We are rolling out more "Best of the Best" award winning design photos and this batch is particularly interesting because it features so many various design services like remote design, vacation rental design, occupied staging, vacant staging, new construction design, bathroom remodeling and more!
I love to see my grads be the answer to their client's needs, as well as expand their staging and redesign training to the many forms and services design can go. In this ever-changing industry it's good to expand your services since people need your design talent. Enjoy our latest award winning design photos:
This story is the very reason I love e-design for stagers and designers... it allows you to work your magic remotely for clients! Having an e-design service allows you to:
Victoria Fontaine’s story behind this E-Design stage is genuinely inspiring; I am so proud to share it! Victoria owns House of Moxie based in New Hampshire and her Instagram is www.instagram/moxie_mee, be sure to check them both out. Here's what Victoria said about this job:
I just LOVE design files and creating a board gives all my clients the visual they need to proceed. It's amazing!
This was a short-term rental stage/design job. I have never even met the owner in person! We worked completely virtually and just like in Audra’s training (HSR), I created E-Design boards, my amazing client approved them, then I shopped and styled the home for her. The place came out beautiful! It's right on the beach in Rye, NH so a coastal vibe was the goal, but clean, "minimal" and relaxed was a must for renters!”
Here is another very similar award winning design photo winner starting with an e-design concept board for a luxury vacation rental on a lake. Lindsay Noll positively created a “lifestyle on the lake” vibe with this E-Design project. She owns Noll Team Interiors based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“One of our biggest projects to date. Got a call from a busy executive who needed help getting his home ready for a vacation rental, as well as design for his lifestyle on the lake. Since we already had experience and success with optimizing a vacation rental, it helped build trust early. We were even able to connect him to our photographer to whom we credit this photo. Art Home Photo. One of my absolute favorite projects to co-pilot.
He was a dream to work with through the E-Design planning, ordering, all the way to the staging days, where he placed his trust in our team to “work our magic.”
TS Staging and Design located in Windham, Maine consisting of Stephanie Eklund, Theresa Bouchard and Amber Bouchard created such a cool living space with this old manufacturing building! I also love the story behind the building itself.
“This was our second stage in this amazing building located in Westbrook, Maine. This building (and others around it) was once the home of a shoe company called Sebago-Moc. I grew up in this town and used to go inside the building to watch the employees hard at work making shoes. To see the transformation from an old manufacturing building into living spaces has been quite amazing! These condo lofts are a big draw for the younger demographic, so we were thrilled to have another opportunity to apply our creative talents to make these stand out for our young buyers!
The inspiration behind this stage came from the industrial features, the textured brick, and the vibe of the building (all young peeps). We decided to go with an urban chic style and hit it out of the park! We were able to use large abstract artwork with great pops of color, along with soft materials to create softness and depth. The seller was overly pleased with the outcome as she received multiple offers and settled with a sale price $50k over asking!”
It's not easy staging a very "stylized home" home because it's tough to make it appeal to a wider demographic. Rita Hanisch-Dunbar, owner of Hanisch Designs, serving the greater Sacramento Area, California did such beautiful work with this log cabin renovation and staging, it makes me want to get cozy with a cup of hot chocolate and a book!
“The Log Cabin in the idyllic countryside was such a fun project!!! One of my realtor partners entrusted me with the task of making this small cabin home look grand after a yearlong complete renovation. Challenge accepted! Adding an entire living and dining room as well as incorporating a home office space in one of the bedrooms seemed very difficult for the owners to envision.
I pulled it off! Incorporating a fresh pop of color, with the 'Mustard' yellow, as well as a fun theme of horses throughout the home added a slight modern twist without clashing with the cabin style and country surroundings. In fact, the home was so popular that it went under contract after only 4 days with multiple offers and sold for 10.5K above list price. Such a success and what a return on investment, right?!”
We could not help but select these award winning design photos out of Palm Springs for their fun, hip vibe. This is a perfect example of how to "stand-out" in a crowded vacation rental marketplace. If you’re into bold color, you will be captivated by Ashlie Burgess, owner of Home Buzz Staging & Redesign Retro Modern Palm Springs Airbnb story!
