After spending some time getting to know her and what she wanted her house to feel like, we got right to work.  The main areas that needed to be primarily addressed were the husband’s office space, the family room, formal living & dining and the master bedroom; of course, there were the areas in between like the hallway, powder bath, and the eat in kitchen so the house was cohesive.  Really our work was to make her house a home.    

While the master bedroom wasn’t her highest priority, I believe everybody needs a sanctuary to come home to.  Yes, the entire home should be a refuge, but the master bedroom especially should be a place where the adults can close the door to the rest of the world and just BE.  Here is what my client and her hubs went to sleep in every night before we met:

Master Bedroom BEFORE

Forgive me in advance, all of these photos were taken with my iPhone.  And I think the shot above had me a little shaken up with the bumblebee yellow on the walls.  NOT a peaceful environment!  Plus, what to do with that weird window above the bed?  This was the only position their king size could fit in so we had to make it work.

Master Bedroom IN PROGRESS

Contrary to popular belief and “reality” TV, a bedroom makeover can NOT be done  in one weekend.  I searched and searched for an upholstered headboard (and frame) that would fit under the window and finally found one with Stanley Furniture that was the right color and style – and was JUST the right height to fit under the window.   Since the soon-to-be-Momma wasn’t sure what to expect with a new baby, we opted for simple white bedding that could be bleached easily, and a blanket that aded just enough interest, but would also be machine washable.  You can’t really tell in this shot, but it’s a deep, delicious plum color.  

We also had to find some narrow nightstands, because the closet door opens towards “this” side and swings wide.  Plus she preferred something with drawers so her husband’s side didn’t collect stuff (“stuff” isn’t the word she used, but you know what I mean).  Problem was how to fit a lamp + alarm clock + anything else on the top of a 30″ surface without it looking cluttered?

Bedside Chandelier. SO functional and SO glam.

Brilliant!  And you can’t see it, but there is a switch behind the light fixture so just a simple stretch of the arm and POOF there is light.   Sorry for the tiny picture, I couldn’t get it right side up in it’s original size.  Operator error, yes.  I do design better than technology, thank you.

Back to the project, because that darned window above the bed is still an eyesore, right?  I’ve got just the solution….

Master Bedroom Curtain Install

 A wall of fabric behind the bed.  YUM YUM.  We sewed together 3 sheer panels and put them directly in front of the window so the room would still capture the natural sunlight when they wanted it, or they could close the blinds when they wanted a cozy little cave.  We then put silk panels on either side of the window, all the way to either end of the wall.  Be still my heart.  I am in love.  

Don’t forget, these are photos captured from my phone, so bear with me until the entire project is complete and we break out the fancy camera.  Well, actually Lance’s fancy camera – he is the professional photographer dude.  

Until then…drumroll, please….

Master BR AFTER (iPhone quality photo)

TA DA!!!!  It’s a quick, informal shot but I couldn’t wait any longer to share.  Scroll back up and check out that first picture, remember the bold yellow walls?  Yeah.  I like this better too.

Need a bedroom makeover?  Give us a call and we can help transform your room into the a retreat that YOU dream of.

(did you know we have 4500 square feet of showroom & warehouse space for our inventory?).  

Here are some tips to keep in mind when working with your clients:

Area rugs should be used to create a grouping or “ground” a space such as the living room seating area or under a dining room table.

The space in the above photo was created by Michelle Lynne Interiors Group and is a great  example of this.

 

 

Size does matter.  Make sure the scale of the rug is appropriate to the space it is being used in.  Do not “float” rugs in the middle of a room. 

This traditional room was staged by Michelle Lynne INTERIORS using our own inventory.

 

Natural materials such as jute or sea grass are a very easy way to use area rugs in most style homes.

 Area rugs can add warmth to an otherwise stark dining space.  Our photo showcases that point well.

This dining room was staged using a combination of our inventory & the client’s furnishings.

                        If you would like help preparing your listings for their best showings or you would like to check out our fabulous inventory of rugs available at our showroom, please give us a call.  

My contact information is HERE.

When decorating, your personal design style tends to come out in the furniture, fabrics, colors and accessories that you place throughout your home. 

If you are staging your home to sell, you don’t want to “decorate”  to your liking – you want the buyers to be able to see themselves and their items in the space.

Below are some examples of the differences between home staging and decorating:

 Black and white photos are a great idea for decorating your home.  However even though these kids are cute, they won’t help sell your home. 

