Over 5 years ago, Hayden Yates founded Simply Splendid which provides education, home staging, styling and photography for homeowners and the real estate community.
“It all began on a movie set, when I began staging for Hollywood. First as a decorator and subsequently as an art director. I staged my first residential house in the Hollywood Hills in 2003. I eventually started my own photography, education and home styling in 2017.”
Hayden teaches photography and video TREC Certified courses and workshops for the Real Estate, Design, and Home Staging Industry. Prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, Hayden conducted photography workshops around the country and now conducts his CE courses online. In addition to his work in the real estate and home staging industry, he is a professional filmmaker and has been intimately involved in commercial and feature film productions in Austin and elsewhere.
“Taking a picture for me is capturing the essence of the moment, not so much the event itself.”
Hayden joined the Real Estate Staging Association in 2017 and most recently has been named as one of 2021’s Real Estate Staging Industry’s 100 Most Influential People
Photos provided by Simply Splendid
Learn more about Hayden:
My motto is…
Fear is no reason to stop what I am doing, but merely a signal that tells me to push forward in whatever I do.
My personal aesthetic is…
Simplicity, inclusive, organic, and intimate.
When I am not working I enjoy…
Spending my time in nature and with my two children and intimate friends. When I am on my own I shoot and produce documentaries.
My goal is…
First and foremost to provide my children with the necessary tools to live their lives fully and with joy. My other goal is mindfully live out the rest of my life on this beautiful planet called earth with connection and love.
Photos provided by Simply Splendid
My morning ritual is…
A meditation of self compassion and gratitude.
I love what I do because…
I love people.
When faced with a struggle…
I pause, re-evaluate, trouble shoot, and change paths if I have to and continue on, never giving up on the vision.
My go to staging accessory is…
Anything that brings movement, life and color to a room.
Photos provided by Simply Splendid
Who is your role model and why?
Zorba, because he represents everything that is not divorced from life and passion, and Brené Brown for her tenacious and fearless research into the human psyche and bringing understanding and grace into our everyday lives.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
Waking up joyfully, stress free without a care in the world with love in my heart.
What do you think about when you are alone in your car?
Self compassion and gratitude, and the music I am listening to.
Would you rather stage an occupied listing or vacant?
I love staging occupied, and the challenge of finding cheaper solutions for my clients to help transform their house into a marketable listing.
Photos provided by Simply Splendid
Why did you choose to become a stager?
I chose home staging because it was very similar to staging for the movie industry which I did for over 20 years, and I thoroughly enjoy creating environments for people.
When you are in a rut creatively where do you go or what do you do to get out of it?
When I am in a rut creatively, I go to the beach or nature to reset myself. If that isn’t enough, I focus on my own creative projects as a filmmaker and writer.
My favorite meal after a long day of staging is…
A falafel plate with hummus, or an authentically made Greek salad, or couscous.
What project are you really excited about right now and why?
I am in the midst of a home re-styling project for clients of mine, and I am thoroughly enjoying the process and collaborative energy that we are all experiencing, as I facilitate and help them transform their home.
You can find out more about Hayden and his work by visiting https://www.simplysplendidhomestaging.com/
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