Expert: Tina Clarke - 12/17/2009

Question
Hi Tina - we are putting our home on the market in April. I have a fairly good knowledge of staging - we plan on renting a storage unit to store extra furniture, things and we met with our realtor already to suggested changes and made several. There are 2 rooms I am somewhat stumped on. The first in our living room which is a very odd, strange shape. We have 3 pieces of matching country french furniture in it, but I feel it's too much. It is also the very first room you see upon entering so it concerns me.

Room # 2 is the open family room. The windows in the room are amazing but we have an odd "in the wall" opening for the TV and a fireplace underneath surrounded in that black slate (gas fireplace) that just doesn't wow. My plan is to have it framed in marble to cover the black (or the neutral granite that is on our counters in the adjacent kitchen) and add a crown molding. There is no mantle to stage or accessories.

Do you offer a service where I can email you pics and you offer suggestions?

Also would you have a good resource for ROUND area rugs? We have a huge, very white tiled rectangular master bath. We had it painted a nice neutral khaki color, moldings, doors, bath and tile a nice sharp white. BUT the large white floor is, well very large and white. Our realtor suggested that a round area rug (vs. rectangle) would really accent the room. I'd love a round floral (vs. oriental style)

Thanks! Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

If you feel 3 pieces of country furniture are too much I would eliminate one of pieces and put that in storage. In order to cover the wall opening above the fireplace, you can use a piece of art or a large mirror.

Sure I can look at your pics, is it of the whole house or just a few rooms?  Depending on this, I can charge a small fee to give you advice on the staging your home.

A lot of places carry round carpers, check your local oriental stores, on line or Homegoods.

Tina