Apostle Art Home Staging & Design Blog: November 2011

As a professional Home Stager in the Poconos, I am faced with many different types of homes and properties to stage and prepare for this competitive real estate market. Each requires a unique approach based on the characteristics of the home and what can be done to maximize the appeal.

No matter what level of property we stage, every homeowner wants to minimize cost while getting the best possible result, impact and ROI for every dollar invested. Our recent Lakefront property was certainly no exception. The greatest selling feature of this home is NOT the HOME!!! Owning a private beach in this desirable Lake Naomi community is really the greatest selling feature of this particular property and needs to take center stage when marketing to potential buyers.

So What did we do?

We took tons of stunning photos of the lake...

 

(Check out more amazing shots in the video tour we created below!)

 Ok...But what about the house?

Even though the Lake is the star of this show, the house needs to have the best possible appeal as well in order to attract a buyer at this level. There were definitely some challenges to overcome here which is why a Professional Home Stager is worth their weight in gold!

Here is what we did...

Before staging, when you walked in the front door you were greeted by a very challenging layout. The log posts cut the living space right in the center of the room making it difficult to know how to arrange the furniture. This configuration was not working and confused buyers as soon as they walked in the door. 

 

We removed the 2 green recliners and relocated them into another room, pulled one of the sofas from that other space and arranged in with the existing love seat to make a more natural flow and comfortable seating arrangement. And, of course, we brought in lots of pops of color and accessories to infuse LIFE and energy into the space!!!

 

The space was not very warm and inviting and only 2 people could enjoy the view...

Now you can imagine comfortably entertaining friends where everyone has a view of the Lake.

Before, This Master bedroom was very "yellow" and very naked.

We painted a more pleasing neutral on the walls that will appeal to more buyers. We then took the Log bed that was cramped in another bedroom accessorized it beautifully making sure to tie in the color scheme of green and rust tones from the adjacent living room. Now, this Master with a view a graceful retreat.

This space was an addition designed to maximize the view but was certainly not maximizing function.

Now you can eat, relax and enjoy the view. The recliners from the living room were moved in here to add some soft seating and together with the table create an open floor plan that doesn't block or truncate the space like before. Notice we switched out the blue color for a soft sage green that was more natural feeling. We also continued the color story in here with accessories that add vibrancy and fun!

The owners at one time had a table in this space but it was cramped and stopped the flow....and watch your head on that floating light fixture!

Now, the space feels open but still affords some seating...we removed the fixture as there was plenty of overhead lighting for the space and our dining table is where it belongs.

This Loft area was a bit bare and unwelcoming before...

Now, it's a comfy place to hang. We were careful to again pull in the colors from below to create continuity throughout the home.

This was the bedroom that originally had the log bed as well as desk and other wicker furniture crammed in the other side of the room...

We brought in a smaller bed and was able to use the desk and put some of the other furniture pieces in other areas of the home. We actually used every piece of existing furniture they had somewhere in the home. We just re-purposed them in a way so that each area would feel spacious and uncluttered.

There were just too many colors and finishes going on here making it feel a bit dated and old fashioned.

 I love what paint can do for a bathroom. A soft, neutral on the wall, crisp white over the oak, new seat cover, some accessories and now this bathroom feels cohesive and fresh!

Now that's how you sell a house!!!

If you missed my first post and tour of the home you can watch it here...enjoy~ 

 

For more information on this property click here.

 

Ok...I didn't plan this "deep" post. I already wrote one today about 11-11-11, so here are 2 choices

If you want a deep post that is light and airy too... go here...

Mysterious Numbers making me Wonder...TELL ME, WHAT DOES IT MEAN ....11-11-11???

If you want a deep post that is heavy and profound...read on...

 

I appreciate everyone's Veteran's Day posts as they reminded me of how special today is for our country and our world. Those posts prompted me to offer up a rosary for the soldiers who have sacrificed so very much for us all.

 

If you are not familiar with the Rosary. It is a Christian prayer that is based on the life of Christ. You pray the "Our Father", "Hail Mary" and other prayers as you hold each bead, during which you are also called to meditate on many of the mysteries of Christ's life.

There are four sets of mysteries, Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and the new addition of the Luminous. Each day, a different set of mysteries is to be focused on. It just so happens that Friday is the day we reflect on Christ Sorrowful Mysteries as we remember his passion and the ultimate sacrifice of himself.

There are 5 mysteries a day and as I began to pray them and thinking about the sacrifices our soldiers have and continue to make I came upon some profound connections.

 

 

1st Sorrowful Mystery: "The Agony in the Garden"...

How lonely and abandoned He must have felt, no consolation, not even from his own Father. His friends asleep, having no idea how deeply he was suffering by the weight of the sins of the world and no one to share them with. So much mental anguish that is caused him to physically sweat blood. How so, must our soldiers relate to these feelings of abandonment as they sit in the trenches of war? Even those that do return with their life suffer greatly from the psychological scars that sometimes never heal.

2nd Sorrowful Mystery: "The Scourging at the Pillar"...

An innocent man, Bound and Beaten to the point that if he were not the Son of God he would have surely perished at the pillar. (If you have ever seen"The Passion" movie  you will understand the intensity of this event) How so, our brave men and women have endured great sufferings for no other cause than human freedom. They are accused of nothing but just scourged for the sake of what they stand for.

3rd Sorrowful Mystery: "Jesus is crowned with thorns and mocked by the soldiers"...

As if his broken body was not enough, they pierced his head with thorns, put a king's robe on him and spat in his face mocking him. How so does the soldier feel as he is pierced in spirit and taunted and mocked and spat on by the people in the streets and enemy soldiers.

4th Sorrowful Mystery: "Jesus takes up his cross"...

They say the deepest, most painful wound Christ felt was the one on his shoulder from carrying the cross. Falling several times under it's extreme weight, bloody face in the dust. How heavy are the crosses of those who serve. The weight is extreme yet they continue to walk on. 

5th Sorrowful mystery: "The crucifixion"...

Paying the ultimate price for our freedom. God in his wisdom sacrificed his only begotten Son.  Handed him over to the enemy who thought he had won the victory. How many Mothers and Fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters will feel the pain of the loss of their soldier. It is their sacrifice as well.

It did not please God to see his Son suffer. The only way God could even bear it was the wisdom to know that through His sacrifice, the Victory was won...  Triumph over evil and death itself!!

 

So today, as we remember, let's offer up all of our Veterans, those currently serving and all their loved ones to the one who knows as good as anyone what sacrifice means.

God be with them, God bless them, God bring them peace!

 

 

 

 

 

Owning a home with a view is wonderful...Owning a Lakefront on one of the most beautiful lakes in the Poconos ... a Dream Come True!

I often think as I walk out of my front door on a crisp clear night, what a privilege it is to own this section of sky. It's mine! The heavens in all their wonder, thousands of far away stars and constellations...my private view...a perspective unique to the very spot in which I stand and own...my little slice of Serenity.

We recently staged a home located on the Lake in the beautiful community of

 Lake Naomi, Pocono Pines, PA.

I couldn't help but be taken breathless at the incredible scenic beauty that I experienced in the short time I spent on this gorgeous property. This "Slice of Serenity " is for sale, ready for someone to claim as their own and enjoy the all the wonder this piece of earth has to offer.

I will share some more of the amazing photos I took in separate post but you can check out the tour I put together here...enjoy!

:) 

 

 

For more information on this property click here.

For Information on working with a professional Home Stager to enhance your property in the Poconos

visit our website at ApostleArt.com