Edebook's Blog

Pistachio for days

Ede Bookstein — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:36:48 +0000

Usually a Stager will suggest that a Seller modify paint colors to a neutral palette in order to appeal to a larger body of potential buyers. That suggestion isn’t always palatable to the Seller who is dealing with a mounting list of pre-listing expenses.
This property had one bedroom which was painted a bright green. For the Stager, the alternative to neutralizing the color was to embrace it and make it the frame for a primary colored children’s room.

Here’s what it looked like before:

Pistachio bedroom before

Since the color was so intense, it needed Staging equally as intense in order to diminish its importance and have it be an asset instead of a liability. So Artful Lodgings brought in bright Marimekko print fabrics and colorful accessories to work with the background color.

Lively Child's Bedroom

Et Voilà! It sold quickly!

Brilliant teamwork

Ede Bookstein — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:51:12 +0000

Artful Lodgings has worked with many Realtors. One of the best is Mindy Garner in Bellevue. Mindy not only markets a property with innovative and sophisticated presentations but participates in any necessary improvement with inspired ideas.

Artful Lodgings paired with Mindy recently on a Madison Park condo.
It had a central fireplace which was in good shape, needing only a cleaning. But Mindy had a vision which would bring the property to a much higher level. She covered the brick with beautiful ceramic tiles inspiring our team to match it with an equally up-market Staging.

Here’s the before:

Fireplace before - great bones but dated

Now look at the difference a sleek contemporary facing makes:

Immediate WOW factor!

As you can see Artful Lodgings was inspired to continue on that level. Brilliant!

How will you know how to Stage my house?

Ede Bookstein — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:25:56 +0000

As a theatre designer, I’ve designed everything from “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” to contemporary pieces set in hyper architect dream houses. My partner is an architect with all of the knowledge and experience that implies. That gives Artful Lodgings a unique advantage in viewing and designing potential properties to Stage.

Those characteristics that define a style strengthens our presentation of a property. Miscellaneous personal choices and idiosyncratic decorating can draw attention away from the bones of the property. Sellers are gently encouraged to pack their beloved possessions early and leave the property as a blank canvas to be highlighted and respected by Artful Lodgings in our Staging choices.

Typical Log Cabin (with sky drop in back)

This style is adaptable for mountain cottages or actual log cabins. And it’s fun! What today’s Stagers can realistically use from this style is its inherent warmth, the resurgence of natural materials, re-used pieces and the integration of these into a 21st century family’s property.

When Dreams Come True

Here’s the other end of the spectrum. Spare, architectural, lots of glass and steel. The Staging challenge is to warm up the spaces while respecting the intent of the designer.

With our years of experience and our Staging expertise, Artful Lodgings can honor any space as unique with special strengths and selling points.

That’s how we will know how to Stage your House to sell quickly and for its best price.

Differences in Today’s Market

Ede Bookstein — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:17:39 +0000

Artful Lodgings today received a request from a developer to Stage a project for a day. The company plans to have an open house for that day, take pictures and then remove the Staging. While the pictures will certainly give an idea of some possible uses of the spaces, Artful Lodgings has found that potential buyers may have difficulties in projecting themselves into those pictures. Is this one wave of the future?

Realtor Preferred – Why we’re the best

Ede Bookstein — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:12:34 +0000

At the turn of the year Artful Lodgings Staging looks back on why we are Seattle Realtors’ favorite Staging Company:

Realtor Benefits
• An Artful Lodgings Designer accompanies the Realtor to the listing presentation, adding our professional credentials to yours.
• An Artful Lodgings Designer can save the Realtor time by working with the Seller to optimize the property in advance of the listing.
• Artful Lodgings staff can reinforce the Realtor’s suggestions and work diplomatically with the Seller in the transition from their family home to a property on the market. We have the skills and the experience to present the necessary changes frankly but compassionately.
• Artful Lodgings can work with the Realtor to optimize the listing pictures for all marketing materials.
• Artful Lodgings can Stage as much or as little as the Realtor suggests – working with the demographics and comps of the particular listing.
• After listing, Artful Lodgings will cater the Broker’s Open with delicious snacks.
• Let Artful Lodgings add our strengths to yours – an unbeatable combination.

Don’t scare away buyers

Ede Bookstein — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:42:31 +0000

During this Halloween season, don’t let the SPECTRE of falling market prices SPOOK you. In this market – without Staging – your property doesn’t have a GHOST of a chance to SCARE the competition.
We don’t want your house to be HAUNTED; we want it to be wanted by potential buyers.
We don’t TRICK potential buyers; we TREAT them to the sight of the best that your property can be.
WITCH is it going to be? A Staged home or a FRIGHTENING price reduction?

Artful Lodgings can bring the MAGIC of Staging to your property to make potential buyers SCREAM with delight!

The Kindness of Strangers

Ede Bookstein — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:18:02 +0000

World Wide Staging Day is almost here. And more and more, we are benefiting from people’s generosity.
Artful Lodgings posted on Freecycle asking for screens to give the residents privacy. Almost immediately two people responded with beautiful, new looking folding screens. A web search for replacement seat covers yielded a New Jersey company. But they only ship ground and the covers wouldn’t make it in time. Artful Lodgings called them and the covers arrived the next day at no charge.
WWSD has again brought out the best in so many people. Love it!

Presto changeo 2

Ede Bookstein — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:00:40 +0000

Sometimes a Stager gets a different idea from the Seller about how they want the property to be marketed than turns out to be less than optimal for the demographics of potential buyers.

Here’s an example. The information that we had was that the marketing of the Master Bedroom would be as an adult retreat. It had been painted a soft blue. Given that, Artful Lodgings Staged the room with cream linens and soft blue accents. Here’s what the restful retreat looked like:

First Staging of Master Bedroom

Upon seeing the results the Seller re-thought the idea and wanted something livelier, something to appeal to ” 20 somethings”. Artful Lodgings Staging sprang into action and here’s the result.

Here’s the appeal to the 20-somethings:

Let’s see what the comments will be.

Presto Change-o! Another Staging Miracle

Ede Bookstein — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:04:34 +0000

The Stagers of Artful Lodgings often perform miracles on the properties they transform. This week, we made a dining room disappear. We were Staging a very small condo which was up three flights of stairs – no elevator. But it had a breathtaking view. So how does the Stager get potential buyers to focus on the view and not be distracted by the dining area which is immediately there in front of the large window wall. Simple. We make the furniture disappear by using clear acrylic chairs and a glass table. It is invisible for all practical purposes.
And the attention goes straight to the view. Here’s what it looks like:

In the living room we again directed any potential buyers’ eyes to the view by angling the furniture so that it all faced those large windows. We also placed a light box right at the corner of the window frame to bring the twinkling evening lights of the Seattle waterfront further into the room.

Here’s a picture of how Artful Lodgings did it:

This should get an offer ASAP!

Here’s the result!

Ede Bookstein — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:01:29 +0000

Removing the awing proved too difficult but the rest looks great! When the owner saw it he said “Hat’s Off to Artful Lodgings”.