DALLAS REAL ESTATE STAGING

4 Reasons To Use Professional Photos to Market Your Home: Before and After Photos Included

2011-08-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Plano, TX Home Before Staging: Living Room

Will professional photos help you sell you home? The survey says yes! Read the details below and then take a look at the professional before and after photos of a home in Plano, TX staged by yours truly.

1. The percentage of potential buyers who shop for their next home online is 89%! The photos that they see of your home is their first impression. Entice them to get in the car and drive on over to your home with beautiful photos that enhance the important details of your home.

2. A study conducted by Papilios Real Estate Photography showed that listings with professional photos generated 139% more clicks compared to similar listings in the same MLS area and zip code.

3. Wall Street Journal said that most of the homes that sold had photos taken with a professional camera compared to those homes with photos taken with a point and shoot camera.

Plano, TX Home After Staging: Living Room

A professional camera and skilled
photographer can affect how a buyer looks at a listing.

Plano, TX Home Before Staging: Kitchen Nook

Plano, TX Home After Staging: Kitchen Nook

4. Unique Exposure Photography found that 32% of the listings in Fort Worth Texas were marketed with professional photos.

The higher the list price, the more likely that professional photos were used to market the home.
If your home is in a higher price bracket, make sure that your home remains competitive with professional photos.

If your home is in a lower price bracket; make it stand out from the others with the help of a professional photographer.

The before and after photos that you see here were taken by Lance Selgo, a real estate photographer who serves Dallas, TX and Fort Worth, TX.

This home is listed for sale by Ben Fluno and is located at 921 Mellville, Plano, TX.

For more information about staging your home, contact me, Holly Bellomy at 214-532-9677. I look forward to hearing from you!

Are You Using the Best Light Bulb for Staging Your Home?

2011-07-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Are You Using the Best Light Bulb for Staging Your Home?

When staging your home it's important to make sure that your home looks and feels bright and well lit. So make sure that you open the blinds, pull the drapes back and turn on all of the lights. Then, to increase the light and brightness in each room, exchange your light bulbs with my favorite type....you'll have to watch the video to learn more!

Choosing the best light bulb is especially important when you have a room that doesn't get a lot of natural light or doesn't have a window at all such as a laundry room or bathroom. Then it is especially important that you choose the right light bulb for these spaces.

Are you ready? Watch this short video to see which light bulb I recommend.

For additional home staging tips go here and watch some more videos!

I am ready to help you stage your home, so call me!
Holly Bellomy
214-532-9677
http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Who's Your Mama?

2011-07-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

I am a home stager who loves to create beautiful rooms.

I enjoy meeting new clients and helping them prepare their homes for sale.

Being part of a team and working with a home seller and a Realtor brings great joy, especially when we work together to sell a home quickly.

I love to see my client's eyes light up when I show them the perfect paint color for their room.

Oh, and there's Home Goods, AKA my home away from Home! I can't visit that store often enough! All of the beautiful rugs and art and pillows, and...I could go on and on!

Yes, all of these things bring great pleasure, but none of them are as wonderful as the little people who live in my home and call me, Mama. Yep, they still call me that!

Andrew is my youngest child who likes bugs, eating fruit, and holding wild bunnies! He's sweet and cuddly and can tantrum with the best of them!

Then there is Claire, who is 9 years old. She wants to be a pastry chef and fashion designer when she grows up. She can bake a delicious batch of peanut butter cookies all by herself!

And, Zachary, he is 12 and he will go to the Jr. high school next year...(tear). Look, he's almost as tall as I am. Zack spends time creating robots EVERY DAY. Yes, he's obsessed with robotics! I know that he will do great things and probably have a few patents. He has taken apart his calculator in order to make something new with it. That's a sign that he's a creative and brilliant boy, right?

These three precious children challenge and amaze me. Oh, they frustrate me, too, like when I'm on a conference call and they decide to fight over the video game...very loudly. Or when they spill water on the floor and leave it there so I walk by and slip and fall. Or when they wake me up at 5am on my ONLY day to sleep in.

These things don't matter. What matter's is our relationship. Our strong bond of love is much better than finding a great deal on a sofa or selling a home in one day. Hugging my kids and watching them grow is more satisfying than staging a beautiful home. And, as old as they are, they still call me Mama! That makes me smile!

Holly Bellomy

www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

My twelve year old son will be attending Jr.High next year and I haven't figured out if

It's Here! Your Home Staging Class is Here!

2011-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Your Home Staging Class is Here!

Realtors and home owners join me for a two hour class in Plano, TX!

Provider: CCAR #0298
TREC#02-00-073-23156
2 Hours MCE No Legal

Tuesday, July 19
Monday, August 29
1-3pm
$15

This course is packed with practical and simple solutions to help Realtors and home sellers understand the staging process. Items such as paint colors for interiors, tools of the trade, and the six basic elements of home staging will be discussed.

In addition, various types of real estate staging will be examined through the use of before and after photos.

This class will be informative and fun!

Collin County Association of Realtors 6821 Coit Rd. Plano, TX 75024

P: 972-618-3800
F: 972-265-4252

Register online at www.ccar.net

I can't wait to see you there!

Holly
www.dallasrealestatestaging.com
home staging, real estate staging, home staging class, Plano

Update Your Bathroom with a MirrorMate Frame!

2011-07-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

Update Your Bathroom with a MirrorMate Frame

I am so excited to share this video with you. If you are interested in updating and beautifying the look of your bathroom, then you need a MirrorMate frame!

