I had a call from an agent a few weeks ago requesting a bid to stage the townhome he had recently listed. 
The homeowner's budget was limited (as usual) and there were few options. I mentioned that vignette staging seemed to be the only way to go, but that I was, in principle, opposed to it. The reason is that I have seen too many "tacky" vignette stagings gone wild and I think the work is seen as "less than" staging. That is certainly how I viewed it.
In order to clarify, my definition of "vignette staging" is using only lightweight pieces of furniture (nothing that would have to be rented), a blow-up camper bed (which, in the past, I have said I would NEVER use), and light accessories. You may have a different definition, but that's mine.
Back to the matter at hand... In this particular situation, I really thought vignette staging would work; mainly because this was a small townhome and there was no question the home would show better with even light furnishings Therefore, I tossed my preconceived notions about vignette staging out the window and plunged ahead. Here are the results:
Although this home has not yet gone under contract, it's only a matter of time, as it has had a good level of activity.
I still think vignette staging will only work in certain situations, but for this homeowner, it will definitely help him get to the closing table.
Patsy Overton, ASP, IAHSP
Accredited Staging Professional
Patsy@SSSHomeStaging.com 770-843-2307 www.SSSHomeStaging.com
Patsy ~ I think you did a great job staging this townhome! I'd call it "light" staging as it shows potential buyers the use of each space in a warm and inviting way. I think in today's challenging market we have to be as flexible as possible and adapt to our clients' needs.
Thanks, Maureen. You are right - being flexible is the name of the game.
Patsy-I think light staging is a great alternative when there is a very small budget and it is not a very large home. You did a fabulous job and it looks great. If the alternative is blank, cold spaces-light staging is the way to go!
Liz - Yes, that's what I've concluded. It's DEFINITELY better than nothing! Thanks for the compliment.
Patsy ~ I think you did a very nice job of bringing in a good measure of warmth to this townhome - light staging or not. :)
I am sure this property now stands out against the competition!
Thanks, Susan. Can you believe we are neighbors? We should meet for lunch sometime!
I'm with Maureen, I call that "lite" staging too. Looks great!
Thanks, Cindy. Just hope we can get it sold!
It certainly defines the space, and allows people to have a better perception of the size of the rooms. You did a great job and MLS photos will be far more effective.
Patsy, I too now offer what I call "light" staging. It started back in Nov. 08 when a Realtor ask me to do something on a very tight budget. I used a camp bed for the first time and was very impressed with the way it looked. I did two homes for this Realtor that month and both sold in under 45 days. I think your staging looks great and if it's something that your market is calling for then go for it. I did and it's paying off.
Sharon - You are right about showing perception of room space. That is key!
Donna - Great advice! Sometimes we just have to be flexible and go with the flow. I'm learning.
We added "light staging" to our services this year, and have been having good success with it. It's good to have an option for people with very tight budgets and small homes. I admire your adaptability and willingness to do something new, and the job you did certainly gives light staging a good reputation. Excellent work!
Very interesting blog Patsy and great comments. So you mean 1 plant stuck in the corner and some,"not so nice" towels in the bathroom...that ain't staging...??? At this time, in my area, I will do whatever is wanted...right now it's nothing, so I'd be happy to do lite or vignette staging. I'm fortunate that the redesign and decor business is still steady.
I think that what ever we do that enhances the property within the clients budget is good.
Call it light call it whatever. We must do what we can to help sell the property
Hi Patsy!
You did a great job. I know it is not recommended, but lite staging is better than nothing, In today's economy we need to be flexible and change the way we were doing business, and as far as the vignettes show the purpose of the room, why not?
Laurie - good plan! I'm with you -- I've put together a package for light staging. Have gotten good response from realtors.
Ginger - You've just given me an idea for a new package I'm calling it "1, 2, 3 Staging." It includes 1 plant (4' or shorter), 2 towels (hand), and 3 candle pillars (candleholders not included). I'll let you know how it goes! (PS - I want to go after more redesign business. Any suggestions?)
Virginia - Did you steal my company name or did I steal yours? Amen to your comments!
Monica - I've come to the conclusion that (almost) "anything" is better than nothing. Thanks for your comments.
Patsy my redesign, decorating and color clients have come from many different sources. 1)I try to do as many presentations as possible (hints & tips quickie classes) as possible to women's groups, 2)when I do those presentations I collect e-mail addresses and then send out monthly newsletters, 3)a lot of chatter around town, 4)my driving billboard (my van with decals), 5)from my website and from friends referring friends. I have also done considerable print advertising in our local paper and I do local home/business expo shows.
A lot of it is consultations. I think I've only done 2 "real" redesigns, since I moved here 4 years ago. Hereabouts the redesign concept isn't widely accepted or understood. Make sure that your business card doesn't specify home staging and your website too. It hasn't been easy but you know what they say about business that comes easy.
Ginger - Great advice! The one thing I've learned about marketing is that it is never just one thing, but a combination of many things. You have to keep hitting them from several different angles, which is exactly what you are doing. I'm currently in the process of having my website rebuilt. One tab will be for staging, and another for redesign. I'll have to keep that in mind when I have my cards reprinted. Not in the budget right now. Thanks!
