Here’s How to Pick Art for Your Home When Staging, According to the Pros
Deciding to finally put your home on the market can be both an exciting and daunting experience. And, with an increasingly competitive housing market, a well-staged home can make all the difference in placing your home on a buyer’s “must-have” list. Artwork plays a critical role in adding the finishing touches when prepping your home for sale, and you’ll want to make sure you’re picking the right kind to create a polished look. To help present your home in the best light possible, we reached out to design experts from Seattle, WA, all the way to Cambridge, ON for their top tips for choosing wall art when staging a home.

Make sure you’re choosing the right scale, style, and color palette
Bigger, more abstract pieces show better while smaller artwork makes a space look cluttered and busy in pictures.Less is always more in staging, meaning don’t forget to leave plenty of negative space in order to give the eye a place to rest. There is no need to fill every wall; it’s good to give potential buyers plenty of room to envision their own pieces in a space. -Decorate to Show

​Make sure you scale the size of the pieces to the individual spaces. Including neutral, monochromatic pieces usually work best. And popping in metal colors can really help draw the eye to optimally focus on architecturally appealing features of the home. Lastly, be careful not to overdo it with too many pieces or very personalized art, as this ultimate goal is for your buyer to picture themselves living in the home. -Elm Tree Design & Home Styling

When choosing artwork to hang above a sofa, be sure to select the right size. If a piece of artwork is too big or too small, buyers may get a sense that something just feels off in the room (and the home), even if they can’t put their finger on it. Follow the 75% rule: the length of artwork should be at least 75% of the length of the sofa. Try coordinating the artwork with the throw pillows on the sofa to create a cohesive and pleasing look. -BA Staging & Interiors

If you’re stuck on how to pick art for your home when staging, look to the house as a guide
Look at the era of the home, the furnishings, and decor as a guide when picking artwork. From there no matter what style, keep it simple. Remember that less is more, and it can also make a statement. I also like using color theory in my art selections, so if my furnishings are very colorful I typically choose a monochromatic piece to balance the room. -Aisling Designs

Choose artwork based on the décor of the entire room as it will be seen in a photo, not as a “stand-out” piece on its own. Remember that 97% of homebuyers start their home search online, so the artwork they see is part of a photograph and not viewed in person at first. Also, be aware that viewers form an opinion of what they see in the first 90 seconds, multiple studies show that between 62% and 90% of the opinion is based solely on color. Our recommendation is that artwork supports the look and feel of a room, blending in but also completing it, rather than making it a focal point. -TruPlace

Artwork should be in keeping with the style of the room. In other words, don't use coastal art in a rustic or sophisticated room. Instead, bring interest and variety into the space with art while also being careful that there’s a common theme throughout the pieces being used. Color, style, and size all play into creating a cohesive look. -Bobbett & Associates

Be selective with your artwork choices
Stay away from artwork that might be considered controversial. One man's fine art might not suit other people’s tastes. Also, stay away from visually busy pieces that draw the eye away from the viewer. -Andrew McGibbon Photography

Having an idea of the demographic is the first step when selecting artwork for your home staging. Ask yourself, “what kind of person is most likely to purchase your home?” Is it a city lights lover? Perhaps a mountain range hiker? Or maybe a rancher in the midwest? Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and envision what they would like to see. -Brent Loe Photography

When deciding how to pick art for your home when staging for sale, ensure that it fits the feel of the room and isn’t too personalized (like a family photo). For example, if it's a traditionally furnished living room, choose traditional artwork vs. something overly modern. Or, if you are hanging pieces in a child's bedroom, choose something that’s more fun, artsy, and colorful. -Iconic Real Photography

The most important thing to remember when selecting art for staging, is that it needs to be appealing to the masses. Not everyone has the same taste when it comes to art, so select a piece that is simple and neutral, such as an abstract or landscape. Try to avoid anything that may be considered controversial, quotes, or pieces that are overly traditional, which may turn buyers away. -Designs by Bishop

Use art to help you sell the home, remove art that sells you or your story, and instead hang only the art pieces that create feelings of happiness to people outside of your family. Art evokes emotion, and so when staging a home, use art to evoke emotions of happiness, welcome, peace, light, and “upscale style.” For example, remove wedding pictures and personal photos from a bedroom, and hang art with subtle colors and shapes.  Softly colored landscapes or abstracts create feelings of peace and light that are very calming and are not too personal. In a living area, use more lively colors and larger pieces, and place them strategically within the room to bring the buyers’ eye to the selling features of the home, such as a fireplace, a wonderful view out a window, or some wonderful built-in shelving. -Home by Hattan

