This week, I've been previewing a bunch of upscale condos. And one was a stand out for not all the right reasons.
The building, near Whole Foods and Logan Circle, has been a work in progress since about 2005, when it was planned as a super-posh mecca for the chic and trendy Urban dwellers.
The first model apartment was a knock out. But like a bump on the head with a kitchen cabinet door!
The powder room had, um, carnivorous wallpaper. In the kitchen, the tile didn't make it in time for the back-splash, and the decorator painted it a bright red-orange - I needed to put drops in my eyes after I looked at it.
One of the larger units had a king sized bed in a small master bedroom. It did show you could squeeze in a king, but it also made the room look small. That same unit had a six-seater round table in a small dining alcove - again, I suspect it was to show that you could seat six for dinner. Except what I really noticed was that I kept bumping into the chairs.
And it really illustrated the difference between what a professional stager would do and what a decorator would do.
The stagers has just enough to suggest possibilities for how to use the space. The decorator wants to make a statement - the bolder the better.
And maybe it's got something to do with ego. There was a lot of it present in those condo units.
I have been formally trained as an interior designer.
I had a design company and a staging company.
The designers had a hard time letting go of the need to make a "design statement." Plus they were slow... compared to stagers.
Staging is NOT design... it is marketing.
Me
LOL Pat, what the heck is carnivorous wallpaper? I so wish staging was something that was done here.
Staging certainly makes a big difference. Most of the time if you can get rid of the clutter then staging does the rest.
Aloha Patricia,
I'm intrigued by the carnivorous wallpaper, did it try to bite you? Anywhoo, it is almost always less expensive to stage than to decorate.
Peace,
I have asked sellers to repaint more black, red, blue & orange rooms that you can ever imagine.
Do you get telephone calls from decorators who want to stage a home? WHOA!
Carnivorous wallpaper? That photo does look pretty... interesting.
Pat - A once very good friend of mine was am interior designer. That's when I first found out there is a difference between designer and decorator. She was quick to point out that she could do both but that a designed has more architectural training. Well, decorator, designer - she was very artsy and extremely talented and I guess she was both ...either/or. Anyway, when she sold her house, I remember that orange walls became an issue and as part of the terms, they had to paint everything neutral before closing.
Pat ~ It's so great to see that as an experienced Realtor, you know the difference between a decorator and a stager. There are a few common elements, but staging (as Craig mentioned) is affiliated with the real estate industry, not the design world.
Hey that bust in the bathroom looks like a devil! I wish the wallpaper photo was a bit larger so I could see the carnivores in it!! LOL
You got to do what you are good at. That is a universal rule for everything. There are very few exceptions. Unfortunately, there are people who would challenge the rule all the time.
Pat- Based on my experience with decorators, it is all about their ego and their way, they push their style on to the clients. We paid out 10K for one and I ended up having to do it all myself because she could not listen to my taste, it was all about her style.
Patricia - LOL! I was wondering what carnivorous wallpaper was, too! :)
Hey, hey hey! Back off on the interior designer bashing, please.
I do both interior design and home staging. I am able to multi-task and I am able to wear one or both hats as needed. I listen to my interior design clients and design for their comfort & pleasure. When I stage, I stage to make the home appealing to the greatest number of potential buyers. It is really not that difficult to separate the two. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has that ability. There are great interior designers. There are not so good interior designers. There are great home stagers. There are not so good home stagers. There are great real estate agents. There are not so good real estate agents.
Do all interior designers make good stagers? Probably not, but it doesn't mean that none of them are able to stage and stage well. I also know a number of home stagers that would make great interior designers.
Can't we all just get along?
I think Craig said it best .... Staging is not decorating, it is marketing!
Wow that wall paper is crazy - and you are so right there is a difference - some people got the knack and other don't - I do not.... so I have to refer that to others.... I have trouble picking colors and placement of my clothing... lol
Yeah those places are bit much! I have seen them too and I so agree with you Pat !
I am in agreement with Craig and Melissa also. Design is just that, it is personal and a very helpful service for the many homeownwers that are challenged in this area, Home Staging is a Seller's and RE Agents best friend and Redesigners are the homeowners. We can all play in the sandbox of Real Estate if we all play together. Stay working, keep busy and help each other grow. I still have my pail in the box anyone want to help build a castle?
Karen Nardella, The Emporium Consignment Outlet and Home Staging Center, NH