Speaking Up about Home Staging

head_left_image

Did something I've never done before - you won't believe it...

I had the very good fortune of staging a stunning new construction French beach house in Isle of Palms, SC this week.  (See my last blog to view the RES.) The price tag on this beauty is $3.13M & worth every penny.  The owner/agent is actually from France & wanted to use a few specific accessories in the home. 

This 100 year old farmhouse table imported from Europe was easy!  How stunning is that? 

A piece of art her sister painted.  It really is beautiful - the photos don't do it justice.

And - here it is - Pierre - a stuffed rooster that was a Christmas gift from her mother.  I've never PUT taxidermy animals in a home.  As a rule we remove them.  I think it worked ok though (you can see him in the first photo).  The owner says Pierre is a good luck charm & we had to work it in.....

Now tell me, did you ever imagine the day you would see me work this into a vacant home as a prop?  Did I do OK?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

twitter  facebook   linkedin

Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry.  In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance.  With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.

For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com

 

53 comments • Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com • October 21 2007 12:32PM

Comments

You did exceptionally well, Melissa.  I especially like the clock hung where it is.  I too own those green vases and love them.  I managed to pick up 3 or 4 (it's been a while) at Kirklands when they went on sale.

As for Pierre - ummmm.... well.....  I hope he brings all the luck and charm he can muster (smile).

Kathy

Posted by Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Georgia Home Stager (Georgia Interior Solutions, LLC) over 4 years ago
You are funny Melissa, the home and your work is beautiful!
Posted by Cari Pilon, RE:STYLE Home Staging (RE:STYLE Home Staging) over 4 years ago

Melissa,,,, I love the rooster....  it is certainly different..... quirky and arty.....\

Absolutely, beautiful work...  Job well done.

Stacy

Posted by Stacy Cavanaugh (Stage and Sell by Stacy, LLC) over 4 years ago
Melissa:  In France, Pierre may still have been alive, prancing and preening around the kitchen floor...kudos to you!  Julie
Posted by Julia Maher, Connecticut Home Stager Staging Fairfield & New Haven Counties (Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes) over 4 years ago

Fantastic work! Fantastic Home.....maybe I should relocate!

Julia

Posted by Julia Fedak (Platinum Home Staging Design) over 4 years ago
You know, for the way the room works, Pierre fits right in. Love that artwork though.  You did a great job, and I hope that it sells quickly for you :)
Posted by Lori Kim Polk, Roseville, Sacramento Home Stager ( Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services) over 4 years ago

Melissa, don't think I've ever seen a stuffed rooster...hum.  I think I would have tried to hide him behind the grass in the corner...just kidding.  You know that if you hadn't put him in somewhere the client might have done so in the middle of the beautiful table. 

Wish that I had homes like this to work with! Great work as always!

 

 

Posted by Ginger Foust-Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging (Certified Staging Professional) over 4 years ago

Interesting looks great - for some reason it brings a cliche' to mind... Birds of a Feather.....

The Rooster though, it begs an answer - a Christmas gift - uncooked I presume.... or there were no turkeys available that year???

S.

Posted by Sharon Lancaster SRES® Realty Executives Okanagan (Realty Executives Okanagan) over 4 years ago

I could sooooooo live in that kitchen. My hunch about the stuffed rooster is in Europe, gleaning your fowl for food is normal and here in the USA we see chickens already prepared for consumption from our supermarkets. I would be a vegetarian if I had to pluck even one feather!

Hey Ginger...your back! I will be right over. 

 

Posted by Sheron Cardin - how2homestage.com (California Moods Inc) over 4 years ago
That's so funny....different though and I think you made it work well :)  Congrats!
Posted by Vickie Arcuri, Realtor Ft. Lauderdale Waterfront Homes (EWM Realtors- Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc.) over 4 years ago
Fabulous as usual.  I recently worked a Rooster (chickens as my husband calls them!) into a kitchen theme and it looked great! Very French and very good luck as I understand. I am proud of your use and courage of a taxidermy.....it really looks fabulous!!
Posted by Nora Marek (321)795-8761~ Melbourne Home Staging (Home Stager Brevard County, Florida) over 4 years ago

Will they do Layaway?  :)

Great work, thanks for showing!

 

 

Posted by Gene Dexter, Seattle Realtor (Asset Realty) over 4 years ago

The chicken .... hummmm. We have had people immediately turn around and leave if there is a stuffed animal in the house. house looks beautiful though.

Posted by Benjamin Realty LLC over 4 years ago

Yes, it looks fine & considering it is a farmhouse, that works with the home.  Not sure about good luck charm though!! 

