I received an email over the weekend from a fellow stager in another state asking me questions about the business. We belong to the same organization and from the time period she took her training I wondered if she actually had STAGING TRAINING or simply redesign training. So, I asked the question..... This was her reply...
"We did stage (redesign) 2 homes during my 5 day training class, but you are right not much distinction was made between interior redesign and staging."
Now, let me start by saying that the organization we both belong to, IRIS, is an excellent organization and their redesign training is top notch. I will also say that I only got maybe 30 minutes (tops) on staging in our 5 day certification course. Given that it was a REDESIGN course, I think that was ok. Until recently you could only get certification on redesign, not staging. That is a new arena for IRIS and currently there are only 2 approved instructors nationally (both on the West Coast). I am actually applying to be an east coast instructor & her answer worries me a little.
Do most redesigners think that staging is simply redesigning? Do they believe that they are interchangable? Redesign & staging are opposite sides of the same coin, in my opinion. Both are important to learn to be well rounded & successful in this business. If little distinction about the differences were made, this could lead to difficulties actually understanding what we do & why we do it.
If you took a course on staging you would not know everything there is to be a good redesigner (unless you inherently know it). If you take a course on redesign, you should not automatically believe you know what it takes to be a stand out stager (again, unless you inherently know it). I would also say that just because you inherently know the 'how to' parts of arranging art, furniture, etc DOES NOT mean that you know how to turn it into a successful business. This is one of the advantages of taking most of these courses.
If you took a redesign course only and are finding breaking into this business, or are not getting the results (quicker sale time, etc) that you find with other stagers, take a look and decide if maybe you haven't been trained with the right skill set. Targeting the right audience for staging & redesign are very different. Make sure you know the difference!
I also feel the need to note that some IRIS instructors MAY have more comprehensive staging instruction. Each instructor creates their own manual based on an established curriculum and has it approved individually. This means you may need to check with an instructor beforehand to find out how much you will learn on staging if it is important to you.
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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
Yes Melissa-good points. I feel confident in staging, but I am looking for a questionaire for redesign clients to help me clarify their tastes and desires for their space. I have enjoyed your posts because you consider the needs of your clients as well as good design techniques.
Kathy
Melissa - Excellent post. I took my redesign training through the (now defunct) Interior Arrangement & Design Association and they didn't touch upon staging at all. When I decided that due to my real estate background I was much more suited to staging I had to start all over again. I think the two specialities are totally different and I've had a difficult time trying to provide both services.
Although I still continue to do redesign and color consultations on a very small scale I've found that by concentrating on what I do best I've been able to grow my business. I know business owners who are able to do both staging and redesign but I think they also spread themselves pretty thin. I think they are two totally different services. . .
Melissa - Excellent post! Where are those stars when you need them?! I have rarely, if ever drawn upon redesign experience in staging - you put it perfectly, 'opposite sides of the same coin'.
Jackie