Home Staging Vancouver Causes Reenactment of the 7 Years War
Like a scene out of the movie, Night at the Museum, I may have unintentionally caused a second chapter to the 7 Years War, the infamous war between the English and the French during the mid-18th century. Let me back up and explain...
I was called in to add a bit of "wow" to an already gorgeous home for sale. This home was built in 1998, but you'd swear it was built 100 years ago. The builder really focused on recreating a period home, with beautiful wood moldings and paneling. The hardwood floor is gorgeous, and looks like it should creak, just as in an old home. There are nooks and crannies everywhere, and the home is oozing with charm and character.
However, there was still room for improvement.
- The formal living/dining room lacked a dining room table. In this $1.5 million home, buyers want to see a dining room area where they are able to entertain. Solution: We added a beautiful dining room table and chairs, appropriate to the style of the home.
- The rooms appeared very dark. Due to dark paint colour choices, the home felt very dark and dreary. Solution: We advised the homeowner to paint the living room a lighter, neutral colour, but in the meantime, we lightened and brightened the room using light coloured cushions, furniture and rug.
- The great room area felt very stark and empty. The sofa and t.v. off the kitchen seemed like an afterthought, and wasn't very inviting. Solution: We relocated a side table from upstairs to the family room, and added a coffee table, artwork, rug and accessories.
We addressed the above points, but what on earth does this have to do with the battle between the French & English, you ask? Well, above the fireplace sat a beautiful portrait of a distant relative of the home owner. This ancestor stared at you, sporting full British regalia. Clearly, the British were holding fort in this beautiful home. As the homeowner said herself, it felt as if the portrait was following you around the room with his eyes! We relocated the portrait to the study, where he would feel more comfortable. Now everyone knows I'm a francophile, so of course I had to bring in dining room chairs with French script and added an Eiffel tower.
What do you think will happen when the owners retire for bed and the lights are turned out? Will it be just like a scene out of Night at the Museum? Will the British ancestor leap from the confines of the picture frame and declare war against the French chairs?!! I guess we'll never know...
Here are some "Before & After" Photos:
LIVING ROOM - BEFORE
LIVING ROOM - AFTER
LIVING ROOM - AFTER
DINING AREA - BEFORE
DINING AREA - AFTER
DEN - BEFORE
DEN - AFTER
FAMILY ROOM - BEFORE
FAMILY ROOM - AFTER
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
Hi Sally ~ the only battle that will occur at this house is the one from multiple buyers fighting over it!! Your changes made this house feel SO much lighter, more inviting, and will no doubt lead to a quick sale. You also added some fun contemporary flair, which buyers will be looking for -- no one wants to live in a museum!!
Old whats-his-name looks much better in the den, BTW :-)
Maureen - Thanks! A multiple buyers battle would be a wonderful thing! This is the property I was telling you and Jackson about over dinner - bet you figured that out!
Sally, what a nice balance between English and French in this house now. Very beautiful and gentle touches that awake the house form a deep sleep.
Sally.....I absolutely LOVE what you did!! The punches of white/cream make the Living Room & Dining Room bright, beautiful and I'm sure SOLD Soon! I also WANT those dining chairs....love the "postal" theme and the nail head trim!! WOW oh WOW!!!
Anna - I believe there may have been a truce between the two sides! Your comment is very poetic - I love it!
Kathy - Aren't those dining room chairs fabulous? They hit the store and were pretty much all gone the next day. I was lucky to be at the right store at the right time! I have 5, but I'm still on the hunt for a 6th chair...
HI Sally, light and bright sells homes every time. I love to live with dark colours but when I sold my home recently, all the walls were painted CC 110 Muslin Ben Moore. You won the French/English debate on this one. Love the dining room chairs, really added some spunk to the house.
Michelle - I couldn't agree more. I get why they chose the dark colours - makes sense in a Victorian style home. However, they will need to be lightened up the walls for selling. I don't know if you can see, but in the after photo of the dining room, attached to the doorway molding on the left hand side is a paint chip - this is what the new colour will be. At least, their homework was to repaint...
KISS, KISS, KISS! Keep It Simple Sally...............fabulous my friend. Love those dininr room chairs.
Roger - I can never hear KISS KISS KISS enough! Thanks - those chairs really are exquisite, aren't they?
Sally. I looked at the photos before reading your post (eye candy first) and the portrait was so noticable!!! I think just removing it from the living room updated that room by 100 years. Good for your for celebrating the two official languages in Canada - English and French.
Valerie - Isn't it wonderful how we can gobble up those eye candy photos without putting on any weight! Yes, as handsome as the Lieutenant General is, he needed to be banished to the canteen - uh, I mean Den...
Great Job! Whee or where did you find those dining room chairs?? Rented or bought?
Marilyn - Thanks! I know, those chairs are a great find. I bought them - I'll email you separately.
Aloha Sally,
You subtly gave a traditional and rather aloof interior an updated and more transitional feel. You set at ease the rather formal appearance of the property with just the right touches of casual modernity without confusing design styles. It went from being an old victorian to transitional chic. Lovely work.
Peace,
Hey girlfriend!!! I vote for "Battle in the Black"!! you've got to keep that imagination alive ya know!
Kimo - Can you please be my ghost writer from now on?!! You just said so eloquently what I set out to achieve. Thanks so much - "transitional chic" - I love it!
Valerie - Hey, great to see you here! Oh yes, that would be my vote, too, although their poor dog will probably be freaked out when the painting starts to chase the chairs, and the Swiss cushions jump in to stop all the fighting!
Bravo, Bravo....this is a battle that has already been won! Fabulous job and you can add me to the list of dining room chair fans!
Sharon - Merci er, I mean... Tally Ho! Yes, I think they called a truce to let all the lucky buyers in to have a look. Those chairs have been sitting in my inventory, waiting for the right home. Just after I purchased them, I seemed to be staging modern condos!
Sally - I found your 6th chair. It's here in Atlanta (smile). I saw them the other day, and thought they'd be wonderful in a home. Your post proves they do.
Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.
Kathy
Sally you did a very nice job with this 'character' home. Your choices of colour and furniture items along with accessories did an amazing job for this property.
Kathy - Nooooo! Are you serious?!! To think that my 6th chair is sitting in Atlanta, GA! If you want to add them to your inventory, my advice is run out and buy them now, because tomorrow they'll be gone!
Thank you so much for the Feature in Staging Before & After Photos - it's always a delight!
Wendy - Thanks so much for your always positive comments! This home was a real joy to stage.