Let’s recap:

-What we thought might be a somewhat steady December turned into an AWESOME SUPER PRODUCTIVE, LOTS OF STAGING PROJECTS DECEMBER.  Go check out our facebook galleries, there are sooo many pretty pictures, as Kevin puts it “StageErotica” https://www.facebook.com/identityhome?sk=photos.  We’ve been all over our 26(ish?) mile radius.  From our home turf, Long Beach, to Pasadena.

-You already know we moved..we’re enjoying it a lot. The warehouse is coming together. In this case, definitely bigger is better..not to mention more organized.

-Chris and I got new tablets for Christmas, which might explain quicker and more frequent postings of our Staging adventures..*cough, Chris, cough*

-New crew members: Katie Schipske (StageHAND) and Adrianne Sherlock (ASP Stager).

-This new Stage is Belmont Ave in Long Beach, CA. It was our last Stage of the year.  It was an interesting process: first, it was a little shaky in terms of how Kevin was not sure the original plan (layout) his masterminded-ness had envisioned would turn out. But, lo and behold! There was a complete switcheroo (credit to Mr. Scott Kato, one of our awesome clients, for his daring creative decision) and the results were much more fitting!  This is one of my favorite pictures because it shows how well the space is used and allocated. The dynamic of the background against the solidity of the foreground shows just how strong each angle is and could be.

-Wondering when I’ll reveal the Bigger, Better..alliteration introduced mystery? Just a little longer..

-Here’s a little treat from Kevin’s facebook: http://homestagingnewswire.com/what-real-estate-agents-say-about-home-staging-out-vs-in/ . It’s whats in store for the world of Staging…

Well, Happy New Year Staging world!  I’ll be in touch.

Love,

EMU

So…the crew has been back from all the Holiday humdrum. Are we still recovering from our Vegas trip? Are we still dazed and lackadaisical from the tryptophan infused bird we had all consumed?

Quite Contrary! We’ve been so productive!

We had a bunch of prospective projects, a bunch a DeStages, but mostly, we’ve been busy bees in the warehouse. More expansion. MORE SPACE FOR OUR EXPANDING, GROWING, MORE MORE MORE INVENTORY. We’re excited…that means more processing for Eunice.

Also! Check out our website. www.identityhome.com  It’s no where near complete, but at least you’ll get to see a better look at what to expect. For now, it’s a lot of redirecting; effective, nonetheless.

Get ready for photos, posts, all kinds of titillating reports to come..this is just the teaser. And speaking of teasers…

Get ready to see some bigger, badder, better, boomtastic ——————’s coming soon.

Well!  What a month we’ve been having!  It seems we can’t even generate a blog post fast enough to keep up with the results we’ve been having.  A perfect example is this month’s long awaited Alliene Ave.  After what seemed like 2 or 3 weeks of remodel and weather delays… The STAGEhands of Identity Home Staging finally swooped into the property to Stage Alliene Ave on the 8th of November.  We were complete with the Staging within a day and a half but couldn’t get the weather to cooperate for Brain Holm of Avenue Eye to work his photography magic.  The above slideshow gallery is the result of the Staging and I am happy to announce that the property has already accepted an offer and is sitting comfortably in Escrow as we speak.

25536 ALLIENE AVE
LOMITA, CA 90717

LIST PRICE: $528,800
SQ FT: 1,820
BEDS/BATHS: 3/ 1.5
MLS#: S11149709

REPRESENTED BY:Gary Krill Jr.
Selling San Pedro- Golden West Realty
310.994.3922
gary@sellnsp.com
www.sellingsanpedro.com

STANDARD SALE of an absolutely gorgeous one-level hacienda-style home situated near the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Fabulous remodel has just been completed. Great floorplan includes a step-down formal living room, formal dining area and a gourmet kitchen that opens up to the bright family room with travertine fireplace. New kitchen features custom maple cabinetry, granite counters, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Beautiful wide-plank distressed hardwood flooring throughout the entry, halls, kitchen, formal dining area and family room. All three bedrooms are over-sized including the wonderful master retreat that includes a walk-in closet and new 3/4 bath. Full hall bathroom is new and has been finished with travertine, granite and quality fixtures. High-quality low-ply textured carpet has been installed in living room and bedrooms. Interior and exterior have been freshly painted. Other touches include crown molding throughout, recessed lighting, new doors and hardware, new 2″ blinds and so much more! Front and rear yards are professionally landscaped and there is a 2 car garage plus additional gated off-street parking. Call your fussiest clients and get them to see this asap!

