Friday, April 27, 2012

Staging Stinks-Sometimes

What?
Well...there I said it!
You want the truth, right?
It stinks when you don't
have much to work with....

MyHero and I went
to Door County yesterday.
You remember our friend,
Keys?
After he passed away
last month we were left
to deal with the
house he was renting.
The landlord is
now going to sell the house.
So, MyHero asked me
if I could stage it 
working with what 
was already there.

Now, the funny thing
is that about 15 years ago
 we provided
Keys with just about
every piece of furniture
he owned.

Dated?
You bet!
But,  you work with
what you have, right?
Why?
Because there is 
NO BUDGET
for this redo.

Door County, WI
is noted for 
cherries and 
big shipyards....
lots of nautical stuff
in this area.
So, we are going for a
nautical theme here.

 Here is what I
started with looking in
from the foyer.
There used to be
THREE pianos in this room..
A concert sized grand,
an upright
and a harpsichord.
Those have all been
removed and a couple of them
are awaiting new homes.
This is from a slightly
different angle.
And this is looking
towards the dining room.
So....
after a bit of moving things
around I found an old
desk upstairs
and moved that to the corner
that held the chair.
The top is in terrible condition
but there was a piece of
black felt that I used
to cover the top.
After looking at this I went
back and turned the drawers
to the back when I noticed
the hardware was all wonky.
I used an old chair to make
this odd space a little
reading nook.
These chairs were 
"country blue"
from the 80s.
I ordered slip covers from 
Overstock.com 
in a rich cocoa brown color
and gave them to
 Keys a few years ago.
The little pillow was a gift
from my sweet son-in-law
and is on loan for
staging.
The dining room is
bare and spare
but I dressed the table
as best I could using
what I had on hand.
There is a little built in
on the wall in here.
It is in an awkward space
so I added the nautical
bell pull to one side.
~Blue & White & Yellow~
I thought the yellow
cheered it up a bit.
The kitchen is still a mess.
But that is next up on the
TO DO LIST.
These HAVE to go!
And, I am replacing the
burner pans... they're awful...
trust me....
So, that's what
I did yesterday.
Today I have
SOMEONE SPECIAL
spending the day
so you know how much
I will get done!
Not much...
but I'm sure I will
have lots of laughs!
And probably a few
new "stories" 
to share with you!
Have a great day friends!
your photo name

45 comments:

Kim Gillian said...

Wow, you did a great job in staging, looks so much better!

Musings from Kim K. said...

You really did a miracle transformation. Pretty impressive. Have a wonderful Friday with your special guest of honor!

Mark said...

Although you did a wonderful job at staging his home, it would make me totally sad if I had to do it.
But I do love the idea that "Keys" lived in "Door" County. Am I the only one that thinks that that is funny?
m.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Doing great with what you have to work with. I have miss Leila today and over night so not much getting done around here either.

Susie said...

Diana, I think you did a fine job on the staging. Enjoy your fun day with miss sweetcheeks.:):) Keep the camera handy. Smiles, xo, Susie

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I think you are doing a great job for using what you've got, Diana! I'm sure the place looked bigger once those pianos were moved out. The kitchen should be fun though. I see a glass cabinet door{?}, so that will be nice to dress up.

outjunking said...

I agree with Mark this would be hard. I know someone has to do it and you have a good eye for this.

Jettie said...

You are doing a wonderful job with what you have to work with, in that place. I imagine it would be tough, but you are getting through it.

Looking forward to seeing more,
:)

Anonymous said...

I think you have done brilliantly. I think the important thing is to let people see that the 'essentials' fit in. I've been to staged houses, in the days before flat screen tv's, and realised that although the room looked great, there wasn't actually room for one!
I looked at my settings, and it should have been showing my address. Anyway I removed my email address then added it again. Hopefully, that will sort out the problem.

Patty Patterson said...

Sweet Cheeks could be a Disney Princess! She could pretend to be Cinderella and help you clean that kitchen! Cinderella would know just how to do it - all quick and effecient. Of course, she had birds and mice to help her. Find any mice?

Something Nice and Pretty said...

You did a wonderful job, I especially like the little nook which you decorated so nicely! Love the color combo too! I hope you show pictures of the kitchen when your done:)

momto8 said...

good for you! you did an amazing job!!!
have fun and happy weekend!

Cristina Garay said...

Love how you stage that little built in, Diana! The place looks way better now! Enjoy your time with Sweet Cheeks!

Little Miss Maggie said...

Great job improvising with what you have to work with. So much fresher and inviting.

Richella Parham said...

I'd say you did a great job with what you had to work with! You're very creative. And now that creativity will come in handy for a day with a darling girl! :)

Lucille said...

Hi Diana! You did a super job with that staging considering you had practically nothing to work with. I like how you arranged the shelves. I love the windows in that house. You're so blessed to be spending the day with one of your grandchildren! I miss that so much. Mine are all grown up! Here's to wishing you a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

What a great job!!
Me?? I am incapable of staging minimally for you see I love lotsa' "stuff"!! LOL!!
Have a Great Weekend!!
Marilyn

Nellie said...

