Sometimes It's the Small Picture that Helps Sell a Home - Home Staging Vancouver, B.C.
We're often concerned with the "big picture" when staging homes. Sorting out furniture that needs to be brought in, or rearranging existing furniture is extremely important. The big picture concerns itself with where art should be placed, adding area rugs and dressing the sofas with coordinating cushions. Once the big picture is complete, the rooms usually look very nice. However, you can't just stop at the big picture. Staging is all about layers, and another layer would be to now focus on the small picture, or the tiny details that are very subtle, and yet speak to a buyer's psyche.
The small picture can be a little vignette here, or a small grouping there. In my opinion, the small picture can have the biggest impact if it's extremely subtle. It needs to almost whisper to the home buyer, rather than shout out its presence.
Here are some examples of the "small pictures" that we've used when staging homes. A sweet tea pot, cream & sugar that reminds us that every so often we need to take a break and pamper ourselves with a nice, restorative cup of tea.
Often there are tables, desks and nooks in kitchens that end up becoming the dumping ground for keys, mail, pens, elastic bandsand
odds and sods. In this kitchen, we edited out this catch-all area, and placed quaint items that remind us of cooking in France. A French cookbook, a sunny, yellow pot of flowers, and a wrought iron rooster, like one might find in the South of France.
Here's another example of the power of suggestion. This bodum coffee maker was filled with coffee beans, and placed on a side board with pretty, fresh, green coffee cups, and a colourful bowl of green fruit. It suggests quiet Sunday mornings drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
Sure, adding just furniture is fine, but the life and appeal is added to the home through these little staging touches, that speak to buyers and tug at their heart strings.
Exit Stage Right - Home Staging and Redesign Sally Weatherley 604-838-9431
Sally Weatherley is a full time home stager and owner of exit stage right - home staging, Vancouver, B.C.
We help home owners and real estate agents sell their homes quickly and for maximum profit. When selling your home you want to "set the stage for a lasting first impression".
Home Staging Website: www.exitstageright.ca
Before & After Photos: Exit Stage Right Portfolio
Email: sally@exitstageright.ca
Blog: Exit Stage Right Blog
Love this post Sally! The little stories and scenes we can set, when tastefully & artfully done (as you so nicely show here) can help buyers imaginations envision themselves in the space & "buy in" to the home. Knowing the right way to display a vignette is key and you do it wondefully!
Ah, Sally - to be barefoot in Paris again...actually, I wasn't. My sister and our friend Laurie were because they got blisters! Wonderful vignettes - again, I resolve to boost my accessories inventory!
Sally -- I love using scene-creating vignettes like yours when staging, and yours look very appealing. I agree that it's these subtle lifestyle hints that draw buyers' emotions in, and make them feel "at home."
A "French" cookbook? From you? We used to remind ourselves what truly separated us from the mob, and one of those things was our attention to the this very topic. It's true...the devil is in the details, and it's those displays that really customize and show your 'touch'.
Sally, I love vignettes! They often take people by surprise and that makes an impression that they take with them! Staging is so fun when you get to do stuff like that! Those are the last finishing touches, sometimes done at the end of the day when you're tired, but they make the day worth it!
Sally- my favorite part of staging is the accessories. They can take a plain sofa and give it pizzaz; or take a small table and it becomes coffee for two! Great post.
Sally: You make such an excellent point in this post that I re-blogged. Thank you,
Hi Sally - Really nice illustrative photos of this kind of detail in staging. These kinds of vignettes really create a story that most people find very inviting. Well done! I hit Suggest.
Sally, I couldn't agree more. Staging is about layering a house so that the buyer relates on a personal level. Great post. Like Judy, I 'suggest'.
Sally, this post deserve a feature! Ah...that emotional connection....I think couple of close up pictures will not hurt MLS presentations.
Sally, its of then the little things that make all the difference and turn a house into a home.
Sally....it's all those small things....that you do soooo well....that pull all those big pictures together!! GREAT examples of the special touches!!
Karen - Well said! Buyers that "buy in" to the home is crucial.
Julie - Ah, the dangers of too much walking in Paris. And yet, would we have it any other way.
Maureen - Your butler's pantry vignettte comes directly to mind - that was such a lovely touch.
David - I know, the French cookbook was a complete departure, but I thought hey, why not go out on a limb... I still remember your Hendrick's gin bottle and glasses set up - a very classy, subtle vignette.
Peg - I couldn't have said that better myself. The little vignettes are like our little staging rewards - they are such a pleasure to put together.
Kathy - I have to agree, it's my favourite part too!
Valerie - Thanks so much for the re-blog - that was very sweet of you!
Judy - Who doesn't love story telling. These vignettes really capture a buyer's imagination like nothing else can. And thank you(!).
Janice - I like that: layering so a buyer "relates on a personal level" - exactly! And thank you, too(!).
Anna - Wouldn't that be great if more Realtors® used close up photos on their MLS photos to help attract buyers? Why not?
Leah - Absolutely. Turning a house into a warm, inviting home that the potential buyers wants to purchase is what it's all about.
Kathy - Aw, thanks!
Sally, thank you for sharing these vignettes. I never grow tired of the creativity among stagers and these are just so adorable.
Sally - Your vignettes are gorgeous. Creating these little stories for prospective buyers ... that's the essence of our craft. You've captured it brilliantly. Bravo!
Janet - I love the way we all feed off each other, creatively. Such a great community.
Pamela - Creating little stories that buyers can relate to is so much fun. It's the icing on the cake!
Howdy from Houston!
A lovely post, from a lovely stager!