We went out to meet with a homeowner in Allen, TX. We shared all of the beautiful styles and colors and then helped her select the frames that would compliment each bathroom. Then we measured each mirror and went back to the office to place the order.

When the frames were delivered, we installed them for the homeowner. The results are fabulous!

Check out the video now!

Plano Homes for Sale: Foreclosure Fridays, A New Video Series

2011-07-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

Plano Homes for Sale: Foreclosure Fridays, a New Video Series

My friend, Scott Vann, an excellent real estate agent, has created a new video series called "Foreclosure Fridays". This video series is great because you get to take a tour of a variety of homes in Plano. Get the details on the condition, amenities, and price of each home from your computer or mobile device!

I have joined Scott in the videos and I will share what I like best about each home and what you can do to update the various spaces.

Check out the videos and details here.

If you would like more information on any of the homes, contact Scott Vann: scott@scottvann.com, 214-354-0355

And of course, if you need help decorating or staging your home, contact me!
Holly Bellomy

Selling a Home with Pets

2011-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Selling a Home with Pets

We love our furry friends but not every one is keen on pets; especially some of those potential home buyers. That is why it's very important to make sure that your home is free of pet odors, hair, and any pet items. In other words; make it look and smell like no pet has lived there!

As a home stager who meets home owners every week, I understand that it can be difficult to remove your pet from the home for a showing. If you work out of the home it can be almost impossible to pick up your pet for a 2:00p.m. showing.

I suggest asking a trusted neighbor or family member to pick up your pet for the times when you are not home; especially if you are the owner of a large dog! A friend of mine told me that a potential buyer came to look at her home but as soon as the buyer saw her large dog, he/she turned the other way and left! What a missed opportunity!

So, for those of you out there who are selling your home, don't miss an opportunity for an offer by not taking care to remove, board or crate your pets. For more information; watch this video starring my puppy, Penny!

Adding value to your home,
Holly
For more information about staging your Dallas home: http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Is Your Address Visible?

2011-05-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

So, I have been experimenting with various move making software. I made my recent movie in Picasa. It was easy and I have to admit that it was fun! Technology often overwhelms me but I think that I have gained a few skills.

I took photos of a small project and strung the photos together, added some music (from a sample of a few songs that were on my computer), wrote a few titles and voila, a movie was made and here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7YUv_2JMD4

Tip: make sure that your home address is visible. It's important for emergency vehicles (and their drivers :) to find your address!

Happy Spring!
Holly
www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

Holly Gives Home Staging Advice!

2011-03-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

Holly Gives Home Staging Advice on Facebook!

Are you thinking about selling your home? Is your home currently on the market? Do you or does someone you know need home staging advice?

On Friday each week, I will choose one room from one homeowner and provide suggestions and ideas for staging that room. Just “like” our page, Dallas Real Estate Staging, and visit our page every Friday for valuable tips and ideas.

Please note:
1. Send 1-3 photos of any one room in your home and include your first name, city and state.
2. If your photos are not chosen one week, you may send them again the next week.
3. Submit your photos by Thursday at 8pm CST.
4. The room of the week will be chosen and revealed on Facebook on Friday by 8pm CST.
5. The photo will be showcased along with a list of tips, ideas, and suggestions.
6. By submitting your photos you give Holly Bellomy and Dallas Real Estate Staging permission to use your photos, first name, city and state for any and all marketing purposes.
Send your photos to photos@dallasrealestatestaging.com today!

Home Staging Dallas

2011-01-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

Home Staging Dallas
I had the opportunity to stage a beautiful home in Dallas, TX. The home was newly renovated with extra square footage. Some wall art and accessories had been place in the home, but it was difficult for potential buyers to see how the long entry, living room and dining room could be used.

Here is a photo of the long space from the perspective of the dining room before the staging:
Here is a photo after the dining set is in place:

Here is a photo of the Dallas home from the entry before staging:

This is a photo of the living room after home staging:

Here is another perspective before home staging:

And, this is the photo of the living room and dining room after the staging:
The home is warm and inviting and now potential buyers can see the possibilities for each space.

Holly Bellomy, RESA-Pro

214-532-9677

www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

holly@dallasrealestatestaging.com

2010-12-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Dallas Chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) invites all professional stagers, real estate agents and industry related professionals in the Metroplex to join its rapidly growing organization in 2011.

“Membership in RESA not only provides credibility to your business, it creates an excellent network of professionals that share common values and business practices,” 2011 RESA Dallas chapter President Karen Eubank said. “Monthly meetings are structured to engage and support our members by providing insight and information they might not find elsewhere. At each meeting RESA Dallas hosts a speaker that appeals to home stagers as well as Realtors and industry affiliates.”

Start the New Year with RESA Dallas by getting motivated! Our January guest speaker is Artemis Limpert, is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, coach and entrepreneur.

“You have to get in the game to play the game,” Limpert said. “Transforming the world starts with you.” If you are hoping to transform your life, achieve your goals and take your business to the next level, begin your year with RESA and Limpert’s inspiring topic “Get Motivated. Get in the Game!”

About Real Estate Staging Association: Dallas Chapter:
RESA Dallas provides peer-to-peer support for all chapter members, promoting education to real estate agents, homeowners and the general public regarding the value and benefits of home staging. The Dallas chapter has a dedicated membership working to grow visibility and credibility of the home staging profession within the Metroplex.

Please RSVP for January meeting at The Real Estate Staging Association Dallas Chapter on Meetup.com.
For more information on RESA please visit
http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/
www.facebook.com.
For more information on the guest speaker, Artemis Limpert, please visit www.artemislimpert.com.

