See How a Stager Instantly Gave a 1930s Craftsman a (Very!) Modern Makeover
An undesirable location at a busy intersection and a renovation that was a bit lacking meant that lots of potential buyers were literally and figuratively passing this downtown Dallas home by. After the three-bedroom, two-bathroom single family house sat on the market for two months, the owner called in Texas home stager Nedra Hines of Effortless Charm Staging. In a true testament to the power of staging, Hines expertly downplayed the interior’s negatives while highlighting the positives. The result? The number of real estate showings increased by 500 percent and renters signed a lease on the property.
The Craftsman-style home dates back to the 1930s, when things like a built-in phone booth in the entry and a rifle display stand on the fireplace mantel were common — and this home still has both. “The challenge was having this home appeal to the age range of the target buyer — which we estimated to be about 28 to 40 years old — while realizing that there are outdated features that are an eyesore to people of that age range,” says Hines. “I’m a little older and I can’t relate to these architectural features that were the norm in the 1930s!”
On the plus side, the homeowner had updated the kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and tile throughout. The home also benefited from a freshly painted neutral interior. The living room and dining room had pretty hardwood floors — a great feature that Hines definitely wanted to highlight. With a $2800 budget, paint colors from the renovation that were staying, and the parameter that the owner didn’t want anything “fuzzy” when it came to soft goods like area rugs and throw pillows, Hines got to work adding furniture and decor to show potential buyers how the home could be modernized for today.
In the living room, Hines chose a patterned rug to define the seating area but left the rest of the floor uncovered to show off the hardwoods and give a feeling of expansiveness. The pretty (non-fuzzy!) patterned area rug is a popular style that reads updated, as it’s been featured on Instagram a lot lately. It also inspired the room’s color scheme of blues and grays.
Hines decided to keep the furniture selections simple with just a pair of mid-century-inspired chairs; a tufted, nailhead sofa with a collection of throw pillows; and a simple coffee table. A set of unfussy console tables flanks the fireplace. The placement of the furniture creates an appealing sitting and conversation area, and also positions the sofa to take advantage of the view of the home’s charming wide, arched doorway into the dining room.
Finally, the addition of simple, contemporary artwork and a few bronze-toned accents in the form of throw pillows and decor objects finished off the space. With the simple tweaks that staging provided, the new renters were able to see what started out as a dated house as a modern home they can take in any design direction they choose.