I don’t have a snappy way to start this post. I really just want to tell a story about staging and love and a house.   Once upon a time….. About 10 years ago I moved my Mother and brother, Craig, from an unlivable, dangerous situation to Charlotte with me and Kurt (my beautiful husband). Kurt and I needed them to be safe and comfortable. The only criteria in finding Mom and Craig’s spot was space, liveable conditions, a safe neighborhood, and a reasonable price.   All of a sudden…. I was previewing houses for a client when I walked into 4115 Irvington Dr. Henceforth “Irvin ..read more

I’ve gotta be honest. I get a little frustrated when I am mentioned in the same breath as some other stagers. Now, in all fairness, these other stagers who will remain nameless are just fine, and are probably better business people than I am.  But they just stage. They have dining room chairs, living room sets, beds, things you hang on the wall and decor and they put it where those things should go in a home and it looks just fine. I have those same things, but I don’t just plug them in. I work really hard at elevating the space. THAT is the difference between me and Stella Home and other ..read more

It’s totally selfish that I’m writing about the High Point Furniture Market, but ultimately my staging clients will reap the benefits! I have been clearing my storage space and making room for fresh and very exciting inventory for Stella staging and re-sale.   The High Point Furniture Market is open only to people in approved trades like buyers, designers, decorators and architects. It is not open to the public. As a stager, I am now one of those approved trades. Yeah!!! This is the largest home furnishings show in the world, drawing some 75,000 people from near and far twice a year ..read more

“Can you do high-end?” I often hear this question from real estate brokers and homeowners looking for someone to stage higher-priced properties. In fact, just recently, there was an inquiry on our Charlotte Realtors Facebook page asking for referrals for stagers experienced in high-end properties. I am fortunate my business was recommended more than once, actually more than five times (sorry, tooting my own horn). From that post, the listing agent called me, and I proceeded to meet with her and her clients. The property that was being listed was located in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlott ..read more

“Look at this trove, treasures untold, how many wonders can one cavern hold? Looking around here you think, sure she’s got everything. I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty I have whosits and whatsits galore, you want thingamabobs I got twenty but who cares, no big deal, I want more”   —Song “Part of Your World”  from Disney’s Little Mermaid This is how I feel about my warehouse, well warehouses, actually.  I consider them treasure troves. I want to share them and I want more. And THAT strategy is a win-win for those of you looking to find on-trend, unique furniture at a gre ..read more

You’ve probably heard the saying that kitchens and bathrooms sell a house. Well, what if the kitchens and bathrooms are dated? Is your home doomed to sit on the market forever? Not necessarily. It’s what you do next that might make the difference. No, I’m not suggesting you rip it all out and update it before you sell. While there are times that is an appropriate consideration, you’d be surprised how often it’s NOT necessary. Here’s how I see it as a stager. I’ll use a recent real-life example for you. Condo in need of an update A couple of weeks ago I went on a walkthrough with a listing agen ..read more

As a stager/realtor I’ve seen or recreated a lot of design styles. One style that is re-emerging right now is postmodernism. Think bigger, bolder, color, and texture. This is a style that I’ve just dipped my toe in a bit, because done true to form it’s unapologetic and not for the faint of heart.  I’m inspired to write about this because I’m meeting with design-forward clients and seeing what can only be defined as postmodern design elements popping up. Really bold saturated colors orange, hot pink, and yellow, artwork that challenges one’s perception with funny but strong imagery, unexpe ..read more

I am always looking for new ways to reduce my impact on our planet. I live by the reduce/reuse/recycle mindset. Lately I’ve been struggling with what to do with broken items from my staging inventory. You can’t recycle a broken lamp. You can’t reuse a broken vase in a new staging…or can you? I am discovering fun and really amazingly easy techniques to give broken things a whole new life. Upcycling is taking something you don’t think you can use anymore and lovingly restoring its use. You can make tote bags out of old jeans, turn an old coffee table into an ottoman, and china teacups into candl ..read more

So remember I was blabbing about getting my resale business up and running? Well, it’s up and running all right. I haven’t even done a soft opening for my resale business and I have already started to sell pieces from stages. It’s exciting! But what is even more exciting, is the real kick-off of Stella resale: my very first Pop-Up market!  Mark your calendars! This is really a dream come true for me. My love of staging and design really comes from my love of flea markets, garage sales, antique shops, vintage shops, and well-curated boutiques.  You can see that in my staging.   ..read more

I’m so excited to announce that Stella Home Staging has added resale. Ya know like the coolest furniture, decor, architectural salvage, Vintage, chotchki store ever. Only it’s not a brick and mortar store…yet.  Some of the furniture, artwork, and decor that is displayed in my staging will be available for sale (some restrictions may apply). I will continue to acquire fabulous furniture, artwork and home decor that will be for sale, and source specific pieces of furniture for clients that need just that perfect piece for a space and/or purpose.  I am excited and feeling good but this ..read more