Contact:

Stefanie Levine
817-494-4881
stef@niptuckhome.com
Karen Eubank
214-912-9263
eubank@sbcglobal.net
Holly Bellomy
http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Home Staging for the Master Bedroom: Before and After: Plano

2010-11-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

Home Staging for the Master Bedroom: Before and After: Plano

We had the opportunity to stage a master bedroom in Plano.
This is what the master bedroom looked like before the home staging.
This is what the room looked like after the home staging.

To stage this master bedroom in Plano, this is what we did:

1. We highlighted the tall ceiling and shape of the bed with three framed prints. These belong to the homeowner and were originally used in the family room. They look great in the master bedroom and tie in perfectly with the decor.

2. We changed out the lamps. The original lamps were buffet lamps, so we took them to the dining room and placed them on the buffet. The homeowner then purchased a new pair of lamps, according to our specifications, that are jut the right size and scale for the furniture.

3. We suggested drapes to add the look and feel of luxury. We purchased four drapery panels at JC Penney for less that $140. The curtain rods were purchased at Target for less that $40 each. The red drapes add color and sophistication to the room. Dallas Real Estate Staging installed the rods and hung the drapes.

4. Then, to finish the room, we brought in some accessories for the homeowner to lease.

This Plano, master bedroom is complete!

What can you learn from this home staging example?

First, drapes do not have to be expensive; they just have to look expensive. If your walls are beige and you have white wood blinds; drapes are a great addition to give the room the look of luxury.

Second, use what you have. Try bringing in art and accessories from another room.

Third, every room needs more that one source of light. The ceiling fan with light kit just won't cut it! Consider table lamps and floor lamps. Lamps are a wise investment because you can take them with you to your next home!

And remember, the master bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, so make sure to stage it!

Holly Bellomy is a home staging consultant for Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, and the surrounding areas.

For more information visit: www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

Home Staging for the Senses

2010-11-09T15:22:00.000-08:00

Home Staging for the Senses
The Sense of Hearing

Noise! We’re inundated with sounds all day long! While some sounds bring a smile to our face like the laughter of a child, other sounds, such as the chronic barking of a dog can be exasperating.

We can all agree that a quiet, peaceful house is priceless; especially at the end of a long day. This is what potential buyers are looking for too, a quiet sanctuary to unwind in at the end of a day, or for those who work from home or who are retired a quiet paradise may be necessary.

There are some sounds that are not appealing to home buyers. Three of them are road noise, barking from dogs, and interior noises that clamor for maintenance.

Road Noise:
While it may be challenging to sell a home that is located near a busy street or strip mall there are a few things you can do to compensate for the noise pollution.

First: Make sure that your home has extra curb appeal. A well manicured lawn and fresh paint on the home’s exterior are a must. The goal is to get the buyers into your home.

Second: Clear out all clutter inside your home: extra furniture, toys, etc. and rent a storage unit for these items.

Third: Make all necessary repairs before listing your home. Don’t give buyers more reason to say “no” to your home.

Fourth: Hire a home stager to make sure that your home stands out from the other homes in the area.

The key is to create an environment so irresistible that your home is chosen above the others in the neighborhood. And don’t despair; there is a buyer out there for every home!

Barking from Dogs
I have also visited homes to perform consultations all the while listening to dogs bark while I looked at each room with the home owner. There is nothing more distracting than a barking dog! Take your dog with you for showings or find a neighbor or pet sitter who will care for your pet for showings.

Interior Noises
There are other bothersome sounds that you can take care of. These include leaky toilets, smoke detectors, dripping faucets. I remember a time when I went to look at a vacant house to prepare a bid. I toured the house, all the while listening to the chirp of the smoke detector which needed a new battery. I couldn’t get out of that house fast enough because the noise was so irritating.

And for those pleasant sounds, play them up!

Music: If you have speakers, use them! Play a satellite or cable station through all interior and exterior speakers. Light jazz music is preferable.

Movies: Play a movie to show potential buyers how wonderful it will be to have their own movie room; all the while distracting them from the road noise.

Water feature: Do you have a pool with a fountain or other water feature? Turn it on for showings and let the soothing sound of the water entice potential buyers.

In other words, maximize the positive and eliminate the negative!

Holly Bellomy is a home staging expert who specializes in occupied and vacant properties in Allen, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, Frisco, Dallas, and Richardson.

For more information log on to: www.DallasRealEstateStaging.com

Home Staging Tips: Easy Updates

2010-10-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Home Staging Tips: Easy Updates

One of my favorite quick, easy and inexpensive updates is replacing cabinet hardware. I like to use my electric screwdriver to quickly remove the old knobs and pulls and to install the new ones.

Two popular hardware finishes are brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze. I like to coordinate the cabinet harware with the light fixture, faucet and door knobs in the room.

As you can see from the following before and after photos, new hardware makes a difference!
Replace brass knobs with brushed nickel knobs. The chandelier in the kitchen nook was also replaced.

Replace country knobs with oil rubbed bronze.

Replace mismatched brass knobs and pulls with oil rubbed bronze with copper accents.

My favorite places to buy beautiful and inexpensive cabinet hardware are: Home Depot, Overstock.com, and Habitat Restore in Plano.

Youe Home Staging Consultant,

Holly Bellomy

Home Staging and Interior Decorating for Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, and the surrounding areas.

