New developments. Prime locations. Expert management.
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Birmingham's skyline is transforming with stunning new apartment developments, creating exceptional investment opportunities in the heart of the UK's second city.
Three2Six Real Estate Agents specializes in maximizing returns for apartment investors across Birmingham city centre. With £50 million plus portfolio under management and deep local expertise, we understand what makes city centre properties profitable.
City Centre Specialists | We know Birmingham's apartment market inside out
Full Management Service | Tenant screening to maintenance, we handle everything
Budget-centric expertise | We'll help you adapt to policy changes
Technology-driven | Advanced property management platform with AI integration
Local Expertise | 5-18 years of Birmingham real estate experience
Whether your new apartment is in the prestigious Jewellery Quarter or prime city centre locations, we'll ensure it delivers optimal rental yields while keeping you compliant with evolving regulations.
CONTACT US FOR YOUR RENTAL YIELD ASSESSMENT NOW
Let Three2Six Real Estate Agents, Birmingham's City Centre specialists, manage your portfolio - contact us today to discuss your new apartment investment
If you’re ready to stage smarter, Swealthy Staging can help. Visit swealthystaging.com to see how purposeful staging can transform your property and attract the right buyers.
If you’re ready to stage smarter, Swealthy Staging can help. Visit swealthystaging.com to see how purposeful staging can transform your property and attract the right buyers.
Swealthy Staging specialise in both interior design and property staging, offering expertise that helps clients achieve the right balance between lifestyle-focused living and market-driven presentation. In this article, we explore the distinctions between these two disciplines, why they matter, and how our team can guide you towards a service which aligns with your goals.
When it comes to transforming a home, the terms interior design and property staging are often used interchangeably, yet they are far from the same thing. While both involve careful arrangement of spaces, furniture, and décor, the goals, approaches, and outcomes of each service differ significantly. Understanding these differences is crucial for homeowners, property investors, sellers, and estate agents who want to make informed decisions about their property.
Interior design is the art and science of enhancing a living space to reflect the personality, lifestyle, and needs of the owner. Unlike property staging, interior design is not focused on selling a home, but about creating a space that supports long-term living.
Key elements of interior design include:
1. Personalisation: Every choice in interior design, from colour schemes and furniture selection to finishes and layout, is tailored to the client’s tastes. The goal is to create a space that feels uniquely theirs.
2. Functionality: Interior designers consider how people use their spaces on a daily basis. Storage solutions, flow, lighting, and ergonomics all play critical roles in designing a home that is both beautiful and practical.
3. Emotional Connection: A well-designed home evokes an emotional response in its occupants. It reflects their personality, tells their story, and becomes a place where memories are made.
4. Long-Term Investment: Interior design is an investment in lifestyle. It is about creating a home to meet a client’s evolving needs over years, rather than just appealing to others.
In essence, interior design is about living in a space, making it functional, comfortable, and visually pleasing for those who call it home.
Property staging, on the other hand, is a strategic approach aimed at selling or leasing a property. The purpose of staging is to present a home in its best light so that it appeals to a wide audience of potential buyers or tenants.
Key features of property staging include:
1. Depersonalisation: Unlike interior design, staging removes personal items such as family photos and memorabilia. This enables prospective buyers to visualise themselves in the space rather than feeling like a visitor in someone else’s home.
2. Neutral Aesthetics: Staging often relies on neutral colour palettes, minimalistic décor, and carefully curated furnishings to create a broad appeal. The aim is to make the property look stylish yet universally inviting.
3. Strategic Styling: Stagers highlight the home’s best features, emphasise the flow of rooms, and make spaces appear larger and more functional. Small touches like rearranging furniture, adding art, or placing a few decorative items can dramatically improve buyer perception.
4. Short-Term Impact: Property staging is a temporary, market-driven exercise. Once a home is sold, the staging items may be removed or repurposed.
Ultimately, staging is about marketing a space, helping potential buyers connect with it emotionally while leaving them free to imagine living there.
Understanding the difference between interior design and property staging comes down to three main contrasts:
Interior design personalises a home for the occupant, reflecting their tastes, lifestyle, and preferences.
Property staging intentionally depersonalises the space to appeal to a wider audience.
Interior design focuses on creating spaces for daily living, comfort, and functionality.
Property staging focuses on presenting a property to sell, highlighting potential, scale, and versatility.
Interior design fosters an emotional connection for the homeowner, creating a sense of belonging.
Property staging cultivates emotional neutrality, allowing buyers to imagine their own lives without distraction from the owner’s personal style.
These differences are subtle but significant. Misunderstanding them can lead to decisions that either compromise the home’s liveability or limit its market appeal.
Choosing the right service (interior design or staging) has real implications for both lifestyle and investment.
For homeowners who plan to live in their property for years, interior design is the clear choice. It ensures that spaces are tailored to personal needs and functional for daily routines. A home that is aesthetically pleasing and practical enhances quality of life and can even increase long-term property value.
For sellers or estate agents, staging is an essential tool to accelerate sales and maximise return on investment. Staged homes tend to sell faster and often command higher prices because they allow buyers to see the potential of a property without being distracted by the previous owner’s personal style. Staging turns an ordinary property into a marketable showpiece.
By clearly distinguishing between the two, clients can make smarter decisions: investing in long-term living solutions with interior design or achieving short-term market success with staging.
When deciding between interior design and property staging, consider your primary goal:
If your focus is long-term living, comfort, and personal expression, interior design is the solution.
If your focus is selling or leasing, attracting buyers, and maximising market appeal, property staging is the key.
For many homeowners and property investors, the ideal strategy may even involve both: a home designed for personal enjoyment but with staged elements to enhance resale value.
Swealthy Staging’s expertise makes navigating these choices simple and stress-free. We understand lifestyle and marketing needs. This means we can advise homeowners on subtle upgrades that enhance liveability while also boosting market value if they decide to sell in the future.
We know how to transform a home into a stylish, functional space for daily life and can also shift it into a strategically staged property to appeal to buyers. This dual perspective ensures no detail is overlooked. Plus, our clients benefit from our comprehensive knowledge, creative solutions, and meticulous attention to detail. Whether it’s crafting a personalised sanctuary or creating a market-ready property, we deliver results that exceed expectations.
If you’re ready to move forward with clarity and confidence, Swealthy Staging is here to help.
READY TO STAGE YOUR PROPERTY?
While visual appeal is undeniably important, successful staging goes far beyond surface beauty.
SWEALTHY STAGE PROPERTIES TO SELL FASTER + FOR MORE.
If you’re ready to stage smarter, Swealthy Staging can help. Visit swealthystaging.com to see how purposeful staging can transform your property and attract the right buyers.
When it comes to preparing a property for sale, it’s easy to focus primarily on aesthetics, a fresh coat of paint, stylish décor, and perfectly plumped cushions. While visual appeal is undeniably important, successful staging goes far beyond surface beauty. The most compelling homes are those which not only look good but also feel right to prospective buyers. This sense of rightness often stems from one critical factor: function. Thinking through how a person will physically use and move through each space transforms a staged home from merely attractive to truly desirable.
Buying a home is as much emotional as financial. When viewers walk through a property, they imagine themselves living there: making coffee, getting ready, relaxing. If the layout or features make these tasks awkward, it disrupts that connection, but when everything works effortlessly, the buyer starts to see the space as a home rather than a house.
Staging should show how a room works, not only how it looks. This means allowing enough space to open drawers and doors, placing lighting where it’s needed, and positioning utilities, plug sockets, towel rails, shelving, in practical locations. These details may seem minor, but they strongly influence buyer perception.
A well-staged room has a natural flow that fits real life. When planning a layout, it helps to think like a visitor: Where will they enter? What will they see first? Can they move without obstruction?
In living rooms, furniture should encourage conversation and comfort. A sofa that blocks a path or a coffee table that’s hard to walk around signals poor usability. Dining areas should have space to enable chairs to pull out easily. The aim is to achieve a sense of proportion and flow that helps buyers picture their daily routines.
Small practical touches signal thoughtful design. A plug socket beside a mirror, a light switch where you would instinctively reach for it, or a towel rail within arm’s reach of the shower all suggest the home was planned for living. These conveniences communicate quality and care; they make a property feel move-in ready.
In contrast, if a viewer has to imagine running an extension cord across the floor to dry their hair, or stepping dripping wet across the bathroom to reach a towel, they may start to mentally add up the potential renovation costs.
Each room in a home has its own set of functional priorities. When staging, these should guide the decisions you make.
Kitchens: Functionality here is paramount. Ensure there’s clear workspace between appliances, easy access to cupboards, and logical positioning of the sink, cooker, and fridge (the classic “kitchen triangle”). Keep worktops clutter-free, but include subtle hints of real life, a chopping board, a coffee machine near a plug socket, to reinforce usability.
Bathrooms: Think about comfort and reach. Towels should be within arm’s length of the shower or bath, and toiletries should have a designated place. A mirror placed opposite good lighting, ideally near a socket for grooming appliances, conveys both practicality and good design.
Bedrooms: These spaces should feel restful and functional. Consider where bedside lamps will plug in, where someone might place their phone or book, and how much space is available for wardrobes or drawers. The aim is to show that the room comfortably accommodates daily routines.
Living Areas: Here, flow and comfort take centre stage. Arrange furniture so conversation feels natural, and ensure lighting supports different moods: bright for reading, soft for relaxing. Avoid overcrowding, but don’t make the space feel sterile; a side table beside an armchair shows thoughtfulness.
It’s tempting to stage purely for photography, creating a visually stunning composition that will capture attention online. But a home that photographs beautifully can sometimes disappoint in person if its functionality has been neglected. A well-staged home must be attractive in pictures and convincing to live in. Consider how people walk, reach, sit and store items within the space.
Ultimately, the best staging is invisible. Buyers shouldn’t notice the details because they’re so naturally integrated; they should simply feel that the home “works.” Every decision, from where a lamp is plugged in to how a towel hangs, contributes to that feeling.
Staging a home for sale is both an art and a science. While style and presentation create the first impression, function and practicality sustain it. When a potential buyer senses that a home has been designed with their comfort in mind, they’re far more likely to fall in love with it, and make it their own.
A designer’s guide to beginning your interior journey
By Michael Novak-Young
So you’ve finally decided it’s time to tackle your home’s interiors. Maybe it’s the tired kitchen tiles that are bothering you, or the living room that never quite feels right. You open Pinterest, fall into a rabbit hole of beautiful spaces, and then close your laptop feeling more overwhelmed than inspired. Sound familiar?
