Staging New Hampshire

Here are some of my photographs taken in the Portsmouth, NH area. 

Final photos are in...this is the end of the road... the fat lady is singing! 

 For those of you who have been wondering "when will it end" "how much longer can this series be?"  Your prayers have been answered, this is the big finale!

The Master Bedroom....

Even though this is my daughter's new home and not a staging job, this project is still a testimonial to the power of staging.  This condo was listed on MLS without photos because it's condition was so bad.  So many sellers today are making the same mistake.  This is one time I approve of a listing not being staged...the result was a great price for my daughter!

Thanks to all of you who were so supportive and enthusiastic in your comments on this project!

Original Before Photos

Part 2  Dog Hair in the Microwave

Part 3  A New Door and More Paint

Part 4  Kitchen Tile, Nasty Carpet, Nana's Dresser

Part 5  Nana's Dresser Goes Heavy Metal

Part 6  What a Difference a Light Makes

Part 7  You Don't Always Get it Right The First Time

Part 8  From Charming to Functional Using Shelves

Part 9  Custom Wood Radiator Covers by Rick

Part 10  Final photos are in

We aren't totally finished our "not-so-extreme" make-over yet, but we are close enough for some "After" photos.  I first posted on this project back on March 3 and considering we only had weekends and some evenings to work on it, we made pretty good time.  Since my daughter has actually moved in and we only have some minor finish work to do, I decided not to keep you waiting any longer for the "after" photos.

Here goes:   

  The only room left to photograph is the master bedroom, which I will do at another time.

To check out past posts on this transformation:                                                                            

Part 2  Dog Hair in the Microwave

Part 3  A New Door and More Paint

Part 4  Kitchen Tile, Nasty Carpet, Nana's Dresser

Part 5  Nana's Dresser Goes Heavy Metal

Part 6  What a Difference a Light Makes

Part 7  You Don't Always Get it Right The First Time

Part 8  From Charming to Functional Using Shelves

Part 9  Custom Wood Radiator Covers by Rick

Preparing your home for sale? 

You are not alone, many New Hampshire Seacoast homeowners are hoping to find a buyer, and your home has plenty of competition on the market.  To guarantee you make the best impression on buyers I suggest you keep in mind that "sensory" appeal is just as important as "curb" appeal.

SIGHT

The visual appearance of a home prompts potential buyers more than any other factor.

Once homeowners step inside, they decide almost immediately whether or not they want to buy your home. It is essential that they be greeted with a spotless, ready-to-move-into home.

Clean or freshly painted walls and spotlessly clean or brand new carpeting are a must. Hardwood floors must be in excellent condition. Any floor tile should be in a light neutral, in good condition.

Furniture must be arranged to show space and function and at the same time guide the eye towards positive features of the home and away from the negative.

Light is the second most quoted reason for choosing a home.

Make sure all lights work and, where necessary, replace light bulbs with a higher wattage. Replace dark or worn lampshades with new, sheer or white shades.

Paint walls and dark woodwork in light, neutral paint.

Replace heavy, dark window treatments with lighter sheer curtains. Clean all windows inside and out so that the sun can shine in.  

Nothing will turn away a potential buyer faster than an unpleasant smell.

Welcome buyers and make them feel comfortable by greeting them with a pleasant aroma.   A few drops of vanilla warmed in the oven yields the same result as baked cookies, triggering a comfort response. 

Remove litter boxes. Keep trash can clean at all times. Open windows before a showing when possible. 

TOUCH

Texture, added throughout the house, is appealing to the eye and to the touch and will add an element of style which translates into perceived value.

Help buyers feel comfortable and at home by keeping the temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

SOUND

Creaking floors, dripping faucets, and noisy heating systems could be a cause for concern to a buyer.

Neighborhood noises such as traffic and barking dogs can be distracting. Playing soft jazz or classical music can help the home feel more relaxing and help buyers to concentrate on positive features.

 Buyers' perceived value of your home is based on the reaction of their senses.

Whether you are selling your home, have a design challenge, or just want a fresh, updated look, I would love to assist you with your transformation or answer any questions that you may have about Home Staging in the Portsmouth,  New Hampshire area.  

We all have had that "what is going on" feeling of confusion when there is no explanation for something, those twilight zone moments when you question your own sanity.

I like order and answers...organization and explanation.  I don't like uncertainty or confusion. 

This past Christmas we had 23 relatives at our home for dinner.  The next day I noticed a green cashmere sweater in the closet.  I sent out an email to the female guests stating that someone forgot their sweater.  Several replies came back stating the sweater wasn't theirs.  A couple weeks went by and I called those who hadn't replied.  The sweater didn't belong to any of them.

A sweater doesn't just appear in your closet.  This closet was part of a new addition to my home and prior to this party had never been used, so the sweater had to belong to one of the Christmas guests.  Yet, no one claimed it. 

We went through photos from the party trying to identify who might have brought it.  No luck. 

 Even though it was clearly a woman's sweater, I checked with the remaining male guests to see if any of them knew anything about this mystery sweater.  No luck.

I started to wonder if it was my mind...was I finally losing it?  Maybe it is my sweater and I just don't remember it?  Is that possible? 

A month after Christmas, my sister visited and I mentioned that the sweater mystery was still bothering me.  She asked to see it.  When I pulled it out of the closet, she said "Oh, that is my sweater...I totally forgot I brought it."  She forgot she brought it!  So this wasn't a mystery after all, I'm not losing my mind after all... my sister is losing her mind!

On a daily basis we blame memory or age when we can't remember something or find something.   But sometimes, you just want an answer to a mystery that may never be solved.

The other day, I was looking for a slip of paper that I was sure I had put in my bag.  I checked every compartment, not there.  I checked every compartment again, not there! 

 I was visiting my parents at the time and my mother went through the bag, zipping and unzipping.  "Sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes" she said.  Her fresh eyes didn't find it either. 

 Oh well, I assumed it had been accidently thrown out.

The next day I pulled my cell phone out of it's zippered compartment and what came out with it?  You guessed it...the slip of paper!  Where did it come from?  The phone had been used several times in between the searching and the finding.  The cell phone compartment of the bag had been checked three times! 

One of life's little annoying mysteries.

A much bigger mystery:

A friend of mine woke up one morning to her cat on her bed.  The cat was hungry and was letting her know she wanted to be fed.  She gently pushed the cat off the bed and returned to sleep.

 She has not seen the cat since. 

When she got up and went to feed the cat, she couldn't find it.  She searched her entire condo, it just wasn't there.  She never went out that day and no one came in.  The door never opened.  The cat is gone.  

Everyone who has heard this story has tried to come up with an explanation for this cat's disappearance.  There seems to be a need to be the one to solve this mystery.  Everyone has a theory.

 We will probably never know what happened to that cat.  One thing is for sure, though, you will have your own ideas as to what happened...you can't help yourself!

By the way, after hearing this story, my friend's parents did their own search.  After hearing the story I, along with a couple of other friends, searched every inch of the condo. We couldn't find any holes or openings anywhere. 

Care to share your twilight zone moments?