Home Office Transformation in Allen, TX

2010-10-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Home Office Transformation in Allen, TX

I had the opportunity to stage a home office in Allen, TX. The office had nice features: built-in bookcases, tons of natural light, wood floors, and slate tile on the walls. There were, however some changes to be made. This is what the office looked like before the home staging:

As you can see, this Allen home office had red walls, clutter, and some personalized items. Home staging is meant to highlight a rooms positive features so I made the following recommendations in order to feature the bookcases, slate walls and wood floor:

1. Paint the walls with Behr Premium Plus Ultra in a satin finish in the color Paramount. Paramount is a dark, neutral color that harmonizes with the slate. This cool color is relaxing, unlike the red color which is very exciting and contrasting to the cool slate. These office walls were painted with one coat. Can you believe it? All of the red paint was covered with less than two gallons of paint!

2. Paint the built-ins. The white paint had yellowed over time.

3. Pack most of the books, all of the collectibles and the personalized items such as the diploma.

4. Bring in some art from the other rooms in the house.

5. Accessorize with other items in the house.

6. And, of course, clean the blinds, windows, and ceiling fan.

After the cleaning, painting, and accessorizing, here is what the office looked like:

The homeowner's furnishings, art, and accessories were used to transform this office and keep the cost of home staging quite low.

When staging your home, keep three things in mind: color, clutter, and cleanliness!

Your Home Staging Consultant,

Holly

http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

Staging and decorating homes in Allen, TX

Family Room Update: Interior Redesign and Decorating

2010-09-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Family Room Update: Interior Redesign and Decorating

I had the opportunity to help a Carrollton resident with her family room. We rearranged the room while using the items that she owned. After I left the residence in Carrollton, the homeowner got busy making the additional changes that I recommended.

This is how the room looked before the redesign:

This is how the room looked when I left:

This is how the room looks now.

The homeowner:

1. Added a leather chair that was upstairs and not being used

2. Moved the TV to the opposite corner so that it can easily be viewed

3. Purchased a sofa table, baskets, side table, and plants

Now this room can now seat more people and it is conducive to conversation...exactly what the homeowner ordered!

Your Dallas Home Decorator,

Holly Bellomy

Dallas Real Estate Staging offers home staging and interior decorating solutions to Dallas and the surrounding areas including Allen, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Lucas, and Fairview.

Home Staging Tips: Define the Room

2010-09-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

Home Staging Tips: Define the Room

I had the pleasure of helping a homeowner stage the dining room in her Allen, TX home. As you can see from the photo below, the room was used for many activities, except for dining.

Tip: When staging your home for sale it's important to define each room, in other words, tell potential buyers how the room should be used by placing specific furnishings in it. This way buyers can imagine themselves living in the home.

Our goals for the room:

1. Clear out the clutter, including the personal items and collections

2. Maximize the architectural details

3. Maximize the square footage

4. Define the room as the formal dining room

This is how the room looked after we staged it:

This is what we did:

1. Took the table and chairs from the kitchen nook and placed them in the dining room

2. Released the chandelier which had been tied up

3. Touched-up paint

4. Placed decorative plates in the niches

5. Hung iron art on the wall

6. Accessorized the dining table

Your Dallas Home Staging Consultant,

Holly Bellomy

Home Staging and Decorating for Allen, McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Dallas

Family Room Dynamics

2010-06-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

I recently met with a home owner in Carrollton, TX who said she wanted to stage her home, but she didn't want to sell her home. She wanted a "model home" look so that she could enjoy her house and I said, "I can help!"

She gave me the grand tour of her home and proceeded to tell me what she liked and disliked about each room. We ended up in the family room where she said that she wanted it to look inviting and accommodate the adults. She had recently changed the drapes and pillows but the furniture arrangement wasn't working. In fact she said that when her family of six gathered to watch TV, her seat was on the floor!

The home owner and I quickly began to move the furniture. Here is a before photo:
As you can see, there is no focal point and the furniture is not set up for intimate conversations. The TV is not easy to view either! So, this is what we did:

1. We pulled the sofa away from the wall and into the room. We placed it across from the fireplace, directing the attention there.

2. The corner to the left of the fireplace is where the TV will find it's new home. It will be easier to view.

3. The chair was moved next to the sofa to encourage conversation.

4. The homeowner had a coffee table that she brought out and I accessorized it with items she had around the house.

5. I leaned a different piece of art on the mantle for color and drama.

Here is a different view of the room before the redesign:

And here is the room after the redesign.

We used what the homeowner had in her home for the redesign.

In order to complete the room I made the following recommendations:

1. Hook up the cable at the opposite side of the room.

2. Purchase a sofa table with cubbies that will hold baskets of toys for her young son and place it behind the sofa.

3. Bring down the leather chair from the loft that doesn't get any use and place it to the right of the fireplace.

4.Purchase a side table and place it between the sofa and chair.

5. Purchase a lamp with a satin nickel finish and make sure that it's taller than the furniture and place it on the side table.

6. Add a potted plant next to the side table.

This homeowner has a plan for a sensational family room. She can complete the room over time, adding furniture and accessories as she likes! And, hopefully, with the extra chair, she won't have to sit on the floor!

Holly Bellomy

Dallas Home Staging Consultant

http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

HGTV is coming to Dallas!

2010-06-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Are you a first time home seller? You may qualify to be on HGTV! And if you do, I would be happy to help you with a complimentary home staging consultation or complimentary furniture lease for a month.

Call me if you live in Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, or the surrounding area.
Your Dallas home staging consultant,
Holly
214-532-9677

Home Staging 101: Establishing the Focal Point

2010-04-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

The focal point in the family room is almost always the fireplace. Achieving scale and balance in order to draw attention to this feature can be tricky, especially when you have an open floor plan.

