Safe Staging During Covid-19
Please view our PowerPoint video presented to The Greater Louisville Association of Realtors.
We discuss how Covid-19 has changed how we stage and staging/ home buying trends.
https://youtu.be/AcgzRsDxwVw
Outdoor entertaining? Outdoor family time? Outdoor office?
A special place I have enjoyed during these days of the coronavirus is the outdoors. I walk the dog. I hike. I have a porch and take advantage of it. I have Zoom meetings with people who are sitting on their patio.
With cooler weather and vivid colors, autumn is a magical time. Done properly, that outdoor living space of yours can be comfortably enjoyed well into the cool weather.
I strive to make every home reflect the people who live there. That extends to patios, porches, and decks. There are ways that I can help you stretch these wonderful times of outdoor living to the fullest despite cool weather.
Here is how I can help you.
- As the days get shorter and cooler, you first need warmth. That can mean a fireplace or a fire pit. Or it can mean less pricy options such as a propane fueled patio heater, a fire pot, or a chimenea. A properly placed windscreen or curtain can deflect breezes that might otherwise drive you indoors. Plug-in mats used to melt ice and snow on walkways can warm your guests’ feet. Hide them under outdoor rugs that match the rest of your décor. Radiant heat panels that compliment the area can be hung on the walls. Making your space look great is part of what Living Spaces does!
- Think about the right furniture. Furniture that is great for lounging around the pool is not necessarily comfortable and warm in cool weather. The cushions can be made warm. The fabric makes a difference. There are other options including chairs and settees that plug in and warm up. Cast stone seating is available in simple organic shapes that heats up and warms you while you sit.
- Once you have the right furniture in place, what do you do? Accessorize! Think warm, thick, creamy, woolen throws. Sheepskin. Faux or otherwise. How about heated stadium pillows? Slipcovers help the way they look. All of these can be properly matched to the décor you want.
- Lighting is important. While I suggested above that people could maintain an outdoor office into the fall, once the sun goes down, the type of lighting required changes. Put away the computer, the phone and turn on the lights. It is that special time for you, your family, and your guests.
Lighting is the key to setting the mood. I like softer, warmer lighting in the evenings. It goes with the fire in the fireplace. Light candles. Simple LED lamps add a glow to a dark corner.
Let me come talk with you. We will discuss how you want to live in your outdoor spaces. We will plan on how to make the space reflect the best, most interesting version of you. Then I can do it for you.
I can help you extend your outdoor season in a truly memorable, beautiful fashion.
Lyn
How has the novel coronavirus changed your life?
I can’t imagine that anyone’s life hasn’t been changed. Certainly, mine, and all the rest of us at Living Spaces by Lyn, has been changed.
Some things haven’t changed. Living Spaces by Lyn is still working with our clients on staging, interior design and renovation. Our service level has remained tremendous. I’m proud to announce that Living Spaces has been awarded the houzz Award for Service again this year. And we’re still busy helping people in a wide array of projects.
How we do that has changed, though. Let me tell you about those changes.
We are still conducting onsite consultations, with best practices to keep our clients and our team safe. But we are also offering options via video conferencing. This helps ensure that everyone is comfortable with the process.
After the video conference consultation, we will provide you with a detailed report. We will be available to discuss that report and our recommendations. This also includes paint color consultations.
For the situation where you would like to meet for the consultation, we use a COVID protocol that includes safety precautions such as social distancing and masks. When we are working with you to implement the interior design of your home, we continue to use this protocol for everyone’s safety.
If the property is vacant, we can provide estimates and do staging consultations using photos and video. Neither you nor your Realtor need to be present during the furniture installation.
Remember the houzz Award? This is the type of service we provide.
Our concern is always about doing the best job for you. And keeping everyone safe.
Cheers,
Lyn
Top Five Reasons to Stage an Empty Home
If you are reading this you probably already know that staging helps sell homes faster. It forces the seller to declutter and get rid of things that would not attract buyers. But what about empty spaces, aren’t they already in move-in condition? Not so. Here I will tell you five reasons why staging an empty home is so important.
It makes a room look larger
An empty room appears small. Without furniture, it is difficult to judge the space. How do you fit bedroom furniture into this small and somewhat awkward space?
You may be thinking the walls are dark so we need as much light as we can get, but where will we put the bed? How do we work around these windows in this dark, small room?
Now look at the same bedroom below with furniture, it’s much easier to imagine how you would sleep in this room.
Empty rooms are cold and lifeless
This is a small dining area off of a kitchen. It surely would be easy to miss. It doesn’t have any memorable features and doesn’t look large enough tor a table and chairs.
Furnishing the dining room warms the space and adds life to this once dreary room. Can you imagine eating breakfast here? Or sipping tea while chatting with a friend? I sure can.
We added a rug to define the space. Furniture and wall art makes the room much more inviting. We also updated the lighting to connect to the contemporary kitchen. Just a few simple tweaks and viola… look at the transformation!
A staged home taps into human emotions
A large empty room has no emotional connection. Look at this rectangular-shaped living room. It has large windows, but the rest of it is pretty “vanilla.” Staging can add an element of personal attachment so that buyers fall in love and imagine living there.
Stagers learn what the buyer demographic demands and envision creating a space to attract just that person. In this living room below, everything from lighting to colors and artwork creates a feeling of attraction for the home. It’s the look-and-feel that even includes the soft texture of the pillows and fabrics.
Empty homes speak to the past
Buyers are thinking of their future when shopping for homes. You cannot see a home’s full potential when it’s empty.
Staged homes help families to imagine their future. Expertly selected paint colors, contemporary furniture, and lighting can create a story of what is yet to come.
An empty room almost always raises more questions
This room appears large but it has a lot going on. It begs the question, “how do we use this space?”
Walking into this room, you may say “Is this where we will watch TV and relax? Or is this a better place to gather and entertain friends and family?”
Look what happens when you place furniture in the room. Staging with furniture helps define the space and helps buyers visualize how to use the room. And, wow, what a difference a neutral coat of paint makes!
