Peggy Johnson - Charlotte NC Home Stager

Charlotte NC Home Stager - Improving the view of Real Estate

Redesign + More committed to being your valuable resource for successfully selling your listings.

The Benefits of Partnering with a Home Stager Charlotte NC -

▪   Detailed On-site Home Staging Consultation.

▪   Refrain from exchanging negative aspects about a client’s home.

▪   Economize less marketing time means less money spent on advertising and more
    money in your pocket.

▪   Marketing your staged listings builds integrity and offers a great advantage over the
    competition.

▪   Home Stagers will establish a Top Ten Action Report to include the Key Rooms and More.

▪   All Realtor Agents redeem a discounted fee for a 1 hour home staging - consultation.

▪   If you refer an Agent and the Agent secures in a date for a consultation Redesign + More will give you and your referred agent $50 off the next consultation.

▪   Redesign + More will increase the marketing exposure by featuring every staged home - on our website with links to the Realtors listing page.

▪   In today’s market we see more Realtors that appreciate and love to list an attractive beautiful - staged homes.            

Peggy Johnson and the team at Redesign + More is here to help you attract a range of buyers and more successful showings.

In Charlotte, NC and surrounding cities, Redesign + More has several clients that have their homes on the market and very often they will ask should we decorate our homes for the holidays?  When it comes to staging your home for the holidays, our Redesign + More team offers our services to help plan and create a successful holiday staged home. There are some key areas to consider when staging your home for the holidays. Just because it is getting cold outside this doesn't mean the interior of your home has to appear cold too, bring on the warmth of the holidays but keep it tasteful, no clutter and set the stage for the holidays. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean buyers aren't looking, and your home may spark an interest to a potential buyer. So plant the thought in a potential buyer's mind, add some holiday cheer and warmth, set the stage.
 
Adding Holiday cheer at the Curb- Do not confuse your lawn with large plastic holiday sculptures or vignettes, this can overpower the curb appeal of the home. Remember the first rule "First Impression". When you use outdoor lights, stick to one color and avoid the blinking/chasing lights... you do not want a potential buyer to keep driving you want them to stop and say "WOW"!  I can see my family living in that home. Use the lights to highlight the architectural features of your home’s exterior, without over doing it. Evergreen topiaries with white lights add some vibrancy to the front in winter. Wreaths on the door can be welcoming, just remember to keep them tasteful.

Warmth and Festive Rooms– It’s about maximizing square footage and maintaining proper flow. If you’re a holiday village collector, this year you may want to think about skipping setting up the giant collection of your Christmas village. Instead, pick a couple of your favorites and display them in different locations around your home. Please remember although we all love to decorate for the season, keep your rooms de-cluttered and less is more.

If you put up a Christmas tree, is it going to take up floor space that was otherwise clear before? Consider removing a different item, such as an extra chair, from the room in its place. Try to place your tree away from the natural flow of the room. You don’t want buyers to be forced to go around obstacles any more during the holidays than any other time of the year. Watch where you lay your power cords! You don’t want your guests to trip and fall over your cords. Also, cords that run across the floor look messy and taping them to the floor is not an option.

Accessories on table tops, foyers, mantles and counters need to be thought out. For any accessory you add, there should be something removed. Otherwise, you’re adding visual clutter. Holiday garland can be used on mantles or staircase railings, but try to keep from putting so much out that you can’t see the mantle or the railing.  Less is more!

Be creative with your framed artwork. Find some festive wrapping paper with a simple, repeating pattern (not something that is too busy). Wrap your framed art like a present. Dress it up with ribbons and a bow. It doesn’t take up any additional space, so it’s a great way to do something fun and different. If you have a wall of family photos that should come down while your home is on the market, this is a great way to cover them up. As home stagers it is our job to explain to the homeowner where to place their tree and the time-frame to keep the tree up; most homeowners are very receptive to the idea.

Selling a home can be a stressful time in a person's life and bringing in a few holiday decorations can be a good idea. A nice attractive Christmas tree up for a week or so will most likely not delay the sale of the home. 

Our team at Redesign + More is available to help you with your Home Staging and Holiday Decorating needs. If you are feeling some what stressed this time of year, we can take the burden off of you and set the holiday home selling stage for you.