I had the opportunity to rearrange this family room in a home that is on the market in Plano. The first thing that I noticed when I walked in to the room was the teal sofa. I didn't want potential buyers to walk in and notice the sofa as I did; I wanted them to notice the features of the room; I wanted them to notice the fireplace.

Here is the before photo:

So, I moved the sofa and placed it across room from the fireplace. This solved two problems. It balanced the room and drew focus to the fireplace and not the teal sofa. The console table was behind the chair and I placed it behind the sofa to draw attention away from the teal color.

Here is the after photo:

Here is another before photo:

You can see in this after photo that the room feels more spacious. The seating is intimate, the view of the yard is unobstructed and the focal point is established.

Holly Bellomy, your Dallas Home Stager!

www.dallasrealestatestaging.com
Home Staging and Interior Decorating

Home Staging Tips for the Master Bathroom

2010-04-12T14:31:00.001-07:00

The master bathroom is one of the most important spaces in the home. It should look fresh, clean and inviting.

Consider these tips for your master bathroom:

For a quick and easy update, replace the cabinet hardware. In the photo below, we replaced the knobs for less than $50.
Purchase new towels that are just for "show".
Frame a window with a soft, fabric treatment. Fabric adds luxury and softness.
Add candles to the bath surround.
Pick up small bath mats; they break up the spacious feeling of the room.

Here are the before and after photos of the bathroom that we staged in McKinney.

Holly Bellomy is the owner of Dallas Real Estate Staging. Specialties include: occupied and vacant home staging and home selling consultations. For more info. browse our website: www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

A Reinvented Family Room

2010-04-12T12:08:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to reinvent a family room. The room had nice furnishings, soothing aqua colored walls, and an abundance of natural light. In order to balance the weight of the room and provide the homeowner with more storage I added two matching bookcases that were upstairs in a bedroom. I placed them right next to each other to create the feeling of built in bookcases. I shopped in several rooms for items to display on the shelves and I found items from India and Africa; things collected from the family's travels.

The homeowner was also wanting to use the space for entertaining friends and extended family, so I rearranged the furniture to create a cozy L shape...perfect for intimate conversations. I streamlined the mantle by clearing it and hanging a collection of pillow covers from India. The colors are beautiful and the theme tied in nicely with the items on the shelves.

The room is well balanced, the fireplace is the focal point and the accessories are displayed as reminders from family travels! The best part is that only two pillows for the sofa were purchased! Everything else was found in the home!

Look at the before and after photos:

www.reinventingrooms.biz
http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/
family room, home staging

Before and After Photos-Home Makeover

2009-12-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

We surprised Mendy and her 4 children with a "One Day Home Makeover" of the following rooms: living, dining, master suite and kitchen. We will choose another lucky homeowner for a home makeover in October!

Enjoy the photos!

Dining Room before

Working on the Dining Room- Cindy, Holly, Merina and Jan

The redesigned Dining Room with Jan and Me! We painted the walls Macadamia from Sherwin Williams. Jan found this refurbished table, now there is plenty of space for Mendy and her 4 kids.

The Living Room before

The Living Room after

The living room before

The living room after. We put Mendy's kitchen table behind the loveseat so the family could play board games/cards or do homework.

The master bathroom before

The master bathroom after

Master bedroom before

The master bedroom after

The sitting area before

The sitting area after

The sitting area after with Cindy and Merina

The kitchen after

Now, the Big Reveal:

One Great Team!

www.dallasrealestatestaging.com

home staging, interior decoarating

Items destined for the garage sale find new purpose

2009-10-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

I was invited to a friend's house for a mantle and bookcase makeover. She has a beautiful home and a charming family.

Here is the "before" photo:

The items on the mantle are nice, but they are small in scale and all about the same height. Below is the bookcase.

Now take a look at the mantle and bookcase after the redesign:

Notice the silver pot with greenery. I took some greenery from another arrangement in the house, placed a plastic cup in the pot and voila, instant success!

Color, texture and height all play a part to create an interesting arrangement on the mantle and bookcase.
Here is what the homeowner said: "The room I thought was okay, however you were able to take it up a “notch” that I would have never been able to achieve on my own! I was amazed how you gave “new life” to items that were going to soon make it into our next garage sale."

http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/
home staging Fairview

Don't throw away that chandelier!

2009-10-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

Do you have a shiny, brass chandelier? Would you like a new chandelier for less than $10? Have I got a solution for you! You can transform your chandelier with a can of spray paint. You can purchase the paint at Wal Mart or Home Depot for about $6 and you can choose from brushed nickel, bronze or black finishes.

Take a look at the before and after photos from friend and client, Lara. She moved into her new home and it had this chandelier. If you know me, you know that I like paint and if I could, I would paint everything! So, I suggested that she paint it and she did!

Here is the chandelier after it's makeover. Wow, what a difference! Great job, Lara and thanks for sharing your photos.

http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/

home staging, Allen

Win a FREE Home Makeover Contest!

2009-09-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Tell your friends and family about the Home Makeover Contest!

The lucky winner will receive the expertise of 7 certified redesigners who will redesign the following rooms:
1. master bedroom and bathroom
2. family room
3. kitchen and nook
4. a secondary bedroom of our choice

For more information go to: http://www.makeovermastersofnorthtexas.com/.

The deadline for entries is September 30 so don't miss out!

Staging Slide Show

2009-08-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I have posted anything! I have been enjoying time with the kids this summer and trying to figure out why I am anemic. Lately I have had very little energy for anything.

I did a highlight staging for a great family in Allen last week. They received 2 offers the first day and one was for more that the listed price!

