What exactly is vacant property staging?

Vacant staging involves furnishing and decorating an empty property to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. This can be especially important for vacant properties, which can often feel cold and uninviting to potential buyers.

During the vacant staging process NewLeaf will bring in furniture, accessories, and decor to create an environment that is both stylish and functional. This will include items such as sofas, chairs, rugs, lamps, artwork, and other decorative elements.

We carefully select each piece to ensure that it complements the home's architecture and design, while also appealing to the target buyer demographic. We then arrange the furniture in a way that maximizes the flow of the space, highlighting key features and creating a sense of warmth and comfort.

Why is Vacant Staging Important?

There are several reasons why vacant staging is important when selling a property:

It helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space: When a property is empty, it can be difficult for potential buyers to imagine how they would use the space. By staging the property, NewLeaf can help to create a vision of how the space could be lived in, making it easier for buyers to connect with the property on an emotional level.

It can make the property appear larger: An empty property can often feel smaller than it actually is, making it less appealing to potential buyers. By staging the property with appropriately sized furniture and decor, NewLeaf staging creates the illusion of more space, making the property more appealing to buyers.

It can make the property stand out from the competition: When there are multiple properties for sale in a particular area, staging makes you stand out from the competition. By creating an inviting and stylish atmosphere, NewLeaf staging makes the property more memorable and increases the likelihood of a sale.

If you're planning to sell a vacant property, we are here to help.

NewLeaf will create a beautiful and functional living space to appeal to potential buyers and increase the value of your property. Contact us today to schedule a phone consult and take the first step towards a successful home sale.

5 Plants for your home jungle

I love plants and use them excessively in most rooms. They clean the air and add life and movement to a scheme. I don’t feel a room is complete without a lovely little pot plant!

If you are a house plant novice start with some basic house plant care.

• Water regularly but don’t drown them. Check once a week and if they are dry on top stick your finger into the soil to see if there is moisture present.  
• Most plants are happy in indirect sunlight, many are happy in a shady spot. Not many like full sun on a really bright window. There are exceptions of course; herbs, like basil for example, which love it. Some of my best performing plants sit on a bright window that happens to have privacy film on it so the sunlight is filtered. 
• Get to know which plants need a bit more attention simply by observing them over weeks and months and feed them occasionally to supply the nutrients they need.

SANSEVIERIA. 

Easy and statuesque, the Snake Plant is a lovely one to have around. One of the ultimate low maintenance house plants. 

Mine sits on a high kitchen shelf without anything fancy, such as sunlight, and asks nothing of me. I water it occasionally just because it seems the right thing to do although I never really know if it needs it. Those with better plant knowledge than myself have recommended watering only when the soil dries out, to prevent rot, and giving it around a month between.

PILEA DEPRESSA.

I really love this little plant, known also as Giant Baby’s Tears. It’s very reactive to it’s environment meaning it’s ideal if you form close relationships with your house plants and pay a lot of attention to what it’s telling you. Not ideal if you are going to neglect it as all it’s little leaves will fall off.

When I got this plant around a year ago, it was a fresh grass green colour and quite tender. After sussing out it’s habits, and discovering it is a bit of a diva, I have found it to be a really rewarding little thing. 

It has lovely trailing vine-like tendrils and at one point became quite leggy as it was growing so fast on it’s binge diet of water, warmth and sunlight. I pruned it back quite aggressively and it was quite simply delighted. Since then it has developed tiny pretty flowers and the colour has darkened to a lovely Racing Green. It turns it’s little faces toward the light and I have found it does well being rotated every couple of weeks to even out it’s growth. I would highly recommend this house plant!

CLUSIA.

I have had Clusia in both really dark rooms and in bright ones and it seems to be one of the easiest of all to care for. This might sound like an obvious thing to say about a pot plant, but it doesn’t really do anything. There’s not much response to lack of water, lack of light, more water, feed etc. It just exists in a pleasant little bubble of inactivity. It can produce flowers but I’ve never seen any on mine or others. I like it for it’s cartoon-like form and chilled out personality.

Because it is quite rigid and doesn’t move in any breeze or draft it’s a good idea to wipe the leaves with a soft damp cloth every now and then to remove dust. Growth seems slow but I have had one start to generate new leaves. This one is due to be repotted in the near future.

DRACAENA.

To show this hard worker some love I repotted it last week after it sat in our rental house for a year without much love and only sporadic watering. I wouldn’t say it is totally happy right now - it’s leaves are bright and green but are curling back on themselves in a display of something-isn’t-quite-right. It may be slight shock from being moved into a bigger pot but I’m just keeping my eye on it and misting the leaves periodically as a token gesture. It possibly hates me, we shall see. 

SPATHIPHYLLUM.

Widely known as a Peace Lily and often recommended for low light. When in flower these are a beautiful addition to any room.

Whilst they are easy to care for, they do require regular watering. One of mine has up to a litre of water a week when in flower. However it is easy to tell when this plant is unhappy, it will wilt and look really sad if it doesn’t get sufficient water and will yellow if it gets too much sun. 