 Happy Holidays from Charlotte NC Home Stagers - Redesign + More Staging Homes for all Seasons
 

Charlotte NC Holiday Open House  

Follow these steps to throw a Holiday Open House in Charlotte NC

It’s all in the timing stick to a time frame - For a dessert open house; a three-hour window is perfect during the holiday season, either in the evening or afternoon. Keep in mind that an afternoon event will probably draw more people for two reasons: there aren’t as many daytime party conflicts, and adults will bring their children. Plan quantities accordingly.

Portion control - Have one or two substantial items to offer the guests who plan on hanging out for a while, plus nibble snacks for those who are party hopping.

Bring on tradition Chances are good that your holiday open house will become an annual event, so throw in a tradition guests will relish from year to year, like a carol sing-along, signature drink, cookie exchange or secret Santa grab bag.

Christmas clarity let guests know what to expect. State “champagne and desserts” or “wine and cheese” so they prepare and eat accordingly.

Open your house for the holidays and call Redesign + More for your holiday house decorating.

Seasonal and Holiday Event Services & Special Event Services -
Interior decorating design for holidays, special occasion decorating, events such as birthday parties, anniversaries and retirement parties. Let us handle all the event details so you can enjoy life without the stress!

Charlotte NC Home Staging - to sell  in the cooler months

During the spring and summer days when we see sunny skies and plenty of colorful flowers it can make a home more appealing to sell. Sometimes thats not an option and we must sell and stage our home during the shorter days and darker evenings of autumn and winter. Here are a few tips for making your home staging warm and appealing to potential buyers.

Curb appeal staging - Even without leafy trees and bright flowers, your yard and landscape can attract buyers if treated right. Remember that bare spots become more obvious in winter, so do what you can to camouflage them by laying mulch down around shrubbery and in flower beds. No one likes a messy yard in any weather, so keep it neat by making sure the yard is raked, the grass is evenly mowed and gutters are kept free and clear. To be competitive and to add that extra value to your listing, you have to think outside the box. And that literally means staging the kind of curb appeal that helps your home stand out from the other five or more on the same street. 
 
Attracting visual interest - Normally most people bring in the patio furniture when colder weather arrives; leave it out to create more visual appeal for potential buyers. A chimney or any portable outdoor fire pit is a neat touch for an outdoor patio or deck. Keep in mind faded and peeling paint or warped siding is even more obvious in the winter, so take care of all exterior touchups before listing your house.
 
Keep the interior of the home cozy - Set the furnace or central heat high enough to make the house as warm and comfortable as possible. Fireplaces are a big draw for potential buyers, so keep them free of dirt and clutter and arrange the room to highlight this feature. Get creative with warm touches - drape a warm throw over the sofa, or consider baking cookies or simmering cinnamon and other winter spices on the stove before showings. Those small touches will exude warmth and make your home feel cozy and welcoming.
 
Bring in light and some greenery - Light is especially important during the short, darker days of winter. So it’s important to take full advantage of natural light. Bare trees allow your home to get more light on sunny days, so keep the blinds open. On drearier days, turn on all the lights to add brightness to each space. Green, leafy plants can also add warmth to the interior of your house and fresh flowers add a splash of color to any room.

Redesign + More offers Vacant and Occupied - Home Staging in Charlotte NC

Charlotte NC - Home Staging to Sell -  It is essential to know what improvements to make, be precise about what you can expect to gain, and have a clear understanding of what is happening in the neighborhood.

Do Your Home Staging to Sell Research -
Before you think about selling a home, compare the home you plan to home stage and sell with other homes in the area. If a comparable property sold for $500,000 with a renovated kitchen and new appliances, don’t think you can get the same $500,000 by repainting the kitchen cabinets and laying down new flooring.

When you investigate other homes, take note of what upgrades have been made. Are the kitchens and baths fully renovated, with granite countertops, stone tile, custom made cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, or are they more ordinary? Are there up to date or brand new hardwood floors throughout? Recessed lighting? Finished basement? Is the electrical and plumbing up to date and upgraded? 

Enhance Exterior Home Landscaping -
Remove dying trees, bushes and flowers. Always trim overgrown areas. Replace dead grass with fresh sod. Plant evergreens, wreaths and potted urns in the winter months, and colorful blooms in spring and summer. Try using wood chips like chocolate or cedar-scented brands or gravel to economically cover large challenging areas this will enhance the homes exterior.

