Staging New Hampshire

If you can't keep up with the plot of the movie because you are distracted by the poor furniture placement and how you would improve it, you might be a home stager.

 

If instead of mingling with the other guests at a party, you are organizing spices in the hosts' pantry, you might be a home stager.

If, as a child you were more interested in decorating Barbie's dream house than playing with Barbie, you might be a home stager.

 

 If you have ever vacuumed the garage, you might be a home stager.

 

 

If you purchase shaving cream based on it's container and how it will look in your shower, you might be a home stager.

 

 

If you organize the magazines in the waiting room at the doctor's office by date and subject, you might be a home stager.

 

 

If while visiting beautiful Flroida you organize your mother's closet and clean her refrigerator, instead of spending time at the pool with your husband you might be a home stager. 

If you bring more stuff home from the dump (from the free table) than you brought to the dump, you might be a home stager.

If while meeting with your child's teacher you find your mind and attention wandering away from the conversation at hand because the students' artwork displayed on the wall could be better arranged, you might be a home stager. 

 

 

If while having a massage, instead of relaxing you are planning accessories for your next vacant, you might be a home stager.

 

 

If you find yourself rearranging store displays or organizing the fitting room, you might be a home stager.

 

 

If the words "shelving" and "storage" excite you, you might be a home stager.

 If while on vacation, you sneak off to visit ActiveRain, you might be a home stager.  (You might also be addicted to ActiveRain!)

 

 

If you are compelled to arrange things into groupings of odd numbers, you might be a home stager.

 

 

 

If people frequently comment "I wouldn't want you to see inside my house," you might be a home stager.

 If while visiting a friend's house, you rearrange decorative accessories behind her back (but secretly hope she notices and approves), you might be a home stager.

 

 

 

If you have ever had more than six lamps in your car at one time, you might be a home stager.

 

 

 

 

If a visit to the beach is like setting up camp, with your space clearly defined and a straw mat to place things on so they don't get sandy, and your towel, umbrella, and chair are color coordinated to match your bathing suit, you might be a home stager.

If you have anything to add to this list, then you are without a doubt, a home stager!

 

I've been getting a great response to my posts with recipes lately so I thought I would share my two favorite places to go when I'm looking for a recipe.

One place I love to check when I'm looking for healthy is Eating Well.

 I subscribed to the magazine for a couple of years, so I have back issues to refer to. 

It can get difficult to find a recipe, having to flip through all those issues, so I started going to the website.

It's awesome.  They have very healthy and delicious recipes.

My favorite recipe from Eating Well is Turkey Mushroom Loaves.  Excellent!!

 

My other favorite source for recipes is a wonderful blog written by Deb, a freelance writer who has a wonderful knack for choosing recipes to share.

The photos on this blog are fantastic and the recipes are fabulous.

Deb's husband, Alex, gets billing as "assistant photographer, majority-part dishwasher, cheering section and sometimes editor of grammar and spelling."

A favorite recipe from this site is the Clementine Cake.  Very moist and yummy!

Also the Butternut Squash and Onion Galette is to die for!

 

 

 

 

Do you need a creative and attractive way to display photos for a presentation?  Instead of purchasing the standard foam core display board and using a typical easel, why not use something you probably already have at home. (If you are a home stager, you will have these items.)   You not only save money, you end up having a more professional and visually appealing display.

I didn't have a large frame, so I used a framed picture and I cut a piece of white craft paper and attached it to the glass to cover the existing print.  I then used double sided tape to attach my photos. 

To finish the display, add a small table and some accessories:

 

I was reading through different blogs this morning and I'm not really sure why, but suddenly found myself wondering who my very first comment came from. 

 

  I've been on ActiveRain for over a year now and this is my 112th post. 

  I remembered how nervous I was writing that first one and how exciting it was to        get that comment. 

But, I did not remember who wrote it. 

 Returning to that post was like visiting an old friend and I scrolled to the bottom to see who "my first" was with anticipation.  It was Cait Donohue and this is what she wrote:

Sharon, This was a great first post! Soon you will realize that writing your thoughts down can be like an organization of your mind. You can get rid of some of the clutter and become excited over the direction it takes your life. Good luck...you've made  a great start!

I continued on and read all the supportive comments, and was very surprised to see that I had never responded to Cait.  I felt terrible, I know I wasn't familiar with blog courtesy back then, but what was I thinking? 

