Urban Farmhouse

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This home is more special than all of our other jobs we have staged because it was designed and created by Tara Nelson, my sister and staging partner at Open House.  Tara has Seattle dotted with homes that she has restored and each time they get better than the last. This one takes the cake. Sweet design treats in each room. (Note the ceiling in the office.)

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Get that Urban Farmhouse look here. Click and Shop!

This home perfectly captures that Urban Farmhouse vibe that home buyers are loving right now. The listing is by Cathy Millan for Windermere Real Estate, the photography is by Nolan Green for Clarity NW and the staging is brought to you by the Stager Girls at Open House LLC.

The Perks

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Sister Ex and I advise home owners on  how to prepare their homes for the market. We are often offered beds, books and furniture that is unwanted. Sometimes we score big.
Like this:


 a shiny lacquer Parsons console table in a pretty dove grey. I loved this piece the minute I saw it. Didn't want to go too overboard at the time but I could not get it out of my mind.

Staging

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Here is a look at some before and after photos of a home. We would have asked that the entire home be repainted. It was difficult working with such extreme colors but it turned out well after all.






We had to work with a King size bed that the owner left. Not our favorite starting point but the finished product now looks like a master bedroom.









We encouraged the homeowner to move his outdoor furniture where it belonged and we would transform the living room with our furniture.






The greatest transformation follows. We could not stand the open room at the top of the stairs but after we were through it was our favorite room of all.




















Didn't get the best photo of the dining room as the homeowner had moved right in with his lap top. But you get the idea that a desk in the dining room does not work in this situation.

This home is located in an interesting planned community in West Seattle. Really close to everything and pretty little views. Listed by Blair Paul of ReMax.

The two sisters got a ton of laughs on this project as we write chapters to our make belief staging novel. We "wrote" chapters on "Battle of the Bands" and  "Inhospitable Homeowners". I love making SE laugh-it makes the days so much fun.

Staging

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We helped the home owners' furnishings really come to life simply by adding some pillows, accessories and a coffee table. Check out the before and you will really see a difference.


Before (above)

After (above)


Before (above)

After (above)

Before (above)


This bedroom really went from college dorm to hip and happening.


before (above)

After (above)


before (above)


This fun house is in a very cool Seattle neighborhood called North Beach. Listed by Carolyn Holm of Windermere.

Best Foot Forward

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I know we keep preaching this but it really works.

Open House LLC was called in to consult on a home that had been languishing on the market for 8 months. My no nonsense sister did not beat around the bush in trying to get the seller to make some very simple changes (we often refer to as defered maintenance). Finish the hardwood floors, change out most of the light fixtures and paint everything: walls, trim, kitchen cupboards, basement walls & floors. The homeowner did only a portion of what was recommended but at least now it was more marketable.

Then came the staging and POW! The home was ready to step out on the market. It had a solid offer within the 1st day.

It pays to put some money and effort into one of the largest transactions you will ever make. We have both built, bought and sold homes ourselves so we have walked the talk.

Best foot forward!!

In this photo of the project we have created an intimate living room all freshly painted.


The owner wouldn't finish the basement but let me tell you after cleaning and painting we created a family room setting so the buyer could visualize the potential. I think it worked.