Introducing Chris Hoganson…
Living Spaces’ Senior Move Manager
It takes a special person to manage the task of downsizing. Chris Hoganson is that person. She is patient and understands the dynamics of fitting a once-full home into a smaller space.
“That doesn’t mean that every possession gets to come along,” she said.
Chris has mastered the delicate balance of helping people understand what their new lifestyle will require and what they can do without. “People in this situation are vulnerable and they trust you. There is an ethical responsibility to do the right thing,” she added.
Living Spaces caters to those aging in place or moving to a smaller space
While Living Spaces strives to serve the baby boomer generation aging in place or moving to assisted living, we welcome Chris’s special expertise in decluttering and downsizing. As certified stagers and designers, we often meet families and even new mothers who need help organizing.
Chris hasn’t always been an organizer. She trained and worked in Special Education in Washington before moving to Louisville. Her ability to work with families in a difficult situation makes her perfect for this job. Looking for a way to use her innate gifts, she teamed up with a local organizer and started helping people get in front of their clutter.
When a family member becomes sick everyone is focused on them
Chris discovered the niche of Senior Move Management while working with individuals in Memory Care and Assisted Living. “When a family member becomes sick everyone is focused on them. There is this sudden shock… that a lifestyle change is coming,” she said.
“When someone has to move because of health issues, it’s best to help them make choices while they still have control over their memory,” she said. After years of accumulating stuff, it’s so helpful to have someone identify what’s valuable, what they need and don’t need to take with them. “For example, if someone is going into an apartment with a small kitchen and microwave, they won’t need to take every serving dish, pots, and pans,” she added.
It’s a long process
Most recently she’s been working with a client who is preparing to go into assisted living and wants to review every piece of paper she owns. “Together we rate her success by how many pounds of paper we recycle,” said Chris. They did that every week for a year to prepare for the downsize.
Chris is the President of Staging Experts of Louisville. In addition to senior move management, she is also an organizer and stager. She lives with her husband who is a senior health care administrator. For nearly 40 years, she has enjoyed all the residents that have crossed her path.
Newly Renovated Homes… the perfect winter getaway
Check out these newly renovated homes, designed and furnished by Living Spaces. Undoubtedly, they make for a perfect winter getaway!
Particularly this cozy cottage, located in the heart of Germantown, makes an excellent weekend retreat. Designer Kim Falvey worked with the homeowner to gut this shotgun home, replace the kitchen cabinets, and highlight the home’s unique features. Additionally, she selected the furnishings and a staging team joined her to put everything in place.
Mmmm… I can just smell the chocolate chip pancakes cooking in this kitchen below! Can’t you? This property is perfect for a couple’s long weekend, friends in town for Derby, or a girls’ retreat. There is plenty of room for cooking and entertaining; or just the right ambiance for a quiet time of reflection.
This sea-side home in Destin Florida has been completely repainted and furnished for the perfect family vacation!
We chose a paint scheme in peaceful, serene colors so that the home felt like a retreat. Then we shopped for and purchased new and contemporary furnishings including fabrics and accessories. And the result was exactly what we hoped for: a beautiful, serene, peaceful retreat. Take a look at the photos – we think you’ll agree!
Stylish holiday decor delivered to your door
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the set of WAVE-3 News. Living Spaces by Lyn designers Star Auerbach and Karen King outfitted the trees in the newsroom with stylish holiday decor earlier this month. When our friends at WAVE 3 called to see if we could spruce up their time-worn holiday trees, we jumped at the chance to spread some cheer.
So, after a quick shopping trip and a few hours of decorating viola… the gold and silver adorned trees looked like new again!
If you love stylish holiday décor, but don’t have the time… give us a call! We’ll do the shopping, trim the tree, or make a fresh garland for your mantle. We can even find the perfect spot for your mistletoe!
Old homes with good bones become showplaces when staged
As stagers and designers, we see lots of amazing homes but there is something about old homes… they have a soul. When staging an older home we strive to honor its history and tradition.
This lovely Highlands home has touches of craftsman-style finishes like stained glass in the entry hall and custom-made kitchen cabinets. Stager Debi Marcum did not lose sight of these unique features when preparing this gem for the market.
Modern amenities like a sub-zero fridge or Viking oven can really turn a functional kitchen into a show-stopper like in this antebellum home in Crescent Hill (below).
Elegant finishes like the claw-foot tub and chandelier in the bathroom below reflect a style that has been written over the course of time. Stagers Jennifer Teagler and Debi Marcum preserved the character and style of this home by utilizing traditional furniture and accessories.
This lovely entryway boasts striking blue and green artwork and paint. The light pistachio colored paint emphasizes the beautiful trim.
The classic paint colors in this amazing Second Street property are in keeping with the historic timeframe of this home, but the homeowners had a thing for contemporary furnishings. Check out their original poster art in the master bathroom.
The traditional colors and cabinetry in this kitchen are a nod to preserving the past. Yet modern conveniences like this remote controlled door to the wine cellar and high-end appliances make this a one-of-a-kind kitchen. What an amazing backdrop for staging!
Living Spaces New Service Offerings: Holiday Decor, Vacation Home Design, Senior Move Management & Home Organization
Deck the Halls
Your holiday entertaining just got easier! Living Spaces will prepare your home for a party or simply create a festive setting. We’ll arrange furniture, hang artwork, set the table… whatever it takes to create the perfect look for your holiday gathering!
If you love a cozy Christmas vibe with the stockings hanging by the fire, but don’t have the time… give us a call! We’ll decorate your mantle, trim the tree, and even find the perfect spot for the mistletoe! We’ll leave it to you to set out the milk and cookies.
Vacation Home Design
I bet you didn’t know that Living Spaces has designed properties as vacation rentals! It’s true. Whether it be a shotgun home in Germantown that’s used as a Derby getaway for out-of-towners, a beach bungalow in Florida, or a mountain home in North Carolina, we love bringing your vision for your vacation dream home to life. If you’ve got a second home that needs sprucing up (or a total makeover), call us – we can help!
We love working with investors to transform these cool old homes into works of art! Check out this cute shotgun that has been re-born as a vacation rental.
