2009 Better Business Bureau's Torch Awards

(Natasha, Kristy, Roy)
It is with great pleasure I can announce that Capital Home Staging & Design is the OFFICIAL recipient to the 2009 Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Market Place Ethics. Because of my clients who nominated us we had to jump through some hoops by submitting a large amount of business information from my business plan, mission statement, our values & ethics with in the business and more! This took me quite a while to pull together but we did it in time.

2 Weeks ago (Oct 6th) I received a call from Claudette one of the staff at the BBB letting me know that we are one of the finalists for the torch award.....I was so ecstatic that I am even a finalist I was so proud!

Oct 20th 2009 was the awards ceremony and I got to meet many local companies large and small that were there also wondering if they would win. I had brought the whole crew to this event my senior decorator Natasha, my brother, mother, father/ behind the scenes man. The event was hosted at the Hampton Inn and the food was delicious! the guest speaker from IBM presented very useful information regarding social marketing and the way of business for the future. Then came the awards time, calling the "runners up" watching them make their way to the stage to accept their award. Then the announcer started with the Small Business Award and all I remember hearing was "Capital Home Staging & Design" I was so excited and nervous walking up to that stage to accept that beautiful crystal clear torch with my company name engraved into it! I got up their and met the head of the BBB I was so nervous of falling or tripping as I went to accept the award.
Being a small company and receiving this award in my second year of business is absolutely astounding! I am so proud of our hard work and dedication to our industry and company.
I would like to thank all of my clients, business associates and employees for all their support.
-Kristy

2010 Home Staging Confrence in LAS VEGAS

I am wondering if this trip to Las Vegas for a RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) conference is really going to blow me away or just provide me with the information that I already know.
I figured if I learn at least one thing during this event then it will be worth it! I am already set with at notebook and presentation out lines! oh to be so organized its wonderful!!

Now what do I have to look forward to?
-Using Social Media to Grow your business
-10 Critical Keys to successful websites
-Unlocking the mystery with Realtors..........looking VERY forward to this one lol
-Photography 101
-One Day Decorating
And more, this should be a very exciting conference and soon to be announced a special guest from HGTV. Very exciting I am hoping to god that it is Mathiew Finalson from THE STAGERS!
that would be absoultly priceless.

It is very important to keep up to date on current trends with in the market as well as the latest and greatest way to improve your staging skills.

Purple House Transformation UPDATE

Dining Room BEFORE
Dining Room AFTER

When I redesigned this space I kept the majority of things the same. The carpet was in excellent condition so we decided to keep it for the time being and then eventually replace it with hardwood. We painted this space the "Brazil Nut" I chose this colour because we wanted to keep resale in mind and not have to paint the majority of the house over again. So we will be adding colour through accessories.
The table and hutch are a dark chocolate colour the drapery matches the drapes in the living room since they are on the same wall. The tan, purple, and gold colours in the curtain shows really well in this space.

Living Room BEFORE

Living Room AFTER

Since the living room and dinging room are joined in an L shape I wanted everything to work together. I chose to add a neutral small area rug to the space to take add a division and definition to the space.
I am very happy with the mid-term results I am sure there is much more I will change in the future.

STAY TUNED to see results for the master bedroom and guest room.

-Kristy

Curb Appeal

I found this picture somewhere on the web and it absolutely astounds me that someone would do this to their home! CURB APPEAL does not exist with this home what so ever!
I am hoping that these people do not ever sell their home or even their neighbors because I can pretty much guarantee that no one will want to buy any house that surrounds this one unless they are willing to take a hit on their selling price.
Curb appeal adds thousands of dollars on your list price, and it is really easy to obtain a good curb appeal on a budget.

How can these people improve on their curb appeal instantly?
1) Remove clutter from the yard & house front,
2) Paint the exterior of the home one colour,
3) Trim their hedges in front of the windows (no one wants to look out a window to a bush)
4) Adds some flowers to the front area to form a garden,
5) Keep the garden constantly weeded during the selling process,
6) Paint the front steps a lighter colour (anything but the black that is their)
7) What number is this house? always have large visible numbers that buyers can see from the street.
8) They did do a great job of keeping the leafs off of the yard so keep it up!

and VOILA! a beautiful home ready for sale.....or at least keeping the neighbors happy with bring back some normalcy into the area.

GOOOOO STEALERS!..................keep it inside! :)
Note: These tips can also be applied to die hard Leafs or Senators fans!

Nominated

Oh wow!
I have been nominated by someone for the Top 40 under 40 award! I am absolutely floored! Thank you very much for nominating me for such a prestigious award I hope I can show the judging panel what Capital Home Staging & Design is all about.
Hard work, Dedication, Community Involvement and Professional Service and outstanding results.

We will continue to provide top notch service to all of our valued clients! It really means so much to us that you have taken the time out to nominate us for any award.

Thank you