As the principal consultant of SmartHouse Spaces I try to give the best pre-sale property styling advice according to the marketability of a home. Some people are not always able to have their house re-painted, or do major work to prepare the home for sale. However, lack of preparation is reflected in the asking price and the time on the market.

For example, I had a client who was insistent about not removing a scruffy tree at the property entrance, and would not clear the garage. I explained that the entrance is usually the first aspect of a property that people see. Also, prospective buyers DO look in the garage during a home open.

Another client did not see his driveway as part of the main entrance, and left his large van in the driveway. The bulky vehicle spoilt the aspect to the house.

We can only give the best property styling advice and after that, it is up to the client to act according to their circumstances and finances. The final decision is the client’s.

My recommendations are listed as points, from the most important to the things that can be done in a short time frame. There are sometimes things in a house that I say will “have to go while the house is open for buyer inspection”. Sellers can always put items into storage, if they don’t want to part with them.

I look at household things objectively, because I know what works and what does not work to give your home the best chance to sell.

There are also clients who understand why I recommend certain features, placements and essential maintenance. I often recommend hiring selective furniture and putting tired but loved items into storage. For the garden, I sometimes suggest a feature piece of garden art, like an obelisk or concentric orb in a small garden or courtyard. Garden art can pull an outdoor area together with focus and wow factor. The house vendor does not have to live with hired furniture or garden art, because it is only there for the sales campaign.

Sometimes clients are disappointed that such objects go after the sales campaign, but if they have sold their home and move on, then the objects have served their purpose.  Some of these garden products can be purchased exclusively by the contact page on my web site in Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Australia. Delivery is within Victoria, Australia.

Still need property styling advice on how to sell your home? Call SmartHouse Spaces on 0048 569 013 and book your consultation.

Many elements influence garden trends from all over the globe.

Garden accessories are just as important for your property styling campaign. They have taken a dramatic change to compliment finishes in both housing architecture and are important in your property styling preparation.

Troughs and planters are now being made in softer round edge finishes with muted colours of grey and whites to accompany the green foliage of traditional english gardens. Think of gardenias, magnolias, geraniums as opposed to structural architectural plants of yuccas and agaves. Coastal properties here on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia are sometimes surrounded by indigenous plants such as the native tea tree which has a small pretty white flower and other hardy Australian native shrubs and succulents that perform well.

You may ask why am I writing about garden products? There has never been a more important link to romance the buyer between the home and garden. Outdoor tables, pots and well selected garden accessories are being designed with architectural elements in mind. This is the direct flow on from the “Öutside Room” we have been seeing over the years.

The grandeur of wrought iron is also back whether it be traditional, modern or imitation with strong curves that offer contrast to other outdoor settings.

There is not a better time to prepare your garden for that important open for inspection day and allowing the waft of a fragrant scented garden to enhance the home when it is up for sale.

A well presented garden can be a main selling feature as part of your property styling campaign as well as a freshen up of the home interior. Take inspiration from your garden surrounds and colours. These triggers are important in your property styling campaign to attract buyers to imagine themselves living there.

Open spaces continue to dominate the interior whilst the colour of the garden offer contrast and interest. From a small balcony, a courtyard, outside room, veranda or “the other room” everyone has their own interpretation of this important space to show well when selling your home. It continues to become the social “hub” and area of peoples interaction.

SmartHouse Spaces specialises in advising people who are selling their home.

Phone now on 0448 569 013 and book your consultation.

We help clients improve their space, whether downsizing, selling or just wanting an update. It’s what we enjoy doing.

Placement of art when selling your home is one of the many facets home stagers face. Most people place artwork too high or inappropriate art (yes I know art is in the eye of the beholder) but seriously some art is not suitable for home staging. Forget the crumpled bedroom posters, newspaper comic strips in the bathroom, laundry, etc. They may have been great while you are living there while the children were growing up, but remember your home is on the market to obtain the best possible price. That funny joke above the loo may get some laughter, but will it help sell your home? It is as bad as having cobwebs in the vents! A real turn off for potential buyers.

