styling

How To Create a Divine Dining Space

December 10, 2021 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!

What Beds to Use in Home Staging

November 26, 2021 by Naomi

One of the most frequently asked questions from our students and those getting started in the industry…..

We’re just starting up our home staging business and we really need to know about how you do your beds.

That’s an interesting question, isn’t it?

Let’s look at our options when we are deciding on beds to use for an installation of a property for sale.

The first option is, obviously, a traditional slatted timber bed that needs to be pretty much built on site. It has the side rails that has the header and the footer and the slats that the mattress would sit upon. There’s one option.

The next option is an ensemble bed. So the traditional base and mattress.

The last option is a bit of a more temporary bed. It may be an inflatable bed, it may be a camp stretcher with an inflatable mattress on top or it may be a camp stretcher with a foam mattress on top.

These are all different sorts of options. That’s not all of them, but they are some of the different options that you have when you’re staging a property and you want to put in some beds.

What do we do? If I’m going to be dead honest about what we did when installing for my home staging business, we actually used a lot of ensemble beds.

We used to use the slatted headers and footers with the side rails, but the time it took to construct the beds on site meant that our productivity was greatly diminished.

And that meant that we needed more than one person to be on site installing every single house, even after the initial drop off of furniture was complete by the muscle, basically. That was a bit of a negative for us. It really did take some time.

The other thing we noticed is that the mechanisms that you’re adhering everything to did, over time and after multiple assembling and disassembling, wear. We steered away from that.

That pointed us to our ensemble beds.

We have, as well, used all varieties of camp stretchers and foam mattresses/camp stretches and air mattresses, but one of the big problems we found with air mattresses was that sometimes they do go down.

You often find that the time you get a call is 7:30/8:30/9:00/10:00 on a Saturday when, often, you’re busy doing other things, saying,

“I’ve just taken everyone into an open home and the mattress is deflated. I need something else here right now because the open home has pretty much been ruined by the fact that there’s a deflated mattresses and a slump-looking bed sitting in what might have been an amazing master suite before.”

One of the problems I have with inflatable beds is they certainly have their locations, but one of the things that you need to make sure you think about is they aren’t 100% reliable.

I can probably hear many people going, “What about those places where you can’t get an ensemble base into?” Absolutely right. It’s a huge, huge challenge.

There are many places, especially in the older parts of town, where the stairwells are too skinny and the lifts are too small and the landings at the top of stairs are too small to be able to work an ensemble base around.

In those cases, we actually have to use a mattress and we prop the mattress up on tubs. The same tubs that we use to pack the bedroom accessories and linen etc.

There you go. There are our sneak peeks and our behind the scenes of what we did while staging a home for beds. I hope you’ve learned something from that; I hope that there’s something that you can take and integrate into your home staging business and into all the different situations that it may be applicable.

If you have really specific questions about your business, make sure you check out our memberships. Our Professional Membership has a closed Facebook forum where you can pretty much ask anything you want.

The members of the community and myself will be jumping in there to help. Pop over and check them out. They’re all on the website.

How to Create Vignettes

October 8, 2021 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!

How to Choose the Perfect Art

September 17, 2021 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!

Must-Have Home Staging Stock

September 10, 2021 by Naomi

When you reach a certain point in your home staging business, acquiring stock and inventory is an essential step up.

Purchasing this stock might seem like a bit of a leap, and depending on what stock you purchase, it might be.

However, if you are smart about what and how much stock you purchase, you could improve your overall home staging business.

Create a Sanctuary — Image via Style Curator

When it comes to stock there is typically two types: soft furnishings and hard furnishings.

Soft furnishings include items such as pillows, linen, lamps and small accessories. The way I like to think about soft furnishings is that I could pack them all in a box and put them in my car.

On the other hand, hard furnishings are big items such as lounges, arm chairs, dining tables, coffee tables, and so on. These are the items that can’t be packed and loaded single handedly.

Logically, soft furnishings should be acquired first, then later down the track hard furnishings can be acquired. It’s important to be able to consider what sort of stock you should have now!

SOFT FURNISHINGS

When it comes to soft furnishings, the items below can be purchased relatively cheaply and in bulk.

Pillows: Purchasing pillows that work well in a wide range of environments is a great way to get the most out of your money. Choose pillows in a few colours and designs so they can be used on their own or grouped together.
Faux flowers and plants: Faux flowers and plants are great when the right ones are purchased because they can look amazing and used in a range of spaces and styles. Plus they last a long time!
Books: Theses can be purchased from an op shop and are a great way to add texture and create a ‘lived in’ feeling to any space. These are the most cost-effective soft furnishings and can be used in any environment, from a study, bedroom, lounge room or even an outdoor setting.
Knick-knack accessories: These are small accessories that can be used in a variety of environments – anything from vessels, small bowls, candle holders, or any other small accessories.
Linen packs: This isn’t absolutely necessary, but having coverlets and toppers can transform a room from something dull to something amazing.