Here is the link to the slide show:
http://www.realestateshows.com/426136

http://www.reinventingrooms.biz/

Dallas condo for sale...check out the slide show!

2009-05-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

I staged the second level of a condo in Dallas last week on Holland Avenue. The condo has two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and an abundance of natural light.

The white walls and wood floors with distinctive grain pattern and black coloring inspired my choice of furnishings. I chose a crisp, white slipcovered sofa and matching chair for the living area. Then I brought in a shaggy wool area rug that has great texture but does not compete with the distinctive pattern of the wood floor. Accents of green and yellow are fresh colors for the season. Check out the lamps. They have a sculpted wooden look...so earthy yet contemporary with their oval shades (I want some for my house!).

The dining set is sleek and masculine with leather chairs that boast clean lines and nice detail with the round, covered buttons. I chose a standing floor mirror because the owner had just painted the condo and didn't want too many holes in the walls. The mirror reflects light and I like the thick, wide frame which again is contemporary and minimal in style.

For the kitchen, I chose a wood cook book stand, glass jars with dry beans and peas, white pottery and a vase of palm leaves; simple and textural.

And last but not least, the area close to the huge window turned out to be the perfect spot for a desk. Everyone needs an office these days, so it made sense to add the desk along with another earthy, sculptural lamp.

To tour the condo contact Jean Bryant with Keller Williams at 972-672-4399.

Okay, the best part is the slide show, so here it is...
http://www.realestateshows.com/402401 Condo slide show

And the photos:

http://www.dallasrealestatestaging.com/, formerly http://www.reinventingrooms.biz/
home staging for Dallas

Steel Magnolia Gifts and Decor

2009-04-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

Steel Magnolia is a gift and home decor store in Allen, TX. The shop is currently located at 537 W. McDermott Dr., Allen. In the about two months, it will move to Watters Creek at Bethany and Highway 75. The owners are Sherrie and Bob Blandin and they will provide you with the best customer service!

At Steel Magnolia you will find all kinds of gifts and treasures from rustic roosters to decorative crosses. You can also purchase whole bean coffee by the pound (try the creme brulee, it's delicious!) and beautifully scented candles. I borrowed several items from the shop for my class, Accessor-ease, How to arrange your accessories to complete the look of your room. Here are some photos of a mantle display with a cottage theme...perfect for spring! So, make a trip to Steel Magnolia, browse and purchase a gift or two and tell them that Holly sent you!

http://www.reinventingrooms.biz/

mantle

Spring Brings Changes!

2009-03-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Friend!

Some exciting changes are in the making! The first change is our newsletter. I will continue to make posts here, and you will continue to receive them, but you will also receive my new newsletter with articles written for you in mind.

I am also happy to announce a new seminar: Accessor-ease! Have you ever been frustrated with decorating your mantle, coffee table, sofa table, or any flat surface? If you answered yes, then this is the seminar for you! I will keep you updated on the dates and locations.

You can help me with future articles and get rewarded for doing so. Answer the following question and take 15% off any redesign service:

"What is your biggest decorating challenge?"

Call or email: 214-532-9677, Holly@ReinventingRooms.biz
Decorating tip: Welcome the birds and your guests with a bird bath! Place the bird bath (this one is from Southern Living at Home) on the porch near the front door. Add colorful aquarium rocks and glass marbles first, then add water, finish it off with white mums or daisies.

http://www.reinventingrooms.biz/

Color Trends for Spring

2009-03-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hooray! Spring is almost here and I am ready to start planting flowers and experimenting with new color combinations!

The trendy colors this season are fresh and fun. The colors remind me of Easter eggs: periwinkle, lime, orange, lilac, violet and yellow...bright, happy, sunny yellow!

Louise Smith, color and design manager for Dulux, says, "This is the year to go wild and express yourself. Since fewer people will be moving, the onus is on personalization and reinvention."
(excerpt taken from The Dallas Morning News)

Did you here that? This is the year for "Reinvention." A beautiful room does not have to be costly. A little paint and fabric with the rearrangement of some accessories can perk things up!

To view some beautiful colors, check out the photos from Better Homes and Gardens: http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/basics/hot-summer-colors/?page=9

Organize Your Home with Closet Tailors

2009-02-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that it is February? Well, the year is still young and ripe with possibilities for home improvements. Personally, I plan to keep a clutter free desk and I plan to keep only clothes and shoes in my closet...with just a little bit of inventory! I have inventory for my business stashed all over my house and some times it pops out of the cupboards and drawers! It has taken over my master closet and this year I plan to tame the inventory!

If you have stuff that you need to organize, give John a call. He owns Closet Tailors and specializes in creating custom organizational systems. I have worked with him on a few projects and I know that he listens well and privides great customer service.

Closet Tailors designs, sells, and installs custom cabinetry and organization systems for closets, garages, home offices, commercial offices, laundry rooms, pantries, craft rooms and more! Closet Tailors is locally owned and operated by John Scheschuk, who is involved with the customer throughout the process. Should you have any questions about the Closet Tailors offering or if you would like to request a complimentary in-home consultation, please visit the Closet Tailors website at (www.closettailors.com). Thank you for your time and consideration and remember, when you organize your spaces, your life will follow!

Best Regards,
John Scheschuk, Owner
Closet Tailors of Texas
1210 W. McDermott Drive, Suite 104
Allen, TX 75013
(972) 740-9944
(972) 767-4301 - fax
www.closettailors.com
jkscheschuk@closettailors.com
Closets / Garages / Home Offices / Laundry Rooms / Pantries / And More!

