What a Difference a Few Changes Make!

Let's get one thing straight: I shot these photos on my iphone so they are not going to wow you but the room change may.

My daughter went off to college so it was time to create a more grown up beautiful room for her return. It only took me a week to complete. Here is how it worked:

I have been following Tuft and Needle mattress company for a couple of years. They sell 1 mattress in several sizes. The Queen is about $550. I tried it out, my nephew tried it and now my daughter. We are all fans. You do not need to pay big prices for a mattress anymore. I purchased mine from Amazon for a handful of reasons. Purchase here. Ships in a box, open, cut plastic and it expands. PRESTO!

The makeover cost me about $1400.00. That is with the mattress, hiring a painter, the paint, bedding, and accessories. No furniture. Everything was Home Goods, Target and Amazon. The furniture: bed (also sold on Amazon) and dresser and mirror are Ikea.

Before

The original room was Carrie's (Sex in the City) apartment color-left image. My youngest is not a fan of feminine so this is what we agreed on (back in the day). 

We are adding a collection of black and whites on the wall and I think that completes the look.

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Tips for a Fab Outdoor Space

Every space outside of your home is worthy of your attention. You will not regret taking some time to carve out a bit of outdoor beauty. Capture those spaces and create! Even if you are overwhelmed with the size of your yard, pick one of the items below and make it happen. Even if you are underwhelmed by the size of your yard, am intimate space can be created. 

1. DINING

This is perfect for a small space for a couple of reasons. It adds a pop of color and style even without any throw pillows, and weathers well. It's also very affordable from Target. Ooh La La, very French!

In the Pacific NW I am a huge fan of metal if it is not under cover. Way less maintenance and worry. Also found at Target.

My all time favorite is a wood farm table but that has to be under cover. I even store mine inside over the winter. They can be high maintenance for sure but warm and welcoming.

2. ENTERTAINING

It helps to have something to set your fabulous appetizers and craft cocktails on. And this bar cart makes a great statement without taking up a ton of space. 

Of course if you have a larger area you can go with a larger bar.

3. CHILL SPACE

And then there is the relaxing area. A welcoming sectional. Once again, this weathers well but here in Seattle I would never leave my cushions out all year-never.

Or go with  2-4 chairs for a smaller space. These chairs read comfort for sure.

4. NAPPING or RELAXING

A hammock or a chaise lounge chair!

5. GARDENING

A large planter works even in a somewhat small space. A trio of planters makes a great statement as well, especially if they are repeated.

It doesn't all need to fall on your "Operation Fab Outdoor Space" to-do list but I can assure you doing just 1 of these ideas will make you want to be outside. I will not overwhelm you with throw pillows, heaters, fire pits and rugs (but I would like to!). We are brimming with design ideas.

Thank you to Target for all of these great products.

Staging a beautiful Washington Estate

Showing you just a few of the photos of this incredible property. What you will not see is: pool house, swimming pool, sport court, batting cage, movie theater, workout room, wine room, nanny's quarters and more. Fancy indeed!

Long ago projects this size would scare us. We would still take them (and learn a lot of stuff along the way) but they were time consuming and hard. Now, these Staging Sisters have it down! Especially with our team of rock star stagers-we actually enjoy these large projects. (We also love love 2 bedroom condos...just saying.)

This listing is by Mary Schile for RE/Max Metro Realty and staging by us at Open House Staging.

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Mother's Day Picks | Joanna Gaines Style

Every Monday morning our team of Stagers gather to discuss our upcoming jobs, staffing, vacations, weekend plans, funny stories, and blog ideas.  

I loved Jodi's idea of showcasing some of the pieces we like from Joanna Gaines' Hearth and Hand Collection at Target. 

We may have another Mother's Day Gift Giving post from our resident shopping Queen-Tara. Her experience is vast and on trend so cross your fingers and stay tuned.

CLICK & SHOP!

Jodi-Stager Extraordinaire!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Ballard Staging

Unremarkable on the outside but what a surprise on the inside!

Listing by Team Diva Real Estate, photos by Jon Wilbanks at JWPhoto and staging by Open House Staging.

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Mother's Day Giving Ideas

Coming up in May is a special day to honor Mothers and Women who have been meaningful in our lives. We have some gift suggestions for you and also a great idea for a donation made in honor of Mom.

Our staging company has been partnering with Mary's Place. A perfect fit for us. We are called on to donate and deliver beds, linens, furniture to families placed in housing. It has been an incredibly rich experience meeting the families and playing a small part in helping them better their lives. We arrive with the basics but get to add art, throw pillows, and accessories to spice up their spaces-they love it and we do too!

Their Mission: 

 "Mary’s Place is a leading voice for homeless women, children, and families in emergency situations. We empower families to reclaim their lives by offering community, acceptance, hope and dignity. Our work keeps struggling families together and provides practical tools and resources that help them find housing and employment. We inspire the community to support homeless women, children, and families through advocacy, partnerships, volunteerism and philanthropy."

Make a donation here or let us know if you want to help. We welcome brand new sheets and linens for twin and queen size beds, TV's, towels, kitchen items and more.

