Staging Transformations by Cora Sue Anthony

Cora Sue Anthony is an HGTV stalwart who can work miracles. Here's one of her gorgeous before-and-afters.
By: Amy Keyishian
Related To:
Home Staging Makeovers

Photo By: Herman Chan

Photo By: Herman Chan

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Photo By: Herman Chan

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Photo By: Herman Chan

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Photo By: Herman Chan

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Photo By: Arthur Sharif

Outside, Before

This is a perfectly pleasant 1921 bungalow in Oakland, Calif., but it needed a little makeover to really shine.

Front Entry, Before

Too much contrast and not enough "oomph." Would this house sell? Sure. But why not polish it up first?

Front Entry, After

Why a red door? It's good luck in many cultures, including Chinese and Italian. A deep, elegant, glossy version provides a high-impact entrance — think red carpet, but more permanent. 

Dining Room, Before

There's that green again; this time it's sage. Is it a lovely color? Yes. Does it help this small room? No.

Dining Room, After

Staging is different from interior design. The idea is to create a showpiece that appeals to many rather than a living space that appeals to one. 

Kitchen, Before

This was a perfectly reasonable kitchen, but it could be so much more. 

Kitchen, After

Take everything off the counters. Add light everywhere you can: on the cabinets, on the walls, through the windows. 

Living Room, Before

The buyer can figure out window treatments later. In a small space, those heavy drapes add heavy drama.

Living Room, After

The effect is now light and effortless — and those pillows pick up the impact of the front door. 

Bedroom #1

Using the same color throughout the house adds much-needed flow and unifies the small space. 

Bedroom #2

Spanking-white ceilings add height, and equally spanking-white moldings act as a frame around the view.

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