Wintry White Mantle Display

2008-12-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

Creating a mantle display for winter is easy!

Follow this formula to create your own display by using the things you already own!

1. Place a trio of candles in the center of your mantle. Choose taper candles( try a group of 5 if you use these) or pillar candles. Any color candle will work as long as the candles coordinate with the other items on your mantle. Any type of candle holder is great, too. I had these glass candle holders in my master bedroom and chose these for for their cool, icy appearance.

2. Set a glass jar on one end. Add faux snow and a pine cone to it. Shop your home for any glass vessel. To add height to a short glass jar, place it on some hard bound books or a cake pedestal.
If you don't have a pine cone, any bit of nature will work. Consider a small twig, evergreen branch, some fall leaves or a poinsettia flower.

3. Bring in a small garden statue or other garden ornament. I like this angel statue, it's made of a light weight resin and it's very peaceful to look at!

4. Add garland to the front of your mantle. I wanted a fresh approach to the traditional evergreen pine garland, so I chose this eucalyptus garland. There are 2 stands draped together here and I found them at Hobby Lobby. However, if you have pine garlands, use them!

5. Add an element of surprise. Did you notice the white dove in the garland? I like to have fun when I decorate so I always try to incorporate a small, unexpected item, color or texture.

Have fun creating your wintry mantle display!

Holly

www.reinventingrooms.biz

The #1 Mistake Most Home Sellers Make (staging Allen, McKinney, Fairview, Lucas, Plano, Frisco)

2008-12-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

According to HGTV, selling your home "as is" is the #1 mistake that most home sellers make.

Check out this clip that was posted on You Tube for more information.

Call me for your Real Estate Staging needs. I can help take the stress out of preparing your home for sale. I can stage your home so that it appeals to a broad range of buyers, while keeping in mind that you still need to live in it!

All the best,
Holly
214-532-9677
http://www.reinventingrooms.biz/

Free Seminar

2008-11-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

Seasonal Decorating plus Buying and Selling Real Estate in Today's Market

Join us for tips and ideas for selling and decorating your home!

Tuesday, November 18th
7pm
1607 Harvest Glen Drive, Allen, TX 75002

Bring your questions for our panel of experts:

Roxanne Hopewell, Realtor
Coldwell Banker
roxannehopewell@gmail.com

Bruce Hopewell, Inspector
McCool's Property Inspections
972-880-1414

Fay Hendon
Service First Mortgage
214-498-9024

Holly Bellomy, IRIS
Certified Stager and Interior Redesigner
214-532-9677

We will have a drawing for a FREE room staging or redesign and a FREE attic inspection to assess possible energy loss!

Please call me if you will attend, I need to plan for refreshments! 214-532-9677

A Masterbedroom Makeover, McKinney TX Redesigner/Decorator

2008-10-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

My friend, Kelly, decided to surprise her husband, Kevin, with a master bedroom makeover for their 10th wedding anniversary. After Kelly and her husband left for the weekend, my assistants and I quickly got to work. We cleared the room, primed and painted the walls, oiled the furniture, and switched the brass ceiling fan with one we found in their daughter's room that had a sophisticated rubbed oil finish.

Prior to the weekend of the makeover I helped Kelly pick new bedding, lamps, paint, and drapes that would suit Kevin's taste and style. To personalize their room, Kelly ordered a vinyl expression from Uppercase Living that says, "To Infinity and Beyond". This is their relationship motto from one of Kevin's favorite movies, Toy Story. We could not apply it to the freshly painted walls, so we taped it up just for the surprise reveal. Kevin and Kelly are thrilled with their new room.

Check out the before and after pictures below and let me know who you would like to surprise!

For more decorating ideas go to: www.reinventingrooms.biz

Get Redesigned!

2008-10-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

October is IRIS (Interior Redesign Industry Specialists) get redesigned month! To celebrate I am offering a special deal this month. Purchase one hour of redesign services and get one hour FREE!

This offer is also good for gift certificates that are purchased in October (you'll have 6 months to redeem them). Certificates are great Christmas, wedding, bridal shower, or birthday gifts!

Let's celebrate and get redesigned!

Holly, your Redesigner for Allen, Plano, McKinney and surrounding areas

www.reinventingrooms.biz

214-532-9677

Save 15% at Williams Sonoma Home (Allen, TX)

2008-09-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

For a limited time you can take 15% off of any Williams Sonoma Home order, with the purchase of one hour or more of design consulting services. Contact Holly Bellomy to schedule your appointment.
214-532-9677
www.reinventingrooms.biz

Coffee Tables with Pizazz- Allen, Plano, McKinney Real Estate Stager

2008-08-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite coffee tables that I have had the opportunity to decorate. All of the tables were decorated with items that I found in my clients' homes -nothing new was purchased!

This coffee table above is made of petrified wood and has great texture and rustic appeal. This homeowner had a collection of decorating books, a vase of bamboo that I found in the kitchen, a fossil that resembles a snail shell and a carved box of wood. I think all of the natural elements are beautiful!

Here is a traditional coffee table with two bronze figures, greenery, and a very special book.

This coffee table is decorated with the Fairmont Urn from Southern Living at Home. I added faux greenery and fresh bird of paradise to give it some flair. I really like orange!

This coffee table has great details. It is decorated with, again, more books to add height to the urn, a silver box and greenery. This look is very romantic!

This is a great Arts and Crafts table. I added round shaped pottery and carved wooden pieces to compliment the table.