As an interior designer, one of the most common things I hear is: “I don’t even know where to start.” And it’s a completely valid point. Whether you’re redesigning a single room or planning a full home refresh, the beginning can feel like standing at the foot of a mountain with no clear path to the top.
But here’s the good news. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. In fact, the best designs often come from asking the right questions at the start, not from having all the answers. So, here’s a designer’s guide to taking those first few confident steps.
Before you start choosing paint colours or sofas, pause and consider how you want to feel in the space. Calm? Energised? Social? Private? Design isn’t just about how things look. It’s about how your space supports your everyday life.
Ask yourself: What’s working, and what’s not? These answers become your brief.
Visual references are powerful tools. Gather images of spaces you love. Don’t limit yourself to interiors alone, include materials, places, fashion, or artwork that genuinely moves you.
Now look for patterns. Are you drawn to a minimalist white kitchen because it suits your lifestyle, or just because it's trending? The aim is to uncover what consistently resonates with you.
Trying to do everything at once leads to decision fatigue and overspend.
Choose your priorities. Are you updating a specific room? Making your home more family-friendly? Creating a quiet retreat? Define what matters most and set a realistic budget. From there, you can decide whether to take things step by step or complete the work in one go.
One common misstep is rushing into big purchases like sofas or dining tables without considering the bigger picture.
Instead, approach your space in layers:
Foundation: flooring, wall finishes, and lighting
Function: layout, storage, and how the room is used
Feeling: textures, colours, mood, and personal touches
This layered approach helps create a more thoughtful and cohesive design.
Interior design doesn't have to feel overwhelming, and you don’t need a huge budget to bring in a professional. Many designers offer consultations, room-by-room plans, or even virtual services.
A good designer won’t impose a signature style. They’ll help you uncover yours and give you the tools to bring it to life.
The perfect place to start is rarely the perfect-looking place. It’s simply the moment you decide to begin. Be curious, stay open, and give yourself the freedom to evolve your ideas as you go. Great design doesn’t start with a shopping list. It starts with you.
START YOUR DESIGN JOURNEY WITH NOVAK & PARKES: info@novakparkes.com • 01902 271 563
A designer’s guide to beginning your interior journey
By Michael Novak-Young
So you’ve finally decided it’s time to tackle your home’s interiors. Maybe it’s the tired kitchen tiles that are bothering you, or the living room that never quite feels right. You open Pinterest, fall into a rabbit hole of beautiful spaces, and then close your laptop feeling more overwhelmed than inspired. Sound familiar?
As an interior designer, one of the most common things I hear is: “I don’t even know where to start.” And it’s a completely valid point. Whether you’re redesigning a single room or planning a full home refresh, the beginning can feel like standing at the foot of a mountain with no clear path to the top.
But here’s the good news. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. In fact, the best designs often come from asking the right questions at the start, not from having all the answers. So, here’s a designer’s guide to taking those first few confident steps.
Before you start choosing paint colours or sofas, pause and consider how you want to feel in the space. Calm? Energised? Social? Private? Design isn’t just about how things look. It’s about how your space supports your everyday life.
Ask yourself: What’s working, and what’s not? These answers become your brief.
Visual references are powerful tools. Gather images of spaces you love. Don’t limit yourself to interiors alone, include materials, places, fashion, or artwork that genuinely moves you.
Now look for patterns. Are you drawn to a minimalist white kitchen because it suits your lifestyle, or just because it's trending? The aim is to uncover what consistently resonates with you.
Trying to do everything at once leads to decision fatigue and overspend.
Choose your priorities. Are you updating a specific room? Making your home more family-friendly? Creating a quiet retreat? Define what matters most and set a realistic budget. From there, you can decide whether to take things step by step or complete the work in one go.
One common misstep is rushing into big purchases like sofas or dining tables without considering the bigger picture.
Instead, approach your space in layers:
Foundation: flooring, wall finishes, and lighting
Function: layout, storage, and how the room is used
Feeling: textures, colours, mood, and personal touches
This layered approach helps create a more thoughtful and cohesive design.
Interior design doesn't have to feel overwhelming, and you don’t need a huge budget to bring in a professional. Many designers offer consultations, room-by-room plans, or even virtual services.
A good designer won’t impose a signature style. They’ll help you uncover yours and give you the tools to bring it to life.
The perfect place to start is rarely the perfect-looking place. It’s simply the moment you decide to begin. Be curious, stay open, and give yourself the freedom to evolve your ideas as you go. Great design doesn’t start with a shopping list. It starts with you.
Think of it as one of the most effective assets in the property market: a silent sales person that frames a property in its best light, highlights its true potential, and helps buyers to imagine themselves living within its walls.
Staging a property is often a misunderstood skill. Too many people still see it as just a decorative addition, an extra layer of cushions, artwork, or furniture chosen to ‘pretty up’ an empty space. In reality, staging is a strategic tool that goes far beyond appearances. Think of it as one of the most effective assets in the property market: a silent sales person that frames a property in its best light, highlights its true potential, and helps buyers to imagine themselves living within its walls.
Done with care and intent, staging can shape perceptions, communicate value, and create a genuine emotional connection with the correct target demographic. Done poorly, however, it can distract, confuse, or even diminish the very asset it is meant to enhance.
Effective staging is purposeful. It involves more than simply placing a sofa in a lounge or setting a dining table because the room looks bare without it. Every detail, from the scale of the furniture to the texture of a throw, must reflect the value of the home, the functionality of the space and the dreams of the likely buyer.
For luxury homes, quality and refinement are essential. A buyer considering a multi-million-pound property expects exclusivity, attention to detail, and an environment which reflects their lifestyle. If they walk into a living room that’s filled with mass-produced furnishings, their illusion collapses. Instead of instilling confidence, the staging creates doubt: if corners have been cut here, where else might compromises exist? Trust, once broken, is extremely difficult to rebuild.
At the same time, professional mid-market homes require a slightly different approach. Here, buyers want spaces that feel modern, stylish, and aspirational, but are also believable and attainable. The goal is to strike the perfect balance between ambition and reality, showcasing a lifestyle that inspires, but one that still feels within reach.
Whether at the very top of the market or within the competitive mid-range, the principle is the same: staging should reflect not just the property, but the lifestyle buyers either already enjoy or hope to achieve.
In today’s property market, the first encounter between a buyer and a home rarely happens in person. The majority of buyers first see a property online, either through portals, social media, or virtual tours. How a home appears in photos and videos can make or break interest before anyone steps through the door.
Every choice, from lighting and layout to colour palettes and accessories, influences online perception. Cluttered or poorly proportioned rooms can appear smaller or less inviting, while carefully staged spaces convey scale, flow, and lifestyle. Well-staged homes photograph better, stand out on listings, generate more enquiries, and ultimately increase footfall for viewings, improving the likelihood of a sale. Staging, in this sense, begins the buyer’s emotional journey before they ever set foot inside.
While aesthetics may capture attention, functionality and authenticity sustain it. Buyers are quick to sense when a home feels staged for show rather than for life. Durability and practicality must play a central role. In environments such as hotels, serviced apartments, or multi-residence developments, furnishings must withstand heavy use while still represent beauty. Fabrics need to resist wear, finishes must be robust, and layouts should make movement and cleaning straightforward.
Likewise, in private residences, staging should mirror reality. Dining areas should hint at family meals, living spaces should look inviting enough for long evenings, and storage solutions must feel intuitive. When these functional elements are ignored, staging risks creating a sense of artificiality that buyers instinctively recognise.
Another common oversight is the reliance on a “one-style-fits-all” formula. Using the same collection of furniture across multiple properties may simplify operations, but it strips homes of their individuality. Buyers often tour several properties in succession, and when they see identical furnishings being repeated, the homes begin to feel generic and forgettable. Worse still, applying budget-friendly staging to high-value homes can inadvertently reduce their perceived worth.
Today’s buyers are more discerning than ever. Influenced by countless hours scrolling through property portals, Instagram feeds, and Pinterest boards, they understand style and design. They can tell when furnishings feel cheap, mismatched, or out of sync with the property. Conversely, when staging feels tailored, authentic, and aligned with their ambitions, it resonates deeply. Buyers leave thinking: “This feels like home.” That moment of connection often transforms casual curiosity into a serious commitment.
As explained, purposeful staging is not simply a creative exercise, but an active financial strategy. Properties styled with intent consistently attract more interest, spend less time on the market, and command stronger offers. Each day a property remains unsold carries costs (maintenance, utilities, financing, etc) and erodes its momentum in the marketplace. Tailored staging reduces this risk and drives faster sales.
It also bridges the imagination gap. Empty rooms, particularly those with awkward layouts or expansive open-plan designs, can be difficult for buyers to interpret. Without guidance, buyers may struggle to visualise where furniture should go, how spaces can function, or what lifestyle the home supports. Curated staging eliminates any uncertainty. By presenting spaces with carefully considered scale, proportion, and style, it brings clarity and inspires imagination. Instead of asking questions, buyers begin to picture themselves living there.
Staging is not an optional extra. It is a proven method of storytelling that conveys professionalism, builds trust, and sets properties apart in crowded markets.
At Swealthy Staging, we believe every property has its own story to tell. That story begins with understanding its value, its purpose, and the audience it is designed to attract.
Our approach ensures that properties are not only presented beautifully, but also functionally and authentically. The result is an environment that connects with buyers on both a practical and emotional level, creating spaces that are memorable, desirable, and positioned for success.
If you’re ready to stage smarter and with greater impact, Swealthy Staging can help. Visit swealthystaging.com to discover how tailored, strategic staging can both transform your property and capture the hearts of buyers you want to attract.
New developments. Prime locations. Expert management.
Birmingham's skyline is transforming with stunning new apartment developments, creating exceptional investment opportunities in the heart of the UK's second city.
Have you invested in Birmingham's new apartment blocks?
Three2Six Real Estate Agents specializes in maximizing returns for apartment investors across Birmingham city centre. With £50 million plus portfolio under management and deep local expertise, we understand what makes city centre properties profitable.
With the Autumn Budget approaching, housing market dynamics could shift significantly.
Whether it's changes to capital gains tax, stamp duty adjustments, or new landlord regulations, savvy investors are securing professional management now to navigate whatever changes lie ahead.
Why choose Three2Six for your apartment investment?
