Thank YOU for an incredible 2012!!

With 2012 coming to end I can't help but reflect on what an incredible year 2012 was for BTSH, and it would not have been possible without all of my wonderful clients and vendors. We at Beyond The Stage Homes are looking forward to a bigger and better 2013 - great plans in the works so stay tuned!!

Happy New Year everyone, and all the best for 2013!!!

Time is running out to receive a $10 gift certificate from BTSH!

Just in time for the holidays, BTSH is pleased to offer the perfect gift for that hard to buy for someone in your life! For every $50 gift certificate purchased before December 31, 2012, you will received an additional $10* gift certificate!

Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com

New Before/After photos!!

Check out the latest in the BTSH portfolio! Including the addition of the Decorating/Design photo gallery…

http://www.beyondthestagehomes.com/design-portfolio/ 

Wednesday Motivation!

Love a White Christmas!!

Wherever you are, I hope you have a holly jolly Christmas!!

25 Gorgeous Holiday Table Settings #HGTV

We love these examples of holiday table settings! Take a look at the whole article at HGTV for more great holiday inspiration!

Visiting friends over the holidays? Check out these great hostess gift ideas!

We love a little Martha inspiration! Take a look at these fantastic hostess gift ideas - A perfect tolken of appreciation during this busy holiday season!

http://www.marthastewart.com/274471/hostess-gift-ideas/@center/307035/santas-workshop

Emeco's iconic chairs - Using Waste Materials to build furniture to last!

250 million tons of trash and 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste are generated in America annually. At Emeco, they use waste materials to create iconic chairs, built to last.

Stage the Halls: Dress Your Home for Sale This Holiday Season

Don't let the thought of selling your home during the winter months dampen your holiday spirit. Create a festive, buyer-friendly environment with these seven seasonal staging tips from HGTV.

http://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/staging-tips-for-selling-during-the-holidays

What is a vignette in home staging?

A vignette refers to the technique that decorators and stagers alike will use to create small decorative displays using art and/or other decorative pieces. Vignettes in home staging can help to define a space without bringing in a whole room plan. For example, creating a small "bar" vignette will help to show the opportunity for an entertaining space. As well, a chair with a table vignette can show a gathering area without all of the furniture necessary to show this. Vignettes can be simple or detailed, depending on the purpose and image that is being conveyed - check out these great examples of BTSH vignettes!

Local RESA Chapter supports St. Mary's

BTSH had the pleasure of working with the amazingly talented members of the KW Real Estate Staging Association to decorate two Christmas Trees for the St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation's Winter Wonderland. It was an amazing night, and we are already excited for next year! Now to decorate my own tree I think…

Should I sell my home "as-is" or fix it up?

This is not exactly related to staging, but instead relates to whether or not your home should be marketed as a fixer-upper for contractors and flippers, or to attract home buyers. If you feel that the amount of work to do in your house in order to prep it for sale is just too much, this is a great article!

http://homebuying.about.com/od/sellingahouse/f/090308_Fix_AsIs.htm

Donate $5 to Urban Barn, and they will donate a blanket for a local shelter

Help make "Blanket the Country in Warmth" a success by making a $5 donation at Urban Barn. They will, in turn, donate a blanket (see image below) to a Canadian shelter. You can help keep Canadians warm and safe this holiday season.

http://www.blanketthecountry.com/

Why use a realtor to sell your home?

Not sure whether to hire a realtor to sell you home, or attempt to sell it yourself? Here are some tips about using a realtor that you may not have considered!

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5166160_use-realtor-sell-home.html

How to negotiate a deal with a contractor

This is a great comprehensive article on what to expect when dealing with contractors. Managing a project can be a lot of work - let BTSH handle the contractors and deliver you a completed project without the headaches!

http://homes.yahoo.com/news/how-to-negotiate-a-deal-with-a-contractor-01.html

2013 Colour Trends

As the National Post says, "2013 looks bright."

http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/06/20/paint-forecast-2013-looks-bright/

Need some home inspiration? Check out Houzz

Browse inspirational photos for your next renovation project, ask experts for advice on your design dilemmas, and check out and follow Beyond The Stage Homes!

http://www.houzz.com/pro/shaunalynn/beyond-the-stage-homes

Kitchen Counter-top Trends

There are many different counter-top options available to suit any budget. If you're considering a home renovation, take a look through 10 of these beautiful counter-top trends. As the article points out, you can only expect kitchen decor trends to last about 10 years, so factor this into your decision-making process. 

http://freshome.com/2012/09/25/the-hottest-kitchen-counter-tops-move-over-marble/

2013 Design Trends - Chevrons?? We'll see….

It's crazy to think that 2013 is right around the corner. With a new year comes new design trends! Here's what's on the design boards for 2013! Will you be using any in your upcoming designs?

http://www.hgtv.ca/blog/2013-home-decor-trends-kinda/

BTSH is a proud supporter of St. Mary's Winter Wonderland!

