Home Staging

Why Lamps are Essential in Your Styling

August 22, 2019 by Naomi

I’m a big believer that no matter how gorgeous your interiors are; without light, there is no life.

That’s why I am a huge fan of lamps in all shapes and sizes. They can light up your space and create a completely different atmosphere.

Here’s some different types of lamps you can use when you style your next property!

Table Lamps

I love using table lamps in my styling, especially in bedrooms and living spaces.

Not only can they look divine, they give you an alternative form of light to windows or ceiling lights, and allow you to create a more calm and relaxing mood.

Occasional Lamps

These types of lamps are slightly different to table lamps – they are usually bigger and much more opulent.

I use these to make a statement and usually opt for ceramic or metallic styles to really create the wow factor.

Desk Lamps

These are all about function to help you work and are usually smaller than a standard table lamp.

Use them to add warmth to your work space and layering to your desk.

Floor Lamps

These look great next to an accent chair or behind the couch in the living room.

They add another level of lighting for extra ambience in a space that can be for entertaining or just lounging around for a movie night!

That’s it! The best part about lamps is that they’re not permanent fixtures! You can move them around and change them out each season as your tastes change.

5 Spaces to Hang a Pendant Light

August 15, 2019 by Naomi

There are so many amazing pendant lights on the market that the days of only having downlights should be long gone!

I sat down with Jen Bishop from Interiors Addict to talk about what spaces you can hang pendant lights in to create interest and mood lighting in your home.

Here’s 5 spaces we came up with that you might not have thought of:

1. The Bathroom

Adding pendant lights over the bathroom vanity can create a gorgeous softness to the bathroom.

Opt for low voltage options and your bathroom will feel more like a retreat than a cold, sterile space.

2. The Living Room

Our living room is the place we wind down to watch TV with the family. For this reason, I would recommend adding a pendant light to the back corner of the room at about chest height.

It’s the perfect way to create mood lighting and add interest behind the couch without it being in the way of the TV!

3. The Dining Room

I love the look of a pendant light hanging over the dining table – it just feel so complete.

Just be certain that your dining table is going to stay in that position for a few years to come because it’s not easy to move the lighting around.

4. The Bedroom

Free up some space on your bedside tables and hang pendant lights above your bed instead of using lamps.

You could have two either side or hang one over the bedhead in the middle – it will look divine and save you so much space.

5. Outdoor Area

And one of our most forgotten spaces is the outdoors! Pendant lights can really bring this space together and give it the final touch so it feels like an additional living/dining space.

There’s even pendant options that have a fixed rod instead of a chain so you don’t need to worry about swinging!

Try hanging a pendant light in one of these spaces and see the instant transformation for yourself!

Check out my full interview with Jen Bishop on The Reno Show here!

10 Top Business Books for Success

August 9, 2019 by Naomi

Reading has been noted as one of the primary habits of ultra-successful people and as business owners in the home staging industry, we seek this success in all it’s shapes and forms.

So here’s 10 business books from Entrepreneur’s top 20 that will change your mindset and inspire you to chase that dream that made you start in the first place.

1. “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant.

As the No. 1 New York Times bestseller, this book is by the Facebook COO and best-selling author of “Lean In.”

Sandberg has returned with Wharton School psychologist Grant to discuss how she persevered after the loss of her husband. This compelling book offers stories and tips on managing and overcoming hardship, and it’s excellent inspiration for overcoming any type of life hurdle.

2. “Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships That Matter,” by Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh.

“Superconnector” is the next stage in the evolution of networking, thanks to changes shaped by social media. It explores the set of habits where networkers should focus their energies, as superconnecting is about truly understanding the power that comes from building certain relationships.

This book aims to move you beyond bad networking habits and toward a “profit mindset” that involves taking a different approach to connecting with others.

3. “Leading Through the Turn: How a Journey Mindset Can Help Leaders Find Success and Significance,” by Elise Mitchell.

This book provides you with direction on how to become what Mitchell terms a “destination leader with a journey mindset.” To show you how to develop that mindset, she shares stories and interviews with successful leaders.

This is an excellent guide on how you can achieve personal and professional goals and also gain strategies for approaching the coming year.

4. “Surviving the Tech Storm: Strategy in Times of Technological Uncertainty,” by Nicklas Bergman.