Use artwork as an accentUse art to speak to buyers without shouting. The art chosen for your space should enhance and showcase the architectural features and decor style of the home. An original abstract art piece can glam up a transitional or modern neutral space, plus add inspiration and color. Having the right style, scale, and color in your art will also trigger a positive psychological response. Medium blue tones are attractive and attracting, plus it’s a calming shade that offers stability and security. Medium blue is a great accent color choice to keep your buyers in the right mindset to determine their purchase offer and get your home sold faster. -Domaine Luxe

Choose art that accents, not interrupt, your space. When selling your home, art should be the accent, not the main focus. Buyers want to feel and appreciate the main features of your home when it's for sale. To support this desire, choose art that's in the right scale/size for a wall or room. Also, make sure the art has mainly neutral colors (beige, grey, black and brown tones) with one or two color elements that complement a color in the room. That way, the buyer can focus on the gorgeous wood floors and the airy high ceilings versus the bright orange painting that you would hang on the wall if you weren't selling your home. -Hart of the Sell

Use artwork to accentuate a home's architectural features. Artwork has the power to guide viewers through the tour and call attention to a home's best features. Choose vertical art pieces to draw eyes upward towards high ceilings and unique moldings. Style a decorative fireplace mantle with a few pieces of art in varying styles and sizes to show the potential of blending historic features and modern styles. -A&S Realty

You can add personality with some drama and color, but do so thoughtfully
Keep it simple, but make it grand. Strategically place large-scale and simple abstract art to create interesting focal points and give buyers a sense of grandeur. Go as big as you can as long as it doesn't distract buyers from a feature. Try to steer away from pieces that are busy with lots of contrasting colors, because that can also distract buyers. -Ball & Jacks Designs

Use abstract art featuring bright and bold pops of color such as teal, mustard, cobalt, or fuschia. These colors catch the buyer’s eye as they search pictures online, while the abstract style lacks distracting or taste-specific details that could potentially turn off a buyer. Also, keep in mind that heavy or dark frames tend to age a home and drag down the overall look of the room, so we usually choose unframed canvas art. This streamlines and unifies the look while remaining fresh and light. -Texas Best Stagers

Go big and bold. Large canvas artwork with a modern element tends to look better on camera than multiple small photos displayed behind reflective glass. More important though is not hanging your artwork too high. Artwork should be hung around eye level with the midpoint of the piece about 57”-60" from the floor. -J.L. Jordan Photography

Don’t be afraid to go the DIY-route
If you’re finding it difficult to locate artwork in the style, size, or color scheme that you need for your space, consider making your own. You can purchase a large, inexpensive canvas, or several canvases in order to make a collage effect at your local craft store. Plus, you can use any leftover wall or craft paint to create an abstract design in exactly the color, size, and style that you need. -Gate City Design

Keep other decor elements in mind when hanging your own artwork. When hanging artwork on your own, it should be 2/3 the width of the furniture it’s hanging above so that it connects with other decor elements in the space. Also, the center of your artwork should be 57-60 inches from the ground. This is the average eye level (and the height art galleries use). Artwork 4-6 inches above your furniture otherwise it will look as though your art is floating.  -Delta Home Staging & Redesign

Originally published by Redfin

Check this out, friends! I am so honored to be featured in this article by Redfin on tips for staging your home during the holidays! They, as well as several nationwide, super-savvy pros share some great tips on how to make your listing shine bright during the most wonderful time of the year! Give it a read!! This info is on point! ​

Did you fall into a trap of trends? Do you feel like your favorite store regurgitated the Spring Magnolia line of 2020 in your living room? Or maybe you went after a super minimalist look that now feels a little, dare-I-say, Ikea (which don't get my wrong - Ikea is not the enemy here!! ;))? Don't fret, friend. While it may feel slightly overwhelming to change your whole look, note that trendy style change anxieties can in fact be resolved with a few simple "timeless" tricks. 

When I design a room from top-to-bottom, my main goal is to add interest with textures and simple pops of color and pattern. I try to avoid anything too kitschy and plan for big purchases to contain only neutral tones. Anything that carries a hefty price tag should in my opinion, be either a show stopper, or something that can easily be played with in terms of accent colors or textures. 

