Behind the scenes: staging a 1983 split level home
The Property
We were contacted by a well-known REALTOR in our area to consult on a 1983 split level property. We were warned the house was very dated and that there was no extra budget for updates like painting or new carpet. In fact, they needed the stage completed asap as they had a listing date already set.
Split level homes are abundant in this area and can either be a blessing or a curse for home stagers. We must navigate those narrow, split staircases and they are a doozy when transporting couches or large chairs.
This brick front split-level sat on 2 acres, and we were greeted with a majestic oak that truly enhanced the front of the house. We were also relieved to find there were several other entrances we could use for moving our inventory in and out. It couldn’t be that bad, right?
The Kitchen
We were first greeted with a stark white kitchen framed in a patriotic heart wallpaper border. Floral country style curtains adorned each window. The kitchen cabinets were “shiny white” and set the stage for the bright, red cabinet pulls on every cabinet….50 of them total! They glowed like beacons in the night, demanding ALL the attention.
But those red cabinet pulls weren’t going to scare us away. We used natural textures like wood, rattan and faux greenery to soften the focus of the red accents. Backless counter stools with chrome helped to update the look along with our round glass dining table and contemporary low back dining chairs. Removing all the dated window coverings helped to update the space tremendously and highlight this great kitchen.
Before
After
The Living Room
Moving forward to the main living room, avocado green walls mixed, not very well, with a dark blue carpet. There was also a bedroom painted in purple, yards of wallpaper borders and to complete the tour, a red shower stall straight out of the movie “Psycho.” No, not really from the movie BUT it was an unusual red shower, and it was our first.
To start, we complimented the avocado green walls with gorgeous artwork that incorporated the colors in our beautiful mid-century modern furniture and accessories. Shades of greens, blues and gold were brought throughout. We kept it simple, showcasing the gorgeous view out of the front bay window.
Before
After
The Carpets
You could feel the love in this home. Yes, the houses do speak to us. We did convince the sellers to replace the blue carpeting on the main level but the avocado green and purple paint along with all the wallpaper borders were going to stay as is. That’s ok, we LOVE a challenge. We embraced the whole ‘retro’ vibe of this property and ran with it.
After
After
The Windows
We are huge advocates of removing unnecessary window coverings to let the light in. For example, the purple room turned into a beautiful pink just from removing the dark curtains. It was repainted by beautiful “natural light”. We have encountered this phenomenon time and time again. Natural light transforms a space better than anything else!
Before
After
The finished result
To date, this home, is our FAVORITE! The transformation was incredible and to be quite honest, we were shocked at how well it all came together. Not every house we stage is a high-end home, but EVERY house is important and deserves to be dressed up and shown in its best light!
As home stagers, we see many styles of houses, how they are lived in and decorated by the homeowners. We find it an honor when our clients invite us into their homes and trust us to incorporate their budget, their furnishings, and our inventory into a master marketing plan to get their biggest investment sold quicker and for the most amount of money.
Do you have a property that could use some staging magic? We’ll be happy to speak with you!