City Centre Specialists – We know Birmingham's apartment market inside out
Full Management Service – From tenant screening to maintenance, we handle everything
Budget-Ready Expertise – We'll help you adapt to any policy changes
Technology-Driven – Advanced property management platform with AI integration
Local Expertise – 5-18 years of Birmingham real estate experience
Whether your new apartment is in the prestigious Jewellery Quarter or prime city centre locations, we'll ensure it delivers optimal rental yields while keeping you compliant with evolving regulations.
Don't wait for budget uncertainty. Secure expert management today:
Call Three2Six Real Estate Agents - specialists in Birmingham City Centre Apartments
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People tend to shy away from colourful kitchens, under the old assumption it could date more quickly than the ‘safer’ black, grey, or white colour palette. But not so. Bolder, braver colour combinations have arrived.
The heart of the home, the kitchen is where life plays out, and that should be reflected within the room - more than a mere practical place to cook, it’s where people tend to congregate when socialising, carry out homework under the watchful eye of parents preparing dinner, and more recently, an extension to the office.
Do not be afraid of colour or finishes which can provide incredible depth. We have a fabulous metallic-finish kitchen in our showroom, an exclusive Italian brand, it captivates and several discerning customers (naming no names), have chosen it for their homes. The Italians are known for their incredibly progressive style, and their new colour palettes across cabinetry is the cornerstone to breathtaking designs with subtle pink, golden and green colours forming just a few of the new kitchen trends.
Add to this a layering effect with wonderful textural finishes such as faux leather tops for a head turning statement. Deep, warm, and natural tones are proving extremely popular in this move towards characterful and personality-filled spaces, but as a designer, what I am most excited by is the ability to turn practical storage elements into real wow factors – works of art! The kitchen is an expressive space – a reflection of you and your lifestyle and the tide has changed, colour is the crest of the wave. Time to join the movement…
13-15 Kenilworth Street, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4QS 01926 774764 | veritasinteriors.com
SWEALTHY STAGE PROPERTIES TO SELL FASTER + FOR MORE.
Ready to stage your property? Find out more at swealthystaging.com
Melissa Yeadon: SWEALTHY STAGING | CEO
The importance of staging show homes
When it comes to selling a new development, a show home is more than just a furnished unit, it's the crown jewel. It’s often the first tangible, walkable experience potential buyers will have with the property, and it needs to make an unforgettable impression.
Even the most beautifully rendered floor plans or computer generated visuals will fail to compete with the emotional pull of walking through a thoughtfully staged home. That initial feeling - the sense of possibility, warmth, and lifestyle - can be the deciding factor that turns mere curiosity into a commitment. In those first few minutes, buyers aren’t just evaluating a structure, they’re imagining a life.
Many developers pour time and money into land acquisition, design, build quality, and marketing collateral, yet staging is sometimes treated as an afterthought or optional extra. That’s a costly misconception.
Staging isn’t just about pretty cushions and stylish coffee tables. It’s the art of setting a scene, curating a lifestyle, and telling a visual story. When a home is professionally staged, it communicates value, warmth, and potential. It helps people to emotionally connect to a property. They start imagining birthday dinners in that dining room, weekend mornings in that sun-drenched lounge, or winding down after work in a bedroom that suddenly feels like a peaceful retreat.
Think of staging as a critical extension of your brand identity. More than just imposing taste, creating a neutral, yet-inspiring canvas helps buyers imagine their furniture, their families, and their routines within the space.
For most buyers, spatial awareness doesn’t come naturally. They struggle to interpret dimensions or imagine how furniture will fit, especially in open-plan layouts or uniquely shaped rooms. Is this a dining area or a home office? Will a king-size bed overwhelm the bedroom? Where should the TV go?
Staging eliminates those doubts. It offers immediate clarity which not only shows buyers where things can go, but how they might live. Done well, staging makes even small or awkward spaces feel elegant, functional, and welcoming.
In an age of online listings and Instagram-perfect interiors, buyers now arrive with higher expectations than ever before. They may have scrolled through hundreds of properties and acquired a strong sense of style. This means your show home has to appeal to the senses. The use of fragrance, lighting, textures and finishing touches - the soft glow of a lamp, the scent of fresh flowers, the plush throw on the sofa – all help build an immersive, sensory experience to set your development apart. These are the emotional cues which buyers remember. They might forget ceiling heights and room dimensions, but they’ll certainly remember how a room made them feel. The best show homes tap into that feeling, combining spatial clarity with emotional resonance.
This is particularly important in new builds where every surface is pristine but personality can often feel lacking. Without staging, buyers are left with a blank, echoing space. With staging, they step into that personal lifestyle; the place in which they see themselves living.
The impact of professional staging isn’t just anecdotal, it’s backed by data. According to UK property research (Neilsons.co.uk), staged homes sell up to three times faster than non-staged equivalents. For developers, that means reduced holding costs, fewer price reductions, and better overall margins.
Staging also reduces time on the market, a critical metric in fast-moving or competitive markets. Homes that are visually appealing and emotionally engaging generate more interest and in turn more offers.
While some developers may hesitate at the upfront cost of staging, the return on investment is difficult to ignore. Compared to the ongoing expense of unsold units - utilities, interest payments, maintenance, and lost opportunity - staging is a relatively minor, one-time investment with unlimited potential.
Remember, buyers are increasingly discerning and developments are competing not just on price, but on presentation and perceived value. In this landscape, a standout show home gives you a powerful edge. It positions your brand as premium, it differentiates your development, and it sends a clear message that yours is a space worth investing in.
Staging a show home is the difference between a space that’s toured and a space that’s loved. In a new development it sets the tone, speeds up sales, increases perceived value, and provides content-ready visuals for brochures, social media, websites and advertising campaigns. Most importantly, it turns square footage into something aspirational - a home, a lifestyle, a future.
So if you’re planning your next launch, don’t relegate staging to the final checklist. Make it a priority from the beginning. When you stage a show home correctly, you don’t just sell a property, you sell a dream.
If you're considering professional staging and want expert guidance with a proven track record, contact Swealthy Staging. We're here to support you from first-fix to sale completion!
The information shared in this article is our opinion only at the point of publication. It is important that you keep your knowledge up-to-date and conduct your research and due diligence at all times. If you have any questions, Swealthy Staging are here to help, advise and guide you through the process.
JAYSON MAVER: FROM PERTH TO PROPERTY POWERHOUSE - THE GLOBAL STORY BEHIND THREE2SIX REAL ESTATE
Meet Jayson Maver: calm, confident, and unmistakably Aussie. But don’t let the laid-back charm fool you - behind it lies a career built on grit, global experience, and an unwavering commitment to doing property the right way. As one half of the powerhouse duo behind Three2Six Real Estate Agents, Jayson has helped reshape what integrity, service, and results look like in Birmingham’s fast-paced property market.
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Jayson’s journey began in Perth, Western Australia, where he spent his early career immersed in advertising, design, construction, and landscape project management. Those first 19 years honed his precision, creativity, and attention to detail - foundations that now shape his strategic edge in real estate.
His next stop? Dubai - one of the world’s most electric property markets. It was there Jayson dove head-first into off-plan sales, resales, and lettings. The city sharpened his negotiation skills, deepened his global property insight, and laid the foundation for what would become a career-defining move to the UK.
Relocating to the West Midlands, Jayson gained vital local experience working with one of the UK’s largest corporate agencies. But his entrepreneurial spirit was already stirring. When he met Tony Lune, the vision for Three2Six Real Estate Agents was born: a bold, no-nonsense agency offering landlords, investors, and tenants real results, transparency, and the kind of service rarely seen in the industry.
Since launch, Three2Six has gone from strength to strength - growing steadily through trust, consistency, and a deep understanding of both people and property. Jayson’s global lens, design instinct, and analytical mindset make him a stand-out operator. Whether managing an investment portfolio or selling a high-end apartment, his approach is thoughtful, hands-on, and always client-first.
A true relationship builder, Jayson isn’t in it for the quick win. Clients come back because he listens, delivers, and genuinely cares. That commitment to service also extends into his role as a Partner at Fine & Country, where he’s spent the past five years specialising in premium homes and country estates across the West Midlands.
From Perth to Dubai to Birmingham, Jayson Maver’s journey is one of bold moves, expert execution, and a relentless drive to raise the standard. And with Three2Six entering its next chapter, one thing’s clear: he’s just getting started.
Selling a property - especially in the competitive luxury market - requires more than just listing it online. To truly capture buyers’ attention, your home must stand out, evoke emotion, and spark imagination.
SWEALTHY STAGE PROPERTIES TO SELL FASTER + FOR MORE.
Melissa Yeadon: SWEALTHY STAGING | CEO
Unless you're an interior designer or have a strong passion for architecture and decor, it can be challenging to know how to present your property in the best possible light. One of the most effective strategies is professional staging: tailoring the interior aesthetic to reflect the lifestyle and tastes of your ideal buyer. This allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space, rather than trying to imagine how they might make it work.
While high-quality furniture and fabrics play a vital role in staging, incorporating art is a powerful - and often overlooked - element. Not just any artwork will do. Carefully selected pieces that align with current design trends and complement your home's character can elevate the perceived value of your property. Think of your staging agent as part interior stylist, part art curator.
Strategic placement is key. Even the most compelling artwork can fall flat if poorly positioned. Use art to accentuate your home’s best features. Tall, vertical pieces can highlight soaring ceilings, while wide, horizontal works can draw attention to focal points like fireplaces. Coordinating artworks across rooms can create a sense of continuity and flow throughout the home.
For maximum impact, hang art at eye level. Display large pieces individually, and group smaller ones to form a cohesive gallery wall. While art should be visually engaging, it shouldn't dominate the space. Its role is to enhance the overall aesthetic - not distract from it.
Demonstrates Potential: Art reveals how a room can be transformed, helping buyers imagine their own touches.
Highlights Unique Features: Cleverly placed artwork can draw attention to architectural elements and charming details.
Sets the Mood: Art creates ambiance and emotional resonance that words alone cannot convey.
Adds Warmth: The right piece can soften stark spaces, making them feel inviting and lived-in.
Enhances Flow: Coordinated artwork in consistent colors or themes can unify rooms and guide the eye.
Introduces Accent Colors: Abstract or bold art can bring vibrant highlights to neutral settings.
Encourages Exploration: Strategic placement draws buyers deeper into the space while showcasing key features.
At Swealthy Staging, we offer a curated collection of artwork prints designed to complement a wide range of interior styles. Our print builder allows you to customize artwork to suit your color palette - whether you’re enhancing a cohesive theme or adding contrast to minimalist decor.
Each print is available in three sizes; A3, A2, and A1 to fit your staging needs. Simply select a design, choose your preferred color variation using our interactive chart, and order directly online with ease.