Exterior Home Curb Appeal -
Repair flaking paint and dry-damaged windowsills and shutters. Paint the front and back doors as well as garage doors, and if needed, replace them. Repair or replace broken or non-working eaves troughs. Fix and replace any aging or broken fencing. Consider adding exterior lighting to enhance curb appeal.

Update the Kitchen & Bathrooms -
These are lasting focal points for potential buyers, keep in mind that you must find a balance between being cost-conscious and looking like you took the cheap avenue. Kitchens can cost between $15,000- $80,000, bathrooms can range between $6,000-$30,000. Check and compare to see what materials they use. If most of the homes in the neighborhood highlight granite countertops and brand new appliances, then you should do the same if you expect a similar price tag.

Upgrade / Replace Flooring -
Check and compare in your neighborhood before you decide on what flooring you should choose. If all the homes in the area have new hardwood, don’t lay down laminate, unless you want to sell your home at a lesser value.

You can bring down costs by choosing synthetic opposed to natural stone tile, and sanding and re-staining hardwood instead of replacing it.  You can save by having your carpet company bind large leftovers for bedrooms instead of installing wall-to-wall carpet.  Do this only if the floor is hardwood and in good condition.

Apply Paint when Home Staging -
Paint more then the walls, paint everything the ceilings, closets, baseboards and interior doors. It will make the home feel clean, fresh and brand new. Note choose neutral paint colors.

Replace Old Switch Plates -
Nothing ages a homes property more than old, dated and discolored switch plates. Hire an electrician or do it yourself if you have the skills. Dimmer switches in dining rooms, kitchens and living rooms add an inexpensive touch.

Install Crown Moldings -
Adding crown molding is a nonstructural change that can recreate an interior. Stay away from poor quality versions from hardware chains that you can install yourself; they may save you money, but will look cheap. Choose a crown molding of significant size that matches the style of the house, and make sure there are no visible seams once installed. It’s a good idea if you redo crown moldings; look at adding new baseboards as well.

Bring Lighting Up to Date -
Install Pot lights they offer a clean, uncluttered look and create good lighting in a space.  They can run around $100 and up, this is a high return on investment. When home staging to sell think about adding new chandeliers in the foyer, dining room and kitchen. Hardware chain stores will often have knock off versions of designer fixtures that you can purchase for a fraction of the cost.

Upgrade Electrical and Plumbing - If you can afford it, the cost is well worth it.
Make certain that the changes you make bring your property up to a comparable level to the competing properties in your neighborhood. Charlotte NC Home Staging to Sell.

Redesign + More is Real Estate Staging in Charlotte NC

Our home staging team had a wonderful opportunity to partner with a local Real Estate agent and home owner that were in need of home staging on a budget. Redesign + More had to create a house that would appeal to the general public - buyers. The homeowner had no furnishings so we had to bring in 3 rooms of rental furniture and a variety of accessories. Our real estate staging has helped reduce the reason buyers shouldn't buy the house to hearing why they should buy the house.

Front Entrance Before and After Real Estate Staging Charlotte NC

Before and After front entrance into foyer Redesign + More Home Staging Team Charlotte

Before and After Dining Room Home Staging

Living room Before and After Real Estate Staging

Kitchen Before and After Staging

Master Bedroom Before and After Home Staging

Master Bathroom Before and After Staging to Sell NC

In Charlotte and Lake Norman North Carolina Redesign +More Peggy Johnson offered these tips to real estate professionals. 

From the cabinets to the appliances, to redesign to staging your home find out how to ensure a successful renovation.

Renovating your kitchen will add ease to your lifestyle and value to your home. Here are the 10 most important things to consider when you're updating your kitchen.

1 Use quality materials. -quality drawer slides and hinges mean cabinet doors will stay closed and drawers won't stick. Stay away from drawers that are stapled together or made of particleboard. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than melamine, laminate, MDF or particleboard.

2 Determine cabinet heights. If you have eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling. They offer more storage, enabling you to use extra wall space for artwork or open shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets.

3 Decide whether to paint or stain. Though stained-wood cabinetry is forgiving, most finishes date quickly and aren't easily altered. Brush-painted cabinets can lend a unique personality.

