One of the most interesting things about filming these makeovers is how often people tell me afterwards, “I never thought my house could be one of your episodes.”
Recently, I met a woman who watches all my Decorate or Renovate!? makeover videos and desperately wants help styling her living room. So I asked her, “Then why didn’t you apply?” And she said something fascinating: “I guess when you’re watching these videos, you never really think that could be YOU.”
And honestly, that’s exactly why I wanted to share today’s makeover.
A few weeks ago, we were having dinner with our friend Gail when she mentioned her brother and sister-in-law were getting their townhouse ready to list. Their realtor was coming Tuesday.
“TUESDAY?” I said. “Then I better come Monday.”
Because once I saw the photos, I knew immediately this was not a renovation problem. This was a styling problem.
The house had beautiful warmth and character that hadn’t been destroyed by the black-and-white trend, but the rooms needed editing, updated lighting, better layering, and a more current feel so buyers could emotionally connect to the space the second they walked in.
So in one day, we transformed the entry, living room, and dining room for about $3,500 — roughly what traditional staging would have cost, except they got to keep everything.
And the best part?
They sold the townhouse to the very first buyer who viewed it.
In a softer market.
Which is exactly why I keep saying: decorating before you sell is not fluff. It’s strategy.
Here’s the living room sneak peak:
Heidi and Glen downsized a few years ago but Heidi missed having a garden so they are selling their townhouse. When the makeover was finished, she sat down in her refreshed living room and said “We don’t need to sell now”. Well they did, to the first buyer, but that’s how great the new space felt!
Watch the full episode!
Also my Chicago True Colour Expert training course was last week and it was so fabulous! There were a few members of my community there and I think that was a big reason why that entire two day course felt like I was hanging out with a bunch of my friends. It was super special.
I met Betsy Manley a couple seasons ago at High Point Market, so fabulous to have her in class!
Now I need you to vote on where we go for Fall, San Francisco or New Jersey? Let me know in the comments. Be the first to know, get on the waitlist!
PS. In other news Terreeia and I are in Puglia, Italy learning about olive trees that are 3000 years old, WOW. Here we are in a boating excursion when we first arrived. We leave here Friday to go to Rome for 2 nights and then we’re doing a Virgin Cruise for 6 nights and ending up in Barcelona! We haven’t been to Europe since before the pandemic so we’re very happy to be here!
Want your living room transformed in my series? Message me here.
Related posts:
You’re Overthinking Your Living Room: 5 One-Day Makeovers
Love the transformation! But what it you have wall to wall carpet? How do you decorate around that (without layering a rug on carpet). 🤔 Hmmmm