Renovation expert Kim Falvey created a highly functional kitchen that is both warm and inviting in this cool Germantown Bed & Breakfast.
Relocating a Loved One and Getting Organized
Senior Move Management
We all know moving is stressful, but throw in the need to downsize because of aging and it can become overwhelming. It’s so hard to leave the home we’ve made so many memories in. Our compassionate Senior Move Specialist can offer a clear, workable plan that helps you achieve your goals. We can assist with packing and unpacking, shopping, and arranging for removal of discards. We’ll even help you transport donations or consignment to the appropriate site. Let our caring, experienced professional help you or a loved one during this season of life.
Getting Organized
Not only do we stage homes for selling, but we can also assist our clients with clutter-busting! Let us help you restore order to your space so you can spend more time with family and live more comfortably, whether in one room or the whole house. We love garages and basements too!
BBB Accredited Business – You BET We Are!
“We became an Accredited Business because of the weight being an accredited business still holds with consumers. The BBB name has always instilled confidence in consumers because they know that BBB wouldn’t certify a company unless they’d EARNED it. And we’re so happy that Living Spaces has the highest rating possible with BBB.”
Lyn Mabry, Owner, Living Spaces by Lyn
Ahem, we don’t mean to brag but …
Ahem, we don’t mean to brag, but in the first half of 2019 we staged 88 homes and 72% of those sold within 30 days of when they were staged! AND 38 of these homes sold within the first week they were staged!
Friends, I’m so fortunate to work with such a talented team of professionals. Call us – we’d love to help you prepare your home for listing!
Living Spaces Honored by Houzz With Service Award – Again!!
We received the Best of Houzz Award for Service for 2019! Again! That award represents the 5th straight year Living Spaces has achieved this honor from Houzz.
Houzz describes their award this way.
“Best of Houzz is our people’s choice award. It is the Houzz community’s pick of the top-rated professionals and popular home designs across and around the world.”
It is a huge honor for all of us at Living Spaces by Lyn. The Best of Houzz Award for Service is based on the reviews that our clients wrote after we had finished their projects. We earned the award because so many clients loved our services.
What does the Houzz Award mean to you?
If you are already our client, it means that many other people agree with you about the quality of Living Spaces’ services.
Are you a prospective client? The Best of Houzz Award, presented to us every year since 2015, gives you the confidence that the work and service level provided by Living Spaces is endorsed by Houzz.
What have people been saying about Living Spaces by Lyn on Houzz? Click the link below to read.
Reviews on Houzz for Living Spaces by Lyn
What project have you been considering for your home? Give us a call and let’s talk about it!
Living Spaces by Lyn was hired by an investor to help transform a wonderful little shotgun in the Butchertown section of Louisville.
The house had been a basic, long-term rental property for many years. The investor wanted to transform it into a high-quality, attractive, short-term rental property in time for guests to the 2019 Kentucky Derby. It was a tall order.
Take a look at some of the Before pictures to get an idea of what we had to work with.
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before 
Franklin Street Before
The end result required design renovation (moving walls, bringing the kitchen to the front part of the house, re-doing the existing bath, adding a new bath and new bedrooms), interior design, and staging the home. Living Spaces specified all the furnishings to make the house a home so short-term guests can simply move in and start living!
Now. Take a “stroll” through the finished project with a virtual, 3D Tour!
Are you an investor who wants properties that are both functional and beautiful?
Please contact Living Spaces by Lyn!
How’s THIS For A Staging Success Story?
This beauty on Cherokee Road in the Highlands was home to a Louisville doctor and his family for thirty years. When they decided to move out of state to be closer to their children and grandchildren, this lovely couple called on Living Spaces by Lyn to assess the home’s furnishings, decide which pieces to use in the staging, and which ones to store.
Our staging coordinator, Jennifer Tegeler, shopped for a few finishing touches to “dress up” the porch, and contracted with a furniture source to bring in some other furnishings to showcase this amazing home. Then, she brought in some of our other staging divas to assist in the final staging.
The Double Bonus? The owners of this stately home gifted the new homeowners with some of their own handmade furniture made especially for this home!
Then Voila! The home was under contract in three days! Proof positive that #stagingsells!
Master Bath Renovation
These empty nesters had a master bathroom that they wanted to update. They have a contemporary style and love color. We changed the floor plan by removing a never-used tub and replacing it with a make-up vanity. Then we put in a separate water closet and additional storage. One of the coolest elements in this space is that the vanities are wall-mounted and have lighting below them. Design coordinator Kim Falvey has done it again – these homeowners LOVE their new space. And we do too!
The Design Update That Kept Going…and Going…and Going
This was a really fun design update! These lovely homeowners had a formal living room and wanted to convert it to an office for the lady of the house. We put in custom, built in shelving and cabinetry for storage. We installed French doors leading from the foyer into the office and another set of French doors from the office into the dining room. Some of the furniture was replaced and we re-purposed the area rug from the dining room in the newly painted office.
Then, the project evolved into a dining room update. The homeowner decided to replace her freestanding china cabinet with a custom, built in china cabinet with lighting. She also replaced her dining room table and chairs and added a beautiful new rug. We added fresh paint in a light, airy color and removed the drapes to showcase the clean lines of the gleaming white trim.
But the coolest part of project was when it evolved into a kitchen update! This homeowner had her kitchen remodeled 15-17 years ago, which included adding an addition to the home. However, the former kitchen designer didn’t leave enough room around the island and the flow was awkward. So our design coordinator, Kim Falvey, went into problem-solving mode. With the help of our own kitchen designer, we reconfigured the space to make it more useable and improve the flow. We used cabinetry from the existing island to extend the cabinetry run for more storage. Then, we added a new island in a complimentary color. The counter tops were replaced with beautiful granite, and we updated the sink and faucet.
We faced the next challenge when we removed the old island and discovered that the newly exposed floor previously under the island was missing the flooring. The homeowner liked the flooring and didn’t want to change it, so we found some flooring under newly extended cabinetry run, removed it from that space, and installed it in the new location. The result? The floors look great and you could never tell any of it had been moved!