Signature 

Posted by Ronald Gillis, CNSA Southwest Florida Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY (Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent)) over 4 years ago
Melissa, the place looks stunning - I don't know about others reactions to Pierre du'Featheree but sometimes you have to do what they want to do - they pay you. I have one section now of my kitchen painted black, distressed and aged like this - by the end of the winter - I may actually finish. The oak will be gone - yeh.
Posted by Kathleen Lordbock Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes ( KW REALTOR/Staging & Short Sale Specialist) over 4 years ago
I have been looking everywhere for that farmtable. Great job.
Posted by Rebecca Savitski NC Real Estate Listings (NC List for Less Realty Incorporated) over 4 years ago
Congratulations Melissa - I marvel at talent like yours because I have none! LOL
Posted by George Tallabas - Idaho Real Estate (RE/MAX Advantage) over 4 years ago
Stunning,  absolutely stunning.  BRAVO!
Posted by Connie King (CK Staging & Design, Sevierville, TN) over 4 years ago

Melissa, what a beautiful job you did. And the rooster, looks great! The home is lovely. Good luck!!

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics

Posted by Teri Ellis at Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC over 4 years ago
It's so funny to see the rooster.  My son is a manager of Pier I.  He was here for Sunday night dinner and talking about the new shipment of merchandise he unloaded.  Many of the items had a 'rooster' theme or were 'roosters'.  He just couldn't understand who would use these in decorating.  I called him to the computer to see this... very cute.
Posted by Linda M. Cataldo - Myrtle Beach Real Estate (Dock Street Realty) over 4 years ago
Linda - that is really funny!  I'm glad I could show him the uses of roosters!  Actually my mother in law & both my sister in laws have their kitchens decorated with roosters.  I guess I know where to go shopping for Christmas now!  (of course I'm in there every week so I would have found them quickly!)
Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com (Staging & Redesign) over 4 years ago

Hi Melissa - your pictures are beautiful and I love that kichen!  Nice job.

Ann

Posted by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire) over 4 years ago

Hi Melissa,

You did a fabulous job. You blended the old with the new and even made the rooster work. I could live in that kitchen myself. GREAT JOB!

Posted by Vickie Barrington over 4 years ago
really nice work, and excellent photography. thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by Gary Bolen (CRS) Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information (McCall Realty) over 4 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous! Roosters are found occasionally in ceramic form here in south Florida...they are very prominant in the northern farming counties.  I think you made everything fit quite nicely...I could live there...just in the kitchen in a heart beat...The art work is fab....you did a marvelous job. Good luck on the sale!!!!
Posted by Karen Monsour,REALTOR®, SSRS - SELLS FL WATER FRONT, SHORT SALE EXPERT! (Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach) over 4 years ago
I wouldn't be bothered by the chicken. It looks like it fits and that's what counts. By the way, is that wrought iron over the stove? I like the way it looks.
Posted by Andrew Trevino Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale (TradeMark Realtors Group) over 4 years ago
Yes, it is wrought iron over the stove.  The homeowner had planned to tile that area, but didn't get to it before the planned open house.  This helped to add some pop to that space.
Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com (Staging & Redesign) over 4 years ago
I ike the chicken....maybe it's a Northwest thing.  Great Job!
Posted by Sarah Reinhart (Brumback Residential) over 4 years ago
Melissa, the rooster is quirky and fun!  Good for you for using it and not turning your clients down.  It appears to me that he is planning his escape out that window.  Isn't Thanksgiving just around the corner in your country? Tell him to come hide here - Thanksgiving in Canada is over.  :)  Betty
Posted by Betty Haney (Haney Consulting) over 4 years ago

Melissa, great job it has an awesome kitchen

Posted by Brian Hoots (Real Living Speckman Realty, Inc. ) over 4 years ago
Pierre...hmmm. Well, you did a very good job. Hopefully he is lucky. I guess time will tell!
Posted by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners) over 4 years ago

You did a great job.  I haven't staged a home yet, in the past 7 years.  Our median priced home for sale here in the Black Hills of South Dakota is about $170,000.

Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota    www.duanehosek.com

Posted by Duane Hosek (Coldwell Banker - Lewis-Kirkeby-Hall) over 4 years ago
That was very creative -- good for you rooster and all. 
Posted by Joan Whitebook Southern New Hampshire (BHG The Masiello Group) over 4 years ago
How did you do?  I think it'll cockadoodle-DOO! :-) Sorry Melissa, I couldn't resist! LOL!  I think everything in these photos looks great! What a nice home!! 
Posted by Brad Andersohn (Zillow - Outreach Manager) over 4 years ago
This is fantastic! I break the rules all the time in staging and redesign.  I call it..."for the greater good."  If it works go with it.
Posted by Marleen Prater over 4 years ago

Melissa:
From one home stager to another, great job!!!!! I just wish homestaging would be number 1 priority for any realtor before they take that first picture.

