Staging Model Units Is a Unique NYC Home Staging Skill

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NYC Home StagingOften times, New York developers hire a high-end (and über-expensive) designer for the more expensive units in a new development.   The rooms are over-the-top, dripping with everything that personifies the designer’s signature style.  Unfortunately, these showcases do not usually lead to sales as the prospective buyers cannot identify with the style or the use of the space.  It is just too specific (and usually appeals to a very small percentage of the buying clientele) but the installations make for great photo op’s and press coverage!

Such was the case with 2 Units in this upper eastside development.  While everyone enjoyed the opulence of the designer units, the marketing team wanted room photographs that were more about the views, the space and the use of the main living areas Our company was hired to build 2 new living spaces using pieces from the high-end designer units.  We cherry picked everything – from rugs to sofas to books for the coffee tables – and built rooms that reflected the price point of the Units without being so overly decorated that buyers would only remember the furniture but not the room itself.

The development and marketing teams both commented on how completely different the furniture looked when it was paired with different accessories.  I wanted to emphasize the spectacular views but also offer a comfortable counterpoint to all the glass and steel. A buttery cream sectional sofa placed on an elegant, neutral rug anchor the space.  A round coffee table, gold-leaf occasional table, open accent chairs and complementary accessories soften the overall impression as does the fabulously rich, white fur throw.  So as to not detract from the blue river and sky, we relied on beige, cream, whites and grays for our palette with pops of color in the green succulents and the one red coffee table book in the center of the living area. The neutral palette allows the sky, river and city to take center stage.  Looking at this room, I am reminded of a quote the Nobel-winning mystic Rabindranath Tagore —

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”

Quiet appropriate, wouldn’t you say?

Thank You For A Great 2013!

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Inner City Scholarship Fund is one charity Amazing Space NYC believes in wholeheatedly2013 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

 

Amazing Space NYC Home Staging Group’s Record 34% Growth in 2013 Empowers Multiple Charitable Donations!

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New York, New York (December 18, 2013) – Amazing Space NYC posted a record 34% growth for the year 2013. The noted NYC home staging company attributed the record-breaking number to its “realistic lifestyle” staging designs and installations that made house hunters feel they could comfortably settle into the properties being sold by real estate brokers. As a result of that success, ASNYC has become a Be A Student’s Friend sponsor. Continue reading →

NYC Home Staging Experts Will Give You the Edge over the Competition

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In an article for housingwire.com, Megan Hopkins tells readers how the services of home staging professionals may be beneficial to someone selling their home:

Home staging professionals discovered a unique way of marketing themselves in the fluctuating real estate environment by reminding home sellers that properties sell much faster after undergoing a professional facelift.
Continue reading →

Holiday Decorating – Whoa There!

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Excessive Holiday Decor

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!

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NYC Home Stager Celebrates ThanksgivingThanksgiving 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 Gets Homes Sold FAST!!

NYC Home Staging Union Square Simplicity

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Home Staging NYCThis 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

Home Staging in NYC Living Room After the Magic!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

Den staged in New York City apartment in Union SquareIt 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

Master Bedroom home staging NYCThis 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

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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.

NYC Home Staged by ASNYC

 

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.

Free NYC Home Staging Consultation for Staged And Sold Clients

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TAKE STYLISH HOME STAGING DESIGN TO YOUR NEW HOME

Complimentary living room consultation for full-home staging clients
Only for September and October 2013

Expert NYC home staging & interior design

You loved your home staged, so much so you that considered staying not selling your home this summer! Now, surrounded by boxes, you’re wondering how on earth to make the new space, home. Help is on the way: the home staging professionals at Amazing Space NYC are offering to come to your new home and design the living room with the same pow and panache.

This fall, ASNYC is offering a turn-of-the-season promo to home owners who successfully staged and sold their homes with ASNYC professional NYC home staging services. Call today, and lead designer, Debbie Oulvey, will review your new home and offer tips and advice on how to set up your new living room, for FREE. She and her team will provide a complete furniture plan and color chart, with paint recommendations should you opt to repaint your living room.

ASNYC believes the living room is the centerpiece of any home; it makes a lasting first impression on every guest and gives you, the homeowner, a pride of ownership in your new space.

Just as the leaves start changing in Central Park, let your living room unmask its beauty. Call ASNYC now at 917-428-3965.

  • Promo runs from September to October 30, 2013
  • Open only to homes staged by Amazing Space NYC
  • Applicable to one (1) living room only

Color Splash

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Color Trends Sherwin WilliamsI 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:

2014 Color TrendsReasoned:

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.

2014 Color TrendsDiaphanous:

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.

2014 Color TrendsIntrinsic:

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.

2014 Color TrendsCuriosity:

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!