Tag: property styling

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House Tours Interiors Addict Styling

Stylist helps perfect interiors in long awaited first family home

After saving for more than a decade to buy their first family home in Sydney, nutritionist Faye James and her husband turned to a professional to help give it a cosy, homely feel that wasn’t straight out of a furniture catalogue.

The couple and their children Mia, 13, and Pablo, 10 recently moved into a freshly renovated four-bed home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “I didn’t want to just go out to the usual shops and get cookie cutter furniture. I wanted something really amazing but didn’t know where to start,” said Faye. “I searched high and low but ended up feeling frustrated and confused about colour schemes, style and what brands of furniture to be looking for.”

She’s always loved the fresh and organised look of a hotel, Airbnb or property styled for sale, so she started to look for a service that offered styling and furnishings combined. That’s when she stumbled across Furnish and Finish. Their head of design Emily Geister, was tasked with styling the home and she maximised on the space and light, drawing inspiration from Faye’s eclectic collection of artwork. 

“We drew from the type of artworks that were being used throughout the space which inspired us with colour palette and overall feel of the home. We wanted to introduce contemporary elements throughout the space whilst keeping it light,” said Emily. 

Emily was strategic with the placement of the sofas to ensure the space was not closed off and still had clear access up into the dining area. “The home has lots of natural light which we wanted to take advantage of and it allowed us to use darker elements without creating a dark space,” she added. She chose an overarching theme of contemporary coastal and used the whitewash floors to introduce coastal elements throughout.

“We absolutely adore the living space as it was a large portion of our inspiration to follow through to the rest of the home. We loved the incorporation of the clients’ large canvas in this space which allowed us select furniture which spoke to the colouring and themes of the artwork.”

Emily focused on how the living space will be used. “Being just by the kitchen the whole space would be used for entertaining and communication with their family and guests so we ensured that the space was open however still provided maximum seating. “We kept the colour palette consistent through the living and dining as the spaces were joined and were in need of speaking to one another.”

The colour scheme was heavily influenced by the colouring of the large canvas in the living area with its splashes of black and charcoal. “This inspired the colouring of the sofas being a dark charcoal and a black dining table. However, this was lightened with the introduction of timber side tables and console.”

As for the bedrooms, the colour schemes were inspired by the chosen artwork too. Emily also considered exactly who was using the space, whether it was the 10 year-old son, teenage daughter, parents or guest room.

Emily’s 5 top style tips for your home 

  • Use your current furniture or art to influence the colour palette of the space.
  • Understand your aesthetic and functional needs to ensure the space will be used to its full potential.
  • Don’t over style and create a cluttered space
  • Use greenery and florals to keep the space fresh and light – quality fake plants are amazing
  • Give opportunity to be able to chop and change with cushions and accessories by not introducing strong colour palettes in furniture and bedding.

For more on Furnish & Finish | For more on Faye James

Staging a house for sale like an art gallery pays off for derelict terrace

Located in a highly prized pocket of inner-Melbourne, this rundown Victorian terrace was styled for sale with a difference recently…

Styling for sale: 9 expert staging tips

Styling a home for sale is a lot different to how you style it for yourself. The following tips and…
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Interviews Styling

Staging a house for sale like an art gallery pays off for derelict terrace

Located in a highly prized pocket of inner-Melbourne, this rundown Victorian terrace was styled for sale with a difference recently by Jordanka Kuzmanov of Reworke. Originally taken to market empty, the agent felt it looked a bit harsh and so Jordanka’s services were enlisted to generate interest. And she did so by making it look more art gallery than show home.

The front of the home
The front of the historic inner-city terrace

“Originally they wanted the home staged like a normal house, but I didn’t think that would work,” says Jordanka. Tight and dark spaces, outdated fixtures, confusing floor plans and rooms cluttered with impractical furniture were just some of the challenges faced. So, given the house needed a lot of love (it didn’t even have a kitchen!) Jordanka came at the project with a novel approach.

Dining room
Dining room

“Rather than use traditional furniture staging to style the rooms and fade the flaws, I convinced the selling agent that the best approach, to generate interest in the property, was to completely reimagine the space,” says Jordanka. She styled the property with vintage finds, DIY pieces, hired items, art and her own styling inventory to create a unique result that saw the terrace reborn as an artful, gallery-like space that highlights the bones of the historic building.

Study
Study
Bedroom
Bedroom

To make the project even more challenging, the work had to be done while Melbourne was in stage-four COVID-19 lockdown; styling pieces were sourced online and over the phone. “The dining room chairs were vintage – I purchased them online and then painted and distressed them,” says Jordanka.