4 Select an elegant counter top. White Carrara marble (honed or acid washed and sealed) and stained wood add elegance and warmth. also honed Kirk stone slate, soapstone and Wiarton limestone, and plastic laminate with a wood edge for a sophisticated look.

5 Install an island that works. Beware of placing a bulky cube in the middle of the room. We like islands that have an open, airy look. Ideally, an island should be unencumbered by appliances, but if you want it to house a dishwasher-sink combo or a cook top, try to maintain the light look of a leggy harvest table.

6 Don't overdo the details. Design accents such as pediments over stoves and plaster molding's on cabinet fronts can represent decorative excess. Remember that the style of your kitchen should be compatible with the rest of your home.

7 Avoid maintenance nightmares. Natural surfaces with inherent texture -- slate, terra-cotta, brick and tumbled marble are more difficult to clean but camouflage the odd crumb. Smooth surfaces in light colors, such as white laminate counters or ceramic floors, are easy to clean but show everything. And as much as we love stainless steel, it's not easy to keep smudge-free.

8 Stick to basic appliances. Instead of lots of appliances and gadgets, consider selecting a few reliable basics. For example, a commercial-quality stainless-steel range makes an interesting focal point and takes up less space than separate wall ovens and a cook top.

9 Incorporate an adjacent dining room. A clever design, plus the appropriate lighting and furniture, will let you adapt the room's atmosphere to suit any occasion. Consider a banquette designcombined with slip covered chairs for an efficient use of space.

10 Add interest. Your kitchen should reflect you, not look like a showroom. Before designing the space, search for a piece of unique furniture and use it in your design. A room full of floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall kitchen cabinets looks boring and uninspired.

Summer has come and gone, but quick on its heels comes fall and there’s something truly rejuvenating about autumn’s arrival. In the are of Charlotte North Carolina Fall is the perfect time to get your home organized for the winter ahead and inject fresh interior redesign and decorating ideas that feel warm, welcoming and cozy. Ready to update your home for fall?

1 Picture perfect Interior Redesign

If you’re a closet shutterbug, release your inner talent and get snapping! Take photographs of pretty fall foliage or other scenes that say “autumn” to you. Blow your photos up and display them on tables or, create a feature wall in your home using picture rails. Display your photographs in frames of varying shapes, sizes and finishes for amped-up visual appeal. You can change up your photos each season for a continually refreshed look and feel. 

2 Welcome wreaths

Wreaths are traditionally associated with Christmas but more and more, wreaths are becoming a fall decorating essential as well. Adorn your front door with a wreath made out of wheat, berries, pinecones or acorns for a simple but elegant way to welcome guests to your home. A simple pinecone wreath, for example, can be updated for the holidays with the easy addition of red berries, green leaves and ribbon.

3 Simple slipcovers

Updating your home doesn’t have to mean blowing a bundle on new furniture. Your existing furniture can get an instant makeover by using slipcovers. Replace cotton slipcovers with thicker fabrics like faux suede and jacquard ones in warm fall colors like chocolate brown, evergreen and rust.

4 Clusters of candles

Candles add a warm glow to any room in the home. Place scented candles in large hurricane vases. Nestle the vases in individual bases made from pinecones or faux fall berries. Candles with woodsy fragrances like pine or balsam or sweet scents like vanilla or cranberry will send a delightful aroma wafting through the air of your home.

5 Mad for plaid

Plaid is a fall favorite. Calling forth thoughts of the Scottish countryside, this pastoral pattern is an easy way to transition your home from summer to fall. Replace cotton throws and cushions with ones graced with plaid. Grays, reds, greens and navy blues are traditional plaid colors and perfectly suit a fall-themed home.

6 Pretty pumpkins

Traditionally on display during Thanksgiving and Halloween, pumpkins make a lovely all-season fall addition. But how do you use them as decorative items, rather than jack-o-lanterns? Simply place a group of three pumpkins on your front porch on top of a welcome mat. Or, carve the insides out of a medium-sized pumpkin and fill the shell with flowers for a beautiful and natural floral display. Try painting a large pumpkin white, and then paint an interesting pattern on top in a different color. Display on a cake stand for a veritably unique centerpiece!

7 A bounty of books

Fall is the perfect time to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. Instead of leaving your books perfectly lined up on your bookcase, pick out the ones you plan to read for the season. Display them in neat stacks on tables around the house. It won’t cost you anything and will also motivate you to read those books that have been collecting dust on your bookshelf!

