Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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!








Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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.


Monday, November 11, 2013

Vacant Stage - Before and Afters


What's more fun than some before and after pictures?  Today I'm sharing some B and A's from a recent vacant stage that I completed in the Brighton, NY area.  As you'll see the house started off with some great features.  By the time we were done staging the home it turned from great potential to move-in ready.   Take a look.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

 AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

There's lots more to show you with this house.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Table Makeover


End tables and side tables are essential when I'm staging a vacant home, or just adding some fun new accent pieces to a furnished home.  That's why I'm always on the hunt for tables...even ones that aren't in the best condition.  Enter this guy...


I found this table for $10 at an estate sale.  It was originally listed for $25, but since I was there during the last hour of the sale, the girls running the sale were willing to negotiate - score!


After I got the table home and gave it a good cleaning, I started the painting and makeover process.  First step:  spray paint.  Second and third steps:  spray paint some more.



Finally, I added two layers of water-based polyurethane.  This was my first time using the product.  I learned from the paint salesman that I should only stir the polyurethane - never shake, and that it should be applied with a brush, not a roller.  I followed his advice and in the end I was so happy with the final makeover.



A few days after it was all dry, fresh, and shiny, it ended up in this bedroom that I staged.





I have a feeling that this pretty white table will spruce up a lot of staged spaces in the future.