Of course it is always fun to unwrap a carefully selected gift and we are good at this. 

CLICK AND SHOP

HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Lakemont Staging

This was an enormous staging project in a big ol' beautiful home. I would love to sit down with the original homeowner and find out where the inspiration came from. There is an Asian vibe, a tree house vibe, a Ralph Anderson vibe (see what I mean right here.) and it all works! We had to marry our furniture, accessories and linens with the homeowner's art and paint colors so we stayed with neutrals. It worked!

Listing by Shelly Zhou for Coldwell Banker Bain, photos by Jon Wilbanks for JWphotos and the bad ass staging is by us at Open House Staging. Check out the video tour here.

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4 Great Ideas for Planting your Containers.

When I started gardening I would simply copy the recipes in the gardening books until I got comfortable picking out and creating great combinations myself. They work for me and will work for you.

You are starting with a boring container, see below, but that's not the part that steals the show so worry not. I suggest at least 3-5 of these planters. Remember "strength in numbers". They are light weight, a great size and will weather nicely. Buy it here.

Recipe: Alstroemeria, Gardenia & Lobelia.

You have fragrance, a beautiful glossy green and a heady scent in the gardenia and the Lobelia trailing down the sides of the pot. Don't worry how skimpy it looks when you first plant everything. In a couple weeks it will be filled in and you will be rewarded.

Recipe: Purple Fountain Grass, Fushias, Coleus, Asiatic Dwarf and Oriental Lillies.

You get the wispy grass, the intense colors of the other plants and the fragrance of the Lillies. Pot found here.

Recipe: Geraniums, Lobelia, Hebe & Potato Vine

There is room for 2-3 Geraniums in this container, the Potato Vine will be vibrant and beautiful trailing down the pot and the Hebe adds some steady interest. Purchase the pot here.

Recipe: Verbena, Petunia, Maiden Grass & Scented Geranium

I am partial to bold hot colors but the good news is that the flowers come in a handful of colors. And the scented geraniums are over-the-top. You will love this combination!

The great thing about this container is that it brings all the beauty up so that you can actually see it and enjoy it. This container is easy to assemble. Buy it here.

Make sure you have good potting soil and fertilizer. Enjoy your fabulous outdoor space!

Urban Farmhouse

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.)

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.

6 Paint Colors You Will Want to Know

Tara and I recently acquired the insanely talented "Stager Girl" Maria. She is our "go to" girl for all things paint related. Maria helped with paint colors in my daughter's newly decorated room and helped my sister with her new house. I asked her to share her top Benjamin Moore paint colors that are great for a fresh bright look.

1. BALBOA MIST

Photo by Cardea Building Co. - Browse living room ideas

This one is great when Revere Pewter is reading just a little too dark and earthy and you're looking for something a little fresher. It has a touch of a lilac undertone that cools it down and can help it look like that perfect soft gray you've been trying to find.

2. MOONSHINE

I love this soft green with gray undertones. This is great when you need a color that acts like a white to clean up and brighten a space but you want a hint of color. It's a cool color so it will look great in those southwest facing rooms.

3. ABBINGTON PUTTY

Photo by Boomgaarden Architects - More living room ideas

If you're looking for a bit of sophistication but are so very tired of all those builder beiges out there, consider this color. It has more gold tones in it to warm up a space but is still light enough to brighten a room. It's a great neutral and works well with different wood tones.

4. ANGELICA

Photo by Twelve Chairs - Search living room design ideas

Oh Angelica, sweet, sweet Angelica. This color is just a wisp of pinkish-gray. It's perfect for a girls room when you don't want an in-your-face pink. It's so neutral and light that it could work in any room that you want to glow just a bit at sunset.

5. STERLING

Photo by Studio Munroe - Browse nursery ideas

This is a cool gray with definite blue and green undertones. Against a bright white trim you can really see the subtle undertones of this paint. In a dark room the color merges into just a perfect cool gray.

6. MORNING DEW

Photo by Molly Frey Design - Discover dining room design ideas

This color is a breath of fresh air. I once painted a kitchen this color and it looked great with fir cabinetry and white shelves. It's a perfect subtle green that changes color throughout the day. Looks great by candlelight!

And there you have it! Let me know if you have any questions and I will pass them on to Maria. Aren't we lucky to have her!? 

West Seattle Beach House

I have some great memories with my best friend growing up in a Ralph Anderson designed home. It too was built to bring the outdoors into your space. We could look into the forest from her bedroom's floor to ceiling windows. The "hallway" was a cat walk above the living and dining rooms. It was like no other home in our neighborhood. And to get to revisit another of Ralph's homes is incredibly special. 

Years ago my sister and I were hired by Ralph to stage one of his new construction homes. He let us come to his Alki Beach Condo and select any art off the walls to put in with our staging. We knew it was an honor but it was also scary carrying  Morris Graves and Guy Anderson originals in our truck! 

And here is the 3rd Ralph Anderson home that we have staged! It's a beauty.

Was I right!? It is a beauty!

This listing is by Lisa Tunure for Coldwell Banker Bain Global Luxury. Photography by Andrew Webb for Clarity NW and staged by the fabulous team at Open House Staging.