5 minute read
HSRA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MODEL MY HOME STAGING & REDESIGN
Designer Highlight: Rachel
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Recently, Model My Home, LLC completed a Stage for Hills Land and Construction Co. in Tuttle, Oklahoma - part of the 2021 Parade of Homes for Central Oklahoma. As one of Hill’s newest property plans, the team wanted to showcase all the best features, and there were so many to choose from! In a recent interview with Lead Design and Staging Consultant, Rachel Johnston, we discussed some of the differences in Staging a model home for builders as opposed to a vacant property for sale.
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DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT
Rachel Johnston
Lead Stager Model My Home Staging & ReDesign
Q - Rachel what is your background in Design and Staging, and how do you feel it helped you prepare for this model home Stage with Hills Land and Construction Co.?
A - I started my Interior Design career working with a team that designed all of the model homes for one of the largest home builders in Texas. It was great exposure to all aspects of interior design since we designed everything from the finish out, to furniture, art, and accessories for each new model home. I became very familiar with different design styles, and how to utilize design as a marketing tool in order to appeal to all types of buyers in varying demographics, each with a unique design aesthetic. This gave me a great foundation to continue my career as an independent Interior Designer, which led me to the staging side of the business.
Q - What were some of the unique aspects of this property you wanted to highlight for the builders and potential buyers?
A - I was immediately drawn to the open floor-plan- right when you walked through the front doors, you could see straight through the massive living room window, showcasing the beautiful backyard. The builder also selected stunning finishes throughout the home such as painting the kitchen cabinets a bold shade of green, and having a beautiful exposed rock wall in the living room.
As an Interior Designer, those bold architectural decisions are so fun to work with and definitely things we wanted to showcase for them.
Q - In your opinion, is Staging a model home significantly different from a vacant property that has been previously lived in?
A - Yes and No. At the end of the day, you are still designing in order to effectively appeal to a diversity of buyers with different personal styles. A property in the Parade of Homes is different in the sense that it only takes place once a year, so everyone wants to showcase their latest and greatest without any limitations. Hills Land and Construction Co. designed an absolutely stunning home and I wanted to ensure that every aspect of the interior design highlighted the home.
Q - What are some things, as a Design and Staging consultant, you are seeing new home builders doing to accommodate buyers in the current market (features, design, etc)?
A - Builders are embracing open floor plans now more than ever; I feel there is an even greater focus on indoor/outdoor living spaces, enhanced Primary Suites, and multi-functional areas that can be utilized to accommodate the home owner’s wants and needs, not only when they move in to the home, but down the road as well. A lot of builders are also offering multiple ways to incorporate the latest technology into their homes, with endless capabilities, essentially allowing the homeowner to access anything and everything concerning their home right from their smart devices.
Q - What are some of your favorite aspects of Staging a custom build property?
A - With any custom build, especially one that is on the Parade of Homes, you have the ability to take more design risks than typical when Staging a vacant property. It allows me to do one of the things I love as an Interior Designer, which is to curate the best possible design to enhance the unique elements of that individual home.
Q - Any tips for our members and Staging community at large when it comes to Staging model homes, or even Staging in general?
A - Know your client and know when and where you can push the envelope. Whether your client is a potential home buyer, a home builder, or a realtor, take the time to learn the client, and what their demographic is. That allows you to successfully do your job as an Interior Designer - design a space that the homeowner will fall in love with.
Also - don’t be scared to try something new. The beauty in the unexpected is part of what people look for, not only when they tour model homes or a property in a Parade of Homes, but also when they are looking for inspiration to design their own living spaces.
Model My Home is blessed with some of the best in the industry for sure, and the rave reviews continue to come in from builders, realtors, sellers, and buyers around the greater DFW area.
In fact, this particular Stage helped Hills Construction tie for First Place in “Best Decorated” , win First Place in “Best Outdoor Living” and also win “Best Overall” in the 2021 Parade of Homes for Central Oklahoma in their price range.
Thanks to Rachel, and the Model My Home team, for always providing great industry standards and assistance to our HSRA members!