Bergman offers a framework to help you understand why technology is causing uncertainty, how to look past the ambiguity and see the opportunities, and how to track the megatrends that will continue to change business.

The book provides a step-by-step approach to analyzing emerging technologies, assessing business implications, and adapting to a new and uncertain environment, potentially putting you ahead of others in your industry.

5. “They Ask, You Answer,” by Marcus Sheridan.

The book relates the story of how Sheridan’s company used content marketing to rise from the brink of bankruptcy during the 2008 economic crisis. Sheridan’s success has turned him into a highly sought-after speaker and a trusted voice in digital marketing and sales. The book will help you get a complete picture on how to integrate marketing and sales for an effective content strategy.

6. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity,” by Kim Scott.

Do you manage a team? “Radical Candor” is an important book that helps put the role of a boss into perspective, especially for those who run virtual teams and don’t often see the talent.

The book includes practical suggestions and tips that will yield positive change for you and your team.

7. “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth,” by Jen Sincero.

Sincero’s fun-to-navigate finance manifesto will challenge you to think differently about how to make money and to develop a mindset of wealth.

So many people want to do better with their personal finances or reach better financial decisions for their businesses, and most fail. But this book will make you address the mental obstacles standing between you and your desired income.

8. “The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World’s Greatest Teams,” by Sam Walker.

This book enhances how you develop, manage, or work on a team. Walker devised and applied a formula about teams that has been tested and has worked on teams all over the world, from Olympic teams and the NBA to the English Premier League.

In looking at team captains, Walker realized how successful teams worked and used that to devise a winning formula. You can leverage the insights here to become a captain or identify those who fit that description so they can lead your company to greater success.

9. “Real Artists Don’t Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age,” by Jeff Goins.

This book is made for the freelancer or those considering moving into business for themselves. Originally, people thought you couldn’t make money from creative careers. However, creativity is now embraced and rewarded financially.

Goins provides a number of strategies that those in the freelance economy can embrace, including to steal from your influencers, collaborate with others, and apprentice under a master.

10. “Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or, How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything,” by Ulrich Boser.

Our approach to learning usually involves memorizing facts, dates, and details — but this approach doesn’t always work. Instead, better learning comes from simple techniques described in this book that will help you become an expert in your field.

The experience and advice from these books will give you the push you need to be successful in business over the next year. Start with one and make your way down the list – with the right mindset, the possibilities for you and your business are endless!

How Stone Products Can Help Increase A Home’s Value

August 2, 2019 by Naomi

Post by Nicole Andrews, marketing manager for Euro Marble

Like other assets, you can increase your home’s value with a few investments and a bit of hard work. If you’re looking to sell your home, installing natural stone products is a smart investment as it raises the value of your property over time. Some of the stone materials you can use include:

Granite
Marble
Quartzite
Limestone

Euro Marble Benchtop — Image via Euro Marble. Architectural works: David Selden Design

All of these natural stones are high-quality building materials. They can be used in a wide array of applications both indoors and outdoors. Here, you’ll know why stone products make an excellent investment, how much they cost, and how you can use these materials for home staging.

Why Can Stone Products Add More Value to Your Home?

Stone products can raise the economic value of any home. How, you ask? Let’s look at five good reasons why natural stones can improve the overall value of your property.

Stones are natural materials

Stone products such as granite, marble, and limestone are natural components of the Earth. They have an abundant supply with varying colours and textures. They don’t contain pollutants or toxic chemicals that are hazardous to your health.

Natural stones are durable

Genuine natural stones are quite hard and durable if sealed properly. They are also less susceptible to decay, cracks, and scratches, making them ideal materials for countertops. Compared to manufactured products like porcelain and ceramic tiles, natural stones endure the tests of time, bringing long-term value to your home.

Natural stones are easy to clean and maintain

Some building materials need to be regularly painted or sealed to keep them looking great over the years. Aside from being easy to clean, stone products don’t require a lot of maintenance, which means you don’t have to regularly spend so much money to maintain these parts of your home.

Natural stones age well

Like a fine wine, stone products improve with age. Even though they don’t require as much maintenance as other building materials, natural stones can last a lifetime. With the right construction and maintenance, your stone products can attain their full elegance as they age.

