A little feminine touch…

Please bare with me the ramblings of a home decor obsessed individual. After staging homes now for a while, I’ve come to believe that a little feminine touch can truly go a long way. I mean, I was told this many times over in my staging classes, but believe it wholeheartedly by seeing it with my own two eyes. I started to ponder this after my most recent project I did for this lonely little condo…

After sitting on the market (unstaged) for a little over three months, Wilson Street Staging was called in. Now just to set the record straight, without all the “frills” this condo was cute with a capital “C.” It was in a fairly new building and had some great features (granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, big roomy balcony, etc). For someone like me, I could definitely see the potential within the space. BUT, alas, (age old story) no interest on the market…

So this is where I came in with my system. I brought some charming pieces in with me (a beautiful couch, a nice plush bed, some trendy decor pieces). Most importantly, I introduced a pop of color. Which, by the way, seems like a small factor, but can really make a huge difference in the long run! For this cute little condo I accented almost every room with a touch of yellow (details on items at the end). BOOM! First day back on the market, already an offer.

So what is it about that TLC, that “little feminine touch” that makes people go crazy for a space? Well, after contemplating this, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s warmth and familiarity. There’s nothing colder and more unwelcoming then walking into an empty house or room (devoid of any human touch). Note, I used the word “house” because it’s the little details that make a house a home.

Cozy and welcoming home furnishings add a sense of warmth and hospitality. A plush comfy bed with some bright yellow pillows says: “hello lover, let’s snuggle!” I use yellow quite often because it attracts the eye and livens up any space. Yellow is:

1. the color that captures people’s attention more than any other color
2. represents optimism and courage
3. the color of enlightenment and creativity
4. in almost every culture it symbolizes happiness and warmth

It’s little thoughtful details like a meaningful color that can make a person feel right at home. Ultimately, that’s what makes the difference between selling and not selling; making any person feel like they’re right at home 🙂

Lastly, (for a winning combination) I like to mix the old in with the new. Everything shiny and brand new makes a space feel a bit contrived. There’s nothing I love more than hunting for antique or vintage pieces from times past and incorporating them into a space.

Some of my favorite and most used items are my grandma’s old antique serving tray (that I restored myself), and a collection of vintage novels I discovered in my mom’s old cabinet. Mixing these timeless gems in any project brings a little bit of home with me wherever I travel. They can invoke a smell of grandma’s fresh baked cookies or the warmth of a cozy fireplace. People relate to these pieces, therefore they relate to the space.

These are just some thoughts that popped into this girl’s head over the past couple of weeks. Of course, staging and decorating are up for interpretation. The fun part about it is discovering your own proven system. Hopefully this has inspired you to go forth and make things pretty! (And remember that a little feminine touch can go a long way!!!)

🙂

Sam

(Pillows on both couch and bed from HomeSense Canada, Bedspread set from HomeSense Canada, Throw blanket on couch from Pottery Barn, Throw blanket on bed from Indigo, Decorative items on coffee table from HomeSense Canada, Dinnerware on breakfast bar from Indigo, Wall art in both living room and bedroom from HomeSense Canada)