Life Just Outside the City Limits

Staging Stories: Reno, Nevada

It's amazing what you find when you drive 10 minutes outside of the city limits in any direction. In this case, my path took me 10 minutes west on I-80 and what I found was completely unexpected and perfectly delightful! Let me introduce you to this lovely log cabin located at 2615 Erminia Road. 

This house captured everyones' attention when I first posted this picture. Like me, from the exterior, you are probably anticipating traditional cabin flare. Upon entering, all I could say was "Oh Wow!" It was an unexpected twist but completely refreshing. Boasting over 3,100 sq.ft on 2.25 acres, this place is worth taking a look at. WARNING: You're probably going to fall in love with it!

When I do my initial consultations, often times people are in the middle of packing, consolidating and cleaning. I always snap photos when I go, which provides great "before" photos. It also allows me to look back at the space as I am developing my staging plan and making notes of things to change, eliminate or bring in. 

Before photo of the living room from the dining room.

The way the furniture layout was originally didn't give these rooms the best flow. Upon entering the house, you looked immediately at the back of the couch, which blocked entry into the living room and distracted from one of the best features of the house.

Initial living room configuration with the couch blocking entry into the living room and disrupting the flow.

In this case, we rearranged it to allow for better flow. The owner's sectional couch was awesome because it was convertible. We removed the curved piece and streamlined the room. This allowed you to walk directly into the room and take full advantage the amazing wall of windows and the view.  The floral artwork was also removed. Checkout the after photos below:

We focused on the key areas of the home so after the living room, we tackled the master suite. This room didn't have any furniture from the owners so we provided it. Adding furniture makes it much easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves making a space their home. 

I really wanted to blend the two styles of the house: the really rustic exterior and more elegant interior so we brought in a statement bed with unique lines and added some beautiful bedding to soften the space. A matching dresser was added along with nightstands, lamps and a few decorative accessories. Lastly, we added an oversized chair because what is a master suite without a reading nook. 

We added decorative accessories and furnishing to a few more areas in the home including the entry, dining room and kitchen. 

One of the best features of this property? The stunning views from almost every room. 

I know what you are thinking... you are ready to move in! Well if you would like more information on the property contact Jen Colley with Keller Williams Group One. You can also take a virtual tour  by clicking the link below:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=ZSpGes9Yuyv

Paris Pink - Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 8 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 10 Oreo cookies, broken into pieces
• Pink food coloring

Instructions

1. In the body of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. Add the sugar and beat well.
3. Add in food coloring to the desired color
4. Add in flour, a small bit at a time, beating in on low speed, just until incorporated. Fold in oreos until evenly distributed.
5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes, and up to 2 hours.
6. 30 minutes prior to baking, preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
7. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out 2 tablespoon sized balls of dough, roll them into rounds, and place them on the cookie sheet. Lightly press down on each cookie.
9. Place pan in the oven to bake for 10-11 minutes, or until *just golden at the edges. They will still be very soft when you remove them from the oven - that's a good thing!
10. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 full minutes, then very carefully transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy :)

*Originally seen on Nest of Posies Blog

10th Floor Please--Staging the Montage

Staging Stories~Reno, Nevada

This was a first...I'd never been to the Montage in downtown Reno before, so I was excited to see what a place in there looked like. It's funny how a change in environment can make you feel like you are worlds away even when you are in your own backyard. Walking into the lobby I felt like I was back in DC and living in the big city.

We took the elevator to the 10th floor and entered the studio. The space had a nice layout: living room, kitchen/dining, bedroom, bathroom and outdoor balcony. Just enough room for all of the essentials. The best feature though, was the view! HOLY WOW! I could sit there all day and watch the beautiful show mother nature provides. 

Each time I stage, I like to take before photos so you can see the transformation unfold. Scroll down to see all of the before images.

I made my notes and began to formulate the plan for this space. The renter that was currently living there was moving out the following week so that meant we would have a blank canvas to work with when we returned. 

To me this space felt chic, fresh and modern. I wanted to encompass the glitter of the city lights within the walls so I chose to incorporate metallic accents to bring that city glimmer inside. Additionally, the view had to be highlighted so all of the curtains were removed, allowing the natural light to come pouring in. 

The living room provides a cozy conversation area with panoramic views of the cityscape and the Truckee River. 

We used the dining table to create a separation between the living area and the bedroom. Dinner for two anyone? 

