Anyone who knows me knows I like an organized home. Anyone who reads my blog knows I have strong feelings and opinions when it comes to preparing a house for sale.
What about my house? Does this New Hampshire home stager practice what she preaches?
Step inside and you may be surprised at what you find...
Two years ago I never would have imagined that my formal living room would look like this:
Family photos in the dining room and our 25 x 30 portrait, which I refer to as "Jaclyn Smith meets Captain Kirk," on the wall.
No, those are not cracks in the window...they are cobwebs.
The spiders have taken over.
This is an extra bedroom, currently being used for storage.
So, do I actually practice what I preach or is this a perfect example of do as I say, not as I do?
It's a trick question. My house is not for sale. When it is for sale the extra bedroom will be transformed into a bedroom. The windows will be clean and spider free. The family pictures will all be removed. The living room will be restored to it's former glory.
I fully intend to practice what I preach when it comes to marketing my own house for sale. Until that time comes, I'm fine leaving things as they are. With the exception of the webs...they were removed right after the picture was taken!
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I love it! And you make a very good point that living in your home is a WHOLE different thing than having it on the market for sale! Looks like your family enjoys life in this home!!
For a while, I couldn't invite friends over for dinner parties, because I had an extra sofa and chair (ultra modern in my turn-of-the-century home) being stored in my dining room until it went out on a job. I figure as long as I keep the main floor - living, dining, kitchen presentable, the rest of the house is "at your own risk"!
You are so cute! I love the title of the photo-I can definitely see it!
Sharon - you are one brave lady inviting all of us into your home! And you're so right, how we live in our home is different from how we need it to look when we decide to sell it.
Sharon ~ Love your post! My house isn't for sale either, but when it is I'll be making it look as spacious as possible -- and I'll have some cobwebs to remove as well!! I've had clients ask me, "so is your home just immaculate and beautiful like mine will be when you're done?" And I always reply honestly "No, but it's not for sale" just as your post did. Great point!
People always say, "I be your home is staged beautifully", and I reply no, but it is decorated. I dread the day I have to move, my timeline is 3 years, and yes, I've already started the process of getting the ball rolling.
It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I tell people that my house is like the shoemaker's barefoot children! At the moment, there is a blank wall in my living room because the wall art that was there is actually company inventory and is out on a job at the moment. (Though the home just sold, so the art will be coming back soon...)
You are a brave woman, letting us have a peak inside your domain! Your message comes through loud and clear...if your home is for sale, put your best foot forward. As for me and my house, no photos allowed!
Nancy: Since the grandbabies came along, I've become less crazy about keeping every little thing perfect. It's much more "lived in" now.
Sally: That is too funny! I'm sure most stagers can relate to that scenerio. We do tend to store our "stuff" wherever we can throughout the house.
Debra: The artist who did the picture (in St. Martin) was insulted because I said it wasn't me. He did an excellent job capturing our likeness, but it's a "in a perfect world" "no flaws" likeness. It's the best I will ever look. Even though I'm no longer a brunette and hubby has shaved his head, I still keep it up and enjoy it.
Kathy: I'm not that brave...I didn't show all and I didn't use video! LOL!
Maureen: Clients do seem to think that we must live in picture perfect homes. I get the same comments.
Cindy: I don't look forward to moving either, but I would like to within the next 2-3 years and I am always thinking resale whenever I make any changes.
Laurie: Great analogy! I've taken the spread and shams off my guest bed and borrowed other items from the house to use on the job...it's what we do!
Pat: I think most people would agree that they wouldn't want pictures of their house shared!
Great post Sharon. I keep my downstairs in much better condition than my upstairs. However, in an effort to save a client money on a stage, I once used a number of pieces of furniture out of my own house and honestly, I was miserable the whole time. I couldn't stand the mess!
Sharon, this is so timely! I'm in the process of updating my home to prepare it for the market. I'll be sharing photos soon. Thanks for letting me know it's okay!
Sharon I speak to this very issue in my series on staging education, part three, decluttering, coming tomorrow.
Looks like you're enjoying having those babies in your formal living room and that's the way that it should be for dwelling!!
