Trillium Home Staging and Styling – Feature Friday

Q: How does your commitment to RESA®, the exclusive nonprofit trade association for stagers, align with your professional goals and values?
Anya: Being a part of RESA® helps me stay on top of the latest industry trends and updates. I always strive to bring the best value to my clients and RESA® provides numerous sources for upgrading my knowledge and skills.

Q: What inspired the beginning of your staging journey?
Anya: From my teenage years, I’ve been involved in modeling and was always surrounded by creative people, beautiful interiors and extraordinary personalities. I hold a diploma in Fashion Design and Technics, and was working in the industry before giving birth to my older daughter.

After creating a family and doing some house flipping (and staging, of course) with my husband, I discovered a true passion for creating beautiful, cozy and functional interiors. I got certified by CCSP in 2019 and opened my own staging company to pursue my staging career full-time.

Q: Take us back to your very first day on the job as a home stager. What were your feelings, expectations, and the most memorable moments from that day?
Anya: I was extremely nervous for sure! It was a luxury condominium, so the pressure was definitely on since I’m a very detail-oriented person and wanted to make sure that everything was perfect! The most memorable were the very long walks back and forth from the elevator to the unit.

Q: How has your perception of the staging industry evolved since you started?Anya: Being a stager is not as easy and glamorous as it looks. Many people don’t realize how much work (both mental and physical) is involved in every installation we do.

There is a lot of planning, sourcing, packing, lifting, running up and down the stairs, communicating with the clients, calculating to make sure you are always on budget and many other aspects, that you have to accept if you want to run your own staging business.

Q: Would you share some insights into your creative process? Where do you typically find inspiration for your staging designs, and how do you translate that into your work?
Anya: It always starts with the property itself. I look for the best features and finishes of the home (or condo) that stand out to me, which I need to showcase and emphasize the best potential in order to get the highest dollar for it.

I think about the potential buyers that will be coming to see the property and create a certain “story of the house” in my head. Then, I pick some of the main art pieces, decor and accessories for the property in order to get the overall feel of the project. Then I proceed to choose the furniture of the property size and scale that fits my story.

Q: Prior to entering the staging industry, did you have a different career path or profession? How have the skills and experiences from your previous career uniquely equipped you for success in the world of staging?
Anya: As I’ve mentioned before, I also have a degree in Fashion Design. I think my background in the fashion industry gave me a great knowledge of many fabrics and materials, and the ability to combine unexpected pieces to create interest.

Q: Can you recall a particularly challenging staging project? What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them? What did you learn from that experience?
Anya: There were certain projects with very unusual and challenging room layouts. I find it very helpful to create a 2D/3D floor plan with furniture layout first, in order to make sure that everything looks and works within that space.

Q: Staging often involves collaboration with real estate agents. Could you share some insights into how effective communication and partnership between stagers and agents can lead to successful property sales?
Anya: Selling a property is teamwork! Real estate agents have enough stress associated with listing the property for sale and trying to get the most money for it. So when they find a professional and reliable stager that can get a load of pre-listing issues off their shoulders, they will thank them a million and keep coming back for their great services!

Q: Staging can transform a property, but it’s not just about aesthetics. How do you balance design principles with the practical aspects of making a home more marketable?
Anya: I always do some research about the area the property is located in and ask the listing agent about the potential buyers of the property.

Those criteria dictate certain rules. For example, if it’s a house located in a family-oriented neighbourhood, I will make sure to showcase the maximum number of bedrooms with a large cozy family room and an inviting foyer.

Q: Could you share a memorable success story where your staging made a significant impact on a property’s sale price or time on the market? What were the key elements that contributed to that success?
Anya: I staged a vacant house in Innisfil about a year ago when the market was rapidly slowing down and many properties were sitting on the market for more than a month. First of all, the client was very happy with the staging and my attention to detail. Then she called me in 2 weeks, absolutely thrilled, to schedule a de-stage since the house got SOLD for the asking price!

Q: The staging industry often requires adaptability and flexibility. How do you stay current with market demands and changing client preferences? What strategies do you use to continuously improve your skills and stay competitive?
Anya: In this industry, you have to stay on top of the trends. I have a certain interior decorating style, however, implementing certain colours and decor items that are in trend right now, always grabs potential buyer’s attention and makes the property look more stylish.

I always update my inventory and never stop experimenting. I follow some iconic designers and always read magazines for inspiration and upcoming trends.

Q: Beyond aesthetics, what do you believe are the most important qualities or skills that a successful home stager should possess? How have these qualities shaped your own career?
Anya: I believe that being an honest and open-hearted person is very important in any business and in life in general. Staying true to yourself and your values together with hard work and persistence will generate results for sure!

Q: How can real estate agents better communicate the value of staging to their clients, and what role can they play in making the staging process smoother and more effective?
Anya: I think some real estate agents need to be educated about the value of staging through certain certification programs. As for their clients, I think statistics and property comparisons are always very convincing.