The finished product looks amazing! What started out as a one-room update turned into a three-room project. And our design coordinator’s ingenuity allowed the homeowners to avoid the unnecessary cost of replacing flooring that they liked and allowed them to have more storage by repurposing existing materials instead of purchasing new cabinetry. A win-win all around!
Staging an Empty Downtown Louisville Loft
The Living Spaces by Lyn team was engaged by Jodie Wild (Keller Williams) to stage an empty, but GORGEOUS, downtown Louisville loft. Staging coordinators Jennifer Tegeler and Laurie Vannarsdall went to the home to check it out. Then they contacted a furniture rental source to request a furniture package that would showcase the home’s beauty for potential buyers to see. We think the results were amazing!
Check out these striking before and after photos and see what you think!
Staging Coordinator Jennifer Tegeler – hard at work! 
Staging Coordinators Jennifer Tegeler and Laurie Vannarsdall celebrating a successful stage and a beautiful loft!
We LOVE what we do – and we can help you too. Schedule a consultation with us today at www.LivingSpacesByLyn.com or call us at 502.762.6449.
Relocated Family – Fixer Upper Home
We recently finished a design project for a lovely young couple with two children who have relocated to the area with her job. The family purchased a home that needed some cosmetic updating. Originally, the project’s focus was the main level of the home, so we started with updating the kitchen and “beefing up” an undeserved fireplace in the great room.
The project then evolved to include relocating a laundry room to the second floor, installing a mud room, updating the basement flooring, and a bathroom update.
Then, the second floor received all new carpet, with updates to all three bathrooms including flooring and paint.
We think you’ll agree that our design coordinator, Kim Falvey, did an outstanding job bringing our clients’ vision for their home to life!
As you’ll see from the photos below, our clients’ home was transformed … Elements that were dark and dated were replaced with more light and airy decor, creating comfortable and functional spaces for this family to enjoy!
Our client shared this sentiment with us:
“You have been worth every penny and we wouldn’t have been able to get this done without you. Thank you!”
We are so happy that they’re pleased with our work – this is why we love what we do!
Why Didn’t I Call Lyn Sooner?
“I recently had a house that I had completely remodeled that was a very nice home, in a golf course community, that sat empty for almost 2 months without lots of traffic. Given the overall condition of the house we made the assumption that it would sell without staging. But, we had no serious interest. So, we had Living Spaces by Lyn professionally stage the house. Within a week we had four interested parties and an offer. It’s under contract now. Lyn is a consummate professional and does a fantastic job.”
Dave Parks, Realtor
Staging to Sell: Cherokee Parkway
Living Spaces was contacted by one of our realtor partners to stage this lovely home on Cherokee Parkway recently. Here is what the homeowner had to say about our team:
“Hi Jennifer, I wanted to say thanks for getting us in shape! We so appreciate your advice and Sandy (our realtor) was pleased too. It’s been a pleasure, thanks so much!”
Friends – we LOVE what we do and we’d love to help you with your next move!
What a Sweet Retreat!
This nice lady with a cute little bungalow home wanted to take advantage of her attic space and transform it into a space for out of town guests. She also wanted to incorporate her existing furniture into the space.
Justin with Castlerock Builders reached out to us to help his client, Mary, make her interior design selections. Justin and his team renovated the attic space to create a bedroom, a full bathroom, a storage closet and a sitting room.
After our lead designer, Kim Falvey, was finished with the project, the result is a sweet little retreat with all the necessities for a comfortable guest stay.
Before Photo 
Before Photo
What a Transformation!
How’s this for a story …?
This lovely couple asked my team to help them redesign their great room and kitchen so they could be better utilized together. They’re empty nesters. He’s retired, and she works part time. And it was time to make some changes! The gentleman of the house is a huge fan of HGTV, so he provided a lot of input on the finishes and his vision for how he wanted things to look.
So, we removed the wall between the two spaces to create the openness they were looking for. In the kitchen, we updated their upper cabinets but kept the lower ones. We upgraded their counter tops with lovely granite and, at the homeowner’s suggestion, did a waterfall on the island. We collaborated to select the perfect lighting, paint colors, back splash tile, and a beautiful new hood over the range. But one of our favorite design elements was the hand-scraped hickory floors. They’re gorgeous!
The great room was a dark, heavy space. After removing the wall that divided it from the kitchen, we opted for stacked stone with a flush electric fireplace, and added beautiful built in shelving on either side. To further brighten the space, we removed the dark wood beams. The end result? A light, open and airy space!
Kim Falvey, Living Spaces by Lyn design coordinator, did a fabulous job bringing our clients’ vision to life! Take a look at the photos – and you won’t want to miss the before and after shots – WOW – what a transformation!
Lyn Mabry Named to the Executive Committee of the Sales & Marketing Council of the Business Industry Association for 2019!
This Louisville Cutie Sold Just Six Days after Listing!
Friends, this is why I love what I do! Living Spaces staged this cute little home in the Wellington neighborhood on October 22. Then it was listed on October 25. And THEN it went under contract on October 31st! Our lovely client sent me the following message afterwards …
“Lyn, thanks so much to you and Jennifer (Jennifer Tegeler, lead stager) for the amazing work on our home! We closed this past Friday and are relieved to have had the process move so quickly. You were great. Thank you!”
We love stories like this and can help you too!
Thanks to YOU! 2018 was a busy and exciting year for Living Spaces!
2018 was a busy and exciting year for Living Spaces. We’re growing so quickly! The results show that clearly. We’ve had to add two designers to help cover everything!
Why is Living Spaces by Lyn so busy? We’re fortunate to have so many loyal clients, that’s why! Thank you all!!
There is more exciting news coming in 2019 as we continue to grow. Watch for details and announcements! 2019 is shaping up to be a wonderful year!
Here is a taste of all we did in 2018!
Staging:
- Consultations – 166
- Properties staged – 100
Interior Design & Renovation:
- Consultations
- Design – 78
- Renovation – 53
- Properties with Interior Design or Renovation – 93
2018 Awards to Living Spaces by Lyn:
- Best of Houzz 2018 – For the fourth year in a row, Living Spaces by Lyn has earned the Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service!