Even though it’s sensitive in some ways I’ve found them pretty easy to place - one has lived in a south facing office with bright, in-direct sunlight and also in a darker dining room. In the darker room the leaves are glossy, a rich green and very healthy looking but I saw the best flowering on it when it was in the brighter environment. This will also love being in a bathroom as they like humidity. 

Having house plants is really rewarding but can take a bit of practice. I recommend selecting something that is low maintenance, but not so much so that it doesn’t seem to need anything as this tends to lead to them being forgotten completely. 

After you have got the hang of how much water and light they need, a treat for many house plants is to mist them. Misting slows the process of water loss through the leaves and can improve humidity. It’s not suitable for all house plants but along with working out how much water individual plants like you can try this out too. 

Happy house planting!

10 Things To Consider When Extending Your Home - PART 2

If you are looking at extending your home you may feel overwhelmed with all the things you need to consider.

Use our guide to make sure you’ve got it covered! If you missed it check out Part 1 Here!

6 Pick out the best spot

Happiness is in the simple things. If you get the layout and design of the space right, you will find there are ideal little areas to have a coffee, play with your kids and entertain friends. Find the best spots and use them for your favourite things.

7 Think about visuals upon entering

When you enter the front door can you see all the way through to the garden? That’s a nice feature. As you go through to the new space are you enclosed or does it open up and welcome you in? Are you looking straight at a sink full of dishes? Are you able to see a wood burning stove blasting away? What will your eye be drawn to and what do you want it to land on? 

In the planning stages develop the skill of envisioning seeing through walls. Think about vantage point and what is on the other side and how it will be to be able to see all the way through and likewise all the way back.

8 Think about smells and sounds

Smells and sounds are powerful triggers for emotion and memory. You probably won’t have fresh bread or coffee brewing every time you walk into a room but consider the impact that negative sounds will have on your space - dishwasher, washer, dryer, microwave etc. These noises can travel and disturb others using the spaces for different purposes. Consider these implications when purchasing and planing the placement of your appliances.

9 Think about the next 5 years

It impossible to know what the future brings but if you have young children you will have a fair idea of what they may need in the next 5 years, this could be space for homework, space to play and store toys, safe and comfortable furniture, access to the garden and a ton of other considerations. Your space should be flexible and be able to adapt, 5 years isn’t a very long time so keep these considerations at the forefront of your planning.

Likewise if you don’t even see yourself and your family still being in the property in 5 years, keep in mind what other families will want and the best ways to maintain and add value to your property.

10 Think about the next 10 years

A lot can happen in 10 years! What could happen in your family? You may find you want more flexible accommodation options as your children get older, or likewise if you have ageing relatives. Every family is unique and each has it’s unique needs. An area that is now set to be a playroom or a study could end up being a bedroom, if this is a possibility think about the location of downstairs toilets and showers so you aren’t removing all possibility for the future. Of course you cannot plan for everything but if you know there is a likely scenario in your own family, design for it. You are not everyone else and this is your home. 

I’m glad to have shared these pointers with you, of course there are so many things to consider when planning a home extension, this is where we can help! Please feel free to contact us to find out how we can work with you on your next project.

5 Ways To Decorate without breaking the bank

I'm a big believer that you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a lovely home. Whether you want to update a room or put finishing touches to a project, here are 5 ways to add beautiful details. 

Twinkling Lighting

I love fairy lights. They add a gorgeous glow to a room any time of year and give a laid back scheme some extra depth. Whether festoon lights, paper lanterns or tiny bulbs, I definitely love to see them in a decorative scheme. Best of all they don’t cost much, especially if you get some good quality sets after Christmas is over. Battery ones don't last too well, but sets like the ones from Cable & Cotton come with a USB so you can plug them in or use them with a power pack. 

Textiles

Textiles are tactile, comforting and practical. Rugs, blankets, curtains and cushions all work to give your home welcoming layers. Have a look around for what you have already, maybe you can repurpose something from one room to another. Nothing has to match, just try putting a few things together and see if you like it. 

If you can already crochet, sew or knit you’re onto a winner. There are loads of free patterns available so make yourself a sofa blanket or a bed spread.

Charity shops are great for fabric - curtains can be remade into cushion covers or quilted. Wall hangings can be used as rugs, I have a lovely and unusual Dutch tapestry found in a charity shop.

Bright fabrics can be bought cheaply from markets, I picked up some Peruvian fabric at Camden Market and they give a great pop of colour to a room.

For Vintage finds try The Vintage Home Show, held a couple of times a year in Manchester and Sheffield. There are loads of Vintage and Antique events held all over the country where you can pick up unusual pieces made the good old fashioned way.

Instagram post by @ellamooreinteriors * Mar 23, 2016 at 11:52am UTC

28 Likes, 1 Comments - @ellamooreinteriors on Instagram

Thanks for my crochet blanket @emmacord123 😍😍 #handmade

19 Likes, 1 Comments - @ellamooreinteriors on Instagram: "Thanks for my crochet blanket @emmacord123 😍😍 #handmade"

Ebay

If you do need to buy something but don’t have the cash or want to spend it, try Ebay. Search in the Folk Art section for cheap original paintings or unusual wall hangings, filter to items that are ending soon, collection only or within a certain price bracket. 

