Thank You For A Great 2013!

Posted on by Debbie

2013 was a great year for Amazing Space NYC. We achieved a record growth of 34%, and have been able to sponsor a child through the Be a Student’s Friend organization. We are sponsoring an elementary school student attending an archdiocese school in the Bronx by providing 70 per cent of the tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year.

I never went to catholic school. These students that I help live at or below poverty level. Most are minority, being raised by a single parent, and in some cases a grandmother. The public schools in their neighborhood are dangerous. These families know education is the way out of poverty and welfare. Helping them with tuition is such a small token. We also collect and send gently used toys and books to the schools to help other students who might not have the means to purchase life’s little luxuries.

It has long been a personal goal of mine to give back, and so this first step is truly deeply meaningful. I could do not it without my wonderful clients and their clients. Here is a cross-section of their kind remarks this year:-

After our loft sat on the market for 4 months without an offer, leading us to change brokers, our new broker recommended Debbie. I have to confess I was skeptical about real estate staging – the idea that a few bright pillows and vases could magically sell an apartment. Debbie quickly demonstrated that effective staging is far, far more than that. Her implementation of straightforward but dramatic changes to furniture placement, decor, and use of color, made an immediate, palpable difference in the presentation of our apartment. Not only did the offers come in quickly, but our place became more fun to live in while we were waiting for our sale to close. I should also add that Debbie works at the speed of light. Its truly amazing how fast she got our place looking fantastic.

Stephanie, TriBeCa

Debbie, just a quick note to thank you again for working with us to stage our apartment last week. Over the past few days we’ve noticed the tiniest of details and the amount of care that you took with our space from storing our most-used items in easy reach right down to fixing the torn under-linings on our dining room chairs…I don’t mean to gush, but we really, really appreciate everything you did for us and I know the time frame was a special concession for you. Thank you again.
As an update: we accepted an offer well above asking price today, and we owe this in large part to your timeliness and creativity. We’re very pleased, and just wanted to thank you again. If there is anything we can ever to do help you: letters, referrals, anything; please let us know.

Amanda, Upper West Side

Thank you for all your help! .. We feel you had a huge impact on the “new” look that helped sell the apt. Separately, We have a bid out on a one bedroom on park ave and 36 street — if it goes through — would you be open to schedule a consult at the new place?

Pearl, Upper West Side

Well apparently your staging job was TOO good for 79 street as we are about to get an offer.

Jackie, Upper East Side

Just wanted to let you know that we have an accepted offer on our place! We have several offers straight away and we had a small bidding war. We hope to have the contracts signed next week. You did great work and I will, for sure, recommend you.

Chiara, Upper East Side

Holiday Decorating – Whoa There!

Posted on by Debbie

Admittedly, this was a Show House of Christmas Decor, in Florida!

Along with holiday gatherings come all of the decorations. What do you do when you are trying to sell a property right smack in the middle of the Christmas holiday season? Will the seller become the Grinch and steal little Cindy Loo Who’s tree, decorations and presents?

Absolutely NOT! Buyers need to feel a connection with a property – and allowing a home to show traditions and the spirit of the holiday season is perfectly acceptable, as long as the decorations do not block flow or create obstacles. Be cognizant of how people walk within and between the rooms. Make sure the buyers can still see the features and selling points (don’t place the 7′ tall tree in front of the window that has the spectacular view of the Empire State Building). Substitute holiday-inspired statues, candles, and accents for your every day ones.

Most important is to follow the outline from your professional Stager with respect to de-cluttering and de-personalizing the rooms when adding your holiday decorations. The result will be tastefully decorated rooms that offer the flavor of the holidays while still allowing potential buyers to easily see the bones of the home.

Thanksgiving – Thank you For Our Best Year Yet!

Posted on by Debbie

Thanksgiving is, by far, my favorite holiday. My Italian side of the family gathers together in our pre-war upper west side apartment for a full day of food, wine and togetherness. Some years we have hosted dinner for upwards of 20 people – in a dining room that is 14′ wide by 16′ long! Being a designer and a NYC home stager has its benefits when it comes to spatially planning a sit down dinner for 20! Also, being good friends with your neighbors helps when you need 2 ovens for all of the sides and an extra refrigerator for the turkey to brine overnight.

This year’s menu includes a potato leek soup to start accompanied by a green bean and caramelized onion salad. The main attraction – an apple spice brined turkey (so moist and delicious, I highly recommend it) – is served with apple stuffing and roasted squash. Mashed spiced yams are a family favorite and always find a place on the table. To satisfy our sweet tooth we will have apple pie (a la mode, of course), pumpkin chocolate. chip cookies and a chocolate truffle cake from Ferrara’s (courtesy of my daughter’s school fundraiser.)

