Going Green. Eco Friendly. Ozone Layer. Hybrid Cars. The world is crying out for ecologically smarter tecchnology and conservation efforts in order to preserve our planet. How can Stagers also follow suit? It seems that our company is blessed to be leading the way in yet another market segment - the ecologically friendly Staging job.
Recently, one of our team members, Michelle Beste, got a call from a builder in her area who had a special project. This eco-friendly builder had a modular home they were putting together as a model home - and wanted the Staging to reflect the major uniqueness of the house - it was eco-friendly.
What exactly does that mean? Smarter technology to operate the house such as solar energy, use of recycled materials in construction, and use of natural materials in presentation of the home - Staging, to name a few.
It's interesting the think about this from our normal Staging perspective - when we look at our inventory - how much of it would qualify as "eco-friendly"? In Staging the house, no faux plants were used - and instead either real greenery, real trees, or natural items such as bambook sticks or twisted willow were artfully arranged in vases. Instead of synthetic fibres for pillows, bedding and fabric, 100% cotton items were used. These are in ready supply at most stores - and come in a variety of colors. Faux fruit was replaced with real lemons and limes. Natural soaps used in the showers were nestled next to real plants for a fresh green appeal. Even the artwork had a "green" appeal with either natural frames or frameless canvases replacing the faux molded plastic frames often used in artwork.
It was not hard to locate these items - it just required a different mind-set in the Staging process to ensure that the "look" was achieved along with the goal of being "green."
Even the area rugs used in the project were of a natural variety - jute or bamboo. They are not as colorful as a patterned rug, but they achieve the goal of anchoring furniture in a room. The furniture was of wood and fabric, and when possible, instead of overstuffed synthetic accent chairs, those with frames of bamboo or sturdy woven wicker were used.
When the actual Staging took place, two of our talented We Stage Sacramento team members, Michelle Beste and Jenn Shvestsky, completed the job to the delight of the builder and public. The house was featured on Good Morning Sacramento local news program with the idea of not only the construction but the presentation of the house framed in with an eco-friendly focus. This is a unique combination and we expect other eco-friendly builders to follow.
To view more information on this house, you can tour our real estate show at Eco-FriendlyHomeStaging.
We Stage Sacramento: Our TEAM of We Stage Sacramento has Staged over 2,100 houses over the past 6 years. Our business model of how to build a team has been copied and used throughout the US by Stagers - which is a great testament to working together and understanding the benefits of teamwork. I have shared how we built our team with many of those on this site - and after 6 years of continuing to build, it's great to have a trustworthy team in place that also clicks with each other.
For more information on We Stage Sacramento services and team building success, go to http://www.westagesacramento.com/
- Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP
Fine job. Yes, it all starts on the west coast. Why NOT "green" home staging?
Vickie Nagy http://www.besttrivalleyhomes.com/
Thanks all for your comments. . . Green Home Staging or Eco-Friendly Home Staging - both terms are interchangeable. I don't think we'd have to get all new inventory - it's more about looking at what we have and asking if it would fit with a "green" theme? Actually much of what we have purchased fits the mold - and then just changing a few traditional things (like real plants and fruit instead of faux) is in order. A "Green" house needs more maintenance to upkeep the real fruit or plants - so that is one drawback.
- Jennie
Hi Jennie! This makes perfect sense to me and I'm glad to see you embracing it a bit. I recently spoke with a Stager in NYC asking her if she'd like to meet me at the Flower Market, specifically because I've decided to incorporate more "green" staging props such as dried fruits, berries, willow, etc. You're right, it's not really all that different, it just requires a different mindset and of course fresh live plants bring LIFE, though they are certainly much higher maintenance.
Nice staging work and congratulations on the publicity!
Jackie
Nice work and congrats on the publicity. We have been offering green staging as I call it for a while now. It mostly started with consults for builders on how to make homes more green friendly and then we started using green materials in our staging. It does require a different mind set but the final product is just as great. KH
What a wonderful idea Jennie! I am a real environmentalist (with a degree too!) and love to find ways to live a greener life, Oddly enough I never really thought to use eco-friendly materials in my staging jobs! hmmm... it could be a wonderful idea for a special service!
Stephanie
Great exposure for you and your team Jennie, kudo's to them for their great work!
I make 'green' decisions for all my client's half the time they don't even know...because they haven't the interest or knowledge to ask.
From flooring (carpeting, engineered hardwood) quartz counter-tops, energy star appliances, paint to Method soaps in the staging. It takes no extra effort just as you said, a 'different mindset' and a little education.
Hi all,
Thanks for your feedback - and it's a service that is just newly emerging. I just did a marketing roll out to the builders in our region - we'll see when they nibble or bite at the chance to position themselves as "green" and "eco-friendly." All in all - it's just another form of marketing. - Jennie
Jennie - how cool are you! I really enjoyed this post and you are right those items are not hard to find they just require a different mindset. Probably a good mindset to get into more often.
Jennie~
I'm sharing this with my special freinds who help us out with Staging!
Love the concept and the outcome...for all concerned.
FYI 100% Cotton is not eco-friendly. Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops, sucking up 10% of all agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides on 3% of our arable land; that's more than any other crop per unit. That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans. And that's just not bad for the planet; 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton farming, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Hi Jennie,
Great article and nice photos! There is an exhaustive sustainable staging checklist in an article I've just posted on my blog:
http://www.ecodomestica.com/2008/09/11/sustainability-and-staging-an-introduction-and-sustainable-staging-checklist/
I'll link back to this article in a comment on that post.
Warmest regards,
Deborah Merriam
ecoDomestica reDesign
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Very cool. It is true it is not harder to use/buy green materials just a different mind set - good way to put it!
Just a followup now that I have my ActiveRain profile set up... Thanks again! Deborah
Hi Jennie - What a great concept and a great way to call attention to how simple changes can benefit out enviroment and still look beautiful. You always do such great work! Wanda
Really like your way of approaching this, that "it's not hard, it just requires a different mindset." The solutions you came up with should help the builder and public to implement even more eco-friendly ideas going forward.