CANTERBURY TALES

It is difficult to believe that my husband and I have been living in "The Glade" for over a year!  We were welcomed with open arms, and a home that needs a great deal of tlc - read - work!  We are not afraid of work, as it will only enhance the home and we may even put it on the market, moving to yet another home on Lake Canterbury.

Our Texas home sold quickly...we had one offer within a few weeks, but it fell through, as she lost her finaincing..undaunted, I staged the home, had it photographed to be put on-line, and packed us up, leaving behind a beautiful home, and a 6-year drought..don't let the green grass fool you..this was taken before the heat set in; it soon became what I refer to as, "dust and deer poop", for we were keeping over a dozen deer alive all those years.  I do miss them, but not the drought.

The front of the house needed something between the garage windows, so I designed this cedar lattace to soften the front...we considered shutters, but the configuration of the windows wouldn't work out...The house was "rattlesnake limestone", called such because of the fossils embedded in the stone..not really rattlesnake rattles (thank goodness).  My husband felt the lattace was too large and wanted to take it down, but i went to Home Depot, bought the baskets filled with quior, and the bougenvilla and attached them with hooks, so when they needed watering, they could be taken down, so as not to stain the cedar...then, he loved it. WHEN STAGING, CURB APPEAL IS VERY IMPORTANT; YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.

Our home couldn't have been more different than our Canterbury House...it was "Texas-style", with very tall ceilings, stained concrete floors, and lots of arches.WHEN STAGING - REMOVE FAMILY PHOTOS, PAINT A NEUTRAL COLOR FOR THE WALLS, LIGHTEN THE CEILING COLOR, TO VISUALLY RAISE IT, TURN ON ALL THE LIGHTS, PLAY SOFT MUSIC, AND MAKE SURE THE SPACE SMELLS  FRESH WITHOUT BEING CLOYING. I miss it sometimes, but am excited to be back in the "flipping business", as we are renovating our Canterbury House, putting it on the market when it is finished, and moving into yet another Canterbury House...we love the lake so very much.

Our kitchen wasn't large, but very functional, with an island, built-in pantry, and all new appliances.  I painted the floorcloths (which are canvas, that are painted with latex and acrylic, and sealed with polyurethane...they are 'bulletproof', and if something is dropped on them, you just wipe it up..much better than washing rugs.....

when STAGING...REMOVE ALL CLUTTER, PLACE A FEW ATTRACTIVE ITEMS ABOUT THE ROOM..I LIKE TO COVER AS MANY OUTLETS AS POSSIBLE...

Okay, I admit it...I am human, and my office got out-of-control.  WHEN STAGING, EDIT, EDIT, TOSS, DONATE, AND IF IT ISN'T BEAUTIFUL OR USEFULL, GET RID OF IT!

Yes, this is the same room. COVER BOOKCASES WITH SHEETS (YES, SHEETS..A TWIN-SIZE, WITH A BIT OF TRIM ATTACHED - NO SEWING...OPEN THE TOP HEADER AND THREAD A SPRING-LOADED ROD THROUGH..HIDES THE "STUFF" ONE CAN'T PART WITH.

Dining rooms are fun to stage; put out pretty dishes, linens, (don't put valuable silverware on the table...)nice glasses, and interesting centerpiece MAKE THE BUYER WANT TO HAVE A WONDERFUL PARTY IN THAT DINING ROOM.                                                                     

BEFORE

I made the window treatments, which consisted of store-bought sheers, and a three-tiered panel...UTILIZING INEXPENSIVE MATERIALS THAT LOOK "CUSTOM" ENANCES THE WINDOWS, AND YOU DON'T LOSE A FORTUNE WHEN LEFT BEHIND.

This was the master bedroom before I staged it.  It was too personal, and didn't have an inviting look to it;

Other than the duvet, I sewed all the pillows, and again, used my "color blocking" trick to make the window treatments. It's a bit "over the top", but play to your buyers...Texans like things a bit "over the top".  IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE TEND TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE, PLAY TO THAT BUYER, BUT, JUST DON'T MAKE IT BORING.

I STAGED THIS KITCHEN (actually, I designed and built the entire home) BY PLACING ATTRACTIVE ITEMS STRATIGICALLY- REMEMBER, LESS IS OFTEN MORE.

feel free to visit my old blog at

http://www.jessicasinteriorsetc.blogspot.com