 I know it's been over a year, and it is well past due, but here goes:

Cait:  Thank you so much for the inspiring comment.  I know my mind could use some organizing and I am already excited about changing the direction of my life.  I appreciate the support!

 

Do you remember who your first comment came from? 

If not, go and see who it was.  Why not surprise them with a little "thank you" comment on their latest post identifying them as your first. 

 

Many years ago, in an attempt to eat healthier, my mother created a recipe to replace her favorite fried haddock.  Her delicious haddock recipe was passed on to me and then to my daughters.

It is one of our family favorites, very easy to make, and much healthier for those looking to cut fried foods from their diet.

HADDOCK A LA RICE KRISPIES

1 lb Fresh Haddock

1 C Rice Krispies

1 egg white

3 Tbsp Butter  melted

Salt and Pepper

 

For an even healthier recipe:

I use the Organic crispy rice cereal

made by Erewhon.

It is available at health food stores and many

of the chain grocery stores are carrying it now.

 

Also, I use 1/2 melted butter and 1/2 olive oil,

instead of all butter.

 

 

  

Start by placing rice cereal in zip lock bag and crushing with rolling pin or meat tenderizer. 

You don't have to pulverize it, just break it up enough that some of the cereal is crushed and some is still whole.

 

 

 

Prepare broiler pan by covering with foil and spraying foil with non stick spray.  Preheat oven to 375.

Place egg white in bowl and beat together with 1 Tbsp. water.  Dip haddock in egg white and then place into bag of cereal.

 Think Shake 'N Bake.  Toss fish around in bag until coated.

 

Place fish on pan.

Pour remaining cereal on top of fish.

Salt and Pepper.

Drizzle melted butter over top.

 

Bake at 375 degrees 10 - 12 minutes, until fish is white and flakey. 

 

 

  

 

This morning I found myself inspired to write, inspired by a comment left on my recent post,  How To Declutter.  The comment was from Hal Benz :

 "We think people know what we mean when we ask them to declutter. They usually don't and become easily offended if we offer feedback on their efforts. Kinda like what happens when I ask my 14 year old to clean her room."

I think Hal has hit on something.  I know I was guilty of repeatedly saying "clean your room" and getting no where but aggravated when it doesn't happen.  Of course, it doesn't work.  Our definition of "clean" and a teens definition are obviously light years apart.

I have an idea for a little experiment and I need some parents to participate.  All you need is a teen.

A teen with a typical teen room:

This week, instead of making generalized demands like "clean your room" try being specific with your request. 

"Could you please pick up the dirty laundry and put it in the laundry room, and put your clean clothes in the closet."

"Could you please put all those soda cans and the pizza box in the recycling."

I would love for you to report back with specific examples of your success or failure using this technique.  I am very curious to see if we can make some magic happen! 

Thanks, Hal - You may have saved a lot of parents from future frustration and some very expensive therapy!

One more thing...

Try talking "to" instead of "at" your teen.  I was given this advice once years ago and it makes such a difference. 

 

If you're looking for advice on how to prepare your house for sale, you don't have to look very long.  Home staging advice is on HGTV and all over the Internet.  There certainly isn't a shortage of information on the subject.

  The problem is that generalized terms like "update" and "depersonalize" aren't specific enough.  

And of course...

No checklist for preparing a home for sale would be complete without including the term "declutter."  It has to be the most frequently used term in real estate preparation today. 

 Knowing you need to declutter is only helpful if you know how to declutter.

Uncertainty can leave you feeling overwhelmed with the task ahead. 

The problem, as I see it:  your definition, your agent's definition, and my definition of "declutter" are probably all the same: to remove excess and disorder.  However, what each of us deems as clutter, how each of us would actually approach the task of decluttering, and what the end results would be, is another story.  

Unless you are a professional home stager, or clean freak, your approach will most likely result in frustration and avoidance, neither of which is going to get the laundry and toys out of the dining room and the hockey trophies out of the living room.

 

I know what you are thinking...

 

How does she know I have laundry in the dining room?

 

 

Psychic powers...a secret Home Stager ability.   But that's a subject for another post.

The subject of this post is to help you understand exactly how to declutter.   

The best approach for dealing with clutter is to deal with it in small doses, one room at at time.  The most influential rooms (to buyers) are the kitchen and master bedroom.  Let's start with the kitchen...

 1.  Closets, cabinets and drawers.  Remove anything you do not use on a regular basis.  Items removed go into one of three piles: trash, donate, pack.  Everything remaining in cabinets should be arranged in an organized fashion; cans together, boxes together, etc.  (Pack up the holiday stemware, extra coffee mugs, and 2/3 of that Tupperware) Your objective - clean, organized, and spacious. 

