See How a Home Stager Made a Historic Home Feel So Much Bigger

Owning a historic home is the dream, isn’t it? They’ve got charm, lots of original details, and if you’re lucky, a storied past. But there’s one aspect of older properties that isn’t as appealing to the modern homebuyer: the lack of an open floor plan. What’s perceived as a choppy layout can be a big turnoff today.

That’s the challenge Amanda Eufer-Lewis, owner and lead stylist of The Den Rentals in Denver, Colorado, took on when staging an 1879 Victorian in Denver. “No one lived with a wide-open floor plan back then, so it’s crucial to be strategic with furniture placement to make sense of an older layout and still allow the rooms to feel connected,” she says.

The home had a lot going for it, including original elements that she wanted to highlight while introducing a modern aesthetic “with a touch of quirkiness, which my brand is known for,” Eufer-Lewis says. “I personally love nothing more than seeing an older home decorated with modern and interesting pieces. It feels fresh and inviting without overshadowing the original beauty and features of the architecture.”

A focal point in the house, which measures 2,700 square feet in total and contains four bedrooms and three bathrooms, was the living room, which welcomes visitors as they step through the front door. So, making a good first impression was key. But the space had an odd shape, and the original fireplace — while lovely — took up a good amount of room. “I needed to figure out the best way to showcase the main features but also create a practical layout and flow for everyday life,” Eufer-Lewis says. “I wanted to lure buyers in and set the tone for what to expect from the rest of the home.”

To do that, she sought to create a “wow” moment with the fireplace and large front window, which features original stained glass. By choosing smaller, sleek furniture pieces, she allowed these elements to shine. “These two features would set this room apart from any other,” Eufer-Lewis says.

So as not to block that front window, she chose a low-profile bolster back sofa from CB2 in a pale gray, framed by two boxy yet small CB2 side tables with modern lamps. A pair of charcoal-gray bouclé chairs from CB2 provide added texture, while a small marble coffee table from Safavieh underscores the modern aesthetic with its hairpin legs, yet doesn’t take up too much precious floor space.

After experimenting with a variety of rug sizes, Eufer-Lewis decided to layer a couple of cowhides to add softness to the space. A modern curvilinear floor lamp from West Elm in hues of brass and black helps balance the room.

As for wall art, Eufer-Lewis went for a DIY approach. “Art is such a crucial component to any space, but I couldn’t find the right piece I had in mind,” she says. So she painted a neutral abstract piece for above the fireplace. “I always use art in lieu of fake TVs [which professionals sometimes use when staging a living room] to keep the spaces feeling elevated,” she notes.

Finishing touches included a selection of art, fashion, and photography books from her extensive collection, as well as various vintage objects collected from local thrift stores and JKC Vintage Decor on Instagram — one of her favorite sources for accessories. Live plants, including a tall cactus beside the fireplace, “add pops of green and life,” she says, while a teal sheepskin from Modmood and feathery reddish-orange flora on the mantel provide further colorful flourishes.

“I like to give buyers something to remember and talk about,” Eufer-Lewis says. “When the market is as hot as it is, buyers are seeing so many properties, so I always aim to set ours apart from the rest through thoughtful curation of decor details.” 

Mission accomplished.