229f1da3e9e8b569b0beceee69dce779 — Image via immyandindi.com.au

HARD FURNISHINGS

As for hard furnishings, these items are more expensive so it is beneficial to go for quality over quantity.

Mattresses: Often clients do not have enough beds to show off the best use of the space, or they have moved and have taken their mattresses with them so these are a must!
Dining chairs: Not all dining chairs go with tables, or look good with them, so having some neutral dining chairs that work with a range of colours is a great idea so you can use the clients dining table.
Bedside tables: Bedside tables have the potential to open up the bedroom and transform the space into something amazing. Having bedside tables that are unique, yet work well in a variety of environments is essential.
Lounges: Lounges can easily begin to look old, worn and unpleasant when they’ve been used for years. Having lounges in stock that are a neutral colour are a great idea as they can be used in a range of different styled homes.
Coffee tables: Coffee tables are a great way to show off the space in a lounge room and add an element of homeliness to the space. Not everyone has a coffee table, and if they do it might be old and worn. Having new, coffee tables as part of your stock can transform a space.

5512a478c1edcd04581dc6e05593f575 — Image via southernliving.com

How To Style Your Rental Property

August 27, 2021 by Naomi

When renting, it is easy to feel like you are living in someone else’s house, and technically, you are. You don’t have to feel like an outsider in your rental property, though. Style your rental property to inject your personality into the space.

Adding your own style and elements to make the space feel like home is a great way to help you settle into the property.

We’ve all seen rental properties with old yellow walls and wallpaper that is chipping off. However, you can get permission from your landlord to fix this! Painting the walls of the property a light, clean and neutral shade is a great way to make a space feel more homely. It is also a great way to create a neutral backdrop for furniture, accessories and art.

If you are unable to paint the walls of the property, see what furniture you can buy to make the room feel more like home. Check out your local op-shop and see what bargains you can find, if you don’t have the budget to go out and purchase all new furniture. If you find some great deals, you can also paint the items to make the property feel more like home.

The flooring in a room can dramatically change how a room feels. Old carpet can make a room feel closed in a dirty. Whereas, wooden floors can make a space feel freshly renovated. Using a large neutral or natural weave rug to decorate a space is a great way to mute wall and floor colours. It also brings more texture into a space. Rugs can additionally define a space.

Give special attention to the window coverings in the property. Changing these out can be a great way to completely change the atmosphere of a space. The purpose of blinds is to control light, privacy and thermal insulator. This can dramatically change how a space looks and feels.

Another great way to bring more light into a space is by using mirrors. Hanging large mirrors in bedrooms and living rooms is a cost effective and easy way to bring more light into a space and to make the space look so much bigger!

Accessorising with throws, pillows and soft furnishings is another cost-effective and simple way to bring life into a space. Layering old lounges with a throw and pillows helps to deter the eye from the old lounge and dated carpet.

Finally, bringing plants into a space is an amazing way to style a rental property! Large or small, house plants help to purify the air, help you think more clearly and can support a calm and nurturing environment.

In some cases, it may be difficult to style a rental property can be difficult depending on the state of the property. However, rental properties can look amazing when you sure of the right tools!

When living in a rental property you want to feel as comfortable as you can in the space you are given. Figuring out what makes you feel the most comfortable is essential in creating a rental property you love.

Why is Defining the Function of a Space Important?

July 16, 2021 by Naomi

When someone moves into a new property, one of the first things they think is ‘what will I use this space for?’

Some spaces are obvious…the kitchen is for cooking, the bedroom is for sleeping, the lounge room is for watching television. But as home stagers, we know there’s so much more to it than that!

The spaces we create don’t necessarily have to be practical for day to day living. By that, I mean we don’t need to include a ‘play room’ for kids or a spot for all the shoes at the front door.

It is important that we hold onto the hopeful mentality that buyers have and create a space that would be used in an ideal world (without the clutter!)

So, why is it so important to define the function of a space as a home stager?

Image via amberinteriordesign.com

When an empty property is put on the market, potential buyers are likely to become overwhelmed over the prospect of what they will use each space for. What room is better for a teenager and what one for a preteen? Should there be two living spaces? Is there enough room for a study space or home office?

Similarly, when a property is put on the market without professional property styling and using the seller’s current layout, the property is less likely to appeal to the buyer. Leaving the property in it’s original state will create elements of clutter and uncertainty about what space is to be used for what. This is because we adapt to how our families use a space and often don’t notice that there is anything out of the ordinary about this.

This is where the magic of home staging comes in.

When staging a property, it is up to the home stager to determine what a space is best used for. If there is an awkward space between two bedrooms, a home stager may place a study desk there. This is something potential buyers might not have thought of doing, but seeing the desk there allows for the space to seem larger, and like the desk was always supposed to go there.