“I wanted it to be a bit eclectic and unexpected. A lot of the selections simply came down to what I could find and then I just had to figure out how I could piece it together. I wanted to warm it up with colour, but I couldn’t over style it either.”

Kitchen
Kitchen

A highlight of the home, Jordanka’s strong artwork choices were comprised of some DIY pieces and a couple of statement photographic prints hired from Studio Gallery. In one of the rooms, a piece of pink linen was stretched to create a sizeable pop of colour and Jordanka paired it with a gorgeous original mid-century Dutch chaise that had been restored and reupholstered. 

Bedroom
Bedroom
Bathroom
Bathroom

“Ultimately we were certain that the interest generated by a unique styling approach would unearth a buyer that would appreciate the incredible potential of the home.”

And it did, with the home selling last week for more than $2.1m, $206k over the reserve! “Everyone was extremely happy with the result,” Jordana said.

For more on Jordanka and Reworke

Check out the property’s real estate listing

Photography: Jason Reekie

Is home staging worth it? You bet it is!

Should you invest in home staging? The bigger question here is why wouldn’t you? Amy Smith, CEO and founder of Huntley + Co, says: “In today’s marketplace, I believe property…
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Expert Tips Furniture Homewares Interviews Styling

A Coco Republic stylist reveals her top three styling secrets

Located in the well-heeled Sydney suburb of Rose Bay, this home was sold recently with help from the Coco Republic property styling team. While it obviously has beautiful features, it needed the finishing touches that home staging provides, to present it in its best light.

Kitchen & dining

“The client’s home combined classic architectural features of a grand scale, with contemporary design and layout.  The styling was inspired by the clients’ dynamic style, love of colour and unique art pieces from their personal collection and our styling art range,” says Charmain Coombes, Coco Republic senior property stylist.

And while Charmain has many clever tricks up her sleeve, she let us in on the three key ingredients that went into polishing up this gem for sale.

Colour pop
A tried and tested formula, a splash of bold colour will lift even the most lacklustre space. “In the formal living room, we utilised a bright pop of citrus with the upholstered occasional chairs and gold metallic accents to complement the wood grain and marble finishes of the built-in accent joinery, satin gold wall pendants and pansy artwork,” says Charmain.

Formal living room

“A bright pop of colour creates interest and gives the room personality and the metallic styling elements create a luxurious feel. The citrus yellow colour elements are a common thread throughout the entire styling scheme,” says Charmain.

I love that graphic print!

Nature
Bringing the outside in is another trusted home styling technique. Providing colour, movement and texture, natural elements inject the much-needed warmth that is often lacking in modern homes. “It’s important to always try and bring in some natural elements into a space, so we utilised a large potted fig, timber trunk side table and the casual timber framed armchairs,” says Charmain of the natural accents that punctuate the open plan living room.

Living room: This otherwise neutral space benefits greatly from the addition of wood and greenery

The power of white
From furniture to bed linen, white will always freshen up a space – just be careful not to rely on it too much or the effect can be a little clinical. “The bedrooms were styled to showcase the individuality of their owners. A luxurious master suite was created in the large parents’ retreat, with statement bedside lamps enhancing the elegant room and the other pieces chosen were simple and classic.  The best styling investment in a bedroom is crisp white linen,” says Charmain.

Master suite: The white linen and bedhead pop against the charcoal wall behind

“We utilised crisp white furniture and blue tones in the scatter cushions to contrast and complement the terracotta tiles and large swimming pool,” says Charmain of the home’s beautiful outdoor space. 

Outdoor entertaining

Shop Coco Republic online

 

Categories
RENO ADDICT Styling

7 home styling tips for families

Finding the right balance between style and practicality is a challenge many parents face at some point when it comes to their home interiors. When The Block and Reno Rumble favourites, perennial home renovators and Beaumont Tiles ambassadors, Kyal and Kara, welcomed their first child into the world, they had to come to terms with making some changes to their interior ideas. “Having a baby doesn’t have to mean you need to forgo your personal style and home comforts.  Quite the contrary, you can style your home with baby in tow, and while doing so make your life easier, cleaner and safer,” said Kyal. “It’s amazing how many toys and accessories you accumulate once you have a baby. We became parents last October when Ziya our gorgeous baby boy entered the world. He has definitely made our lives and our home better,” said Kara.

7 home styling tips for families

1. Tiles tiles baby – When choosing finishes for your new home or renovation, remember, tiled floors are a great option with kids.  In addition to being able to stand up to the harsh conditions dealt out by children and their toys, tiles are also much easier to clean when the inevitable spill (or worse) happens.  They are also better than some other forms of flooring when it comes to allergies – an important point to consider when an estimated 20% of children having asthma and 10% have hay fever.