“My design goal for this Palm Springs Airbnb rental was Retro Modern! Bright colors mixed with funky patterns, fresh coats of paint, and cozy new bedding allow this home to stand out amongst the fierce competition. Currently this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom vacation home with gorgeous mountain views, swimming pool & jacuzzi rents out for $899 per night! Be sure to follow the link here to see the full home: https://abnb.me/nbPGI3v42wb”
This complete bathroom transformation by Tricia Singh of Noble House Staging and Design is simply gorgeous, she created the best vibe!
“The inspiration behind this bathroom design was ‘Caribbean Vacation’ the clients wanted to feel like they were in a luxurious outdoor setting. The accent wall mimics a waterfall while the tub facing the window has the perfect view of the large tree and its branches only, cocooning you into that outdoor oasis. The shower boasts dual shower heads with handheld in gold and an LED fan with color changing lights and Bluetooth speaker to really set the mood for relaxing.”
It’s so great when my HSR trained stagers succeed! The story that Amy Storlie of Storlie Design and Staging based in Morgan Hill, CA, and surrounding areas, shares below makes my heart swell with pride.
“This listing was one of those listings that came full circle. Right before I started my staging certification with Home Staging Resource, I met a local realtor and longtime friend at a staged house of his to talk about the business. I saw the current staging and knew what I would do different to make this beautiful house shine. The realtor told me right there that we needed a stager in the area with an eye like mine and I would be his go to stager. I jumped right in and have been growing my business with him and other realtors in my areas.”
“Three years later that same realtor, Todd Brown of Intero Real Estate of Morgan Hill had that listing again and it was my turn to stage it. This house is 5,116 sq ft and we staged 5 bedrooms, one office and 4.5 bathrooms plus the oversized main living areas. This was a dream stage for us. The blank canvas was already gorgeous, and we brought the listing to life. I love what I do and am so thankful for the Realtors in my area that trust me with their listings. It truly is a team effort to bring a house to the market.”
Real estate agents who also love and are good at design make perfect home stagers too! I have quite a few HSR Certified members who are also agents and this story and example by Tina Lester of Tina Lester Home Staging & Design is a perfect example of why this business model works...
“I work with investors and occasionally other realtors if I have some time. Mostly my staging is done for my listing clients as an incentive for choosing me as a realtor. It’s been a marketing strategy for me since day one and I give staging the credit for me becoming in the top 20% of real estate agents in our MLS which is made up of over 9,000 agents.”
There's nothing like brand new construction and Mitch Bage of Maison de Campagne in Galveston, TX produced a relaxing beach vibe through his staging in this custom build.
“The home in question is a beautiful custom build that needed staging to elevate the architectural details throughout the home. We were contacted to make it happen and MDC was more than happy to showcase this beautiful abode.”
Teressa Addington of Masterful Interiors LLC, servicing Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando (West Central Florida) work here is exquisite with the many layers of textures and colors. The photos are from her living room in her new home built in 1947, which she has been using as her personal "show home.”
“I provide interior design with an artistic eye, a fashion-forward mindset, and an elevated design aesthetic, tapping into my experience and talent in art, fashion & design! I focus mainly on interior design and decorating projects and am also considering select home staging projects that would benefit from my unique perspective on interiors.”
Before Photo
This room created by Lindsey Wing of Elevated Ave. based in Salt Lake City, UT is so much fun, I admire her creativity!
“This room was inspired by the client's rich cultural roots & a love for texture + a little something unexpected.”
Megan Bond of Complete Transitions based in Westchester, PA is a Certified Senior Move Manager. Megan started Complete Transitions with one guiding principle. "What would I want for my parents?" or aunt? or in-laws? This simple guiding principal puts the client first and ensures their homes and belongings are treated with sensitivity and efficiency.”
I’m delighted by what she did with this space, incorporating the old with a bit of the new!
Before Photo
I adore Jenna McArdle’s style; she exemplifies what a trained home stager should know. Jenna owns Hues House Designs based in Geneva, AL.
“This photo is of my personal bed at home. It’s a fantastic representation of my style, which is very eclectic. I love to mix colors, patterns, and textures. In my world, there is no such thing as too many throw pillows! I have enjoyed being part of Audra’s community so much. The resources, knowledge, and encouragement from the community are invaluable, and I look forward continuing to learn and grow. The future is bright (and colorful!)”
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Read MoreFabulous Staging and Design Award Winning Photos and Stories to Inspire You In my last workshop on “How to Quit Your Day Job” I showcase a bunch of inspiring stories of people who took their love for design and created AMAZING businesses doing what they love. Interestingly, the third quarter “Best of the Best” winners
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