DAY 1- Staging.  Defining it- and how to communicate the importance of Staging
On this day, both the Staging trainees and the Realtor Staging trainees are in class together learning from their Staging Trainer. Our recent training this week featured Bette Vos from Pelham, Alabama (Birmingham)

DAY 2-  Staging techniques and STAGING BOOT CAMP!
Both the Staging trainees and the Realtor Staging trainees return for the second day, where the conceptual ideas of the previous day are turned into the actual Staging work.  The first half of the day explores techniques for Staging, each various rooms- inside and outside.  Surrender and appreciate your creative spirit and learn how to unlock your creative genius!

The second half of the day, we leave the classroom setting and travel to a property that is actually on the market.  This is your Staging Boot Camp project, where the class Stages the property using the Seller’s inventory and accessories.  The idea is for us to demonstrate how easy and inexpensively ANYONE can Stage their property (of course under the supervision of a trained ASP Stager!)  We work on techniques of decluttering, neutralizing, cleaning, packing, rearranging, etc.  so the property we Stage during the class is generally an Occupied property.  The transformations are ALWAYS amazing.  (I have attended over 13 trainings and have never been disappointed, yet always been suprised!)

At the end of the day, the Staging Realtors graduate with their ASP Realtor Designation.  Congratulations ASP Realtors!

DAY 3-  CLOSED DOOR Stagers only-
Our final day of ASP Training is only open to those who have signed up for the ASP Stager course ONLY.  On this day, we close the doors, lock them and then open up our minds to all of the possibilities of running a Staging business!  On this day, most Stagers will comment that DAY 3 feels like, “…my head was going to explode with so much information!”  We can guarantee that this has NEVER happened, we have never lost a Stager on DAY 3… promise!  However, on DAY 3… I truly feel that most of the inofrmation to Stagers will be transmitted rapid fire style.

At the end of the day, the Stagers graduate with their ASP Stager Designation.  Welcome to the ASP Family Stagers!

St George Road- Kitchen

It was a short day today- we just needed to apply finishing touches to our St George Staging project and get it photographed and turned back over to the Realtor. This was a moveover Staging project from Lemon Ave to St George Rd. EVERYTHING fit and we had opportunities to reuse furniture and accessories in not only a different environment, but in a different way that complemented the location change. Westminster Village is a bit older of a demographic, not as many children but still in a tranquil park like setting. St George has been Staged to reflect that demographic. We hope you enjoy the Staging product!

1966 WEST GENERAL STREET
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275

LIST PRICE: $588,000
SQ FT: 1,781
BEDS/BATHS: 4/2
MLS#: S11135149

REPRESENTED BY:
Gary Krill Jr.
Selling San Pedro- Golden West Realty
310.994.3922
gary@sellnsp.com
www.sellingsanpedro.com

STANDARD SALE! Move-in ready one-level ranch style home on an incredible corner lot. Features a gated courtyard entry with multiple patio areas. The backyard is like a park and includes mature trees for shade, grassy areas, a large covered patio and plenty of room for a pool, RV parking, etc.. Walk through the front door into a spacious living room that includes a formal dining area and vaulted ceiling. Upgraded kitchen is huge and has an island with breakfast bar, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and room for a sitting area. Both bathrooms are remodeled and feature travertine and granite finishes. Interior has been freshly painted and plush new carpeting has been installed in the bedrooms. Central air conditioning is perfect for the hot summer days. On top of all that, Palos Verdes schools are an option. This one is priced to sell!!

GENERAL STREET- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Service call today to add new energy saving light bulbs to all of the table and floor lamps. This way, our Client can leave the lights on for showings- and takes less time for him to get the property in showing Staged condition. This Realtor Client of ours is known for some of the fastest sales results- he Stages EVERY listing of his in some capacity. In fact, there was a pause in our Staging yesterday while potential Buyers stopped by… for a second time! We have very high hopes for this property- it really needed definition to a lot of the open spaces.

BRETT PLACE #13- San Pedro
I stopped by today to see how this previously Staged property was performing. This is one of our REO Stagings for the same Realtor as WEST GENERAL STREET, and it is already in Escrow… I was just stopping by to check on it. Everything was in order and this baby should be ready to clear Escrow on time if not a little bit earlier.

ALLIENE AVENUE- Lomita, CA
Continuing my tour for above mentioned Staging Realtor Client- I stopped by his next project in Lomita, CA. We are believing this property will be fully Staged, inside and out. We definitely need to offer some definition to spaces, and we need to help activate some “dead spots” in the property. This listing has a great “Anomaly Space” that I cannot wait to Stage- an anomaly space is the area in each property that is unique to only it, or the specific location. StageHands (what we call member of our Staging Team) for Identity Home Staging know how to extract the charm and positive buying emotions of these unique and often unaddressed areas. Keep your eye out for updates on this Staging project, watch what we do!