The information shared in this article is our opinion only at the point of publication. It is important that you keep your knowledge up-to-date and conduct your research and due diligence at all times. If you have any questions - Swealthy Staging are here to help, advise and guide you through the process
Every interior designer worth their weight will know the virtues of great lighting.
It can create space where it is limited, open a dark corner, highlight a feature and make a room cosier than it actually is. But in 2025, lighting, and in particular sculptural and statement lighting, is one of the biggest interior design trends, and we are loving it!
Sculptural chandeliers and bold pendants are becoming focal points of the home as we leave boring, non-descript lamps and lights behind. A superb chandelier can be the centrepiece of a room and command as much attention and as many compliments as a well-chosen piece of art.
Drawing attention to a luxury kitchen island or dining table, or to a feature bath, it is time to be bold and have some fun with the way you light each room of your home.
In our showroom, we have placed beautiful Murano glass pendants from Italy above a luxurious bath and whilst people always comment on the fabric pressed between glass that surrounds the tub, the pendant light is almost always requested as a finishing touch.
In both our contemporary and unique shaker inspired kitchens, we have added statement chandeliers, again an exclusive brand to us from Italy, and a larger-than-life pendant that looks incredible in a client’s warehouse penthouse.
World famous, the Taccia lamp has a special place in design history, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Taccia table lamp with the idea of turning a ceiling lamp upside down. Its distinctive, architectural shape and style immediately earned it a place in design history. It sits stylishly within our cinema room and is talked about as much as the film on show!
So, be brave, great lighting is an investment that pays off, and with time, chandeliers and Murano pendants can often increase in value too!
Visit our showroom for some inspiration.
13-15 Kenilworth Street, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4QS 01926 774764 | veritasinteriors.com
With over 30 years of combined experience, Tony Lune and Jayson Maver have established themselves as trusted experts in the Birmingham and West Midlands property market.
With over 30 years of combined experience, Tony Lune and Jayson Maver have established themselves as trusted experts in the Birmingham and West Midlands property market. From single-room house shares to multi-million-pound luxury homes, they provide a tailored service to meet the needs of landlords, tenants, buyers, and sellers alike.
Tony has been a key figure in residential lettings since 2008, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a hands-on approach to property management. His passion for real estate and commitment to exceptional customer service have led to an impressive 90% client retention rate. Tony believes in treating every property as if it were his own, ensuring that both landlords and tenants receive the highest level of care and professionalism.
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Jayson’s career spans advertising, property development, and real estate sales and lettings in both the UK and UAE. With seven years as a Sales Director in advertising and twelve years as a Project Manager in residential development, he brings expert marketing, negotiation, and project management skills to the table. His experience with high-end properties ensures that every home is presented and promoted to its full potential.
Together, Tony and Jayson provide a comprehensive property service, covering the entire West Midlands, with Birmingham as their stronghold. Whether it’s a first-time rental, a large-scale investment, or a luxury sale, their expertise and client-focused approach make them the go-to professionals in the region’s competitive property market.
If you are looking for someone to stage or design the interior of your property for you, it is important to select someone who understands the ins and outs of Crib5 and fire safety regulations.
SWEALTHY STAGE PROPERTIES TO SELL FASTER + FOR MORE.
If you are looking for someone to stage or design the interior of your property for you, it is important to select someone who understands the ins and outs of Crib5 and fire safety regulations. The rules on these legislations are regularly updated and so your staging company needs to ensure their training on the subject is always up-to-date.
At Swealthy Staging, this is something we pride ourselves on, ensuring we work with brands and purchase from companies that are as strict on these requirements as we are. Fire safety shouldn’t be something that keeps you up at night, but a default part of the process. Getting it right first time is so important - it keeps people safe and will save you a significant sum of money.
Ready to stage your property in a compliant way? Find out more at swealthystaging.com
You might think that home staging is all about having a good eye for furnishings that make your property look its very best, and that’s true - but there is a lot more to it than that. One of the many things that staging companies have to take into consideration is fire safety regulations, specifically, Crib5 and it’s scary how few have even heard of it.
Crib5, or Ignition Source 5, is a fire safety standard that all furnishings and materials in certain public spaces must adhere to. This can include properties that are staged or pre-furnished for purchase or rental. Landlords and sellers have a responsibility to ensure that the property they are offering meets this fire safety standard.
To pass Crib5 regulations, furnishings and materials used in staging and interior design must be tested in a few different ways:
The smouldering cigarette test: this test involves leaving a cigarette to burn for its entire length on a test rig constructed with the material in question. If the material doesn’t catch fire, it passes test number one.
The match test: Similarly to the cigarette test, this involves holding a lit match in place for 20 seconds. The results determine pass or fail.
The Crib5 test: If materials pass the first two tests, they can be considered for the Crib5 test. This involves a small crib-structure made of wooden planks glued together that must be at least five tiers high. The fabric is placed on the bottom of the crib with lint. The interior is then ignited with a match. To pass this third test, the flames must extinguish within ten minutes and there must be no sign of smouldering on the material.
In the event of a fire in a public building, having furnishings and materials that are Crib5 compliant can help slow the spread, giving anyone inside valuable extra time to evacuate. This legislation saves lives, and it is the responsibility of all building owners to ensure the people inside their venues are safe.
When you are selecting materials or furnishings for your property, look out for the Crib5 symbol, which you’ll usually find on an attached tag.
Because material must be treated before upholstering, you cannot pass Crib5 standards by treating furniture yourself (unless you are taking the fabric off and putting it back on again). That is why it is so important to make the right choices when purchasing furnishings. If an item does catch fire in your property, depending on the fabric used, you may still see flames, because the protective treatment is on the underside of the material. Once the fire burns through the outer layer of fabric, it should burn out once it hits the treatment layer.
Some fire-safety legislations also apply to things like wallpaper and even solid furniture so making the wrong choices could prove to be incredibly expensive.
The information shared in this article is our opinion only at the point of publication. It is important that you keep your knowledge up-to-date and conduct your research and due diligence at all times. If you have any questions - Swealthy Staging are here to help, advise and guide you through the process
The concept of wellness in home design has surpassed aesthetic appeal and functionality, entering a space where the occupants physical, mental, and emotional well-being take centre stage.
This important evolution in design is known as ‘wellness architecture’ and not only reflects our own holistic needs within the home or place of work, but also the impact of the built environment on our lives.
Working from and entertaining in the home is now the ‘new norm,’ so creating balance and harmony whilst retaining functionality is especially important.
Sustainability, health, and comfort are all principles of ‘wellness architecture,’ this includes elements such as natural light, air quality, biophilic design, and the use of natural materials – non-toxic materials! The goal is to ensure living spaces not only meet practical needs, but also improve physical health, reduce stress, and increase mental clarity. The challenge comes when one space serves a multitude of purposes - that need to cancel out the stress we experience during ‘work hours’ and replace that with the comfort of our ‘nest,’ creating a space where there is balance of purpose and environment.
It might sound conflicting, but technology plays an essential part in wellness architecture. Smart home technology that controls everything from temperature to lighting, sound to security and even the toilet! Lighting systems can be programmed to adjust to your daily schedule – work mode and relaxing mode, without prompt. Air purification systems that deliver outdoor quality air for those at the desk all day, or for those who suffer with breathing issues.
Whether you’re lucky enough to have one room as a dedicated office, or a room that has dual purpose, with thought and the right products and design the office can be embedded discreetly into daily life. For example, acoustic wallpaper minimises the impact of noise which is so important for mental health and professional zooms, whilst bespoke cabinetry that is both stylish and practical hides gadgets and anything that reminds us of work when the day is done.
Natural light is so important, exposure to it is vital for regulating sleep patterns, energy levels and mood. Large windows, skylights, and circadian lighting – systems that mimic natural light, all contribute to wellness. Similarly, water filtration systems to include taps that purify water and serve it hot, cold or with bubbles, offer wellness and are great for cooking and entertaining.
You may start to hear the term ‘Biophilic design’ which connects occupants with nature through elements like indoor plants, outdoor views and natural textures, and there is substance behind it! Studies show it reduces stress, boosts creativity, and develops well-being. Work surfaces that mix wood with natural stone elements such as granite and marble achieve this but are also super stylish and impactful.
Wellness as a concept most naturally sits within the bathroom, and a spa-like experience is one of the biggest requests we receive - think ‘light therapy mood boosting’ showers, and sauna, steam, and Turkish baths. The guest toilet in our showroom is home to our extremely popular Japanese toilet that is both sleek and stylish and uses EWATER+ Technology which thoroughly cleans the wand jet and toilet bowl. EWATER+ is dirt repelling and boasts cleansing properties that give waste, mould, and bacteria little chance of lasting...so put away those rubber gloves! You don’t have to touch the toilet either, it senses your approach, opens and closes automatically. A heated seat and ‘cleanse and dry service’ complete the experience – oh, and odour is also absorbed! We also display the latest in showering technology. A showerhead that is an impressive 1.3 meters long and 30cms wide with four retractable wings and integrated ambient lighting. Three jet types – a concentrated mono jet, expansive rain jet and body jets with unique PowderRain spray deliver a sensory experience. Now if that doesn’t invigorate, relax, and create a sense of wellness in the home, I don’t know what will.
SHOWROOM LOCATION
13-15 Kenilworth Street, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4QS 01926 774764 | veritasinteriors.com
We don’t just design; we simplify decisions, manage complexity, and keep projects moving forward.
By Andrii Yeksarov, Founder of ATRIO
I started ATRIO with a clear goal — to make the process of creating great spaces easier, smarter, and more enjoyable for people and businesses.
Over the years, I noticed how many clients were left juggling different teams, unclear timelines, and designs that didn’t quite work in real life. That’s why ATRIO was built to do more than just design. We lead the entire journey — from the first idea all the way to a finished space you can walk into and love.
At ATRIO, we guide every step of the process — design, build, procurement, and logistics — so our clients don’t have to stress. Whether it’s a home, a workspace, or a new development, we bring everything together in one smooth, well-managed experience. The result? Time and money saved, and a final result that looks and feels right.
We believe in design that works beautifully — not just for today, but for years to come. Our team is creative and practical, and always thinks one step ahead. Every project is different, so we take time to understand your goals and create solutions that truly fit.
Working with ATRIO means having someone on your side — someone who listens and makes the process simple and clear. We’re here to deliver not just high-end design, but real peace of mind.
ATRIO’s portfolio spans the UK and international markets, blending modern sophistication with intelligent, thoughtful execution.
