Staging 101

I’ve taken on a new job.   We’ll let’s just say that I’m doing something new in addition to my interior design.  A friend of mine flips houses for a living.  She’s very good at it and has made a lot of money doing it.  But, up to now she’s never staged her homes.  She’s never needed to.  But, with the economy being what it is, she felt the need to step it up a bit.  Most of her colleagues were telling her that it was essential to stage her renovations.  They told her that it was a sure-fire way to sell the homes faster.  So, she made the leap!

She called me and asked me if I knew anyone who could stage her house.  Oh!  And she needed it done in two days!  Well, I need to admit something here.  I was out having a few glasses of wine with friends when she called.  I was feeling brave!  I spoke the words…. “What about me?”.  That set the ball in motion!  That set the course for a new fork in the road.  That opened up doors that I didn’t know were even there for me.

Then she asked the next most logical question… “Do you have the resources to do it?”   Even after a few glasses of wine,  I had the foresight to say, “Let me get back to you tomorrow with that answer”.    At the first chance, I texted a few of my friends in the industry quickly asking them for resources.  I struck gold!  I was referred to a Staging Collective!  What is a Staging Collective, you ask?  Well, it’s kind of where the staging industry is heading.

A few years ago a stager could charge thousands to stage a home.  Some still do.  But, with the economy being what it is, stagers are having to resort to being much more competitive.   A lot of stagers were sort of edged out of the business because they couldn’t keep up with the big earners of their companies, who got all the perks.  Therefore, the birth of Staging Collectives.

A Staging  Collective is a group of individual stagers who come together to share warehouse space, furniture and accessories.  The man in charge, Mike, owns most of the furniture and we lease it from him for our clients.   Our staging consortium is a little family.  We help each other when we need an extra hand with staging a home.  We pitch in and help when someone needs extra help organizing.  We refer jobs to each other, not worrying that we might be losing a job.  We know that that referral will garner one or more for us in the future.  We have come together for social events and are sort of this cool, little group who can do anything!

I really love this new job.  I fell into it really.  But, I’m a big believer that there are no accidents.   I’m so glad I met this new cool little family that I’m staging with.  The men and women are amazing, they are smart, they are supportive and resourceful and they are kind.  And, I’ve already talked to a few of them about some upcoming interior design jobs that we are going to partner on.  It’s opened up new doors for me and I’m grateful.

Enjoy the pics of some of the homes I’ve staged so far, most with the help of my incredible new beautiful friend and staging extraordinaire Melanie.

Even the kitchens get the special treatment!

With access to high end furniture and cool artwork, we are able to bring a lot of personality into each room and home.

And finally, here is the link to my new staging website!

www.harmonyandhomestaging.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.
~ Dale Carnegie

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Becky