Natural stones have enduring beauty

No two stone products are exactly alike. They come in a variety of colours, patterns, and textures, which are almost impossible to replicate, making them ideal for an exciting array of applications. Due to their unique character, grandeur, and durability, your home won’t look like any other house on the block. It will reflect your personal taste, character, and creativity.

How Much Do Stone Products Cost?

Many homeowners are hesitant to invest in natural stones as the cost of these products, compared to other building materials, can be quite expensive. What most people don’t realize is that natural stones raise the property’s value and that its quality is unrivalled.

The cost of stone products depends on a number of factors: the type of material, quality, shape, color, and density.

Listed below are a few stone products worth considering with their average costs.

Marble

Known for its unique colours, patterns, and iridescent glow, marble tiles require quite an investment. By understanding the advantages it offers, you can certainly raise the value of your home for the years to come.

The average cost of lower-end marble tiles cost $5 to $7 per square foot, while middle-grade marble costs about $8 to $11 per square foot. Higher grade marble flooring with special finishes cost $10 per square foot. Specialized marble tiles with custom polishes, paint, and engraving may range from $30 to $50 per square foot.

Marble Euro Marble — Image via Euro Marble. Featured Product – Calcatta Viola

Granite

Granite is elegant enough to decorate the countertops of your kitchen, but it’s also durable enough to adorn your outdoor space. Since it comes with a wealth of colour and pattern options, you won’t have trouble finding the perfect one for your space.

A white granite tile costs around $40 to $60 per square foot on average, while a black granite costs about $20 to $70 per square foot. A rare and exotic stone, red granite has an average price of $65 per square foot.

How Do You Add Value to Your Home with Natural Stone?

Are you ready to spruce up your home? Discover home staging opportunities that will surely raise the value of your property.

Outdoor spaces

Stone products work well outdoors. Using natural stones walkways will accentuate the façade of your home and makes your property appear grand. You can also use stone products to enhance the garden. Natural stones make your outdoor space more appealing to potential buyers. Without a doubt, well-maintained gardens will catch the attention of your prospects.

Here are some areas that you can spruce up with natural stones:

- Walkways and driveways
- Stone patios
- Fire pits
- Plant containers

Interior facilities

You don’t need a complete overhaul to improve your home’s value. You can focus on the rooms that matter most to a homeowner: the bathroom and the kitchen. If potential buyers are looking at your property, they will consider these facilities. If you renovate and add modern amenities, you can significantly increase your property’s value.

Here are some of the features you might want to enhance:

- Countertops
- Washbasin tops
- Cabinet tops

Interior flooring

Another way to add value to your home is by enhancing your interior flooring with stone products. There are a lot of perks to having natural stone floors. Aside from the natural beauty they exude, the stone products make your floors durable and easy to care for.

Takeaway

It’s safe to say that every homeowner wants to add more value to their property. There are so many different ways to do this, but installing natural stones in your home is perhaps the smartest choice you can make.

Natural stones might require a bigger investment compared to other building materials. However, due to its ease of maintenance, enduring beauty, and permanence, the value of your stone products will exceed your initial investment in the long run. If you want to raise your property’s value, natural stones are the best way to do it.

Author Bio: Nicole Andrews is the marketing manager for Euro Marble in Sydney, Australia. With a background in interior design, she enjoys writing about the latest industry trends. In her spare time, she walks her dog Rusco down at Bondi Beach.

How to Choose the Perfect Art

July 25, 2019 by Naomi

We know art can bring so much life to a space.

Whether it’s adding interest to a room, bringing in a pop of colour, or replacing a TV – art can be a beautiful addition to any home.

But like most things, there are so many options out there that it can be hard to decide what art work will look great in your space!

What size, colour, theme, frame, height, type should you choose?!!!!

Don’t let the options overwhelm you – let the style of your space and your own favourite things influence your decision so you choose the right art every time.

Here’s 6 things that will help you choose the perfect art work!

1. Consider scale

If your space has a huge wall, you need huge art – it’s as simple as that.

If your space is smaller, you only need a smaller piece. For bigger spaces, you can also use complimentary art and have two or three or more on the wall – get creative!

2. Trust your instincts

What do you love? What do you connect with?

Trust your gut and choose art that catches your eye. You won’t regret it if you love it.

