"As a builder, I take a lot of care in how my homes come together. I twique my homes with architectural changes, a variety of paint colors, exotic granites and so forth. In a highly competitive market, you need an edge, something to make you more appealing. Sometimes, though, those things are not enough. Sometimes, a home has to be set up so that a potential buyer can walk in and, rather than having to use their imagination inside an empty shell, actually see how a home can come together. This is where staging can make all the difference. And, this is how I met Melissa Emily. I was touring some high dollar homes in Clarksville, trying to keep an eye on the competition and getting some ideas on how to improve my product as well. Most of the properties had been staged, the usual stuff, a couch here a love seat there, maybe a couple of colored pillows or a vase with plastic flowers...just the same old stuff. And then I walked into a house being hosted by Melissa Emily....what a difference! As soon as I walked through the front door I was impressed. Select items of furniture had been strategically placed to accentuate the appeal of each room. Colors had been coordinated to create a comfortable flow, each subtle change blending with the next creating a continual comfort zone. Various items of artwork adorned the walls or counters or end tables, each interesting and contributing to the overall "wow factor". And, of course, there were the scents... I'm not talking the standard "baking cookies" in the kitchen routine, but more refined, more subtle...something that teased your memory, in a pleasing manner, but not really defined. And so, I found, this was what successful staging was all about. Not overwhelming, not boring, but sophisticated and thoughtful without pretense. A stroke above the rest, and that's the competitive edge I've been talking about. Great job"
don carroll / builder & General contractor / home staging & Interior design