I take inspiration from travel, history, and nature.
With over a decade of experience in interiors, business, and project management, my vision is to establish ATRIO as a leader in high-end interiors—a brand known for setting new benchmarks in quality and client care. Our approach is built on trust, communication, and delivery.
We don’t just design; we simplify decisions, manage complexity, and keep projects moving forward.
Great spaces don’t happen by accident. They’re built on smart thinking, strong partnerships, and a clear vision from start to finish. That’s what ATRIO is all about.
Andrii Yeksarov
Founder of ATRIO
hello@atriodesign.co.uk
atriodesign.co.uk
Location
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Location
Moseley, Birmingham
Location
The Fort Shopping Centre, Birmingham
Location
Harvey Nichols, Birmingham
By Andrii Yeksarov, Founder of ATRIO
One of the best examples of ATRIO’s all-in-one approach is the Mayan Restaurant Project — a standout that brought together our creative thinking, technical precision, and hands-on delivery.
The client came to us with a bold brief: to create a high-end dining space that felt immersive, emotional, and rooted in Mayan heritage. They didn’t just want a beautiful restaurant — they wanted a transportive experience. We took on the full journey, from initial concept through to the final build, ensuring that every detail supported the original vision.
Inspired by ancient Mayan architecture and natural Central American landscapes, I led the design with a focus on authenticity, atmosphere, and elegance. We used a palette of deep earthy tones, lush greens, and warm golds, layered with organic textures like stone, wood, and handmade finishes. The result was a space that felt grounded, soulful, and elevated — a modern interpretation of a rich cultural story.
Our build team worked hand-in-hand with our design team, making sure that no detail was lost in translation. We sourced custom pieces, collaborated with artisan makers, and managed every element — from lighting design to furniture installation — to ensure consistency in quality and experience.
The restaurant doesn’t just look good — it feels right. It’s a space that tells a story through texture, light, and material. Guests feel transported the moment they enter, and that emotional impact is what sets it apart.
That attention to detail and seamless delivery is what earned us the UK Regional Winner title at the International Design Awards in 2024. It was a proud moment, not just because we were recognised, but because it proved what’s possible when design and build come together under one roof.
At ATRIO, projects like this are more than just spaces — they’re experiences. And when you get the process right, the result speaks for itself.
Find out more about Atrio Design and all the incredible projects Andrii has worked on at atriodesign.co.uk
or email hello@atriodesign.co.uk
Staging your property is going to cost you – there’s no getting away from that fact. But you need to decide whether that cost is an expense or an investment.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS
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Staging your property is going to cost you – there’s no getting away from that fact. But you need to decide whether that cost is an expense or an investment. And how you come to that conclusion will likely be down to a number of different factors. Let’s discuss all the reasons why we think staging your property could be an investment worth making, or an expense you should avoid.
So, you’ve decided to put your property on the market and you’ve done everything the experts suggest to increase your chances of a sale. Your walls are all freshly painted in neutral colours and you’ve completely cleaned the building top to bottom, de-cluttering at every possible point.
This is a great start, and will certainly work to show potential buyers the nice blank canvas they have to work with. But what this doesn’t do, is show them what the property could be. Staging brings the wow factor, displaying things in the most attractive way so that people can imagine what their own life could be like if they purchased the property. And once they’ve pictured themselves in a property, the deal is pretty much already done!
A report by Coastal Home Styling showed that 83% of estate agents think that staging is an important tool in helping buyers think of a property as their future home. Can you afford not to stage your property?
A report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that staging a property can increase the final sales price by 5-10%. So, as long as you don’t spend more than that on your staging costs, it could really be an important investment. You could end up making more money than you had originally hoped!
This is because a perfectly presented home offers more value to potential buyers, so they are less likely to try and haggle on price.
Most people are advised to spend around 1% of their asking price on staging. If the value then increases by 5%, you’re earning a good chunk more! If you have a more limited budget, then make sure you at least stage the living room. According to the NAR report, this room is likely to make the most difference to your sale. After that, focus on the kitchen, the master bedroom and then the dining room. Prioritise your budget in that order and you’ll reap the staging benefits.
Staging your property offers other benefits that you won’t be able to measure on a calculator. These include:
Less stress: The quicker your property sells, the less stress you have arranging viewings and showing people around. And since properties that are staged tend to receive an offer within 23 days, as opposed to 184 days for non-staged properties (according to The Real Estate Staging Association), that’s an awful lot less stress to deal with!
Improved reputation for estate agents: If you are an estate agent trying to make a name for yourself or maintain the professional image you already have, home staging will help with that. If the homes you sell always look their best, people will want to work with you over your competitors, keeping you in a steady flow of work.
Better connection: Staged homes help potential buyers form a psychological connection with the property, so that even once the offer is put in and the sale has gone through, they are likely to love their home for longer. There’s something very heart-warming about getting the right person into the right home, and staging can help make that happen.
So, once the initial cost is paid, it seems there are no downsides to home staging. We can only see an investment opportunity here.
Melissa
SWEALTHY STAGING | CEO
If you want to speak to a professional staging company with proven results, get in touch with us at Swealthy Staging and we can talk you through your options in more detail. Or visit our brand new staging platform:
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When Old Moat House went on the market, it looked like no one wanted to take on the extensive ancient renovation project. When Olivia and Jack Munro looked round, there had been over 50 viewings and no offers, but they fell in love with the potential immediately.
Almost two years later and they’ve dug up floors, pulled down walls, re-roofed and discovered many exciting quirks within their ancient building. Olivia estimates that they are only about 20% through their renovation project, but the house is already starting to feel a little more like home.
“The house purchase actually took almost a year to getting the keys, so we had romanticised and gone over and over ideas for all those months, whilst hoping and praying we would actually get it,” said Olivia, “We knew the living room would be a good place to start as the other two rooms adjoining meant that we could essentially close off half the house whilst living in the other.”
Whilst tearing down the existing living room, they found lots of surprises, including a hidden fireplace and some beautiful ceiling beams. There were also some not-so-welcome discoveries, like broken wastepipes under the floorboards, which meant the drainage had to be fixed in the summer.
“We probably didn’t anticipate doing work of this scale, but once we were in it, things just naturally escalated and we kind of just went with the flow! We aren’t the type to get too flustered, but if we had viewed the house seeing it stripped out, we probably would have walked away quite briskly!”
The couple haven’t let it get on top of them, though, and have spent many hours working on their house around jobs, two children, their dogs and ponies. “We do it all at the weekends! Jack wakes up at 4am and works non-stop until he drops. I often collect materials on my day off so that it’s there ready for the weekend.
“We’ve completed 1 room out of 12 - almost there with the living room. So, all the other rooms to come!! What’s next? Finishing off the living room – we’ve got a library wall to build in there. Study and shower room to complete - these have been part of the living room project in terms of flooring. We will get the front entrance extension started and then we have upstairs above this side of the house to re-floor and vault the ceilings in- we did the prep work for this when we re-roofed.”
Olivia and Jack have proven that you don’t need renovation experience for a project of this size, “We did light renovations to our last house, but nothing of this scale!
“Jack is quite handy and I’ve been learning along the way. Usually, if it’s something new to us, Jack will research extensively and watch tutorials, and then give it a go! For example, he learnt to do lead welding and flashing, and did all of that around the chimney stacks. Purchasing the tools to do it was far cheaper than getting a specialist in to do it!”
The size of the project hasn’t dampened Olivia’s love for the building either, “The living room is such a beautiful space now, but the kitchen is a great size and has amazing potential, and actually the outside space was one of the big selling points - we are on just under an acre. We have the ponies here in winter and are looking to get chickens and grow vegetables again, both of which we used to do at our old cottage.
“It’s quite a big adventure. Knowing that it’s going to be a beautiful family home when we are finished keeps us motivated and enjoying the process. We laugh a lot!”
Olivia has plenty of advice for anyone thinking of starting a renovation project, “Go with your eyes wide open! Try not to romanticise too much. Having an idea and understanding of the work, or knowing someone knowledgeable is a real key thing. You’ve got to be prepared for mess and things taking a whole lot longer than you thought it would. It helps to be on good terms with a local builder’s merchant so you can be sure to get the correct materials at the right price! Having a van or a way to transport materials is definitely a high priority.”
And she’s shown most of the process on Instagram, “It was started as a way to document our journey and it quickly became apparent that people enjoyed seeing the journey too! We’ve got a great bunch of followers behind us and they really spur us on!”. Follow their renovation story for yourself on Instagram:
“It’s quite a big adventure. Knowing that it’s going to be a beautiful family home when we are finished”
Naz is a multi-award-winning designer and owner of Veritas Interiors. He will be sharing his interior design tips in each issue.
Naz is a multi-award-winning designer and owner of Veritas Interiors. With a background in fine art and design he studied at the prestigious Central St Martins – University of the Arts. His client portfolio extends beyond the Midlands, Cotswolds, and London, to Gstaad, Majorca, and Italy and thanks to his thirty plus years of experience in the industry, he boasts exclusive relationships with prestigious international and UK based suppliers. Delighted to be writing for us, he will be sharing his interior design tips in each issue. To kickstart the interior ‘inspo,’ Naz has ‘decluttered’ the 2025 guide to interior design.
It seems at odds with the concept of interior design to talk about ‘trends,’ as the whole point of a home is to create a sense of ownership and permanence, a space that completes you, whilst the fleeting nature of trends suggests the exact opposite. But, just like fashion trends that are interpreted well, interior trends can have that sense of longevity, an investment that pays off.
What’s not on-trend for 2025 is an easy place to start, and all-white interiors are no more. People are leaning towards spaces that contain history, personality, thought and character breathing life into spaces.
Taking a lead from high-end fashion houses such as Gucci, burgundy will be working its way into our homes, as is ‘brown furniture.’ Brown doesn’t refer simply to the Pantone Colour of the Year, which is Mocha Mousse, but to actual furniture such as English and American antiques that add a sense of authenticity and depth to minimalist spaces – which continue to be a theme for 2025, albeit with a sophisticated, luxurious twist.
Rich colour palettes, curvy designs and warm wood tones populate the interior offerings for 2025. If you just think about those three elements, they evoke a sense of ‘luxury,’ ‘comfort’ and ‘awareness’ – just what this year calls for.