- Style Blueprint – “Best Home Resources in Louisville” Award
- Style Blueprint features – “Faces of Louisville,” “Designer Crush”
- Today’s Woman – Lyn Mabry named as one of the “Women of Distinction.”
- “Expertise Badge” – Living Spaces by Lyn “Top 18 of 135 Interior Designers in Louisville” (Second Year in a Row!)
- Angie’s List – A+ Rating & multiple appearances on Angie’s List “Honor Roll.”
- Facebook – 5-Star Rating
- Better Business Bureau – A+ Rating
Our business is focused on exemplary Customer Service. Remember Lyn’s favorite quote:
“I want every home to reflect the best most interesting version of the people who live there.”
– Frances Merrill
Here’s looking forward to working closely with you in 2019! Happy New Year!
Kitchen and Bath Renovation
This charming widower loves his home but he needed our help to make it more reflective of his own personal style. We completely gutted his master bath and kitchen (he loves to cook and have his family over). We also did a facelift for his other two bathrooms.
The kitchen reflects his “hearth and home” country style, including a farmhouse sink. We laid hardwood floors throughout the first floor, put in off-white cabinets with a warm, taupe glaze. We love the scalloped backsplash, which is a beautiful compliment to the cabinetry we chose. We love the seeded glass cabinet doors and the under-cabinet lighting that floods the work space with light. The granite countertops perfectly coordinated with his stainless-steel appliances. And there is plenty of room around the island for all five grandchildren!
We installed a high-profile lavatory and a warm wood craftsman-style cabinetry in the powder room.
We gutted the master bath and started over by laying luxury vinyl tile on the floors (waterproof!). We replaced the existing tub with a large, glassed-in shower with charcoal tile and a expansive bench area. We love the multiple shower heads and the gorgeous waterfall basket-weave tile in the shower. A double sink vanity with granite top and brushed nickel finishes rounded out the space.
The guest bathroom certainly reflects this homeowners love of Louisville with the fleur de lis hardware and shower curtain, and the photograph of the Louisville skyline.
It has been so fun to work with him this past year on these projects. We look forward to tackling his family room and master bedroom next!
Lexington Road Treasure Under Contract Nine Days After Home Staging!
This Lexington Road treasure was listed by Molly Korfhage of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Parks & Weisberg, Realtors. Molly called in my team to stage the property in October. And then, nine days later it was under contract! Congratulations Molly! And thanks to my team for their hard work. #StagingSells #WeLoveWhatWeDo
A Little Renovation + a Little Staging = Gorgeous!
This home, currently listed by Vickie Blanton with Keller Williams Realty Louisville East, needed a little TLC prior to being listed for sale; namely, a master bath renovation. Take a look at the “before/during/after” photos of the beautiful transformation. We think you’ll agree that Living Spaces Design Coordinator Kim Falvey did a beautiful job on this master bath transformation! Once the renovation was complete, Living Spaces staged the property for sale, and our Kim Falvey and Debi Marcum did a fabulous job! If you know someone who’s looking for a Prospect gem, Vickie Blanton would love to show this one to them! #MasterBathRenovation
Stunning Norton Commons Property Under Contract In Less Than Two Weeks
This STUNNING property in Norton Commons is listed by Kelly Hammons from Skelton Company Realtors. My team staged it the first week of October, and by mid-October it was under contract. Not only that, but Kelly said there were MULTIPLE offers with BACKUP offers pending in case the current offer didn’t work out! Congratulations and good work Kelly! Special thanks to Jennifer Tegeler and Karen King, two of my extraordinary staging professionals, for all their top-notch work. #StagingSells
Cute Germantown Flip Home Under Contract a Month From Listing
This cute Germantown flip home was part of a bundle of flip homes we were asked to stage for an investor in Louisville, KY. In this particular case, we staged the property at the beginning of August, it was listed mid-August, and by mid-September it was under contract! Check out these after photos – the light wall colors, the right furniture and accessories help this small home to feel spacious. And don’t you just love the front door? #StagingSells #WeLoveWhatWeDo
A Staged Property Under Contract in ONE Day After Listing!
This beauty went fast! We staged this home in early September, it was listed twelve days later and – BAM! – under contract on the very next day! That could be a record!! It was probably the staging. 
Take a look at a few of the “after” photos. It’s a beauty – and our team did an awesome job. #StagingSells #WeLoveWhatWeDo
Are You Planning to Stay?
“Aging in Place” can have a negative connotation. As can “Golden Years.” But not with Living Spaces by Lyn. Why?
Go back to my favorite quote.
“I want every home to reflect the best most interesting version of the people who live there.” – Frances Merrill
Nothing in that quote reflects any age. It is timeless. Now. Or later. Young or old. It describes how I want to make your home reflect the best of YOU. Always.
So, when someone tells me, “I want to live in my home for a long time to come,” it reflects their desire to maintain an absolute reflection of who they are. I know how to do that. For any of life’s stages, I can do that.
We’re all different. And we change as time goes by. We may not feel what speaks to us today in the way of art or convenience or décor will be the same as what speaks to us in the time to come. As human beings, we change and adapt. Our surroundings need to change and adapt with us.
My goal is to help your surroundings change and adapt with you. Based on you. On who you are, on who you become and on how you see yourself. On the “best, most interesting version” of you. You know what that is? It’s called “freedom.”
When someone is just starting out in life, orange crates for tables and hand-me-down furniture may be just fine. Once you get a foothold in life, you may decide you want different styles, colors and permanence. Fast forward a few years. The kids are grown, grand kids are a wonderful factor and the way you see your surroundings will change. Simplicity and convenience may be attractive, desirable concepts. There are ways you can maintain an acceptable level of freedom. But you don’t want empty rooms or placid environments. There are ways to simplify while retaining immense beauty and grace in your surroundings. I can show you how.
As with our family, careers and finances, planning makes a lot of sense. It’s not something that begins when we’re forced to decide. Planning is an exciting way of looking into the future. An exciting way to be ready for what comes. An exciting way to be relaxed as life progresses. You have the freedom to be you.