LEMON AVENUE- Long Beach, CA
We were ecstatic to show up to Lemon Ave in California Heights (Long Beach) today to DeStage it. If we’re DeStaging a property… it’s meant one thing… IT SOLD! Our Clients hired us to conduct a moveover Stage for them with their furniture. Check out below how the moveover ended up- VERY NICE!

ST. GEORGE ROAD- Westminster, CA
So… what do you think so far? We Staged this property with the same inventory from Lemon Ave. Same day pickup, travel and delivery at a new property. All of the furniture belongs to our Staging Clients- and we add in the colorful and textural scaled pieces to help round out the look. This is another excellent way professional Stagers can stay flexible working with their committed Clients- and help their Clients save more on their long term Staging investments. St George Rd will be finished and ready to go back on the market by noon tomorrow!

Color has been used in marketing, to help steer products and style schemes to buyers, to activate or curb appetites, and it is used to emotionally bind ourselves to possessions and desired objects.

Color is an irreplaceable communication tool that sends universal messages.  Traffic lights and signs, warning labels, medical, political and health products all use color universally to communicate benefits, options and warnings.

Every year, certain individual colors and color combinations are identified as “Stand out stars” for the year.  These colors are embraced by Researchers, Designers, Manufacturers and Retailers- you can generally expect specific colored products that coordinate with the color themes.  From fashion to graphics to interiors, color is celebrated for its impact and influence worldwide.

2011 brings us a very unique view of color from the perspective of Sherwin Williams Paints.  With technology spreading communication at a keystroke, color now has global exposure.  Sherwin Williams shares four major themes that will dominate the color spectrum in 2011.  These uniquely themed palettes are reactionary and responsive to our environment, culture, technology, economy and health.  Which of these palettes do you gravitate towards?

PURELY REFINED

KEYWORDS:  Tailored,  Timeless, Textural

Elegance no longer commands its presence with glitzy glamour.  It whispers luxury with its streamlined elements, tailored details and timeless handmade quality.  Restrained simplicity is the new upscale.   Organic textures and colors create a harmonious, historic and grounding color palette that is soothing, luxurious and opulent.

Three individual colors you can expect to see in retail for fashion or home:

SW6242 Bracing Blue

SW0012 Empire Gold

SW6164 Svelte Sage

BOLD INTERVENTION

KEYWORDS: Electric, Energetic, Expressive

Energetic self-expression bursts through the scene, offering high drama impact, spontaneity and even rebellion amongst color.  This techno-inspired theme embraces bright, luminous and surprising color and pairs multiple sheens of finishes and shapes.  Consider it an all-out assault on your color stamina, inspiration for this palette comes from Latin and Central America, the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janiero,  the rebirth of 3D movies and graffiti bold art.

Go BOLD and grab your favorite of these individual colors at any major retailer:

SW6711 Parakeet

SW6947  Tempo Teal

SW7589  Habanero Chile

GENTLE MEDLEY

Reminiscent, Refreshing, Refined

Gentle Medley is the “Un-“ and the “Re-“ color.  It unravels the tense and tight times we are in like a soft relaxing massage.  It re-energizes and refreshes not only our mind set, but allows us to repurpose items… it’s like giving everything its’ second chance.   It’s fun but not flirtatious.  It’s poignant but not feminine.  Vintage plateware, dragonfly and butterfly collections, hand tinted photography, herbal botanical gardens, small sugar frosted desserts, raw unstripped or refinished goods create the inspiration for this honest and humble color palette.  Consider it, “Ahhhhhhhhh” for the mind.

Float away to gentler times by embracing these individual colors:

SW6353 Chivalry Copper

SW6463  Breaktime

SW0073  Chartreuse

RESTLESS NOMAD

Exotic, Ecclectic, Earthy

Thanks to technology, you can toss out your passport for the internet and bring faraway cultures to you.  Visit exotic cultures and immerse yourself in the vibrant spiced dyes, the juxtaposition of pattern between Indonesian batik, graphic animal skins, and Persian paiselys.  Colors wander all over the spectrum from fierce pinks and reds to earthy browns and blues.  Warm and optimistic yellows flank the generally darker, dustier theme.  And an old favorite (burgundy) is resurrected as an essential lead color for this palette.  Think spicy.  Think pattern.  Think pink!  (Which happens to be a shade embraced by Pantone as the 2011 Color of the Year entitled, “Honeysuckle.”)

Travel afar (…or to your local retailer) to find these exciting individual colors:

SW6551 Purple Passage

SW6354 Armagnac

SW6840 Exuberant Pink