BTSH’s 2013 Reflections and 2014 Plans

To say that 2013 was an amazing year for Beyond the Stage Homes would be an understatement. A very special thank you to all of our wonderful clients – thank you for inviting us into your homes and allowing us to assist you with all of your home staging and interior design needs. Thank you especially for making us a part of your winning team!

To summarize this year’s milestones at BTSH:

January - attended RESA conference in San Mateo, CA for a weekend of inspirational speakers, workshops, and networking with fellow Home Stagers across North America

April - introduced the BTSH Home Staging Training Program - this ensures that all BTSH Home Stagers will provide a consistent, quality experience - every time

April - BTSH posted the new Home Stager position and received an overwhelming number of qualified applicants

May - Laura Hanna was selected as the next BTSH Home Stager

July - Laura Hanna completed her BTSH Professional Home Stager Training

May - BTSH's Shauna Lynn featured in popular local publication Grand Magazine

October - BTSH joined the BBB and was accredited with an A rating

December - Shauna Lynn selected as Top 10 Best Redesigns of the Year in North America by RESA for their 2014 Awards

A few notable accomplishments for the year overall: 

 - Total 2013 sales were more than double 2012 sales

 - Interior Design services accounted for approximately 60% of this year's sales

 - BTSH increased Home Staging inventory to accommodate the significant increase in Home Staging clients, and especially Vacant Staging Projects. BTSH now owns the largest inventory rental system in the Grand River area with approximately $100K in rental artwork, accessories, textiles, and furniture.

So what is ahead for BTSH in 2014?

 - Looking forward to a new stager joining the staff in January - stay tuned for details!

 - BTSH will be posting for another Home Stager position in the spring - please email info@btshomes.com if you would like to be notified of this posting

 - BTSH will also be looking to expand the interior design team in 2014 - details for this to be posted later in the year

- We will increase our focus even further on vacant staging projects

- A continued focus on client care and customer satisfaction to remain your top choice for Home Staging and Interior Design

Want to see more from BTSH? We are showcasing many of our works on Houzz, please be sure to check us out and follow us!

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and of course at www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Fun Lighting Ideas from Anthropologie

Check out some of my faves, or search their website for your own...

Menlo Desk Lamp

Eddy Pendant

Five Beacons Table Lamp

Handmade Carrara Desk Lamp

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

What is an entrepreneur?

I was recently interviewed by some students who were working on a project for their entrepreneurship class. I was asked a simple question - What do you think an entrepreneur is? Here is how I answered - I am interested to know how you would answer!

"An entrepreneur is not just someone who works for themselves. To me, an entrepreneur is someone who comes up with a marketable idea that they run with and make it their mission to make it happen. I think that to be a real entrepreneur you have to stand behind whatever you have been able to come up with and really focus and run with it until it is a success."

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Get inspired with cool lighting ideas from Lindsey Adelman!

If you’re looking for lighting ideas, be sure to take a look at @LA_Studio. Don’t be deceived by the Twitter handle because Lindsey works out of her super stylish NYC studio!

Visit www.lindseyadelman.com

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Thinking of selling your house? Avoid these Top 10 Mistakes Home Sellers Make!

With spring around the corner, it's a great time to list your house! Check out this article for things to avoid when preparing your home for sale:

Make sure you download your copy! 

Home Staging FAQs: How do I choose a Home Stager?

Well, the easy answer is visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com! But if you’re still not sure, or are out of the BTSH service area, then research your local stagers. Check out their portfolio and reviews. If you have hired a realtor, ask if they have a home stager they prefer to work with. Most stagers offer similar pricing, but you should never base your decision on price. Remember that home staging is an investment, and saving a few dollars could mean losing out on several thousand on the return of your home.

Home Staging FAQs: Should I stage before listing my home?

Definitely. While it may sound cliché, you only get one chance to make a first impression. When your home is listed, you want to be sure it is ready to show at its best, both in pictures and for showings.

If you’re still not sure about whether to stage your home, take a look at our FAQs! 

Home Staging FAQs: Why should I paint my home before I list it?

This is probably the number one question we get from our clients. Why paint your home, if the new homeowner is likely to change it?

Most buyers will want to put their own personal touches on a home, eventually. However, when you’re selling your home, one of the most important features today’s buyers are looking for is a move-in ready home. This means the new homeowners can take their time putting their own personal touches on the home, including painting. Here are a few additional reasons why you should freshen up the paint in your home prior to listing it for sale:

• Bold colours can distract prospective buyers from seeing the potential and space of a room. Their focus will be on the brightly painted walls, instead of on the room itself.
• Bright and bold colours do not photograph well. No matter how great the photographer is, these colours tend to stand out in photos, and again will distract prospective buyers from seeing the room itself, before they’ve even stepped foot in your house! Don’t forget, a majority of your buyers will be viewing the property first online.
• Strong colours have a reputation for being difficult to repaint, and will deter buyers from the anticipated “work” involved.
• It is one of the least expensive updates you can do to your home, with one of the greatest returns on your financial investment, whether you hire a professional painter, or do it yourself!

Home Staging FAQs: How much does home staging cost?

It varies depending on the how much or how little your home requires. A comprehensive consultation starts at $200. For more information on the services available, as well as pricing, visit our services page, or contact the BTSH office directly at 226-240-0766.

Home Staging FAQs: Do you have trade workers/suppliers that you can suggest?

BTSH has sourced top professionals in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph who can provide assistance in getting your property “sell-ready”. See the full list here.

BTSH also offers project management services. If you would like us to contact, schedule, and manage these on your behalf, please contact us for details and pricing. 

Home Staging FAQs: Why should I spend money on a house I am selling?

