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Did you get to see my episode of Make It Mine?

It’s officially live and I’m so proud. There are additional episodes going live today and over the next several months.

I've been so excited to be able to share my work and this experience with you. It was such a fulfilling experience, and I loved getting to know Suzanne, the resident selected for the design transformation in my episode.

This is something I will always remember, and I hope you all enjoy what we've got in store for you on this episode. You can see all episodes in the series here!

Don’t forget to vote for me online when the series closes in September! If I am voted as the best design “Peoples Choice” on #MakeitMineSeries, the series will make a charitable donation in my name! Check back regularly for new episodes!

During Special Holiday Time with My Daughter

Happy New Year! I hope your entire holiday season was as special as mine was. This shot was taken by my daughter as we enjoyed our time off together as a family. Perhaps you also had the opportunity to make special memories with the important people in your life, as we did the day this shot was taken. In whatever ways are meaningful to you and those you love.

As we move into 2018, I wanted to open the month with a brand new blog post, telling you about a brand new completed project.

We had to arrest this Master Bedroom wall color before the house could be staged and listed on the market. Bright colors are nice for kids' bedrooms but, when it comes to the Master Bedroom we highly recommend calm color tones. Remember, the Master Bedroom is the most important bedroom when selling your home. This room should evoke tranquility & peace. For this project we went with Sherwin Williams #7012 Creamy. It's a great neutral that goes with any design style. You were wondering about those drapes? Yep they are too short. You guessed right: they forgot to measure for the correct length.

START FROM SCRATCH

Paint the room in the selected color. Remove old drapery panels, and let's get started with staging this room for potential buyers, so they can fall in love and make an offer. Based on the size of this room, we went with a King Size Bed. We had enough room to add a mini seating area, and YAY we bought some ready-made light grey linen drapery panels in the correct length, 95". HomeGoods came to the rescue; they have the best prices and selections for drapery panels. Our GoTo for rental furniture is CORT Furnishings. You don't need to over-stage a room. You just need enough furniture to show the "livability" of the space.  Buyers only know what they see, not what it's going to be.

Master Bedroom "BEFORE"

Master Bedroom "AFTER"

Master Bedroom "AFTER", Direct view of bed.

Master Bedroom "AFTER", Windows with seating.

FINISHING DETAILS

We love using white bedding for a fresh updated look, and lots of pillows are a must. Accent pillows are used for a pop of color.  Pillows with different colors and textures also soften a look to a room, and add personality. We now have a finished look that will appeal to potential  buyers. If you need help pulling it together, we can help. Contact Captiva Design at 954.205.6555. We like talking to our customers! Feel free to send us an email as well, through the form here on our Contact page. You'll love working with us! The good news... this home received several offers. SOLD!! Home Staging works!

I get a call from the Realtor, Help I am Listing a home for sale and I need to get the Listing photos done in one week.  I book the consultation, and upon arrival I can see that this home has lots of potential.  I open the door and what do I see, multiple colors on the various room walls and no furniture.  I know exactly what needs to be done first, PAINT!  Neutral is the only way to go.  Color of choice, French White #1093 by Benjamin Moore.

Once the painting was completed, it was time to install the furniture.  I wanted to highlight the features of the home that would attract potential Buyers.  I wanted the home to feel light and airy, but still warm.  The goal is to get potential Buyers to fall in love with the home the moment they walk through the door.  Staged homes typically sell for 6-10% more than non-staged homes.  Now when Buyers walk through the front door they are met with a style that is contemporary and easy on the eye.  Staging your home with key furniture pieces will showcase the livability of the room.  Less is more.  Clutter eats equity. 

The Realtor could not believe the transformation.  I'm expecting multiple offers on this Listing.  Need help preparing your home the "Right way" for top-dollar Resale?  Contact Captiva Design.  We know what Buyers are looking for when shopping for a home.

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Before: Room looks and feels dark and lifeless.  Curtains are blocking natural light.

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Room now feels light and welcoming. Buyers are going to love this space.

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See another view of this room after we completed the makeover.

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The same room from a different angle, once our work was finished.

It was a pleasure to work on the exciting Home Redesign project located in the heart of SW Ranches, FL.  This home has so many features working in its favor.  It's easy to see why it had a contract in less than one week.  The Homeowner was so excited.  The investment in Home Staging really paid off.  Let's take a look at some of the changes that made a real impact.

FORMAL DINING ROOM CHANGES:

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1. We changed the Chandelier.  The client wanted to take their lighting fixture to their new home.  TIP:  If you want to keep certain light fixtures in the home, then remove them and replace with something else that will still work with the design.  When Buyers are purchasing your home they are expecting the sale of the home to include all fixtures unless stated in the Sellers contract.

2.  We removed all personal photos from the Built-In Server, and the small mirror above the Server.  We replaced the mirror with artwork which brought color to the room, and was a larger size since the wall in quite large.  TIP:  Use artwork or mirrors that are scaled for the size of the wall.  If the piece is too small it gets lost on the wall.

3.  We opened the Sheer Drapery to allow more light to come into the room.  Potential Buyers like light and bright spaces.  We also added two candle stick lamps to the server to add more light and fill the large space.  TIP:  When showing your home open all window blinds/drapery and turn on all lights.  Rooms look and feel larger when properly lighted.

4.  We changed the centerpiece on the Dining Table to reflect more elegance.  Again, if you have a large surface use accessories that are scaled correctly in size so that the items do not get lost.

Want to see more information on this listing?  Click to view here.

Need help preparing your home for Resale?  Feel free to contact Captiva Design.  We'd be more than happy to answer all your questions, and help you prepare your home the "Right-Way" for top- dollar Resale.  Call now @ 954.205.6555 or email us.

Tax season is officially in full effect, and the good news is that for those of you who have used Home Staging services to sell your home can write the costs off.  According to the IRS,  Home Staging is a legitimate selling and marketing expense.  The costs of Home Staging can be subtracted from the proceeds (profit) of the home sale.  Speak to your tax accountant to see how you can utilize this benefit.

FYI, the average reported tax return is about $2,800.00.  You can use some or all of this refund to do a room make-over, or upgrade some furniture pieces in your home.  Contact Captiva Design @954.205.6555.  ALL Budgets, ALL Styles!