This is a simple table with a wood top and iron base. The owner had this beautiful bromeliad plant on a built in shelf. It adds color and interest to the coffee table. The candle stick holder is iron, which coordinates with the table and I liked the tambourines that the home owner picked up while traveling abroad, so I had to use them!

Let me know which table is your favorite. Be one of the first 5 people to reply and you will receive 25% off the redesign services of your choice!
I would be happy to help you decorate your coffee table with your special collectibles and treasures or I would be happy to shop for those special items that will make your room complete!
Call me today at:
Holly Bellomy
214-532-9677
www.reinventingrooms.biz

Staged Homes Sell Quickly- Allen, McKinney, Plano Home Stager

2008-07-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

I work with Holly to give me the best opportunity possible to sell my homes quicker. Especially in a stale market like this, agents and sellers alike need to take advantage of all resources available to move property. Any agent that has ever shown a property knows that buyers can get turned off from great homes because they just aren’t staged correctly. We need our sellers to realize that stagers help sell. Marketing your property within the walls of the home is very important. Many agents just list to get listings and are not worried about the time on the market, but for an agent that cares about their clients and wants to move property quicker, there is no better way than to invest in a stager.

Justin Phillips
Westbrook Brokerage Firm, LLC
972-786-4219
justin_phillips@tx.rr.com
www.reinventingrooms.biz

Creating a Mood with Color (Collin County, Allen TX decorator)

2008-06-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

You have probably heard that painting your walls is the fastest and least expensive way to make a big change in the look and feel of a room. This is true! I wanted to change the "mood" of my master bedroom so I took out my roller and I went to Sherwin Williams paint store and ordered my paint! I took the following photo of my master bedroom before I painted it. The brown walls are warm and rich. When I painted them I wanted a cozy feeling room.

We have lived in our home for more than 3 years and I needed a change, so I painted the walls a soft blue color. The bedding and wall art is the same. I added silver framed pictures of my family and a couple of apothecary jars which hold sea shells. The shells remind me of the beaches of California where I spent many summer days. The blue walls are serene and cool...just what I needed!

As you can see, paint color makes a difference.

Consider painting your walls if:
1. You are selling you home
2. You crave a big change and don't want to spend a lot of money
3. You have purchased new furniture or bedding
4. Your current wall paint is chipped or faded
5. You want to update the look of your room

Whether you are selling your house, moving into a new one, or just wanting a change, I can help you choose the paint color for your walls!

Happy Painting,
Holly Bellomy
214-532-9677

www.reinventingrooms.biz

Spruce up Your Room with Color (Stager, Lucas, Allen, McKinney, Fairview, Plano,TX)

2008-05-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

The family room at the left has neutral carpet and furnishings. This is the perfect start for a great looking room! By adding pillows, a throw, an area rug, art, and pottery in an analogous color scheme we will spruce up this room.
An analogous color scheme consists of two or more colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. We'll be using blue and green.

This is the room after we added our textiles. The soft shades of aqua and sage look cool and comforting. The area rug with navy blue accents helps to "anchor" the scheme. The beautiful bromeliad plant that was hiding in the built ins adds another shade of green and great texture with its foliage as does the silk ficus tree. The dark red lamp contrasts nicely with the blue and green shades.

Look at this beautiful mantle and built-in shelves! These are great places to add splashes of color!

The owner of this home had this beautiful reproduction by Vincent van Gogh in another room. Its frame matches the mantle and it ties in beautifully with the pillows. The turquoise and aqua pottery add more great color.

Do you have a room that needs a little color? Call me at 214-532-9677.
www.reinventingrooms.biz

Group Similar Pieces of Art (Designer Allen, Plano, McKinney, Lucas, Fairview, TX)

2008-02-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

When hanging art on a wall, group items that are alike.

Here are some examples of art that can be grouped for a beautiful display:

1. Black and white photos

2. Art with frames that are the same color

3. Paintings

4. Art with a similar theme

5. Photos of places you have traveled

6. Sets or series of art

This arrangement is composed of 4 pieces of art with the same theme. Here are two prints by the same photographer.

www.reinventingrooms.biz

Remove the Block of Knives Before Listing Your Home (Staging Allen, Plano,McKinney, Lucas, Fairview, TX)

2008-02-09T14:27:00.001-08:00

I would like to share a story that was shared with me by a fellow IRIS member, Lucy Butcher. A few years back, Lucy's friend who was a realtor, received a phone call from a man who wanted to see a home that was for sale. Lucy's friend met with the man to show him the home. While in the kitchen, the man grabbed a knife from the block on the counter and stabbed her and almost killed her.

You never know who will be walking through your home once it is listed so it is a good idea to take precaution. Lucy suggessts removing all sharp items from counters and drawers. If it is necessary to keep knives or other objects in the kitchen, she suggests placing them in a cabinet under the counter with the handles facing away from the doors (for knives in a block) and all other sharp items should be placed in a plastic bag under the counter as well. If you have young children, make sure that you have safety latches on the cabinets where you store the sharp implements.

Let's keep our realtors safe!
www.reinventingrooms.biz

A Screen Gets Reinvented (Decorator/Redesigner Allen, Plano, McKinney, Lucas, Fairview, TX)

2008-01-31T19:37:00.000-08:00

We all have great things hanging around in our homes, some of us have lots of great things, but it just takes a few special items and a little creativity to use those items to their best advantage. Take a look at the following photos. The first photo reveals an average bedroom with great color on the walls. The arrangement of the rooms contents make it look ordinary. I moved the bed to the larger wall and placed the screen behind it. The screen has great texture and height and it makes a delightful headboard.

I can help you arrange your special items, too!

Holly
www.reinventingrooms.biz