Home Staging To Sell A Los Angeles Area Home

January 23, 2013

Home staging to sell this Los Angeles area home was no small job.  We removed the existing pink curtains and created new valances, which took all day for 2 of my assistants.  My 3rd assistant and I spent the day rearranging furniture and adding accessories and new bedding, etc.  We started at 9:00am and didn’t finish until 7:00pm.  Once done it was a beautiful transformation.  This house is now ready to wow its buyer.  I wish we could show you all of the photos, but space is limited.  Below are the BEFORE and AFTER photos of this staging.

 

 

 

This Los Angeles area home is now ready to sell!

If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future and have questions about real estate, call Michelle Drewry – Realtor –  and Home Stager at 213-392-1901.  Michelle can help you get your home sold faster and typically for more in any market.

Michelle Drewry, Realtor – DRE# 01916333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Staging Los Angeles: Newly Remodeled Los Angeles Home

January 16, 2012

We had the pleasure of staging this vacant newly remodeled Los Angeles house into a home that buyers will love.  The seller, a smart investor, wanted to show  buyers how they can place their furnishings in a relatively small area.  When vacant, the Living/Family Room, which is open to the kitchen and dining areas, did not appear large enough for the furniture.  We show buyers how to make these rooms work.

Below are the BEFORE and AFTER photos:

BEFORE Home Staging

AFTER Home Staging

Another view

BEFORE another view

AFTER Home Staging

A Close Up

BEFORE Home Staging the Entry

AFTER Home Staging the Entry

BEFORE Home Staging the Master Bedroom

AFTER Home Staging the Master Bedroom

It is critical to show your buyer how they can live in a home.  Leaving them guessing for how they can place their furniture will only motivate them to move on to the next house for sale.  These sellers know the importance of answering those questions for the buyer through home staging.

If you are interested in selling your home faster and for more, call Michelle Drewry, Realtor and home stager at 213-392-1901.

Home Staging Los Angeles – South Pasadena Contemporary Luxury Home

July 25, 2011

Los Angeles area home staging company, Staging The Essentials – located in the San Gabriel Valley – was hired to stage this beautiful contemporary,   South Pasadena home for sale.  This home’s uniquely modern open floor plan is a rarity in an area of older more traditional homes.  We had one day to complete the home staging of this 5 bedroom, 51/2  bath home – something that is no small feat for a house of this size.  Our company specializes in one-day staging for sellers, who need to get their homes on the market and sold.  Time is of importance when there are so many competing homes going on the market.

As seen below in the Great Room, we mirrored the same furniture from one side of the large room to the other, with the tables and decorative pillows less formal on the TV end.

Below are the BEFORE and AFTER photos of some of the rooms in this lovely home.

The Great Room – BEFORE

The Great Room – AFTER

The Great Room/Fireplace end AFTER

The Great Room/TV end  AFTER

The Kitchen BEFORE

The Kitchen AFTER

The Dining Area BEFORE

The Dining Area AFTER

Home Office – BEFORE

Home Office – AFTER

Master Bedroom Retreat Area – BEFORE

Master Bedroom Retreat Area – AFTER

Master Bedroom – BEFORE

Master Bedroom – AFTER

Master Bathroom – BEFORE

Master Bathroom – AFTER

Guest Bedroom – BEFORE

Guest Bedroom – AFTER

Girl’s Bedroom – BEFORE

Girl’s Bedroom – AFTER

If you are interested in selling and staging your home, contact Michelle Drewry, Realtor – Century 21 Adams & Barnes at  213-392-1901.   Serving the San Gabriel Valley,  Inland Empire, North Orange County, Los Angeles and some areas of the San Fernando Valley.

Home Staging and Room Lighting – Why Getting It Right Matters!

June 11, 2011

Home Staging and Room Lighting

 

If you’re getting ready to sell and home staging in Los Angeles, CA or anywhere will be part of your selling process,  the way you see a room is a very important element.  Setting the scene for selling your home includes many things, but room lighting is one important way of creating ambience that sells homes.

