Redesigned Spaces ~ Cynthia Bartch ~ Home Staging Blog in Georgia

While on styling and redesign jobs I’ve found it’s best to first keep my pie hole shut and let the client describe what they want from me. It can be hard trying to keep my personal style preferences from spewing out of my mouth. What, what, what you say??? Isn’t that what I’m supposed to be doing, telling the client what styling selections they need to make their home oh so fabulous?

Let me explain, this post is about the client's preferences for a certain style and me helping them achieve this look for dwelling not staging to sell. Yes, you still have to ask all the pertinent questions before going to the job. When a client calls for advice on how to help them style their home it’s up to me to take their vague idea of what style they have in mind and then I explain how I can help them.

When I get to the home they’ll still have lot of questions about the process and that’s no problem. I go around the home and ask what they like or may not like about certain pieces that they already own. It helps us determine what style they feel drawn to.

The past few jobs frankly had me scratching my head. My clients have told me previous people they've hired counseled them to get rid of what they already owed and loved and were advised go down the stylist’s chosen route. Kind of impersonal and can you say a cha-ching route to boot?

Let’s just say that route led to a dead end for the previous stylist.

Sure the client may not have all the pieces they need to complete the look they are trying to achieve, but we work around what they have and make notes for the future purchases.

 The Pottery Barn look is still popular and trying to make that happen with 3 red monkeys, a bowl of left over pebbles and shells from a cherished family holiday, mismatched furniture, a series of collectible lighthouses isn’t going to be easy. But it can be done using my crafty ideas and a list of suggested future purchases will complete the look!

 So by remembering to shut your pie hole first and listening about their preferred style you’ll  help them achieve that look they long for. Hey it’s all about them!

 In conducting business with my clients and associates I let them know I have the ability to help them beyond room redesign & preparing their home for sale as a stager/property stylist. While they may not need one of the extra services I provide at that moment, I’ve planted the seed and when the time comes hopefully they will keep me in mind or refer me to friends and family.

 The advantage is that they already know me I’ve been in their home between 2 and 6 hours and in that time I’ve started to develop a relationship. I seem to have the most pleasant clients, so lucky me huh? I sure think so!

Whether it's floral design, custom artwork or small party planning I can help them out. Heck, I can even make them a beautiful bracelet or a pair of sparkly earrings for that party too.

 Here are a few design pieces for a client that called for an elegant but natural look in a lakeside setting for her holiday party. Coming up with ideas and themes for holiday parties are fun and when it's time for the installations it makes you think on your feet. For example if they need a custom tree topper, be prepared to whip one up.  My vehicle is usually packed even for the smallest of jobs so I can accommodate the little extras a client may need or want pronto.

A removable European hand tied bouquet accented with pheasant feathers & berries in my client's container. This design enabled the client to still use her favorite accessory year round. All she had to do was pick up the bouquet, it stays in place to be packed away.

Copper sparkle adds a bit more drama to the fireside table piece while pods, moss & preserved boxwood are used lending it the more natural look. This design needed to be more compact to allow for guests use the coffe table.

 Below a garland of designer pine with feathered birds in moss nests, berries, pine cones, mixed greenery and a bit of holiday sparkle for the credenza. The copper sparkle mesh that was woven in the pine garland doesn't show up in the pictures, too bad...cause it was the perfect touch!

So go ahead and expand your business and client base by using your creative abilities. Whatever talents you may have let your clients know! They may need your services now or remember you for the future.

Got a few minutes? Go get your cup of tea or coffee I'll wait. Ok now, let's take a photo journey and you'll see some fish that were tickling my feet, butterflies that were providing the fall color display, dancing birds, one very colorful bum, beyond gorgeous sunsets and don't forget about those flippers!

The hustle and bustle of the prime season had passed and the beaches were still warm and welcoming the first week in October.

