We had our realtor come do a walk through this week. In preparatio I spent the proceeding days cleaning, tidying and feathering my little nest. My Mom was sweet enough to do a Facetime walk through a few ideas, which helped a ton. It’s always fascinating to see your home through another person’s eyes. Which is why I’m posting these photos now. Pretend like you’re out to buy a home- would you pick mine? What would sell you, and more importantly what would make you hesitant.
As I write this I’m wishing I had pictures of every part of my home, so I could really give you an “open house” – but I don’t. Schucks- so save your opinions on the other parts of my house for a different post- for now critic my master bedroom and living room. (Also, I’m practicing taking pictures so I’ll have a good handfull for our listing. So if you see a picture that makes you say- “Ahh I want to check this place out” Let me know, or if you think there’s a better way I could present a space, I’m all ears.)
Welcome in, why not make this your home?
Okay- go, what’s your vibe?
Living Room- I’m working on the mantle, please help.
Dining Room
Master bedroom. A definite work in progress.
This part of the room needs the most help. Clearly the mirror isn’t hung, does the plant add or look like an alien? I’m considering getting a sheep skin rug for in front of the dresser- good idea?
This picture really shows it in its awkward glory. My mom thinks I should get rid of the dresser all together. I kind of want to work with it. What do you think- is it hopeless? Would it be better to just have it empty over there?
Okay, there are those two rooms for you. Have at ’em!
P.S. If you know someone who wants to buy in Cleveland- send them our way!
9 responses to “Spiffin' up the house”
Your house is beautiful- of course. Sometimes you just have to be patient in the current market and just wait it out. Hopefully you will have better luck than us, though! It was fun checking in on you. I miss you Cleveland gals and what fun times we had there. Hope you are doing well. I will have to check back to find out where you all end up matching soon or is it for sure Utah?
I love your floors! That would be a big selling point for me. Also, your dining room gets a lot of light, which looks nice. In the bedroom, I’d personally get rid of the plant and whatever is hanging above the bed (is that a dried plant?). They don’t seem to really fit for me. I think the dresser is fine but I’m not sure I’d get a rug because I think it might make the room look smaller.
Your house is truly darling. I hope you find the perfect buyer. It’s kind of bittersweet saying goodbye, isn’t it? After all the hard work you’ve done! I love the gallery wall in your dining room. Also, I think I would keep the dresser in the bedroom, unless you have another piece to go there. I think it will feel like too much “dead space” with nothing there. I also think the rug addition is a good idea. Good luck with your sale! 🙂
I love your collage and the music stand is awesome! I also love the chandalier and your painted furniture and wood floors. you’ve done a great job keeping the clutter away:).
For the mantle, I would put a much larger picture, mirror or clock. And add candles at different heights with some seasonal or holiday accents. The dresser in the master would look great painted. Spray paint would be fast and looks great.
You’re looking for ideas for when buyers are actually coming to see the house, right?
My view is that, while a totally empty house is hard to sell, you don’t want the buyers to have to think too hard to imagine all their stuff fitting in your place. So leave lots of empty space where their stuff would go.
Item #1 – Get a small secure storage unit. In Ohio, that should be doable for not a lot of money. Put absolutely everything you can live without on a day-to-day basis into it until the house is sold. Think of it as getting a head start on packing for the move and it will feel like less of a wasted effort.
Item #2 – As best as you can, make your closets and garage and basement storage areas completely empty. Closet and storage space is a huge selling feature, especially in older homes, so make it look like this house has so much space that the closets are totally unused.
I think you need to take most of the things off the top of the piano and put away the guitar and/or music stand. Take most of the things off the bookshelf next to the piano. Consider putting the piano area bookshelf itself into storage and just hanging some pretty (but impersonal) art/photography there.
Consider putting your little ottoman into storage – makes the floor there look bigger. Same with the cool cans/vases on the floor near the fireplace. Same suggestion with the little buffet table in the dining room.
Not a huge deal, but the bedroom does feel a little cold without something on the hardwood floors. You need something in the area where the dresser is … but consider either painting the dresser, as mentioned above, or maybe find a small, delicate writing table/desk that will make that corner feel bigger.
Not sure if it’s just me, but the first photo of the master bedroom makes the ceiling look really low. Is it the length of the drapes? The ceiling fan? I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I’m recalling now that, when we were looking at houses, our agent said something about how Cassie and I were playing right into the male/female homebuyer stereotypes: When we walked into a home, she went straight for the kitchen and bathrooms, while I cared most about closets, garages, sheds, and basements. So take everything I said for what it’s worth — just one man’s opinion.
I think your taste is wonderful! I love your house, especially since it saved us from being freezing when our power was out!
I’d keep the mantle how it is.
Dining room collage is amazing!
I think you don’t need a blanket on the piano bench though.
The branch over your bed is very cool, but it might turn some buyers off. I’d definitely keep the dresser. A rug is a great idea. I like having a plant there, but maybe not such a pokey looking one.
Good luck!
I have to say that I LOVE your dining room!!!!! Especially your wall of art/frames and the wreath. HAving your bed set at an angle is great for your master bedroom. I think that the extra cove in your master bedroom needs to show function, so for me, I like having the dresser there or stage it as a sitting area if you have extras around your home you can pull from. I agree with a previous postee that the piano area has too much there. I would add more negative space above your piano and remove or relocate the guitar and/or music stand. Having the doors open in your pictures (especially the living room ones) adds a welcoming feeling to me. Good touch.
Your home is lovely. Be sure to list some really great picts of your yard and garden from last summer. That will definitely draw interest. Good luck, Kjirst
I am a fan of the wood floors and the overall simplistic and modern look. Colors are good. I really like the crown molding, it makes a huge difference. The ones without don’t look quite as good. The natural curved ceiling to wall in a couple rooms make me think I’m in a cave. Which is good depending on my mood!