Part one of two

Hourly Consultations — In-Person & Virtual Staging
Rooms • Wardrobe • Video Backgrounds

It shouldn’t matter, but it does. How your home looks on camera—or how you appear on screen—can make a difference. Where do you go for an objective, professional eye?

Holly Wayne Productions now offers in-person and virtual design consultations via Zoom, providing professional guidance to help you, your home, or your on-camera setting look its very best. Sometimes, the smallest details can make the greatest impact.

For Your Home
You don’t necessarily need to stage an entire house. Often, one or two key rooms can make a significant difference. Holly identifies the details that may be holding a space back—from awkward arrangements and distracting elements to visual issues that can affect a buyer’s first  impression. You’ll receive professional recommendations you can put into action yourself. And, if you’d like a second opinion after making changes, you can always come back for an updated review.

For You & Your Camera
Wardrobe, lighting, and what appears behind you can dramatically affect how you come across on screen. Holly can help you create a setting that looks professional, polished, and pulled together.

$200 per hour. Often, one or two hours are all you need.

Holly Wayne is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and has worked as an interior designer in Pittsburgh, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City, including as a senior designer with Vidal Design Associates.

The above photo is from a local job. The owner only wanted to spend a small amount of money.  I decided to spend the bulk of it in his living room. By adding stone wall covering to one wall, an area rug, a wooden rolling door and a wall unit I designed (and the client buuilt) this room now has pizazz.

The following rooms are some remote staging examples:

Magazine articles were cut and pasted to roughly illustrate staging options using paint or wallcovering (I would remove the shelf in the after bedroom picture). The mirror behind the headboard illustrates a focal point and can be improved. Other suggestions could include taller baseboards and marble on windowsills. The bed should be moved closer to the window. The basket could be replaced with something nicer.

Before

After

This is the master bedroom (above) so it makes sense to spend a bit of money with custom built-ins, molding and taller baseboards.

This window treatment opens from the bottom or top and provides privacy but still allows view of sky and light

Before

After

This home theater lacks drama. It would be fabulous with the right color of paint and some sconces.

Having a better bedspread can make a big difference!

This is a good example of too much of a good thing. It needs to have table settings and some accessories to break up and complement the granite.

Staging works in formal or contemporary settings.  Even a house with good detailing can lack finesse.  Putting a faux marbleized finish on previously plain white columns softens the visual impact in the entry and ties in with other real marble detailing in the area.  Adding cast iron panels ($30 each) to an open iron railing gives safety and drama; while tying in with the addition of simulated leading on the windows.  These simple inexpensive enhancements transform a stark contemporary room into a dramatic traditional environment.

Staging: The Foyer (Before)

The Foyer (After)

In this example, a bland foyer was given panache for less than $100 (plus artwork).  The vintage double theatre seating cost $25.
It provides functional seating as well as a visual focal point.

Staging: The Tragic Fireplace Wall (Before)

The Fireplace Wall (After)

Stone wall covering above, used brass and mesh screen (brass legs cut in half), and molding - all glued up to create old world charm.
Total cost for materials $125, Labor $135.

Text taken in part from:
"My Life as a Stager" featured in PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE, June 2009 

1.  How did you get into home staging?

As an interior designer, when I visited family and friends, I would constantly rearrange their interiors and enhance their spaces using what was on hand, giving them a more and getting rid of tragic flaws I didn't realize that a business was as being born!

2. Have you seen an increase in people interested in home staging?

Absolutely!  People are realizing that the right staging gets the right price.

3.What are the benefits of staging your home?

It makes your home more enjoyable to live in and it helps sell it quickly!

4. How much value can staging add to a home's price?

Staging can help you get the price you want.  You will find that if you hire the right professional, it is well worth it.

5.  Any before & after success stories that stand out?

A recent client had a portrait of her children done in needlepoint as a coverlet for her bed.  I had her remove it and move her ottomans closer their matching chairs to make the room look larger.  The house sold immediately!  She didn't even get to use my other suggestion of placing lights at the end of her huge backyard, so clients could see the size of it at night.

These suggestions didn't even cost my client a dime!  Does your house have a tragic flaw?
  
I was the interior designer for the model at Angel's Arms, a Romanesque church turned condominium in Pittsburgh, PA.  The model was featured in PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE in an article on converted churches, October 2007.  Before I began this project, the owner was ignoring the existing fantastic architectural elements and wanted to modernize the unit.

I suggested emphasizing the existing architectural elements to add more drama.  The owner loved it so much that he moved into this space.  He told me he could have sold his unit 20 times over as everyone wanted it. 

ANGEL'S ARMS, South Side

PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE, CONVERTED CHURCHES, Oct. 2007

This is an example of something that is far more than staging.  I wanted to recreate the look of time and history, but still update it to encompass current taste and lifestyle needs.  Mirrors create the illusion of more space and light -- simulating additional windows.
The rewards of paying attention to detail are evident here. 