We have much to be thankful for at Amazing Space NYC. This has been a record year. We will finish up 34% (or more) over last year, both in terms of gross billings and net revenue.

Staging has finally become accepted and, in some cases, mandated by New York City brokers. Putting a property on the market that is empty or full of personal clutter is frowned upon by both buyers and brokers. However, the spectrum is wide with respect to the quality and goals of New York City stagers. ASNYC continues to be recognized as the market leader in aspirational and inspirational Staging installations.

Our belief that a staging design must allow buyers to connect to the property is one of the reasons our business has grown by 34 per cent this year, setting a company record for both gross and net revenue. We bring Interior Design to the forefront of every project we accept. I say accept, because we turn down a project if the budget or parameters won’t allow us to present a final product we think works, one that is characteristic of our portfolio, likely to succeed the way our others do. Loyal relationships with brokers and developers, dedication to detail and follow-through combined with only quality accessories. We are ruthlessly disciplined about investing only in quality rugs, lighting, accessories, linens, artwork and lifestyle accents that create a home reflective of the neighborhood, the price point and the potential buyer.

Buyers and brokers are very impressed when they walk into a property that was Staged by our design team. The greatest compliment we continue to receive is that our properties do not look “staged”, they do not look fake. Buyers and brokers agree that ASNYC presents to the public elegantly appointed and meticulously maintained homes. On average, a property that was Staged by ASNYC sells at 94% or more of the ask price. In the summer of 2013, 4 of our staged properties went into bidding wars after the first open house. All sold at or above ask.

NYC Home Staging Union Square Simplicity

Posted on by Debbie

This 2 bedroom/convertible 3 near Union Square offered buyers no reason to look past the foyer. After being “welcomed” by vinyl wallpaper that was supposed to resemble wood paneling, buyers were bombarded by a wall of mirrors that reflected the mechanicals on the roof of the building across the street – awful. Off the living room, the floor of the den” was covered in cheap, worn-out carpeting. Outlet covers were missing. Worn-out, dirty sheers dressed the living room windows. A faux fireplace, with no purpose, sat right in the center of the main living-dining space. The windows were filthy and there was nothing on the terrace that invited buyers outside to enjoy the tree-top view. After the sellers executed our extensive renovation plan, we brought in furniture, art, rugs, accessories – and a really good cleaning crew – to transform the 1,600 square feet of space from blah to “AH!”

The Living Room

As you can see, we have cleaned the space up so that it sizzles with style! From the hide rug, to the mix of leather furniture, this room now shows great light, views and expanse. We kept the colors neutral, with just a quick pop of color in the art. The pieces on the coffee table suggest a relaxed style that’s casual yet ready for company at any time. Big fat cushions echo the luxurious notes of the leather inviting you to sink in and call the place home.

The Den

It is simple . . . then simply fabulous!

A contemporary setting does not have to feel cold. Here we have standard lamps and a fun, textured mirror to warm up the space. Plus, a game on the ottoman. You don’t need to SEE at TV to know exactly where you’d put one to be comfortable in that room.

The Master Bedroom

This master bedroom offers the perfect retreat from the kids and the noise of the city. The worn-out carpeting was replaced with wood floors that were stained to match the rest of the apartment. The color combination of the bed linens amplify the varied textures of the art, wood tones and light leathers. Overall, this master bedroom is now sexy and appealing to both the man and woman of the house!

For an estimate on staging your New York City home for sale, please call Debbie at 917-428-3965

Bleak and Basic Before Staging This NYC Home

Posted on by Debbie

Before Home Staging NYC One Bedroom Appartment

A new paint color, a thorough cleaning and a simple, but effective, Staging Design by Amazing Space NYC and this one bedroom condo on the Upper East side sold in ONE day at full ask, with multiple offers and a bidding war.

One bedroom condos are a dime a dozen in New York City. The post-war units tend to all look alike. A single window, the parquet floors, the open plan… it’s a common look. How to make this one stand out? How do we create a memorable event that will capture the buyer’s attention and elicit offers?

This before photo is a bit dark, but you can see the whole space is awkaward… and yellow. ASNYC approached this space as we do every property: we identify the target buyer, renovate as much as the budget allows, deep-clean the rooms and then illustrate how the next buyer can advantage of what’s there.