What kind of art should I display? What are the architectural features of your home? Landscapes, murals or abstracts can enhance your existing interior. What style would appeal to potential buyers? Where is your home located, your target market. Maybe you need to consider re arranging or purchasing selected art works for your property styling campaign.

What is the right height to hang art? The million dollar question that is continually asked at Right Hook Picture Hanging Services on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. www.righthook.com.au They also assist interior designers, home stagers and home owners for their specialised services.

See below their blogs by Rob James with permission.

“HOW HIGH DO YOU WANT THAT PICTURE ”

If you thought hanging pictures was merely a matter of us just waltzing in, hammer at the ready and tape measure on the hip, think again. When asked to hang your pictures, we usually ask straight off – ‘how high do you like your pictures?’.

And that’s when the part of our job description that includes counsellor/advisor/umpire comes into play.
Consider this fairly typical exchange:

Me – “How high would you like me to hang it?”

Him – “A bit higher; no, higher again.”

Her - “No, lower, please.”

Him – “No, a bit higher.”

Her - “Darling, please not so high – I want that horizon at eye level.”

Him – “But…..”

And it’s here that I have to begin my counselling session for the participants in that age-old discussion.  How high to hang the pictures.

At the risk of being labelled an old fashioned sexist, I can confidently say (gleaned after many years of experience as a picture hanger) there are two things I can count on.  Men like their pictures high; women don’t.  And my wife, who works with me, agrees.

A man will take a 6-inch nail in one hand and a big hammer in the other, reach as high as he can, and “BANG – she’s up.”  On the other hand, a woman wants a picture to be on a more intimate viewing level.

Yes, of course these are sweeping generalisations, but the following take is an amusing illustration.

Recently I was asked to hang a large, heavy, awkward mirror.  The client said he was happy to hang any picture, but was not confident of the mirror, as it weighed a hefty 34kg.

When I arrived, I noticed that the home was decorated with a good number of capable originals, nicely hung and at good viewing heights. All were placed in harmony with the surrounds.  After I had hung the mirror, I complimented the client on his hanging skills.  He laughed, looked a bit sheepish and then said: “yep, but look above every painting”.

Puzzled, I did, and was astonished to find nail holes.  All from old picture hooks, and what’s more, above every single picture!  As I turned to look at him, he explained he was the culprit.  He’d confidently hung everything while his wife was at work. “Whoa! And didn’t she get into me about them being too high!  Had to turn around and lower every one.  And what’s worse, when I finished – she was dammed well right!”

So what’s the right height?

To be honest, there is no absolute set-in-concrete answer, because there are so many factors:

• How tall are the clients, and is there a big discrepancy in their respective heights?
• How tall are the ceilings?
• Are there little kids who are likely to bounce off the walls?
• What do the clients actually like and feel comfortable with?
• What’s the picture about and for – wall décor or important piece?

And so on…

You need to observe, negotiate, compromise – and if you’re of a certain age, be guided by the old Peter Cook and Dudley Moore skit in an art gallery – “It’s the eyes, Pete, they follow you around the room”.

That’s exactly what you want from your pictures. Whether a conventional seascape, antique still life, or expressionist splashy canvas, the right height should help you engage and connect with your artwork.

Even if you are not selling your home, advice on where to place your precious pieces is an investment. It is the finishing touch for a house to become a home being surrounding by your favourite pieces.

Still unsure, call SmartHouseSpaces on 0448 569 013 we help with the finer detail.

Even if your bedroom cupboards are not the stuff of dreams,  what kind of storage do you have say for a hundred pairs of shoes, row upon row of dresses, tops, trousers and dozens of neatly folded knitwear – you can squeeze more space into a cupboard by maximising your vertical space. When property styling your home  have you considered a thorough edit and restyling of your wardrobe?

An ensuite that is near the main bedroom should have space to store a wider range of personal items and from a design perpective be integrated with other furnishings.  For example the under basin vanity can be quickly accessed from the bedroom and the bedroom can be minimally furnished.  Your bedroom should be a place that feels like a luxury hotel. When home staging there is nothing like updated new beautiful bed linen.

