Staged!

Here's our staged house. Many people have asked me if we really need to do this. My answer is yes -- but only if you can do it this way. The packing/moving bill for the first round of stuff going into storage was 11k+, and the staging bill will be upwards of $2500. Luckily, Evan's company is happily paying for all of it. (Not so much the 7k of improvements we've needed to do to the house to get it ready.) Our stagers are pretty good at what they do, but they are lacking a lot of bedside manner, and since we feel like we were easy clients (ie: they told us to get rid of all of our stuff and we did, and then some) we felt like they had better places to pay attention to and feel a wee bit ignored by them.

That said, I think I could start a staging company with about 5k of capital. Anyone want to fund me?

Here's the entry. No more 1930s waterfall dresser, wreath from our wedding, and Evan's beloved coat tree.

Our staged LR. Hate the mirrors and objets on every surface, love the round side tables.

Yes, Arlo does have his hands down his pants. Wouldn't you?

The dining room. Hey, you know what potential buyers like? BOTANICAL PRINTS!

Up on the second floor landing, Bartie's armoire has never looked so good. (Bartie is my beloved brother-in-law, Barton. This piece of furniture was in his room growing up, and for some reason, Evan ended up with it. It's a great piece, useful and handsome, and it will always be known as "Bartie's Armoire" in our home.)

Our room has some beautiful new linens in it, and the coverlet goes over our feather duvet. I am glad the stagers realized that we are a feather duvet kinda family and worked that into their plan. I don't think the purple throw pillows were included in the linen budget (the 2k staging budget included the use of the furniture and accessories for three months, plus there was a linen budget of $300 for our bed linens and towels for the bathrooms) but I think I might buy them anyhow, I love them.

Why yes, I do enjoy a spot of tea in bed. Who doesn't? And especially if it is cocked at a perfect 45 degree angle!

Instructions from our stager: "Please put some books between the bird bookends in the masterbedroom, small and old-looking, if possible." Please note that these were the same people that told us to get rid of all of our books.

(the small, old books that we found are my copies of some Peter Rabbit books and The Wit and Wisdom of Snoopy.) We were also told to "put flowers in the bird vase," which immediately made me want to Put A Bird On It!