MARY LOU TEAGUE'S BLOG

For those of you who know me as Queen of the Loo ( such a great play on my name, thanks to Gina McNew ) A year or so ago, I did a blog, did I say I did one, actually there were several. The blogs started because of a HGTV show where the flippers staged their own house and they staged the bathroom complete with commode cover, lid cover and yes the fitted rug around the base of the toilet..Well it grew and grew from there. It basically took on a life of its own.. SINCE the holiday season is coming upon us I wanted to take a walk down memory lane and bring this festive cover back out for all to enjoy. If you remember the commode cover stories let me know...if not and want to check out the posts and comments..you can find them all included in my blogs.

                                                    SO FOR ALL THE FANS.....HERE YOU GO....

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  "DESIGN SUPPORT TO SELL OR DWELL"  KNOXVILLE, TN

MARY LOU TEAGUE HSR CERTIFIED HOME STAGER AND RE-DESIGNER

ASHSR EAST TENNESSEE CHAPTER PRESIDENT

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

(865) 368-8484

FOR YOUR STAGING, RE-DESIGN AND HOLIDAY DECORATING NEEDS

  IT IS FINALLY FALL Y'ALL IN EAST TENNESSEE                                           

The staging here in East Tennessee is slow for me, anyways, right now. So to help my pocketbook I decided to do some HOLIDAY DECORATING, something that I have done for years for free for my family and friends. So, now YES I will come and decorate but you have to pay me..works every time..I am loving doing it and loving making the money during these slow times. I am doing some FALL DECORATING now and setting up appointment for the Christmas season. I could not believe just how many people want their homes decorated but do not want to do it themselves. That is where I come in. I have spread the word that I will be available ( more than available ) to have their homes looking first class. Have any of you ventured into this area ? If so, how did you market yourself, were you successful if gaining clients, and what were your prices ?

Last week did a FALL DECORATING for a local company, so thought that I would share my photos with you.

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC     MARY LOU TEAGUE, OWNER     KNOXVILLE, TN          865-368-8484 

                                                 "design support to sell or dwell"

FOR ALL YOUR STAGING, RE-DESIGN, DE-CLUTTERING & HOLIDAY DECORATING NEEDS GIVE US A CALL

                        MARY LOU TEAGUE, OWNER                    PRESIDENT EAST TENNESSEE CHAPTER ASHSR

                         CERTIFIED HOME STAGER WITH HOME STAGING RESCOURSE

I did a declutter last week for a friend of mine and even though she thought that she needed to declutter it was NOT as cluttered as some that I have seen. I wish that they all could be this easy. When we got into the moving things out we also made changes all through the house. We changed out art work from one room to another, etc. Gave the home a new look all together. Sometimes just the smallest change makes a large impact. By moving one piece of art work from the living room to the kitchen, change went from comtempary to modern. Just like that. Is this a service that you do ? they are not selling their home right now, will be putting on the market soon, but have you ever done this type of de-cluttering or rather re-design ? I was in seventh heaven going from one room to the next changing things around. Loved every minute of it...

BEFORE !! AND IT DOESN'T LOOK BAD AT ALL !!       AFTER: REMOVED SEVERAL ITEMS & BOOKS

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC     (865) 368.8484

MARY LOU TEAGUE  ( CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAGER  HSR )

"design support to sell or dwell"

www.homestyleandstaging.com

homestyleandstaging@comcast.net

East Tennessee Chapter President ASHSR

For all you staging, re-design, de-cluttering and Holiday decorating needs please give us a call

Recently I was contacted ( through Active Rain ) by a seller to stage her mother's older home. I did the walk thru, make the presentation, and got the job for "Vignette Staging".  The home is older, but has some very well done upgrades. Even with the upgrades the home is still an older home. I decided to place more modern accessories in the home just to see how it would go over. I spoke with the Realtor  today and she had an open house the next day and everyone loved the staging. She feels that this really helped to show the house, even with an older home, you can use newer furniture and accessories. Several wanted to buy my chairs !!! I had thought that the buyer for this home would be a young couple or single person so I was leaning my staging toward that kind of buyer, and I think that it is going to work. Knowing the market and having an idea of what type of buyer that may be interested in the home helps in staging and what kind of furniture and accessories to place there.

                           "VIGNETTE STAGING"   SMALL PRICE FOR BIG BIG IMPACT !!!!!!!