In furniture the best bargains are to be had in your local area as many sellers don’t want the hassle of arranging a courier for chairs or similar. In the past I have had two lovely wicker chairs for £8 from a local second hand furniture shop having a clear out, a leather armchair for £40, a beautiful bed frame for £20, a sofa for £30….the list goes on. Be selective but open minded!

An Ebay buy - Two of these cool wicker chairs for just £8. Below a selections of decor  from Ebay.

Use Plants!

The ultimate way to accessorise! Plants are beautiful and they freshen the air you breathe. When looking at a successful room scheme it's sometimes hard to mentally break it down into the elements that make it work. Check out all the gorgeous rooms you see on Pinterest or in Living Etc and it’s almost guaranteed that there will be plants in there. 

Adding a host of plants in varying sizes will give your room a finished look, I like to use Mid Century pot holders and any quirky pots found in charity shops.

Instagram post by @ellamooreinteriors * Feb 26, 2017 at 4:07pm UTC

34 Likes, 2 Comments - @ellamooreinteriors on Instagram

Handed Down Gems

This is a situation where you should be open to say yes, but learn when to say no!

Inheriting a piece of furniture and finding a place for it in your home can add character that you just can't buy. Accepting older or unneeded furniture from a friend or relative is such a great way to add something unique to your room. It gives you the opportunity to own something with age and quality and can ground more contemporary schemes.

When to say no…when the drawers smell funny or don’t run properly and if it needs more work to repair than you have time for.

If it's a piece you've grown up with it can also carry with it memories of childhood and family and will become a much loved addition. Some of you may be lucky enough to inherit valuable antiques, for others it's the little things like a bowl, a wooden box or a beautiful quilt.

10 Things to consider when extending your home - PART 1

If you are thinking about gaining space by extending your home you may feel overwhelmed with all the things you need to consider.

Use our guide to make sure you’ve got it covered!

 

1 Don’t render your previous space redundant!

Get used to the idea of the two spaces being combined and so avoid the trap of creating nothing more than a corridor out of the old space. Think about what it could be used for and how it can be combined with the new space. Remember, you won’t suddenly be doing drastically different things in the new space, you will still be cooking, eating, playing, sitting, talking, watching.Think about the space as a whole but allocate areas for these tasks, including what was the ‘old space’.

2 It’s a whole big space but…

There will be features that lend themselves to zoning - whether this is apparent before or after the planning and installation. Some things happen by a plan on paper for example, where the drainage will be or the best location of a cooker, a potential location for a kitchen island and so a plan for a skylight over it. On the other hand some things are more subtle and by being aware of them you can really enhance your experience of the space; A lower supporting beam suggesting a cosier spot, that one place where you can see everything that’s going on, the nice spot where the light catches in the evening and you can watch the garden, the acoustics in that particular corner, the bit that's just good to lean on.

3 Embrace negative space!

A good friend of mine has a simple way of living. She isn't a minimalist, she just doesn't have excess stuff. In her apartment you can see where the walls meet the floor; there aren’t baskets, bits of furniture or shoe racks side by side along every wall. It’s pleasant and restful for the eye. 

This negative, or empty, space is the space not taken up by anything, be it art, furniture, or stuff, and it’s incredibly important! Negative space gives your eyes and mind space to breath and it’s what enhances and enriches the quality of space. Being generous when it comes to allocating negative space can make your room feel much bigger. So don’t neglect this negative space. If it’s well considered it enhances the space and is as important as the room itself. If you put too much into the space it will feel small and cramped. Carefully curated collections and mementos work well, but balance this with breathing space to avoid creating a feeling of claustrophobia. So….

4 Remember why you needed the space

Before you decided to do this did you feel like the house was too full? Did you have too much stuff?  You probably wished for more space and better storage.

So now that you have it, don’t over stuff it!

We know that people are prone to fill up whatever size of home they have with possessions. Try to avoid doing this by having a regular clear out, assigning everything a specific and logical place, and thinking about why it didn’t work for you before. It wasn’t maybe too much stuff as too little storage, or maybe it WAS too much stuff and you have a tendency to fill whatever storage is viable, no matter how well planned. A new extension on your home isn’t going to solve all your problems but it can drastically improve the quality of your home and if you live more simply you might even get to enjoy it!

5 Think about visual lines from different work spots

If you cook a lot, or even a little, you can enhance the experience and make it so much more enjoyable and fulfilling if you have a good environment. Open plan living is popular for many reasons but one main one is that you can feel part of what's going on when you are in the kitchen. Can you see the dining area from the proposed kitchen site? Are you able to enjoy a view of the garden when standing at the stove, island or sink? Can you see the sky through a skylight of picture window? Can you see who is at the front door? Are you able to keep an eye on the kids? It would be unlikely that a space can fulfil every expectation or answer every question for you. Think about what matters to you and your family. Consider what your original vision was and how it made you feel.

Thanks for reading Part 1 of this post! Click here for Part 2