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Keys to a Just-Staged Look for Your Home
Midcentury chairs, chesterfield sofas, platform beds and designer stools are top furniture picks for stagers
Ever wonder how top real estate agents give their listings an instantly appealing look that says, “Buy me”? Enter professional home stagers like Robin DeCapua and Rachel Moore of Madison Modern Home in Los Angeles. They’ve styled hundreds of homes to sell, and they’re sharing their secrets to giving your home a smart, inviting look in two collections from the Houzz Shop. This one has the furniture to create a stylish foundation; up next: their list of the hottest accessories.
Signature Accent Chairs
Nothing gives a room design credibility like an iconic chair, says DeCapua. Her top choices are the molded plastic chairs by Charles and Ray Eames, the sleek Panton chair, Bertoia wire chairs, the Barcelona lounger and ottoman by Mies van der Rohe, metal chairs that look like they came from a French cafe, and the utilitarian brushed stainless steel Navy chair first created by Emeco for use on submarines. “The Acapulco chair is making a comeback big-time. The all-time best patio chair —we love its unique shape and scene-stealing attitude,” says DeCapua.
Classic Armchairs and Sofas
Neutral shades like taupe, flax and gray are the way to go for upholstered furniture — but in a space with exposed brick or modern details, a colored sofa makes a bold statement. Nubby-linen-upholstered classic wing chairs make regular appearances in DeCapua's and Moore’s staged homes — and always win standing ovations from potential buyers. “Traditional homes — especially those with exposed beams or large architectural fireplaces — yearn for linen chesterfield sofas, paired face to face for a rich, refined look,” DeCapua says. For a sleeker look, go for a neutral midcentury modern sofa with tufting and angled legs — it’s way more dramatic than a standard sofa. Midcentury sofas actually work in a traditional home as well, as long as you mix in decor from different eras.
Bedroom Styling
A low-profile platform bed is in every home stager’s inventory, because it’s a chameleon — it becomes whatever you need it to be. Choose one with a minimal wood headboard or an upholstered style, which is especially appealing right now. Top it with fresh ticking-stripe bedding in blue, gray or taupe to convey instant style. The stagers say they have yet to find a bed ensemble where a little ticking stripe didn’t work.
Complete the look with a bench. “We’ve been putting upholstered benches at the foot of our master beds in all of our stagings now,” says Moore. “They add a finishing touch that nothing else can.”
Complete the look with a bench. “We’ve been putting upholstered benches at the foot of our master beds in all of our stagings now,” says Moore. “They add a finishing touch that nothing else can.”
Tasteful Tables
Sleek midcentury designs top the list of stagers’ favorite tables, particularly the triangular Noguchi table and Eero Saarinen’s futuristic round dining table with a soft platinum base. Both are chameleons — they can work with any style of decor. “We love using small accent tables in place of standard-sized side tables to make homes appear larger,” says Moore. Pick a modern drum-shaped version like Philippe Starck’s Prince AHA storage stool or an earthy hand-carved wood stool to add style affordably.
Spring Stool White
$118
@djscott4730: The teal blue sofa in the photo is the Tailor sofa from Crate and Barrel
Staging is NOT interior design, although basic design principles are used. As a stager I select furnishings and accessories with two criteria in mind. I want to add items that suit the architecture of the house, and that will speak to the potential buyer (not to suit the tastes of the seller). The staging is geared to marketing the property. I have used mid century furnishings and accessories in my projects to add a fresh young playful feeling. It's working-my project sell quickly!
Currently in the process of freshening and staging a home for sale and sure appreciate all the comments and advice in this thread. Not crazy about MCM personally, but always appreciate good design whatever package it comes in! With regard to large pieces in small spaces, I would say that one of the most appealing homes I've seen here at The Sea Ranch featured some wonderful large antique armoires in a very small house with a lot of windows, surrounded by redwoods. When I walked in I said to myself, "This house is like a hug!"