Let’s talk. I can help. I can help your home “reflect the best most interesting version” of you. Whatever your stage in life. Whatever your goals. Whatever your needs.
Lyn
Industrial Loft Staging Project
My team and I had such a good time staging this downtown Louisville industrial loft for sale. This condo in Falls City Lofts is on the market, but don’t blink! We’re certain with our staging acumen it will go fast!
Louisville Urban Bungalow Kitchen Renovation
Bungalow in established, urban, neighborhood gets a face lift! This busy, young professional loved the historic aspects of this home but really needed a larger, and more functional, kitchen. Since the backyard was lovely and very private, we decided to take out the wall between the existing kitchen and back porch to create a more spacious and airy kitchen. Large windows and lovely patio doors accomplished our goal of bringing the beauty of the outside in. There was even space for a cozy nook with plenty of light for reading. We were very pleased with the results.
The Before Photos
The After Photos
Patterson Avenue Kitchen Renovation
It isn’t often that I work on a house through multiple owners, but I’ve worked with three owners of this house on Patterson Avenue in the Highlands. I can say without hesitation the kitchen renovation is one of the best I’ve done and most functional within the space. It was a real pleasure, and I’m so pleased with the outcome. I think these before and after shots need no labels!
Kitchen Renovation – Bringing the Outside In
This suburban ranch, built in the 80’s, and located on a golf course, was in need of updates to bring the glorious views of the golf course into the interior kitchen. Busy engineer homeowners wanted functional space that also took advantage of the views. We completely gutted a kitchen full of dark wood cabinets, an awkward island, and a less than functional footprint. In its place are gleaming white cabinets with lots of glass doors to showcase the client’s colorful pottery. Our clients are fans of the culinary arts, and thus wanted lots of cooking and prep space. To accommodate this, we installed expansive white marble counter tops and a kitchen island with a second sink. Stainless steel appliances reflect the light from the outdoors, and a soothing wall color added light and air. Top it all off with gleaming medium hardwood floors and high end fixtures and voila!
The Before Shots
The Stunning After Shots
Modern and Bright Kitchen Renovation
We recently finished a cool, extensive renovation project in the Brownsboro area of Louisville. This kitchen went from ordinary and dated to extraordinary, modern and bright! We did a little update to the hallway just outside the kitchen too.
The Before Photos
The After Photos
Kitchen Renovation with Bold Color and Design
Take a look at this recent kitchen renovation done by the Living Spaces by Lyn’s team. This home had a small, cramped kitchen. With the help of our stellar tradesmen and our interior designers, we gave this kitchen a functional layout and bold, beautiful design elements. The multi-colored backsplash is one of our favorite design elements – because of the way it compliments our client’s wonderful art pieces.
The Before Photos
The Stunning Transformation!
Louisville KY Shotgun Home Renovation
Really loved being part of this whole renovation project about a year ago … just like HGTV! We all recognized the good “bones” of this charming property …. from Pitts and Damian at Highlands Carpenter’s Guild who did the work, to a great Realtor, Deborah Stewart, who knew the market potential for this hot area, to Angie and Tyler who knew what they wanted and were brave enough to go for it … to yours truly (-: Living Spaces by Lyn … we gutted, rebuilt, added some “lipstick” and a lot of love! It is beautiful. Be sure to check out all of the photos to see this beautiful transformation!
The Before Photos
The After Photos
Check out this Staging Success Story!
A realtor client of ours engaged us to stage this property on Creekton. It had been listed, but wasn’t moving. Until we did our thing! #StagingSells
A Review From a Satisfied Client
What IS that smell?!
I cover a lot of territory during my day-to-day. Checking progress on houses that I’m helping to renovate. Reviewing homes that are in the process of being staged. Meeting new clients. Going by a store to check on fabrics, wallpaper or furnishings for a project. Those trips carry me back and forth across our entire community.
Because I work with so many Realtors, I’m constantly noticing For Sale signs in front yards. And, because I may travel the same route multiple times, I notice the fresh signs when they pop up on a new listing. I also notice the signs that linger when the property doesn’t sell.
There are many reasons a house stays on the market month after month. Price can be a factor. Marketing can be one. Location can be a reason. Some reasons are both difficult to determine and equally difficult to remedy.
Recently, I ran across an article that details some reasons a house might be lingering on the market. And most of these reasons can be easily pin-pointed and remedied.
Home not selling? Here are 10 ways you’re turning off prospective buyers.
Take a read. And, if your home is in this “lingering” category, talk to your Realtor. And give me a call.
Lyn
(502) 762-6449
You can work with a pro. Or someone who isn’t. Why spend the money?
I’ve been designing interiors, staging and providing renovation designs to my clients for a long time. There are a lot of things I’ve learned. Most of it is about what works in a home or a room and what doesn’t. I’ve learned how to handle unusual situations. I’ve learned to manage my time and the costs of a project. One of things I’ve learned that I’m most proud of is what is important in 
every situation. And what isn’t. That’s how I keep happy, repeat clients.
Something that I’m still working on is how to help prospective clients understand the value of what I offer. So often, it’s simply about money. They think. But I know better how much is really involved. I have to explain so that a new client’s expectations are in line with reality. In the end, we’re both happier that way.
Recently, I came across an article that describes, “Why You Might Want to Work With an Interior Design Pro.” It’s a clear, concise list of the advantages of working with someone such as me. Click on the link and read. I learned something. So will you, I’ll bet. Then, let’s talk. Experience matters.
Kitchen Trends – First Question. What is important to you?
I renovate a lot of kitchens for clients. We discuss what they don’t like about the old kitchen. That leads to a discussion describing their dream kitchen. Colors, counter-tops, appliances, cabinet 
styles and layout become part of the conversation. So does the question about how they plan to live in their new kitchen.
Recently, I came across an article by Michelle Slatalla in the WSJ. She writes, “Why Kitchen Islands Are Ruining America’s Kitchens.”
“Ruining” is strong language. I don’t agree with that, especially since islands are, in my experience, a very popular item in the kitchens I work on. My kitchen has an island.
But there are also kitchens I’ve designed as well as those of friends’ that don’t have an island. They use a kitchen table. And some kitchens have both an island and a kitchen table.
