Interview - STYLE ADORN

At House to Home Organizing a large percentage of our clientele are people who are moving. Moving can be stressful and before the move comes another potential stressor, putting the house on the market. We spoke with Tracy Marraccini & Kelly Lapadula of STYLE ADORN about how they can help during the home sale process.

For the busy person, what is STYLE ADORN?

In its essence, STYLE ADORN is a home staging/styling company dedicated to “adorning” or embellishing ones’ home in order to gain a competitive marketing edge in the home selling arena.

We believe that every home has a story to tell, a unique spirit within itself. Our customized design approach takes into account the special nuances of each home, as we strive to create inspiring, welcoming spaces.

In guiding sellers through the stressful process of preparing their home, we often share our philosophy which is “As you evolve, your home should too.” We have found that this idea gives home owners “permission” to let go and prepare for change, as they transition from one home to the next.

What is your origin story, how did you get started?

We met a few years ago at the start of both of our real estate careers. We had an instant connection as we both shared a passion for all of the aesthetics of home sales. As we each started to develop our individual careers as agents, we became increasing aware of the impact of how each home was presented. Separately, we were both getting involved with the staging process and were each becoming a resource for our fellow agents, helping them prepare their listings to hit the market.

While we continued to support each other’s real estate careers, our conversations soon became about how we could collectively fill the need to “showcase” homes to promote quicker sales. The timing felt right too, with both of us seeking opportunities to express our art and design backgrounds. We instinctively knew that our styles complemented on another, and we soon realized that our goals and sensitivities did as well. From these ideas, STYLE ADORN came into full bloom!

Why is staging a home important?

Today’s buyers are savvy and particular, making home staging more relevant than ever. When a buyer walks into a home, they are seeking an emotional connection. We are able to address the psychological component of home buying by creating a lifestyle element people can envision themselves “stepping into” and enjoying. In conjunction with this is idea, is the fact that today’s search engines are a driving force in real estate sales. As this is the case, we are very focused on how our staged homes are presented and marketed on-line. While conducting their on-line searches, buyers are making quick decisions as to which properties they will consider, further emphasizing the need to capture their attention.

For these reasons, home staging has become a critical component in promoting the sale of ones’ home.

How involved is the home owner in the process?

With regards to homeowner involvement, it really depends upon the particular situation. If a home is unoccupied, we generally go in without any restraints, and are able to create visually stimulating spaces.

When the homeowners are living in their home, we are sensitive to the fact that it can be intrusive to come in and rework their personal space. Most people love their home, value their belongings, and are essentially trusting us with what is likely their largest asset.

We believe that what sets us apart from our competition is that we are flexible and sensitive to each homeowners needs as they prepare to sell their home. With this in mind, we often will incorporate a homeowners valued pieces into our design plan. Allowing them to have input ultimately creates a comfort level with our clients, as well as a space that truly reflects the inherent features of what makes a home a “home!”

What have been some of your favorite projects?

We have been very fortunate in that we have had the opportunity to work in a variety of different style homes, all with unique challenges. For example, one home was new construction with an unconventional layout. Buyers were confused as to how to utilize the spaces, so we were tasked with helping to define the rooms by staging them. Once staged, that home went into contract within days.

Another project involved a mid-century home that hadn’t been updated at all. We were able to incorporate some of the homeowner’s pieces with our modern pieces to create a cool vibe.

But probably our favorite project was one where the homeowners were extremely cooperative and very accommodating, allowing for maximum creative freedom. They were open to all of our ideas and suggestions regarding new paint color and replacement light fixtures, which yielded a dramatic transformation.

Interview - Craft and Sprout

At House to Home Organizing some of our clients have expressed a desire to live a more minimal lifestyle. What could be more minimal than a tiny home? We spoke with Ken Pond of Craft & Sprout to learn more about the tiny home philosophy.

For the busy person, what is the best way to describe Craft & Sprout?

Our company, Craft & Sprout, builds tiny houses on wheels. In our area, Fairfield County, they have been primarily used as accessory structures, pool house, in-law cottage, office, and man/woman cave. We also build them for people to live in full time.

What is the company's origin story?

Our tiny home company was born from my construction background, owning a remodeling company for 20 years in CT, and Tori’s design background, working with our clients in residential remodeling over the last 8 years. The “Craft” part is due to the fact that our houses are handcrafted, and the “Sprout” part is a nod to our four sons, aging 10, 7, 5 and 1.

Can you explain how the trailer works?

Our houses are built on custom made trailers specifically designed for Tiny homes. They never come off the wheels. This keeps us in the RV/Camper world and not in the world of building permits. Every township has different laws regarding what can be placed on the property. Since these are not a permanent structure they do not fall into any building code guidelines. 

What are some things that people assume about tiny houses, but are wrong?

Regarding misconceptions of tiny houses, the actual size of the space is foremost. Until you come into a Tiny house and realize, hey I could do this, you just don’t know how they feel. Tiny houses are custom from the wheels up, which is one of the best reasons to build. The client is literally involved in every aspect of a build. Tiny homes are are built to travel well. Our model has over 6000 miles on it and by the end of the summer of 2018 will have another 4000.

Every house you build is different, can you discuss some of the more interesting designs you have done?

