Staging Stories: Thomas Jefferson Tree House

Staging Stories: Reno, Nevada

I love staging homes because I get to decorate all different shapes and sizes. It's like playing dress up but with houses. When I was little, I always wanted a tree house that I could make the great escape to. Tree houses always seemed so cool, nestled in a great big tree, with beautiful views and loads of privacy. 

Well the last house we staged is just that. The house is positioned on a large elevated lot in Old Southwest Reno. The beautifully maintained landscaping gives you curb appeal while maintaining privacy. Once inside, the living room connects to the dining room and provides the perfect space for entertaining and enjoying views from three large picture windows. Pictured below, you can see the layout before staging. Scroll down to see the after photos. 

After staging, the layout of the living room and dining room now looks like this: 

Immediately off of the dining room, hidden by a pocket door, the kitchen provides lots of storage with newly refinished cabinetry and countertops. 

From there, you head to a lovely space that would be perfect as an additional family room or breakfast nook overlooking the backyard. Pictured below in its original configuration:

Now set up as a family room. I can certainly see enjoying a cup of coffee here. How about you? 

LWK_7422.jpg

This house is two levels with almost identical footprints on each level. The difference being the bedrooms. Downstairs, you have a living area that would make the ultimate game room and two bedrooms. Upstairs, you could also have two bedrooms; however, it's actually perfectly configured for a Master Retreat. Below is how the room was originally configured as two bedrooms: 

After being staged, changing the positioning of the bed and adding an office area in the additional space, you can see that it also works perfectly as a luxurious Master Suite. BONUS: The master has its own private patio area. 

Continuing on the luxurious note, the Master Bath has been beautifully updated. The spacious layout includes a soaking tub and walk-in shower. 

Now let's take it outside, the covered patio is the ideal spot for outdoor entertaining but it doesn't stop there. The sprawling gardens with additional patio provides you with endless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. No rear neighbors to speak of makes this park-like setting ideal.   

Like what you see? Want to see more? Well you are in luck! An Open House will be held this weekend: Saturday (7/9/16) from 12pm-3pm and Sunday (7/10/16) from 1pm-4pm. If you can't make the open house but you'd like more information on the property located at 2630 Thomas Jefferson, contact Chris Smith.

The House on Huffaker

It's pretty rare to find a house in the middle of the city that sits on almost 3-acres. Well the house located at 1155 W Huffaker Lane is just that. A private oasis surrounds the property with lush landscaping, a courtyard with a tranquil pond to relax by, and expansive views from large picture windows throughout the property. Sounds like a dream right? Take a look at how we helped this property polish up and showcase its true beauty.

Living Room after Staging

Living Room after Staging

This isn't always how the living room at the Huffaker House looked... Normally when I go into a house, I'm prepared to ask the owners to move furniture out but in this case, we actually had to bring furniture in to make this house feel more like a home. When we first arrived, the only furniture in the extra large living room was a couch, end tables and a media cabinet

Huffaker Living Room Before

Huffaker Living Room Before

Often times, people are concerned that if they put furniture in a room that it will look small. This is a common myth. In fact, when you add furniture the room can actually look larger. The sectional couch was removed along with the granite end tables and the media console. We then had a blank slate to work with. The artwork to the left in the picture, was an awesome piece so we kept that in the same spot. 

Living Room After

Living Room After

Living Room After

Living Room After

Immediately off of the living room was the dining room area. Again, there really wasn't much in this room except for a few miscellaneous items and an oversize mirror that we utilized in the final plan. 

Dining Room Before

Dining Room Before

I recently read a statistic from the National Association of Realtors that said 81% of buyers are more likely to visualize a space as their home when it's staged and that staging can increase a homes value by 1% to 5%. 

Dining Room After

Dining Room After

The living room and dining room were our main areas of focus in this case however, when we do the custom consultations we provide a homework list to the homeowners that gives recommendations for each room in the house. 

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before

With regards to the kitchen, there wasn't much to change here. The  barstools were removed to make the room feel more spacious and the countertops were cleaned off. 

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Breakfast Nook Before

Breakfast Nook Before

We also changed a few things in the breakfast nook including switching out the artwork with an oversized clock and repositioning the table. 

Breakfast Nook After

Breakfast Nook After

Clutter control is another aspect that we discuss in the staging proposal. When you list a house that means you are preparing for your next step. The more you pack up initially, the better it is all around. The items in the office at the Huffaker house needed to be reduced.

Office Before

Office Before

The majority of the books were packed up and the remaining placed to add a little style to the shelves. We also moved the picture of the dog into the office, removed one of the office chairs and a small bookcase. 

Office After

Office After

Last, but definitely not least, we tackled the outside. The front door is not your traditional front door so to keep it from getting lost, we added two arbor vitae trees in decorative pots, a small seating area and an oversized decorative metal piece to break up the wall. The planters were finished with bark completing the look. All in all, a few additions made it much more inviting. 

Front Door Before

Front Door Before

Front Door After

Front Door After

We only staged a few areas in this home featured in this post. If you would like to see the full property, copy and paste the link below for additional photos.

http://www.trulia.com/property/3214541462-1155-W-Huffaker-Ln-Reno-NV-89511

Or for more information, contact The Hays-King Team

Mike Hays and Shaina King Team®,  Keller Williams Group One, Inc.

Phone: (775) 453-4625

Email: BuyOrSellWithUs@gmail.com

Website: www.PrimeRenoRealEstate.com

Address: 10539 Professional Circle #100 Reno, NV 89521

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.

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.

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

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.