2. Toasty toes – Something to consider for those cooler months ahead is under-tile heating.  It keeps a tiled room warm and is a child-safe option with no exposed heaters so little fingers won’t get burnt.

home styling tips for familiesImage source: Beaumont Tiles

 3. Removable covers – Removable, linen covers for sofas are perfect for families with young children. Relax a little knowing that if covers are soiled, they can be thrown in the wash!

 4. Try to avoid any slips or slides – Bamboo bath or shower floor mats are a great idea for providing a non-slip (and stylishly neutral) surface for little ones to exit the bath or shower.

home styling tips for familiesImage source: Signature Hardware

5. Sticky fingers – When considering your options for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, matt-finishes are less likely to show fingerprints and marks than high-gloss finishes. Also keep this in mind when selecting tiles for your home.  Definitely something to consider with young curious hands in the house!

6. Online research – With a baby, online research is your new best friend. Instead of pounding the pavement looking at all your options, there are a huge number of home decorating and renovating companies with their products online for you to leisurely look at. Do your research at home, before you head to the shops!

7. Out of arms reach – Floating wall shelves out of little arms reach are a great option for displaying ceramics, small indoor plants and ornaments.  Making the most of vertical wall space has the added benefit of often making a room feel larger.

home styling tips for familiesImage source: Tikspor

Beaumont Tiles is Australia’s biggest retailer of tiles and bathroom. For more information visit www.tile.com.au

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RENO ADDICT Styling

The power of property styling: North Bondi case study

An Art Deco block in iconic North Bondi has sold well above price expectations after the apartments were impeccably styled by the team at Bowerbird Interiors.

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“We had hundreds of people through the property,” said developer Scott Lockwood from Platinum Strata Consultants who purchased the federation apartments for around $4 million and completed cosmetic renovations before listing the apartments. “We thought we’d make somewhere in the vicinity of $500,000-to-$1 million on it. It got a little bit over $6.3 million and we are ecstatic.”

Bowerbird is part of a new generation of property stylists offering a more personalised service and contemporary, on-trend interiors that are tailored to the individual property. “I’ve used other companies previously, unfortunately with their stylists they were set in the way they wanted to do things and also their furnishings were probably from three to 10 years old. I wanted someone fresh.”

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The Bowerbird team drew inspiration from both the period features and the beachside surroundings to create a relaxed and eclectic sanctuary. “We needed to make sure that we demonstrated the property in the best possible way, which included a relaxed, beachside feel and some statement pieces like the large statement artwork in the kitchen,” said Geoff Lewis, managing director who runs the home staging business with wife Lauren.

They also dressed the sunroom as an additional living space and created an eat-in kitchen to increase the properties’ appeal. “Styling creates warmth in a space that will connect with your potential buyers. Our goal is to help clients achieve a massive return through creating beautifully styled spaces,” said Geoff.

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This case study is far from a standalone – since starting the business three years ago, Geoff says Bowerbird has styled close to 1,000 properties, with 95% achieving a successful return on investment.  “We understand the target market – the potential buyers. This results in a quick sale for a higher price.”

38-warners-ave

Find out more about the North Bondi apartments and Bowerbird Interiors here.

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Styling

How to: Stage a property with plenty of personality

When you think of home staging, or property styling, bland, uninteresting interiors are often evoked. Designed to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers, staged properties can lack personality, but it needn’t be the case says Natalie Lysaught of Sydney’s Advantage Property Styling. “Simply because you are styling a home for sale, it doesn’t need to be bland to appeal to a broad buyer audience. We steer away from the ‘cookie-cutter’ styling approach and lean towards a more personalised and bespoke look for each of our projects, hence creating a unique point of interest for prospective buyers,” says Natalie who says selling a lifestyle is key.

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Home staged by Advantage Property Styling

“Clients tend to opt for a more personalised look so that as potential buyers wander through the property, they can visualise themselves living a beautiful life in the home, spending lazy Sunday mornings in the bedroom, or cosy winter nights in the lounge room. It’s all about evoking a feeling and connection with buyers as they walk through that front door. The aim is no longer just to sell an architectural structure, but sell a lifestyle.”

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In this digital age, great styling and photography are non-negotiable. “The key to styling a home for sale is that the property must stand out, not only at open homes, but initially online and in print to increase the number of potential buyers that will then decide to go to the open house,” says Natalie.

