Lobby Makeover

Recently I updated the lobby of a stunning apartment building at 1625 East Avenue in Rochester, NY.  It was such a fun project!  When I first checked out the lobby at East Ave., I knew that a few little touches and some fresh furniture and accessories would completely transform its vibe.  The space already had great bones - beautiful iron stair banisters, great lighting, and ample space for new furniture.  It just needed some new pieces to turn its current state of ho-hum to its new state of wowzers!

Check out the before and after photos to see how first impressions turned into the springboard for a lobby transformation...  

BEFORE

This area needed some items to add symmetry to the space.

I planned on swapping out the existing furniture to the left of the main hallway for more modern pieces.

I couldn't wait to find a cozy chair for this nook to add a seating area to the lobby.

Overall, my goal was to make the lobby more updated and feel a bit younger.  The lobby is all about first impressions, so I couldn't wait to get shopping to find the elements that would help this lobby make a positive  lasting impression on potential and current renters.

AFTER

A week after my first tour of the lobby, it was time to bring in all the new pieces I had found into the space.  The mirrors went up, the tables went into place, the accessories were added, and a cozy, new leather chair filled in the nook by the window perfectly.  

This project was a blast.  My favorite part was installing all the items.  As we were working, current residents came into the lobby.  It was so fun to hear them gushing about their new home.  There was true pride in the voices.  It's amazing what a little update can do!

If you're interested in calling this lobby your home, give Re/Max Realty Group a call at 585-244-6500.  

Mirrors, Mirrors on the Walls

One of my latest design projects (updating the furniture and accessories in a beautiful apartment building's lobby on East Avenue) had me on the search for two really large and affordable mirrors.  My goal was to install each mirror between the two brushed nickel sconces on the walls to the left and right of the main hallway.  

The space between the sconces measured over 60 inches - yikes - I needed a lot of mirror.  After looking into custom mirrors ($175/mirror), shopping online ($big bucks in shipping), and stopping at store after store locally (lots of mirrors - each too small or too pricey), I finally stumbled upon two of these guys...

I couldn't believe my eyes...two huge mirrors, in the clearance section, and in a completely hideous gold finish.  The gold finish was especially blinding, but the price...

Perfect!  So, I loaded the mirrors into the car and made a quick stop at Michael's to pick up some spray paint.

I had absolutely no experience using this Brushed Metallic (in Nickel) spray paint, but I figured I'd give it a go.  

BEFORE

Taped off and ready to paint

First coat of spray paint

After a few thin layers of spray paint, I loaded up the mirrors and brought them over to the lobby for install.  I was so excited when the size of the mirrors totally worked and with their new and improved brushed nickel finish...just what the lobby needed!

I'll be sharing all the before and afters in the lobby transformation next week.  Stay tuned!

P.S.  Here's an exterior shot of the building.  Isn't it gorgeous?  If you know anyone looking to rent in Rochester, this is in an ideal location.  You can call Re/Max Realty Group at 585-244-6500.  (Plus I heard that its lobby is looking pretty sweet).  

Vacant Home Staging ...Why and How

A lot of people think an empty home is easier to sell. However,vacant houses typically sell slower and for less money than homes that are occupied.  There are lots of reasons why vacant homes sit on the market longer than occupied homes.  Today, I thought I'd share some of those reasons and highlight how staging can turn problems into solutions.

PROBLEM:  No furniture means no inspiration.
People don’t buy houses, they buy homes. They buy a lifestyle. When a home is stripped of furniture, wall art, rugs, lighting, and decor, there are no emotional connection points in the house. Buyers have nothing to aspire to in the home.  

BEFORE

BEFORE

STAGING SOLUTION: Give buyers something to aspire to.
That’s why it is essential to stage a home with furniture that allows the rooms to still feel spacious, but also, shows how buyers could utilize the space.

AFTER

AFTER

PROBLEM:  Empty spaces perplex buyers.

When buyers tour a vacant home they do not have a point of reference.  In addition, rooms look smaller.  So, empty spaces make it hard for buyers to understand a room's size or purpose. 

