They say less is more. However, I love seeing my pretties about the house.
I have been very busy taking small pieces that can be considered “too much” in
the room and taking them to the storage unit ….. or should I say the hubby
has been taking them to the storage unit.
So with some difficulty, I am in the mindset of
Less is More, the Staging Begins!
Welcome to the Great Room.
In keeping with my Staging and Re-Design experience and certification,
I know what I must do. But some things tug at my heart strings and I
must have certain things about that make me happy.
And, heaven knows you need happy in the moving process!
I know I had to make more space in pathways, so I relocated a long narrow
table and replaced it with this demi-lune table that was in the stairwell.
Now you are probably wondering …… hmmm there’s a lot of stuff under the table.
Well, that large antique box is actually a shoe shine kit.
A shoe shine kit that my dad made when he was a young boy.
It is so very well made and it just makes me happy to see it throughout the day.
The table looked a little lonely, so I brought out the antique bamboo chair
that was in the sunroom to tie into small antique french bamboo table
on one side of the demi-lune table.
By placing this demi-lune table on this wall, it did make the pathway from the
Great Room to the Kitchen more roomy.
Did you notice the plant stand in the background of the above photo?
There used to be an antique settee in that space.
That settee went to the storage unit. I placed the black chinoiserie plant stand
that was in the sunroom into this area to allow more pathway space.
I removed the previous vignette that I had on the coffee table in the Great Room
and created a more simplistic one. I still went with a little coastal/summer theme
by placing some sea glass in the hurricane candle holder and a simple starfish on the book.
Oh, and I cannot forget my signature pineapple!
I am using an orchid on the table vs. flowers, as it lends to a great tropical look
to compliment the summer/coastal look. My sister gifted this orchid to me about 4 years ago
and it keeps blooming over and over again.
There was an antique French commode table behind the chair below the window.
That table was relocated to another room to gain more floor space and to create
attention to the trim detail around the window.
I had a tall tea table next to the sofa. It did take up a good amount of space,
so I banished it to the storage unit and replaced it with the Venetian stacking tables.
The Venetian stacking tables were in the dining room and taking
them out of the dining room was a good way to lighten up the room.
Hmmmm…..I may lose the boxwood topiaries on the sofa table.
The garden stool that was next to the chair was removed
and taken to another area. You will see what I did with that area soon.
Lots of things happening around here ….. a revolving door should I say.
And this is the view of when I open that revolving door!
I must say that I shall miss my park-like, living in a tree house feel.
However, we shall try and make the next house have the very same park-like feel.
Off to purge, pack and stage more rooms!
In the meantime, I wish you a most beautiful day!!!
Looking good and I can only imagine how much work that is. I would love to downsize, but the thought of doing something with all the stuff makes me feel very anxious!
Wow! You have been a busy woman. It looks wonderful.
Everything looks beautiful- you will have your reward when your home sells quickly. And, it will. You will have such fun with the decoration of your new home. As you unpack your treasures, you will see them with new eyes for a new space.
Shirley, you have been a very busy lady! I think potential buyers will love your home. You are doing a fabulous job staging and even though you are removing “stuff”, it still is warm and inviting!
Shirley, your house looks beautiful, and I am sure it will sell quickly. It is so hard to stage your own house, but you are doing a wonderful job. Try not to work too hard!
Looking good! I just have to believe your home will sell rather fast! I can well imagine how hard it is to put so many things away but ultimately you’ll have fun placing them in your new home!
Hard to go wrong with a beautiful home as the base for all staging. My friend is a successful realtor, and she is always on her clients to pare down and put away. However, she says if she had her choice – she’d rather have a house full of furniture than one completely empty. If there is no furniture – then it’s hard to show people where their sofa would go in the great room; or how large a table the dining room will accommodate. You’ll do fine!
If I was house hunting in your area I would choose your house. I house-hunted more times than I care to remember. My husband was transferred 12 times and we have owned 15 houses! I would choose your house for it’s openness, beautiful woodwork and all the light, the porches and the landscaping. That’s just from reading your blogs! The new owner has a treat in store for themselves.
It’s so hard to pare back, everything has memories – how do you decide??? I’m happy I did the downsizing thing when I moved into this house but I still have tons of things I could dispose of. Good luck sweetie! And thanks for your sweet comment on my bench project xoxox
I have no doubt, whether less or more, your gorgeous home is going to sell very quickly. Best wishes Shirley.
You are doing great Shirley! Your home will sell so quickly when you put it on the market.
Good luck with all the work of staging. Keeping it welcoming but not too personal and open feel, it’s not easy!!
Keep up the hard work! I know it’s difficult…but it will be all worth it in the end! Everything’s looking lovely! 😉
If anyone is up to the task of staging their home in the most beautiful way, it is certainly you, Shirley! Best of luck with the house sale. You have many wonderful things to look forward to with this great adventure. Thank you for sharing your steps along the way. Everything looks perfect! Rosie
It’s so difficult making things simpler and taking away your style. I didn’t do it all at once, I kept taking things away. Looking at other fabulous listings and seeing how little they had really helped. Your house will sell fast because it has such great features and it’s in perfect shape.
