Just over a year ago, in October 2019, Shannon Ries started Novas Best Stager. Shannon started staging as an add on service for design clients while working for Ethan Allen back in 1995, which led her into what we now call redesign for homeowners using their own items found in their homes.
“I would get permission to ‘shop’ the home and use items from all around the house to complete the redesign. I continued doing that whenever I could while moving around with my husband who was in the army for 20 years. Once we settled in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia area), I found a company and began to work for them full time for about four years until I decided it was time to start out on my own.”
Shannon is an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) through the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP). No stranger to the Real Estate Staging Association, Shannon served as the 2020 VP of Membership for the RESA Greater Capital Area Chapter and in 2021 will continue serving her chapter as Secretary.
“I joined my local RESA Chapter back in October of 2019. These amazing women welcomed me with open arms (literally) and made me feel like part of the group from the minute I stepped into the room. They are supportive of each other, generous with their time and talents, and always willing to help a fellow stager out. I have since gone on to become one of the board members of my local chapter and have sung the praises of these ladies ever since. My RESA Why is, when I came looking for other stagers to network with to help get my new company off the ground I could not have asked for a more supportive group to help me get my new business on its feet.”
Learn more about Shannon:
I am…
As Mario Forleo says ” I am multi-passionate” I want to do ALL THE THINGS! I love that this work changes every day, I love the possibilities this work has to offer and I love coming up with newer, better, and smarter ways to make that all happen.
My personal aesthetic is…
Farmhouse-rustic meets West Elm mod: I apricate good craftsmanship and almost every style and design. If something is well made there is a space for all it.
My morning ritual is…
Coffee, lots of coffee. Then if I’m being really good a quick pass on the rower, but most days it ends up with me digging into a design or business blog. I just discovered Feedspot for catching up on my design blogs and I’m loving that.
In the next 5 years…
I want to be out of the storage units and have my own truck.
My go-to staging accessory is…
Faux plants. I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but since I used to design floral arrangements I know how to doctor them up. I love the quick pop of color from a flower or the bright green of a succulent. It always seems to tie everything together.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
My perfect day is a sunny spot with my nose in a book and a glass of red wine by my side.
Would you rather stage an occupied listing or vacant?
I love that you can really show off what the space can look like in a vacant property but the biggest, WOW is always occupied. Homeowners are always surprised by what can be done with their spaces.
If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
My favorite picture of my girls, my photo booth photo of my husband and me from high school, the rosary I keep in my wallet, my favorite book Gone With The Wind, and a notebook to write in.
When you are in a rut creatively where do you go or what do you do to get out of it?
Hello, My name is Shannon and I am a magazine addict. I LOVE magazines! those are my go-to for inspiration. I grab every free flyer, and every new design magazine I am always searching for new ideas for styles, designs, and colors to blend.
Who is your role model and why?
My Grandmother. She did everything. She raised three kids, got her real estate license to buy and sell the houses she lived in. She would fix them up and sell them. She was a fixer-upper before fixer-upper was cool. I guess I wanted to be just like her.
I love what I do because…
It’s fun to play with pretty stuff! It’s like a giant lego set you get to rebuild every day.
Right now I am obsessed with…
The Yellow and Gray! I’m looking at adding that into my designs for this year, I think we could all use a little sun and fun right now.
My goal is…
to have a small team and a few loyal realtors to stage for.
When I am not working I enjoy…
I love reading and crafting, I love to redo furniture pieces when I have the time, and love a good historical fiction novel.
You can find out more about Shannon and her company by visiting her website https://www.novasbeststager.com/
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers. RESA is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit trade association. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager call 888-201-8687 or visit the RESA website at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com.
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