6.  Know of any interesting staging/sales statistics? 

No.  But I am always surprised that instead of hiring a stager (whose work you love), the homeowner keeps lowering the price by thousands.

7.  What are some of your favorite staging tips? 

If you decide to stage, you can get by using proper lighting, minimal furniture and some accessories. If you are moving and the space was successfully decorated, take several photographs and use frames that complement the room.  Make the photos large enough.

They will double as art for the space and also give the perspective client a feel for what the space looks like furnished.

The prospective buyer should want to sit in a seating area.  It should be inviting.  When in doubt, keep furnishings simple and think about the traditional design aspects of hotel rooms and lobbies. Potential buyers don't necessarily have the same taste in all your carefully collected knick-knacks. So box them up and label properly. Don't fret, your stuff isn't going to Siberia, it is just in another part of the house.

In main areas, to increase the sense of space and visual flow, neutrals are the way to appeal to a broader audience.  I like to treat the walls differently in at least one room of the house. Too much of the same can be boring.  Speaking of boring ... I really don't like everything white but lots of designers do.  It can be a great look -- especially if you've just had your teeth lightened, you make everyone take their shoes off upon entering, you don't have children or pets and serve only clear drinks.

Visual variety is important; everything shouldn't be the same height. Window treatments should be neutral and soften the room. Simple inexpensive draperies add grace to a room.

You get a huge bang for your buck using proper lighting, custom painting or the perfect wall covering.  But, you really need to know what you are doing, especially if you choose the latter.  When I use wallpaper, you don't even notice - there is just an added dimension. 

Adding a large framed mirror not only adds more interest and light to a room but the prospective buyer can envision themselves in your space.

Taller baseboards installed in at least one room give the illusion of a rich interior.

Twelve dining room chairs are not necessary especially if your room isn't gigantic. And yet, I come across this often.

Updating a kitchen is essential beyond the obvious requirement of replacing worn appliances and countertops.  Finessing details such as installing interesting hardware, adding trim or changing cabinet doors, sanding and staining or painting can transform a kitchen.   Under counter lighting should be installed. Fluorescent lights just don’t do it for me….or the room.
If using hardware knobs and pulls, they should not all be the same. 

It is probably a good idea to buy updated (not necessarily modern-looking) spigots for both kitchen and bathroom sinks.  This is a small fix with a big impact.

If the house has no curb appeal, are they going to keep driving?  If the budget allows, things can be done outside to enhance and make the house more inviting.

8. What's one of the stranger things you've encountered on the job? 

People’s reluctance to change.  For example, insisting on keeping a pedestal sink when the bathroom is tiny and has absolutely no storage space.  

9. What's your average day like? 

Being in a creative field, each day is a different challenge.  I love clients that are able to embrace the possibility of change. 

10. What's your favorite part of your job? 

Seeing the results and watching the reactions of the owners when their houses sell quickly. 

11. How about a least favorite part?  

Husband and wife disagreements and reluctant to change clients.

12. What are some inexpensive ways of "staging"? 

Adding, mirrors, plants, and rearranging what you already have (which I enjoy).  
Adding lights in and around trees or shrubbery.  Gentle Feng Shui where needed.

13. How about some options for someone willing to pay a little extra to stage their home? 

Borrowed light, windows, skylights, adding architectural enhancements, decks, landscaping, custom painting, wall coverings, and new flooring.

14. Any definite "don'ts" when showing a home? 

The biggest mistake that homeowners make when showing their house is having too much personal stuff displayed.  Reduce clutter and things that distract the visitor from imagining how they might fit into the space.

15. Do you have a favorite job you worked on? 

I was The Senior Designer (Vidal Design Associates) for Waste Management's new corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.  For this project I had complete freedom to work with the materials and techniques of my choice -- leather, marble, borrowed light, etched glass -- to set the stage for a successful stylish corporate atmosphere.

16. What makes a good stager? 

Being able to do the "quick fix" and paying attention to the budget!

Staging: Tenant's Living Room (Before)		Tenant's Living Room (After)
Ok landlords, so what do you do when tenant's lease is up August 31 and you know if you show it as is, and you will be stuck through the winter? You stage it of course, hopefully, when the tenant isn't there and with his permission. I used his sofa along with my throw to cover the hole in it. I brought over pillows, accessories, plants and area rugs. This unit rented immediately. Just for laughs, this is the rest of that room. My assistant walked out and came back - she was overcome with hopelessness.

17. Any other advice?  

Initial staging before placing the house on the market is the ideal choice because I can decide which furniture and accessories will look best to get the house sold. Even if you plan on moving, I prefer choosing the minimal amount of furniture needed to make the room look best. 
Make sure your home is in the best condition it can be in before I walk through the door.  If living in the house, getting rid of clutter is a good place to start.

If your house is already on the market and you aren’t getting offers in the price range you expect, you need to consider staging. Don't be afraid to admit you need help!