For more information on "VIGNETTE STAGING" CONTACT HOME STYLE AND STAGING, LLC at

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET  (865) 368-8484  MARY LOU TEAGUE, CERTIFIED HOME STAGER

"DESIGN SUPPORT TO SELL OR DWELL " ALSO SPECIALIZING IN HOLIDAY DECORATING !!!

I recently staged a home where I had to work with what the homeowner already had ( budget was tight ). They had several pillows on the bed and I took several off and still feel that maybe just maybe I had too many. I know that several months ago someone placed a post about too many pillows. Shown below is the photo ( Taken in a hurry ) of the bed and the many pillows. What do you think, too many ? not enough ? Just right ? The smaller pillows in front are mine (along with the lamps) and they are a light chartreuse color. I love working with black and chartreuse, in fact my bedroom is alot like this one..

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC   KNOXVILLE, TN

MARY LOU TEAGUE  OWNER

ASHSR EAST TENNESSEE CHAPTER PRESIDENT

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

Our meeting for the East Tennessee Chapter of ASHSR was held May 20, 2009 at the Copper Cellar in Knoxville, TN. We were excited to have the great folks at Bearden Decorating Center on Kingston Pike, the Benjamin Moore Paint store ( and lots of other great things )...They passed out goody bags filled with paint chips, paint colors and yes we each received 3 paint fans with all the wonderful Benjamin Moore Paints...We are hoping to have a tile store to attend the next meeting, we are always looking for new and different speakers. Who have you used ? Need ideas here...

Our membership is growing and we each look forward to our every other month meeting. It has been very full filling being the President of our East Tennessee Chapter and looking forward to a great year.

Mary Lou Teague

East Tennessee Chapter President ASHSR

Home Style and Staging LLC

homestyleandstaging@comcast.net

www.homestyleandstaging.com

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC

"Design Support to sell or dwell "

I have given up FaceBook for awhile so that I can get back to AR..I have been away and trying to catch up on all the posts and seeing what all my friends have been up to...

After logging in I noticed that I have over 25,000 points...and I think where would I be if I had been here all the time...????

Facebook is like a drug, but you just have to pull away and come back...so here I am ....even though I do see alot of you on facebook...now admit it you are there..and then OMG I forgot  Twitter...my head is spinning...

So keep a look out for me here...I am back and at it again....

So did anyone miss me..please say that you did !!!

Mary lou Teague

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC

KNOXVILLE, TN

"DESIGN SUPPORT TO SELL OR DWELL"

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

I guess that I am one of the fortunate ones...I received a call from a lady whose home had been on the market for almost a year. She needed a stager FAST.... I am just the person I was eager to inform her...( No ego here !!) The staging job was fast and simple, just some moving here and there...paint had already been done..my job was sooooo simple.

Then the good part, I got to talking with her, while de-cluttering the closet...( isn't that where all great decisions are made ? ) She needed her work office, work kitchen, her hubby's office and sectrtary's office and yes even her bathroom at the office re-designed... Something that I love to do is re-design...I will keep you posted on the progress. So far we have shopped til we dropped on buying new things for the office...Can't get any better than that, shopping with someone else's money...

I know that I way under charged for the services...so my question is what do I charge and by the hour or job...I don't want to make the same mistake twice...like I said I way under charged.

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC

www.homestyleandstaging.com

homestyleandstaging@comcast.net

Mary Lou Teague

"Design Support to Sell or Dwell"

Our second East Tennessee Chapter meeting of ASHSR was held March 18, 2009.. Copper Cellar Knoxville, TN..We had a guest speaker, Walta Patt, owner of Powell Florist, Powell TN..She is going to be partnering with the different members in rental of accessories. This a win win situation for all involved as we as stagers do not have to invest in many different types and colors of accessories and she will be able to move product that she has now. Have any of you tried this and how did it work for you ? I would love to have your comments.

Those at today's meeting were: Left to right: Top row: Walta Patt, Owner Powell Florist, Lori Donegan, Owner, Ready 2 Stage, Tina Turner, Owner Home Staging by Tina Turner, Mary Lou Teague, Owner Home Style and Staging LLC and East Tennessee Chapter President and Kathy Morgan-Thompson, Owner, Innovative Home Staging..Botton row: Janice White, Powell Florist, Colleen Greco, Owner, Staging For Style , LLC, Crystal Clarey with Ready 2 Stage and Georgianna Deane, Owner Design Works Interiors, Inc.

Next Meeting wil be held  in May...