As with all trends, they are merely ‘visitors from the past’ as is the Art Deco resurgence that we’ve seen in the use of lacquer and furniture silhouettes. The incredibly astute use of layouts from that era as well as their love of detail and motifs will be a thing. Texture, tone and nods to nature and sustainability are all in play – wood is always a design permanent and plays such a key role in any space – adding rustic charm and conversely a modern sleek, minimalist touch to a room. Stone, another earthly material, expands its uses with large stone surfaces, which I’ve always found add a sense of grandeur and a talking point that has grown in importance this year with minimalist large format surfaces adding impact to every room.
2025 sees us embrace texture with tactile, natural finishes. A few months ago, I wanted to add texture to a kitchen I designed for a client, a kitchen that majored on a heavily veined sleek granite. I found this hardwearing imitation leather material, which looked and felt just like expensive leather and used it in key serving and guest areas of the kitchen. The client, who I thought would shy away from the idea, absolutely loved it, and says guests cannot help but run their hands along it whilst he cooks for them. I can now tell him he’s ahead of the curve!
A trend that I have played with in my showroom is ‘upholstered walls.’ I’m sensing raised eyebrows at the thought of auntie’s old tapestry, but fear not they are not in! Picture beautiful fabrics crushed behind glass to create exquisite backdrops on walls and even showers…now you’re interested, and so you should be.
Thankfully, all out luxury is always on point, statement interiors that ensure you’re talked about in the right circles, and in the right way. Verdigris, which I love is also having its moment. It’s a super colour combo of blues and blueish greens which can look colourful and neutral all at once. It will transcend lighting, accessories and tiling too, you will love this.
With nuggets of inspiration for all tastes and styles, please do remember that your home is a personal space, so focus on your needs, personality, and budget, which is always a winning combination.
If you have any questions regarding interiors, email
“focus on your needs, personality, and budget”
SHOWROOM LOCATION
13-15 Kenilworth Street
Royal Leamington Spa
CV32 4QS
We spoke to the interior expert recently about trends in interiors and furniture.
As Michael Novak knows only too well, interior trends don’t tend to fit neatly into yearly seasons: “Trends are never confined to calendar years—they evolve, adapt, and flow seamlessly across seasons. That’s why understanding the difference between fleeting fads and enduring trends is so important.”
We spoke to the interior expert recently about trends in interiors and furniture. Read on to see what’s popular right now.
Novak & Parkes had a very busy 2024, designing sleek modern spaces, luxurious bedrooms and spa-like bathrooms. “It’s been so exciting to see the industry embrace a fresh wave of trends that prioritise warmth, individuality and personality.”
Although warm neutrals were still popular, muted shades of mossy greens, russet red and deep ochres were in demand at the end of the year. “One of the most refreshing shifts we noticed was the move away from the “insta-house” aesthetic that has oversaturated social media. Instead, clients began seeking spaces that reflect their individuality and tell their own stories.”
Michael thinks that colour will become more important in 2025. “From moody blues to earthy ochres and sumptuous aubergines, colour is making its way back into our homes, bringing depth, drama, and a sense of vibrancy. This evolution is paired with a sustained love for darker wood tones, which add richness and grounding to any space.”
He also thinks the minimalist trend will fade away, making way for texture and personality. This ties in nicely with his prediction for furniture: “The modern farmhouse trend, which has dominated in recent years, is now branching out in two distinct directions: modern organic and heritage.
“Modern organic embraces soft curves, flowing lines, and a focus on natural imperfections. Materials like travertine, alabaster, walnut, and burl are taking centre stage, bringing a tactile, earthy quality to furniture. It’s all about creating spaces that feel grounded, serene, and connected to nature.
“Heritage, on the other hand, is about mixing antique or vintage pieces with contemporary designs. It’s not about recreating Victoriana but rather incorporating one or two beautifully crafted, high-quality pieces that add depth and character to a room. It’s a nod to timeless craftsmanship and an appreciation for investing in pieces that will last.”
And he leaves us with a little bit of advice: “Always prioritise quality when buying furniture. Examine the materials, hardware and construction. Fast interiors, like fast fashion, are on their way out - it’s all about sustainability and longevity.”
With 2025 already shaping up to be a jam-packed year for Novak & Parkes, as they embark on several residential projects and some new-build designs, Michael certainly knows what he’s talking about. The team have over 17 years of experience in interior design, so if you need any advice, head to their website:
If you have dreamed of getting married in a fairytale castle, then we might have found the wedding venue for you! Farnham Castle is the ultimate Instagram-perfect building, set in five acres of beautifully manicured grounds.
Farnham Castle
A VENUE FIT FOR A FAIRYTALE
If you’ve found your Prince or Princess, you’ll want to celebrate your relationship in the most romantic setting, and Farnham Castle is the perfect place for that. There’s a reason why this stunning venue has won multiple awards and even been featured on the iconic TV show, Married at First Sight. It’s because the ambience and design of the building creates a beautiful backdrop for your vows, ensuring gorgeous photographs and capturing a feeling that you’ll want to hold on to forever.
The sprawling nature of the historic building means that every wedding is unique, allowing you to create a day that works for you. There are many different spaces to conduct a marriage ceremony, including the Lantern Room for civil ceremonies, the Norman Chapel for religious ceremonies and the Great Lawn and East Lawn for outdoor ceremonies.
This wealth of options also means the staff are always prepared in unexpected circumstances. For example, if you’d planned an outdoor ceremony, but the weather had other ideas, you could effortlessly redirect to an indoor space for a wedding that is just as breath-taking.
Newlyweds and their guests also have exclusive access to The Gatehouse, Pembroke Room, Stone Hall, Lantern Hall and Great Hall. The Great Hall is particularly magnificent, with stained glass windows and an imposing feature fireplace that emphasises the grandeur of the venue.
When the vows are read and rings exchanged, guests can enjoy a drinks and canapés reception while you are whisked off by your photographer to create pictures you will treasure forever.
And when you return to your party, you can all sit down to enjoy an exquisite three or four-course dining menu created by head chef Simon Lloyd and his very talented team. Farnham Castle appreciate that the food is one of the most important parts of any wedding, so they don’t take it lightly! Using the finest, locally sourced ingredients, food is prepared fresh on the day and served hot, ensuring compliments all round. You can choose from the extensive catering menu and attend tasting days to help you make your decision. Nobody is left out, with options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners too.
Luxury food should always be served with the right drinks, so they help you pair your chosen menu with Champagnes and wines selected from international wine lists. And, if your guests fancy something different, the Gallery Bar is well-stocked with plenty of alternative options, including some impressive cocktails!
Your dining experience is served in the Great Hall, with space for 238 seats, and if you have a larger guest list, a marquee on the Great Lawn is a wonderful option.
The Guildford Suite is the most beautiful bridal room – the perfect escape for the newlyweds after their whirlwind day. With a large, comfortable bed, the spacious room offers incredible views over the grounds of Farnham Castle, so you can wake up and relive the memories of the previous day with a smile.
And your guests can stay too, in one of the 33 en-suite bedrooms. Then you can all meet up for breakfast in the Library, keeping the magic of your special day alive for a little bit longer.
Want to discover the magic of Farnham Castle for yourself? Head to www.farnhamcastle.com and get your initial viewing booked in.
Hi, I’m Georgia/Gee, a wedding photographer with a passion for storytelling, a creative soul with a slight caffeine dependency. Based in Lancashire, I travel all over the UK capturing love stories in all of their beautiful documented glory.
For me, photography is so much more than pretty pictures, It’s about telling your story and the moments that make your wedding uniquely yours. I’m drawn to the unscripted, authentic, unexpected tears, belly laughs that make your cheeks ache, stolen glances, and of course, that one uncle owning the dance floor.
My style is fun, warm and intimate. Forget the stiff poses and forced smiles, that’s not my vibe. I want you to feel at ease, whether giggling through your vows, sneaking a quiet moment together, or tearing up the dance floor. My goal is to capture the magic as it unfolds naturally, the emotions, energy, and little quirks that make your day unforgettable.
Your wedding day is more than just the ceremony, the dress, or the venue. It’s the heels left on the dance floor, the personal touches you’ve dreamed of and the quiet moments honoring loved ones who couldn’t be there. From the early morning preparations to the buzz of the band starting the party, I’m here for it all, capturing the details that matter most to you.
I bring high energy when it’s needed, a calm presence for the nerves, and a personal touch to ensure your photos feel like you. If you’re after a photographer who’ll go all in cheering you on, making you laugh, and creating images that instantly take you back to your special day, then look no further. Your love story deserves to be told, and I’d be honored to tell it.
WHEN LIAM AND NICI LINLEY BOUGHT THEIR TERRACED HOUSE 11 YEARS AGO, THEY ALREADY KNEW THERE WOULD BE THINGS THEY WANTED TO CHANGE.
FAST FORWARD TO NOW, AND THEY’VE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY NEXT DOOR AND ARE ON THEIR THIRD RENOVATION OF THE FIRST HOUSE, KNOCKING DOWN WALLS TO TURN THEIR TWO HOMES INTO THEIR DREAM HOUSE.
When they started, they had no experience at all, relying on family members to help with the most difficult bits, like knocking out chimney breasts. In 2017, Liam went back to college and trained as an electrician, giving him some useful skills and contacts. This has allowed them to complete most of the renovation themselves, working around their two small children and, of course, their full-time jobs.
“The house that we originally brought 11 years ago was on the market for three/four years.” Nici explained, “It was a full renovation so no one would touch it. And it was going back to when mortgages were hard to get as well. But because we knew my dad would help and it was within our price range, we decided to just have a go. And because we’ve done so much work to this property, we’ve never wanted to move.
“So, when the chance to buy next door came up, we knew that would probably be in a similar state, but we knew we could take it on and have the challenge. And make it our own rather than buy something that was ready done.”
“We always underestimate the amount of work there is,” said Nici. “I was pregnant during most of the bigger work, so I had it in the back of my head that I was having a baby at some point, but Liam was just like, ‘Oh it will be fine!’”
“When we first got the keys and we started stripping and taking carpets up and things, we just found problem after problem,” said Liam. “All the floor joists were rotten in the living room, so we had to replace those, and they were rotten because it was damp on the front wall. The walls were drenched wet through. All the plaster had to come off. And it was challenging.
“It was so handy being able to open the door, walk next door and start work. And it became so much easier when we knocked the hole in the wall and we could just literally unzip the dust sheet door that we’d bought from Amazon and walk through and then we were in our renovation and we could crack on.
And then we could be as messy as we wanted, walk through the dust door, have a shower and get on with dinner!”
“And then on my maternity leave, when baby was sleeping, it was easy to unzip the door and sneak through,” said Nici, “The baby monitor worked through the wall so I could get on!”
