The Staging Fashionista Blog: Mannie Tantawy, APSD, RESA, NAPW (The Staging Fashionista)

I'm making an impact with Origami Towel Folding.  As some of you know I use origami towel designs in my staging as my signature prop.  It has been unbelievable on the amount of comments and compliments buyers make about these creations.  Realtors are always telling me how much people love the origami designs and want to know how to make them.  That is good for me and good for the home owner as it makes their home memorable because the origami designs are doing exactly what I want them to do and that is to make an impact.  Here is my latest creation for in honor of summer, origami towel flip flop slippers!  Just too cute!  Enjoy & Happy Staging!

The Staging Fashionista staged this home in Sterling, VA.  This was an awkward room that was long and rectangular.  Prior to renovation this was the garage.  Buyers could not figure out how to use this room but when we staged it - it went from awkward to homey! 

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Don't forget the kids when selling a home.  Now a days most buyers are looking for homes where they can expand their family or where they can fit their growing kids.  Most communities have families living in them and in order to appeal to those buyers you need to stage for those buyers.  That means staging at least one bedroom for a toddler, baby or teenager. It also means staging one of the bathrooms for children.

Obviously you have to know your demograhics when staging any home to ensure you are staging for the right buyer.  I think it is important when staging a home in a neighborhood that predominantly has families that you stage a  few of the rooms with the kids in mind.  It just helps the buyer imagine their family living there.  The Staging Fashionista makes every effort to understand the demographics of each community and then we stage it for the right buyer. So if kids are part of the demographics, we don't forget the kids!  Happy Staging Everyone!

We staged this bathroom with a Origami Towel Heart.  The Duckie was an added touch for 4th of July.  If you want to learn how to make this origami towel heart - I will show you how come Fall 2010!  Enjoy the pictures for now.  Happy Staging Everyone!

I staged this lovely townhouse in Leesburg, VA and the budget only allowed for vignette staging which I actually love to do because it makes you dig deep into your creative side to create interesting and purposeful scenes.     

LIVING ROOM BEFORE

LIVING ROOM AFTER

I just got back from vacationing in Orlando, Florida and it was gorgeous.  Orlando has beautiful flowers and landscaped areas all around its streets and parks.  However, some of the homes didn't really have the best curb appeal.  Apparently plastic flamingos are the preferred yard ornaments.  This got me thinking about how this could be a major turn off for buyers.  Many of you know the importance of great curb appeal and making the best first impression.  The Staging Fashionista believes it is so important we made it an added service to our business and provide a 37 check point service to give your home break stopping curb appeal. 

Although Flamingos are beautiful birds in real life as seen in the picture above the plastic fake ones are not so beautiful displayed in your front lawn (displayed below).  Make sure when selling your home you have great curb appeal and ditch the plastic flamingos, gnomes, mushrooms or other plastic critters that distract from the landscaping.  You want people to see your home and your landscape not the yard ornaments.  So skip the yard ornaments and please no fake flamingos, real ones are allowed! 

I made this bathroom memorable by adding a crabby little thing.  Can you just see it when the buyers pull back the shower curtain and they see this little towel origami hermit crab!  Definitely will get some kind of reaction and will make this home memorable! Crabby Home Staging Everyone!

Check out what the power of decluttering can do to a room.   I love staging occupied homes and simply using the homeowner's items and making their home look better.  It is affordable for the homeowner and fun for me.  Sometimes just simply decluttering does the trick and other times it requires more extensive treasure hunts throughout the home to find items I can use for staging.  The Staging Fashionista staged this little girl's room.  Don't you just love the power of decluttering!

BEFORE

AFTER

Do all your metals match?  When selling a home it is important that all the hardware matches in a room to create continuity and flow.  It is distracting to the eye when the metals are all different colors plus it looks awkward and makes the room dated.  This bathroom is a good example of what NOT to do when selling.  There is a brass light fixture, chrome faucet and porcelain flower knobs on the cabinet.  Obviously there are other things that need to be addressed such as as the wallpaper, paint color and two-toned cabinet.   However, changing the metals to the same color tone is an inexpensive and simple fix.   So before selling ask yourself do all the metals match? If the answer is NO - it's time to go to your local home improvement store!

There's a Monkey in the closet and he is making me laugh!  All of you that love my origami creations here is my newest addition!  I added this monkey to a child's closet for a touch of whimsy!  He makes me laugh everytime I look at the photo he kinda looks like Elmo.