Yes, yes, - gray can be over done. But imagine a simple gray sofa with a fun pop of mustard and teal in oversized down-filled throw pillows. Or maybe a hide-textured or shaggy pillow with some patterned throws to stylize your sofa to best fit the time of year or maybe even your mood for that week! Imagine being able to change your decor out as best suits the seasons without having to dish out some major moolah! This is why my first suggestion is to pull in trends with more cost effective options. Look to places like Home Goods or Society6 for cash-friendly options and dedicate a closet or some garage bins to storing your rotating line of home beauties to help keep things fresh and organized. Timeless Treasure 1: Neutral Furniture 

Next, have you been wanting to work some glam into your overload of farmhouse decor? Or maybe pull in a bold color to your neutral palette? Why not?!? Mix in some fresh champagne gold tones or a little bit of mercury glass to dress up the distressed look! Or go big with bold patterns and colorful accents to you current minimalist space. There is no rule that says you cannot play with your style a bit to pull in another interior style that you have been swooning over! Thats why my second fix for too much trendiness is to start small with decorative accents. Then slowly and piece by piece, you will have a space that is more personal and customized than that showroom look that sometimes pops up on our favorite HGTV shows. ​Timeless Treasure 2: Mixed Accents

And finally, if you are ready to just move on from whatever you currently have but feel overwhelmed - doing things in phases will help calm that anxiety. Start your new look with one room. Piece together a look by transforming your space one room at a time and this will help you stay focused and organized. Move every piece out that you want to get rid of and start with a blank slate. Once you can see things clearly, put together a collage of pics of pieces that you plan to keep. Then, pull in a few new selections and voila - your new look comes to life! In conclusion, and my third fix - work out your spaces room by room. And remember that art, rugs, and lighting can change EVERYTHING! Start with these items for the biggest bang. And I promise, that this will mitigate your spend and provide a feeling of accomplishment, all at the same time! Timeless Treasure 3: (a thought, that is) start small! Pull together each room as you can and watch your personalized palette come to life!

Here in Texas, while on lockdown and quarantined due to a "Corona hangover"...errr - Covid 19 pandemic, we are all looking for ways to stay safe but also keep our sanity. Amongst the loads of google classroom docs we are all trying to stay on top of, plus trying to work from home and keep our kids happy & entertained....err - out of our hair - we also need to find a little sunshine out of all of this proverbial rain. So, just a thought to ease your cabin fever: Get outside and find a project! One of my personal favorite projects to tackle is redesigning outdoor living spaces. Updating your backyard, porch, patio or deck can be a quick way to liven up your space and also get your family outside and involved. Call it a field trip if you must! But, take advantage of this time and create a space that will in turn, create fun memories for years to come!

My dream backyard would consist of a healthy array of colorful vegetables in a raised garden alongside a mix of large succulents and  big, beautiful, showy flowers (such as roses), pavers and black crushed granite lining the back of my home. I love a gorgeous dewy grass to contrast the black details in the granite and colorful flower accents. But, I also think so much can be accomplished with a few affordable changes that pack a big punch when it comes to design! Easy to manage colorful perennials and climbing or wandering plants can really make a difference and can help save on budget too (buy a wandering or climbing plant and watch it grow and expand beyond measure! Or plant those perennials once and keep them coming back year after year!) Pop up a trellis along your fence line and plant some climbers! Crossvines are wonderful in the Texas region as they bloom pretty orange, trumpet flowers during the spring and summer. And in the fall and winter, their leaves turn purple and maintain through the cold season, keeping everything lively and lovely! Any pop color to your yard, front or back, is going to add a special design element to your outdoor appeal! And, I find gardening to be quite the stress reliever - so double win, especially in these times. 

For more tips and tricks on how to design your space, follow me on FB or Instagram!

Are you intimidated by reaching out to a designer, home decorator, home stylist, or whatever coined term is the new trend?
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I get that. I think sometimes it can be a strange thing to invite someone in to your home to pick apart your space and decide on a look that is going to best encompass your lifestyle, your vibe, your mood - all for your personal comfort zone. Sometimes people say, "Oh she hired a designer. *insert eye roll, sarcasm, etc.". And you think, "Thats just over the top."

Am I right?!

What do you do next? 

*Hops online and searches, "How to make my room look like a model home on a budget." No. "DIY Home Updates for Less." No. "Top Luxury Homes (via Houzz or Pinterest)."  
*Creates a few inspiration boards. 