“The space that we’ve gained in the new home has meant we can re-do some of the rooms in the original one,” said Liam, “We put a full width attic conversion Dorma on top of the house and because of that, we split the master bedroom into two rooms. But because we’ve now got the bedrooms next door, we can now turn that back into one room. We need to rebuild the corridor and because of that we can extend the bathroom and have a bigger bathroom.”
They think they have around 75% of the renovation still to do, but they are eager to keep pushing on. In fact, it seems like fate had something to do with their purchase.
“One of the midwives who was on duty when I was born had the original house left to her,” explained Nici, “It was a coincidence when we bought it.”
“Then next door was owned by Harold and Laura who were both in their 90s.” said Liam, “They’d lived in it for 70 years or something like that. And they’d raised their children in that house and they were lovely.
“Their daughter Ann came to tell us that Harold had passed away. She didn’t know what she was going to do with the house. Jokingly, I said, wouldn’t it be funny if we could buy it and knock it into one. A few weeks later we saw her again and she asked if we were serious. We still call it Harold and Laura’s house.”
With so much work still to do on the house(s), you can follow Liam and Nici’s progress on Instagram:
Standing tall since the 15th century, TEMPLE GUITING MANOR is a venue steeped in history, even earning itself a mention in the Doomsday book! As you can imagine, things have changed over the years, with conversions and modernisation, but the luxury appeal has never faltered.
Read on to discover the wonder of the charming properties on the Temple Guiting Estate.
Owned by Steven Collins and his family for over twenty years, Temple Guiting Manor was intended to be a weekend holiday home. Over the years, Steven has added a barn and outbuildings to the estate and had the gardens renovated, using the services of local contractors, Ptolemy Dean (who worked on Westminster Abbey) and Jinny Blom.
As the children grew up, their visits to Guiting Manor reduced and so, in 2009, they decided to rent the house out. It has now become a fully functioning accommodation business offering exclusive use to groups of guests, with a team of staff helping to create a bespoke experience.
Set over 14.5 acres, the estate allows for up to 32 guests at any one time. They have a variety of sleeping options, including the six-bedroom Manor House, the converted barn with five suites and the one-bedroom Peacock Shed. There are also two smaller barns with four bedrooms between them.
No matter where you stay, you’ll be delighted by the carefully constructed interiors. Each room is adorned with antique finds and tasteful artworks sourced from galleries and art fairs around the world. The vibe is stylish and a little quirky, but always putting comfort first – you won’t get a better night’s sleep anywhere else!
Step outside and you can breathe in the fresh air of the large dry stone-walled gardens, magnificent water features and gently rolling fields offering views out over River Windrush. And if you fancy a dip, the outdoor pool is heated, allowing for year-round swimming.
Choosing Temple Guiting Manor instead of a traditional hotel allows you to customise your stay. You can work with the team to create an itinerary that works for your whole group, which is ideal for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. And you can discuss meals with the chef, ensuring every dietary preference is catered for and nobody leaves hungry! On-site activities may include tennis coaching, swim lessons, archery, falconry, mixology and cookery.
And if wellness is important to you, you’ll find no end of options! The Temple Guiting Manor retreat includes a private, well-equipped gym and a treatment room offering massages and facials. There is also a small studio for yoga and Pilates lessons and a personal trainer available who can create a full exercise programme or guided one-off workout sessions.
Associate Director, Caroline Hörstmann says: “It’s all about the experience - from the moment guests book and the fact we can create pretty much anything for a client within reason. Every stay is unique and made to their brief, then executed to perfection. It’s also the small touches that make an impact, like using British produce wherever possible, including gourmet PRESS smoothies, organic teas, local coffee roaster’s ground coffee and luxury Votary bathroom amenities to make them feel spoilt.”
And she’s been asked for some very fun added touches in the past:
“Clients often arrive by helicopter, which we can arrange in one of our fields. We have also been asked to create a petting zoo for a children’s party and tree-planting for a celebrity guest’s anniversary after they were married with us.”
Situated in the stunning Cotswolds, Temple Guiting Manor is just 15 minutes from Stow on the Wold. It is close to Daylesford Organic and Soho Farmhouse, with train links into London from Moreton-in-Marsh and Cheltenham. It’s a gorgeous getaway just close enough to civilisation to feel connected, but tucked away enough to feel truly relaxed.
Over the past five years, browsing properties online has become a much more immersive experience. Potential new homes are often advertised with a huge gallery of photos and even the occasional virtual tour. Sometimes furnished by the vendor, others - as empty houses.
But according to The Home Staging Association, an empty property is less equipped to tap into the emotional side of buying a house. If a buyer can see themselves raising a family or enjoying a glass of wine by the fireplace, they are more likely to connect with the space and see it as their future home. An empty property only shows a shell, and most people can’t visualise how that will work for them.
So, it is clear that staging empty properties will help to sell a home faster, but should you be looking at traditional or CGI staging?
As the world leans ever further into digital technology, you might be tempted to choose a rendered staging platform, placing the scenes on your online advertisement so people can visualise themselves living there before they’ve even set foot in the property. There are certainly some benefits to this method, such as:
Flexibility: The CGI can be updated with the seasons and used in multiple advertising spots, giving it further visual impact.
Cost: It is cheaper than traditional staging and can be shared across social media for free.
Despite this, it is rarely enough to sell a home on its own and there are many disadvantages, including:
Lack of interaction: Buyers can’t physically walk through the rendered space, forming that emotional engagement.
Lack of trust: Many buyers expect a digitally rendered property to offer an idealised view and won’t rely on it as a trustworthy source. There is also the risk of buyers physically viewing the property and feeling disappointed / confused that it doesn’t live up to their expectations of the CGI dream.
Lack of confidence: Potential buyers are more hesitant to make an offer as they question the property’s true potential. Even if they do eventually make an offer, it will take them longer to make that decision.
So, how does this compare with traditional staging? While properly staging a property can cost more initially, it tends to have a greater return and impact, making that larger outlay an investment, not a cost. And whilst buyers will still have to visit the property to make that emotional connection - the benefits are incredible:
Properties sell faster: That emotional connection is a powerful thing, leading to people putting in offers much more quickly.
Properties sell for more: Traditional staging can imply a higher value, showing potential buyers that the property is ready to move in. The Home Staging Association reports that staging can boost perceived value by between four and six percent, but some properties have seen offers of more than 15 percent above the asking price. The same report shows that staged properties have more viewings.
There’s no guesswork: The mental load of working out where things will go is taken away from the buyer – they can see the best potential layout in front them. While CGI images can attempt to do the same, when the buyer visits the property and finds it empty, they may feel disillusioned and disappointed.
There’s no need to compromise on property price: Thinking of cutting your asking price to encourage a sale? Staging the property will likely cost less than that and can be more effective at getting a sale, saving you money in the long-run!
The biggest drawback to rendered images is that reality rarely meets up to the expectation it sets. Melissa Yeadon from Swealthy Staging explains:
“CGI’s the fastest way to create confusion and a negative psychological state in a potential buyer (and as we know, a confused mind rarely buys!) Our aim at Swealthy Staging is to create ‘that’ environment where people walk in and say ‘WOW – I want to live here’, and honestly, we’re so proud to say that we do exactly that”.
Physical staging addresses potential sticking points. If a buyer likes a property but they can’t work out where their dining table will fit, staging will show them exactly how it could work. This means they walk away with all their questions answered, promising a positive impression and showing them that the property is the right one for them. It works on that emotional connection, making it more than just a visual tool – it’s an investment that all sellers and buyers can benefit from.
Once they started stripping wallpaper, their plans escalated, and they turned their little house in London into a luxurious home for them and their baby girl.
Imogen and Tom bought their first home together in 2020 and started ripping down walls a few days later. With no renovation experience between them, they had no idea of the project they were about to embark upon. And then lockdown happened. Imogen said, “We ended up with a house full of rubble that we couldn’t take to a tip until they reopened months later!”
Of course, they’ve had lots of contractors involved in the job, “We’ve had a fair amount of help. We had a specialist contractor to do the front of the house, removing the pebbledash, restoring the brickwork, repointing, replacing the bay window. We also hired a loft conversion company who did that conversion for us as well as some of the work on the first floor like adding a bathroom in. We hired a builder to take out the downstairs bathroom and do the kitchen renovation for us.”
Her favourite room is currently the kitchen, but Imogen says that every time they finish a room, it becomes her new favourite. “We knocked down the old bathroom which sat in the middle of the floorplan downstairs when we moved in and made a big full-width kitchen area, with a snug off to the back and I feel like this just adds a bit of wow factor to the house. We’ve just added some fitted cupboards and a library wall to the snug and it’s the perfect place to sit now. I love it and I’m looking forward to how cosy it’s going to be in the winter too.”
Of course, it’s not all been easy going. And the kitchen may be her favourite room now, but there were some challenges in getting it finished. “We had a nightmare with our builders on this project and it kept getting delayed, with lots of things finished poorly or not at all. So much so that we ended up having to get the new flooring completely replaced and finish things ourselves just to get them done. It was awful to live through as I was pregnant at the time and we were living without a kitchen, off ready meals, washing up in the bath and only had our bedroom as a living space as we had to use all the other rooms to store the things we had in the kitchen before building work started. It’s such a shame as I love the room now, but it shows how important it is to find good trades and how they can make or break your whole renovation experience.”
Imogen has learnt a lot about what goes into a renovation during the project, and a bit about herself too. “I love researching and coming up with new ideas for projects and design schemes for rooms. So much so that I’m now considering redoing some of the rooms we finished first and possibly venturing into helping others design their homes too!”
Of course, she’ll have to work around Eliza, her nine-month-old daughter. The birth of her baby girl did stop renovation proceedings slightly, but they’re back on it now! “A lot of our reno work was done pre-baby which was lucky as it’s been a lot harder and slower to get things done now she’s around! We pretty much did nothing for the first six months of her life but now we tend to do our DIY projects during nap time, after bedtime or one of us will do the work whilst the other looks after Eliza. But it’s very much a juggle that we’re still trying to get used to!
“We’ve got a long list of snagging jobs like painting doors or skirting boards which haven’t been done yet, but the only major project we need to finish is the garden now. We’re hoping to try and get that done in the next month or two before autumn. Then I’d really like to redecorate our front bedroom, and possibly our living room as I have some new ideas for these rooms now!”
