Staging a Historic Lee Street Home
Lee Street, like many historic homes, had personality and mystery. Wood beams and ceilings, paired with hardwood floors, typical to Tucson traditional architecture, had an immediate visual impact. But, in true historic home style, the layout was disorienting and unusual. We don’t always mind this because it allows us to be creative in imagining the space as it will be used in real life. Universality makes it easier to stage, but it also is less interesting to potential buyers.
Another problem with the natural state of the home was that it needed more light. Older homes avoided large windows to manage the low efficiency of glass in the Arizona sun. This isn’t always a bad thing. Some buyers like the sheltered feeling of more solid walls and less exposure to the world outside. But, low light means it’s hard to see the charm and beauty of a home. It also communicates that we are hiding something.
So, I knew that we needed to introduce light, not only in the form of actual light, but in the fabrics, textures and colors I chose.
Notice how using lighter paints, fabrics and colors reflects natural light, giving the appearance of light without adding more fixtures or changing the windows. Here, the client opted for lighter kitchen cabinets, which was an excellent decision considering the heavier but beautiful wood paneled ceiling.
Floor plan layouts in older homes are usually an interesting challenge. The key is to define larger, sprawling spaces into smaller, functional arrangements. Also, we knew we wanted to go with a modern pueblo style, so we brought in these natural, light, organic materials and elements. I always introduce charming vignettes throughout the home. This further warms the space, giving the buyer a feeling that this is a comfortable place to live. While vignettes are important, they should be used sparingly to avoid personalizing or cluttering a home.
When selling your home, remember that there are usually ways to play up the natural elements and themes without emphasizing what might make them less appealing.
If you have more questions about staging your home in Tucson, give us a call. Our team of experts understands the Tucson market and we can help you get better results.
Thanks to my team for their talents on this project.