(photo courtesy of bin-free-host.co.cc)

 

Top 3 Room Lighting Features:

• Lighting from above is an important part of home staging and gives overall general ability to see around the room.  Many homes were not built with overhead fixtures in living rooms or bedrooms.  This comes with knowing that there are several areas within a room, which have their special lighting needs.  Today’s most common, up-to-date fixtures are recessed lights, which may be offered with a dimmer switch to accommodate varying preferences.  Another option is the chandelier.  This is something we usually see in dining rooms and now bedrooms and master bathrooms.  Chandeliers add a decorating element as well as a lighting element to the room.  These are great for rooms that will be used for socializing or for rooms in which you want to set a more relaxed mood.  Again, these can be set on a dimmer switch, which allows for exactly the right amount of light.

• Low voltage track lighting accents home staging, allowing for specific lighting within multiple areas of a room.  This is particularly attractive in a room that has a wall-to-wall shelving area or some art that is nice to emphasize.  It can be directed to several areas and shed additional ability to see in task oriented areas such as game areas or reading areas.  Track lighting is usually used in conjunction with other sources such as lamps.  Mixing it up adds interest to a room by emphasizing room features as well as providing visual clarity to functional areas.

• Portable Lighting is the bread and butter of lighting for home staging companies.  It is probably the most well-known source, which includes various types of lamps. Among these varying types are table lamps that sit on end tables or night stands and  are used to light a room in general.  Another type is task lighting lamps, which include both table and floor lamps.  This type of lamp comes with a swivel feature in order to be able to direct the light to where it is most needed.  We often see these used at a desk in an office or near a chair that is designated for reading.

Knowing what type of lighting to infuse into a room is every bit as important as how you place the furnishings within a room.  Lighting emphasizes the placement of everything in the room and layering the lighting gives the best overall feeling about a room.  Getting it right is critical!

Did you know that light bulbs come in different color temperatures?  Knowing what type to use for which task is important.  Warm bulbs are best used for reading, while game areas and hard task activities are best lit with cool bulbs.  But, if you are staging your home to sell, it is best to stay with warm color bulbs.  This gives the viewer a good overall feeling  for a room as well as showing a more pleasant tone on the colors in a room.

Michelle Drewry, Owner and Principal Designer of Staging The Essentials – Home Staging & Redesign

Home staging Los Angeles, Arcadia, Pasadena, San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, North Orange County

Call today to find out how we can help you with your home staging needs.  213-392-1901

 

Home Staging Los Angeles/The San Gabriel Valley – What’s In Your Paint?

February 8, 2011

Are paints that carry a Green label really better?

(photo courtesy of smarterhometheatre.com)

Are you getting ready to sell your home and need to paint?  Don’t know which paint to choose?

As a professional home stager in Los Angeles and The San Gabriel Valley, it is essential to stay up to date with information that is relative to staging and helping sellers get the best for their money.

In their March 2011 issue, Consumer Reports tells us not to assume that greener is better.  While many green paints may have a reduction in VOC (volatile oxidizing compounds) they do not have an elimination of these compounds.

The Green label paints had some varying in their ability to stand up to fade resistance, hiding (requiring more paint) and cleaning.

Consumer Reports goes on to say that “Greenguard and Green Seal, environmental certifications based on VOC content and the presence of hazardous substances, are issued by independent organizations.   But Green Sure and Green Promise are self-awarded by manufacturers – Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, respectively.”

What does that label really mean?

• Greenguard
• Green Seal
• Green Sure
• Green Promise

Consumer Reports Ratings for Green label paints. Find out what’s behind those labels and which paints have the highest ratings.

Michelle Drewry, President and owner of Staging The Essentials Staging homes in Los Angeles, The San Gabriel Valley and North Orange County.

Call today for your “Market Ready Report”  213-392-1901

Home Staging Los Angeles & San Marino – Home Staging a San Marino Mid-Century Home

January 1, 2011

Home Staging a San Marino, CA Mid-Century Home built in 1949.  This  home is tucked away on a two block long street in the desirable north San Marino.

The rooms, now transformed through our home staging, seem effortlessly gorgeous.  The key is making the rooms look as if they have always been this way – simply elegant!

BELOW- THE MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE & AFTER.

The homeowner chose not to remove the unused curtain rods.  We added lighter curtain sheers to lighten and brighten the room.