And her top tips for newbie renovators? “Look for the bones of the house. If you don’t have to do a lot of structural work, it’ll be cheaper to renovate. The kitchen extension had already been built on ours, so it was just internal layout changes which have enabled us to create our new kitchen space. Consider the cost and the time – everything is so much more expensive now than when we first bought this house, so you need to make sure you have the money, or you’re willing to wait and save money and complete jobs as and when you can. Nothing about a renovation is quick, so having patience and knowing an end will come, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, is critical.”
Check out Imogen and Tom’s incredible renovation journey on Instagram: @thelittlehouseinlondon
We were keen to get inside and see why it had retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for a fourth year.
THE STAGE IS OURS!
When Melissa Yeadon, CEO of UK Property Stagers met the founder of Swealthy Interiors at a networking event, the stars collided, and interior staging magic happened!
This encounter has led to a dream merger that will transform properties and help boost sales. Research tells us that most people can’t imagine a space beyond what they see in front of them, so staging is a great way to show them exactly what is possible. Staging can be used to create a temporary atmosphere or show home. Or it can be more permanent. With turnkey solutions, a customer buys a ready-made property, complete with all the furnishing and finishes implemented.
The possibilities are endless and the chance to increase profit and sell the unsellable means that staging is on the rise. We sat down with Melissa to find out more about this partnership and how it can help your property business. Introducing:
BRINGING IN STAGING BRILLIANCE
“Both teams bring significant networks to the table,” says Melissa about why this is such an important partnership, “Our combined buying power means we can pass on amazing savings to our customers. But the most important thing for us was that our values, mission and standards were so perfectly aligned.”
Melissa got into staging after renovating her own home. “As with most renovations, we went to hell and back 100 times. But every challenge and difficulty had a silver lining – I realised I had a whole set of skills and a love for transforming interior space.”
She was asked by tradesmen why staging wasn’t her main job. With her mum by her side, she took the leap from psychology to staging, working everything around her children and creating a very successful business.
“I love to see the transformation from soulless properties to stunning market-ready homes with an undeniable ‘wow’ factor.”
“I especially enjoy the buzz of watching properties sell for more than their asking price; we dressed a property in Harborne last year, which was passed to me by local estate agent MECS. It had been on the market for over a year with previous estate agents with the feedback that the property felt too small for the asking price. We staged it for sale and within three days it sold for 35k over the previous offer. Needless to say, the client and estate agent were over the moon!”
WHY YOU SHOULD STAGE YOUR PROPERTIES
The Home Staging Association UK and Ireland reported in 2022 that staged homes received an offer in 45 days and sold three times faster than non-staged homes in a third of cases. Every single poll respondent believed that viewings increased on staged homes and buyers spent more time looking round.
A recent report from Zoopla shows that staging can add 10% to your sale price when done properly. Melissa agrees: “Research shows us that most people can’t see past a room in its current state. Sometimes that’s an empty room, other times a room with funky carpets and clutter.
“My background in psychology allows me to stage a room in a way that will speak to potential buyers on a deeper level. We create homes, maximising that psychological aspect in our design and implementation so the buyer has that emotional connection to the property.
“The whole point of staging is so the buyer walks in and strikes an emotional connection and can see themselves living there without question or can see the space working as a rental investment for them.”
Melissa’s degree in psychology and background in teaching the subject means she can view everything from the point of view of potential buyers. “A lot of people can’t visualise where pieces of furniture would go in certain spaces, so it helps them to imagine how they would dress the home when they move in. The aim of staging is for someone to walk in and think ‘Wow! I want this! I want to live here!’ and that’s what we achieve through our work.
“We’ve also seen a huge increase in demand for our turnkey options, which basically means the buyer chooses to buy everything we have used to stage the property as a package. They are literally buying their dream, and we make it effortless.”
TWO POWERHOUSES ON ONE STAGE
With Swealthy and UK Property Stagers coming together, there are many benefits for developers. “We save them time, stress and money and have demonstrated our worth over the years.
“The amount of time it takes to plan, organise, purchase furniture, wait for deliveries, build furniture, organise returns if anything is broken, liaise with removals, organise vans, organise and plan labour, all before installation day! Then on the day, they have to make the property look incredible, take photos, design and implement, make sure the day flows smoothly, remove and dispose of rubbish and then clean the property afterwards. Then, if it’s a rental service, come and remove all the furniture and leave tidy – not many developers want this amount of work to do it themselves.
“There’s a huge amount of time that goes into staging a property which can also be very stressful. They have enough stress on their hands, so that’s one thing we can take away from them.”
And Melissa is not afraid of a little competition: “There’s enough room for everyone.”
In fact, she co-hosts a networking group for females in the property world called Hard Hats to Heels: “A few of us got talking to Hayley Andrews from Property Elevator in a bar in London at the beginning of the year, saying how much this was needed in the property industry. So many females were worried about networking and having a lack of confidence walking in a room full of men, so we wanted to do something that was supportive of women in the industry.
That’s not to say that men aren’t supportive or don’t encourage us – they absolutely do, but it’s to bring women together somewhere where we all feel comfortable, encouraged and supported. It’s a truly fabulous networking event and we’ve had some wonderful speakers. We launched it on International Women’s Day, and it’s been a success ever since!”
So, if you have properties that need staging, you know where to come!
We were keen to get inside and see why it had retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for a fourth year.
After a scenic drive through the Derbyshire Dales we arrived at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone. A sneak peak around the beautiful conservatory area and grounds confirmed we were in for a real treat. We were keen to get inside and see why it had retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for a fourth year.
We were warmly greeted by General Manager, James, who made us feel at home straight away (and took very good care of us for the rest of our evening). After a drink at the bar we were shown to our table. The uber-talented chef, Scott, delivered some very tasty snacks of Beer Battered Pickles with Duncombe Ale mustard Mayo and Smoked Mackerel briquettes with fennel seed crackers to sample while perusing the menu. We were spoilt for choice and it was one of those ‘I want to try it all’ moments! But on to what we chose...
Cornish white crab, brown crab crumpet, lemon mayo, mixed baby cress
Wine pairing of Chablis Domaine Brigitte Cereal, Burgundy, France
Pan Roasted Hake, octopus, butter bean & tomato stew, bisque sauce
Duncombe Fish Pie - Cod, salmon, king prawn, shellfish sauce, buttered green vegetables
Minted seasonal greens
Roasted hispi cabbage, walnut & parmesan
Chocolate choux bun, honeycomb ice cream
Americano
Amaretto Coffee
The most apparent thing from start to finish was the quality and freshness of ingredients. The menu had a fantastic selection of dishes and everything (literally everything) we sampled was bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection. If you’re foodies like us, you’ll love this place. We left and all we could talk about was coming back to sample the rest of the menu. Next time we’ll be trying the infamous Tart Tatin for sure. We were unable to stop on this occasion but also worth noting the Duncombe Arms has a fantastic hotel room offering.
Can’t rate this place highly enough, we both thoroughly enjoyed!
Christmas dining in the most elegant of surroundings.
Simpsons has provided the perfect setting for celebrations for more than three decades. Having held a Michelin star for more than 25 years, it has evolved to remain one of Birmingham’s most loved and respected dining destinations.
Set in a stunning Grade II listed Georgian house, the restaurant offers relaxed dining in elegant surroundings that will feature plenty of festive flair throughout the Christmas period.
Diners can look forward to the very best seasonal produce and Christmas classics elevated to the level you’d expect from chef director Luke Tipping and his team.
Gatherings of between eight to 14 guests can celebrate in the stunning private dining room, with a three course à la carte and tasting menu available for small parties.
Wine director Giacomo will offer you the perfect wines to pair with your meal as well as a range of delicious sparkling teas and non-alcoholic alternatives.
To book visit: simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/reservation
Follow us on Instagram: simpsons_restaurant or Facebook: Simpsons Restaurant
An overgrown bungalow that ticked none of their boxes but just felt right!
When Louise and Vince Brown were house hunting back in 2009, they knew the exact location they wanted to live in, but they couldn’t find the perfect house. Then they stumbled across an overgrown bungalow that ticked none of their boxes but just felt right. They snapped the property up immediately and five years later find themselves knee deep in a renovation project that they admit has become much bigger than they ever expected. We spoke to Louise to find out all about the transformation.
Starting with a dream
“It was a really small rundown bungalow with a really ugly, massive fish pond and it was awful. We walked up the drive and it just instantly felt right, it’s just the weirdest thing, but never at that point did I think we were going to knock it down and take it to the ground and do what we did.”
This isn’t their first restoration rodeo, as they also worked on their first home, but to a lesser extent. “The first one was a lot easier! I’m winging it a bit.”
While Louise doesn’t have much experience when it comes to restoration projects, Vince works in the construction industry, giving him access to all the tradespeople and materials they needed to get things done properly. Despite that, they didn’t need too much help with their home.
“He’s done a lot of it himself. Obviously, we had the builders in to do the building, the rendering, all of that, but Vince has actually done so much himself. Obviously the electricians and painting and decorating and all that, The garden room we’re doing at the moment, he’s done that single-handedly himself. When he gets the time, he’s very good.”
The challenges along the way
And there have been a few wobbles along the way too. “We’ve had a few different designs with the house and to get what we’ve got, we had to dig really deep. At one point I remember standing about a meter down and looking up at the neighbour’s house and we were just stood in this mud and I said to Vince what the heck have we done?
Planning took longer than we expected, approximately three years; “It’s quite overwhelming when you do a house that size thinking how you’re going to do everything.”
A home they can love
Despite the challenges, the house is starting to take shape and Louise is really enjoying the results of their hard work. “I do love the garden. In the evening you can just go in the garden and it’s so quiet; it’s beautiful. The garden is like a labour of love – I’m sort of learning as I go on that. It’s not to everyone’s taste – a lot of people do comment saying too much concrete, too many slabs, but it works for us.
“We’ve got a big kitchen diner with the big island, with the table and a big TV. It’s a great social space. It’s nice that you come into the front door and you’ve got that big space and big window that lets loads of light in.
“We’ve still got loads to do, don’t be thinking it’s all finished because it’s really not! The spare bedroom is currently being decorated so that will be ready for guests very soon!”
And she’s documented the whole journey on Instagram. “I went on there for inspiration and saw that some people did it and so I just put a few things on there. Back in the day I’d just put one picture on there and it developed. One reel went crazy which was great but don’t be fooled, running a social media account takes time and effort and a lot of work. Don’t get me wrong, I get to work with some great brands, but you do have to put the effort in.”
Louise doesn’t see any more renovation projects in her future, despite Vince’s enthusiasm: “But for the moment, we’re looking forward to enjoying our dream home we’ve created”
Find Louise on Instagram at:
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