Staging is Fashionable
This is not an article on how cool and hip staging is, but we stagers do think that.
Rather I am focusing on the aspect of properly dressing a home. In the world of fashio
n for women, often the basic black cocktail length dress is touted as the ultimate in versatility. A basic well tailored men’s suit in a neutral color would fulfill the same role for men. With the basic piece such as the black dress, the addition of jewelry, heels, a crop jacket and a purse would form a complete outfit. Change the earrings to diamond drops, the purse to a clutch, the heels to sky high Manolo Blahnik’s and you have changed the whole effect.
The same is true of staging a home. If you start with a neutral basic background which includes the wall covering, floor coverings. and large furniture pieces – you have your basic black dress. Add in your accessories with a mix of patterns and colors, a floor rug and artwork and the “fashion tone” of the room has been set. Change the accessories to a glamour mode with some sleek silver picture frames and a mirrored accent table and you are in the bling. Minimize the details and add in contemporary art and a nubby throw to add texture and warmth and the room is far different.
We stage for prospective buyers – just like you dress for the particular occasion.
We stage to enhance the property, not to highlight the accessories. The overall effect is pleasing, in balance, not too much and not too little. Just right – like a little black dress.
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Kathleen- Good analogy! An interesting one to! Staging is like that perfect black dress :)
Staging like the perfect little black dress, the perfect combination of class and style. Nice post.
I enjoyed the post. Great analogy to the little black dress.
Kathleen, I loved your post and the comparison to a black dress:)
featured in the group http://activerain.com/groups/RealWorldHomeStaging
Great analogy Kathleen. Coco Chanel would be so proud! I always go back to little black dress because of it's versatility...you can never lose.
Kathleen ~ Like the analogy to fashion! Accessories, whether for fashion or home decor, can really dress a room up or down.
Wendy, Terrylynn & Gita - I have my share of basic suits (gray, black, brown, navy, tan) and black dresses.
Endre - Thanks for the comment, black dresses are especially in style in LA.
Karen - Thank you for the feature, girlfriend. My son in law was injured and is in the Army hospital in Fort Benning for a month - we keep hoping he will come home soon, otherwise I may have to stop and see you. He will be medically discharged some time before Thanksgiving (hopefully with just a limp and a cane).
Abby - Could you see the Chanel logo on Allison's dress? - good eyes.
Kathy - my basic staging pieces except for my high end homes, are neutral, very adaptable to many styles and are versatile. My accessories are the key.
I agree with you about the little black dress. I consider what compliments the particular house when adding accessories and ask realtors about the target market so that everything harmonizes in appealing to the largest potential group of buyers. I have to admit, however, that my "little black dress" has turned red a few times in homes that are extremely "vanilla" with no warm colors on the walls! ;=)
Thanks for the great advice. I will check back often. I really like the blog. I am new at blogging but I am beginning to learn quite a bit from reading blogs like the ones I find on Active Rain. If I can ever be of help just visit my blog or my website: http://yournowwhat.com
Thanks, Terry
Janis - I believe that red is now classified as a neutral - whatever it is I love it!!!
Terry - Checked out your website, I like the title "Now What?" & I will probably be asking that question soon after I pick which realty company I am going with.
Margie,Thanks for the comment - will email you.
Very true Kathleen, I've used that analogy myself. Clever post! Love the photo!
Thanks Allegra - my daughter/partner is the blonde in the photo in the Black Chanel dress.
Kathleen great post. The analogy says it all. Take the simple and neutral and with a few small things. Impact.
You put it well - too often stagers tend to take the impact too far and then the home gets lost.
The focus is on the property.