BEFORE & AFTER STAGING THE DINING ROOM.  The challenge was using only the homeowner’s furniture, while adding our accessories.  We helped the homeowner with deciding what furniture should stay and what could leave in each of the rooms.

BELOW – AFTER HOME STAGING

BELOW – Up Close from the Buffet.

BELOW – Before home staging

BELOW – After Home Staging

BELOW – LIVING ROOM – Before home staging

BELOW – LIVING ROOM After Home Staging

BELOW – LIVING ROOM Before Home Staging

BELOW – LIVING ROOM After Home Staging

BELOW – AFTER PHOTO

With the clutter cleared, we kept it simple, but elegant!

Michelle Drewry, Realtor – Century 21 Adams & Barnes – direct line 213-392-1901.  Call today if you want more information about selling and staging your home to sell.

Home Staging Los Angeles & Glendora: Curb Appeal-Planting Flowers in Winter

November 23, 2010

Planting flowers in winter may be exactly what is needed for those who find themselves selling a house during the winter months.  You will be glad to know there are steps you can take toward creating colorful curb appeal as part of your home staging plan.  Flowering plants that have adapted to surviving the colder temperatures are available in most every area.

Planting Tips:

1.       If your flowering bed area does not face south (maximum sun exposure) then select an area that receives the most sun possible.  Select shade plants if there is little sun.

2.      Find your planting zone to select the flowers that are best for your area.  You can easily find your planting hardiness zone by going here to the USDA Hardiness Zone Finder and putting in your zipcode.

3.      Once you’ve found your planting hardiness zone, start researching winter plants for your zone on the internet.  This gives you an idea of what the plants look like when selecting 2 or 3 types that go together.  There are also flowering shrubs that will look nice among flowering plants.

For those living in snowy climates, small evergreens look nice with snow on their branches.

4.      Plant your flowers a little farther apart during the wet winter season to allow air to circulate – drying up excess moisture to prevent plant mildew.

Plant the shorter plants in front in order to allow the taller plants to receive sunlight.

5.      Water and fertilize according to directions for each type of plant.  For those snowy climates, you may not need to water.  In fact, it is best not to water unless the temperature is at least in the 40’s (Farenheit.)  This prevents freezing.

For those warmer climates in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, you will have an easier time selecting and planting.  Your local Garden Nursery should carry plants for the season or at least be able to give you direction for planting in winter.

It is possible to create beautiful curb appeal even during winter when you need to get your house sold.

Photo of Camellia (left) courtesy of Drew Avery @Flickr.com Photo of Winter Crocus (right) courtesy of Muffet

*Some rights reserved

Michelle Drewry, Principal Designer and Professional Home Stager of Staging The Essentials a Los Angeles Home Staging company located in Glendora, CA (San Gabriel Valley)

Call today for a “complimentary” quote for work to be done.  213-392-1901 or contact us.

Home Staging Los Angeles/Glendora: What Does a GPS Have To Do With Selling A House?

October 15, 2010

By now many of us are at least familiar with the concept of home staging in Los Angeles.  Even if we don’t know that its name is called home staging, we have seen model homes staged with furniture and accessories and know that’s what they do to attract a buyer.  Some might call it decorating to sell.

Many of us are also familiar with a GPS and what it does for directing us to our destination when we’re not familiar with where we are going.  If you’ve used a GPS at least once and have over shot a turn you were directed to take, you have most likely heard the pleasant voiced woman or man say the phrase “recalculating” or something similar.  The next phrase she/he speaks is “when possible make a legal U Turn.”

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a GPS for directing us exactly what to do to sell a house quickly and for more money?  Well, guess what, we do have such a GPS.  It’s called home staging. A professional home stager can give a seller an exact road map for what is needed to sell fast and for top dollar.

If you’re an agent or homeowner needing to sell faster and for the best possible price, “make a legal U Turn” and contact Michelle Drewry a professional home stager in Los Angeles to guide you to your selling destination.

At Staging The Essentials we take the stress out of selling your home.  Let us take your house from “on the market” to SOLD!  Call us today for a complimentary quote at 213-392-1901.

BEFORE and AFTER

Home Staging a Guest Bedroom

By switching the bed with the credenza, we gave the perception of more space in this room.  Also changing the bedding to one that is more grown up and has broader appeal will help to sell this home. Now that’s a Home Selling GPS that works!