Your home is generally your biggest investment. Investing in home staging will help to maximize your return on your largest investment. 

A few dollars on home staging will go a long way by ensuring you sell your home faster, and for more money. All statistics show that the investment in staging your home is always less than your first price reduction.

Home Staging FAQ: Why does Home Staging work?

Did you know that only 10% of people can visualize a space? By neutralizing the space and clearing out the clutter, potential buyers can better visualize themselves in your house. If your home is filled with personal items, clutter, and bold colours, buyers are often distracted and fail to see the potential of the space. Home staging is simply a tool that helps them to see this. For more FAQs, visit http://www.beyondthestagehomes.com/home-staging-faqs.

The Design Process - From Idea to Inception

This is a great example of how one idea can become a reality - From the initial concept idea board presented to the client, to the completed project! There is a lot that happens in between, from finding the right pieces to fit the vision, and pulling it all together, but it is all worth it when it comes together.

When designing a new space, it can often be difficult to convey the ideas in a creative mind on paper, but having trust in your designer goes a long way. Here's an example of one of our projects! See the full gallery on Houzz!

Home Staging FAQs: What Is Home Staging? #homestaging #stagingworks

Home Staging allows you to market your home to the largest audience possible by maximizing your home’s potential while minimizing the flaws. This can be as simple as reducing clutter and reorganizing the space, or as complex as bringing in all new furniture and accessories, or may fall somewhere in between. Each home is unique and will require a different variety of services.

Give an old toy tool box a new purpose!

We love this idea! Organize your wrapping and craft ribbon using this clever storage solution!

We "love" this loveseat!

Share the LOVE with this gorgeous loveseat! A great addition to your home - Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Creative and colourful ways to organize a kid's room!

While staying with my brother, sister-in-law, and two beautiful nieces, I can't help but be amazed by some of the creative ways that they have found to organize my nieces' ever-growing toy collection. It got me thinking about what creative solutions others have come up with - check these out!

See the rest here!

Maximize the space in your dresser drawers!

These are probably the best tips I've ever come across for bringing a little extra organization to the place we need it the most! Give your dresser a good clean, and organize those drawers! You'll be glad you did!

Give your kids their own place for their coats and backpacks!

Give your kids a spot to call their own! This inexpensive idea from Meaningful Mama is a great way to keep your kids' stuff organized, and it gives them a special spot to be proud of (and hopefully keep clean!).

Try this solution for organizing your cupboards and closets!

It's never too early to start crossing off items on your spring cleaning checklist! Organize your cupboards, closets, and pantries with these smart tips!

Benefits of organizing your work area!

Did you know that an organized work area will make you more productive? Don't just take our word for it! Take a look at these great ideas for organizing your work station!

Sexy and sleek cabinet hardware where you least expect it!

We are in love with these sleek and sexy handles from Lee Valley! They are a great way to add a bit of art deco flare to a contemporary furniture piece. It's amazing what changing the handles on a piece can do!

Get more space out of your bathroom vanity.

We could all use a bit more space under our bathroom vanity! Try out these storage solutions!

Save space by hanging your cleaning products!

Save space, organize your kitchen, and keep things tidy by placing a tension rod under your kitchen sink!

Tip via: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/under-sink-solu-150146

A great way to store your food storage lids!

Put a dish-drying rack to work in a different way by using this to conveniently store your container lids and keep them organized. Place in a large drawer or cupboard and stop fumbling for your lids.

Closet overflowing? Try this for a great way to reduce the clutter and organize your closets!

Have you heard about Hang It Backwards?

Did you know?!? 
By simply replacing your hangers with matching colour/style and hanging like coloured clothing together make your closet appear more organized! Add baskets to the shelves to hide the clutter and give it that "custom organizer" look
.

Stunning Colour Schemes for Your Bedroom!

HGTV is a great resource for all things design! Check out their suggestions for the Best Bedroom Colour Schemes! It might inspire you to buy a can of paint this weekend! You add an accent wall, wallpaper, or a paint that will make the room pop!

Here are a few of our favs!

New Year's Resolutions for Your Home!

New Year's has just passed, and lots of us have yet to make our resolutions! Here are a few great ideas from Style at Home that you can implement now! 

1 "I vow to install a programmable thermostat."
You can cut your home heating and cooling costs by about $180 this year alone!
Cut your energy use, shrink your carbon footprint!

2 "I resolve to turn my kitchen into a deeper shade of green by cooking vegetarian meals on Meatless Mondays!"
You’ll save money while expanding your cooking skills.
You’ll shrink your carbon footprint.
You’ll reduce your chance of cancer and heart disease.

3 "I’m going to grow my own herbs indoors on a sunny window ledge."
You'll save money by avoiding supermarket herbs that spoil so quickly in the fridge
There are proven health benefits of adding heart-smart antioxidants to home cooking (and reducing the need for extra fat and sodium).
Live plants provide air-purifying benefits indoors.

4 "I promise to dodge drafts by weather-stripping doors and windows, filling holes in the wall, and/or trading lightweight sheers for heavier winter-friendly draperies in velvet or Ultrasuede."
You'll cut energy costs.
It will improve home comfort – and style!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

The beginning of a New Year always brings reflection on many aspects of our lives. We can't change who we are, but we can change how we choose to live our lives, and what we do will define who we are and who we become. This year, skip the elaborate resolutions to choose something simple and achievable. Resolve to do one good deed a day, even if it's as simple as allowing the person behind you in line to skip ahead, or paying it forward in the drive-thru, or simply holding a door for someone in need. Whatever it is, I wish you all the best for 2013 and am looking forward to another AMAZING year!