A fresh coat of Elmira White HC-84 provided the perfect backdrop for a combination of contrasting furniture and large pieces of dramatic artwork. Since red is a color that traditionally spurs people to action, touches of red were incorporated to add punch and purpose. The staging design plan created the “wow” effect we consistently strive for, which then led to several buyers having the “I gotta have it” reaction. We just love when that happens!

Multiple offers and a bidding war that resulted in an accepted offer heads above the ask price. It’s fun to be able to report such an amazing success!

For your own potential success story, please call 917-428-3965 and ask for lead designer, Debbie.

Color Splash

Posted on by Debbie

I get excited when the color trends are released. Almost instantly, I start putting together color palettes for room design projects that I don’t even have! Although I lean towards Benjamin Moore for my projects, I turn to Sherman Williams for paint color trends and forecasts.

Here are the 4 SW color trend 2014 categories and a synopsis of their descriptions:

Reasoned:

Browse through any design magazine or log onto Houzz and you will instantly see this Color Trend which is continuing through 2014: Gray is the new Black. A few years back, it was Brown but Gray has planted roots and continues for yet another year to be a foundation, a color staple in room designs. Gray will continue to be associated with math. Think maps, compasses, astrology. In other words, Restoration Hardware will still be a consumer’s go-to for design inspirations. Fortunately, I have been using a lot of gray in 2013 so my design inspirations will still be “in” next year! Some of my favorite grays are by Benjamin Moore, such as Edgecomb Gray and Revere Pewter.

Diaphanous:

Sherman Williams refers to this category as light, delicate and translucent. This is your “safe” palette, perfect for home staging and for clients who just cannot quite commit to a saturated hue. I must admit, I am intrigued by a few of the SW colors in this collection, such as Fleur de Sol and Steamed Milk. You might be seeing them in future Amazing Space NYC staging projects.

Intrinsic:

This collection is a melting pot of cultural experiences and crafts. You can hear the calypso drums and reggae rhythms, tribal drums and bustling street markets. The collection invokes an ocean breeze, the Serengeti, rolling hills and vast deserts. The colors are saturated and vivid with a palette that is deeply rooted in tradition. There are some gorgeous colors in this collection (the blues really captured me). Home stagers, this is not the collection for you. Designers, knock yourself out! This collection can add intense beauty to the walls. Picture an entire room of furnishings in white/off-white fabrics against a backdrop of one of these colors, coupled with pillows and accents that complement the culture and the hue on the walls.

Curiosity:

The SW description says it best: “…where mad science meets fantasy, and sweet dreams overlap with feverish nightmares.” There is a solemness to these brown-based colors, and while they are deeply saturated hues that will command attention, a feeling of despair washes over me when I look at them. I am sure this palette will find a home, but it probably won’t be in one that I design. It freaks me out!

No matter what the trend or forecast indicates, I believe we should use color to match our mood, our passion, our vision. But it is always fun to see what the color weathermen predict the trends will be. Hopefully, the color forecasters are better than the weather ones!

Red is NOT Dead!

Posted on by Debbie

Red – it is alluring and seductive, evoking feelings of hunger and passion. But is it appropriate for Home Staging? Those formal dining rooms and accent walls painted in candy apple, crimson or cranberry certainly are vivacious and alluring, but when Staging a property for sale, do those dramatic walls add value or cause buyers to run in the opposite direction?

When combined with the right furnishings and accent colors, red is extremely elegant. From a designer’s vantage point, I love red – especially when it is high gloss and lacquered. And there is no reason why those same techniques cannot be incorporated into a staging plan, in the form of picture, art or mirror frames, trays, or small appliances (think retro toaster or ice cream soda maker). Red in accent pillows and artwork are also great ways to seduce a buyer into a room.

Subtle hints of red in the furniture and accessories makes it pop – pop – pop! We want the buyers to be moved emotionally, to be spurred to action. Action to make an offer. Red is a great color to inspire such action.

Model Designs For Home Staging NYC

For more information about booking Amazing Space NYC for your own home staging, please call Debbie at 917-428-3965.

NYC Home Staging Guru Scans Trends At The NY NOW Show

Posted on by Debbie

The NYNOW Trade Show in Manhattan (formerly known as the New York International Gift Fair) just ended. Luckily I was able to sneak away from home staging NYC (it’s been so busy) for a few hours to see what new and exciting home accessory trends would be available to designers this fall. The show requires 2 separate venues – the Javitz Center and Pier 92 – in order to accommodate all of its vendors. I wore the wrong shoes, for sure, and forgot to bring a tote bag for all of the literature I picked up along the way. But since I was mainly interested in home decor and accents, I was able to focus my time at the Javitz Center and take in quite a bit before I had to make like Cinderella at midnight.