Personal touches are not appealing to a potential buyer so they should be minimized.

Themed rooms for children are creative and exciting when decorating your own home.  When staging to sell your home,  it is about the potential buyer,

not yourself or your family.  Try and keep furnishings and window coverings simple and universal.

 Staging is all about showcasing the space’s assets.  This kitchen staged by Michelle Lynne INTERIORS Group is a great example of how this can be done in a neutral, yet attractive manner.

Less is more in most cases, but DEFINITELY  true when trying to sell your home. 

This kitchen staged by Michelle Lynne Interiors Group is an example of how all the clutter (including countertop appliances) is taken away and the space looks clean lined and “not lived in”.

I hope briefly going over  the major differences between home staging and decorating are helpful in your next venture!   However, there are so many more that I didn’t even get to mention, so please give us a call for your next project as soon as possible so you don’t make any mistake between home staging and decorating!

Click HERE to contact us today!

It’s one of the first rooms guests see when entering the house and it does not have the same WOW factor as the rest of the house (we’ll get those photos up soon).  Our suggestion to the client:  purchase some shelving and place on either side of the sofa.  We could have suggested side tables with lighting, but she preferred the idea of shelving and plus, it gave some height to help balance the super high ceilings.

We then advised the client on what colors and styles of accessories to purchase for the shelves.   Throughout the project, she has proven to have excellent shopping skills – following our instructions “to the T”.  She may have a future assisting here at Michelle Lynne INTERIORS Group?  Hmmm….

Formal Living Room Before Transformation

 

The next step?  We then went back and “merchandised” the shelves with the goodies she purchased.  

Formal Living Room After Transformation

…and Ta-da! See what happened by adding those shelves?  The accessories are placed in a manner to create balance now and the shelves flank either side of the sofa to create a cohesiveness and formality to the room setting.  

Our client is still looking for a floor lamp that will fit to the left of the oversized chair (left side of the photo…you can’t really see where it would go, but it will add lighting that isn’t overhead).  We’re suggesting something that allows a 3-way bulb, because function is still important – even in a pretty space.

Do you have a room that just needs a little “something something” but don’t know where to start?  We can provide you with a consultation and give you suggestions to do it yourself, or we can do it all for you.  

Click HERE to contact us today!

Below you’ll see what I saw.  It’s your typical acrylic makeup holder that you can buy at any corner drugstore.  Yes, it’s FUNCTIONAL but it hurts my head to look at it, especially as we’re rocking the design in her master suite to read with a five star hotel vibe.  This isn’t cutting it.

BEFORE

An easy solution for your makeup brushes and other cylindrical beauty items?  A short vase filled with coffee beans.  Notice we’ve got the brushes, eyeliner, mascara, lipliner AND her foundation submerged into the coffee beans…which gives off a lovely aroma whenever they are mixed about.  And the tweezers are perched on the outside lip of the vase so they don’t drown in the beans.  I purchased a lovely mirrored box and put the rest of the items in there, and while it’s difficult to see the interior, there is PLENTY of space for her items.  Yes, they are neatly arranged for the moment, but they would all still be very accessible when rushed and things get tossed and scattered.  I shot these pics with my iPhone and can’t find the photo with the box closed and the countertop nice and tidy, but we’re coming to the close of the project and will have some professional shots to display soon.  Stay tuned….

AFTER

I enlist a similar organizational tactic at my house…granted I have a LOT of makeup (especially lip sticks & lip glosses!) so I have to keep my “daily favorites” in the countertop access.  My not-every-day items are stored in the drawers and cabinets below and out of sight until it’s time to go glam.  What do you think?  Need help organizing your daily task items so you’re not stressed out by the visual clutter?  We can help!

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV Matthew 18:20)

If your church or non-profit can benefit from our products or services, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  We are happy to help for low / no cost solutions!

This first photo is my shot.  First of all, I was distracted by my growling stomach after installing this staging and neglected to turn the lights on.  DUH.

Staged without Professional Photo

And here is a professional, who was probably well prepared with snacks prior to arriving to shoot the space.  And talk about a fancy camera….  I believe this work was done by Shoot2Sell.

Staged with Professional Photo

Next, this is my shot of a formal living room.  I did remember to turn on the light, and it’s not a bad shot…although now that I look closely, I see the pulls from the ceiling fan.  Sigh. That should have been edited out.

