Staged homes are almost always graced with fresh flowers and pricey orchid arrangements, but you can get a similar effect simply by raiding your yard. "Take clippings of branches or twigs and put them in a large vase in the corner of a room to add height. It's a great structural piece that doesn't cost anything," says Michelle Yackel, owner of Divine Redesigns in Atlanta. Designer Ann Morris adds color and style with the well-placed floral arrangement shown here.It's also an easy way to incorporate seasonal greenery. Budding magnolia clippings or unfurling fern fronds herald the arrival of spring; summer blooms add splashes of cheerful color; blazing fall foliage warms up your decor on chilly autumn days; holly branches heavy with berries look smashing in winter; and airy feather-grass plumes add elegance and texture any time of year.
Above all, "Get creative! Don't be scared to try something different," Yackel says. Just about every professional stager has tales of home sellers who, upon seeing their once-tired abodes transformed, were so blown away by the results that they decided to stay put. Who knows? You, too, may find you love your "new" home so much that you'll never want to give it up.
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