When the main focus in your bedroom is the view, the rest of your decor should be as discreet as possible when home staging. An oriental chest or armoire can be an elegant addition to a bedroom – especially if the room has ceilings that are too high for full built in robes if space allows.  Some customised storage features have sensor  lights which automatically turn on when the door is opened.

Shoving mess under the bed is a trick kids learn from a very early age. How do you rate when your home is up for sale in a tough real estate market? Beat the mess by placing plastic-lidded storage tubs or shallow drawers in this space so as not to waste storage, or better still de clutter so the area is clear for your home staging campaign minus the dust!

Phone now on 0448 569 013 and book your consultation.

SmartHouse Spaces specialises in advising people to improve their space, whether  selling or just wanting an update. It’s what we enjoy doing.

The photo displayed here of this bedroom is  just one of many decisions that a home staging professional faces when advising vendors how best to present their home for sale. It is not about your personal taste but how best to present the space.  Our initial room  by room consultation recommendations helps vendors solve their colour anxieties.

Where does one start you might say.   Do you have a mixture of various colours and styles of decor  throughout your home?  You may have a colour you just love and become attached but in reality it may not be suitable when you are home staging and property styling your home.

• We can all say we like a colour and just have to have it but is it suitable when your house is on the competitive real estate market?
• Did you become a fashion victim of the latest colour craze? For example, did one of your children want  a particular colour  in their bedroom that made your head spin? No wonder they never slept, or was it the rasberry cordial?
• Will the next person moving into your home appreciate the colour?
• Do you know your target market?
• Has the demographics of where you live changed?
• Will it harmonise with a potential owners furnishings?
• How long ago were the interiors and exteriors painted?

It is all about the tonal value and proportion when applying colour to a product which your property has become. Having both flow and unity throughout the space is paramount when your home is competing with others.

• Have you really considered and thought about what colours that surround you everyday before you put your home on the real estate market?
• How will potential buyers view my home?

Not every one is up for a repaint when you decide to sell your home. However it can also be reflected in the price and not show well. Sometimes just a wash down on walls can update a tired  area.

Still unsure? We can help to get the first step on track and complete the colour puzzle when you are ready to sell or even a simple update of your home.  Book your consultation on 0448 569 013 or email us on our contact page.  We would love to hear from you.

A large proportion of the population of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula consists of active retirees, ranging from their late fifties up to one hundred years of age. At some time during this stage of our lives we will probably seek to ‘downsize’ our homes.

We ‘downsize’ for many reasons; sometimes it might be illness, or for a change of pace of living, or divorce (which can be awkward for other family members). In some cases, busy adult sons and daughters might be helping their aged parents to relocate from their beloved family home to a unit or a retirement village. But busy working adults don’t always have the time to make downsizing a smooth and easy process; and some parents might even reject their adult children telling them what do to.

‘Downsizing’ or relocating to a smaller home is an opportunity for positive change. Imagine less space to get things untidy and less space to clean. Imagine no large garden to manage and imagine easier daily chores. So think ‘outside the square’ and be open to new ideas. Look on downsizing as an opportunity to make more cash for you to enjoy after your home is sold. Think about professional property styling to manage your downsizing –  and professional property styling will return on your investment.

Once your home is on the market it becomes a product competing with everyone else’s product. That is the reality. This statement may sound harsh, but, for your selling campaign you will need to transform your home into a much more saleable product. A product without the familiar tired fittings, clutter, photographs, lace doilies, and nick knacks along the window sill.

After you decide to sell your family home, you will need to prepare for the selling campaign. Think of the preparation as an opportunity to maximise space, downsize and invigorate before you move into another phase of your life. It is a revitalisation and a new beginning.

Home staging can help sell your home. Unused or worn items can be converted into cash to buy the accessories that you really like, and that you can take to your new home. Spend money to make money. If you are time poor, but want the best opportunity for your parents to live out an active retirement, close to services and amenities, think about professional home staging.

Change is not always easy, and as we age, we become more set in our ways. Some older people might not understand the principles of home staging and property styling. But with professional advice, they will soon see how to add value to their house when presenting their home for sale.

SmartHouse Spaces specialises in advising people who are downsizing, either for themselves or for their retired relatives.