Let's get up early and catch a glorious sunrise before heading down to the beach ok? I was lucky to catch a bird soaring overhead in this shot. This mornings sunrise wasn't as spectacular as the previous day shown below but it's still great to get up early and catch a sunrise!

Humm...looks like someone was here before us.

 Maybe it was this guy???

Ahhh...to swim like a fish with these baby's on! As youngsters we would lightly pinch tap a foot or leg while swimming underwater while the counterpart watches the victim person from afar, the water is way too clear here for that type of fun.

 These guys were tickling my feet! I saw a crab to scurrying on the bottom and watched as he buried himself as I was approaching, then when I was digging around him, he raised and opened his claws while his body stayed buried. That was cool to see! If only I had an underwater camera you could have seen it too!

The butterflies photographed above were kind that were flying over the azure blue water as I was relaxing on a raft and the fuzzy Oleander caterpillar was munching on lunch. Life is good!

You do it like this...you put your right foot in and take your left foot out... ok stop, that girl is watching us again!

 How peaceful...another perfect ending to a fun day!

I see you Mr. Moon peeking out of those clouds!

There he is!

Well this is the end of this little holiday and I gotta get back to work so I'll leave you with the colorful bum I promised in the title. Not what you expected??? Tsk, tsk on you!

A visit to Barnsley Gardens nestled in the foothills in Adairsville, GA is the perfect getaway for romance & relaxation. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking, the manor ruins and surrounding grounds are steeped rich in history. This place is no ordinary retreat but a magical serene setting to celebrate something special or to get away from it all and relax!

This is the approach to the homestead ruins affectionately called the 'Woodlands' built by Godfrey Barnsley in the mid 1800's located in Northern Georgia. The manor style was clearly built outside of the the typical Southern 'Greek Revival' architecture. Godfrey Barnsley was a disciple of Andrew Jackson Downing and the manor reflected Gothic and Italianate design, very different from the standards at the time.

Daytime inside the manor ruins. Weddings, parties and intimate concerts are still held here. In the evening it must look magical with all the candles lit!

The large boxwood parterre was geometrical in design with serpentine walkways that wound through large flowering border beds.

The heirloom gardens Godfrey Barnsley planted and built for his beloved Julia are what first
attracted me to visit this extraordinary resort. It contained many exotic species at the time including this China Fir tree. When planted it was as nearly as tall as the mansion!

Above is a very small sampling of the magnificent gardens here at Barnsley Gardens. These are the true colors of the flowers, no color adjustments were made. The flower gardens were spectacular to  see in person and the spacious cottages had their own unique garden and landscaping!

This photo was taken from a different angle of the ruins at dusk which was previously posted here. In the maze of boxwood is a replica of the fountain Godfrey had built for his wife. After her death he tried to find solace wandering the gardens and it's here he stated she came to him in an apparition. The manor was not finished yet and she encouraged him to finish building their 'Woodlands' homestead dream.

This photo on the left was taken standing inside the front foyer looking out at the formal boxwood parterre. The next picture is of my husband standing by the arbor and side perennial bed and path that leads down to the bog pond.

Barnsley Gardens Resort has it all for you to enjoy in lush setting. Whether you want to enjoy a ride through the hills on horseback, spend an afternoon clay shooting, master a round of golf, learn to fly fish, hike through the trail, take a magical walk through the manor ruins and heirloom gardens, cool off with a dip in the pool, fancy a spa visit or treat yourself to fabulous meals it’s all here waiting for you! If you decide to visit, check their monthy specials on line.

The service was impeccable and if you happen to need a special touch they have a fairy godmother there to make it happen for you. When checking in she had her wand there by the desk hanging on the wall. If only I had gotten a photo of it!

For more information about a visit to Barnsley Gardens located in Adairsville, Georgia click here.

Well it's time to say goodbye to my very yummy friends!

Sniff, sniff. I will miss them terribly when I go make my homemade pizza, salsa and mile high sandwiches on homemade bread. They made my food mouth-watering this summer with their crisp fresh taste that only homegrown veggies and herbs can deliver.