For those who have an unbridled passion for home accessories and trends, here are the highlights of the 2013 NYNOW show:

VINTAGE

So vintage, industrial and weathered has been the rage for the past 2 years, and guess what? It still is! Vendors such as Made Goods, Go Home, Roost and DK Living prominently displayed a variety of items that fell into these categories. Rugs, decorative objects, furnishings, ottomans and benches, mirrors – if this style is your passion, the choices are endless. A perfect compliment to an industrial and vintage decor is leather so these vendors also exhibited their cowhide upholstered ottomans, benches and chairs.

HIDES

And if hides are not enough to quench your animal thirst, you can still indulge in a mounted head or antlers or skulls or fossils, all presented in a variety of finishes. Paper mâché. Resin. Lacquer. Newspaper wrapped. Even bejeweled.

COLOR

For those who are looking for some color this year, you will not be disappointed. But be prepared for substantial pieces with thick bodies and shapes. Chippendale Chairs, dressers, chests, and wall mirrors were energized by vivid colors and lacquered finishes. Beware: these pieces are not meant for the meek and shy. They scream to be the center of attention in a room. A perfect accent or focal point! And how can I report on colorful home decor accessories without mentioning the infamous Jonathan Adler? Anchoring one of the aisles, his bold shapes, forms and colors always grab my attention.

BLING

I am not certain if my next observation is a widespread trend or a nod to the the fact that the show draws a BIG crowd from the ‘burbs but there were several vendors showcasing their “Bling”, especially on accent pillows. Rhinestones and sequins galore! Not my taste, but thought it was worth mentioning.

MADE IN THE USA

On many vendor booths, “Made in the USA” was as important to the branding as the company’s name and logo. I am a very proud “aunt” of a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp; these vendors always receive a thumbs up and an “oorah” from me.

Let’s wrap it up Oprah-style . . . My Favorite Things. Without a doubt it was Whitbead Wilkinson, created by 2 women in London who used their marketing and product experience to create a line of home accessories. Securing a license from Pantone Universe and from Eames Office, Whitbread Wilkinson launched lines of eye catching kitchenware that captures the identity of these 2 brands in items as simple as a coffee cup or a coaster!

That’s my sum and substance of the show. Coming soon: my Color Commentary for staging and design.

Cold War: Neutral Home Staging NYC Gone Too Far!

Posted on by Debbie

When home staging NYC, most home owners know to neutralize the look of each space. You can go too far. You can create a hard, empty space that no-one wants to own.

Such was the case with this loft space. Modern, clean and barren, this space was so cold, even Eskimos were running in the opposite direction! By adding warmer hues with art and accent pillows, then toning down the frigid feeling of the floor tiled floor, this Owner Occupied took on an entirely different vibe – and got several offers before accepting one at 99% of list!

For more information, please call Amazing Space NYC at 917-428-3965 and ask for Debbie.

Decks – NYC Home Staging Exterior Spaces

Posted on by Debbie

Outdoor spaces are a premium in Manhattan real estate. If you have one as part of your property, it needs to be emphasized and made the most of. Amazing Space NYC (ASNYC) gets asked about home staging exterior spaces often, particularly in the extreme seasons of high summer (exhausting heat and humidity) and deep winter (darn cold and windy!) should you bother? Yes!

For this exterior space, we rented trees for the photo shoot and brought in pillows, towels, dinnerware, lanterns and some faux grasses. ASNYC successfully revived these 3 decks and created an oasis that beckoned buyers to lounge, dine or entertain!

The Results: SOLD – 99% of ask.

For more information, please call Amazing Space NYC – 917-428-3965 and ask for Debbie.

Amazing Space NYC – Home Staging NYC

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Author Archives: Debbie

Thank You For A Great 2013!

Holiday Decorating – Whoa There!

Thanksgiving – Thank you For Our Best Year Yet!

NYC Home Staging Union Square Simplicity

The Living Room

The Den

The Master Bedroom

Bleak and Basic Before Staging This NYC Home

Color Splash

Reasoned:

Diaphanous:

Intrinsic:

Curiosity:

Red is NOT Dead!

NYC Home Staging Guru Scans Trends At The NY NOW Show

VINTAGE

HIDES

COLOR

BLING

MADE IN THE USA

Cold War: Neutral Home Staging NYC Gone Too Far!

Decks – NYC Home Staging Exterior Spaces