Patsy - I think you did a great job on this "lite" staging. We too have had these instances and I think it pays to cater to the customer. They will get positive reactions if it is done tastefully and then they're more likely to get hooked on the staging concept.
I also want to do more redesign work. I can't believe more people don't take advantage of this amazing service...especially in this economy!
Patsy,
While vignette and light staging are usually not recommended, they do help change the look and feel of a vacant house and provide some sense of a visual for potential buyers. I do use both vignette and light staging when budgets won't allow more than this. I also see it as a way of helping the client acheive the best possible look for their listing within their personal budget. Of course I usually add in a little more than the budget allows, so that it doesn't feel too empty! ;)
Patsy, I think you did a fantastic job ~ Congrats!
Patti - It seems like redesign is something many would want these days since more people are opting to stay in their homes rather than sell them at a loss. Here's to both of us going after that market!
Michelle - Glad to hear I'm not the only one. Sometimes it's the only option.
Tosha - Thank you!
Hi Patsy, I agree with everyone else. That is a little beyond vignetting and you did a fantastic job. Love the colors. Just bringing in the colors makes a dramatic difference. PS how do I get my picture with my comments? It used to be on there but since "the change" it's been gone.
Patsy we do lots of vignette staging, (and yes, we do just about what you have done and call it vignette). My close associate, (we work together on nearly every project), and I have differed on it's effectiveness, until this past week! I have felt it really only worked up to about 2000 or so sq. ft., though if the homeowner/agent could not afford more, some is better than none. This week I got word that a vignette staged home I did, in the over $500K range had sold. We have had extraordinary success with smaller, lesser priced homes.
Patsy- First, let me say that your staging looks great! Secondly, I also agree with everyone else, a light staging is better than doing nothing at all. My goal is to help the homeowner sell their house, and a light staging that is done correctly works to do just that. When I say "correctly", I mean that it only works in smaller homes. Don't try light staging in a large home with large rooms. I refuse to do it because then the home just ends up looking really kind of silly and defeats the whole purpose of staging.
Leanne - Yes, I have to watch myself with the color - as I love color. Thank you! Regarding your picture, my guess is that you don't have an AR service (like an outside blog) that you are paying for. Unfortunately, that's one of the "changes," but well worth it for only $19/month! Once you purchase a service or blog, I believe your picture will return.
Cheryl - That's fantastic! I think it will depend on how large the rooms are as to its effectiveness in that price range, but obviously it worked for you. Congratulations!
Emma - I tend to agree with you on not doing it in large homes, but see Cheryl's comment above yours. She may have just proved (proven?) us wrong.
Hello Patsy,
I too am one that didn't believe the whole vignette stagings concept...I've seen it done and was less than thrilled or excised by the idea....But, Patsy, you've actually showed that it can be done and quite nicely too! Your vignettes show what the intended purpose of the room is, with added warmth and character and you haven't left anyone....guessing! Thanks for sharing!
Your definition of "vignette Staging" is far more generous than most. I've seen many "portfolios" where this is the ONLY definition of Staging they know ~ but this townhouse looks great, even if it is "vignettes" =) Here's to a quick sale!
Now I would call what I see pictured as just great, but not true vignette. A dressed bed regardless of a blow up Wanda version or real mattress to me is not vignette. A chair in a bedroom with a book and a lamp , yes.
Just a different definition of terms.
Jacqueline - Thanks so much. I will definitely cintinue to offer this service.
Connie - Thank you. I'm about to change my terminology.
Kathleen - I see your point. To me, vignette is when you are not making use of "heavy" furniture pieces. If I can carry it myself, I call it vignette, but whatever. Thanks for your comments!
I never thought of "light" staging quite this way!.. It sure worked well in this space Patsy! Agree that it will work best in smaller spaces.. and color coordination bewtween areas makes it all come together!
Anne - Thank you. What's your definition of "light" staging?
Thank you so much for sharing this project! I added staging to my interior decorating business almost a year ago and have specialized in the vacant home. This really helps me see how I can pare down my staging, meet more people's budgets, and still have a positive impact on the home! I think I will work up a package to send to my local realtors and see if they bite.
Gigi - Keep me posted on response to realtors in your area. I just sent out an email to my realtor database regarding a "Vignette Staging Package" and got a good response. Right now my "March Madness" sale is out there, so I'll have to pick back up on this next month. Good luck!
Patsy - I just found your blog while doing a search for "vignette"! I too am trying to find a way to be able to serve my clients who do not have the budget to do a full vacant stage and I think you did a really nice job here.
It's always a fine line between putting enough in to not look under-done but still keep on the budget. You definitely succeeded!
Tessa - I'm so glad this is helpful. Thanks for your kind words. It's so nice that we can all help each other!
Patsy,
What a great blog! And, I love what you did with very little. When I was trained, vignette or lite Staging seemed to be more in vogue, but to me, at least here in Florida, Staged homes are looking more and more like model homes. I think there's a place for lite Staging in everyone's portfolio, especially in our current market.
Kathy - Thank you! I agree, this day & time we MUST have some budget services to offer. Thanks for your input.