tips from a pro home staging 101: Whether homeowners are thinking of staging their home for the real estate market—or renovating a cherished space for their own enjoyment—designer and home stager Beth Odence of Design No. #5 offers a trio of tips: 1. wall color Odence often integrates a home’s interior by painting it the same neutral color throughout—perhaps a shade of white or pale gray. “Particularly if you’re selling your house, it makes it more spacious,” she says. You may consider painting the trim the same color as the walls, especially if it’s not architecturally beautiful, Odence says. A prime example is her interior renovation of the 1800s Andrew Lovell House, which she treated with white walls throughout. “That really upped the ante,” Odence says. 2. furniture: “When people are struggling with a room, they often keep buying pieces to fill in,” Odence says. Instead, consider emptying the space, then bringing in pieces one at a time. “Space is good,” she says. “Let the room breathe.” In the master bedroom in the Andrew Lovell House (RIGHT), she chose pieces in nautical colors, such as an offwhite and blue-triped sofa and chairs, and an eye-catching coffee table. 3. finishing touches: Interior touches such as art, lampshades, and tabletop décor have a huge impact, Odence says. “Streamline your basics, and think about your finishing touches,” she advises. “Think about what’s already in the room for color and what you want.” -Mary Grauerholz 46 | Cape Co d H OME | SPRING 2015 1 3 anne robertson photography 2 WWW.CAPECODLIFE.COM | Cap e Cod HOME | 47