Case Study: Small Space + Simple changes = Real Results

I cannot emphasize this enough...You do NOT need to spend a lot of money to get your home ready to present to buyers.   For this client all we needed was several boxes, a storage area, a new furniture layout and some gentle hand holding. Oh, and a swiffer!  

My client, Jean, owns a 670 SF condo in Atlanta, GA.  She is a single woman who has devoted her life to working in the Peace Corps.  Her extensive travels and experiences are reflected in her home decor;  Photographs, handmade gifts, artifacts, etc.  See the picture above for a before shot.  Every item in Jean's home has a sentimental significance and an interesting story and memory attached to it.  In other words, her home reflected Jean's memories, Jean's experiences, Jean's life.  It was a pleasure to work with Jean and to hear her share her wonderful life experiences.  Truly an inspiration.

The time has come for my client to put her condo on the market and move to another exotic location.  Now the trick is......get her home ready to show to prospective buyers and not make her feel that we are 'stripping' her of her memories.  She was excited to see what I had in store for her, but, understandably anxious about the process.  Seeing that Jean would not be moving for a few months, we needed to keep the condo functional for Jean and have it still feel like her home.  

                                                                            

                                                 

I started by providing a new furniture layout that higtlighted the features of the condo.  The space is small and modern with angled walls.  A challenge for even a minimalist!  First thing, get some boxes and make some piles.  Store, Stay, Toss.  I then edited and rearranged the furniture to create a conversation area.  Jean did not have a dining table so instead of buying one I used an existing console|sofa table.  I placed it behind the sofa where it can double as a kitchen island and dining for two.  

                            

She had a very large wooden Indonesian room divider at her patio door for privacy.  Although beautiful, the screen blocked much of the valuable natural light from entering the condo.  I folded the screen towards the wall which allowed her to unfold it only at night for evening privacy.  I rehung the cabinet doors for more hidden kitchen storage and then allowed for some of her pieces to be 'showcased' in the 2 remaining shelves.  I also created a desk|office area to house her computer and files.  In a small space such as Jean's it is important to show practical zones for everyday living.  The home still has Jean's flair, however, prospective buyers are able to clearly see defined spaces for dining, office, living and private spaces.  Of course, after sorting through all of her wall hangings and collectibles, it was easy to see that a good dusting was in order.  It's much easier to see with all of that natural light coming through now!  Most importantly, this project did not cost a dime.  

    

Time to go Martha style!

Ok, you may or may not be a fan of our hostess with the mostest, but you have to hand it to her....she has perfected the fine art of living.  From the driveway to the front door, guests feel welcomed and want to see more!  I guarantee that she does not have mismatched towels in her bathrooms, dirty dishes in her sink, or her kids latest school science fair project commanding space in her dining room.  Even if it did win 1st place!  This is the time to clear all surfaces and show your home as if Martha Stewart herself was coming for dinner.  Don't worry, you don't have to spend a lot of money.  Start at the front door.  Walk in your home as if it was for the first time. Now, here's the time to be honest with yourself.  Take notice of the powder room.  Are the towels clean and nicely hung?  Do you need to do some touch up painting on the walls or cabinets?  Does the faucet have a chinese torture like drip?  Put a great smelling candle on the counter or a small vase of flowers.  Move on to your living room.  Does your furniture layout invite conversation?  Fluff the cushions and pillows, put away stacks of magazines.  How is your kitchen?  Would Martha want to make her mothers pierogies in there?  Would she be able to find your fridge or is it covered up with little Susie's latest Picasso?  Continue through your home, really look.  Is there ANY part of your home that you might be embarrassed about or not want anyone to see?  Even a closet.  New home buyers are nosy and are not afraid to open drawers, closets, toilet seats, etc.  C'mon, you know you would too!  Invite a friend over to help you with this process.  She|He might be able to see things differently, in a way that you cannot.  Again, you want to show your home in the best possible light, even if it feels 'staged'.  Remember, you must remove yourself from the idea that this is your home.  If you are looking for inspiration, go to any home retailer, i.e. Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and see how they have 'displayed' their merchandise.  How are their beds made?  How does the store smell?  Now, since your there, buy that candle for your bathroom!  

An office is an office, a bedroom is a bedroom...

When selling your home it is important to maintain the intended purpose of each living space.  You may have customized your areas to fit your lifestyle, i.e. turned a bedroom into a home office or sewing|hobby room.  This is great as these are YOUR needs.  New home buyers may have a completely different lifestyle and never plan to sew!  Many are not able to see past the piles of yarn, hot glue guns, etc. to visualize the room as a needed bedroom for their growing family.  While you are in the process of showing your home to pr

ospective buyers you will need realize that is not all about your needs anymore, but about sell

ing your home.  Pack up and store the scrapbook project, your stacks of files, the puzzle that you will never finish and the pants you meant to hem last summer.  If, in fact, you do have a dedicated room that is meant as a home office please put all paperwork away and show that room as an organized an

d uncluttered space that others can visualize themselves working in.  Keep in mind that your home is probably listed, as an example, as having 3 bedrooms|2 baths.  The buyers are probably there because your home meets their needs and you want

 to show it off!  Don't rely on planning to explain that 'although we use this room this way, it is really meant as...'  You may not be there and the realtor may not know.  You will be in your new home soon enough and can make any room you like your personal playground again!  Good luck and more to come.  

Good design advice isn't a luxury!

In these current economic times, I have decided to use my design skills in a more philanthropic way.  Interior design is usually seen as a luxury, however, my goal is to make good design more accessible and applicable to todays struggling house market.  The purpose of this blog is to offer suggestions and advice to homeowners that are trying to sell their home.  There is such a surplus of homes on the market and my hope is to help give homeowners an "edge" and make their home irresistible to buyers.  I will be posting general suggestions weekly as well as welcoming Q & A posts.  Maybe in a small way my advice will help 2009 be a better year for Real Estate.  The home used to be your biggest investment.....let's make it so again!