Working as a Staging Professional – A Designer’s Perspective

As an interior designer, I usually dive into projects that are all about personalizing a space, making it perfect for a homeowner's everyday life. But every now and then, I take on a different type of project – one that's fast-paced and driven by a whole different goal: staging.

Staging homes is like hitting pause on the usual creative process and switching gears. Instead of designing a space around someone’s unique tastes, the goal is to create a neutral, welcoming look that appeals to anyone walking through the door. And honestly, it’s a refreshing change of pace.

Step One: The Walkthrough

The process usually starts with an empty home or condo. My first task? Measuring and photographing every room from top to bottom. At this point, I’m not focused on style or aesthetics just yet. It’s all about capturing the space in its bare bones form so I can plan for the best furniture placement and flow later. This part may seem boring, but it's actually crucial to ensure everything comes together smoothly later on

Step Two: Designing for Appeal

Once I’ve got all the measurements and photos, it’s back to my office to design the staging plan. This is where it gets interesting – instead of designing for one family, I’m designing for everyone. The trick is to create a space that highlights the home’s best features without overshadowing them. Whether it’s choosing neutral-toned furniture to make a room feel bigger or adding small touches to cozy things up, every decision is about making the home feel inviting.

Step Three: Installation Day

Then comes the day where everything comes together: installation day. This is where the magic happens. Furniture and décor get delivered, and I jump right into setting everything up. It’s fast-paced – there’s often a tight deadline to meet before listing photos or an open house. But seeing an empty home transform into something beautiful in a matter of hours? That never gets old.

Why Staging is Essential

Staging may be a shift from my usual design projects, but it’s no less important – in fact, sometimes it’s even more crucial. A well-staged home can make a huge difference in how quickly it sells or gets rented. It allows potential buyers or renters to picture themselves living there, which is key when it comes to making that sale.

For clients and property owners, staging is a super convenient step. It takes the pressure off them to figure out how to present the home, while also making sure it looks its absolute best for viewings. And for me, it’s a chance to switch things up and use my skills in a different way. It’s a fun challenge to create a look that’s both neutral and eye-catching at the same time.

At the end of the day, whether I’m designing a home for someone to live in for years or staging one to sell, the goal is the same: to make a space feel full of potential. And with staging, it’s all about letting potential buyers or renters see the possibilities for themselves. Sometimes, giving a home that fresh, blank slate is just what it needs to tell its next story.

Bold Statements and Vibrant Spaces: A Year-Long Interior Design Journey

View of the Dining room

Transforming a new construction home into a vibrant, creative haven is a journey that takes vision, patience, and an eye for drama—and this project had it all. Over the course of a year, I worked closely with the client to infuse bold colors, custom fixtures, and statement furniture into each room, creating a home that truly inspires. Let’s dive into how each space came together.

Dining Room: Regal Vibes, Bold Colors

The dining room was all about making a statement. We started with a rich teal feature wall, complete with custom millwork that adds a sleek, textured backdrop to the space. Then, we dialed up the drama with deep jewel tones, pairing velvety, curved dining chairs with a striking purple high-back throne at the head of the table. The furniture didn’t just invite you to sit; it demanded your attention. Adding an oversized mirror and chrome light fixture added a modern, reflective element to balance the bold colors. This room? Total regal vibes—dining in here feels like you’ve arrived in the most stylish place in the house.

View of the Sitting room

Sitting Room: Where Color and Comfort Meet

The sitting room is where we doubled down on drama. Those twin purple tufted sofas? Plush, cozy, and designed to make you feel enveloped in luxury. But they’re not just comfy; they’re a bold design move that transformed the space into a creative hub for the family. The teal accent wall creates the perfect backdrop for eye-catching, vibrant artwork that reflects the family’s energetic, artistic personality. The geo-patterned rug echoed in these adjacent rooms tied everything together with a bold graphic punch, grounding the spaces and adding just the right amount of edge. This room is an explosion of color, texture, and style that invites you to sink in and get inspired.

Living Room: High Drama and High Ceilings

In the living room, we took full advantage of the home’s soaring ceilings with oversized, colorful artwork that draws the eye upward. The custom two-story drapery in a soft turquoise pattern softened the room, adding a light, airy feel despite its impressive height. The neutral sectional grounds the room, while pillows in a mix of bold colors give it that signature pop without overwhelming the space. This room strikes the perfect balance between being sophisticated and approachable, making it an ideal spot for family time or casual entertaining.

View of the Living room

View of the Bedroom

Bedroom: Sophisticated with a Touch of Whimsy

For the bedroom, we went sleek and custom, designing built-ins that add both style and function. The matte black cabinetry brings a level of sophistication to the space, while the pops of color in the purple curtains and teal accents keep it playful. The round mirror above the custom desk provides a chic focal point, and the built-in lighting creates the perfect spot for a little creative work or late-night inspiration. The balance of clean lines and fun pops of color gives the bedroom a relaxed yet stylish vibe—just what the client needed to unwind and recharge.

View of the Loft

Each phase of this project was carefully crafted to ensure the home evolved alongside the family’s needs, resulting in a space that not only looks incredible but also inspires creativity. From bold colors to custom fixtures, this home is a perfect reflection of the family’s artistic spirit and vibrant energy. If you’re looking to turn your home into a space that inspires and energizes, I’ve got you covered!

View of the Eat-in Kitchen

I’m so grateful to work with clients who aren’t afraid to go bold with color and let their personality shine through in their spaces. Color is such a powerful tool in design—it can completely transform the mood and energy of a room. Whether it’s creating a serene retreat or an inspiring, energetic space, I love using color to make each project unique and meaningful. If you’re ready to embrace color in your home, I’m here to make your vision come to life!

Project Spotlight: Creating A Modern Bathroom

Project Manton: A Black and White Bathroom Oasis

Picture this – a bathroom that's an absolute vibe! Imagine kicking back in a space that's all about clean lines, relaxation, and serious style…

Color Palette: In this space I opted to use black and white—a classic combo that's bound to level up this bathroom with its metallic notes. The vibe is clean, slick, and bringing some serious design magic.

Soaker Tub: Now, at the heart of it all, we've got this matte black freestanding soaker tub – the MVP of relaxation. Sleek, jet-black vibes on the outside, against those crisp white tiles. It's a whole mood, ready to take your self-care to the next level.

Wood Tile Accents: Not to be ignored are the beautiful wood tile accents with storage niches that wrap around the shower enclosure, adding warmth, function and character to an otherwise pristine space. It's all about finding that sweet spot between modern vibes and natural elements for aesthetically grounded design.

Art Deco Wallpaper: Bringing in the personality is this beautiful Art Deco wallpaper. This ain't your grandma's wallpaper – we're talkin' geometric patterns and metallic accents that scream style. It's like bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour into your daily routine.

Waterfall Shower with Body Jets: Hold up, because here comes the star of the show – the waterfall shower with body jets. It's like having a spa day at home! Brushed gold fixtures keep it sleek, tying in perfectly with the fixtures throughout the rest of the space for a vibe that's both modern and luxurious.

In a nutshell, this bathroom design is all about bringing that Abode Above energy into this space. From the superchill soaker tub to the glam Art Deco wallpaper and the spa-like shower – it's all a dream that I think we can agree we’d love to enjoy every day!