Stage It

Now that the $8,000 tax credit  for home purchases has expired and sales have slowed it may be a bit harder to sell your home.  If you have a house sitting on the market or thinking about listing one your property must be in tip top shape.  It  may take an excess of 180 days to get a contract in most metro areas. That's when its time to bring in help. Staging is very different than decorating.  A staged home must be attractive, up to date in furnishings but not too personal.  Most homeowners find it challenging to separate  themselves from their home.  Professional staggers add a trained eye that minimizes a homes flaws and maximizes its best features. If you live in the DC metro area and have a special property that's yearning to show it's wow factor... contact: redriverinteriors@gmail.com

Here are 10 of my staging tips to help you get your property sold  faster:

1. Always paint...use a neutral color pallet overall

  
















2. Keep furniture to a minimum...it maximizes room size

 

3. Stage adjoining rooms as a single space

4. Float the furniture...it opens up the room

5. Upgrade builder grade light fixtures

6. Refresh tiles in kitchens and baths by regrouting

7. Stripe an accent wall to create visual interest in a condo

8. Create a master bedroom that appeals to both men and women

9. Don't forget the backyard...a fence keeps out intruders

10. If the outside isn't appealing they won't come in

Trending Red

If there were a color in the world I couldn't live without.... it would have to be red. Red uplifts, energizes. It's the color, when added to a room, changes it's entire dynamic. Red walls, red sofas, red accessories.....just say it with red!     

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Miles Redd

Alesandra Branca

What's Inspiring Me

What's inspiring me right now?  Sustainable products... There are many beautiful products on the market with more elements of  sustainability than ever before. Most manufacturers are including more and more items in their product lines that emphasize green living. I recently had a client with extreme allergies so I sourced fabrics low in chemical exposure. Here are designs that incorporate sustainable products beautifully. Concrete floors, teak ceilings, bamboo bedding, non VOC paint, recycled copper, recycled glass and recycled plastics for carpet are common green materials .  This list is not all inclusive.  New green products are coming to market all the time. Many are made in the US but there are imports too.
 

Breath easy at night ... no off gassing with these materials 

Non VOC paint and recycled glass make a wonderful outdoor room...photo LA Times

Teak teamed with stainless steel create a posh modern Copat kitchen

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 Teak on the ceiling, non VOC paint on the walls, a rug dyed with natural dyes... Is that the aesthetic you're working toward?

 

 Q Collection  fabric and furniture uses non toxic materials in their manufacturing process. You wont find toxic glues and  formaldehyde in their furniture

The Todhunter Sofa

 

Kiss My Arse Recliner

Acrobat - Mustard seed/Charcoal  -to the trade

How about bamboo & reeds for window shades?

 

  Pair woven shades with traditional drapes - photo:Traditional Home