Recently we were asked to stage a 7200 sq ft vacant home in Vermont. The home is located in a popular vacation destination and is not far from winter skiing. Here are some photos from that project.
Paint Color Inspiration
Selecting a paint color can be one of the most difficult aspects of any project, and with good reason. Your paint color can make or break your decorating scheme. We know picking a paint color can be frustrating and very intimidating. So we rounded up a bunch of gorgeous paint colors to provide you with a little inspiration. We found all of these pictures on Pinterest so, if you are feeling inspired, you may find more there as well.
Something Different - our TEDx Amoskeag Millyard Experience
Recently we were asked to participate in the planning and designing of the stage for an independent TEDx event in Manchester New Hampshire. What is TED you might ask? TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences — the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer — TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.
The event we participated in is called TEDxAmoskeagMillyard, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxAmoskeagMillyard event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
This years theme was innovation through collaboration and the talks were nothing short of fascinating. We could not believe some of the incredible achievements made by people in our own backyard. The day was inspiring and as well as being educational. We cannot wait to be involved again next year.
Here are some photos of our stage creation....
Staging....a Metaphor for life?
We encounter a lot of different types of homeowners looking for help staging their home. I really think that the way people approach preparing their home for sale is likely the way they approach many things in their lives. To break it down into its simplest form, a home - for many homeowners, is likely their biggest asset and largest source of debt. It then stands to reason that a homeowner would want to do their best to make their home look its best at the time of the sale. There are real returns to be had from de-cluttering, restyling furniture, and having a thorough cleaning done. How much of a return you ask? Well, we have had clients list for more than their original market analysis antcipated. Here are a few examples: One for $5k more than planned, another $20k more, and one client listed for $100k more than his agent had originally planned. Not one of those clients did anything more than de-clutter and restyle.
Many homeowners accept the challenge, hunker down, and get the work done. They are not only rewarded typically with a higher sales price and fewer days on the market but with the added bonus of having started packing and purging which makes the moving process exponentially easier.
Other homeowners ask us for tricks and frankly I am always amazed by this. We are giving you the tricks. De-clutter and restyle your furniture. If you do it yourself, it is free. Sure you have to actually do the work but you would do it anyway, right? You are moving. If you are unable to do the work on your own, we understand and can help you connect with people who can help.
Just like most things in life, there is not a substitute for hard work and effort. If you put the effort in, you get the results. It really is that simple.
How Much is that TV Costing You?
Yesterday we did a consult for a New Hampshire couple selling their home. At one point we came to a room that was difficult to decorate because it had several doors, a fire place, and a slider to a porch. I suggested eliminating the large television and creating a simple seating arrangement focusing on the fireplace. The wife said "my husband will never go for that".
So here is the question then...... how much money are you willing to lose when listing your house to keeping your TV?
Not sure if the TV is really a problem? Take a look at this photo and tell us what you notice first? Is it the wall of gorgeous windows? Or is it the TV? Guess what buyers will notice first too!