Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Tables to stage and treasures to find


I recently decided to focus more time on building my staging business, Lori Bishop Designs.  I already have several Realtors that call me on a regular basis but it's time to take this a little more seriously and make my dream a reality.  Thanks to loyal clients who pass the word along, I'm busier than I could imagine and I love it!  Today I spent some time developing tablescapes for several properties I have pending.  I needed color in several homes so I bought the napkins above  and started dragging out my dish collection.  It's like painting with tableware!  


This is an update to Kinwood, an earlier post.  the Realtor wasn't crazy about the tablecloth and had hoped for something more dramatic since the ceiling was so high.  I'm not thrilled with this but it's minus the tablecloth and the tall candlesticks add some height and drama.  I just can't seem to get this one to a point that I can say I love it.  Frustrating!

I did find this great coffee table and the matching side table at a garage sale last weekend.  $40 for both!


Did I ever show you my front door "after" shot?  I really like it!

I found these pewter bowls and the mug at Goodwill for $1.49 each.  I've always liked pewter.  These are great  to use for salad.  I place them in the freezer first, then set them out for salads.  Everything stays crispy and cold.  




Saturday, May 7, 2011

House to Home - Staging Kinwood Court

I've spent the majority of the last 3 days staging homes.  The good news?  I MUST go treasure hunting soon to prepare for additional homes that are on the schedule.  The bad news?  I am exhausted!  Nonetheless... I'm pleased with the results.  Here's one for your viewing pleasure.
The dining room before.

The dining room after.  My sons suggested placing the table at an angle.  Good idea guys!
So... how do I offer staging at affordable prices?  Well... those treasure hunts pay off well.  The centerpiece is a Goodwill find.  

This beautiful dishes are from Goodwill.  $1.60 each for the dinner plates and $1.20 each for the salad plates.  The tablecloth is actually a single panel Shabby Chic  drapery panel from Goodwill.  The glassware, chargers and flatware came from Big Lots. 
The master bedroom is quite large and just a bare and lifeless!

I was able to use a recent find.  I made the upholstered headboard and it goes perfectly with the toile duvet cover, shams and accent pillows.  The toile set and the houndstooth bedskirt and two shams were found at Southern Thrift in Nashville for a total of $18.

Here's a close-up of the pillows.

I added a cute black wicker chair (found in front of a neighbors house and  spray painted!)

The master bath was interesting.  We had to add bulbs to the lights and try to add interest without clutter,

I carried the black from the bedroom into the bathroom.  It was tricky adding accessories without adding clutter.

A great garden tub - although a bit boring....

That's better.  Don't you think?

I added a few items at the vanity table.

The hall bathroom.

A few little additions and it's a little more appealing.

A HUGE rec room... Always a challenge.  

A simple black futon.

A game of scrabble.

I staged the middle bedroom as a children's room.

This front bedroom has a great window.

We added a simple desk and some art.  Much better.

The back bedroom.  It's a bit larger than the prior two.  I considered placing a bed in this room but decided that most people would see and appreciate the size.  The goal became adding something "cozy" to give the room some warmth and appeal.

A reading chair, afghan, lamp, etc. works welll without the time and expenses of adding a bed.

The reading set-up.  
This beautiful home is in Island Brook subdivision in Hendersonville, Tennessee and is listed by Lindy Gaughn of ReMax Choice Properties.
Thanks for stopping by!

Lori

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Treasure hunting, swinging on the porch and sharing heart to heart - - - A girlfriend weekend!

Is there anything more comforting than having a friend you can share everything with?   My friend Holley visited this weekend and we had the best time!  We laughed.  We cried.  We shopped.  I haven't taken pictures of all the treasures we found but thought I'd share a few things I found.  

The cushions were custom made for these chairs in a beautiful blue rooster toile print.

I bought 6 solid oak chairs like this at $25 each.  I plan to paint these a cream color and distress them. 
Cute bows to tie the cushion to the chair.

Stay tuned!  More to come!  

Lori

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest  accomplishment."  
Ralph Waldo Emerson