MERIDITH BAER

The home stager for the A-list shares quick fixes to upgrade your home and insights into 2023 design trends.

BY SARA SMOLA

In 1998, then-screenwriter Meridith Baer’s (meridithbaer.com) Los Angeles rental was sold—leaving her scrambling for a place to store her furniture and 250 potted plants. Serendipitously, a friend’s unfurnished home had been sitting on the market for over a year and Baer was convinced it would finally sell if she decorated it with her own belongings. Baer’s first home staging was a success: The house sold just days later for $500,000 over asking price. Brokers began asking her to stage their properties, giving Baer the push to pursue staging full time.

For the last 25 years, Baer has solidified her status as the pioneer of luxury home staging through her company, Meridith Baer Home, and has become a go-to for high-profile celebrity clients, including Kylie Jenner, Brad Pitt, and Meryl Streep. The company has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, the Hamptons, and Miami to keep up with the demand—Baer and her team furnish more than 150 listings per month, many of which sell for up to seven figures over asking price. Along with staging, Meridith Baer Home also offers furniture leasing, interior design, and an “InstaHome” service for when you need a fully furnished home in a hurry.

What factors do you consider when staging a luxury residence?

› We look at the style of the home, where it is located, and who the target audience is. Our aim is to cast a wide net to appeal to the broadest group of buyers. Organic modern is the most popular design style at the moment: natural woods, soft textures, contemporary art, curved seating, and a neutral palette.

How can sellers make their interior space look more elevated in a short amount of time?

› Sellers can make their space look more high end with a fresh coat of paint and paring down furnishings to let the space breathe. Take down heavy draperies and let in the light. An inexpensive and effective update is to buy fresh white bedding and towels to neutralize the space.

Any design or staging mistakes that cheapen the look of a home?

› Remove unnecessary objects, including excessive toys and personal photos, and keep to a color palette that appeals to a broader group of people. Adding low-quality items just to fill a space also counters a more premium look—it is better to do without.

What interior design trends are in for 2023? What trends are on their way out?

› Gray floors, along with black, white, and gray color schemes, waterfall center islands, and suspended lights for bedside tables are out. Instead, we are seeing more built-in cabinetry, painted a deep color with stone tops. Softer shapes are in. There is also a trend for a more collected mix of furniture, rather than total suites of furniture. A little more pattern is coming in.

What are the most memorable moments of your career so far?

› Furnishing so many breathtaking properties and bringing to life homes that are looking long in the tooth. Then there are all the famous people—the thrill when we staged [actress] Scarlett Johansson’s home, and she liked what we did so much that she decided not to sell and bought the furnishings. And staging homes for people I’ve so admired, like Meryl Streep, Janet Jackson, Geena Davis, Harrison Ford, and Sean Combs.

What’s next for Meridith Baer Home?

› We are excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary this year! We are looking forward to continuing to expand our services to more regions of the country, and introducing 10 Tarpon Isle, the only private island in Palm Beach and Florida’s most expensive listing.