Drape Expectations Read Free

it’s easy to see what the theme for your staging should be—Antebellum Ecstasy. We’ll play up all the best parts of Southern hospitality and emphasize the charm of living in a Southern mansion. You really should be able to keep most of your furnishings here, but one of the first rules of staging is to de-clutter.”
    â€œDe-clutter? I don’t understand.”
    â€œEven though I plan staging themes, I have to make sure a prospective home buyer can imagine moving in their possessions. Besides that, too many pieces of furniture take away from the beauty of each one. Many of my clients rent a storage shed or begin selling the furniture they don’t intend to take with them when they move.”
    â€œI’m not exactly sure what I’d be moving into Ace’s,” Alanna said with a pensive look. “We haven’t discussed that.”
    â€œYou should make a list,” Caprice advised her. “There are also advantages to incorporating a few more inviting pieces and colors rather than the deep wines and dark browns in most of these rooms.”
    â€œI’m not changing my color schemes.”
    Aha. The resistance she’d expected from this woman. “I’m not suggesting you change them. I’m suggesting you incorporate lighter colors with them.”
    She motioned to the draperies in the living room, the heavy tiebacks with the fringe. “For instance, just think about removing those draperies, hanging sheers, letting in more daylight. That will make the room more inviting.”
    â€œI am not taking down my draperies. They go with the house. They’re part of its character.”
    Caprice swallowed a retort and reminded herself Alanna could be the love of Ace’s life. “Mrs. Goodwin, would you like to sell the house quickly?”
    Alanna looked trapped. “Yes, I want to sell the house quickly. That’s the whole point of hiring you. I’m ready to make a home for me and Ace.”
    Caprice nodded, seeing that in her statement Alanna seemed sincere. “Why don’t I make a list of suggestions of pieces of furniture you can remove. Instead of removing the draperies entirely, maybe we could take away the tiebacks and the dark semi-sheers and use something more see-through. I’ll compromise with you, Mrs. Goodwin. But you have to remember, whatever I suggest will aid in selling the house. For example, I would never remove your Oriental carpet. But I might add a shawl over the back of one of the dark chairs to complement the lighter blue in the rug. I might take away the dark velvet throw pillows and use a pale green that might match the sheers. I could move in a taupe love seat and remove the two ornate settees. Do you see the changes I’m talking about?”
    Today, Alanna was dressed in a pale gray cashmere sweater and deeper gray slacks. The pearls and earrings she wore were classically beautiful. This woman should be able to understand easily what Caprice wanted to do.
    Alanna cast a glance around the first floor of her home. She sighed. “I understand.” After a moment, she added, “It will be hard to leave this. But I’m ready.”
    Knowing Ace wasn’t alone in this new romantic adventure and his daughter, Trista, would be along for the ride, Caprice couldn’t help but ask, “Have you and Trista spent time together?”
    At that question, Alanna’s face took on a look almost the same as when she talked about her cat. “I’m not concerned about Trista. We’ve met, but she doesn’t live with Ace. She’s simply a now-and-then weekend daughter. That’s a shame, of course, but that’s just how it’s going to be.”
    That seemed to be a line drawn in the sand for Alanna. However, as she finished with her conclusion, a shadow passed over her face. Alanna was about five years older than Caprice, maybe in her late thirties. It was hard to tell. From her background