roman shades were installed on the accent wall

Furniture: New furniture and lamps were purchased for the living room and the kitchen with a new dining set and matching bar stools to give it a more contemporary style that we wanted to achieve.

 Last, but not least, all new bedding and décor items including rugs, towel bars, prints and lamps were purchased to coordinate with the new color scheme throughout and to bring out the best features of each room.

Trades involved: Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painter, seamstress, floor refinisher, and installers for blinds, drapes & rods and countertops

This project was completed on time and the customers couldn’t be happier with the results!

Staging really does work!

Visit the project showcase

]]> http://www.stagedimage.com/small-staging-big-results.htm/feed 0 http://www.stagedimage.com/getting-ready-for-the-open-house.htm http://www.stagedimage.com/getting-ready-for-the-open-house.htm#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:04:29 +0000 admin http://www.stagedimage.com/?p=377 Customers are sometimes surprised when a home staging consultation has been completed and after the review of the recommendations provided to the homeowner, that there can be a fair amount of work ahead of them to get their homes ready for the “Open House”.  There is also the realization of the slight inconvenience it may cause to their normal daily routines in everyday living.  After all, the way we live in our home and the way we sell our home is not the same. To prepare your home for sale, you may require storing away furniture items, painting and touch-ups throughout, and clearing away any clutter to create space, but all with one goal in mind, to sell your home quickly and for more money. The good news is that the slight inconvenience of home staging is not only short term but it is also lightening the load for your future move with packing and clearing away unwanted items early, you are that much further ahead of the game and your patience and hard work will be worth it in the end to help sell your home.

For further information regarding the home staging process contact “Staged Image” at

stagedimage@ns.sympatico.ca or visit the website www.stagedimage.com

Remember! Image is Everything!

This home was in much need of a newer fresher look and “ Staged Image”  had just the right formula to pull it all together and bring it up to date and current for today’s buyers.  First, paint colors were carefully selected for every room in this home and along with the newly painted kitchen cabinets, vanities and trim, the overall effect was quite dramatic.  Next, decor items such as prints, lamps, vases, bedding and towels were purchased to add to the newer, fresher look that we wanted to achieve.   And last, de-cluttering and rearranging the furniture to create more space throughout the home was essential in giving each room a more spacious and open feel and that’s what home buyers are looking for today!

Plenty of space, warm colors, and move-in ready!

The overall effect was inviting and appealing to home buyers in today’s market and this home SOLD to the first couple who had seen it.

To view this property visit: http://www.stagedimage.com/showcase/staging/showcase/older-home-breathes-new-life

SOLD!

Remember! Image is Everything!

New Waterford business owner of home staging business “Staged Image” Linda J McMullin says that in today’s market builders, realtors and homeowners are always trying to get ahead of the competition in selling their homes and “staging”  is a valuable tool to help sell it faster and for more money.  After all, the way you live in your home and the way you sell your home are two different things,  Staging a home for sale will often include painting, clearing the clutter, furniture placement and bringing in props and décor items to give it that cozy and lived in feeling that customers are looking for today.

“ Staged Image” specializes in model homes and several builders in the Dartmouth area including a New Waterford native Claude LeForte has used my services to help with the sale of their new homes. Recently, I staged an empty home for LeForte Homes and it sold in a day.  In this case furniture is rented and with a little creativity and hard work the empty home can be transformed into a cozy lived-in space that customers can relate to and visualize themselves living their.   “Image is Everything” is the tag line used by Staged Image as customers usually make a decision to purchase a home within the first few minutes of entering it and so that first impression really is everything.

I enjoy the whole process of staging homes and have had the opportunity of working on some challenging projects throughout HRM and with the awareness of home staging and word of mouth my business is growing.  My next big project is a model home in Portland Hills Dartmouth and the open house will take place on May 12th.  So guys if you’re looking for that special gift for that special someone!

If you have any inquiries about staging a home for sale I can be reached at stagedimage@ns.sympatico.ca or my website is www.stagedimage.com

Thin out your closets and cupboards and get rid of the clutter to give you that much needed space you have been looking for. Roll up any rugs and carpets and store away your winter throws and heavy blankets and this will automatically make your room feel bigger and brighter. Change the pillows or pillow covers to reflect spring and summer, and add a botanical or nautical print to suit your décor.

In the bedroom, change bedding to crisp white sheets with lighter bed covers and add complimentary accent pillows. In the bathroom seashell soaps are a welcome addition along with white towels or towels with a punch of color to make it feel like feel like summer. By bringing the outdoors in with greenery, flowers and herbs you will awaken your senses and brighten any room.

Lightening the load in your home will help you lighten your spirit and greet each day with a smile and that’s what summer is all about!

To view pictures of this home go to http://www.stagedimage.com/showcase

SOLD!

It’s that time of year and once again “Staged Image” was asked by MacFArlane Homes to set the stage for the R2000 tour of homes.  The builder recognizes the added value in staging his model homes to showcase to the public.  This show home has many high end features throughout and staging the home allows potential customers to visualize themselves living in this space with their own furnishings.  To create a cozy feeling “Staged Image” selected paint colors to compliment the decor and consulted with the builder to select flooring, cabinets and countertops throughout the home.  To add to that “lived-in” feeling and to soften the look of the new home, custom draperies were made for the windows in the living room, dining room, master bedroom and master bath and original art work featuring a local artist was incorporated to further compliment the decor.  This stunning home was featured in Homes Weekly!  To view pictures of this year’s outstanding show home for 2010 check out my website www.stagedimage.com.

This home sold in 2 months!

]]> http://www.stagedimage.com/351.htm/feed 0 http://www.stagedimage.com/macfarlane-homes-presents.htm http://www.stagedimage.com/macfarlane-homes-presents.htm#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:32:50 +0000 admin http://www.stagedimage.com/?p=342

MacFarlane Homes Presents

For the first time MacFarlane Homes is featuring two pieces of original art work by Evelyn Marie MacDonald

And

Custom Drapery Panels with designer fabric to showcase the beautiful living room/dining room, master bedroom and ensuite

 As well the offer of a free installation on any custom blind order during the grand opening of the MacFarlane Show home

 Paintings  

Large Piece “My Christmas Amaryllis”

And

Small Piece “Amaryllis in Gold”

These original pieces of art are for sale by the owner for an exceptional price during the grand opening of MacFarlane’s show home

For further inquiries regarding custom blinds, draperies and paintings

Contact Linda at 222-1476 or stagedimage @ns.sympatico.ca

Staged Image came up with a solution for the windows in all nine suites by selecting custom blinds that provide room-darkening when needed (on a bright sunny morning), and also have an added feature that would allow customers to pull the blinds from the top down to control the amount of privacy required.  The suites’ patio doors were draped with a nautical single panel custom drapery on espresso-color wood drapery poles with ball finials to compliment the furniture.  Custom pillows and a throw on the bed were also included to compliment the nautical décor.  The suites were painted a soft color to bring light into the room and to blend in with the color of the custom blinds and drapery. 

 The restaurant windows (which offer spectacular views of the water and extend the full length of the restaurant) were equipped with screenweave roller shades to block out some of the light on a hot sunny day but do not obstruct the view when pulled down. The color of the blinds compliment the wood used throughout and can be rolled up into the headrail when not in use.  The owner was very happy with the products used and the services provided by “Staged Image”.

To view pictures visit the showcase gallery.