After spending weeks and sometimes years designing a home for a client, staging is the icing on the cake, the finishing touch. One of the most common questions I get asked is “how do I stage or style the homes I design?” 

Whether staging a coffee table, end table or an entire home, following a few basic design rules will help sell a house or create a home. Here are simple guidelines to use when styling horizontal  surfaces such as bookcases and table tops:

1. Have Something Tall

Large vases or candlesticks are great. When candles are lit they add a festive feel and warm glow to the area. Large vases come in a variety of colors and can be used to add your own style to the room. 

Design and Construction Week 
Las Vegas Nevada, January 18-22 2015

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), is an exciting, interactive stage that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies all housed together with the International Builders’ Show (IBS), under the banner of Design and Construction Week.  This mega event attracts over 125,000 attendees and houses more than 3,750 exhibitors with 4.7 million net square feet of exhibits all to inspire and drive the possibilities of home forward!

Design and Construction Week is a great way for manufacturers and service providers to connect with designers and other industry pros.  The show provides limitless inspiration and the designs found here will translate into new and innovative concepts for my clients. Some of my favorites from this year’s exciting new products are a $9,500 toilet, beautiful geometric tiles and sculptured wood panels, as well as a range of sculptured and painted tubs. Check out more of my finds below. 

I look forward to transforming what I've discovered into tangible designs for my clients.  

Searching for up-and-coming neighborhoods is one of my favorite things to do while traveling.  Neighborhoods that are not on the tourist maps or on glossy postcards; this is where the great brick and mortar stores are found.  These stores add the character and fabric to the city and neighborhoods; where you won’t find a Starbucks or drive-through restaurant.  This is where the struggling artist lives, works and true creativity reside.  This month took me to Auckland New Zealand where I discovered Ponsonby.