Our model has a Nantucket Beach House feel to it. We really enjoy the coastal vibe we put into this build, our model is also our pool house when it’s at home in Greenwich. We just delivered a 32’ goose-neck or "fifth wheel type" Tiny home to Burlington, VT that will be featured on HGTV this summer. That particular build had some really great amenities like a fold up desk that converts into a dining table, a dishwasher, washer/dryer combination unit and a lot of room. The cedar siding we used gave it a really classic Vermont fell as well. The ingenuity and creativity is what drivers us to keep pushing the limits for storage, minimalistic living and just plain old fun. For the most part everyone that comes into a tiny house smiles. What’s better than that.

Guest Post: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Organized for Your Home Sale

Getting organized is a popular topic these days, whether it’s with your time or bookshelves. But selling a home comes with its own special requirements because a lot of organization goes into getting a house show-ready. And trust me, it’s worth the effort to give your house its best chance on the market.

The secret is to go one step at a time. Here’s a list of helpful home-selling tips broken down into categories. Follow these tips and the end result will be an open, clean, depersonalized home that attracts potential buyers and allows them to imagine living there. In fact, organized and decluttered homes can get 3-5% higher offers than other houses.

Steps to Take

The categories are: decluttering, cleaning, staging, curb appeal, and extras. These tips are for DIY, but all steps can be handled by professionals. These tips also assume that any major repairs your house needs are done.

Decluttering is first. You want buyers to look at the house and not be distracted by your personal things or mess. Clutter must go, inside and outside of the house, from everywhere buyers will want to look. And they will look everywhere.

• Label some boxes or bins as Keep/Pack Away, Donate, and Not Sure. Also have a supply of trash bags.

• Research places to donate different items. Some organizations will even do pick-up.

• Set dates and time on your calendar to declutter, and stick to them.

• Start with one room, or just one area, and complete it. It will add up in the end.

• Clear surfaces such as shelves, mantles, counters, and tables.

• Clear floors of laundry, toys, reading material, etc., and remove family photos or random decorations from walls.

• Partially empty storage, such as closets and cabinets, so they look spacious.

• Take down window dressing, leaving simple blinds or shades.

• Clear the property of leaves, weeds, snow, bikes, gardening tools, etc.

• Paint walls neutral shades, and keep a consistent palette throughout the house.

• Don’t let clutter sneak back up on you. Deal daily with mail, work papers, kitchen utensils, backpacks, toys, or other things that tend to pile up easily.

Once the house is decluttered, it is vital to deep clean absolutely everything.

• Gather your supplies, including gloves, various cleansers, sponges, small brushes, rags, brooms, mops, and vacuums.

• This time, don’t go room by room. Instead, do one step throughout the house. From floor to ceiling, dust, wash, scrub, sweep, mop, and vacuum.

• Clean inside appliances, under sinks, windows, back corners of cabinets, grout, and all nooks and crannies.

• Have someone clean and service the furnace/HVAC, including the vents.

The house must stay this clean, which can be a challenge with daily life going on. But it must always be ready to show, or you could lose the sale. Establish a routine so that every day you:

• Wipe tubs and bathroom surfaces, put away all bath products, and keep the toilet clean.

• Put away laundry, dirty or clean, and don’t let loads pile up.

• Wipe kitchen counters, appliances, and fixtures. Wash dishes. Put things away.

• Dust surfaces in every room.

• Sweep or vacuum, especially in high-traffic areas.

• Keep pets, pet beds, and litter boxes clean.

• Make all the beds in the house.

• Deodorize if there are cooking or other odors. Lightly scented candles or essential oils make a nice substitute.

Staging takes a house from clean to eye-catching. Minimal furniture and props give it a neutral but comfortable look.

• Arrange furniture to emphasize features of the house, such as a fireplace or view.

• Create easy walking access through and around rooms.

• Use furniture and staging props to give each room a purpose.

• Add some color to your neutral background with pillows, plants, a bowl of fruit, a few books or objects, or some art. Create small vignettes that show off the lifestyle the house offers. For example: fluffy folded towels, a candle, and a glass bottle of bubble bath; a soft blanket and open book on a cozy chair; a seasonal centerpiece on the dining table; a kitchen island with morning coffee.

Curb appeal is the first thing people see, so decluttering and staging needs to happen outside, too.

• Rake leaves and/or remove snow from traffic areas daily.

• Mow the lawn often, and reseed if necessary.

• Trim bushes and trees.

• Add flowers or greenery to fill in beds and add color.

• Fix peeling paint on trims, shutters, etc.

• Stage outdoor areas with vignettes. Pay particular attention to the entrance: good lighting, bright paint on the front door, potted plants, etc.

Find a top realtor in your area that can give you advice and feedback on DIY organization and recommendations. Some organizing extras will help your realtor help you.

• Let your realtor know your preferred contact method(s) and how often to be in touch.

• Collect all paperwork from the house, including renovation and maintenance records, past sales history, appraisals, and contact information for professionals you’ve used.

Once you’re organized and the house is showing, these last tips will help you be ready to accept that offer and close.

Lin Nulman has been writing for HomeLight.com since 2016, and her work has been featured on many other websites. She teaches writing and literature at Bunker Hill Community College. Her poetry and arts writing has appeared in a number of journals, anthologies, and websites.