What a tasty and delectable way to add some vital nutrients the old fashioned way, through your food! If you haven't tried growing your own favorite foods this year give it try next year you won't be sorry, neither will your belly. Besides they look so colorful and pretty in the garden bed. Below are just a few types of veggies I grew this year. I grew many more but was too busy munching away to snap their delicious photo!

Then once you nurture and grow them you will be rewarded by using them in your favorite foods. One of my favorite food groups is pizza. Pizza is a food group right? I'm sure of it!

Ok, ok, My name is Cyndee and I'm a pizzaholic. There I've said it and I'm proud of it!

I must leave you now to go eat that one slice of left over pizza :D

I was walking along the trail with Ted my husband when I felt a tiny brush upon my shoulder thinking it was him tickling me with a blade of grass. Oh that Ted of mine is a playful soul! I looked down and much to my surprise I saw a butterfly, so with camera in hand I quickly took a snap but only got a shot of the ground behind me.

Hey the butterfly was till there! Ted took the camera and shot the next two photos of my lovely hitchhiker. Guess what? This charming creature stayed there for around 5 minutes while we traveled the trail, it tickled and I liked it!

Say hello to my new little friend!

It tickled and I liked it!

We had passed a flowering bush a few minutes earlier and three butterflies landed on my belly, they were pretty fast fluttering around and this gal wasn't fast enough to capture the moment.

Looking back at these photos brings me back to that peaceful mindset I had that day! I can't help but smile when I get a chance to view them again.

When you are having a not so good day do you have something that brings you back into focus?

Maybe it even tickled you!

Yep, those buyers are snuggled in the comfort of their own dwelling cruising the Internet right now sans pants looking at your home. They have the convenience to view all those homes without having to hit the road. Potential buyers are checking out your property with intent to make a purchase.

Is your home show ready?

You as the seller need to appeal to one of the most powerful senses, the sense of, “I want it and I want now!” I’m pretty darn sure that’s one of the five senses. Yep, pretty sure!

Is the first welcome photo of the exterior of your property click-able and enticing? Does that photo illustrate the value that lay inside the home? If so congratulations you got them to stay a while and linger for a look around, their interest is peaked and they want more.

                                        You’ve got it baby and it is called ‘curb appeal, sweet!

If not, uh-oh your home is off their list then it’s on to the next property, lickity split. You’ve lost them to that well maintained beauty down the street. You know the type, well trimmed lawns, splashes of eye catching color in the garden, fresh coat of paint, no twinkling Christmas lights in the dead of summer, attractive welcoming face err… I mean front entrance.

No matter the price range of your property, the outside appearance of your home is an important step to tempt the home-buyer to see the goodies you’ve got behind your front door. By creating that all important curb appeal you will have those drive by home-buyers screeching their brakes to sneak a peek. Take advantage of the current season to create opportunities for the best first impression for your home.

• Give that front door a fresh coat of paint.
• Shine up or replace the lighting, kick plate and doorbell.
• Need color by the door? Add a stylish wreath or basket to the front door.  Maybe a new welcome mat will do the trick. Use decorative planters with greenery or colorful flowers to anchor the front door.
• Spruce up those outdoor flower beds by  mulching, weeding and for heavens sake if Aunt Martha’s prized hybrid flower  she gave you died…give it a proper funeral!
• Power wash that moss & gunk off the porch and home.
• Pick up the kiddies’ toys scattered through the yard.
• Leave no evidence of your beloved ‘Bandit’ on the lawn, scoop up the poop, pronto!

Illustrate the value that lay behind your font door by maintaining the outside and tempt that potential buyer to click through and see what else your home has to offer them. Once you've accomplished that, your home will have showing appointments in no time!

Need more tips? Give your local home stager a call and they will be glad to help your home get those lingering looks!