Now you're sucked in to the never ending black hole of GORGEOUS, well thought out, designer homes. *Insert envious feeling.

I get it. 

*2 hours later.  

*Personal voice says, "Forget it. Everything that I want is going to be too expensive."

*Opens bottle of wine. 

*Repeats the next day. 

I GET YOU. I love the look of beautiful things. But I refuse to pay what it would cost to buy a whole car to design and decorate my living room. Beautiful things can come together on a budget. Beautiful things can be found at places other than the big box retailers or high end custom design stores. Beautiful things happen when textures and colors come together to be cohesive in a space where it makes you feel at peace.

That's the goal - right?

I work with people every day on styling their spaces. On updating their looks. On modernizing their style. 

And, let me just say, I am that girl who shops and designs for clients how I would shop and design for myself. I like a deal. I like to comparison shop. And I like to negotiate. Whether the budget is $500 or $50,000. I am not above a good deal. In fact, it's the challenge that I am truly after - if we're being honest. ;)

And, if I am spending money on anything, I want my dollar to go far. I want products and pieces that will last and stand up to the 9 and 5 year old in my house. And, I want to look at pretty things that are interesting to me for my space. Things that I might consider "functional art."

With that said, I have hand picked a few items that look like the high-end pieces that you see in some of the gorgeous storefront and designer homes that sometimes only feel like a dream. But don't fret!
​You can get the look for less without sacrificing quality!

Check out my finds below and let me know what you think!

​Also - check out this Elm Tree Home style board for inspiration on how to get the look: ​

​Dining Table: World Market

Black Cane and Elm Wood Dining Chairs: Overstock

Dinnerware: Kohls

Rug: Rugs USA

You guys, check out this king size bed next. While beautiful, it is priced at $1700 and available at one of my favorite upscale-contemporary, "just take my money" retail storefronts (Starts with a Z and ends with a Gallerie but will remain unnamed). Stunning in its handsome upholstery with button tufted details, I imagine it is a show stopper in any room where the magic happens. 

However, this very similar piece with an even more grandiose headboard with style and height to add that luxurious feel to any master retreat, is available at Wayfair for under $800 (as of the date of this posting.) You're significant other will likely appreciate the savings on this one and will still be happy to mix up the magic or slumber peacefully in this dreamy king bed. 


Stop what you're doing and just click "buy."  Find it now at Wayfair!

If you know me at all, or follow me, or have ever checked out my work - then you know I'm a lover of lights. They can make or break a home in my humble opinion -  and just a change in lights can create a whole new look and feel in a room. Lights are my favorite pieces in well designed homes and I have even been known to sacrifice other things in the budget to accommodate a beautiful piece of functional art such as lighting. But I will tell you, this light right here - It will cost you a pretty penny at a beautiful online store that even has the word Gold in it (Peri, a lover of taking your gold - get my drift? P***gold). Priced at over $1500, this will set you back a bit on your budget. But yes -  It. Is. Stunning with a capital S. 

Now, check it y'all. This chandelier, which is actually larger in size (which I love, especially if it's a statement piece), is still an 8 light wagon-wheel chandelier, very similar in look and style - and costs 57% less than the aforementioned piece. And you can buy it now for $638.40 at Bellacor (one of my favorites!) plus get an additional 20% off if you sign up for their email. That is a solid deal if I've seen one. Happy Light Shopping!

So, tell me - what other pieces can I comparison shop for, for you? Even better, if you'd like me to save you the time, money and stress of finding your perfect pieces - definitely reach out! Quality pieces at great prices are my jam and I would love to help you! Keep in mind that I pass along my commercial trade pricing to all of my clients -- so you end up saving even more! Woo woo!

Thanks for the read. And Cheers! It's National Wine Day, friends!

Truth is, we all want our homes to look like a million bucks. And it's not easy at times when your budget - well - isn't a million bucks. But lucky for you, I've compiled a list of the best farmhouse inspired pieces that I found on the cheap, that look WAY more expensive! Who doesn't love a great deal? Now, pull up your Joanna Gaines inspired boots and get to shopping!

​Check out this set of 4 - YES 4 - farmhouse inspired gunmetal dining chairs! These beautiful, yet practical chairs sell on luxury sites for over $100 each but you can get your 4 set on Amazon all for $99! With almost 400 top rated reviews, this item is a best seller on Amazon.  They are rust and water resistant making them the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor dining. 