Sharon
Love the post, thanks for sharing your home and insight.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Sharon, even your clutter is beautiful. Enjoy those little ones, you can have a clutter free house later, right? Thanks for sharing your home with us.
Blink and they will be in college so enjoy each day of toys and infant seats!! Love, love, love this post!! My office had two cribs in it for three years-just took them down last month.
Sharon, you've got guts to post those pictures, good for you, it's REAL LIFE, the way a home should look when it's lived in and enjoyed by you and your family. The point that your home isn't for sale says it all. Thanks for sharing your personal space with us.
Sharon, regarding "Home" vs "House" thank you so much for your generous "illustrations." Because we understand how our clients feel, we work hard to get them back to "Home" again asap!
Such a great post, Sharon! I have to laugh whenever a client says to me something along the lines of, "I bet your house is beautiful". Uh, no, I live in it -- most days it's a disaster area. Thanks for letting us peek inside your home!
You are far braver than I, posting those photos! Every time I turn around, there's a black dog on the upholstery...and our den/office is also storing some Staging inventory! Julie
Sharon we are our own worst critic! Most artists don't like what we have to say about how they portray us! I think it looks terrific and your family will treasure it always!
Sharon,
It is so important to be clear that we , as stagers, ARE NOT SELLING our homes but if we were, we would know exactly what we have to do! We are like the cobblers who have no shoes, sometimes. We are so busy running our business that we have no time to take care of our own homes! Anyways, I understand. And I am sure that your house will look amazing if and when you sell because you really do a wonderful job w/ all your clients!
Marianne
Judy: I think the messy upstairs is pretty universal! I have a problem dealing with a mess in my home too, but I've surprised myself at how well I'm handling the "baby" mess that is created by the babies visiting.
Patsy: It's not easy living in a house for sale, but the better you do at keeping it nice, the less time you will have to live that way!
Ginger: I'll watch for your post. As for my living room...my dad said it best: "at least now it is being used."
Lou: Thank you!
Lori: LOL! Thank you! I try to keep the clutter organized. I have the toys tucked in next to the sofa and I stash stuff in the pack 'n play when it isn't being used.
Cathy: Cribs in the office, huh? I can relate to that. I have a crib in the bedroom that I show being used for storage. Nice atmosphere for the poor little guys, don't you think!
Roger: It's all about the love and laughter right now! My priority is the boys and I'm happy to have them visit and spend time with me.
Marian: There is a big difference between home and house. If you are not for sale, there is more important things in life than a perfect house....it's making your home comfortable for your family that is most important.
Nancy: It's only a peek, and that is all you get! Like you, I live in my house too and sometimes it just isn't pretty.
Julia: Get a black sofa and you should be ok!
Debra: Agreed! As I get older, I look at the portrait as "us frozen in time" always looking our best.
Marianne: Thank you for such a nice compliment!
Well said Sharon, kudos to you. I have a lot of respect for you!
Roger: Thank you!
Oh Sharon, I love this! A home with babies changes things for the better.
Lee & Carol: Oh it's changed things alright! I'm loving it!
How wonderful having the little ones around. They require a lot of equipment, but are so worth disrupting your formal living room for a while. Too cute! Enjoy!!
Michele: I am enjoying them and will disrupt my living room as long as necessary! Thanks!
Sharon, it doesn't count unless your house is on the market! My own house is a mess.
Patricia: I bet most of the members here have the same story! We are all too busy with our clients' homes and there just isn't enough time for our own!
Hi, Sharon. This post made me laugh! Lori said it best in comment #14; she's right, enjoy them now and you can have a clutter-free house later.
I was stepping into the shower one day a few weeks ago, ready to clean it...Soft Scrub in one hand, sponge in the other when my husband came in and told me I had a phone call. My friend, Renee, wanted to know if I could ride and if I could be ready to go in 20 minutes. You guessed it...I was OUT THE DOOR and the shower got cleaned...LATER!
Leslie: Lori's comment reminds me of the country song...I can sleep when I'm dead. Your "shower" example is a perfect one. Why would you pass on quality time with your horse and your friend to clean the shower? Your story made me laugh, so we are even!