BEFORE

STAGING SOLUTION:  Give a room a sense of purpose.

Staging with simple furniture pieces and fresh, modern accessories gives buyers a point of reference and allows them to see the space with purpose.  When a room has some furniture, it also gives buyers a sense of the room's size.

AFTER

PROBLEM:  The heart of the home feels heartless 

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and therefore the heart of the sale of the home.  Kitchens show best when they are sparkling clean, free of clutter, and filled with light.

BEFORE

STAGING SOLUTION:  Warm up the kitchen

To show off this kitchen, we added bright accessories and fun art so that the kitchen could feel clean, open, and ready for moving in!

AFTER

AFTER

PROBLEM:  Buyers lack imagination.

Here’s an alarming statistic - only 10% of buyers can visualize a home’s potential.  That means that nine out of ten people who visit the home will lack the ability to imagine the potential of the home or even a room’s purpose when it's empty.  

BEFORE

STAGING SOLUTION: Show buyers the wonderful possibilities of a space

In this room, we included two cozy chairs, modern art and mirrors, and built-ins full of fresh and simple accessories. Together, it helps buyers see that this room, with its beautiful windows, and location right off of the kitchen is the perfect room to hang out, read and have fun together as a family.

AFTER

AFTER

As you can tell by this house’s transformation, staging is a powerful tool for selling a home.  We took a listing that felt cold and lifeless and turned it into a home that’s warm, inviting, and ready to be purchased.

This home is presented by Jennifer Kinsman at Keller Williams Realty. One of its coolest features is that the home comes with lake rights and beach access to Lake Ontario. You can learn more about the listing here.

If you'd like to see what Bloom Staging and Design is up to on a regular basis, don't forget to like us on facebook.

Clearing the Clutter

Clutter...we all have it.  Actually, as I'm writing this post, my entry table is lined with a plethora of chotchkies, my kitchen counters are covered in small appliances and dishes, my bookshelves are filled with one (or twenty) too many books.  Clutter - it's normal...until, you want to sell your house.

When I'm helping people prepare their home for the market, one of our most important conversations and activities is getting rid of the clutter.  I encourage homeowners to think of staging their homes like pre-packing.  All the extra stuff on counters, shelves, and tables has to get packed anyway, right?  Why not get a head start and clear out some of the stuff?

It's amazing what a little de-cluttering can do.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Seeing all these "after" photos is inspiring me to declutter a little more in my life...bookshelves here I come!

Design - Personalized Art

Recently, I had the opportunity to redesign an office space for Hoffman and Haymes Associates, Inc.  When I first consulted on the space, I could see right away that it had a lot of potential.  It also had a lot of wall space that would need some great art.  The first step was getting the walls painted.  I had this divider wall painted in a contrasting gray, blue (Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit)...so pretty...but still in need of some art.

Redesign in progress.

Did I mention that this project had a tight budget?  Here's the thing, I don't mind tight budgets one bit.  In my opinion, they're a wonderful opportunity for creativity.  So, in this redesign, I created original art for one of the focal walls in the space by framing three personalized pictures for under $12 each.  That's a wall of art for less than $40!

First, since this space was for a real estate rental office, I figured what would be better than images of their rental buildings? Fortunately, their rental buildings are beautiful!  So, one afternoon I poked around the buildings with my camera and took some pictures.

Then, I added a bit of an antique filter to the images to make them more artsy.

At Jo Ann's I found three great frames to add the 5 x 7 prints of the photos to (I used some coupons, of course).  Finally, I hung them up on the wall.

They're perfect in the office.  The images reference their company, the art adds warmth and dimension to the walls, and best of all, my clients loved them!

Vacant Stage - Part Two

Last week I shared some before and after photos from a beautiful house that I staged a few weeks ago. 

Today, I have some more spaces to show you...

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

SUN ROOM / POOL AREA - BEFORE (during staging item drop off)

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

VIGNETTE STAGE AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

You can learn more about this listing here.