Nice work you're doing with the staging!
What fun you will have today with Little Miss SweetCheeks!

LANA said...

Looks like you are doing a great job staging, even with limited resources. I'm sure the house will sell soon. Enjoy your "visitor" today!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

You did a bang up job there stagin' with what ya had sweetie. Give yourself a big old pat on the back. "K"???

Yep, a little precious helper is always good for some laughs and blog fodder! 'Just precious!

God bless ya and have yourself a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

Sunny Simple Life said...

I don't think staging is as big a deal as folks think. I feel if the house is clean and frankly less decorated the better. No one staged when we were buying houses remember? But a messy crowded house was a turn off. You did a nice job of making it look like a home and that is what folks respond to. At least real folks. Did you see Claudia's post earlier this week on how young shoppers for homes have such long lists of must haves? We always wanted indoor plumbing and a decent location.

Marsha said...

Wow! You've done a great job so far. I love the pears on the shelf in the dining room. Very clever!
Have a great day!

Debbie said...

I think you did a great job, Diana!
I'm sure Sweet Cheeks will have some good ideas for you...LOL.
God bless you and your Hero for this labor of love.
xxoo

Ruth Kelly said...

Well done Diana. I have never staged anything. I heard though that if you are trying to sell, getting rid of too much stuff is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

you have the biggest heart, not many would go to so much trouble, you are a gem, have a great day with sweet cheeks, lots of happy things to tell us,

pembrokeshire lass said...

What a difference..WOW! Loved the blue and white..it gave an air of freshness! Also the touches of yellow. Well done, my friend! I bet you will have a whale of a time today and look forward to hearing new words of wisdom. Joan

Julie Marie said...

Hi Diana... you did a beautiful job!... everything looks cozy and inviting... have fun with your sweet little granddaughter today!... I am sure some fairy stories are in order!... By the way, I ordered the Fairy Houses book from Amazon... you will LOVE it!... please post some of your fairies!... xoxo Julie Marie

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Diana you are doing a fabulous job with the staging! Can't wait to see more! Have fun with your granddaughter:)

Nancy's Notes said...

Diana, what a impressive job at staging his home. You are going to heaven with your boots on, sweetie! What a kind thing to do, friends like you are like diamonds, the best!

Give sweet cheeks a hug, I've missed her and her Nana! I'm finally back!

Japolina said...

You are so talented Diana. I still can't fix my blogger thing. (i'm not so talented. Ha!)

Have a great weekend.

Kathy said...

Oh, I remember when we had to stage our home to move - it was something - I can just imagine it having to be another's home - so far so good! Great themes and the yellow is just perfect!
Hugs,
Kathy

Sue said...

We went to Door County years ago and loved it. We keep talking about going back, but since we have fallen in love with Traverse City, MI we always end up changing our minds when we plan a trip north.

I love staging...but, you didn't have a lot to work with. I think the cabinet with the blues and yellows really makes the place. Nicely done!

jessica said...

Great job with what you've had to work with!!

I love what you did in the built in! So fresh and springy!

Debbiedoos said...

You done good there Diana...really you did! Enjoy little sweet cheeks, can't wait til Monday, I am sure it will be a good one!

Anonymous said...

Wish I had your flair for decorating. Wishing you and your extra special guest a wonderful time!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Diana: The room looks good and homey. It's hard to do with just stuff you have sometimes. I think you are doing a fine job and here is Sweet Cheeks to brighten the day..Happy Weekend..Judy

Janet said...

You've done a wonderful job, Diana .... and with no budget! Hope you have a relaxing weekend, now!
Blessings,
Janet

Blondie's Journal said...

I think you have done a great job with what you have, Diana. It's not easy, but from all the blogs we read, we should be pretty good at it!! I'd love to see what you do with the kitchen!

Enjoy your weekend with your little fairy!

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and I love your sense of humor and your style.

Gretchen

Heaven's Walk said...

(groan!) Ohhhhh...how well I know how much staging stinks, D! We've done it too many times in our lifetime - and just did it again. This time our lakehouse WILL sell (pleas,e God?). Funny thing is, our new realtor said not to worry about putting too much into staging. Sometimes less is better. So you did a GREAT job working with what you had! :) Have fun this weekend, girlie!

xoxo laurie

Janet said...

Hey lady,

Great job. I love it.

Can't wait to read tomorrow's post. :)

Have a wonderful weekend.
Take care, Janet W

Maria Elena said...

Diana, I think you have done a wonderful job working with what you had!I specially love the yellow pops on the shelves. Very pretty! I know you had fun spending the day with your granddaughter! Have a good weekend!

Donna said...

You are still a wonderful friend, to Keys, and everyone else you know. You have such a giving heart, my friend.

Hugs,
Donna

Jane, Naples, Florida said...

What you have done with the house is incredible. I could not have done that! Love how you arranged things!
I think it will be a success!

Jane
Flora Doora

Sandy said...

You're doing a great job with what you have to work with. It must be sad going over there.