Formal Living Staged without Pro Photo

Now check out what the professional was able to accomplish.  I mean really they’ve even got the aforementioned ceiling fan AND the view into the master bedroom down the hall.

Formal Living Staged with Pro Photo

Selling a house is one of the largest transactions many of us will ever make so don’t rely on amateurs, spend a couple of extra bucks (you’d be surprised at how affordable it is) and get the best shot of your space.  90% of buyers start their shopping on line, so ensure your listing stands out above the others who didn’t use a professional photographer.  

If you need staging or a referral for a photographer, contact us now!

Most importantly, I believe you should stage TO the demographic of the buyer that will be interested in that specific property that is being staged.  

To do this, you should look at the neighborhood first:  

• Is it a family-centric neighborhood?  
• Arts district?  
• Collegiate vicinity?  
• Religious corridor?
• Young singles & marrieds?
• Geriatric community?

You can tell a lot simply by driving the neighborhood and looking at things like the foot traffic – are there younger or older people out walking / jogging?  Are there kids riding bikes in the street?  What sort of shopping is nearby?  Are there sports flags hanging from the porch flagpoles?  Are there neighborhood signs up advertising local events and what type?  And what is the financial state of the people who live there?  Are there broken down vehicles parked in the front yard, because you don’t want to stage with Pabst Blue Ribbon to meet that demographic.

You also need to review the layout and space of the property you’re staging.  Is there a pool?  A game room?  How is the outdoor area set up for grilling, etc.?  If it’s a very small space that doesn’t look like it would host a great party, then you wouldn’t want to set the stage (pun intended) for a party because buyers will get conflicting messages.  Is there a built in wine rack?  What about a wine cellar?  

So let’s say, you’re in a neighborhood of young singles & marrieds, that is very close to night life and hip shopping venues, I’d say you can probably use some liquor in your stagings and not offend anybody.  Especially if the property has a pool and a killer patio or a rooftop deck or a huge kitchen that opens into a great room with a big screen TV – get the drift?

Now, you don’t want to go crazy displaying a nightclub level of alcohol inventory, but you can set up a small vignette that provides the idea of having some fun in the space.  Here is one that we staged this week…we’ve got two liquor bottles, and lots of glasses…plus the lemons in the beverage dispenser to add some color and height.  I don’t think this is offensive, even to a tee-totaler.  And once you walked past this set up, the next room you would see was the sunroom and the view to the awesome pool area, so we’re creating the image of a LIFESTYLE that comes with this house.  

Staged Bar Area by Michelle Lynne

Ultimately, you also have to wrestle with your own beliefs and value system, and I’m not saying staging with or without alcohol will make or break the sale of the house so you don’t need to FEEL that if you don’t put alcohol into a property, you’re doing the client a disservice.  I live in the middle of the Bible Belt and could probably talk to half a dozen of my highly successful local colleagues in the staging industry and they would all have a varied opinion on it.  This is just my take.  Feel free to leave your thoughts below!  

The burlap banner was made by hand by Erin Hitzemen and is Lori’s gonna-be-new-last-name. And the bar started off full…this photo was mid-way through the fun.

Delicious desserts, compliments of Wendy Rodriguez and Mary Cornell. Color coordinated, of course!

Yes, check out these cake balls made by Creme De La Cookie on Royal Lane. DEEEEELISH!

Wendy made these by hand…two flavors. SLURP!

Cocktails and cake balls…’nuff said.

Wendy, who claims not to cook, prepared this delicious menu for our event.

Okay, so the food was divine, but I’m still in awe of the display. We used two candle holders to prop up a small piece of glass (from a small coffee table) to create a second tier on the table. Take THAT Pinterest! BAM!

Can party favors GET any better?!

Have an event that could use a little staging?  Call us.  We would love to help!

We gussied up the showroom for the party.

Wendy went all out with the details of the decor to stay with the bridal colors of black, green, and accented with white.

Photos of the happy couple were featured throughout the space, of course.

The leaves wrapping the candles in the hurricane mimic the floral centerpieces that are being created for the reception centerpieces.

Love is in the air!

Okay, so that was the decor…stay tuned because the next post will feature the yummy FOOD we had at the celebration (and a little more decor!).  I’m already drooling just recalling the deeeelish dishes….  YUM.

Do you have an event coming up that needs a professional touch?  Call us for more information!