Styling Bookshelves and Staging Houses

As most of my readers know, I’ve launched a new design business. I’m still doing graphic design, but I’ve added interior design/decorating to my “job description.” For my very first client I got to design a spa oasis master bedroom. She wanted browns, spring greens and ambers, with lots of succulents and white hydrangea. I will tell you more about that in another post.

My second client was a staging project. Her house had been on the market for about nine months, still waiting for a contract. Her mother (a dear friend of mine) hired me in hopes that a little bit of re-styling could help it sell. By taking a few accessories in and re-styling some of hers, we were able to highlight the house’s best features with very little expense.

before DR bookshelf

In the before photo you can see that the table was in the center of the huge dining room. We moved the table to the bay window area to show off the built in bookshelf and to provide a separate seating area on the other side of the room.

dining roomc

I changed out their gorgeous but very personalized beach wedding photo with a floral pop of a picture. I gave the table a richly colored floral arrangement for a centerpiece, along with a textured basket that she had.

DR bookshelf1

With the built-in exposed I went to work styling the bookshelf with some of her accessories and some of mine.

dining room2b

The other side of the room was now freed up to allow for a bistro table and chair that my client’s mother brought and styled.

One of the things I love about old houses is the many built-ins they often have and Sarah’s house was blessed with two.

before LR bookshelf

The before picture shows the bookshelf in her living room needing a little love.

Sarah's LR bookshelfb

By taking some pieces she already had and adding a few pieces from her mother and me the shelves became a focal point in the room.
bookshelf2b

See that pop of color behind the calla lily picture? It’s a place mat wrapped around and taped onto a piece of cardboard. Using what she already had plus adding a little creativity we were able to create depth and tie the colors in the room together for no added expense.

Remember how I told you the house didn’t have a contract after nine months of being on the market? Just two weeks after the staging, the sellers received an offer and are now making plans to move into their new home. All of this (plus some additional styling in the kitchen and porch) was done for very little money and three hours of my time.

Staging occupied homes is just one of the design services I offer.
Head over to my Design Services page to check out all the options I have for creating a space that is uniquely you, including E-Decorating for out-of-towners.

Share Button

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Current day month ye@r *