8 Gorgeous garlands

Pinecones can easily be strung together on a piece of twine to make a long and lovely garland. Beautiful and natural, a pinecone garland looks stunning strung along a staircase banister or a mantelpiece.

9 Change your color palette

A simple interior redesign by adding fall colors to your home will provide a fresh, updated feeling. Swap out light-colored bathroom towels for ones in rich browns and oranges. Switch your bed linens from summer’s light, white cottons to coffee-colored flannels for warmth on cool nights. Add jewel-tone throws and cushions to your sofa.

10 Area rugs

If you’ve got wood or tile flooring throughout your house, warm things up with area rugs during the fall and winter months. Hand-woven or hand-loomed rugs in spice colors like cinnamon, paprika and saffron will instantly pop in a space while also making things a bit more comfortable underfoot.

Decorating is like fashion the little black dress and that perfect white shirt you can always count on.

1. Leather Club Chair - Ideal for conversation and reading. A leather chair gets more comfy and softer as it ages if leather is not for you choose your favorite fabric.

2. Decorative Throw - Throws are great for accenting and decorating a chair or sofa.Cashmere will always work any time of the year faint designs add visual interest to a room without overpowering it.

3. Sofa- A ample loft sofa is one that you can stretch out, sleep on and seats at least three. Wood construction should be of quality and offer durable sinuous springs. Down filled and combo foam are very comfortable and hold the sofa's shape as well.

4. Wool Area Rug - A rug anchors your space and can bring your room to life. Subtle patterns and neutral colors are a good choice. Properly caring for your rug will result in a long-lasting rug.

5. Set the table - Using stainless steel flatware. Smooth and dense is how you want it to feel in your hands. A combination of simple and classic design is one you will enjoy for many years and its ideal for casual or formal occasion's.

6. Crystal Vase- Looks beautiful on its own, or filled with magnificent white flowers or seasonal colorful decorations like shells, pine cones or fruit. Look for a vase with clean lines it will never go out of style.

7. Round Pedestal Dining Table - Seats 6 to 8, 48" in diameter this is a relaxing way to entertain and dine with your guest and family. Your guest will feel right at home as they sit back and enjoy conversation without ever bumping a knee or a table leg.

8. Crystal and Fine Glassware - Wine and liqueur connoisseurs it taste the best when sipping from crystal or fine glassware. Shape and the size of the glass should always feel pleasing to the hand and complement a drinks bouquet.

9. 500 or More Thread-Count Cotton Bedding -  A smart investment. Soft, polished white bed linens make you feel like you are sleeping on a bed of clouds. Expand your collection as your budget allows.

10.White Dishware - Allows food and its presentation to show. You can mix using various designs and shades of white. Make sure your dishes are chip-resistant, dishwasher and microwave safe.

Decorating with Peggy in Charlotte North Carolina

 Great Redesign Tips Charlotte NC

Designate a Study Area for the kids before you start your redesign

Does your child believe that lying on the floor with his laptop on his lap, music turned up and a cell phone ringing is proper study time? I think it's time to create a space that provides productive study time.

•Interior Space. Choose a space in your home that will allow a since of peace and quiet. In the kitchen create an area that is in a corner, family room and bedrooms can work as long as you have the proper space to lay out your books and materials.

•Desk. Invest in a desk that is solid and well constructed it will be worth it and it will last. Children tend to be hard on furniture.  Choose a desk that has a comfortable work area.

•Lighting.  Use a desk lamp that has good light pattern that will cover a large area, this helps in preventing eye strains.

•Chair.  A Comfortable chair is essential. Find an ergonomic chair this will maximize productivity and reduce discomfort. Seat cushions in bright fun colors and patterns will help your child stay at the desk to his / her homework is complete.

•Storage.  Storage space is a must. Keep plenty of plastic boxes with labels and shelves this will help your child put away his or her things.  Bright colors will make organizing easier and more fun.

•Compliment.  Create places and interior spaces for your child to display accomplishments, like gold stars, awards, art work and a job well done. A reminder of what we achieved is something we all like to see.

Children who have a study space of their own can develop good study habits.  Choosing the right colors and furnishings for that interior space may help your child develop a sense of ownership in the interior space, and having your children study will help the parents relax. It's a positive for everyone.

Have fun with your redesign.