Deep Blue Encourages Efficiency

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From House Beautiful Sept 2009 issue came a color chart by Michele Bernhardt. It talks about balancing your home with color. But let us start with Blue on the body.



Kate Winslet in Narciso Rodriguez 2009 SAG Awards

Deep Blue: "It will purify your thinking, so you can cut throught the clutter and discover what is most important in your life. It helps you integrate the big picture with the little picture. Wear dark blue when you need to make a decision" Michele Bernhardt




I could cut through the clutter with this blue velvet chair from House Beautiful.



A pair of deep blue stools would be fabulous in front of the fireplace.
From domino magazine



Use deep blue to broaden your perspective and to open the flow of communication.
Check out Crystal-Cure for more on color

Another Fun Staging Job

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I know it is boring to see an empty room but this room is really boring.








We are debating the art. The piece on the ground actually ended up over the kitchen desk.


At this point, I am telling sister extraordiniare that it doesn't work there.



The guest room was our favorite. It was very milk toast and below you see how lovely it can be.




 Listing by Cathy Millan of Windermere Real Estate

A New Shelter Magazine...online

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I just received a notice today that Southern Accents magazine is folding. Last month it was Pink Magazine. And remember how sad it was when Domino Magazine folded? We were crushed.






Thanks to a handful of hardworking former domino people we now have a new online shelter magazine: Lonny Magazine















One of my favorite features in domino and it's back!
Thank you, my world is better.

The Staging Life

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My sister and I had a rule when we went to Europe. If your job was navigating and you got us lost you had to give up the map and let the other person take over-no arguing involved. It turned our stressful travel moments into giggles.

Well today I jumped into her car to travel 30 minutes to the jobsite only to realize 20 minutes into the trip that the homeowner's key was in my car. Yikes!! I thought I was going to get ripped to shreds 'cause Tara had a bit of the angry stager in her today. Instead, a few quick phonecalls worked it all out for us and we were on our way.



When you work with your sister every day you have to keep the peace.
  Sisters


A Stager's Best Weapon

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Throw Pillows.

Pillows are a stagers best friend. You can instantly add a pow to the room.  In our warehouse we have a wall devoted only to pillows. At this moment in time our warehouse organizer, Linda, had them color coordinated. A visual feast indeed.








Staging by Open House LLC




Thomas Paul pillow found at Revival Home and Garden in Seattle



Jonathan Adler also at Revival Home and Garden



West Elm




Barbara Barry Collection as seen at Fabrics and Home.



More great pillows from Fabrics and Home.




And thanks Dwellstudios for Target-fabulous pillows with easy prices.

Dead Man's Bones

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Ryan Gosling & Zach Shields' gothic folk band, Dead Man's Bones, rocked Seattle's Triple Door. Their songs revolved around ghosts and zombies. The all ages crowd absolutely loved it!




This is one of the few photos I could find of Zach. He is chiseled and handsome-really handsome. I loved his voice and stage presence.

My favorite part of course were the kids from Mark & Liz Power's Renagade Opera Children's Choir. Dead Man's Bones invites childrens groups to sing on stage with the band as they tour. The kids worked on the music for a few months and then an hour before the show with the band. We especially loved Andie. She plays the keyboard and flute in the band. Her voice is so sweet and beautiful. Zach & Ryan interacted with the kids on stage and goofed around with them right before show time. Zach had the kid's names memorized zombie makeup and all.







Time with the boys after the show.

Olivia made a sign with black nail polish on the pizza box. The band thought it was pretty cool and asked the kids to sign it.





Stephanie will owe me big for this wonderful photo. Do you two know each other?


The most talented costume designer in all the land.
The band was "blown away" with Nancy Horners's costumes. They have a special way they like the kids' make-up however when our kids arrived they were instructed to keep everything the same.


Marinna and Ryan.



Thanks to Mark Power, ROCC director and to Elizabeth, co-director for making such a great show happen. It was a ton of work.



Staging Works!

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Marvel at a few before and after photos.


We would have liked to see the fireplace painted out and the insert removed but the refinished hardwoods help this wonderful living room. Below you can just see how the staging brings a bright open feel to the room. You could really visualize living here now.










The kitchen felt very dated that you missed that it is actually a very large space.





Now it works. You can just feel it open up and be a great space to cook and hang out.



Dining room before.

A small space but it works. Update it with a contemporary light fixture and you've made a statement.






Bedding is West Elm one of our favorite stops in Portland .

This is a listing by Windermere agent Kristin Munger. What a fun transformation and great home.

Sleep Well

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Nothing fancy but it's beautiful. The metal drum helps to keep it from being too serious. Good vintage find. We have a couple of these in our warehouse but I have yet to convince sister extraordinaire to use one on a staging job.


Another simple side table.


This side table mixes well with the romantic feel of the room. Love the mix of styles. It works.


Complete glamour even with an unmade bed. Is that how I get out of making my bed each day?



An opulent and gorgeous room-good night my sweet!


Lovely....

These inspiring photos are from Livingetc.