Articles Tagged "staging"

Our real estate agents have noticed a surge in interest in vintage furniture and home decor over the last few years. This old-fashioned aesthetic can make your home feel cozier and more personal. But how do you find these one-of-a-kind pieces for your home?

Want to bring this popular trend into your home? Use our guide to find the best vintage home decor items in Spokane.  

1. Know What You Want 
   Not all vintage pieces make it into resale markets. Most of the items that end up being preserved are rare, high-quality, or unusual-looking to modern eyes. Before you begin your search, think about which of these aspects is most important to you. If you're having trouble finding the right piece, you can try referring to it by alternate names. The same piece of furniture might be called a cabinet or a hutch, depending on the person looking at it. If you bring up all of these names with the seller you're working with, you'll have a much better chance of being shown a piece that fits your specifications.  
   
   
2. Embrace Imperfections 
   Vintage items have been around a long time – that's what makes them vintage. Unfortunately, this means it is rare for them to be in perfect condition. By the time you get your hands on it, your perfect piece will probably have at least a little wear and tear on it.  
   
   Antiques may not be in perfect condition, but if you shop around, you can find beautiful pieces that will last you for many years. Small scratches and scuff marks are a concession to make in return for that level of value.  
   
   
3. Inspect Items in Person 
   You can find many vintage items listed online, but when possible go see items in person. A great-looking photo can disguise rips and tears, chipped surfaces, faded materials, and other major problems that might be dealbreakers for you. It's also hard to tell exactly what a vintage piece looks like until you see it for yourself. If you get the chance, stop by a real antique store near you. 

Hoping to upgrade your interior design with a few new vintage items? Here are some places to look for new pieces near our Spokane homes for sale. 

• Vintage Mercantile and Auction - 5005 N Market St, Spokane WA 99217 
  Vintage Mercantile and Auction is a great place to find some distinctive pieces, especially if you're also looking for a bargain. Their weekly auctions showcase some of their best acquisitions and give you a chance to snap up these coveted finds before they hit store shelves. 
  
  
• ZipperZ on Garland - 913 West Garland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
  When you're done shopping on Market Street, be sure to swing by Garland Avenue, which has many unique stores with one-of-a-kind finds. While you're strolling Garland Avenue, be sure to stop by ZipperZ on Garland. ZipperZ on Garland is an upscale consignment shop and has many vintage treasures just waiting to be discovered.
  
  
• Blue Cat Vintage - 1919 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 
  Blue Cat Vintage has an impressive selection of furniture and home accessories, including more unusual items like lighting and rugs. You can even browse their wares online to get a feel for what they have before heading into the store for a closer look.  

Classic furniture never goes out of style. Give your home a whole new look with some choice vintage pieces from any of these Spokane small businesses, and contact us today to buy or sell homes in the Spokane area.

Does selling your home during the holidays mean that you're doomed to spend the season with no decorations?

Fortunately, our real estate agents know that the answer is "no." Holiday decorations are encouraged when you're selling your home, but it's important to treat them as part of your home's staging. Here's what you need to know about staging your home during the holiday season. 

• You Need to Declutter Before Reaching for Your Decorations
  Before you start decorating, spend time thoroughly decluttering your home. Pack up collections, old paperwork, and toys. Remove items that feel overly personal, like photographs and sentimental displays. These items make it hard for a buyer to envision themselves living in your home. 

• Be Stingy with Your Holiday Decor
  Your decluttering mindset should also apply to your holiday decor. Less is more this year. You don't want your decorations to overwhelm your home or detract from your home's best features. Decorative displays with a lot of components, like a Christmas village or nutcracker collection, add too much clutter to your home. Avoid large outside decorations that take up a lot of room in your yard and potentially obscure your home. It's okay to put up lights on your home's exterior, but don't go overboard. Decorate your home's frame instead of every possible surface of your home's exterior. Illuminate a lovely tree or bush instead of decorating multiple components of your landscaping. 

• Set the Stage with Seasonal Decor
  When you add your home to the list of Spokane homes for sale, you don't know who your potential buyers will be. Holiday items that have universal appeal include wreaths, garlands, poinsettias, and other holiday plants, and classic seasonal figures (like reindeer, snowmen, and nutcrackers). Do put up a Christmas tree. A Christmas tree enhances the appeal of practically any living space. Check that your ornaments aren't overly personalized and have universal appeal. The round Christmas bauble ornaments are always a great choice. 

• See That Your Decor Matches the Rest of Your Home
  Your holiday decor should complement the colors and style throughout your home. For example, if your living room uses bright jewel tones, use decor that incorporates similar hues. If your home is decorated in a rustic style, ultra-modern decor that consists of geometric shapes and flashy colors will look out of place. 

• Use Holiday Decor to Highlight Your Home's Best Features
  Holiday decor is a valuable tool for showcasing your home's most desirable traits. Have a large dining area perfect for hosting lots of family and friends? Stage the space with place settings and a holiday centerpiece. Does your home have a fantastic window? Hang a wreath to make sure it draws the attention of your buyers. If your home has arches or cool architectural features, hang small bows or mistletoe to help show them off. 

• Watch Out for Holiday Scent Overload
  With holiday candles, baking, and your Christmas tree, it's easy to fill your home with festive scents. While a little bit of scent is fine (and even preferred), make sure your scents are complimentary and don't overwhelm the space. Stick with smells that tend to have universal appeal, like fresh cookies, evergreen, and holiday spices. 

Ready to list your home this holiday season? Contact us today!