Staging New Hampshire

New Hampshire Home Stager, Transforming My New Home - Kitchen

In a recent post, The New Hampshire Home Stager Bait & Switch, I promised to share photos from the transformation of my new home.

In case you missed it:  Dining Room,  Living Room, Master Bed & Bath

 The kitchen has been painted and we've made a few small changes, but it's not done.  

We will eventually replace the counters and tile the backsplash, but not until we can decide exactly what we want.  We are still looking at options.

 Here's what we've done so far.....

If you've been following the series, you know the paint colors already.  We used Ben Moore Thunder on all walls but one....using Ben Moore Stampede as an accent wall.

We turned the ceiling fan blades over to their black side.

We painted the base of the island black because it didn't match the cabinets or the floors.

The wall color is far more dramatic than the picture shows....it's actually much warmer.

We updated the outlet at the end of the island to black...

We updated the cabinet hardware....

These small changes are enough to keep me happy until I find the right counter and backsplash.

Next up:  Family Room Built-in Bookcases

New Hampshire Home Stager, Transforming My New Home - Master Bed & Bath

In a recent post, The New Hampshire Home Stager Bait & Switch, I promised to share photos from the transformation of my new home.

In case you missed it:  Dining Room,  Living Room

The Master Bedroom is beautiful and spacious.  Color was the only issue.

Both the Master Bedroom and Bath were PINK.

The Master Bathroom probably needed the most work. 

 One thing it was lacking was storage space...there is no closet.

One thing it was not lacking...mirrors!

The wall of mirrors had to go, as did the light fixtures.

We purchased a tri-view 48" medicine cabinet to add storage space.

New light fixtures were installed after painting the room

 Ben Moore Thunder AF-685

We painted the bedroom Ben Moore Stampede 979

One other improvement:

The ceiling fan blades were a dated looking woodgrain finish.  We removed them and turned them over to the other side which is black.  

Looks great with the Stampede walls and soon to be added black furniture.

Next up: Kitchen

New Hampshire Home Stager, Transforming My New Home - Living Room

In a recent post, The New Hampshire Home Stager Bait & Switch, I promised to share photos from the transformation of my new home.

In case you missed it....Dining Room

One of the things that first impressed me about this house is the wall of windows in the Living Room....directly across from the front door.

This is one of the rooms that I previously described as being " so very white".

 To warm it up, I chose Ben Moore Thunder AF-685   

 I love this color!  Depending on the light it looks gray, khaki or tan.  

Painting this room was a challenge with the cathedral ceilings, but my husband is both fearless and resourceful.

I did my part, occasionally climbing the step ladder, but usually keeping my feet safely on the ground.

We're very happy with the end result...

Thunder looks great with Stampede!  We used both colors throughout the house.

Next up:  Master Bed and Bath

 New Hampshire Home Stager, Transforming My New Home - Dining Room

In a recent post, The New Hampshire Home Stager Bait & Switch, I promised to share photos from the transformation of my new home.

First decision was paint colors.  I prefer keeping it simple, limiting the home to only a couple of colors.

I knew I wanted to use one of my favorite colors, Ben Moore Stampede 979, in several rooms.  I chose Ben Moore Thunder AF-685 as a complimentary color for most of the remaining rooms.

Our first project was adding some warmth and sophistication to the Dining Room.

I wanted to give the room a more formal look by creating the appearance of wainscoting.

First we painted the top portion with Stampede and the lower portion with primer.

We attached 1 1/2 x 1/4 pine lattice wood strips, spaced about two feet apart.  We primed the wood pieces and then painted the entire lower portion with trim color.  

Adding a new light fixture and ceiling medallion completed our transformation.

It's funny...I didn't like the wall sconces and planned to replace them, but somehow painting the wall gave them a new look and I like them now.

Next up... Living Room 

As many of you know, my husband and I recently bought a house, which we are currently transforming into our new home.  When I first called my husband to tell him I had found "the one" he was surprised and happy to hear it needed NO WORK....

"We don't have to do a thing!" I told him.

However, on my second visit, to show hubby the house.... let's just say that I must have left my rose-colored glasses in the car.  

The burgundy dining room was not going to work, and it really needed a more impressive light fixture.

The mint green powder room also needed a new color....new light fixtures and larger mirror would be in order. 

Pink master bedroom???  I don't think so.

The huge mirrors covering the wall in the master bath were disturbing.  New light fixtures needed here too.

We should upgrade the kitchen counter and add tile to the backsplash.  

The rest of the house was so white....so very white.

As we left the house, my husband accused me of

BAIT AND SWITCH

He was right...I had misled him a tiny bit.  But it wasn't intentional.  I was an emotional buyer when I first saw the house, and I was all Home Stager the second time around.

I had looked at so many unacceptable houses previously to finding this one and  I was so relieved, to find a house that I could call home, that I saw right past those minor details.

The house really was move-in ready for most people - just not move-in ready for a Home Stager! 

No self respecting Home Stager and blogger would transform their new home without sharing, so stay tuned for plenty of "before" and "after" pics!

Warning!  The Mistake Many Sellers Make Relisting In The Spring

Are you one of the many sellers who took their house off the market last winter, intending to relist in the spring?  If so, it's almost time....and you could be making a very costly mistake.  Do you know what the problem was when you first listed so you can avoid repeating it?

Many sellers take their house off the market blaming the time of year, the economy, or the agent...when the real problem is the condition of their house.  It's important you learn from your experience and, this time around make some changes in your approach to selling.  

Sellers who expect better results by simply changing seasons and/or hiring a new agent usually end up disappointed.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" 

Albert Einstein

If you want different results this time around, you need a different approach.  Increase the perceived value and set your house apart from the competition. 

• Make condition and presentation your priority.
• When choosing an agent, check out the MLS photos of their current listings.
• Consult with a Professional Home Stager for advice on the most cost effective improvements.
• Prepack as much as possible.
• Clean, paint, and update.
• Organize kitchen cabinets and all closets.

 If you don't choose to improve the condition, then you will have no choice but to lower the price.

That's insanity!