Sweet dreams are made of this! Don't you just want to hop into bed? 

If this were my place? I'd have coffee on the balcony every morning!

Would you like to see this property in person? Contact Chris Smith with Keller Williams today because this little slice of heaven isn't going to last long. 

Bunny Bait: March Signature Snack

1. 4 cups chex cereal squares (rice or corn)
2. 2 cups Cheerios
3. 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
4. 14 ounces vanilla almond bark (or white chocolate)
5. 6 cups plain popped popcorn
6. 1 (8 oz) bag Cadbury mini eggs
7. Sprinkles
8. Candy Melts: Pink, Blue and Yellow

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the chex, Cheerios, marshmallows.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 14 ounces of the almond bark according to package instructions. Once melted, pour over the cereal/popcorn mix. Stir until evenly coated.
3. Spread cereal mix into an even layer on the lined baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle Cadbury eggs and sprinkles evenly over the mixture.
5. Melt candy melts according to package instructions in the microwave (melt one color at a time) and drizzle it over the mix.
6. Allow mix to harden before breaking apart. Snack mix will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Growing up Gardnerville- Preserving Pieces of Local History Part 2

Gardnerville, Nevada

Behind the counter at the shop has always been a bit of a free-for-all meaning, we throw a little bit of everything back there. Sometimes it can get a little chaotic especially when we are holding items for customers during shopping hours. 

After MW Custom Furniture finished our rolling island, a lightbulb went off about the remaining piece of our Minden Dry Goods cabinet. I had this piece sitting in the warehouse filled with odds and ends but definitely not living up to its potential. When my wheels get to turnin... people usually start getting a little nervous. Luckily, Mike didn't run the other way when I told him I wanted to re-do this cabinet as well. 

I know what you are thinking:

"What the heck is that thing?"

"Is that a life-size board game?" 

"Are you on your way to the dump?"

Just like a pearl is hidden underneath an oyster's rough surface, a gem was about to come forward. This piece, just like the island piece, had seen the same years of use and looked a little weathered. Each piece shared a common bond: layers of paint and an oil stain that penetrated through several shelves. That's how we knew the two were a pair.  The crown jewel was the fact that the original writing had survived so many years and still appeared on the back of the cabinet.

 We loaded her up and sent her packing to restoration camp. While in MW Custom's care the following happened: The paint was striped off the side walls and shelves, the top crown molding piece was fixed in place, sides were finished with a period piece of oak and each panel was flipped around and turned right side up, one by one. Click through the gallery below to see the transformation. 

Now, one would think that the restoration was the hard part and that our work was pretty much through... Not quite the case. We decided to install the cabinet on a Saturday. I got the call from Mike letting me know that he and his son Trevor were on their way over (poor Trevor had no idea what he was in for). I was overcome with excitement. Install day was finally here. As Mike pulled up, reality hit. The cabinet was BEA-UTIFUL.... and HUGE!! Disassembled, it wasn't too hard for two of us to load but in its current state, I started to feel really good that Mike, Trevor, Derek and myself were all there to help. 

So this studly piece stands about 6 feet tall and just about 7 feet wide. We got it up the steps and through the front door and that's when we realized we didn't have enough clearance to make it around the counter. I've decided that determination is a key ingredient in owning your own business... A long time ago one of my childhood mentors told me "over, around, under or through, you can make anything happen that you set your mind to." I guess I took him seriously because I always think there is a way to make it happen. 

In this case, making it happen meant that we had to go over the front counter with the whole cabinet in order to get it installed. Each of us took a corner and hoped that everyone had eaten their Wheaties that morning because heavy was a slight understatement. Click the image below to see it go over the counter.

No pain no gain right?? After some flipping, tipping, and turning, we heaved the cabinet over the counter and into its new home. I couldn't be happier with the results of this project. Click to see more pictures

Not only does it look so much better but it actually improves the function of the shop when we are working. People love the idea of having their own little cubby to hold their items while they continue to shop. As a Carson Valley girl, it warms my heart to give these historic pieces a new life. A HUGE THANKS to MW Custom Furniture for making my vision a reality (https://www.facebook.com/MikeWentzCustom)  and to Blank Slate Imagery for capturing its beauty (http://www.blankslateimagery.com/)! Be sure to check out the cabinet next time you visit us! We will be open again March 18-20. It's going to be hoppin!