Not used to posting pictures like this…and no this isn’t my most recent staging ; )
These pictures are from storage. Owning all our own inventory and the wide variety that allows us to stage for different types of homes and demographics means that we have enough furniture to, well, fill a warehouse. Some big jobs that we have had recently, as well as the growth of our business over that last few years made us decide to move. We’re taking over more square footage and reorganizing to better customize our inventory.
Reorganizing has been equal parts high stress, and breath-of-fresh-air refreshing. The work involved is well worth the results and I’m looking forward to having a new space and a bit of a new start. Once I’m through with this we’re planning on having a moving sale to help move out some of the furniture that we don’t use as often, and make way for some new staging furniture that better fits with the changing trends and wants of the NW home buyer. I’ll keep you guys posted when we set a date for the sale, I’m hoping to be done with all this within the next few weeks : )
And good luck to anyone else out there who is starting on their Spring Cleaning early, we can do it!
I normally try to keep my blogs very work targeted, but I recently came across a really heartwarming story that I wanted to share here.
Gracy Bonney, whose blog Design Sponge is overflowing with design inspring posts, recently found a stray kitten. The poor little thing was out in the freezing cold, underweight, and when they took her to the vet she tested positive for FIV. You can read the whole blog here (and I suggest you do, it is really wonderful), but the quick version is that becuase Gracey blogged about this and reached out to her readers, she was able to find a forever home for the kitten.
Just look how happy that kitty is : )
Not only is this story inspiring to me as an animal lover, it is inspiring to me as someone who blogs. No only is blogging a tool for building a business, it is also a way to connect people from all different spheres of life. The internet has given us instant access to people near and far, who come together to read and share and bond over common interests. So, I just wanted to post today to celebrate that : )
I meant to write a new years post on the first of this year, and somehow it is already over a week in and time is flying past at full speed. So, one of the things that made 2011 great was that I increased my blogging…
Now admittedly I had only posted 4 blogs in 2010, (so maybe that 850% is not quite so impressive). But in 2011 I made it a goal to try and blog at least 3 times a month, as a first time blogger it was a big step for me.
Some other things made this year so great:
–Having one of my staged units toured by the mayor, and featured on our local news
–Having a blog post featured on ActiveRain
–Finally getting an Ipad (goodness is that a lifesaver)
And of course:
– Working with so many wonderful clients and Realtors : )
If sites like PSDisasters are any clue, people have become keenly aware of photoshoping and photo editing in mainstream advertising; and can recognize when it is manipulative and done poorly. I personally don’t consider myself a “technology person” but even I have been able to recognize some very poorly manipulated photos posted online by well meaning Realtors (not by any that I’ve worked with ; )
So, I thought I’d post some examples of what not do to. Ever. Seriously!
Original:
Here is the example photo I’ll be using, and I will be manipulating to show off the kinds of things I’ve seen done online : )
The Stretch:
I think that this is a mistake that is often started honestly. The Realtor decides to crop out something along the edge of the photo, and then stretches the photo to fit the original size.
Look at the way the microwave and stove are stretched. I have seen this technique used on photos of small kitchens, and bathrooms (where all of a sudden the sink looks disproportionately huge).
People viewing this photo can tell it has been cropped and stretched, and it will make them question the integrity of the Realtor (as well as assuming the worst about the size of the room).
The Color Change
Again, this can start as an honest mistake. The coloring of the photo are off, or the lighting is off, and all of a sudden what started out as a few simple tweaks spirals out of control. A potential buyer should never be surprised that the wall color/carpets/etc. are not as they appeared in the ad.
The Eraser/ Clone Away:
I’m sure everyone has seen this at least once. Where obviously there was something in frame that the Realtor decided would be better to just paint or clone out. Of course the potential buyer can tell this has been done, and the things they imagine could have been in that photo are nearly always going to be far worse then whatever it was. They will also wonder what else the Realtor is trying to hide about the house.
Easiest way to never have these problems? Hire a professional stager and professional photographer : )
I just saw an article about a woman who is camping out in front of a Best Buy with her friends just to make sure they don’t miss out on any of those Black Friday sales… So I guess it’s that time of the year again, where soon enough our tummies will be full of Thanksgiving treats, and we will be gearing up for Christmas shopping (and those who don’t celebrate Christmas will be trying to ignore the frantic herds of people shopping).
