Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Maids Go Away

I completed my first Simple Staging project and what did I learn? Maids cannot be there while I'm working! It's fantastic to have them show up the day before, but not the day of. Of course, if I had been told this in advance, I would have been able to plan accordingly. Note to self: from now on, be sure to ask the client if they have maids (or a maid) and what days they come. Here's the problem. They have rugs pulled up, they're vacuuming, cleaning supplies are scattered everywhere, I have no access to the stairs... they're in MY way and I'm in THEIR way. It slowed the process way down. I cleaned off counters, tables and fireplaces in preparation for putting down the accessories I had purchased.. I got everything arranged perfectly, then the maids would pick it all up to do their job (which I had already done). Then, they put everything back down with no rhyme or reason to it. I then had to go back and arrange it all over again. Same thing with the kitchen, dining room, you name it. Plus, they kept moving my stuff, so they could clean, so I kept having to re-find my scissors, bags and tools. Not their fault of course - they're doing their job and I'm doing mine. It just makes it much more efficient to do our jobs on different days. It's a learning process. Actually glad it happened. Now, on to the next job.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Simple Staging... Open for Business!

Today's the first day of my new business... and guess what. I already have a consultation with a client set up for Monday. I'm very excited to get going!!! Here's a little blurb about what I do. Stay connected, because I'll be posting ideas and experiences along my journey, which can help you improve the look and feel of your own home. Until then, have a great weekend hopefully relaxing in your casa. So many houses these days are being staged for thousands of dollars, just so the owners can sell them. The houses look nearly perfect, but once the house is sold, all the furniture and décor go back to the warehouse and you’re left with the same old drab look you had before. So, what if you wanted to sell your house, but you didn’t have a pile of extra money to spend on a professional stager? What if you were only interested in MAKING money, not SPENDING it? In fact, what if you weren’t planning on selling your house, but you wanted some help cleaning out the clutter, getting organized and making your house LOOK like it was professionally staged? That’s where I come in. I come to your home, look in every closet, drawer and cabinet, discuss your favorite colors and styles, pinpoint what you love, what you hate, talk about budget, no matter how big or small, then I make do with most of the furniture you already have. I make your house fashionable AND functional. I throw things away, I donate, I recycle, I rearrange, I repurpose… but I don’t rent anything or buy any new furniture, unless it’s small and I can lift it on my own and put it in my SUV. If furniture can be easily fixed or updated, I take care of it. Other than that, I spend money on accents like pillows, bedding, towels and flowers to make the house or condo feel homey and current. As a person who simply must maintain order and cleanliness in the home and office, I make the organization of your belongings make sense.I will leave your home LOOKING like it was staged by a high-priced professional, while spending very little time and money… and YOU will feel like you’re getting a fresh start. What we do: Declutter Decorate Donate Overhaul Organize Optimize Reduce Repurpose Recycle What you’re left with: Clean Current Cool Fashionable Functional Fabulous