As with all rooms, I renovate kitchens for people that encompass any number of trends, old and new. Why? Because I make the kitchen what my clients want it to be. Remember one of my 
favorite quotes?
“I want every home to reflect the best most interesting version of the people who live there.” – Frances Merrill. You read that quote whenever you go to my website. It guides my way of seeing, my way of designing and my way of renovating. It guides my way of serving you.
Are you thinking that it’s time for your kitchen to “better reflect the best most interesting version” of you? Let’s pull up a chair, a cup of coffee and talk about your dreams. Give me a call.
Articles on kitchen trends:
- Beautiful Home & Garden – https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/remodeling/planning/timeless-kitchen-trends/
- House & Home – https://houseandhome.com/gallery/top-10-kitchen-trends-for-2018/
- Houselogic – https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/kitchen/9-kitchen-trends-that-cant-go-wrong/
- Decorators Wisdom – http://decoratorswisdom.com/decor/interior-design-trends/2018-kitchen-trends/
For the Love of a Rescue Dog
You only have to spend a few minutes with me to know my deep love of animals, especially dogs, and especially my dog, Galen. Thanks to The Voice-Tribune for including me in this post about Greater Louisville Women’s Council of Realtors and our love of rescues. We were so pleased to participate in Hats Off for Derby on April 12, which benefits Louisville’s Animal Care Society. Hats off to DOGS! Check out the story here.
Check Out This Amazing Kitchen, Bathroom & Hallway Renovation!
This was a really FUN project! Check out the before and after photos here and click here for a video detailing part of the transformation! What a remarkable difference! My team is the absolute BEST!
Living Spaces By Lyn Transforms a Germantown Home – From Bare Bones to BEAUTIFUL!
It didn’t start out pretty, but check out this cute shotgun in Germantown …. completely gutted, renovated and furnished with the help of the Living Spaces team. Artist Mike Stevens and his wife Melissa purchased it as an investment early last year and asked us to help.
Mike did much of the rehab work himself ( all of the artwork is his ) and We purchased all of the furniture in one trip to Ikea. … fun! See the Finished Product Here. What a transformation!
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Color Challenges for Open Floor Plan Homes
Walk into a home with an open floor plan and you can often see up to four rooms at once. Picking the right color for each of those rooms can be a challenge.
Here are some interesting ideas of how to approach this challenge by Donna Frasca. They’re very similar to my own.
How To Choose Color For Open Floor Plans
Do you still have questions about your particular situation? Let’s talk…
Lyn
Living Spaces Earns Best of Houzz Award 2018
For the fourth year in a row, Living Spaces by Lyn has earned the Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service. Thank you for your confidence in our team!
StyleBlueprint Names Living Spaces By Lyn in The Best Home Resources in Louisville
Friends, I’m so flattered to have been included in StyleBlueprint’s recent article about the best home resources in Louisville! Read the article here.
Living Spaces By Lyn is Among the Top 18 of 135 Interior Designers in Louisville – Second Year in a Row!
Friends – I’m once again honored to have been selected as one of the top 18 interior designers in Louisville! Living Spaces was selected based on the following criteria: reputation, credibility, experience, availability and professionalism! I love my team – I love what we do! Read the article here.
Be Bold: Style Your Home with Colors, Patterns & Textures
(Style Blueprint) I’m so flattered to have been interviewed by Style Blueprint for this article about designing with bold colors, patterns and textures. Design can be daunting, but once you’ve determined the focal point of the space (or Queen), things come together beautifully. Read the full article here.
Six Easy Projects to Personalize a Cookie-Cutter Home
(Houselogic) You’ll love these easy and inexpensive ways to make your cookie-cutter home reflect your personal style. 
Read the article here
Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Kitchen Flooring Materials
There are some things to consider when you’re choosing a floor for your new kitchen. The article here is a good one to read when you are making that decision.
Living Spaces by Lyn keeps these considerations in mind when choosing floors for new kitchens as well as baths and other room. Does it sound confusing? Not to worry. Give Lyn a call.
Ten Reasons Why You Should Stage Your Next Listing
(By Audra Slinkey, Home Staging Resource) Friends, when it comes right down to it, there is no good reason to NOT stage your home prior to listing it!
Read about the ten reasons here
Five Easy Home Staging Tips that Transform Your Home
(Home Staging Newswire) Simple things make a huge difference, and you don’t have to break the bank. Staging sells! Read the article here.
F
ive Surprising Ways to Transform a Room – Without Purchasing New Furniture
(The Decorologist) Friends, there are easy ways to transform a room without breaking the bank. A color change here, a new light fixture there, some colorful textiles and accessories, and you’re on your way to a completely refreshed space! Check out more ways here.
New Trends in Bathroom & Kitchen Tile
(MyDomaine
) I get carried away when looking at new tile and envisioning how it will change a bathroom or kitchen. Here are some trends for 2018. Good news: you can step away from subway tile! Read more here
A+ Rating With Better Business Bureau
Friends, take a look at reviews from satisfied clients! I LOVE what I do! See Client Reviews Here
Home Office Designs – Get Ready to be 
Wowed
Get ready to be wowed by these very cool home office designs. Your home office is, well, in your home. Don’t you want it to reflect the style of the rest of your home while providing a creative space to work? Click here to read more
The Magic…or Miss…of Virtual Staging
Living Spaces by Lyn works with many Realtors to stage homes that are about to go on the market. They want these homes to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Whether a home is occupied or empty, large or small, new or historic, staging makes a lot of sense. As a matter of fact, the National Association of Realtors believes that staging makes so much sense that they’ve actually broken their argument into 10 reasons to stage a listing.
10 Reasons Why You Should Stage Your Next Listing by Audra Slinkey
(Listen up, home owners! If your home is going on the market and your Realtor is not talking about staging, ask them, “Why not?”)
Staging takes two forms. Staging for occupied homes and staging for empty homes. That’s right. Staging makes just as good sense for an empty home, or even more, than staging an occupied home. Why? Because an empty home lacks warmth and a feeling of affection. Potential buyers need the imagination to envision how rooms could be furnished. How they could live in home that is sitting empty. Just as important, shapes and colors bring out the charms of a space. All of this is important to properly market the house.