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​Buy 1, 4-pack of chairs for $99.
​(Affiliate Link)

​The linen fabric blend on these elegant drapes create an airy and luxurious feel adding a point of interest to any farm-house styled home. They come in multiple sizes all the way up to 120" and come in a pair! Curtain panels can cost hundreds of dollars each at times and can really set you back on your budget. STOP SEARCHING! I've found the perfect pair for you and these can be styled with any dreamy accent color, textile, or pattern that you wish!

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Buy on Amazon. 1 pair of curtain panels starts
$36.99!  
​(Affiliate Link)

Just like a warm embrace, this cable knit throw blanket will bring you comfort and happiness as you sit by the fire on a crisp night. It's made of 100% natural cotton and is both fade, shrink and pill resistant! And additionally, it comes with a laundering bag and instructions to help you properly care for your cozy, new accessory. It's both stylish and well-made and will keep you warm for years to come! Toss it over a chair or sofa for an inviting look in your farmhouse styled living room. And priced at under $30 - this would also make the perfect gift! 
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Check it out here and get yours today for $29.99!
​(Affiliate Link)

Where can you find an over-sized metal wall clock for under $100? Right HERE! This large, 40" oil rubbed bronze wall clock is the perfect addition to any farmhouse living or dining room. Nothing ties a room together better than an interesting clock, in my opinion. And this choice reflects a classic and timeless style with a beautifully crafted design and farmhouse appeal. Look elsewhere and you will spend a few hundred dollars on this eye-catching accessory. But for the budget-savvy shoppers with quality and design being top of mind, this is the perfect choice. 

Find this clock on Amazon today for $95.66!
​(Affiliate Link)

I have personally purchased these white-washed pine floating shelves and love the look! At 36" in length each and sold as a pair, you can really add a beautifully crafted design to any space. Hang at eye level in a living room or office to add a personal appeal to the room. Customize the design with your favorite hardback books, photo frames of beloved family members & friends, and small potted succulents. Or, add to a bathroom to store toiletries, towels and more! Another stunning option is to hang these in a dining room or kitchen to display your favorite dishes. The sky is the limit with these beauties! Find them on luxury or hand-crafted sites and spend well over a $60 a shelf. Get these today for less!

Purchase a pair for under $40, today!
​(Affiliate Link)

Hey friends! Did you know that you can update your space with a few simple tips and tricks and do it all for under $500? Any style, any living space, any season - we all can feel stuck on design at times. But, I can help! Check out a few simple styling techniques that will easily update your look, brighten your space and save on budget! 

​ 1. Creamy, white throw pillows can brighten up even the darkest of furniture! And guess what? You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get some nice pillows. One trick that I always use, is to purchase textured throw pillow covers from either Etsy or Amazon. Choose a size of at least 20x20 and fill with down feather inserts that are one size bigger (i.e. Buy a 20x20 cover, fill with a 22x22 insert). This will give you that full, fluffy look that you see in model homes and will, at the same time, quickly brighten up your space. Make sure and give it that "karate chop" down the center for an even more professionally designed and styled look! Get this look now for $49.98 (set of 2 covers and inserts!) on Amazon by following the links!

2. Use Mirrored or Metal Pieces to Accent! No matter your style - silver, gold and brass can liven up any space. I typically choose a muted version of mixed metals or a pretty mercury glass piece and love to accent with trays, candle holders, mirrors and photo frames! Just a little pop of interest can really sophisticate your look and can draw the eye to polish off your space.  Add this bronze tray with 4 mercury glass candle holders (included) to a coffee table to really lighten your space. Today's price is $39.99  - plus save 20% when you subscribe to their emails!

​(Some of the below pieces sell for double or more on luxury sites (verified!) - click on each pic to find out where you can get these exact items and save BIG while keeping the quality in tact!)

3. Did you know that lighting changes the entire look and feel of a home? Updating your pendants and chandeliers from the builder grade choices can significantly upgrade your look. Not only will new lighting literally brighten a room, but it will also add spectacular appeal and even become a topic of conversation as guests enjoy the warm, welcoming feel of your home with extra customized features. I love popping in a muted brass lighting fixture to amp up the glam in a room.  And another big tip on this same topic - make sure that all of your bulb hues match, as well as the wattage throughout the home. This will keep your eye focused on the right focal points and architectural details throughout the space. Get this 3 light pendant on sale today for $342.40!  Or check out the below beauties starting at only $69.99!