Mary Lou Teague

Home Style and Staging LLC

Knoxville, TN

www.homestyleandstaging.com

homestyleandstaging@comcast.net

(865) 368-8484

For Staging and Re-Design in the East Tennessee Area  -  "DESIGN SUPPORT TO SELL OR DEWELL"

This is my foyer....posted on HGTV's "Rate My Space" let me know what you think ????

I came up with this idea several years ago and had the photos in my powder room, at that time the saying was " you must remember this..a kiss is just a kiss", when I moved I wanted to keep my "Kissing Wall', so I placed the photos in the foyer. The photos are in black and white and framed in black frames, various sizes. I keep my camera handy and take photos of my friends and family kissing..everyone loves coming in and finding themselves on the wall or seeing who has made it to the wall..great conversation piece !!!

Here is the link to HGTV's "Rate My Space"..http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Other-Spaces/FOYER-KISSING-WALL/detail.esi?oid=6474398 

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  KNOXVILLE, TN   (865) 368-8484

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

Call Mary Lou Teague for your Staging and Re-design problems

I opened my front door this morning to let the dogs out. Sitting on the front steps was a stack of baskets....my first thought was, as I have just moved to this neighborhood, that it was the "Welcome Wagon".   

 On closer look, it was from a friend of mine that was cleaning her attic and bought several baskets and never used them so she thought that I could use them in my staging !!!! What a wonderful gesture on her part...

Just wish that she had rang the door bell and come in for coffee !!!!! Bob and Patti Wilson from PA and TN are more than welcome at my house anytime..Baskets or gifts or not...!!!

Have you ever opened your door and found a surprise ?????

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  KNOXVILLE, TN  (865) 368-8484

HOME STAGING AND RE-DESIGN

I have a very small bath that has green striped wallpaper. This house is older ( built circa 1969 ) and the tub, commode and tile is a pale yellow..YES I know I have my work cut out for me...Here is my question.

I want to paint as the wallpaper has to go..I have tired to remove ( only by tearing it down, not steaming as yet ) is there a way to paint over wallpaper ? Have any of you done so ? What was the outcome ? I don't have a lot of time to finish this project, so need shortcuts. There is not much wall space.

I know that I could always place a commode cover on the toilet..Oh I just had to say that didn't I ????

Now back to the problem at hand...to paint over the wallpaper or not ? If so how ?  What prep has to be done ? Any advice will help ...

Mary Lou Teague   HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  KNOXVILLE, TN   (865) 368-8484

Just when I thought that my days of being "Queen Loo" were over and the subject of commode covers could finally be put to rest ( or lets say the lid could be closed on the subject).... I get an e-mail from a lady who has read one of my blogs and asks where she can purchase a commode cover as she is unable to find one like I had shown in the post JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU HAD SEEN IT ALL... This among others is the Santa Cover.

So just wondering if Sandy, Elaine, Fernando, Kathy, Dane, Terry, Gina, Lori, Cindy, or Yvonne had anything to do with that ? Or maybe just maybe there is someone out there who wants a Santa Cover !!!!!

 You know I have been thinking...what if at the end of the day this is what I am remembered for ? All my hard work, knowledge and good deeds, this is the Mary Lou people remember ????  So now I am running off into the sunset screaming and pulling my hair out....!!!!

Home Style and Staging, LLLC Knoxville, TN  (865) 368-8484

Staging and Re-Design Services

I was pleasantly surprised  to discover the workmanship of  MIRACLE METHODout of Nashville, TN..I was so impressed with their work I wanted to share with you..also if any of you have used this system before please share your experiences with us. It is an excellent way to update any bath or kitchen..If you are in the Tennessee area please check out their work...  www.miraclemethod.com/Nashville

Miracle Method of Nashville
1070 Courier Place, Suite 201
Smyrna, TN 37167
Phone: 615-223-1768

They have helped me out of a few tight spots when an update was clearly needed...

Mary Lou Teague

Home Style and Staging LLC

(865) 368-8484

www.homestyleandstaging.com

The top of the tree is always a challenge for some. I did a tree in a home that had 15 foot ceilings and we had to make the most of the extra room from the top of the tree to the ceiling, so that the tree would not get lost in the room....Problem solved by adding a large topper to the tree. I used feathers, balls, and anything else that I could find to add the height needed. This tree was done in very vivid colors that accented the room's decor.

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  (865) 368-8484  MARY LOU  TEAGUE

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM   HOMESYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

FOR STAGING, RE-DESIGN AND YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATING NEEDS

This is a high value home and the builder had completed the home several months ago. In fact he was actually living in the home and trying to sell at the same time. The budget was small on this one, so basically we did vignette staging in several rooms, just to give a lived in feeling for an open house.