Now, as you guys know, I’m a big supporter of living Green and eco-friendly companies. Since I like to not just find that perfect gift, by also support companies that have strong environmental values, I decided to showcase an up and coming local Portland business:
Ah!Natural Baby focuses on making safe, organic, eco-friendly baby toys. It was created by two brothers who wanted their nephew to have safe toys to play with. As their slogan says: “Your child never worries about what goes in their mouth, neither should you!”
All their blocks are made from Pacific Northwest wood, and the dyes they use are natural plant based; made from berries, spices and vegetables. Their blocks are so adorable, and they ship anywhere in the U.S.
So, check them out, and why not take this time of the year as an opportunity to support our local businesses : )
Do you ever have that feeling you should know someone? That vague facial recognition but a blank where their name should be?
I’ve been staging for Killingsworth Station, a LEED platinum rating green housing that was built as a partnership between the Portland Development Commission and Winkler Development Corp. Recently I had stopped by to make a few last minute changes we’d talked about on the staging I’d been working on.
When I got there, there was a man doing a walkthrough who I was sure I knew -or should know. I racked my brain? Was it an agent? Someone I’d been introduced to before on the project? I tried to make a circle in my thinking that would find some sort of trigger for who this person was… nothing.
So, I made polite conversation, made a few quick changes to the staging and was on my way. It wasn’t till that evening that I realized that the reason I recognized the man is because he is the mayor of Portland, Sam Adams! I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed about my cordial should-I-know-you interaction, or just thrilled about the “nice job” compliment on the staging.
The news clip above is of the mayor touring one of the units I staged. I have felt so lucky to have worked on this project, I am a strong supporter of green housing, and to have been able to lend my skills in staging these units has been one of the highlights of my year.
Portland is rolling out their new composting program on the 31st of this month. Compost will be collected every week, and trash will switch to being collected every other week.
“Food scraps and other compostable material account for almost 30 percent of garbage. It is better to compost this waste instead of throwing it away because when it breaks down in the landfill, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.”
A funny video to start a post with, I know… but a recent Huffington Post article on the topic of Portlander using goats to graze away invasive plants made me really realize how serious people are about finding positive environmental solutions here.
Portland is a city where going green is embraced as a way of life. Urban Farming is growing, and it is not uncommon to see chickens and perhaps a goat or two in a residential neighborhood. This push for living green has promoted some really exciting eco housing, the most recent of which is the K-Station Condos that I’m staging.
For those of you who remember all the green cleaning tips I’ve posted from time to time, projects like this are very close to my heart. K-Station is LEED Platinum certified, and features responsibly sourced bamboo hardwood floors, light shelves, a green roof and solar water heating.
To top things off, the K-Station is promoting a portion of their housing to lower income, and first time home buyers. Which is a big deal for a place like Portland where:
“Well-educated young people are disproportionately drawn to Portland…in focus groups people said Portland is a place where you can live your values, and environmentalism is clearly one of them.”
I can’t wait to show you guys pictures of the staging. Till then I’d love to hear about how you incorporate environmental values into your day to day life.
Thank goodness we’re finally getting some sunshine. Somewhere between juggling work and life, I managed to put in two garden beds at my home (so happy about this!), and that coupled with this wonderful weather has been making me feel inspired. So, no shop talk today… instead I decided to post a couple of summer recipes I thought you guys would enjoy : )
Raspberry Lime Jam
4 cups ripe red raspberries
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
Zest of one lime
2 teaspoons calcium water
2 teaspoons pectin
Courtesy of Foodaphilia – (click for the full recipe)
There is something about lime that just pairs so well with raspberries. Tangy and sweet, this jam will make you think of summer no matter what time of the year you enjoy it.
Easy Summer Pie
1 (9 inch) frozen pie crust, thawed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
4 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
Courtesy of AllRecipes – (click for the full recipe)
The perfect dessert for us berry lovers, and a nice, cool (not too sweet) summer treat.
Tomato, Mozzarella, & Basil Pasta Salad
2 cups of pasta
1 package of grape tomatoes, sliced lengthwise or 2 medium sized tomatoes, chopped
10-12 basil leaves
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
¼ cup pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped (optional)