Image via cocolapinedesign.com

The accessories and furniture home stagers use allow for a space to have a clear and obvious activity attached to it. The items in the bedroom show that the space is used for sleeping, and the same goes for the lounge room, study space and kitchen. Doing this allows for potential buyers to see the size of the space, as well as the ideal activity to be done in the space, creating a homely and ‘I could live here’ atmosphere for all potential buyers.

Image via myscandinavianhome.com

Small Details that Matter in Every Space

July 9, 2021 by Naomi

Some of the most amazing properties I’ve seen have all had one thing in common – every single detail had been considered.

As home stagers, we have some influence to suggest small changes to improve the overall presentation of a property and I always recommend updating the single elements that make up the overall look and feel of a space.

Details that should not be overlooked are things like door knobs, door hinges, handles and draw pulls. Consider both internal and outdoor fixtures like the hardware of the front door for the ultimate first impression!

Even in contemporary and modern builds, you can still add a bespoke finish with brass, antique, chrome or matte finishes.

I just love a space that has custom finishing on the door hardware including the hinging!

As soon as someone walks in, you can see their eye dance around the room and notice the larger elements but also touch on the finer details that really create that ultimate buyer experience.

Combined with great styling and lots of light, these little considerations will take your space to amazing!

Why Lamps are Essential in Your Styling

July 2, 2021 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.

Simple Styling Hacks for Flowers

June 18, 2021 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 complement 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.

Image from Staging Designs

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

How to Create a Gorgeous Vignette

April 9, 2021 by Naomi

When you work in property styling, knowing how to create gorgeous vignettes is essential!

But what are vignettes? And how can you make them amazing?!

Vignettes are small arrangements of bits and pieces usually placed on coffee tables, book shelves, benches and anywhere that can hold specific items to bring texture and warmth to a space.

The ways in which vignettes are arranged is not random, even though it can look that way. In order to have a successful and aesthetically pleasing vignette, it is necessary for the items used to be specifically picked for a particular reason.

A vignette can be as simple as a small house plant next to a book on a coffee table. These items are commonly used in vignettes because plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but they can also create a positive and calming atmosphere in the area.

Coffee table books are often used in vignettes as they are intriguing and can make guests interested in the overall arrangement of the vignette.

Small artworks, candles and magazines are all used in vignettes to create interest and pleasing aesthetics in an area such as a coffee table.

The idea behind vignettes is that you are able to create your own small artwork that you can change whenever you please.

When styling vignettes it is of utmost importance to ensure that all items used are of different textures, shapes and sizes. While vignettes may seem easy to style, it can be difficult to create an arrangement that makes you and everyone who sees the vignette say “WOW!”.

Using different colours, textures, shapes and sizes that all work together is the most effective way to create an amazing vignette, but it is all about trial and error.

Where you put your vignette can also determine if your vignette works or not as well. A vignette may look awesome on a coffee table, but it may look a little too much on a book shelf. It’s all about figuring out what works best in the space.

If you’ve created a gorgeous vignette, tag @NaomiFindlayOfficial on Instagram and we’ll share it with our audience!

How to Style a Master Bedroom

March 26, 2021 by Naomi

Styling a master bedroom in a home for sale can be tricky. The majority of time spent here is for sleeping and for this reason, many people have a complacent attitude when it comes to styling the master bedroom.

But the key is the create a space that oozes comfort, tranquility and space. So how do you create a space that attracts buyers?

Read on for my top style tips…

Having a pleasing master bedroom is more than just the mattress. When it comes to putting your house on the market, it’s all about practicality and aesthetics so choose gorgeous pillows, play with different colours and textures, and use light to your advantage.

The bed is the major part of a master bedroom, and is usually the focal point of the room. Simple bedding such as a white cover is best. This can be dressed up with a throw and pillows of a variety of colours.

Not all master bedrooms have a lot of wardrobe space, and buyers will wonder if there is enough room for clothing so consider adding stylish clothes rails and a chest of draws to showcase alternative storage solutions. As long as the furniture is scaled to suit the size of the room, it shouldn’t look crowded and can in fact make the space feel complete.

Lighting is another key feature that is of utmost importance in the master bedroom. Natural light is always a plus, but it is understandable that this is not always available.

Downlights, side table lamps, tall feature lamps and candles are all great ways to make the room feel more comforting and, most importantly, makes sure the room is well light.

Accessories and art are also great ways to make the room shine and add interest without deterring buyers.

Image via Huntley & Co

We have scattered some of our favourite master bedrooms below! As you can see, there is no strict formula when it comes to decorating the master bedroom but all designs contain the features mentioned above.

What is your favourite master bedroom?

Want to make your own gorgeous homewares, learn about foraging for foliage in your local area or learn my top style tips? Check out my workshops below.