3. Use the internet

These days, you don’t have to view art in a gallery (although I still enjoy doing this).

Check out phenomenal artists from your local area or go worldwide and search for beautiful art around the world – the options are endless with the internet and social media!

4. Go black and white

Let’s face it, monochrome goes with everything. If you’re choosing art, especially in home staging, try sticking to black and white prints.

They’re easy to mix and match and can look both super modern or classic – it’s a win win.

5. Be bold, be brave

If you’re looking to really make a splash with your art, why not consider mixing up traditional and slightly modern pieces together.

It can make your space feel extra unique when done well.

6. Remember, art is not just painting

Open your mind and look around…art is everywhere!

It can be photography, hand drawings, even things you’e created yourself. Paintings are beautiful but they are not your only option.

So that’s it – just start!

Art is so affordable now, it doesn’t need to be a large investment. Choose art you love with the above advice and make your space look and feel amazing!

How to Create Vignettes

July 19, 2019 by Naomi

Are you confused or scared of vignettes?

Or better yet, are you wondering: “what on earth IS a vignette?”

Never fear – I am here to de-myth the glorious vignette that is ever so simple and effective when styled well!

A vignette is just a story of styling elements on a side, dining or coffee table.

Here’s 7 tips to get you started:

Tip 1: Find the light

Always style your vignette around a light source.

Otherwise no one will see it!

Tip 2: Be guided by your style

Let the items chosen for your vignette be guided by style of your room and home.

For example, if you have a traditional style, use even numbers.

If it’s a more relaxed vibe – mix it up with odd numbers.

Tip 3: Get colourful

Use pops of colour that you love or work with seasonal trends, you can change it up as your taste changes.

Tip 4: Style in odd numbers

If you don’t have a traditional styled home, I always recommend creating vignettes in 3, 5 or 7’s for big spaces!

Tip 5: Tall and short

Vary the height of the items used in your vignette.

You can use a pedestal or stack of books to bring them up to height if needed.

Tip 6: Create depth

Vary the depth of your vignette to create interest – there should be no straight lines!

Tip 7: Texture, texture, texture!

Incorporate different textures into your vignette.

Mix it up with natural materials, metallics, gold, glass and matte.

There you have it! Everything you need to no longer be scared or confused by vignettes – enjoy!

Storage Solutions for Your Home Staging Business with National Storage

June 7, 2019 by Naomi

Hi team, Naomi Findlay here!

We all love to hate the storage industry.

It can often feel like the bane of our existence because we have to manage it so much in this logistics heavy industry.

Pardon the pun, but sometimes stock can feel really heavy on our business.

That’s why I am joined today by Brooke Gillham, from National Storage, to talk about how you can increase the flexibility of your storage solutions.

If you’re looking to ease the burden of managing stock levels in your business, click HERE to listen to my full chat with Brooke.

Naomi x

Are you coming to the 2019 National Home Staging Symposium? You’re in luck! Brooke will be there to answer all your questions about storage solutions for the home staging industry!

Simple Styling Hacks for Flowers

June 4, 2019 by Naomi

With a change in season I find myself scrolling images for inspiration. Sometimes people think when winter comes around, you can’t have fresh flowers – totally not the case!

I love a beautiful arrangements of flowers. They can be used to either make a statement or to just add a touch of greenery to a room. Adding a touch of flowers can add a different element to the space, for example, making an area more cheerful, adding a hint of fragrance, adding a pop of colour or to even compliment or enhance the current style/design within the space.

The beauty of it all is there are no hard rules on how or where you choose to incorporate flowers. You can add them in your kitchen, living, dining or even your bathroom. The look you want to create can differ depending on whether you choose long and thin flowers or short and rounded shaped ones. You may find yourself varying the look and feel as the flowers need changing to truly create your own personal touch knowing you haven’t spent a lot of money.

The images included are some of my inspiring shots where the use of flowers complimented the entire design of the room.

Want to find even more gorgeous things to add to your spaces? Come shopping with me in Bali for my Buying Tour in August 2019! Click here to find out more!

How To Improve Your Business’ SEO with Jayne Day

May 28, 2019 by Naomi

Hi everyone, Naomi Findlay here!

If you have been to one of our International Institute of Home Staging events before you know exactly who the incredible Jayne Day is.