Shirley you are on the move an doing a great job. I always said staging a home to sell is de-decorating it. Less is definitely more, the more open the better. It is so hard to do that, but you are well on your way. You will be glad you prepacked your smalls, moving gets over whelming the closer the time gets to the actual move, any pre-packing will make it so worth it. Having moved twice in the last year and half I am excited for you and your new journey!!!
It all still looks wonderful! I am in the process of “letting go” of some (a lot) of things here at my house. Just too much that I am not using/wearing/needing. If I had to down size my house, I would be in trouble! It’s amazing how much one can accumulate over the 39 years of marriage. Trying to get my husband to “let go” also. Continued success and I always look forward to your post!
Looking so great Shirley. Your home is gorgeous and will sell quickly. I think your staging is beautiful. Your home gets lots of light which is a big selling point too and your view out the back of the house is gorgeous. I think when anyone walks into your home they will feel the cozy and bright feeling right away. Good luck with the packing of stuff and staging. I understand your work being done. You will love downsizing once you get there.
Hugs,
Kris
Shirley, your home is so beautiful that I can’t imagine that it needs to be staged! Whoever gets it will certainly be getting a jewel! I, too, am excited to watch this journey unfold!
Your home is always gorgeous, pared down or not!!! I know it will sell quickly. ANYONE would be lucky to have it. Your parklike setting is gorgeous!!!!
SOLD! I LOVE YOUR HOUSE SHIRLEY!!!!! I could move in tomorrow. Everything is so beautiful there is no doubt in my mind it will sell very quickly. Love the beautiful park feeling you get opening your door.
Enjoy your day! We are having beautiful weather here in Minnesota too!
Beautiful inside and out, Shirly… I’ve been doing this same exercise in my mind as my husband and I discuss the possibility of downsizing. We upsized 5 years ago and dearly love this house but he’s within a year or so of retiring and wants to be by the water. I won’t have as much trouble parting with things as I will parting with them at the price I may have to take to part with them. I feel an ouch or two or three coming on…. haha…
speaking of ouches… that should be *Shirley*… so sorry…
Shirley, I am so excited for you–it’s going to be such fun picking out everything for your new home and making it your own. Even though we downsized almost four years ago, this is not our final house, and it was already a couple years old when we bought it so we didn’t get to have the fun of selecting exactly what we like. So, I’m looking forward to the day when we can build our cottage home. Meanwhile, I have less to clean, so it’s all good.
no doubt your new home will be equally as gorgeous and you will have ample space for your treasures.
I know you’re home will sell quickly Shirley! Keep Calm and Stage On 🙂
Shirley it’s looking good! That is a big job, but no one can do it any better than you!
Wow! You have been extremely busy, but it was worth it. It looks fantastic…
Your beautiful home is move in ready and that’s a big selling point. The more that’s packed now, the easier the move. If I could just pair down myself I know it will be a positive impact . It’s a slow process.. I just need to declutter. Way too much stuff. Less is definitely more. You’ve inspired me to move on this project faster, even though I’m not moving. Good luck with the move.
You have a beautiful home. I could be happy just bringing my clothes and moving in. It looks so elegant and comfortable.
Shirley, Your home is beautiful and I know it will sell quickly. Moving is never easy.
Hugs,
Sherry
It can’t be easy staging your home for others, but soon you’ll be on your way to your next adventure!
Good luck. It’s a lot of work but so worth it in the end.
I echo the comments before me. A lovely and detailed home like yours will sell quickly. Downsizing and decluttering have been frequent conversations among my group of friends so you are an inspiration! I appreciate your comment on needing things like your father’s shoeshine box around you because it makes you happy. Aren’t such treasures what makes a house a home?
I love your sense of color and am wondering what color the finish on your hardwood floors is. It looks perfect with everything!
I’m sure your house will sell FAST! You’ve done a great job of staging it so far!
I went through what you’re going through about two years ago. It can be tough, but it’s also a walk down memory lane that makes you really appreciate those most special treasures.
I too am downsizing Shirley! My recycle bin is loving me right now. I can’t see how you can possibly put away all those lovely things. Are you also going to be moving or is this just an experiment?
It looks beautiful. Your view out of the front door makes me want to move in. Maybe keep the bigger house and we can share it? Your home looks lovely, welcoming and gorgeous with, or without, all your beautiful things, Shirley!
Oh Shirley I remember this stage in our moving process. Just figure the more you pack up now the less you have to do later. Your home will sale quickly. It’s beautiful. My decorating mantra has always been. Less is more and big is better ! Thanks for stopping by today on my blog. Always great hearing from you??