Contact Michelle Drewry, Accredited Staging Professional at 213-392-1901 to discuss your staging needs.

Home Staging Los Angeles/Glendora: Not a Believer in Home Staging?

September 28, 2010

Are you getting ready to sell your home?  Here is a great example of why home staging works.  This past week my husband purchased a new “used car” for his own use.  He spent 2 weeks pondering which one of 3 or 4 of the same model to purchase.  He checked out all of the features on each one – comparing and contrasting.  One was a super deal and everyone in the family was trying to persuade him toward buying this particular one.  In the end, he made his choice.  Do you know what his final choice was based on?  The color and appearance!

So how does this relate to home staging?  I asked him if he were to walk in on the lot and all of the cars were lined up in primer gray with varying body styles, no carpet, no paint, etc., and if the salesperson were to show you several samples of paint chips, carpet swatches, and seat cover material, optional features and their location within the car, would you have been able to make your decision?  His answer was, “Not without a lot of added stress.”

So when a home buyer begins to search online, they want to see a home that has been put together for them.  They don’t want to have to guess or imagine how it can be.   They want to know what they see.  Let’s take the stress out of home buying and present houses as they should be, ALL PUT TOGETHER.  Home staging makes it easier to say YES to the sale.

BEFORE and AFTER Photos:  This home sold with a full price offer!

Home Staging Helps You Sell Your Home Faster and For The Best Price!

Take the stress out of selling your home and call us today for a home staging Consultation and a “complimentary” quote.  213-392-1901  or visit us online.

Michelle Drewry, Accredited Staging Professional.  Owner and Principal Designer of Staging The Essentials – a full service professional home staging company – fully insured and licensed.

Los Angeles Home Staging – Charity Staging Event – West LA Chapter IAHSP – International Association of Home Staging Professionals

September 16, 2010

Professional Los Angeles home stagers and members of West Los Angeles IAHSP  having helped to stage the main home at Richstone Family Center the year before, West Los Angeles Chapter IAHSP – International Association of Home Staging Professionals, Members and Affiliates joined together again this year in a collaborative effort for our Annual Charity Event.  IAHSP Professional Stagers offered services and donations for our World Wide Service Staging Week on Saturday, September 11, 2010 to stage the Advanced home for Richstone Family Center in Torrance, CA.  The Center is home for emancipated teens & young adult women as they transition from foster care into society with a home, education and job.    (Photos of the staging below)

We collected donations from Cort Furniture Rental as well as Home Depot.  IAHSP members also donated their time, money and needed items to make this staging for charity event a success.

A note from the President of the West LA Chapter IAHSP:

“Just another Thank You to everyone involved in this year’s WWSSW Event.  It was another huge success and the girls at Richstone Family Center as well as the management staff there are very pleased with our work and donations.  …  I think it is rather incredible how we can take a very dreary and heavily used shelter/home and turn it into a showcase.  During our project, I happened to go visit the home we did last year (next door) with some of the Richstone board members and I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the other house was.  It still looked like the day we staged it…. gorgeous.  So it appears the girls really are taking pride in what we are doing for them.

I have included a copy of an email below from Valerie, the house manager, about some comments from the girls. It’s a very heartwarming thing to do this for this organization and it’s even more to have them appreciate the hard work that all of us provided.  A sincere thank you to everyone involved. The many months of planning / work is greatly appreciated.”

Dan Keating (President, IAHSP West LA Chapter)

Initial Testimonials from the girls at Richstone:

-The house looks beautiful

-I have never lived in a house that looks so nice

-The stagers made our home look so warm and inviting

-I really want to study at home now that the stagers have made it look so nice

-I never thought I would be able to live in a home that looks this good

-I hope one day I can make my home look as nice as the stagers made our program look

Walls were painted, new carpet/flooring  installed, curtains, area rugs, furniture and accessories were all a part of making this project for the West LA Chapter of IAHSP World Wide Service Staging Week a success.  Thanks to all!

Michelle Drewry, ASP, IAHSP, Owner and Principal Designer of Staging The Essentials – A full service home staging company.  Fully insured and licensed.

Call us for a “Complimentary” quote today.  213-392-1901

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