I received an email recently with an ad from a company that provides “virtual staging.” They take pictures provided by a Realtor of empty rooms in a listing. Using a computer, they add furnishings into the picture, “staging” it.
Their argument for this is that “90% of home buyers begin their home search online and the photos are the first impression that potential clients will have of your listing.”
I agree with that. That’s why I always recommend that my clients use professional photographers for their listing pictures. But here is where “virtual staging” misses the entire point of staging.
Imagine that a prospective buyer sees these wonderful pictures online. They set up an appointment and come to the house. The Realtor opens the door. The client walks in. The room is empty. It echoes. Nothing in the home helps them imagine their family in that house. The favorable impression they got from the listing pictures evaporates like smoke.
Re-read why the National Association of Realtors recommends staging so highly. None of that applies to “virtual staging.”
Then give me a call. Let’s talk about making your listing the best it can be when it goes on the market.
“Not staging your home in the current housing market is like leaving money on the table.” – Audra Slinkey/ President of the Home Staging Resource
Seven Home Remodeling Projects with Maximum Return on Investment
(Houselogic) Friends, here is a great article about seven popular home remodeling projects and the return you can expect on your investment. A GREAT way to prioritize and plan! Read the article here.
Let Go of Things: Create a Space that Nourishes
Friends – I’m so flattered to have been chosen for an article in Today’s Woman online magazine! Check it out here …
Great Article About the Cost of Popular Kitchen Upgrades
Friends, here is a great article about the cost of popular kitchen upgrades. Click here to read the article.
The Struggle for Young Homebuyers
(CNNMoney) It’s going to be an intense house-hunting season — especially for young buyers.
After years of many experts lamenting how Millennials weren’t interested in becoming homeowners, it turns out many are actually diving in. But they’re facing a lot of competition.
Millennials are the largest group of homebuyers, according to Ellie Mae, a software company that analyzes mortgage data. In January, Millennials represented around 45% of all purchase loans, up from 42% the same month in 2016.
My top styling secrets are inspired by two quotes I love …
- “I want to make every home reflect the best, most interesting version of the people who live there.” – Frances Merrill
- “The desire for symmetry, for balance, for rhythm in form as well as in sound, is one of the most inveterate of human instincts.” – Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr.
Here are the styling secrets that help guide me!
- Whether the project involves a single room or an entire home, I include cherished objects from my clients. Family mementos, items from their travels, or something they found that they just love is included in my design scheme.
Include cherished objects - To create my color scheme, I always start with something in my client’s home that “speaks” to them. It may be a favorite rug, a piece of art, or the fabric from a piece of furniture, for example.
A piece of art can set the color scheme - I encourage my clients to ignore the rules. Gather things you love around you. Mix styles and shapes. Organize and display these objects to create symmetry and balance. This may include colors, furniture, metals in hardware, or styles of lighting. Never hesitate to mix the old with the new and the bold with the subtle.
Ignore the rules When you look at a design project for your home, these are all important considerations to help guide you through the process of coming up with a room that will really impress. But, it’s easier said than done. I know. I’ve been at this a long time.
Do you have an idea for your home? Start with my two favorite quotes and the 3 secrets I’ve shared. Would you like to discuss them with an experienced designer? Contact me. I’d be happy to sit with you to work things out.
The following is a great blog post from one of my staging colleagues and mentors (Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist) about the power of color. Cheers!
I’ve been saying it for years now – the right staging colors increase the sales price of homes on the market. I believe it and have built my business on it!
Tomorrow is the first day of the Expert Psychological Stager™ certification course that I developed after a decade of staging homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. After this weekend, that will make over 130 home stagers that have trained under me in my unique method of Psychological Staging. Our course offers the most specific and proven paint color instruction for staging in the business. I say that with all confidence, because IT’S TRUTH.
Last year, a well-known home stager publicly said something like: “Anyone can do paint color – all you have to do is choose one of the paint company’s Color of the Year and you’re good.” I probably shouldn’t put that in quotes, but that’s the gist of what she stated regard to the need (or lack thereof) of color instruction for staging. Wow, is she ever underestimating the power of staging colors!
Zillow just put out a study that confirms what I’ve known all along – the right paint colors increase sales prices of homes. Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis looked at more than 32,000 photos from sold homes around the country to see how certain paint colors impacted their sale price on average. You can read all about the particulars here, but these are some high points:
STAGING COLORS COUNTS:
Houses with bathrooms painted light blue sell for more (over 5K!), while those painted white sell for less (-4K).
Houses with dining rooms painted gray-blue or dark blue sell for more (+2K), while those with red walls sell for less (-2K).
color design by The Decorologist
Houses with living rooms painted beige or oatmeal (greige) sell for more (+1.8K), while those painted blue sell for less (-800).
Houses with kitchens that are soft blue or gray-blue sell for more (+1.8K), while houses with yellow kitchens sell for less (-800).
color design by The Decorologist
Exteriors painted greige sell for more (+1.5K), while those painted taupe or brown sell for less (-2K).
I know what you’re thinking: WHICH light blue? WHICH greige? etc. There are millions of colors to choose from, but I teach my EPS™ stagers EXACTLY which staging colors to use and where to use them.
As you might imagine, I’m both excited and anxious to meet the 15 women in our sold-out training course! We will be staging a historic bed-n-breakfast near Music Row in Nashville, and it’s going to be amazing. Just look at this beauty!
Yes, the exterior is a dream, but the interior has some challenges for us to face. But we are up for the challenge!!! The September EPS™ course already has 5 people signed up (the class maximum is 15). It’ll be our last one for 2017, so be sure to secure your spot soon if you want to join this elite group of home stagers with all the paint color knowledge needed to sell homes for more money!
Check Out Our Houzz Page
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“She knew what we wanted better than we did ourselves.
I trusted her judgement and the end result was exactly what we had hoped for.”
– Jenny G. / Louisville,KY
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Lyn@LivingSpacesByLyn.com – 502.762.6449