Accompanied by the local Real Estate Staging Association Chapter, BTSH along with 6 other talented local stagers will be decorating two Christmas Trees for the St. Mary's Winter Wonderland fundraiser - purchase your tickets today!! The committee is also looking for financial sponsors - message me for details!

http://www.supportstmarys.ca/winterwonderland/

Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder - Happy Tuesday!!

10 Decorating Rules to BREAK!!! #breakingtherules #decortrends #loveyourhome

"I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me, guaranteed" - Guaranteed, Eddie Vedder

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/ideas/decorating-and-decor-rules#slide-1

Great Fireplace ideas from Candice Olson!

With the weather turning cold it's time to start thinking about those much needed warm nights by the fire. Here are some great ideas we're sure you'll want to cozy up to:

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/9-fireplace-design-ideas-from-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

Falling Leaves, Changing Needs! Solutions Workshop at The Boardwalk Sat. Oct. 6th!

Solutions, Your Organized Living Store, is hosting a workshop this Saturday to help you to prepare your closets for Fall/Winter! I absolutely love this store (it's my idea of an organization candy store), and we now have a location in Waterloo at the Boardwalk. Check them out online for their latest flyer, including workshop information and a 20% off coupon: www.solutions-stores.ca.

7 Traits to the Perfect Laundry Room

While updating my laundry room is still on my never-ending to-do list, I think that in a perfect world, it would encompass all of these traits!

http://blog.comfree.com/2012/02/17/traits-of-the-perfect-laundry-room/?goback=%2Egde_1811062_member_95734378#.UGNRAPk-v5h

Bar Install - Update

After 2 1/2 days and a few small glitches later, the bar installation is basically complete, just finishing touches now. Here are a few more teaser pics…

See the full gallery on Posterous

6 Tips for Staging Historic Homes #homestaging #stagingsells

I am forever telling my homeowners to maintain the character of their period home. If a buyer is interested in a century home, while they will likely be looking to ensure that the major updates have been done (electrical, plumbing, etc), they will appreciate the quirks of the old home, provided that imperfections aren't due to neglect but instead are simply a part of the home's charm. This is a great article with tips for how to stage an older home to appeal to these interested buyers:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3563613/list/6-Tips-for-Staging-Historic-Homes?goback=%2Egde_71376_member_147642404

3200 sq ft 4 Bedroom House in Kitchener $579,900

Beautiful home, lots of upgrades, finished basement with library, deluxe bathroom, and sound proof theatre - won't last long!!

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12420824&PidKey=1372542994

Wet Bar Install - Day 2

The Power of Email Marketing hosted by Constant Contact Wed. Sept. 26th in Kitchener #kwentrepreneurs

FREE event hosted by Constant contact, great event especially for small business owners!

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6880anw3d7f9055&llr=vsmh7qdab

Home Staging Cheat Sheet - Making your home appealing to buyers #stagingsells #homestaging #realestate

Article is from 2008 but the staging tips still apply!

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/real-estate/articles/2008/07/03/the-home-staging-cheat-sheet?goback=%2Egde_71376_member_150075250

5 Mistakes Sellers Should Avoid in Today's Market #homestaging #stagingsells #realestate

http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-09-14/5-mistakes-sellers-should-avoid-in-todays-market/

3 Bedroom Bungalow w/ 2 Bedroom In-Law (Kitchener) $319,900 #stagingsells #kwrealestate

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12416632&PidKey=1408326244

See the full gallery on Posterous

3 Bedroom Bungalow w/ 2 Bedroom In-Law (Kitchener) $319,900 #stagingsells #kwrealestate

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12416632&PidKey=1408326244

See the full gallery on Posterous

Inexpensive Updates that will Sell Your House #homestaging #lightingupdate #stagingsells

Do you have lights hanging in your house currently that look like any of these? If so, by replacing them to a modern dome light or semi-flush mount light you can give your home an instant update for a minimal cost!

See the full gallery on Posterous