Home Trends - Spring 2016 | Page 116

. Julie O Owner of Lux Furniture Rentals What are the most popular pieces being rented from Lux Furniture Rentals so far this year? Designed by Ellen Forbes Principal Owner of El Elegance Understated Interiors How would you describe your personal design style? Our most popular styles are pieces with contemporary yet tailored lines that work well in all types of settings. Items like our Kroma dining table, Maya dining chairs or Adelaide sofa are popular choices. There is also a big demand for rustic pieces like our Spencer console. Cowhide rugs are also rented and are used in traditional and modern settings. I would say my personal style is curated. I love things old and new and classic design styles mixed with current trends. When I work with clients, I like to combine old and new for a more realistic look. Most homes are not completely modern, traditional or even country. Having a design background gives me an edge to be able to pull homeowners’ things together with more contemporary or less modern elements to appeal to the right buyer. What are some words of wisdom for homeowners planning to sell? When viewing a home, what rooms will have the biggest impact on a potential buyer’s decision? Invest in a professional home stager! You wouldn’t sell your car without detailing it so why wouldn’t you do the same with one of the biggest investments you own. A professional home stager will evaluate the exterior and interior of your home and be able to make suggestions which will give you the biggest return on investment. How can homeowners be sure they choose the right professional to work with? There are a lot of home stagers on the market and not all of them provide the same quality of work and value. Make sure you do your research! Check out their websites, portfolios and reviews. At Lux, we work with many home stagers in the GTA and surrounding areas. We would be happy to provide you with a few referrals for professional home stagers who provide excellent service and who will help you get top dollar for your home. Every house is different but small spaces can often have a big impact. If you show prospective buyers how they could use small or awkward spaces within the home, you give purpose to otherwise wasted space, allowing potential buyers to visualize the full potential of the home. What would be your best piece of advice for homeowners planning to sell? Understand that staging isn’t just about making the property look pretty. Yes, the first impression is very important: from MLS photos to their first viewing of the home, it’s important to have a pretty space. But, potential buyers who are serious about making an offer will look deeper. Things that need to be repaired will become obvious and may result in lower offers. Your first step should be to take the time to fix things like broken windows, damaged flooring, cracked tiles, etc. Your stager can help identify the things that will have the biggest impact on final offers.