Avril Brown – Page 2 – Prep Home Staging

My no dollar spend dining nook makeover

Posted on November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 by Avril Brown

A nook from nothing

I have never been happy with my dining area. It’s tucked in a nook opposite my kitchen, doesn’t have a window and gets pretty dark. Great if you want a candlelit dinner but not so inviting in the daytime. One Monday morning it was time for a change. Not in the mood to go shopping (I know, shocker! ) I decided to shop my house. The largest wall in the dining space has never looked right to me, even though I have changed up art work and mirrors. I needed something to add height and feature this wall. Ding, ding, light bulb moment, A huge canvas I was given by a client who had downsized, was the perfect size. It has had a makeover already with paint but this project needed more.

I have always loved the look of a banquette, so it was time to cover this canvas. I needed fabric….. stat. A rummage in my prop closet yielded nothing large enough. I was just about to give in and go search for some fabric when I passed the guest bedroom. Hmmm… right colour, texture and a good weight. Hello Mr Coverlet, I need you.

A mad stapling session on the canvas and a bench I already owned and voila, a spiffed up dining area. After attaching the canvas to the wall It looked a little bare. I needed art and the fish picture from the en suite bathroom was perfect. Some hot pink ribbon was a good solution for hanging it and added a splash of contrasting colour.

Next some pillows (the 2 blue print are from Wicker Emporium ) I added some faux fur to my dining room chairs and dressed the table with some accessories. I love how it turned out. The whole area is much more inviting and better still I didn’t spend any money. Not bad for a Monday morning 🙂

Here is the before

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Keep calm and sparkle on

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Avril Brown

A little sparkle goes a long way, whether staging your home for sale or decorating for the holidays. Nothing brightens a room more than the shimmer of silver, the glint of glass or a flash of chrome. But beware, there is a fine line between too much bling and tasteful sophistication.

Here are some of the ways I like to add glamour to a room, without overdoing it.

Mirrors

Lighting

Mercury Glass

Velvet pillows (or upholstery)

Glass

Art

Adding any of these accents will instantly add sparkle and update your decor to get your rooms noticed.

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Merry and Bright

Posted on November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 by Avril Brown

Holiday decor ideas for the merriest season

The photo studio at Wicker Emporium has been a busy spot in the last few weeks as we gear up for the Holidays with fabulous new product. You will have to wait a little while to see this years images but here’s a look at what we got up to last season.

Red and rustic is always a favorite and I certainly had fun styling this one. Here are some of my styling ideas for keeping your decor fresh and festive. Enjoy.

All photo credits

Justin MacDonald, Halifax n.s.

Reluctant to stage your home ? I get it.

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Avril Brown

You are reluctant to stage your home, I get it. You love it as it is, so why shouldn’t someone else. You took time to pick out that purple/orange/lime green paint for the bathroom. You love the layout in your family room with those 2 comfy sofas you have had forever, where the dog loves to curl up. Your wall of family photos makes you happy and no, you don’t have a bed skirt, they are too much trouble. I get it.

So here lies the problem and might be the reason your home isn’t selling as quickly as you had hoped. How does that purple paint in your bathroom look in your online images. Does it make a small room look even smaller and darker. Does the floral shower curtain look too busy. Does it really show off the good points you are trying to emphasize in that room. Does the lack of a bed skirt, lumpy, flat pillows and mismatched bedding say “Serene Master Bedroom”

You may think that your home looks perfect and is ready to sell, but remember: not everyone likes green paint in their living room or a floral bedspread in the master bedroom. Both men and woman want to envision themselves in your master bedroom. Show the buyer there’s enough space for both. You’re going to need to stage your home.

When listing a home, especially if you haven’t been involved in the world of real estate for a few years, you make the mistake of assuming that everyone walking in for a showing has the same taste as your family, and it would sell in no time. After two or three months on the market and zero interest, it may be time to switch things up a bit. Despite your reluctance to change the place you called home for 20 years, calling in an expert who does this for a living could be a game changer.

I sometimes have clients who are resistant to staging a home (a realtor may have called me in to be the bearer of bad news) but by the time I have done a staging consult they are starting to “get it”. Even newer homes need staging. One particular client was dead set against staging, but the area and price bracket their home was in, dictated the presentation required to sell. After a few days and a lot of persuading on the part of the realtor and input from my report they finally decided to go ahead.

Result, the home sold in 3 days after I staged. A similar home, 3 doors down had been on the market for 6 months and had had a price reduction, which was far more than the cost to stage.

Change is hard but sometimes necessary and getting the right advice can make the process so much easier.

www.prepstaging.com

902 489 6162