 2.  Appliances.  Clean inside and outside of all appliances.  Replace damaged or worn stove burners. Clear off top of refrigerator and remove all magnets, notes, and photos.  

 3.  Countertops.  Start by clearing everything off counters.  Wash windows, counters and cabinets.  Adding cabinet hardware or replacing old hardware will add perceived value.  To add color and depth, strategically place a few accent pieces, such as a large platter, cookbooks, or assorted oils on counters.

 4.  Sink Area.  Clean sink, faucet and drains.  Keep paper towels, soap and sponges under sink.  Never leave rack or dishes in sink. 

 5.  Personal Items.  Use a basket or box to keep keys, mail, bills, address book, and other personal items off counter and out of view.

Now that you have successfully prepared your kitchen, it's on to the Master Bedroom:

The master bedroom should give an impression of calm sophistication. 

1.  Remove all toys, stuffed animals, pet items, hobby/craft items.   Ideally, TV should be removed.

2.  Organize closets,  repeating procedure used for kitchen.  Remove anything you are not using regularly and sort into trash, donate, or pack.

3.  Remove personal items (jewelry, lotions, paperwork, medications) from nightstands and dresser.

4.  Remove all family photos and religious items.  

5.  Remove excercise equipment and computer/desk.  The master bedroom should not double as gym or home office. 

 Next stop...Master Bath

 The key to the master bath is achieving a spa-like atmosphere.  The bathroom is a very personal room and buyers don't want to be reminded that other people use it.  Purchase new towels and soaps and accessories for your new home and use them now to help you sell this home.

1.  Start with closet, cabinets and drawers.  You should be getting pretty good at this step by now.  Towels should be stacked neatly, paper products arranged orderly, and all personal hygiene products should be stored in a storage container out of view.

2.  Remove everything from tub surround and vanity.  Never leave your toothbrushes and other personal items in view.  Keep them in a plastic tote that you pull out to use each day and then return to hiding.

3.  Clean tub, toilet, sink, faucets, vanity and mirror until they shine. 

4.  Add color and texture using rolled towels by tub and rolled face cloths by sink.  For color, add a pair of candles, silk florals, and baskets or glass jars full of bath salts or soaps.

In case you are doubting that all this work is necessary, it is important for you to understand that there is a psychology involved.  The more organized and neat the closets and cabinets are, the more of a "clean, anal, martha stewart" you are perceived as by buyers.  This in turn means the house has been well maintained.  This is perceived as value and justifys asking price.

Work smart, one small area at a time.  No matter how much stuff you have to deal with, it all has to be dealt with eventually for you to move, so do it now and be ahead of the game. 

If you really want to have the best possible results, (you knew I couldn't get through this post without saying it) hire a professional home stager to come in for the finishing touches.  If you want to avoid the work all together, you could hire a stager to do it all.  Unlike you, who does not enjoy organizing, stagers thrive on it.  It's not just our business, it's our passion!

 

 

 

Who says stroganoff has to be made with beef?  Why not chicken?  I gave it a try and it turned out delicious so I thought I would share it. 

 

CHICKEN STROGANOFF

1 Onion

12 ounce pkg. Mushrooms

4 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 lb. chicken breast (boneless/skinless)

1 C chicken broth

1 1/2  tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 1/2 Tbsp Flour

1/4 C water

1 C sour cream

 

Slice onion and mushrooms. 

 

Saute in 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat until onions are clear and mushrooms are golden. 

 Remove from pan, set aside.

 

Cut chicken into bite size pieces.  Add remaining 2 Tbsp. of oil to pan and when hot, add chicken.  Cook on medium heat until chicken is browned on all sides.

 

 

Return veggies to pan and mix together with chicken. 

 Add broth, mustard, salt and pepper.

Simmer on low for about 15 minutes until chicken is completely cooked.

 

 

Stir flour into water until smooth and then add to pan, stirring constantly until broth thickens.

Add sour cream.  Remove from heat. 

 Serve over egg noodles.  (I didn't have egg noodles and used angel hair...it was yummy!)

Now if you would like to make Beef Stroganoff, the recipe is the same except for the following substitutions:

2 lbs. beef round steak instead of chicken

1 C beef broth instead of chicken broth

After adding broth to beef and veggies, increase simmer time to 45 mins. or until tender.