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Four Home Staging Secrets You Need to Know

 

If you’re on a journey to unveil the secrets behind staging your home for a swift sale and maximizing those returns, you’re at the right place! We’re going to dive into a series that’s about to become your go-to guide for transforming your space into a magnet for potential buyers. No frills, no fluff, just some essential tips that will have your home glowing. Grab your notepad and let’s determine how to make your home the talk of the real estate market.

1: Staging with Greenery 

There is no denying the power of nature’s touch when it comes to transforming a room. Whether you’re aiming for rustic charm or a sleek modern vibe, adding greenery is the secret ingredient that breathes life into your home. One of the easiest ways to introduce greenery is by adding a variety of houseplants. Or, channel your inner forager and consider bringing the outdoors in (literally). One thing that we do ALL the time is cut branches off of the aspen trees in our backyard. By weaving these organic elements into your home, you’re not just decorating, but also creating an immersive experience for potential buyers.

2: Streamline and Elevate — The Art of Editing Clutter

You should be able to walk into a room and gaze effortlessly at elegantly streamlined surfaces that hint at a life well-lived, without feeling overwhelmed by personal artifacts. Let’s talk table tops … those often forgotten surfaces where everyday life unfolds, like your coffee table, an entryway console table, or your bedroom dresser.

It’s not about creating a barren surface; it’s about crafting an ambiance that invites imagination while maintaining a sense of comfort. Start by stashing away personal items – those framed photographs of family dogs and cherished moments. The goal here is to invite potential buyers to envision their own stories in these spaces.

Clouz Houz tip: Books are your secret weapon for styling. Low stacks of books can work wonders, adding depth and dimension to your tables or shelves. Selectively curate a collection that speaks to your taste. They are also great conversation starters, which is a simple yet powerful tool to transform your space and create meaning. 

3: The Furniture Edit as Preparation for Staging

Aim to create an environment that feels open and effortless. For example, we have these cube stools that serve as footrests in front of our chairs. But, while they’re practical for daily living, their presence can inadvertently cast a shadow over the room’s potential. So, think about the flow of movement within the room. Can guests easily navigate from one corner to the next? The secret lies in identifying pieces that, while functional for your lifestyle, might not necessarily take the spotlight when showcasing your home.

4: Closet Chronicles 

Let’s talk about a sacred space that often hides in the background but has a big influence: your closets. It’s not about storage; it’s about showcasing a variety of possibilities. An organized closet isn’t just a visual aspect, but also a reflection of the lifestyle your home promises. Imagine potential buyers stepping into a closet where clothing is hung in an organized fashion and shoes are neatly displayed. 

Consider the statistics

For many women, the bedroom closet can be a make-or-break moment. A spacious and well-kept closet speaks volumes about the potential a home holds. It’s all about meticulous decluttering and strategic arrangement. Invest in sleek hangers, and coordinated storage options, and let each item find its place!

Bonus Advice… this is crucial to understand when staging and styling your home (because I want to help you!)

There is one last crucial element that ties it all together: the power of painting a picture. Your home is like a canvas for which you paint a lifestyle, a vision of gatherings and laughter-filled memories. As a savvy home stager, your task is to be a visionary artist, adding narratives that potential buyers can step in and make their own. It’s more than just arranging furniture and decor — it’s about curating experiences.

Ultimately, the heart of staging includes inspiring others to see themselves living in your home. For example, the bar we incorporated into the cabinets in our home is a fun touch that some buyers may not have thought of before seeing it on display here once we styled the space to evoke “let’s whip up a tasty cocktail in our cute home bar.”  It invites them to imagine the character and potential the house has, and how it can resonate or even inspire.

Hope these tips help you if you are getting ready to list your home. Happy staging and styling! May your homes shine brightly… and sell quickly at it’s max potential. We got you! 😉

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My ins and outs this year!
Do you agree? Let me know if I missed any in the comments!
Hang in there for me on this one (I feel very passionately about this topic 😂). One of the things we care most about when designing homes is where the pieces come from. Vintage and antique sourcing isn’t just about finding something “different”... It’s about choosing pieces that already carry a story.
The truth is, the most memorable rooms aren’t built all at once or off a single shopping list. They’re layered over time. A chair with worn arms. A table that’s been repaired more than once. A piece you weren’t looking for, but couldn’t leave behind. Those are the things that give a home its soul.
When you bring vintage into a space, you’re investing in more than furniture. You’re investing in craftsmanship that’s hard to replicate today, materials that have already stood the test of time, and details modern manufacturing simply doesn’t prioritize anymore. And there’s something deeply satisfying about living with pieces that feel personal.
This is why we source the way we do. Not to fill a room, but to give it meaning. Collected doesn’t mean cluttered. It means intentional, patient, and a little emotional (in the best way).
A home should feel lived in, loved, and uniquely yours.
Ok here’s the truth- I have a lot of favorite whites- but this may be my new fave for cabinetry! 
Here’s the part no one tells you:
Most “bad” white cabinets aren’t bad colors… they’re bad context. White fails when it’s chosen in isolation. Paint chips are judged under fluorescent store lighting, held next to nothing, and decided before cabinets, counters, floors, or hardware are even finalized. Then that same white gets wrapped around an entire kitchen and suddenly feels gray at noon, yellow at night, or weirdly dull no matter how much light you have.
That’s why we chose Shoji White by Sherwin-Williams for our kitchen cabinets this time around.
Not because it’s trendy.
Not because it photographs well.
But because it behaves.
Shoji White has a soft warmth that doesn’t show up on a chip, but does show up when it’s next to real materials. It stays steady throughout the day, doesn’t compete with natural wood or stone, and doesn’t turn chalky once it’s covering full-height cabinetry. That consistency is what actually makes a white “safe” — not how popular it is.
Designer truth:
If a white only looks good at one time of day, it’s not a good cabinet white.
If it needs perfect lighting to work, it’s not a good cabinet white.
If paint decisions make you spiral, it’s not because you’re bad at this (it’s because white is reactive, and no one teaches you how to test it properly).
Our blog goes live today at 3:00pm PST, where I break down how to evaluate whites in your actual space and share a few other cabinet whites we consider truly “safe” — the ones we use repeatedly for clients because they hold up in real life, not just in photos.
Save this if you’re choosing cabinets soon.
When I turned 50, I thought my story was already written.
Turns out, I was just getting to the good part.
I’ve rebuilt homes—and rebuilt a life.
Left what was familiar. Started over more than once.
Turned a lifelong love for design into a business alongside my husband, creating intentional homes for people all over the country.
I believe spaces should hold real life… the messy, meaningful, beautiful moments.
And I’ve always looked at older homes and thought, look at the potential.  Maybe that’s why starting over has never scared me, because I see life the same way. Not as finished, but as full of possibility.
How about you? Are you in the middle part of life and just getting going??? I want to hear! And, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want some advice on how to get started- I’m realizing we are all in this together. 🤍
Life is short. Make it beautiful.
January, already?!
This month’s edit ended up being a mix of things I naturally reached for: cozy knits, everyday staples that don’t try too hard, little home upgrades that make winter feel more intentional. A few things for staying in, a few things for stepping out, and a few things that just make the house feel good again after the holiday rush.
It’s that in-between season where comfort wins, neutrals feel right, and anything with warmth or texture just makes sense. Simple, useful, grounding.
Here’s what’s on my radar as we settle into the new year. Comment “edit” for all my monthly picks! (Live on the blog at 3:00pm PST).