If you haven’t been, Jayne is IIHS’s preferred Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) preferred partner and expert.

I caught up with Jayne this week to break down exactly what SEO is, and how you can incorporate it into your home staging business.

If you’re ready to get your business to the top of Google search results, click HERE to hear my full chat with Jayne.

Naomi x

Are you a home stager? Want to boost your career? Come to the National Home Staging Symposium! Click below!

Create a Divine Dining Space

May 28, 2019 by Naomi

Creating the perfect dining space is something we can all achieve and guess what?! It doesn’t need to be done with a big budget!

Many families or households don’t take the time to regularly use the dining table as a chance to get together and enjoy a good meal and great company.

Dining spaces can be designed to accommodate each household’s lifestyle and taste. From a small family breakfast table to a large formal dinner, there are no set rules as to what you can and cannot include in your dining space. As long as your end result is a space that feels inviting and comfortable.

Some examples of items you could include in different dining areas could be:

Something traditional or conservative…

a timeless timber table and chairs
timber buffet styled with simple candles and/or vases
Contemporary artwork or mirror

Something modern or eclectic…

a white timber table
colourful chairs
quirky console table styled with plenty of fun personal touches
modern artwork or unique wall feature

With the styling industry ever evolving and many of us wanting to keep up with these changes, we can be pleased to know that sourcing that ‘must have’ item is achievable. The current market caters for all budgets with less expensive items to very costly, it really depends on what you’re after and what you’re wanting to spend.

Either way knowing you can create a space that has been designed and styled specifically for you should mean plenty of enjoyable times will be spent around the dining table, in style!

Are you following me on Instagram? Check out my favourite designs @naomifindlayofficial

Do you own your own home staging company? Why not check out our business resources like Standard Operating Procedure templates? They’re the perfect way to improve your processes and procedures!

How to Choose the Right Shade of Grey

May 21, 2019 by Naomi

Recently I have been working with a client that has given me no end of interesting blog topics to bring to you, this one is about how to choose the right “shade of grey”. Each time this client excitedly shows me a new home furnishing or interior element that is grey they often follow up by saying, “but it’s not the right shade of grey, why can I see brown in it?”.

(Inspired by the amazing images from “Arianna Interiors“.)

That’s why I’m going to give you my five rules for choosing a shade of grey for my home or client – they are a simple and a great place to start.

1. Decide before you start whether you are wanting the coolness of a blue grey or the warm of a brown grey.

2. Be careful what light you are viewing the swatches under in the shop or showroom. Depending on whether the lighting is a warm yellow or a cool white light will greatly effect the way you see the colour.

3. Remember that the the human eye is not a machine and that the way you view colour is quite subjective. What is a perfect grey to you may be different for your partner.

4. Colour is also relative, when you are viewing what you think is your perfect shade of grey at the paint suppliers it is one of many colours on the paint swatch. The colours along side your choice will impact on how you view and perceive the colour you have chosen. Where possible use a neutral coloured view finder to isolate the one colour of interest to minimise the impact this can have.

5. Finally, consider the final resting place of the colour. All the elements of the room you intend to paint will effect the final product and result of your “shade of grey”. The lighting, the shadows and the colours and furniture around it. Make sure you test the paint on a large size card on the wall (A3 at least) and live with the colour test for a while before making the final decision.

With winter around the corner there is no excuse to put off updating the colour of your favourite space, maybe to a shade of gorgeous grey.

Do you want to come on the shopping trip of a lifetime? Join me for my Bali Buying Tour this August 2019! Click Here to find out more!

How to Style Open Shelves

May 9, 2019 by Naomi

Lets face it, sometimes it’s easier to hide our mess behind closed doors – but I really do love open shelving, for so many reasons!

Luckily, open shelving does not have to look like a cluttered mess. When styled right, it can add so much character and interest to your space that you might want to do away with all your cupboard doors!

Check out these great options below.

Modern Desk Accessories design by West Elm

Don’t think of open shelves the same way you think of storage, it’s not about squeezing in everything you can!

Instead, make your open shelves the feature of your room.

By using simple floating open shelves you can create so many different looks depending on what you accessorise the shelves with.

They can totally be functional too, just a more presentable version of what you’d usually store away!

Want to attend our National Home Staging Symposium before spots run out? Get your tickets below!