I know the photos are not well done but you can see what we did, what do you think, did we accomplish what we tried to do, in your opinion?

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This bathroom was very large and so we placed a large leather stool in the middle of the room, on the other side of the stool was a fireplace that goes from the sitting area in the master suite to the bath...

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC  KNOXVILLE, TN  (865) 368-8484 Mary Lou Teague

FOR YOUR STAGING AND RE-DESIGN NEEDS  ALSO PROVIDING HOLIDAY DECORATING

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

          Now I am not about to suggest that I look like her, however a couple of months ago I got a nasty e-mail from a reader on AR that suggested that I might like to update my hair style...This photo was taken several months before we even knew who Sarah Palin was...so to the nasty letter writer...MAYBE I AM NOT SO OUT OF STYLE AS YOU SAY I AM...  So now I can cancel my therapy sessions and get on with my life...and you and you know who you are...can find someone else to rag on....

Mary Lou Teague

Home Style and Staging LLC  Knoxville, TN

WWW.homestyleandstaging.com

Recently I received a call from a homeowner who has had her home on the market for over 4 months and has had 4 showings...during our discussion I asked what were the comments from the potential buyers after they saw the house.... She said they all said the same thing..that it smelled like cigarette smoke..

             She informed me that she was a heavy smoker...... 

I have seen the photos on the Realtors website and it is a lovey home...the price is right...the only draw back is the smell of cigarette smoke...

I  have an appointment to go and see the home...I need advice as to how to get the odor out. So please any and all advice is welcome....

HOME STYLE AND STAGING, LLC

WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM

MARY LOU TEAGUE

KNOXVILLE, TN

HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET For your Staging and Re-Design needs in Knoxville and East Tennessee

I remember when I was just starting out on this venture. Starting my own business, not knowing what to do or better yet how to do it !!! I had questions and more questions. I decided to get my training at HSR and realized right away that I had made the right decision to sign with them. I was singing at the top of my voice !!!! It has really paid off...I get referrals from the HSR website and lots of weekly information from HSR... So that is how HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC was born....

I got an e-mail from someone who was thinking about starting her own business and wanted to ask some questions...well did I ever fill her ears full !!!! I told her just how wonderful HSR is and all the benefits that come with it...I think she is going to sign up with HSR...!!! I wished her well and asked that she keep in touch and let me know how she is doing...

So lets keep the good words flowing about HSR.... 

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC FOR ALL YOUR STAGING AND REDESIGN NEEDS IN KNOXVILLE AND EAST TENNESSEE  WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM   HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET

I had a staging appointment yesterday with a homeowner who has had their home on the market for only a couple of months, but they know that in order for their home to stand out from the others that they needed help from a stager...so they "googled" home stagers in my area and HOME STYLE AND STAGING, LLC came up...Thanks to AR !!! ( I can never thank AR enough )....

Walking into the home I was greeted by a very friendly Golden Retriever ..I knew right then and there it was going to be fun...I did a walk through with the couple, talking notes and giving them ideas as we went. We had coffee and chatted as we did the walk through, it was more like I was a friend that they had invited over for the afternoon. So during the conversation, I was very pleased to find out that they were both teachers, had lived all over the country, he had been to Iraq last year, she was home schooling a girl who is on the riding circuit, and could not attend school during the regular school year. But wait.....it gets better. He is an author and has written books and has another one due to be published soon. He gave me a signed copy of his book

"SHIPWRIGHT" BY M. RANDOLPH MASON ... So I asked if he would come to a meeting of WWW BOOK CLUB,

Wine, Women, and Wisdom Book Club a book club  I founded a couple of years ago... How often does a book club get to have the actual author at the meeting...not many times.. I can assure you !!! He was so kind to say of course if he was in town....

Not only did I get to do what I love best, re-design and staging, but I met a very interesting couple. Now I can say that I feel that I came away from this gaining more than they did. You just never know who you are going to meet. In this job ( can you really call something you love doing so much ..a job? ) you can meet some of the most fascinating people...who interesting have you met while doing your "JOB" ???

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC FOR ALL YOUR STAGING AND RE-DESIGNING NEEDS IN KNOXVILLE AND EAST TENNESSEE   WWW.HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING.COM   HOMESTYLEANDSTAGING@COMCAST.NET