Phone now on 0448 569 013 and book your consultation.

We help clients improve their space, whether downsizing, selling or just wanting an update. It’s what we enjoy doing.

Make sure it is warm and welcoming. If it is looking a little worn for wear and a tad tired try adding something special, and unique that reflects a smart update. Consider other architectural features around the home. Keep it simple.

It could be a stunning handle. What is the colour of your front door and finish? For the home owner it can be a different tonal value of their interior or extending the colour of the ceiling entrance in a lower tonal value.

Of course pathways and surrounds are immaculate for your property styling campaign for added impact.  Are there featured potted plants,  such as bright succulents, or seasonal bloomers.  Is the garden is trimmed, paths swept  with immaculate presentation?

Need help?

Call our Principal Consultant at SmartHouse Spaces on 0448 569 013 or visit www.smarthousespaces.com.au, the experts in property styling for top dollar on the Mornington Peninsula Victoria.

Whether you are planning on updating a room or introducing a new property styling scheme, you need to have a focal point defining the space which is key to its success.

How do you find where the focal point of a room is?  It is where you enter the space initially, your eyes gravitate naturally towards it.  Sometimes it is noticeable and other times not, but can still have an effect. How often have you entered a room and have a different feel for it to be warm and inviting or cold and unwelcoming?

These triggers are important in your property styling campaign to attract buyers to imagine themselves living there.

Here are a few examples of focal points:

• Sometimes it is the view beyond the room – a main selling feature of many homes on the Mornington Peninsula.
• It can also be a courtyard with a garden feature such as an obelisk, concentric orb or fountain.
• It could be an architectural feature such as a stairway, fireplace, or archway.
• Sometimes an art collection, or a painting.
• Another is a selection of china beautifully displayed in a well lit cabinet.

I have listed  examples of what is not a focal point:

• Many rooms are orientated towards a media centre such as DVD, TV etc.  Re arrange furniture to a more harmonious attractive focal point.
• The computer and associated office equipment  in a home office – re arrange and de-clutter.
• Too many filing cabinets.
• Washing on the line and laundry piled high.
• Children’s toys scattered everywhere.
• Clothing not neatly put away for inspections.
• The toilet seat left up and door open on inspection days.

First impressions are everything. Your goal is to sell your home for the best possible price. Need help? make a booking on 0448 569 013.

• Review the current conditions of your window coverings. Do they need a clean, repair, or just replace.

• Most blinds and shades may only need a light dust or vacuuming. If drapes are badly soiled and can be easily taken down, they should be more thoroughly washed. Check the fabric care and follow instructions. If not confident I advise clients to take to a specialist dry cleaner.

• Consider some rooms may present better with no treatments to highlight a view or natural lighting, but usually it is preferable to have something in place. Always show drapes or curtains open to give a room more spacious feel.

• If you really want to get the most out of your home staging, upgrading to an attractive new and more effective window treatment is a smarter move.

• Green living is the buzz word. Any change to this effect can impress many buyers.

• If selling a family home, if possible to have cordless window coverings or if budget permits motorized shades in your property styling.

Use neutral colours that are more widely accepted. Always highlight your propertys top selling features. This will increase the homebuyer’s interest in your home’s value and time on the market.

Need our assistance? Make a booking on 0448 569 013

Using the principles of good design (within reason) and home staging you can achieve a designer result.  When you view designer properties most of them are new and expensive. There is a perception that a lot of money has been invested to achieve a great looking property.

This is simply not true.  How many properties have you visited that does not look designer – I bet you have. It is because whoever made the colour, finish and choices did not have an appreciation of good design.

Maybe you have visited a cheaper property that looks designer? It’s because who ever made the finishes and choices understood what they were doing and applied good design. For instance, if there is a renovation it needs to be harmonious with the existing features for a seamless finish.

The ‘elements and principles of design ‘ are a set of rules that designers, artists etc. use in their work. There are many of these design principles, but the ones that SmartHouse Spaces mainly use are repetition, balance, and harmony.

Think about how you can start transforming your own home.

Need professional home staging advice? Make a booking on 0448 569 013.