In 2018, RESA-Pro® member, Jenelle Nelems turned her passion for refurbishing thrift finds into a profession by creating JKN Home Staging and Design.
“Staging provides me with a creative outlet. My husband likes it because I can spend money decorating other people’s spaces.”
It was Jenelle’s daughter-in-law, Kendyll who introduced her to refurbishing thrift store furniture to make a profit. The pair quickly realized that people loved the results of their efforts. It wasn’t long before Jenelle had anxious customers stalking her Facebook marketplace to see what item she would be posting next.
As Janelle and Kendyll dove even deeper into their newfound love of furniture and design by offering paint consultations and designs for renovations, word-of-mouth had spread to the world of construction. This prompted a builder Jenelle knew through mutual friends, to reach out about staging a model home he was working on. The builder would go on to employ the JKN services on more and more projects, one being his personal home.
“The idea of having the freedom to furnish and style a brand new home was so exciting.”
Photos provided by JKN Home Staging and Design
Learn more about Jenelle:
My goal is…
To provide the best deliverable for clients, as well as support my amazing JKN staff.
My morning ritual is…
Coffee, before anything there must be coffee. Check my calendar, check and respond to messages, view social media data, then a quick team meeting.
My favorite meal after a long day of staging is…
Sushi
Who is your role model and why?
My grandfather. He was 92 when he died and he was teaching himself Spanish. He always told me the day you stop learning is when you start growing old. I changed careers and am constantly learning and growing. I want to grow as he did, not grow old.
Photos provided by JKN Home Staging and Design
When you are in a rut creatively where do you go or what do you do to get out of it?
I go to the Atlanta Market or High Point. There is so much inspiration from so many wonderful vendors, it’s like beauty overload. I can still remember the first time I went, I felt as if I was in Design Heaven.
Would you rather stage an occupied listing or vacant?
We focus on vacant stages, although we have done the occasional occupied staging. It’s far easier to have a blank canvas so you can execute a cohesive plan.
When I am not working I enjoy…
Spending time with my family, playing tennis and traveling.
Good staging should…
Have the buyer, the location, etc. in mind and provide an appropriate, cohesive design plan.
Photos provided by JKN Home Staging and Design
My personal aesthetic is…
Upscale coastal.
What do you think about when you are alone in your car?
Everything and anything! Did I lock the door? Is it Tuesday or Wednesday? What does tomorrow look like? What in the world am I going to make for dinner? What’s next personally and professionally?
My motto is…
Use your strengths and surround yourself with people that do what you can’t.
In the next 5 years…
I want to build my own warehouse, add 2 more designers and relax more.
Photos provided by JKN Home Staging and Design
When faced with a struggle…
Face it head on.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
Waking up naturally, going on a walk with my husband. Taking my grandson to play at the park, then the pool with his parents and my daughter and her boyfriend. A surprise visit from any other member of my or my husband’s family would make it that much better.
In the next 5 years…
I want to build my own warehouse, add 2 more designers and relax more.
What project are you really excited about right now and why?
We have been staging some really high-end properties, many of which sat prior to being staged, then sold almost immediately. The one last week, 3.4 M sold in the first week. Just super excited about everything happening at JKN.
You can learn more about Jenelle and her company by visiting her website https://www.jkndesigns.com/
- The Interior Artisan – Feature Friday - May 14, 2024
- Designs By Deeda – Feature Friday - May 9, 2024
- Modern Glam Staging – Feature Friday - May 2, 2024
