Monday, October 3, 2011

Styling vs Staging

Via
Have you noticed the difference between staging and styling?   In the past I've always styled first, then staged at selling time. Although we just moved back into our house, we are facing selling next spring. It's hardly justifiable to style it to my taste only to turn right around and stage it. Boy is this throwing a kink in things! 

Staging: keep it simple.
My Styling: drama.
Staging: appeal to the masses.
My Styling: do what makes me happy.
Staging: keep it neutral.
My Styling: be bold.


I'm not way out there on taste specific decor but I do understand the concept of staging.  I've sold many, many houses and I'm a firm believer that staging works!

My current "Staging vs Styling" dilemma:

I showed you how we painted the stair railings and risers here.  


This staircase is located in the great room. So now I'm wondering what to do about the fireplace area and doors. 
 (Excuse the mess on the porch. We have repairs going on everywhere.)

I was thinking of painting the mantel, fireplace surround and french doors black too.  The down side to that is, 1- buyers may prefer everything left white. I'm finding not many people outside of blogging and the decor world really understand the concept of painting doors black, including the doc.
2- The doors are the only light the room has, which is not much. You can probably tell by how hard it is to even photograph the space. 
Would painting them black minimize the light even more?
I have some lovely fabric for curtain panels to frame those two doors but have hesitated, again because of the light.
So the question is-
To paint or not to paint?


Oh how I'd love to rip out all of that tile. I've had the equestrian art for nearly 20 years. I still like it but would love a change. My goal has been to spend zero on decor since our time here is short.
Keeping my focus on staging not styling! 

21 comments:

Loui♥ said...

My opinion: Leave the doors white..
the home will no longer be yours..
the new owners will have the same option..
to paint or not to paint.
follow your rules..
focus on staging..not styling!
keep it simple, neutral, and appealing..
By doing so,I'm sure you'll make it through the holidays just fine with a lot less stress.
afterwards..devote your time to the sale of the HOUSE which shall no longer be your HOME!
would love seeing your final STAGING photos!
hugs.. Loui♥

From the Kitchen said...

I have a dreadful time deciding on color for a house. I do love bold and we've gone with that. We've sold four homes now and paint color was never an issue. As a former realtor, I found that if the house was what buyers wanted, paint color did not deter them. I did have trouble convincing sellers to clean out and box up things to make the house show better. Most of the time they complied. In today's market, one has to do whatever it takes to sell a house. Can't wait to see what you decide.

Best,
Bonnie

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

First of all... love your stairs! They turned out great!! Second, I think you should leave the doors and mantel white. Everything looks crisp and clean, which is great for staging. Save your paint budget for your new place, so you can enjoy it!! :)

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Tammy, thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments on my Fall Tuscan Table!! I am glad you found me, because it led me to you!! I love your site; and now I am following you, too!
(My opinion...leave the doors and mantel white. The future owners can personalize it themselves.) Many blessings to you!

Wendi @ Classic Chic Home said...

Even thought it might be hard to resist painting the doors and mantle, it makes more sense to leave them white.
Thank you for your generous comments on my latest post, Tammy. I'm now the newest follower of your lovely blog!
~ Wendi ~

Love Of Quilts said...

Spend zero on decor since your time is short. lET THE NEXT PERSON SPEND THEY'RE MONEY... CAUSE THEY WILL ANYWAYS. Curtains would look good if you already have them. Trish

Toni said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog- now I have another lovely blog to visit. Glad you liked my porch.

I am going against everyone else and say paint it black. Love, love your stairs. Last weekend I painted my pantry door black and it looks so much better. I don't have much light coming in either. I also have dark wood floor and some black granite. You are going to be there for a year, might as well love it! It you get a chance go see my post from 09/28 to give you an idea what it looks like without lots of light. Have a good night.

Unknown said...

Tammy -- I'd leave them -- if you were staying I'd be in your paint-it-black corner but since you're going to sell, I'd leave it boring :)

Blessings!
Gail

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

I just went through this. We are moving within the next 5 years. I needed to update. I still wanted it to be nice, but I also had to consider that I was going to sell it. I would recommend keeping the wood work white. Try to change the things you would take with you. I did go buy Ikea drapes and had them pleated. They were cheap and still helped to update the house. Good luck..

Always Nesting said...

Leave them white. Black is a very bold decorating move for doors and mantles - although I'm wanting a black front door and love black. I think keeping it simple is better for potential buyers and in this market, and since you know you need to sell, you need to make buyer motivated decorating decisions. Are you ok with moving again so soon?

Calypso In The Country said...

I would leave them white. I think the average person has it stuck in their head that lighter means brighter. They look beautiful the way they are anyway!
-Shelley

Heather said...

Hi Tammy! I vote for white too! I think it's important to keep things light and bright. I've never sold a house before (can you believe it?), but when I look at houses for sale, I always find the houses that are light and bright most appealing.

Amy Chalmers said...

I'm no help~I would paint them black! People like things that look great~and it it looks great, it will sell!

raggygirlvintage said...

How hard Tammy! Maybe you're gonna have to pretend it's not your house at all, just see it through staging eyes, maybe that would make the decisions a little easier. And paint is just paint, easily changed if the buyers don't like it. I like the white (neutral), but 5 years ago I would have said black (bold), so everybody likes something different!
Tracey

bj said...

My vote is for white. But, I like light and I've never cared for painted woodwork, other than white. If I bought a pretty home like this and had to paint a couple coats of primer over black paint and then a couple coats of white paint, I would think twice before buying. But...that being said..it would look smashing black, I am sure. Whatever you decide, it will be beautiful.

A Vintage Vine said...

I would leave it white (mantle/door)...I agree, the masses will not love the black, like you and I might...However, the stairs look great, leave them!

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I would leave them white as I think the black would make the room seem darker and more closed in. I think drapes hung on either side of the garden doors - so they don't cut out any light, but add to the homey feeling - would be a good addition.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Tammy, I have that same print and bought it yes, 20 years ago. It reminded us of our two daughters and their Daddy. OK, I can see that black would be bold, but for I would imagine 95% of us would go with the white. I know I would, but then I'm into white right now. Hard decorating and living in a house that you know you will be selling soon. Stick with the white, I think it will be a selling point. Thanks so much for coming by! xo

Cindy said...

Hi Tammy,
I am going to go with the majority here, keep it white. Isn't it wonderful to have so many wonderful people to ask a decorating question of? We are so blessed to have this great network of "friends".
Love and hugs,
Cindy

lala said...

I do think the black would be dramatic and add a level of sophistication to the room, BUT please leave them white!! I actually didn't buy a home because I dreaded stripping all of the black trim and fireplace surrounds. I do like to add touches of black, but I do it with pillows and other accessories.

Kathysue said...

For staging I think white!! Even if they chose to paint them after purchase, they would think it would be easier to repaint over white. Now If I were just styling to live there, definitely black, by all means!!! Kathysue