Marlene Rusnak

DelawareHomeStaging.com

Posted by Marlene Rusnak (Delaware Home Staging) over 4 years ago

I read your post last evening and came back and took another look today.  You did a super job.  Love the rooster.

Posted by Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton (Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC) over 4 years ago
Looks beautiful. You did an outstanding job on the home. I'm sure you'll be putting these pics in your portfolio!
Posted by Al Maxwell - Real Estate Agent - (Coldwell Banker) over 4 years ago
Looks beautiful. You did an outstanding job on the home. I'm sure you'll be putting these pics in your portfolio!
Posted by Al Maxwell - Real Estate Agent - (Coldwell Banker) over 4 years ago

Absolutely beautiful work Melissa.  I loved reading all the post.

I have a home that I will be staging on Lake Greenwood (I'm in GA).  Is there a good furniture rental company near their that you can recommend.  I will be bringing some of the furniture but need some supplimental pieces.

Thank you and enjoy the week.

Posted by Pat Shankle (Georgia Home Staging) over 4 years ago
Pat - unfortunately there are NO GOOD rental companies near here.  I own all my furniture.  When we do use rental companies, the one we choose is www.furniturerentalsinc.com but I will say that they are only good for lower list price homes and even then you need to be VERY picky.  (come in and handpick the pieces).  I've seen other stagers use this furniture with horrifying results.  When we handpick we find we do OK with the staging, but it doesn't look like above photos!
Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com (Staging & Redesign) over 4 years ago
Thank you so much for your advise.  This is a high end home so guess I'll need an 18 wheeler to bring in all my own furniture :)  I took a peak at the furniture company and saw what you meant. 
Posted by Pat Shankle (Georgia Home Staging) over 4 years ago
Well done - looks great
Posted by Jayson Gibson (NewHomesSection.com) over 4 years ago
Melissa: Liking or not liking taxidermied animals is a cultural thing. It is widely accepted in many parts of the world and considered to bring good luck in some cultures (although not such good luck to the stuffee). I think everything you did looks beautiful and adds a lot of charm. Great job!
Posted by Michelle Minch Home Staging Los Angeles & Pasadena, CA (Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA) over 4 years ago

Melissa, looks fantastic!

Posted by Omaha, NE Real Estate | Omaha, NE homes for sale ~ Alliance Real Estate (Alliance Real Estate) over 4 years ago
I love it.  My husband and I have had a sitting hen taxidermy in our kitchen for years.  We have her on some straw in a sideways turned antique crate and some wooden lifelike eggs in the next.  Would not be without it!
Posted by Gail Gladstone (Gladstone Group & Long Island Business Brokerage) over 4 years ago

Melissa,

You did a fabulous job and yes, Pierre, is very appropriate there!

Posted by Anthea Click - Nashville Home Stager Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly! (Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com) over 4 years ago
Can I have the rooooster...if you sell the buyers and they don't want it...my mother loves them...stuffed or otherwise...would be a great X-Mas present...G*d know's she has everything else!!!! LOLOl!!!!!
Posted by Karen Monsour,REALTOR®, SSRS - SELLS FL WATER FRONT, SHORT SALE EXPERT! (Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach) over 4 years ago
The rooster belongs to the homeowner.... so I cannot give or sell him to you.... sorry!
Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com (Staging & Redesign) over 4 years ago

Melissa,

I'm glad you were able to incorporate the rooster, it looks fine, but to be honest, that thing creeps me out!The rest of the place is fabulous of course!

                                    Penny W

Posted by penny white over 4 years ago
Shucks...back to shopping square one for me...it would have been such a topic of discussion...K
Posted by Karen Monsour,REALTOR®, SSRS - SELLS FL WATER FRONT, SHORT SALE EXPERT! (Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach) over 4 years ago

Karen - you can add me to your Christmas shopping list for this favor (lol) ..... check out these links

http://www.trexitems.info/products.asp?stid=2586&product_id=140170955429

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROOSTER-HEN-CHICKENS-FEATHER-FURRY-ANIMAL-TAXIDERMY-45T_W0QQitemZ140161473456QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROOSTER-HEN-CHICKENS-FEATHER-FURRY-ANIMAL-TAXIDERMY-36T_W0QQitemZ140043836464QQcmdZViewItem

http://naturesdesignsonline.com/chickens.htm

I personally LOVE Coach or anything with bumble bees... lol!

Posted by Melissa Marro ~ StagingAndRedesign.com MarketReadyRealEstate.com (Staging & Redesign) over 4 years ago

I think it definitely works with the look and feel (no pun intended) of the kitchen. You DID GOOD! They wanted the good luck charm and you gave it to them, little did they know the good luck charm was hiring you, great job!

Phyllis Pafumi

Posted by Anonymous over 4 years ago

This blog does not allow anonymous comments