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Advantage Property Styling recently staged the property pictured and created a casual, bohemian, tropical feel – it’s definitely not dull and Natalie says artwork, texture and plants were key.

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“We changed up our art hanging approach with this property and it’s something I’d recommend. Some good options are to layer the artwork on shelves or window sills where possible, choose a large focus piece of art to ground the room, consider using clusters of art as opposed to matching pairs if the room calls for it and look for other alternatives to frames for wall hangings such as tribal necklaces, macramé, Turkish towels, baskets and mirrors,” says Natalie.

kareela_4-b

“Using lots of textures including timber, linen, feathers and concrete to appeal to the senses leaves your buyer with not only a visual memory of the property, but a tangible feeling,” says Natalie who favours handmade local pieces where possible. “Purchase statement handmade pieces from local suppliers – not only is this a great idea for creating a point of difference, it’s also a great feeling to know you are supporting small local artisans rather than mass production,” says Natalie.

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Ultimately, you want the home to feel inviting, like a sanctuary. “Our stylists spend hours creating this relaxed look, but the feel is as though it’s just been casually put together using lots of layers – a range of cushions and a throw on the sofa plus floor accessories such as baskets also help achieve this look really well. Avoid too much symmetry, for example, in the lounge use one side table lamp and have accessories on the other,” says Natalie.

Photography: Natalie Lysaught | Styling: Monica Bean, Harriet Parsons & Maddy Kortt from Advantage Property Styling

Check out Advantage Property Styling online.

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Design RENO ADDICT Styling

Secrets of a property stylist: How to add value and attract buyers

There’s an art to selling a home and it doesn’t just involve finding the right real estate agent. A lust-worthy interior can have buyers lining up at the front door potentially adding tens-of-thousands of dollars to the sale price.

“We’re not just creating a look, we’re illustrating a lifestyle,” says property stylist Melissa Rice who launched The Hired Home after 14 years in the real estate industry. “More often than not, the first introduction a buyer has to the property is through the internet and if the photos are bland, with no furniture and no emotion, you will have less buyers there. People want to see colour and personality in a home because that’s how they want to live. Buyers don’t want to live in a white box.”

Having an on-trend, snap-worthy interior can add up to 30% to the value of the property and according to Melissa, it starts with a good declutter and refresh. “I think the biggest turn off is if the property doesn’t present well; the furniture is tired, the home is messy and dark. People want light and airy and bright,” she said.

“It’s so important to present the home to its full potential, not only in the look but the floor plan. If it’s a small bedroom apartment we will try to fit in a study nook and things like that, so everything is addressed.”

Melissa recommends sellers update light fittings, install new carpet and apply a fresh coat of paint before the home is listed. “When someone is living in a property it doesn’t matter how clean and tidy they are, it just gets tired. Even light switch covers; over time they start to discolour.”

The same rule applies when styling. “Once you start using a product it doesn’t look fresh and clean anymore,” said Melissa who recommends investing in new towels, curtains, white linen and accent cushions to really lift the home.

“In bedrooms I tell people they must pull the furniture off the walls. A lot of times people believe pushing beds to the corner of a room is going to make it feel bigger, it’s not. For shelving, we would probably style about 60% of the shelf, leaving space for the eye to rest. Not every space has to have something on it.”

You can find out more about Melissa and the The Hired Home here.

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Expert Tips Styling

The perfect Sydney event for new and professional home stagers

Fancy becoming a home stager? Or do you want to improve your skills as a professional property stylist? If you answered yes, we have the event for you!

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Naomi Findlay

Running 10 and 11 July, the first ever Sydney Home Staging Success Summit will teach both new and professional home stagers how to run a successful business. Organised by Naomi Findlay, principal of the Australia-based International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS) and our very own Reno Addict expert, and Jana Uselton, founder of America’s Home Staging & ReDesign Association (HSRA), the summit will feature a session to introduce new property stylists to the field, as well as host seminars to advance the knowledge of those already in work.

“There has been such a high demand for property styling that it was time for the industry to make a push to bring more people in,” says Naomi. “Whether you’re a beginner who wants to find out whether home staging is for you, or a professional looking to sharpen your skills, this summit is a great way to gain business knowledge and meet like-minded people.”

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The two-day event will start with a half-day introductory session to home staging, followed by a full day of workshops that will cover everything from working with real estate agents and running a home staging business to specialist sessions on luxury property styling and capturing the home builder’s market. Attendees can choose to attend one or both days, with places selling for $39 for the introductory session (including a gift valued at $39), $149 for the full-day summit and $168 for the whole event.

More information, including the summit agenda, can be found here.